Ok first things first, we won, fantastic, we are in the quarter finals and for that I am grateful, the boys did a marvelous job on the penalties, but I never want to go through that again.
All those arseholes that support other teams were texting me non-stop, I turned my phone off, switched my laptop off and had my finger on the TV control off button so I didn’t have to watch the Roma fans and their players going nuts, so thank God I had that bit from 2 1/2 hours of hell to savour, no shots of note all night until we got to penalties, so at least I got to see something exciting and towards their goal.
Wenger had this to say – ‘I am proud of the mental strength because that is something which has been questioned a lot in our team’ Really? When Arsene? Whoever questioned the mental strength or the spirit? You sat there in the post match interview last night like the cat that had got the cream, and with a ‘I told you so look on your face’ you also sat slumped in your seat for most of the game looking like a dead man who’s team were going out to a shit Roma side, like the rest of us were, so we all saw how much you believed.
You persist in playing with Eboue on the right when you had Theo waiting and gagging, Denilson gave the ball away too many times and the the defence in the first ten minutes were shocking, where does mental strength come in?
You brought Eduardo on with 5 minutes to go in normal time when you should have put him on at the start. He even missed his penalty because he had hardly touched the ball.
The problem you seem to suffer from is selection, you will not give up on Eboue and it’s hurting us, we have the players, but you need to play them, What happened to Vela? He was awesome on Sunday, I’m not going to say any more because we’re through, but play that side against anyone else and we’re out.
I think we had 20 odd corners and didn’t fashion a shot out of one of them, that is piss poor – piss poor, do you practice them?
The penalty taking was great, even though a few went down the middle at least they went in and the celebration at the end was far better than the performance, it was great to watch, fabulous movement!
Bendtner out on the left, what??? No wonder Robin didn’t get a sniff, being supplied by Eboue, Bendtner and Clichy he was always on to a loser, and someone needs to tell Clichy to stop fouling people in the box, because one day we’ll have a ref that doesn’t need a guide dog and a white stick.
But we won and for that I am truly, truly happy, so well done that team, unfortunately we can’t play penalties every week and we can’t play the hapless Roma again either.
A word for the poor sod that got stabbed, Blatter and Platini you need to take the final somewhere else and send out a message to the thugs, they told us they were going to get us and they did, that’s premeditated and that cannot be allowed to happen. Show some courage you spineless, weedy bastards and award the final elsewhere, you would if it were the other way around, you bigoted pricks.
The most positive thing that happened last night was we’ll have Cesc and possibly Rosicky back for the quarter finals, that would mean playing Nasri or Diaby in the middle and Theo out wide and hopefully never having to see Eboue again, unless he replaces Sagna of course and I don’t have a problem with that, he’s a half decent right back.
I hope like hell we get Porto, if not then Barca or Villa Real, because I don’t want to go out to an English team, with last nights team we would have struggled against Burnley.
So before anyone moans about me being negative, sorry, but I hate to see what he’s doing to us with his wacky team selections, yes we won, but boy, how lucky were we?
Arsene you need to take a long hard look at what you’re doing, we got through but it was luck, not mental strength, the only thing that was mental was your team selection.
Hurry up Cesc, your team needs you!
Have a great day Grovers, next up Blackburn, then Hull, if we get through those two, we’re in with a shout.
Le Grove is now smart phone compatible!
Pedro
Geoff
March 12, 2009 at 08:53
1st
March 12, 2009 at 08:54
hahah ive never been ist
March 12, 2009 at 08:55
3
March 12, 2009 at 08:55
was it just me or did everyone shoot their penalties in the right hand side
March 12, 2009 at 08:55
Podium. Woohoo!
March 12, 2009 at 08:56
Well denilson was pretty much down the middle, and diany jjust about made it right
March 12, 2009 at 08:56
woooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooo
thank fuck that game is over.. it was painful.. hardly any streams… relying on text updates.. phone calls
March 12, 2009 at 08:56
early hattrick?
March 12, 2009 at 08:57
Just as hard to watch Choy
March 12, 2009 at 08:58
I thought we’d score at any moment……..all night!
March 12, 2009 at 09:00
that was a killer match to watch, anyone with a heart condition should not have watched the pnealties.
March 12, 2009 at 09:01
Morning all…….
Almunia should be subbed before every penalty shoot out we ever have!!!! He only managed to muster a dive for about 2 of their pens and just fell in a heap for the rest!!! Fabianski would have at least made some effort! Seaman, Wilson and Co must have been pulling their hair out!
At least we’re through I guess…….
March 12, 2009 at 09:04
Lehman would have done better job then almunia, although he might have headbutted the ref after lol
March 12, 2009 at 09:06
lucky i agree
but it will be a big boost no matter how we colify it dosent matter
bentner on the left thats funny funny wow AW
March 12, 2009 at 09:07
Nasri, Eboue and Bendtner were poor last night.
I dont think Nasri travels well.
Walcott looked bright when he came on.
Lucky for us the result is all that matters, but we could have easily been out.
I agree Geoff with the team selections, we should have had our best team out there to start, and not to finish the game, if we would have scored, it would have been match over.
March 12, 2009 at 09:08
Morning all, you’re right Geoff – the only thing mental was the daft selection, or at the very least the over delayed substitution of the Pas master for Theo and Bendtner for Eduardo. I only had radio for this game and the commentators seemed to say that for most of the game Wenger had a resigned, dejected demeanour in the dug outs while Pat Rice was doing all the hand waving and cajoling.
On a serious note Blatter and Platini should, if they have any scruples or integrity, punish Rpma for the thuggery but as they don’t have any of either they’ll gloss over it with a €5,000 fine and a slapped wrist. We all know Platini;s envy of English football and his specific hatred of Arsenal (because of the Wenger connection) will mean nothing will be done. It’ll take a death before Platini puts principles above prejudice.
However we can than the Ultras stupidity for one thing – the Eye-tie, dago plonker who let off that firework seconds before Vucinic took his penalty. Good work there fella !
March 12, 2009 at 09:09
Great post Geoff:- I agreed we were very lucky yesterday. 20 corner kicks without any result is hardly what you expected from a top team like arsenal. However, I disagree with you on the choice of Eboue over Theo at the start of the match. Without holding brief for Eboue, who is of course the most horrendous player I have ever seen since wathcing the round leather game, I think in the game of that magnitude, any coach would chose a player who is more fit. Theo, just coming back from injury cannot be said to be more fit than Eboue, even when Theo came in, his presence was hardly felt until well into the end of the game. However, his coming in was very timely, because I can bet on my life savings, if any, that the calamitous eboue would have lost the spot kick. Wenger, however, needs to be playing Theo and Eduardo more regularly now, since our success or otherwise now depends on them, and of course on God.
March 12, 2009 at 09:09
Yes it was painful. Yes I scared my wife and her in-laws who think I am a freak at the way I was reacting, (couldn’t give a fcuk) but we are through! Last year we played amazing football and we got screwed. We deserved a penalty going our way after Dick Kuyts gay brother did the same to us last year. we will get players back…Who knows! Sh## even I don’t think we will win the CL, but I am glad we won.
March 12, 2009 at 09:09
charybdis1966 – Who were the commentators, because the ones one Sky, I think one was Alan Smith were shocking.
March 12, 2009 at 09:12
Mark, I have been saying all season that Nari only shows up for home games. I wouldn’t be too harsh on him as it’s his first season but he needs to learn to play away.
I thought Diaby was our best player last night.
March 12, 2009 at 09:12
Morning Grovers,
Spot on with your game analysis Geoff (as usual
),
I agree about Arsene’s body language during the game. He was huddled inside his puffer jacket as if he was frozen to the core. I wondered if he was unwell because he looked so depressed. I’m sure he was not giving out a positive message to the players by his behaviour. They seemed to have forgetten how to play football at times, but you could see from the way they celebrated the victory that they really wanted the win.
March 12, 2009 at 09:13
Keyser – I was listening on Radio5 Extra, one of them was Mark Bright, the other was a double barrelled name – Alistair Bruce-Ball ? To be fair to them I always thing Bright gives us a fair hearing and doesn’t run us down as the majority of commentators do.
March 12, 2009 at 09:13
Well you told it how it is Geoff, nothing too negative there, I would have added that van Persie was shite on his own merits, it was nothing to do with Bendtner who was alright at times imo. Robin managed to waste every single corner he took, he is incapable of delivering the ball to the right area, it either hits the first man or goes right into the keeper’s arms. Hopefully Arshavin will get the job from both sides when he is playing.
I don’t really think it’s a selection problem with us these days, all our players can show great form and ability, I believe it’s how they are set up. We go into every game wanting to play our passing game, when a opposing team shows some grit and drive then it all falls apart. I just get the feeling we aren’t coached enough positionally, there were spells in that game when we were attacking and you had the four across the front in an arc, and a massive hole behind the strikers because the midfield weren’t pushing on as part of the move.
I guess Uncle Wenger wants them to figure it all out for themselves rather than give them complex specific instructions for each game, but you can’t help feeling that some people need a bit more direction.
March 12, 2009 at 09:14
tonyadamsisgod spot on about Almunia, he was a fucking statue. It’s like his brain spontaneously combusted at the thought of diving right or left
March 12, 2009 at 09:16
Just a few opinions on last nights individual efforts:
Toure & Gallas seemed to be back to their old habit of not knowing how to play with each other. That hasn’t been seen lately so lets hope it was just a one off. In my opinion, Kolo tried to get the ball but it was Gallas who actually had the chance to clear it and left it. Lack of communication on both parts though.
Sagna was fucking woeful. Got beaten time and time again and the most he could offer was to fall over. His crosses, although mostly made it into the box this time, didn’t find a single person. Not good enough.
Clichy was shocking. Foul, foul and foul again. No forward play of any worth. Gibbs deserves a crack.
Denilson was terrible. I normally defend this lad to the high hills but last night he was devoid of any football talent. His usually reliable passing was way off its best and he couldnt get a tackle in.
Diaby managed to break up some play but that was it. His passing was shocking and he played far too many square balls that got intercepted!
Nasri should have offered a lot more after being given some rest. Looked shattered and I have no idea why.
RvP showed another lack lustre performance although I would be a bit dispondant too if, like the post pointed out, Eboue and Bendtner were the providers.
Bendtner had an off game but I blame Wenger for that! If there is one thing Bendtner cant do its beat a player. He has very little pace so why push him out wide?????
And the best for last……
Eboue! This guy is unbelievable! How many times did he even touch the ball? Did Wenger really say to him ‘I want you to stay right up front and do fuck all for 90 minutes’? I don’t know if anyone else noticed this but he didn’t track back at all. Sometimes he was more advanced the Van fucking Persie!!!!! He is playing like he has some sort of superiority complex and I really wouldn’t be surprised if he has one considering Wenger picks him after shit display after shit display!!!! Fucking get rid of him because if you carry on,like this Vela or Theo will be getting rid of themselves!!!!
March 12, 2009 at 09:16
No one gave us a chance agreed. that kunt Hoddle kept saying he faired for us,Smudger and his pal on commentary hardly backed us, and they were all right, we were poor, didnt turn up in the first half, and kept giving the ball away.
We were lucky they got knackered.
Bottom line is we won, but only the most delusional of us would actually think we have a chance of winning this tournament if we play anywhere as badly as that again!
We should have wrapped this tie up 2 weeks ago at home.We got lucky with some decisions last night, and Julio Baptista proved why we didnt take him on a permanent deal 2 years ago, he had a ‘mare to say the least.
March 12, 2009 at 09:16
over 2 legs (despite todays lesser performance) we were clearly the best team. The first leg was a dominant display and despite not converting that into 3-0 or 4-0 to start with, Roma are clearly not a quarter final team.
Another conclusion from this mornings game was that Wenger was correct in sending Baptista back, he truly is shite!
One Carling cup game doesnt make a hero!
March 12, 2009 at 09:17
How many balls were played out wide for no reason whatsoever just to send in a useless cross? Someone needs to get Arsene the stats on number of crosses sent into the box and our conversion rate. 1 million taken-fuck all delivered.
March 12, 2009 at 09:17
to be honest the villareal game was more of a heart stopper for me, but its glory days to be through!
March 12, 2009 at 09:19
Got pissed last night, Eduardo missed penalty, i missed penalties when i took a hissy fit stormed off upstairs in a huff. According to missus i’m ‘A big fucking baby’.
Found out this morning that she sky+ it for me…i love that woman.
March 12, 2009 at 09:19
We are just shite. end of
We trying to rewrite football for what it is. Football is more than fancy flicks and passing
Arsenal dont know how to play football anymore
get in quality players and you really dont have to tell them too much. Good football is instinctive but you need good players to achieve it.
We have too many poor players. Myles Palmer though a nutter talks some sense
VP slows down our attacks
March 12, 2009 at 09:20
Fuck me – you would think we had lost…..
What is wrong with you lot?
Roma never really looked that dangerous, and over the 2 legs we were by far the better team.
Bendtner played well, and out shone Van Persie last night.
Cheer up! WE WON
March 12, 2009 at 09:20
The worst player for me last night(relative to what he can do)is sagna.he was fucking shocking,vucinic had him 4 dinner that fucker.clichy needs 2 take a look at himself and fuckoff,that fucker almost eliminated us.
March 12, 2009 at 09:20
Thankfully the stabbing was not life threatening or grievous since the Arsenal fan did not need to be hospitalised however…
Rome is clearly an unsuitable location for a CL final, there is a history of violence against away supporters,
and they do not deserve to host it.
Roman police need to arrest and prosecute every person involved in the ambush, otherwise they are incompetent, the attack happened in the vicinity of the stadium so there should have been cameras, if there were not then are in no position to apprehend violent criminals, lack appropriate security measures for the occasion and cannot be trusted with a CL final.
Roma played defensively and their diving was atrocious, but well done to us, we’re through to the next round.
I agree with Geoff, Eduardo should have started.
For Blackburn we need to rotate as much as possible and we have the options to do so.
————Fabianski———–
Eboue—-Djourou—–Silvestre—–Gibbs
Walcott—Arshavin——Song——–Vela
——Bendtner——–Eduardo
This is how we should approach Blackburn, and make the appropruate subs as and when necessary, maybe give a youth or two, 10-20 mins near the end, we can’t afford to bring out a tired team against Blackburn, we’re all familiar with fat Sam’s dirty tactics against Arsenal and I have no doubt he’ll instill his Blackburn team with the same mentality, so we need to be as fresh as possible.
March 12, 2009 at 09:22
Geoff – just want to point out that I whole heartedly agree that Rome should be banned from holding the finals!!!!! Your point about it being premeditated is completely true. If the fans say they are going to hurt us and then actually do it, they cannot be allowed to get away with it.
If someone says I’m going to kill you and they do, that’s murder and the perpetrator gets sentenced. We cannot obvioulsy punish an individual but we can most certainly punish the fans.
Totally unacceptable behaviour from the fans and totally unacceptable behaviour from Blatter and Platini! How many times have Roma Ultra’s caused harm!
What a pair of CUNTS!!
March 12, 2009 at 09:23
Howzit from SA guys. I personally couldnt care how we won because the point is we WON! Why is it that when manure or chelski win ‘ugly’ everybody says thats the mark of a good team etc. But when we do it everybody says were shit…So were shit if we play well but lose and shit if we play badly but win…U cant please some people hey
March 12, 2009 at 09:24
It’s a bit like the boy who fell in a vat of manure and found 20p. There is something to smile about at the end, but you still come out of it looking like shit.
March 12, 2009 at 09:24
I think you are all being a little unfair on Almunia. International footballers from 12 yards should always be favourite to score and he made a couple of top class saves during the first half.
March 12, 2009 at 09:24
Ive never highly rated Bendtner, Denilson and yesterday’s performance proves why. They reek of averageness.
That team we sent out wasnt gonna achieve anything yesterday. I knew after 5 mins
Im afraid but the truth is Wenger has lost it. He is deluded.
How many bad team selections can one manager make in one season? how many bad subs can he make? Does he fucking believe every word he says? If he thinks that team is good enough to win the Carling Cup on Paper then is fucked up in his head
March 12, 2009 at 09:25
Atleast he didn’t start or bring on Song.
That’s gotta be worth a mention!!
March 12, 2009 at 09:25
Matt – Bendtner had the ball control of a brick wall last night. People are down because they fear of crashing out when we face a half decent side.
We won yes, but we wont again with a display or team selection like that!
March 12, 2009 at 09:25
Lady
with you there
March 12, 2009 at 09:25
You know what it is Matt? We are spoiled! Because we know what Wenger’s Arsenal side is capable of. We picked it at the beginning of the season, he has been stubborn persisting with certain players like Eboue who if he had a shred of talent would have crossed the ball into Bendtner and it would have been done and dusted before the 90mins was up, but he didn’t and we are shit and all he does is talk about our strong mental strength. Fuck me we had the Invincibles for Christs sake, even last year we played great football. We are a shadow of what we once were and it’s sad.
March 12, 2009 at 09:25
Matt…..I agree. Thought BEntner played well last night.
Thank god the ref did not give that penalty……I thought it was a pen at the time tho
March 12, 2009 at 09:26
struth – everyone is on the cyanide tonight….whats up? i had beers today to celebrate and i even have the flu….
March 12, 2009 at 09:27
Wardo – i was 50/50 on that potential pen. live – i didnt think it was, on the slow-mo, the wog goes down easy, but clichy has his shirt and also connects with his legs
March 12, 2009 at 09:27
Morning All, top post Geoff…
Dreadful, all of them, bloody dreadful… Apart from the final result, Almunia’s save was a bit good, kept us in with a chance.
Oh, and finally I am so glad we didnt keep ‘The Beast’ he truely missed the opportunity to win the game for Roma
March 12, 2009 at 09:27
Steve – watch the pens! Most of Almunia’s starting positions already left him flat footed and unable to spring off to either side. He mostly just fell into a messy heap where he had been standing. He, unlike someone like Seaman obviously cant read a players run up. He should therefore be playing the chance game and just picking a side!
March 12, 2009 at 09:28
LadyGooner the thing is we had just put in two good performances prior to that, then we suddenly revert to type. It is the inconsistency of this team that drives everyone mad, we can be sublime one day and sub-human the next.
We did win yes, but in a manner that only makes us fear our next tie, rather than fills us with confidence that we could go on and win the thing.
March 12, 2009 at 09:28
Penalty shootout. Last two minutes are great.
March 12, 2009 at 09:28
Denilson should have been red carded, we got lucky imho -
March 12, 2009 at 09:30
red carded for what?
March 12, 2009 at 09:30
Morning all, too many people to thank but I didn’t want to be negative, I just had to say how I felt.
I just can’t stand watching us when we field a team like that and then listening to Wenger tell us his team don’t get any credit.
March 12, 2009 at 09:30
Evo – Studs up tackle into the chin of a Roma player
March 12, 2009 at 09:31
Morning All.
May i start by saying WoooooHoooooo we’re through
I can’t remember where i read this and it is slightly controversial but the last three games that we have won RVP has not played (well at least not started). I like him and i don’t want this to be seen as if i am anti RVP but what is wrong with keeping a winning team? Vela and Eddy looked class against Burnley. I know he has only just come back and all that but we should have started him and them subbed him at half time! I mean look at Roma, They started Juan (he was a doubt before the game) and subbed him after 25 odd mins after his job had been done!! I am bouncing off the walls today at the fact that we are through but the second that draw is made i will be shittin it because if we play like that against anyone else we will be out!
Only thing is that to those who say we don’t deserve to be through all i can say is bollocks. In the first leg we dominated them and if we had put a couple more away as we should have done then Roma wouldn’t have even taken us to pens. On the balance though we had the first half of the tie and they had the second!
March 12, 2009 at 09:31
There is winning ugly and there is a ‘depressing progression’.
The manner in which u win is very important. Everyone would be praying to draw us in the quarters cos we are easily the worst team in the next round.
Thats not how u progress into the next round.
the only positive for me is the financial aspect of progressing cos I know for sure that we stand no fucking chance
All the hope I gathered over the last 3 weeks have been shattered after yesterday’s performance
I celebrated after the win like a maniac now its time for reflection
If u fucking give the club any impression that we are happy with yesterdays performance then expect to fucking see Eboue and Song starting games next season
March 12, 2009 at 09:31
tonyadamsisgod unfortunately mate Bendtner just doesn’t have the greatest first touch, hopefully he can learn this but it’s not just this game mate, it’s constant.
March 12, 2009 at 09:31
didnt see it, but if he did, well played on the slimey diving bastards!
March 12, 2009 at 09:31
tonyadamsisgod – Read a players run up ? I don’t get it.
He saved one, and got fingetips onto another, we went through.
March 12, 2009 at 09:31
For fucks sake
The only decent part of World War I & II were the last 2 minutes when we won. The rest was shit, but we won
March 12, 2009 at 09:32
Franchise – everyone is praying to draw porto buddy, simple.
March 12, 2009 at 09:33
george
March 12, 2009 at 09:34
Be happy people.we are through.my bro is a manc he called me after the game to tell me we was lucky bt i didnt give a fuck i was so happy, told him to fuck off.this is a blog for fans,where you can critic the team and also praise the team .
March 12, 2009 at 09:34
Knee-yerk reaction folks.
We have a poor midfield atm but we do have great players coming back.
Enjoy the win otherwise you´ll get a heart attack soon if you didn´t get one last night.
March 12, 2009 at 09:34
Eboue was a lot better than Theo! A LOT!
March 12, 2009 at 09:34
Keyser – you cant give him credit for his save. He fell over and Vucinic rolled the ball into his legs. had Almunia dived, he probably could have got back up and saved it. Seaman always said he can read where a player will put his spot kick by watching their run up. Almunia cant do this should just pick a side…..rather than just falling to the floor.
March 12, 2009 at 09:35
Bendtner played well last night – he was far better than Van Persie, but because he is not a fan’s favourite he gets slated.
March 12, 2009 at 09:35
Being positive for a moment, there is a great picture on this article, it’s good to see the lads going nuts
http://www.101greatgoals.com/2009/03/united-liverpool-arsenal-and-chelsea-will-all-want-to-avoid-barcelona-but-none-will-fear-them-henry-winter/
March 12, 2009 at 09:35
Gnarley well said and i am lovin that we are through!!
We do need to play better in future though! Can’t help but feel that Barca would have torn us apart last night!
March 12, 2009 at 09:35
sorry but i cannot agree with this post. You claim Walcott and Eduardo should’;ve started, yet when they came on they offered about as much, in eduardo’s case probably less, then the players they replaced. They are clearly not 100% fit yet so why ruch them back and have them injured again?
we didn’t play well, but how many times have people come on here and simply said “fuck playing beutiful football, lets start winning games”. well i could be wrong but over the past 3 months we’ve gone 19 games unbeaten (yes i dont count last night as a loss), the defence has looked solid, conceding is it 4 goals in 15 games, and players are coming back. while at the same time we’ve made it through to the FA Cup and CL 1/4’s as well as closing the gap on villa. so enough of the negativity, things are looking up after a dreadful start to the season
March 12, 2009 at 09:35
Come on everyone, I know we only won, but keep your peckers up
Later dudes
March 12, 2009 at 09:36
Clacko and Chappers, all I’m saying is we almost went out because of shit team selection, of course I’m happy and I know we dominated in the first game, but we nearly went out.
March 12, 2009 at 09:36
Jimbo, technically we didn’t win, we lost 1-0.
We won the tie but not that game, that’s the big difference.
March 12, 2009 at 09:36
Exactly we won, we went through, last season everyone was creaming themselves making that they’re motto and justifying why we were crap and Liverpool were great.
If we were lucky yesterday, Roma were lucky not to be annihalted in the first leg, we scored the penalty a penalty in sudden death they missed theirs.
It’s Cup Competition ffs.
March 12, 2009 at 09:37
TAIG – you need to rewind the clock to 22/12/07 and revisit the Almunia save on Keane to deny the cunts.
yeah Almunia looked a wee bit out of sorts last night, but i presume his will to win made him that way. You cant be up and exactly 100% all the time, no?
March 12, 2009 at 09:37
Morning everyone,
First of all we were terrible last night another game like that and im sure my neighbours will call the cops for me disturbing the peace.
Secondly – same old same old Eboue,Diaby,Bendtner are all not to fit to wear our beloved shirt.
AW kept slowly dissapearing into his seat for f*cks sake you pick the side!!!
March 12, 2009 at 09:37
Morning all
As a gooner I’m not happy at the way we played (or rather didn’t play) last night. We were on the back foot from the start and although going through to the next round was everyones wish it feels so hollow when watching such dire football.
Arsenes body language was appalling during the game, he looked like he wanted to be swallowed up by his puffer jacket. I suspect he didn’t actually feel very well, but I could be wrong and he really didn’t care what was happening on the pitch. Hope its the former. Wish you better Arsene
March 12, 2009 at 09:38
geoff-this roma team smashed 3 past chelsea not too long ago, and beat utd at home two seasons. They are a very tough and strong team to go to, and barring the first 10, the last 110 mins we had them well and truly at bay. we didn’t create as much as we’d have liked, but the blame for that can only go to our creative players RVP and Nasri who were terrible.
March 12, 2009 at 09:38
Well said Jimbo, somehow I don’t think you’re the one that likes to make transfer predictions ?!
March 12, 2009 at 09:38
Geoff, i agree with the selection thing. I think we had better players that started that game. Or to be put another way, players that you would want on the pitch rather than on the bench. What more has Vela got to do to start in the league or CL is my question?
March 12, 2009 at 09:38
rico, Denilson won the ball in that challenge (for once). It wasn’t his fault the Roma player shinned his studs. In fact i’d have sent the Roma player off for dangerous shin waving.
March 12, 2009 at 09:38
We was so lukcy last night!! we never really looked like winning!! Why did he not bring vela on!! nasri had a bad game and looked really tired near the end!! Wenger wont keep getting away with playing a team which includes, Denilson, Eboue, Bentnder!! Alumuna never looked like saving any of the penaltys!!
Did anyone notice Alan Smiths commentary was very negative towards arsenal!!
March 12, 2009 at 09:38
Chappers we only have three players coming back. dont hold ur breathe on that one.
Ade is proving to be a one season wonder
Cesc was playing below his standards b4 his injury
Rosicky hasnt played for 15 months
Cesc and rosicky wont hit the ground running that is 99% certain.
I aint fucking rasing my hopes re this side anymore until we are in a final two nil up with 30 secs to go. I dont wanna suffer any Arsene-stubborness induced heart ache anymore
March 12, 2009 at 09:38
Evo – Im not having a pop at Almunia in general. Just last night. Just coz I said RvP was off doesnt mean I think he’s shit all the time. Almunia is better than falling to the floor for about 5 of the pens, thats all.
March 12, 2009 at 09:39
well said Jimbo!
March 12, 2009 at 09:40
Pedro – I emailed you, check I havn’t gone into your spam again
March 12, 2009 at 09:40
tonyadamsisgod – Come on, it’s pentlies ffs, Seaman can say what he wants he didn’t exactly save every one of his did he, it’s random, I’m not giving him credit, but at the end of the day, he saved one, we went through.
If you don’t want to give him credit, because it was a fluke, then I don’t think it’s fair to slate him either.
March 12, 2009 at 09:40
no worries mate, what i probably should have said to you was that when it went to pens i said to my other 2 aussie gooner mates was, that i felt Almunia would see us through with saves, rather than anything else.
thats how confident i felt at the time!
March 12, 2009 at 09:40
TAIG – Almunia also made two vital saves just after their first goal
March 12, 2009 at 09:41
Why porto?i prefer villareal, porto away they will kill us,unless we stuff em 4 nil at home.
March 12, 2009 at 09:41
Jimbo – held them at bay fro 110 mins? So what was baptista’s chance? I know thats only one (off the top of my head) but Roma gave us plenty of nervous minutes.
March 12, 2009 at 09:41
GG9 – LOL fair play fella, nicely put
Would you go into the trenches with our current team though!
March 12, 2009 at 09:41
Steve, had you been on the Peroni’s ??
March 12, 2009 at 09:42
WE were lucky- but so were Man U. Inter Milan hit the post three times over 2 legs !
we were not very lucky last year at Anfield last year were we?
March 12, 2009 at 09:42
Franchise, it is good to have the real you back buddy. You were worryingly positive earlier in the week.
March 12, 2009 at 09:42
It’s the Champions League, almost every team on their day has a chance, you just have to be able to take it.
March 12, 2009 at 09:43
Keyser – Seaman was awesome at pens. Like is said to Evo, I just think Almunia is better than what we saw there. Obviously he made great saves in the game. It was just an observation, not a swipe at him.
March 12, 2009 at 09:43
peaches – Arsne did look a tad grey in the face
March 12, 2009 at 09:43
TAIG – yes you are right about baptista, sorry about that one. But even so, we were playing a decnt team at home so you’d exxpect them to create one chance wouldn’t you?
March 12, 2009 at 09:43
red wine rico. When I watch it indoors it’s vino collapso. Peroni is for attended matches.
March 12, 2009 at 09:43
AFC53, I did, read yesterdays post FFS!
Clacko, I hear ya!
March 12, 2009 at 09:44
i think i got angina last night…that was too close. i still see some people giving almunia some stick again despite in most tabloids he won man of the match…..cant blame him for the goal and he was close to saving on or 2 pens…
im gonna sooooo enjoy today……
March 12, 2009 at 09:44
Steve – strong stuff then if it got you seeing Denilson win a tackle
March 12, 2009 at 09:45
Baptista had the best chance of the game, he just had to slot it
March 12, 2009 at 09:45
That was very hard to watch. The balance did not look right, Denilson was poor as was RVP. Gallas/Toure back to their old ways, such bad defending for their goal, and Bendi just watched as the player went past him. Have to play alot alot better then that if we want to make it to the semis
March 12, 2009 at 09:45
Sorry for those of you in moderation, welcome, for the regulars it’s because you had attachments, sorry as well!
March 12, 2009 at 09:46
Its been 9 months of poor football by any top team standards
quesetions would have to be asked and answers given
this cant continue
its our 5th year of decline with a mini spike last season
Im not happy. U can decide to have orgasmic feelings about the win. Mine is over. I want fucking change even if its in the extreme
Accepting mediocrity is not my thing
We have the resources to be doing better and we should be thats the way I judge things
An excuse for Blackburn is already in the bag. Who know?
We wer a bit jaded, looked physically not up for it, played with handbreak on, they were sharper bla bla bla bla
March 12, 2009 at 09:46
Just one Tonetto
Give it to me
He put his pen
In row 83
March 12, 2009 at 09:46
Big Dave – we have played a lot better than that in the past and not got though, so perhaps this comp is more about luck? Even Utd were bloody lucky last night, they should’ve conceded about 3 in the first half but you don’t see them complaining!
March 12, 2009 at 09:47
tonyadamsisgod – He is better, but he still got fingertips to one and saved the other, how many keepers save 2 or 3 in a shootout.
Point is Seaman could have been good, but it wasn’t like he had some hidden secret, it’s a lottery, you could analyse someone’s penalty technique for hours and still go out and not save a single one from ten.
March 12, 2009 at 09:47
Like it Steve!
March 12, 2009 at 09:47
Steve, that is so funny
I thought Almunia had a good game, 2/3 cracking saves which kept us in the tie – i would say a ‘match winning save’ – he was my motm
March 12, 2009 at 09:47
brilliant steve…pmsl
March 12, 2009 at 09:48
Anyone still think we’ll win the CL?
March 12, 2009 at 09:48
Franchise – it’s that kind of attitude from fans that probably will end up with us drawing on Sat. The fans need to be up for it as well, this team always plays better when the crowd are noisy (liverpool and roma at home for example). If we go in with the attitude that the players will be crap, they most prob will be!
March 12, 2009 at 09:48
LUCKY!! some impressive penalties though
March 12, 2009 at 09:49
Di anyone listen to 5 live after the game yesterday?? Some bloke went on the tim jovejoy show and came up with the headline ‘Tonetto misses the netto as Arsenal made the Quartetto’.
Random i know but i thought that was pretty good haha!!
March 12, 2009 at 09:49
Odub – I do
March 12, 2009 at 09:49
If he starts dropping the crap and playing the quality Odub, otherwise no chance.
March 12, 2009 at 09:49
Franchise – There is no-one here accepting mediocrity, you’re just going way way over the top, lets see we beat Roma, albeit by penalties, in the Champions League to progress to the quarter finals, and playing crap, yet what did you exactly expect ?!
March 12, 2009 at 09:49
As per usual there is over reaction and the classic reverse engineering to try to explain why we were so poor last night. We should have played X, or why was Z on the bench? We were lucky. Or were we? If anything Roma were lucky not to be facing a 3-4 goal defecit at home last night. Or was that just bad finishing by us at home? Yes, Eboue is dreadful but Theo didn’t look completely fit to me even during the short spell he played. Denilsen’s performance was about as bad as it gets. Though I am no fan of Song particularly I don’t think he has done too badly lately against admittedly lesser opposition and I do think that he holds better that Denilsen, if Diaby is playing. Yes, Clichy was almost comically bad in the first half. but got better and RVP did nothing as far as I could see. But, how many times did Roma really threaten our goal,3 or 4? And their goal hardly carved us apart with brilliant play. It was a stupid goal to concede, full of defensive errors. We are through and were the better team physically through the second half and all of the extra time. There are many criticisms that could be made but this season we will play better than that and loose or draw. We’re through and really, in the CL, that’s all that matters.
March 12, 2009 at 09:49
I watched the match with my mates who don’t support Arsenal, every comment they made about our team is what we have been complaining about all season, I think that match was our season in 120 mins. As for our defence we are lucky with our recent run of clean sheets, when the ball comes anywhere near our box EVERY single time we look clueless never having any sort of shape. CRAZY.
March 12, 2009 at 09:49
Worst team left in the competition!! Whats what we have been reduced to.
All those who still think Denilson is good enough to play for Arsenal – do you actually use your eyes when watching a game? It is not possible to build pressure & momentum when you have a player just giving the ball away to the opposition 20 time during a game. Worse still he affect the balance of the team. Song would have done a better job last night.
On a positive note Diaby was immense. He had to carry the whole midfield on his own.
March 12, 2009 at 09:50
the post was fucking spot on !
absolute shite game last night it must be said ..
2 or 3 good things came out of it the rest was same old same old ..
1. we are thru !
2. we can take our penalties this year
3. we have found a team with a keeper as average as almunia !
they are the good things…
the bad will list into the 100’s but the main factors are
wenger and his god awful choice in team selections ,will it never end ? eboue was on too long with theo on the bench, and dudu who should of played 120 minutes sub’d in at the death knock of regulation! Wenger you did everything to sabotage us , thankfully last night we were ‘lucky’ that after their 1st goal Roma took a team prozac and hit the pillow
as hard as we did .
theo comes in hits a low shot across the ground that actually made their keeper move , and that was the only shot i can actually remember us taking…
as for ‘A’ stating in the last post the team has belief now , fuck! not sure how you figure that out . If wenger was playing for a penalty shoot out id agree with you .. else , its the same trollop we’ve been watching all season …
in over 210 minutes of playing Roma we didnt create 1 goal from open play …
and other than scoring on WBA in the EPL (who has no right to be in the EPL ) we haven’t scored from open play since …. well
i cant remember ? everton ? this team still have HUGE finishing problems and as ever the false profits are out in force …
yes its great we won , but if your looking for that sort of inspirational performance from our team each week then i pity every last one of ya , who are BIGGING US UP !
and geoff – pedro are so correct wengers body language was anything but a man who believes in his team ..
what a lot of cods ..
you used to have me believe you had limited
options due to injuries , and with theo and vela also dudu on the bench , now i have to believe your just plain fucking insane !
get your fucking team selections correct …
even in the FA cup and WBA i felt the same until we scored … your team selections border on reckless at every opportunity !!!!
March 12, 2009 at 09:50
Hey rico – nice to catch up with you
Arsene looked like he should have been tucked up in bed with a hot drink, still if he’d started with Theo and we’d scored a couple early he wouldn’t have had to sit in the cold for an extra 45 mins
March 12, 2009 at 09:50
Geoff-that same “crap” produced a phenomenal display in the first leg remember – we just couldn’t kill it off.
and remember, although they didn’t play last night, we all know theo and eddie when fit will play more often
March 12, 2009 at 09:51
Nice one Steve!
off to earn some pennies, tara
March 12, 2009 at 09:51
Blackburn match will see Vela and Dudu up front, Theo on the right, Nasri in the middle with Diaby, and AA on the left – Back five as last night -
Home win 3-1
March 12, 2009 at 09:51
Jimbo, doesn’t that make us crap then? If we couldn’t kill it off, or am I missing something.
March 12, 2009 at 09:52
Hi, just wanted to add something.
It seemed like players didn’t get used with the official ball. Is the ball too light or lighter than the EPL’s Nike ball?
Maybe I am wrong, but too frequent seeing the way the ball bounced away a little bit farther from players everything they received pass, I suspect it was the ball that disturbed the passing game they used to play, I don’t know, just wondering though.
March 12, 2009 at 09:53
I agree peaches, hope he gets better soon
March 12, 2009 at 09:53
Rico, do you know how many times Arsenal players were also almost blinded by the long harm of Romas?
March 12, 2009 at 09:53
Steve im not happy. people keep saying things like we won but it was only westbrom or burnley or cardiff and u think they are being negative. I think ppl that say things like that are legends cos they know their football.
This is the CL and poor teams dont win it. Arsenal have been in the quarters 3 times, semis once, finals once in like 11 or maybe 12 seasons if u count this one
have we ever won it. No. Why did we loose it in 06? Cos we had a poor keeper who couldnt protect his near post.
Poor dont win CL and dont tell me that Porto in 04 were poor cos they annihilated Monaco and no one gave them a chance to win it
Several players in that Porto team are currently playing and moved on to play for top clubs in Europe so they werent shit
March 12, 2009 at 09:54
no it doesn’t Geoff and you know it. It’s when the team stop creating hundreds of chances that we can call ourselves crap. In that first game we just showed a lack of finishing ability that will come when eddie and theo get fully fit. You can hardly call beating an italian side 1-0 crap can you?
March 12, 2009 at 09:54
Geoff – Yeah, according to the reasoning it’d just make us unlucky.
March 12, 2009 at 09:55
Franchise – when we were beating utd and chelsea, all people were saying was “yeah but we cant beat the small teams”. now we’ve come out and beaten WBA, Cardiff, Burnley etc.. in recent weeks and people are complaining that they are only small teams. can you see how stupid that is?
March 12, 2009 at 09:55
kunle – no ?
March 12, 2009 at 09:56
“He even missed his penalty because he had hardly touched the ball.”
Leaving aside the rest of your post because it’s not worth the effort, that’s just rubbish, plain and simple.
March 12, 2009 at 09:56
What a load of miserable posters. We got through, admittedly without playing well. If you didn’t know the result you’d assume we lost.
To win a cup you certainly need luck and we had some yesterday. Our form has been promising and with more games Eduardo and Theo will have a great effect on the team. Yesterday I thought there contributions were as poor as most of the side but it doesn’t suit most bloggers to write that. Diaby probaly was MOM but to those people who are a go at our full backs I’m gobsmacked. Clichy in particular had his best game for a while (lucky with the pen for sure).
So many people carry with them their own personal agendas about individual players and blogs seem to allow this spurting out of vitriol.
We’re in the next round and you can be absolutely certain if we have Cesc back and turn it on against anyone (Barca obviously would be a tricky!), we will not be remembering the 2nd leg against Roma.
Heads up and let’s be positive, come on you Reds!
March 12, 2009 at 09:56
Rico, Geoff,
Based on last night’s performance, I can’t see us going any further. Just hope we get a decent draw, play the 2nd leg at home, and we get the likes of Dudu, Theo and Ade back to full fitness.
Oh and I also hope Clichy and Sagna revert back to last season’s form! Simples!
Not a loot to ask for is it?1
March 12, 2009 at 09:57
**lot
March 12, 2009 at 09:58
I agree with you Franchise. Even when people were eulogising about Arsenal we weren’t good enough to go that final hurdle. Maybe if we were we wouldn’t have lost Henry, Vieira and the like.
Whilst being happy that we are through last night threw up a lot of concerns for me as we created barely 1 decent opening in over 2 hours of football. If Roma weren’t so shit we’d have been caught out.
March 12, 2009 at 09:58
Odub – history shows we are better playing the home leg first – Roma/Milan/Villareal/Juve etc…
March 12, 2009 at 09:59
Yes we WON. That’s all that matters to me. We now go get ready for the next game and win it too. In anyway we can. Come on you Gunners!!!
March 12, 2009 at 10:00
crap team
March 12, 2009 at 10:00
Franchise-what bollocks mate. the reason we didn’t win in 06 was because of two things:
1. we had 10 men for 80mins.
2. Henry missed a sitter. Yes that’s right henry, the worlds best player at the time. Yet because you seem to have a vendetta against almunia you’re making him the scapegoat-pathetic
March 12, 2009 at 10:01
Jimbo we have beat United and we are still potentially 19 points behind them having taken 3 points from them?????
small teams of the prem and championship teams arent on the same level
several prem teams have better midfield players than us. hello!!!!
danny murphy dominates denilson in midfield and we wonder why we are 19 points behind manu and struggling in the CL.
We couldnt even win our so called easy group FFS. We were lucky to draw Roma any other top seed would have skinned us alive
March 12, 2009 at 10:02
Steve
If Baptista hadnt been so shit we would have been caught out!
March 12, 2009 at 10:03
Good morning all. I have a subject for debate today. Please read on…..
“THIS TEAM DOES NOT WORK WITH ROBIN”
Last night was as much embarrassing as it was heart stopping……… I have called this one before (ask Geoff & Pedro), but this current team does not work with Robin in it……. he never comes for the ball and every time it comes near him he has peeled away before he has it and defenders have a right easy time, and when he’s not running away from the ball, he spends time out wide and nobody is in the middle.
Not saying get rid of him, but play him on the wing…….. Christ, every Dutch manager knows he is not a striker and plays him wide, so why does Wenger persist ???
I thought Nasri and Diaby were excellent, I thought both CB’s done OK, Bentdner run his socks off (I’m really starting to like him and his work ethic you know !), Denilson will be a very good player with good players round him and Clichy is currently the worst full back at defending in Arsenal history……. yet another goal conceded that is his fault (well it was his man that scored, but technically it was Eboue who did not bother to track back his man who crossed!) and he commits and gets mugged every time the ball is near him………… oh and Sagna is the worst crosser of the ball since Adolph Hitler…………… RUBBISH !!!!!!!!!!
March 12, 2009 at 10:03
thank fuck jimbo – get stuck in mate.
FFS – henrik larrson came on in that game and stuffed us. any mother fucking keeper that day couldnt do much when their team is down to 10 men.
Henrik Larsson set up both goals, he was world class and deserved his glory that day.
March 12, 2009 at 10:03
Franchise – several teams have better midfield than us? then why are we 5th? surely we should be 8th/9th?
March 12, 2009 at 10:04
danny fucking murhpy who, you’re having a laugh yeah?
March 12, 2009 at 10:04
Odub – Thats the thing, if we avoid the english teams and barca we are strong enough to go through – sadly though i fully expect us to get Dippers or the Russain’s –
Last night was a first for us, in that i mean to be the lucky ones.
Maybe, just maybe with Cesc, Thomas and ‘Ade’ coming back, players will step up a gear in the fight for a place. With a fit squad, there will be no need to play Eboue – Song I would keep as a sub as he can cover injuries to CM and CH.
Theo should be fully match fit and Thomas, well if he plays this year, he will be on fire, I bet he is itching to play, big time.. And Cesc, need I say anything
Ade – he will still be a lump
March 12, 2009 at 10:04
Franchise – A top seed like United ? You can’t see this team improving ? Even with players coming back ?!
You’re saying that there’s no way that we won’t put in a better performance than yesterday ?!
March 12, 2009 at 10:04
Inter lost with pride yesterday we qualified without honour. I know which I would prefer. Fine we have qualified but even Arsene’s demeanour yesterday showed that there is cause to be seriously concerned he was fucking clueless looking confused
March 12, 2009 at 10:05
I am pleased we are through but you have to say someone was looking down on us because I cant even remember there keeper making a save!
I still cant help but think we are not being told everything AW sits there shaking his head at the mistakes Eboue makes… only you can do something about it!!!
for f*cks sake be a man admit you got it wrong!
March 12, 2009 at 10:05
get danny murphy into the england team, he is fucking world class playing at fulham, get the cunt into the england team. fuck off gerrard, fatty lampard, becks, all the other fuckers and get danny murphy in there!
March 12, 2009 at 10:05
Well feck me – I was a sure bet for a heart attack last night but we are through woohoo
Just reading some of the comments – because of my boring life I watched both Arsenal and United 1 after the other last night and United were a big pile of crap as well, could barely pass to each other and made Inter look like Brazil so at least we weren’t the only lucky ones eh?
March 12, 2009 at 10:05
I agree with that afc53
March 12, 2009 at 10:06
franchise-so inter lost with pride did they? that must mean Utd got a bit lucky? liek we did. are they moaning? No. now get over it and start supporting your club. there’s construictive criticism and then there is your way and it’s not on
March 12, 2009 at 10:07
afc53
wtf was that about?!! He just sat there like it wasnt anything to do with him!!
March 12, 2009 at 10:07
Le Champ the referee what penalty?
March 12, 2009 at 10:08
well said irish. i had the scum vs inter on the 58″ plasma and our game streaming on the 19″ PC monitor. Inter had chances
March 12, 2009 at 10:09
Jimbo if u are not tired of being 4th or 5th then enjoy our over-achievements when we manage 3rd
Evo go watch the Fulham game again. Yes Danny fucking Murphy dominated the midfield yes the spurs reject dominated our crabs
Denilson wouldnt start for Hull, neither would he start for everton or villa or fulham or spurs ffs
guys wake up
March 12, 2009 at 10:09
Franchise – Arsene’s demeanour ? Did you have a webcam set up for him ? They cut to scenes like that once or twice a game, didn’t you see him him clapping and urging the players on before extra-time, or talking to Nasri, or going around before penalties ?!
Or Did you just choose to look away then ?!
Mate, Inter lost with pride ? Thats a joke right ?!
March 12, 2009 at 10:10
how is it ended up that it was all eboue’s fault?! why is it always his fault? He’s been playing much better recently. yes he wasn’t great last night, but we hardly stepped up a level when theo came on to replace him did we?
March 12, 2009 at 10:10
Odub – AW looked sick last night and a bit disinterested think he needs a check up (i’m being honest)
March 12, 2009 at 10:10
Just listening to some one else who was on that coach sounds frightening,Roma must be banned Italy must lose the final but we know it wont happen
March 12, 2009 at 10:11
Blessed, the football gods looked after us last night. At least Baptista proved why we did not keep him – what a miss !
Can anyone tell me why Song did not start, ahead of Dennilson. Song is actually in decent form of late and has potential. Dennilson is constantly stuck in 1st gear and offers very little.
Why did Eboue start ?
Why did’nt Eduardo and Vela start ?
To defensive , and after us playing them off the park 2 weeks earlier. Arsene’s selection immediately gave momentum & hope to Rome.
His selections continue to baffle.
March 12, 2009 at 10:12
i love Danny Murphy – we are going to nationalise him to Australia and replace him in the socceroos in Harry kewells place. we will also fuck off cahill and bresciano just to get danny murphy in there!
March 12, 2009 at 10:12
Jimbo that’s because he should have started, Eboue is just a fucking joke, a shit player that is nothing better than a back up right back.
March 12, 2009 at 10:12
Ist things effin 1st! We are thru! WooHooo! We played shite, BUT that seemed to stem from a collective srage fright! Kolo and gallas gifted em a goal and players like RvP were anonymous, yet no, lets effin slate Eboue and bendtner AGAIN! Pathetic!
FFS! I hate Eboue, but he was 1 of our better players and I love Theo, but apart from a jammy pen, did NOTHING! He aint ready yet and i expect him to start real soon!
Diaby, Sagna, Eboue and Bendy were our best players in a quite piss poor performance. Robin was shite… EFFIN SHITE! Lets take the effin blinkers off for once and stop with the witch hunts, just for one day!
Last year we were amazing in beating Milan, everyone went nuts about the way we played and that got us as far as we are NOW, after that dross last nite!
So, to summarise, get a grip, chill the fuck out (these are all general observations, not aimed at anyone in particular BTW!) and be happy we can look forward to the draw a week on Friday. Coz I really can’t see us playing like that ahain!
Have a super sunny happytime day now y’all!
March 12, 2009 at 10:12
Paul
are you listening to talkshite now??
March 12, 2009 at 10:13
Franchise – every fan in the world would want to be 1st. But some fans accept that it cant happen every year FFS. the difference between me and you is that you sit there moaning and i contiue to support my team in the hope that the extra support can drive them on to climb the table. do you honestly feel that arsenal football club have more a divine right than anyone else to be 1st? That’s called glory hunting mate. we’ve had phenomenal success and we’re now experience something else. but i still love the club the same. yes i will criticise, but i wont come on moaning when we bloody win and extend the run to 19 games (and yes i know technically we lost last night but you get my point)
March 12, 2009 at 10:13
Evo – yep United were rubbish. Imbrahimovich was running rings around ferdinand and Vidic. O’shea and Carrick had a nightmare, Giggs looked old, Ronaldo just danced and fell over (and well scored) and Berbatov is a waste of space. Rooney was really good for them but other than that if Inter could have finished their chances United were in trouble.
March 12, 2009 at 10:13
Odub,
What really annoys me is he sits there shaking his head looking exasperated how do you think we all feel!
Its not Eboues fault hes not a bad back up for Sagna but hes not a RM.Same as Diaby Song & Bendtner only good for backup not the first team.
March 12, 2009 at 10:13
Adriano’s first shot cannoned off the upright and ibrahimovic had a goal go across the goal face and just miss the upright, keeper didnt get a touch on either….too bad i guess, if those goals were in, bang, they were through!
March 12, 2009 at 10:14
Keyser Arsene looks at his team like they didn’t listen, Eboue is clearly not good enough to be right midfield and Bendtner is too gangly to be a left winger.
March 12, 2009 at 10:14
Hey Franchise – I think we all realise we lack 2/3 quality players, and we should not be fighting for 4th, we should be fighting for the title. But right now we cant do anything about the squad we have, nor can we help all the injuries we have. The positive is that we could soon have a full strength squad – and then if Arsene picks Eboue I will join you in your rants, right now I am relieved we are in with the chance to show a better display of football in the next round of the CL -
Come summer silly transfer season, I will be with you all demanding we buy big and sell the dross….
Chin up Franchise
( and that is not said with sarcasm )
March 12, 2009 at 10:14
Listen guys, we are in the QFs – thats all that matters in a cup competition. You can always have better games in the future, but you have to be there first, and we are.
we have Cesc coming back and others too. Cesc can make a massive difference to the team.
whats more I think the arsenal players will be thinking, We can do better than that. We still have everything to prove.
compare that with Liverpool who will be thinking they are the daddies and have already proved something. scraping through early rounds of a cup comp, is no bad indicator of whether you might end up winning it. We are still in it and thats the key.
lets just hope we get Porto, villareal or Bayern though!!
3 homes games and 1 away game before Cesc returns. Lets win them and then go forward.
I reckon Semis of the CL, FA cup win and 4th place is still a decent season, and I reckon thats still well within our reach.
March 12, 2009 at 10:14
Bren-you do realise that the team who played them off the park was EXACTLY the same as last night’s team right?
March 12, 2009 at 10:15
U need a personality like myself on our fucking board give Arsene a reality check. Top manager one of the best in the world but a few things he is getting wrong is costing our great club every year.
Jimbo its cos the HillWoods and co of this world keep looking on the bright side thats why we might be trophyless again this season.
i heard once that the easiest thing to create is excuses. ive had enough
March 12, 2009 at 10:16
Franchise;
Your comment is effin hilarious! Go follow Inter then sad man, Coz you seriously cant follow Arsenal as we have no honour!
Jeez, Where the fuck does a comment like that come from?
Weird as fuck! Who gives a flyin fuck how we got thru?
March 12, 2009 at 10:16
Geoff – I think you’re wrong, how do you work that out ? Eboue played well in the first leg, if Theo wasn’t in his secon game after 4 months out he would’ve probably started.
I can just imagine the blog after a night where Theo or Eduardo got injured having been rushed back, they’d be slated as injury prone and how worthless and useless they are.
March 12, 2009 at 10:17
Jimbo they played well in the first half but not the second, I was there and biting my nails at the end.
March 12, 2009 at 10:17
I think most of us thought that we would go over their and at least score 1 if not 2. it did not happen by the time the next round comes around ,and you know that we will get the harder draw cesc will be back.
March 12, 2009 at 10:17
franchise-i have no idea how a genuine fan can sit there and cross his arms and say “i’ve had enough”. imagine what you’d be like if youwere a Scum supporter!
March 12, 2009 at 10:18
Keyser Theo has skill, his injury shouldn’t affect him, just his fitness, Eboue is talentless, period.
March 12, 2009 at 10:18
Jimbo you’re heading for a yellow card.
March 12, 2009 at 10:19
Franchise – Seriously this has to be all anger because it it’s just turning into a rant now.
Whats all this honour b*llocks, Liverpool didn’t qualify with honour last year against us then, but I’m guessing that doesn’t matter because they’re excluded.
Porto under Mourinho were one of the dirtiest teams you’ll ever have seen just ask fergie about that.
March 12, 2009 at 10:19
Where’s Seb?
Seb mate you are 100% correct fella!
I think you know what Im talkin about???
March 12, 2009 at 10:19
geoff-he has talent, you saw his goal on sunday. you cant do that with no talent. He’s not the best,a dn he should not be first choice, but while we have rosicky/arshavin and theo not around he has to play
March 12, 2009 at 10:19
The 2 parts of the game I enjoyed last night were
1. Watching the lads celebrate after winning on pens
2. Watching that diving kont Pizzaro get kicked and smacked all over tha park!!! That was funny! Even the commentator found it amusing ”He’s coming back on for more!!”
March 12, 2009 at 10:19
Had Song played Geoff we would have walked that game!
Seriously though please predict a 0-0 for Blackburn as I think the sole cause for Arsenal’s indifference in front of goal is your wild predictions!!!
March 12, 2009 at 10:19
Jimbo,
Horses for courses
Song, Vela and Eduardo have all contributed strongly in recent weeks, and add cut up front that we have been missing. Why not start them. How many chances did we miss at home against Rome ??
Irish,
I agree on AW. I think his health is not what it was. The strain in his face at times is not just down to football.
March 12, 2009 at 10:19
Jimbo dont exaggerate what ur support has on the team. the financial aspect of your support is probably more important. Arsenal have historically very poor support but we won a few titles cos we had a good enough team each time. Benitez doesnt rely on the kop end thats why he got rid of dudek, djimi traore etc even after winning the CL in 05.
March 12, 2009 at 10:20
Reggie it was on Sky Sports News
March 12, 2009 at 10:20
no one has mentioned this yet so I will. He picked that team last night because it was the same team that dominated Roma two weeks ago. The difference was that Roma were much more aggressive, especially at the start and got a sloppy goal which threw our confidence. Then, when Roma got tired and we should have taken advantage we let ourselves down with poor passing and control up front – nothing was happening for RvP or Nasri and Denilson and Diaby were poor. It also had a lot to do with Riise who was immense for them. I don’t think you can blame Arsene for picking the same team. He probably sank into his seat in frustration because we didn’t reproduce the Emirates performance. But we went through and on the balance of home and away we deserved it – so cheer up everyone!!
March 12, 2009 at 10:20
why geoff? for posting something you don’t agree with? I haven’t been anymore aggressive then anyone else
March 12, 2009 at 10:20
Jimbo that was one of about 20 chances he’s had this season and the first that’s gone in, a shit return for a midfield player.
March 12, 2009 at 10:20
Pedro have sent you an e mail re tickets for Hull
March 12, 2009 at 10:21
jimbo is fine, he speaks common sense.
March 12, 2009 at 10:21
Interesting Geoff what you mentioned about Wenger… …when he realized the camera was on him he sat up right fast!
March 12, 2009 at 10:21
Geoff – I don’t really get your point, he’s been out for 4 months, he looked like he was a bit short yesterday aswell, but he got a run out and we went through, surely you’d be happy, exstatic and delirious, because the quicker he gets fit and the longer he stays fit the less you have to moan about Eboue ?!
March 12, 2009 at 10:21
No Jimbo, it’s the questioning his support and bringing the spud bit in, we don’t do that, you know the rules, debate all you want.
March 12, 2009 at 10:21
It’s a shame the same old scapegoats keep popping up again. It’s unfair to talk about Denilson and Eboue without mentioning Sagna, Clichy, Galls/Toure combo, Van Persie etc. I can’t tolerate Denilson or Eboue but last night they were no more culpable than anyone else.
March 12, 2009 at 10:22
Keyser on that point I agree!
March 12, 2009 at 10:22
franchise-yes rafa did, but what the fuck have they achieved since then?! and what do you mean we have historically bad support? we are one the best supported clubs in the world
March 12, 2009 at 10:22
Steve it’s the fact that he keeps picking him.
March 12, 2009 at 10:23
Do you think other teams have to practice defending corners against us ,i doubt it.I would be interested if anyone has statistics regarding our corners this year.
March 12, 2009 at 10:23
Paul
On talkshite they are doing a special on
the trouble in rome
March 12, 2009 at 10:23
Anyone else think Totti should have been sent off?? No just me or at least a yellow for kicking RvP?
March 12, 2009 at 10:24
geoff – i waas taking the piss out the spuds, not franchise, by saying imagine how bad it must be to support them!
March 12, 2009 at 10:24
Nigel; Good point there fella. maybe a bit too rational for here tho! (Joke Geoffrey!)
I think picking the same team that completely outplayed Roma was an obvious choice, yet they all froze IMO and our bestest player, RvP chose to play like a lame dog! That coupled with an horrendous defensive lapse meant we were on the back foot from almost the off. So, now thats done and dusted we can move on…. can’t we?
March 12, 2009 at 10:24
Ok Jimbo, I read it different, I didn’t card you so I now withdraw the waving of it!
March 12, 2009 at 10:25
irishgunner – He tried to scorpion kick Denilson in the first leg and caught him the balls, he shouldn’t have been there in the first place.
March 12, 2009 at 10:25
irish – i was amazed grotti totti got away with that
March 12, 2009 at 10:25
oirish had it been us kicking one of theirs it would have been
March 12, 2009 at 10:26
well to sign off to bed im going to say that i love the arsenal, bloody great result to go through, our mojo will no doubt return for the next round.
Blackburn on Saturday, cant wait. i just love supporting the arsenal and watching each game!
cheers all, catch you later on!
March 12, 2009 at 10:26
true Keyser true
March 12, 2009 at 10:26
I thought the ref last night was pretty effin good. Didnt fall for their shite and was pretty strong, IMO.
March 12, 2009 at 10:26
Its easy to get on the band wagon about last nights result but the same old problems keep rearing there ugly head.
We are in dire need of a DM – Flamini was immense last year for us & we need a ball winner in there
As for the defence Kolo needs someone at side of him to dominate him! Gallas & Kolo are too similar there both headless chickens
March 12, 2009 at 10:26
If I was defending a corner against Arsenal i’d put 10 men on the halfway line. You don’t need to defend it as it always hits the goalkeeper.
March 12, 2009 at 10:27
Keyser if we were relegated u wld still find positives there is no point in arguing with you. Ive learnt my lessons
Arsenal played a nil-nil draw with Madrid in 05/06 season. that was a goalless draw to be proud of cos the performance backed the hype created by the manager.
Why would a manager try and justify performances like this every week?
Who is it gonna be this time that that Arsene believes doesnt get enough credit?
denilson doesnt get credit
almunia bla bla bla
He has used the word ‘credit’ more than the rest of the financial world this year
March 12, 2009 at 10:27
nice one geoff-that was clearly one reffered to the video panel and they conclusion they came to was correct LOL!
March 12, 2009 at 10:28
Morning All,
Pulse rate is just about back to normal! We were very unimaginative last night and lucky to get through, but we’re through lets see who we get next and try and find out who put the superglue on the bottom of Almunias boots after the final whistle! Nobody has commented on Totti’s outrageous dive yet but (and hes not my favourite player) had it been Eboue it would have been all we’d talked about
March 12, 2009 at 10:28
roight i’m going back to work…
…we’re through
to quote Bobby McFerrin
“Don’t Worry, Be Happy!”
March 12, 2009 at 10:28
Lovedup, the ref was fucking class. I was shitting myself at half time because I was convinced he’d give them a freebie for not giving the penalty. He was very fair throughout.
March 12, 2009 at 10:29
Glad it wasn’t only me – Totti’s a dirty player. A bit like Gerrard he gets away with the diving and dirty challenges.
Geoff – were you actually at the game?
March 12, 2009 at 10:30
Night Evo!
It was indeed Jimbo!
March 12, 2009 at 10:31
Irish no, I was watching on the TV at home.
March 12, 2009 at 10:31
afc53;
Ooh, do we need a DM ya think? Really??? Lets go and buy one… oh hold on we cant!
So, we gonna have to rely on what we have now fella
March 12, 2009 at 10:31
Totti should have at least been booked for that kick, the ball was nowhere to be seen!
March 12, 2009 at 10:32
So ……..Blackburn on Saturday;
Almunia
Sagna Djourou Gallas Gibbs
Arshavin Song Diaby Vela
Theo Eduardo
March 12, 2009 at 10:32
Just watching it I wouldn’t like to have been there – them Italians seem like a hostile bunch of dimwits.
Not that Blatter or Platini will do anything – Blatter was too busy cosying up to Ferguson last night
March 12, 2009 at 10:33
Its worrying that we have had the same problems for a while now and we are still yet to sought them out
Do we really have training sessions?
March 12, 2009 at 10:33
Franchise – Heh, learn’t your lessons ? Nah mate it’s all a bit of fun eh, I mean Roma behaved with honour.
You’re right, they’ve gone out but the team and fans should be proud of themselves, if only we could behave like them. Roma are an example to us all, we should try and be more like them.
If we won the quintuple, breaking every record in sight, you’d still sit there upset and miserable because we hadn’t won the Six Nations, retained the Ashes or had at least a finalist at Wimbledon.
March 12, 2009 at 10:33
I’m off to the gym to sort out last night and tonight, catch you all in an hour Grovers!
March 12, 2009 at 10:34
Morning all,
what a night, surely one of the most frustrating in my life but what an ending! Watched it at O’Neils in islington… It was mayhem at the end!!
Watching Arsenal is bad for the heart… I didn’t think are penalties were very good but for some reason the keeper kept on diving the other way… Nice one son!!!
March 12, 2009 at 10:34
Did anyone see Gerrard’s dive against La Galaticunts on Tuesday??? No????
Funny that, neither did the fucking xenaphobes working at our gutter press.
March 12, 2009 at 10:34
I’ll take it and move on.Agree that most of the team were very ordinary to say the least but I don’t get this obsession with Eduardo.Sure he has scored a couple of fine goals against Championship sides but it seems to be over-looked that at the time of his injury he was just beginning to get regular games and was settling into the squad.No way was he a world beater but a very decent finisher but now he is being held up as an automatic answer to our problems.Wishful thinking I believe.
March 12, 2009 at 10:35
Keyser u and i know whats going on ive got balls to say it.
March 12, 2009 at 10:35
Sparrow; Up until quite recently, Arsenal getting to pens wouldve meant we were goin out…Not any more!
March 12, 2009 at 10:36
Franchise;
Well done for possessing testicles fella! Always helps in my experience!
March 12, 2009 at 10:37
Franchise – Mate, seriously, you’ve got balls ? Is that the conclusion you’ve come to ? After all that ?!
What does that even mean ? heh, oh shit, this is funny.
March 12, 2009 at 10:39
I have balls. They shrivelled up a bit last night though.
March 12, 2009 at 10:39
Steve – How were they at the end of the night ? If yu don’t mind me asking, mine were swinging pretty freely.
March 12, 2009 at 10:40
Steve; Hahahaha! You aint the only one fella!!!
March 12, 2009 at 10:40
Lovedup loner we have been banging the drum since the start of the season for a DM the same as a dominating CB.
All teams are built around not letting in goals something we were fantastic at but not know the back 4 all seam to be shaky at the minute.
March 12, 2009 at 10:40
They certainly unshrivelled themselves Keyser.
March 12, 2009 at 10:40
And of course I don’t mind you asking.
March 12, 2009 at 10:40
RICO…………….
I received the book!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
wooooooooooooooooooooooooooooo
March 12, 2009 at 10:41
Thank you!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
March 12, 2009 at 10:41
Franchise – Look I don’t want us to fall out, heh, we played poorly we were a bit lucky on the night, on the other hand we went through and we put in a much much better performance at home.
How much more can you draw from it ?!
March 12, 2009 at 10:41
Somebody PLEASE teach clichy and sagna how to cross a ball……. seriously WTF….. At best there a high league 2 standard lump into the box…
Every game we see all this nice slick passing play eventually ending in a clichy or sagna cross which NEVER ammounts to anything EVER its making me sick
March 12, 2009 at 10:42
Saw the Gerrard dive, Jim Beglin was the only person that admitted it was a dive! Shocking.
March 12, 2009 at 10:42
Steve – I saw his dive…..Real player did not touch him. They always get away with shit like that!! Carragher is always wrestling players to the gound in the pen area and he gets away with it also……..I think its cause they give the ref his wheels back after the game the scouase cnuts
Jimbo….normally disagree with you mate but, today you’ve been bang on. We were a little lucky last night but you need luck on your side no matter hod good/bad you’re playing.
March 12, 2009 at 10:43
That was an horrendous experience till the end! Yet anyone would think we have never performed badly away from home in Europe! Blimey, even when we made the final we had some right mares.. Like some one already mentioned; we didnt look too good v Villareal and only Jens penalty save, er, saved us!
March 12, 2009 at 10:44
St Steven of Gerrard dive ….. never …
– he’s the most honest player in football.
March 12, 2009 at 10:44
afc53; They were shaky last nite, but have been pretty effin resolute for ages IMO.
Anyway, i agree with ya… so there!
March 12, 2009 at 10:45
Chelsea got STRIPED there, it could have been the same for us,
we won thats all that matters, fair point Eddy and Theo should have come on earlier – but how do we know they are 100% fit to play a game like that?
and when has Vela been any good away from home against a big team? – Eboue has had 25+ champs league games under his belt and could probably deal with the pressure more
This is the best blog out there but that had to be said, keep up the good work.
Blackburn next up.
March 12, 2009 at 10:46
Swing low, sweet testicles….
March 12, 2009 at 10:47
fall out? dont flatter yourself mate
nothing can piss me off more than arenal’s performance last night
another positive was that wenger has admitted that Song is shittish. was scred to bring him on last night
March 12, 2009 at 10:47
Sorry if that last post offends anyone!
March 12, 2009 at 10:49
I thought Roma were lucky to finish with 11 because one of their players on a yellow cynically fouled Nasri in the second half with an arm in his face to stop him on a counter.
also their diving was disgraceful. Perhaps thats why God/Karma looked down favourably on us in the penalties?
to say we dont take honour from the game is daft. we did not cheat last night and we showed tons of character, we just didn’t play well.
March 12, 2009 at 10:49
Franchise – I’m not, just it’s not worth getting upset over, people can take things the wrong way.
We played crap, we went through, negative/ positive.
I think we’ll get better and think the first leg proves we can play better.
March 12, 2009 at 10:49
Franchise…..there are positives to take from last night. You should look on the bright side……last nights game will install experience and confidence to a young arsenal side. Cesc will be back and we will be stronger Edu and Walcott will get more games under their belt and will start to have an impact……..we got through. I didn’t like the way we went through but we are through and that’s all that matters.
Oh and your statement that you would have rather been like Inter and lost with pride rather than won without honour is stupid. How can you say the day after arsenal win that you would have rather lost……why support arsenal then?
March 12, 2009 at 10:50
Coming forth to carry me home.
March 12, 2009 at 10:52
Whoever mentioned the Villareal game away is pretty much on the button. We were fucking dreadful in that game and still went through and we were all banging one out over it.
March 12, 2009 at 10:52
like someone pointed out there is no need picking on scapegoats the whole team was poooooooooor
i think almunia was our best player. the double save he made kept us in the game
baptista is a gunner. he meets the current requirements shittish and sloppy in front of goal
PPL were already talikg about how we dont need to sign any players next season. its crazy what a win against westbrom and burnley can do
March 12, 2009 at 10:53
I don’t know. Roma are not a bad side in my book, they are suffering this season in the leagues, and they’ve been hit with injuries similar to us. But they’re not a bad side, and this was always going to be a tough tough game.
I do agree with you that Wenger has messed up the selection (once again), but out of this game you just want to go through to the next round. This is a great result for us, by the time we play the quarter finals Walcott will be fitter and ready to take Eboue’s place in the team, the same for Eduardo and Wenger will be more comefortable playing him as a starter, Fabregas is on the way, Adebayor and maybe, just maybe… Rosicky.
Mental strength? yes we played poorly, and yes I’m sick of Wenger saying the same thing time and time again after every match, but at leaset the guys stood up infront of 80,000 or so and won the game. Some teams would’ve cracked under the pressure after Eduardo missed our first penalty.
I’m just really happy that we made it through. In the QF I hope of course to get either Porto or Villareal, and if we got Bayern I wouldn’t be too unhappy about it, it will be an interesting challenge, and it will provide us with the chance to avenge our loss against them a few years ago.
March 12, 2009 at 10:55
Wardo i didnt say that. I said i know which i prefer doesnt mean i prefer playing nicely and loosing. im happy we won but im not happy about the whole fucking season. my happiness lasted the night the reality is we are through. Im just expressing how i sincerely feel. This team doesnt look like its gonna take off any time soon. At times last night i was actually wishing Adebawhore was fit
March 12, 2009 at 10:56
Franchise – totally agree we were poor but do you not feel a little smug – normally playing shite and getting through is reserved for liverpool
March 12, 2009 at 10:56
LL
that was just wrong! Funny though!
March 12, 2009 at 10:58
Like Raddy pointed out even 4th position isnt exactly guaranteed we still have a lot to do and i am afraid that we would be caught short trophy-wise and CL qualification wise.
Nasri is looking worse than Hleb ever was for us. even more frustrating. its fair to say its his first season but hey….
March 12, 2009 at 10:59
we won!
I don’t give a rats arse how we got through..
we played beautiful football for most of last season and ended winning zilch… if we win all our remaining games 1-0 i’ll be happy…
we need a fooking trophy..
the dream continues.
March 12, 2009 at 11:01
in december ‘brightside’ for me was that the transfer window was in january. currently brightside for me is errrrrrrrr we would make at least 10 million by being in the quarter finals of the champions league and we might be lucky to progress to the semis
March 12, 2009 at 11:01
Morning All
Thankfully missed the game was lucky enough to have a HD with a fast forward.
But …. prior to the game, almost all agreed that if we could get past Roma, by any means, then we would have a decent chance because Cesc will be back. And we all know that the team revolves around him.
I don’t care how we won, just that we did.
Furthermore, it is wrong to say that because we played shite last night, then we will be shite in our next games. Just look at the history of this season.
March 12, 2009 at 11:02
I think Nasri will develop into a good player for us Franchise. It might make him look better is somebody could actually get on the end of a fucking cross. It just alarms me that since he has been here he has had 1 good away game, and that was against a shit Hull team.
March 12, 2009 at 11:04
Wardo; Bang on old chapstick!
Steve; Nice one for finishing the lyric!
March 12, 2009 at 11:05
On a lighter note, who else shit themselves when Denilson stepped up for the penalty????
Come on own up.
I thought he was going to pass it sideways to the ref and fall over.
March 12, 2009 at 11:06
Franchise;
Jeeez, you are beyond help… If thats how you react, hours after the tension, frustration shouldve left, then seriously, you should consider, …. darts maybe?
March 12, 2009 at 11:06
Steve, I shat my pants on all our pens…..I thought walcott was gonna miss
March 12, 2009 at 11:07
Steve i though sagna, denilson, diaby and nasri were all gonna miss
March 12, 2009 at 11:08
I just love this pic!!!
http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/sport/football/premier_league/arsenal/article5891616.ece
March 12, 2009 at 11:08
Steve; On Nasri,k agree with you, he is coming along nicely IMO. Scores important goals and can really do damage. i think he plays loads better either in a free role on coming in from the right, whereas he was mainly left last nite. But then again, no one really covered themselves did they?
Havent seen anyone slatin eduardo for that shite penalty!
March 12, 2009 at 11:08
HAHHAHA I did too.
March 12, 2009 at 11:08
And Almunia’s fantastic save from Taddei (?) in the first half kept us in the game. He may not inspire confidence, but he is a fine shotstopper.
March 12, 2009 at 11:08
Franchise…..also, as it wasn’t the best performance the press wont pile a load of fcuking pressure on us by saying we are the best bla bla bla……we’ll be underdogs to a certain extent and this will remove the pressure…..our boys might then play their game. I was at the first leg and we were good esp Eboue!
March 12, 2009 at 11:09
Lovedup i believe u the one with the problem. u like a man trying to think otherwise (turn a blind eye) when its evident his wife is cheating on him
March 12, 2009 at 11:09
Shit that last post was garbled bollocks! Sorry!
March 12, 2009 at 11:10
You can’t slate Eduardo mate. He is fucking brilliant. I did chuckle when RVP treaked his nose and gave him a cuddle after he had scored his pen. Nice touch that.
March 12, 2009 at 11:10
March 12, 2009 at 11:10
we spent the whole night hitting shit crosses into the box all 90% of which came to nothing!
shit game but we’re through and that penalty shoot out will do allot for some of these kids, to win it on penalties in a place like that isnt easy, wenger bangs on about mental strength all the time so it means nothing now but last night we did actually show a bit of resilience.
lets just hope we get a kind draw and the mancs get pool or the chavs and the other one get barca
March 12, 2009 at 11:10
What? I’ll effin kill the cheatin biatch!
March 12, 2009 at 11:11
Franchise what are you on about…..
March 12, 2009 at 11:11
Geoff – I have to say I agree 100% with your post.
Nothing to add, apart from the fact that I had to leave the pub in order for us to win, as I can’t watch penalties on TV – my team ALWAYS loses. So I listened to the pens on Five Live as I trudged home.
Great to get through, but play like that again and any of the remaining teams would beat us.
March 12, 2009 at 11:12
Another plus point is that our much publicised team spirit doesn’t appear to be as bad as we are lead to believe.
March 12, 2009 at 11:14
Guys why are u so negative?? when manu win ugly, they are a determined team, when we win ugly we are shit, so what do we do?? make up ur minds….!!
I personally was not happy with team selection yesterday…this is the same team we started with 2 weeks ago at the emirates..the italins knew what to expect yesterday with the same team put out by arsene…the first leg we caught them un awares with bentner on the left….but yesterday when he started there, it was very obvious that they were going to mark him through out…bentner has to learn to control the ball….
Nasri was marked out of the game…they did that so well, because he was the best player in the first eg, so they new what to do with him.Arsene had to change the formation yesterday, but hey we are through and i know this will give us the confidence we need….stop crying guys but celebrate…a win is a win….mournho has been winning ugly and he is called a hero so celebrate the win guys…………..c’mon u gooners
March 12, 2009 at 11:15
Wardo Lovedup says im beyond help im just trying to point out Legrove style that he is the one that needs help
was a comment not to be taken too seriously
March 12, 2009 at 11:16
Morning AT…..I think the mental strength bit is because Roma gave it everything and our game plan was ruined after 9 mins. We made a silly mistake and the mental strength came in cause we got our game together and held strong…….they scored one goal cause we fcuked up big time. It was a nervy start……if it had been 0-0 after 20 mins, Roma may have panicked and let their game go to rat shit. We may have scored 1/2 goals and it would have looked easy……..if this had happened, Franchise would have been bloggin today saying “its only roma – we would have been knocked out if it was Barca”…….no pleasing some ppl
March 12, 2009 at 11:17
North Bank, I went into my garden in a strop and watched the pens through the window because I remembered I done the same when Lehmann saved Villareal’s pen.
It’s funny that superstition only ever affects me when Arsenal play.
Weird though that I didn’t get out there in time for Eddie’s and he missed. It’s my fucking fault.
March 12, 2009 at 11:18
Hellooo moaners. We won. Can’t you see that. Stop whining and enjoy it. How often do we ever get that lucky? How often do we win after such a pedestrian display. Roma is griping right now because of us. We should be grateful and enjoy this one. Agreed, there is plenty of room for improvement but we must allow the boys (at least) to glow in this victory. It matters not how it came. Maybe some of you would prefer to trade places with Roma and lose a last 16 penelty shoot out at the Emirates after winning 1-0 on the night. I shudder at the thought of what some of you would do to Arsene and the Gunners if that ever happened. Relax Gooners and enjoy the moment. We will soon get there. Believe.
March 12, 2009 at 11:18
Odub great pic just set as my background
March 12, 2009 at 11:20
Choy – I am so pleased it finally got there, that took four months, hope Bobby is worth the wait
March 12, 2009 at 11:20
easy fellas,
i thought we were a little unlucky last night in the final pass, too lazy and not accurate enough with passes in the middle of the park but i didnt think it was THAT negative apart from the corners!
I dont understand why anyone was worried about pens…we were always going to go through if it went to them because our pen takers and techincally good. crosses and corners well thats another story. oh and gaels bad games are starting to become more frequent
BOTTOM LINE GUYS:
NO SONG = NO CREATIVITY!!!
: ))))) were through and fuck totti!
March 12, 2009 at 11:21
……I’m really hung over and bits of last night are coming back to me !!
For the pens, I convinced myself that our bad luck was due to my new arsenal shirt……so, I took it off during the pens. Bollocks, its my local pub and I now remember swearing alot and being told to calm down by the landlord……its was the C word I was using.
March 12, 2009 at 11:21
You know, one of the great things about getting a result is to know how much the opo suffer as a result.
Fellas, The Eternal City just got shut down. So everyone, when you get a chance to ponder, just think about all those poor dopey Roma fans now crying in their lates or peroni’s
Mumma’s spagetti will be soggy & the saurce over cooked & those greasy italian blokes who think they are Gods gift to women, now feel like their manhood has shrivelled up like Tottenhams hopes for top 4.
All because The Arsenal, our Arsenal, arsed out a result in their own backyard.
Enjoy the good times, & this has now been etched into the minds of those poor suffering Romans. & I’m loving it. Chamoneeeeeeeeeeeeee
March 12, 2009 at 11:21
remember Roma beat Chelsea 3-1 this season. Roma have a good defence, which showed because we only scored a penalty against them in over 210minutes of football. so to progress is whats important. there are no easy games at that stage, unless you play Sporting Lisbon.
March 12, 2009 at 11:21
STOP ALL THIS WHINING!!! THE FACT IS THAT WE WON AND THE PLAYERS WILL REVIEW THE MATCH VIDEO AND IMPROVE ON THEIR MISTAKES….
As diehard fans we should be very positive … I spent a whole night wiping my face with a handkerchief just for the love of Arsenal…Lets support our team at all times ..in times of joy and oblivion.
MAN WILL NOT BGE SATISFIED WITH WHAT HE GETS,EVEN MILLIONAIRES STILL LOOK FOR MORE OPPORTUNITIES TO CREATE WEALTH.
LET’S BE ALL POSITIVE PALS!!!!!
March 12, 2009 at 11:21
STOP ALL THIS WHINING!!! THE FACT IS THAT WE WON AND THE PLAYERS WILL REVIEW THE MATCH VIDEO AND IMPROVE ON THEIR MISTAKES….
As diehard fans we should be very positive … I spent a whole night wiping my face with a handkerchief just for the love of Arsenal…Lets support our team at all times ..in times of joy and oblivion.
MAN WILL NOT BE SATISFIED WITH WHAT HE GETS,EVEN MILLIONAIRES STILL LOOK FOR MORE OPPORTUNITIES TO CREATE WEALTH.
LET’S BE ALL POSITIVE PALS!!!!!
March 12, 2009 at 11:24
Franchise;
I think its obvious Im beyond help, but I like it like that! Nurse!!!!!!!!
Laterssss
Warri; Post of the effin day! Right there baby!
March 12, 2009 at 11:25
O.K ArsenalKenya, I’ll be happy and not moan if you get your arse over here and buy a season ticket. Until then, Bollocks.
March 12, 2009 at 11:25
To be fair i would have bet my house on Eddy to score his pen. I thought Walcott, Denilson, Diaby, Totti and Pizzaro would miss the pens. Happy it didn’t work out that way
March 12, 2009 at 11:25
I heard you the first time Arsenal Kenya!
March 12, 2009 at 11:25
Warri gooner……..i believe that you make your own luck sometimes. I think 6 years ago, we would not have got through last night……..this is another positive I am taking from last nights match.
March 12, 2009 at 11:27
Wardo, you’re allowed to say ‘cunt’ as many times as you like when you’re watching The Arsenal. Tell your landlord to ‘cunt off’ if he ever attempts to breach your human rights in this fashion again.
March 12, 2009 at 11:27
Fine post GG9.
Va fanculo Roma tifosi…
Chamone !!!!……….. whatever that means
March 12, 2009 at 11:28
alright Kenya…..im not sure why you have mentioned millionaires and creating more wealth but i think the point is that our 11 millionaires played (in some ppls opinion) like 11 giro chasers. consistency or actually incosistency is the badge of our tribe….currently
March 12, 2009 at 11:29
Now that we are all happy what do u want to blog about?
March 12, 2009 at 11:29
we are through to the next round
March 12, 2009 at 11:29
wow we are through to the next round
March 12, 2009 at 11:30
Good morning all, well we are a happy bunch on ere, we qualified ffs, pool won on pens in Istanbul, but the record books state that they were champions of Europe. I cannot even contemplate how I would be feeling right now if we had lost last night. Luck has everything to do with this competition and in my book, we are due some. Come the next round we will be ready, it really does not matter who we draw as on our day we can beat any team, yes, I truly believe that.
March 12, 2009 at 11:30
hat trick
March 12, 2009 at 11:31
Well said eduardo. Not only do you have the recovery powers of Robocop, the finishing of Roy Race and the humility of Mother Theresa, you also have the writing ability of William Shakespeare
March 12, 2009 at 11:32
BR
I’ve got no idea what it means, no one does
March 12, 2009 at 11:33
im more of the bigger picture guy
we won. fact
we didnt play well. fact
there are more points to discuss rather than we won thats why this blog averages 1000 comments a day
see ya later
im off to roma’s blog. do they speak english?
March 12, 2009 at 11:34
Franchise
I like it, I’m going there as well. Should be lots of fun
March 12, 2009 at 11:34
i wanna hear what their opinions are of their x thousand euros a week players in that game
March 12, 2009 at 11:35
I’m off down the fucking pub now with a yid. Not only can I tell him about his season being over I can also remind him that we have 2 quarter finals to look forward to.
I love being a Gooner.
It’ll be St.Totterings day again soon too
March 12, 2009 at 11:36
I think that the Roma fans will probably be saying what we were after we won the first leg. We created more chances and won only 1-0 flip it round and you have exactly what the Roma fans will be saying as they did actually win on the night.
Don’t get me wromg though, i am only pointing that out as a fact because in truth i couldn’t give a rats arse cos we got through
March 12, 2009 at 11:36
ive just been told to fuck off cos i said i liked the way taddei played
March 12, 2009 at 11:36
http://bleacherreport.com/articles/137892-arsenal-fans-attacked-in-rome-but-do-platini-and-blatter-even-care?just_published=1
March 12, 2009 at 11:37
Franchise put the link on here to the Roma place. That could be fun if we all go on there and defend Taddei ;-D
March 12, 2009 at 11:38
See fellas, Life is goooooooooooood.
Nighty Night
March 12, 2009 at 11:38
Enjoy the misery
http://roma.theoffside.com/team-news/when-everything-is-not-enough.html#comments
March 12, 2009 at 11:39
; ) gracias steveo! sarcastic cunt!
lol funny though if i had to pick a choker on our pens i would have probably gone theo right? the englishman! shame that the billy kolo cb partnership seemed to be flying and last night went backwards but as i write this…. is that because ( i hate to hate on teh kolo cannonball BUT) billy G had a bad game and frankly hes been carrying kolo OR to put it another way. if billy aint on form our back 5 is nervy.
fair or harsh?
March 12, 2009 at 11:40
just kidding clacko
March 12, 2009 at 11:43
Franchise….who told you to fcuk off ???? Is it a Roma blog……
March 12, 2009 at 11:44
Yep, Steve, St Totteringham’s can’t come in soon enough! I look forward to Peroni’s on Satruday pre match.
March 12, 2009 at 11:45
Just watched a replay of the penalties on Sky i was still scared we would lose.Strange.
March 12, 2009 at 11:46
wardo, yeah they fucked us with that goal but i think the pens will do allot for them… its another huge experience and they need as many as they can get now.
we were shit all night and got through, if we do that next round we’ll get what we deserve unless maybe we get villareal
March 12, 2009 at 11:47
Paul – ha ha I’m the same, I watched them in highlights again last night and was still sure Walcott’s would be saved
Vucinic’s was a pleasure to watch it was so crap
March 12, 2009 at 11:48
Oh i just wrote a post on there, hopefully i won’t be told to fuk off though cos i did say i went there in peace and that on balance it shoudl have been put beyond them in the first leg
March 12, 2009 at 11:48
Steve – enjoy your pub outing with the Spud.
My Gooner mates tried to make me stay in the pub for the pens last night, and I got the usual shouts of ‘gutless’ for wimping out, but hey, we won; and I count my absence as being instrumental in the win – that’s footy superstition for you ! Doesn’t make any sense, but there you go.
March 12, 2009 at 11:48
‘He’s built a stadium and 650 flats but he has not built a team that can win trophies in the new stadium. That was always gonna be a stretch, to put it mildly.’
classic quote from myles palmer
March 12, 2009 at 11:49
steve
i second the motion ,
if your blind enough to think a GREAT FOOTBALL TEAM rely’s on luck then your mentally disturbed !
and knowing wenger and his propaganda for the i told you so’s out there we will not see the mac truck hit us until you have the tread marks imprinted into your skulls !
intuitive people realize this is not a victory to savor , its a victory to learn from ..
and hope not to show another display as lack luster AS IT for the rest of the season !
March 12, 2009 at 11:50
I just looked back at it and apparently i wrote my post at 4:47am haha.
March 12, 2009 at 11:52
Irish, don’t ya love it when you watch replays and are sure that it will be different. I saw Edy’s again on Sky sports news this morning and was fukin convinced he would score haha!!
March 12, 2009 at 11:53
Clacko – yeah ha ha I still watch re-runs of Ireland vs Romania in WC90 and still think “oh feck not O’Leary”
March 12, 2009 at 11:54
Haha, and the fact that you still go nuts when they go in even though you knew they would!!
March 12, 2009 at 11:56
“There are these academies for Africans and Brazilians. Inter Milan have a big academy in Brazil, AS Roma also. If you can’t stop it, there’s no control in football. We have to stop it and in England they should be fully behind that.” – Sepp Blatter
Haha so it’s two Italian clubs why is he talking about England?
March 12, 2009 at 11:56
I still watch looney tunes expecting the Coyote to catch the bird!!! beep beep!
March 12, 2009 at 11:57
Yep – actually might watch last night’s one again
When Tonetto missed I threw the cushion on the ground (i was hiding behind it) and said “fuck ya we’re through you bastards”
those were my exact words
March 12, 2009 at 11:58
Odub – I always wondered where the Coyote got the money to buy all his contraptions
March 12, 2009 at 12:00
t.b.h i would be much happier if we went out last nite,going by that performance is clear to see we are the weakest out of the current english teams.If we get an english team there will only be one outcome for us and that is out of the thing.
March 12, 2009 at 12:01
I still expect Michael Thomas to miss against Liverpool yet i see it everyday on Arsnal TV
March 12, 2009 at 12:02
Irish….unfortunately my words were a little worse. Even my Fiance was telling me to be quiet…..think I may have asked her to be quiet herself which may explain the cold shoulder I got this morning……
March 12, 2009 at 12:02
This was one fucked up performance, I agree with that. Cranes are large, long-legged and long-necked birds of the order Gruiformes, and family Gruidae. Unlike the similar-looking but unrelated herons, cranes fly with necks outstretched, not pulled back. But what do you all expect from a team with no playmaker on the field? Fuck Eboue. If you don’t have a player who can actually open defense up, like Cesk does at least once a game, you’re in deep shit. What the fuck was wrong with Clichy? Roma had Totti, but, I must say, Diaby managed to keep him relatively quite most of the time. Denilson is crap. A mongoose is a member of the family Herpestidae (although also used for some members of Eupleridae), a family of small, cat-like carnivores. Going nuts with this fucking team is a bliss.
March 12, 2009 at 12:04
And u guys think im negative
welcome BBK
March 12, 2009 at 12:04
BBK – that’s not true at all mate…….Chelsea knocked us out when we were much much better than them. If we draw an English team its a lottery.
Be a fan mate…..grow a pair and shout for the Gunners. Never turn your back on them….
March 12, 2009 at 12:05
Franchise, you sound like you’ve been on prozac compared to BBK…….
March 12, 2009 at 12:05
Irish
I think he came from a rich family!
March 12, 2009 at 12:06
I hope spuds beat Aston Villa and we beat Blackburn…
Diouf has found his shooting boots again and likes harrassing our back bench….
I am off to the pub for an early tot…to celebrate our LUCKY ESCAPE from SOBIBOR…
March 12, 2009 at 12:07
Agh Wardo – I’m a lady as bad I can get
unless Liverpool are playing, I hate Liverpool 
March 12, 2009 at 12:10
Odub –
perhaps he did, beep beep
March 12, 2009 at 12:10
I’m back again Grovers but not for long, there were 13 in moderation and 3 muppets that think it’s alright to field a shit player or two but qualify.
So is that why we have the third highest wage bill then?
March 12, 2009 at 12:11
lets just face it we are the weakest out of the other 3 its just a fact.you can say oh but we beat man-u and cuntski that doesn’t matter man u were not in form neither were cuntski,we struggled to beat roma f.f.s
March 12, 2009 at 12:12
Let them on Geoffrey!!
March 12, 2009 at 12:12
BBK we wouldn’t be if we fielded our best side intsead of a shit one.
March 12, 2009 at 12:12
Police are investigating an allegation of common assault against Jose Mourinho following a Champions League tie.
It has been alleged the Inter Milan manager punched a supporter as he left Old Trafford stadium after his team’s defeat by Manchester United.
Police have contacted United to request CCTV footage of the area and have confirmed a complaint has been made.
A spokesman for Manchester United confirmed they are aware of the allegation but made no further comment.
March 12, 2009 at 12:12
Hopefully by the next round we will have our most influential midfielder in the starting line up.Yes i am talking about our own Alex Song who was on the bench last night
March 12, 2009 at 12:13
geoff we are the weakest link goodbye
March 12, 2009 at 12:14
Irish…I’m normally cool when watching football. I cheer my side on. But last night, I got a little frustrated and anoyed…..some naughty words came out without me even knowing I was saying them.
I’ll get a full report of what I said and how many times I said it when i get home tonight……that I’m sure of
March 12, 2009 at 12:14
denilson is sooo shit song is better then him now im convinced there still both shit but song is the better out of a shit pair
March 12, 2009 at 12:14
BBK – Why do you bother? Again puppies and cushions, smile and be happy you know you want to
March 12, 2009 at 12:15
I can’t Odub, I binned them as soon as it started we won… and ends in so you know better… I just hit bin, after 2 years I’m able to scan without on auto pilot, so the stupid cunts don’t even get read.
March 12, 2009 at 12:16
lollll irish when i was watching that dross last nite it makes me so angry to see what we once was to this current load of crap
March 12, 2009 at 12:16
Wardo – yeah ha ha I said some things too but once Tonetto drove it over I calmed down a lot.
Will there be a notebook of bad words you said last night on the table when you go home?
March 12, 2009 at 12:16
Weakest or not, the luck that got us thru last night could carry us all the way to the final.
When Liverpoo won it they were nowhere near being the best team in England talk less of Europe!
March 12, 2009 at 12:16
franchise… LOL
March 12, 2009 at 12:17
BBK – ha ha agh go on smile a little we won
March 12, 2009 at 12:17
When Livershit won it they werent even the best team in liverpool ffs!
March 12, 2009 at 12:18
I think Song is BBK and Eboue is anywhere but right back but at least Denilson runs after the ball when he fucks up.
The thing is whenever either of them has a half decent game, they become the greatest ever.
Some people have memories like Goldfish and brains like Hamsters.
March 12, 2009 at 12:18
Tranmere looked a better outfit mate!
March 12, 2009 at 12:18
liverpool are the most luckiest team in champions league history no other team could get that amount of luck then what they get
March 12, 2009 at 12:19
Thing is Odub we could be the best team in England if he got shot of the shit.
March 12, 2009 at 12:19
Razik strange comment but im liking it
March 12, 2009 at 12:20
song had his best game on sunday against burn er ley,i know it was only burnley but song proved he is better then denilsion on sunday denilsion is crappper
March 12, 2009 at 12:21
BBK, i assume you sa Heinze’s blatant “handball” then. And the non foul on Pepe.
March 12, 2009 at 12:22
irish it’s the way that we won is not what makes people happy only if you are some blind prick it will,to watch that shit last night we were better off losing thus saving face for when we get barca,man u,liverfool and cuntski
March 12, 2009 at 12:23
i didnt watch that match stu
March 12, 2009 at 12:23
Geoff is Pedro really that pissed that he hasnt come on?
Dr Pedro and Ms. BBK
March 12, 2009 at 12:23
Liverpool get the rule book re-written every year
1. Rugby tackle an Arsenal player in the book – ok
2. Stevie star jumps dives and kicks – ok
3. Phantom goal versus Chelsea – ok
4. Phantom penalty versus Real Madrid – ok
March 12, 2009 at 12:24
franchise?????
March 12, 2009 at 12:24
irish in the words of westwood EXACTLYYYYYY
March 12, 2009 at 12:25
in this moment of sober reflection
how poor were Sagna and Clichy last night????
March 12, 2009 at 12:25
Irish – think she’ll just tell me that I was too loud and too often with the swear words. It was her that was winding me up more. When I shouted at the screen, she said “they can’t hear you”. Think she said that 2/3 times which was irritating then the bad words arrived in their hundreds……..I’m blaming her
March 12, 2009 at 12:26
BBK – yeah it was crap but I’d rather to play crap and win than play crap and lose.
March 12, 2009 at 12:26
Pedro normally calm and diplomatic seems to be suffering from an acute case of BBKitis or so i heard
Dr. Pedro & Ms. BBK Get it?
March 12, 2009 at 12:27
WHY does it have to be ms bbk franny
March 12, 2009 at 12:27
Franchise
They both need a rest! They’ve been absolutely shocking the last few months.
March 12, 2009 at 12:28
we played crap an nearly lost tho irish
March 12, 2009 at 12:28
BBK im loving
‘we are the weakest link goodbye’
roflmao
try working out
‘dmsodctas’
March 12, 2009 at 12:29
BBK cos u r the benchmark for pessimism, anger and wrath
im a level b4 u
March 12, 2009 at 12:30
comon guys celeberate the RETURN OF LADY LUCK we’ve been missing for a while
March 12, 2009 at 12:30
you just lost me now franchise lolllllllll watwlgb
March 12, 2009 at 12:30
Just a pity we’d didn’t have Bentley and O’Hara to take the penalties last night
March 12, 2009 at 12:30
Franchise
When are you going to get round to changing the pic on your avatar? It really does give me the hibijibies!
March 12, 2009 at 12:31
can any one guess what DMSODCTAS stand for?
odub hw u doing? are u at the helm this weekend?
March 12, 2009 at 12:31
franchise im like pizza hut your like pizza go-go i never give anyone my last rolo that’s a no-no
March 12, 2009 at 12:31
hope tht manu and liv get either byern or barca…
March 12, 2009 at 12:32
BBK – nearly didn’t milk the cow, we won.
March 12, 2009 at 12:32
I don’t know what people expect Arsene to say after we go throgh on penalties? “We we shit and we didn’t deserve to go through”?
Who knows what he says in the dressing room.
If Theo and Eduardo started and got injured again, it would be Arsene’s fault. If he’d bring on inexperienced Vela and we conceded, it wouldn’t have gotten to penalties. Maybe Nasri could handle the pressure of taking a penalty better than Vela can?
March 12, 2009 at 12:32
ill change it when song is confirmed shite again
March 12, 2009 at 12:33
irish i was thinking john terry not stepping up for us was a bit of a slip up
March 12, 2009 at 12:33
well DMSODCTAS stands for
Danny
Murphy
Stomping
On
DenilSong
Cos
They
Are
Shite
March 12, 2009 at 12:34
at least franchise hasnt got an avatar of denilsion
March 12, 2009 at 12:34
Franchise
I’m good mate! wont be attending this weekend, got some bits to do , I’m rationing my visits these days, once a month until further notice.
Are you back in club level again this weekend?
March 12, 2009 at 12:35
ha ha yeah so O’Hara, Terry and Bentley as penalty takers – who else are cack??
March 12, 2009 at 12:36
Valencia have confirmed they’ve had talks with citeh about villa… surely he wont go there, i know their skint maybe theyll take ade in exchange???
March 12, 2009 at 12:37
vucinic irish that pen was disgusting
March 12, 2009 at 12:37
eduardo took a shite pen aswell
March 12, 2009 at 12:38
March 12, 2009 at 12:38
just one tonetto that was shameful
March 12, 2009 at 12:39
Denilsons pen was shit too. He Gary O Neil’ed it!
March 12, 2009 at 12:39
lollll stu
March 12, 2009 at 12:39
BBK – yeah but I’ll forgive Eduardo
March 12, 2009 at 12:40
I was expecting Baptista to sky it. Seeing as he missed so many for us!
March 12, 2009 at 12:40
now that was a decent strike from the beast
March 12, 2009 at 12:40
Emmanuel Eboue has told setanta.com that he wants to sign a new deal at Arsenal.
Eboue, who has been the target of criticism from a section of Gunners fans this season, wants to put the problems behind him and commit himself to Arsenal.
Ivory Coast international Eboue is aware of Inter’s interest in his services, but he is ready to turn his back on the Italian champions in order to commit his future to the Emirates Stadium outfit.
“Moving to Inter? My future depends on myself,” he told setanta.com. “I am under contract with Arsenal for another year and leaving the club is not my intention.
“If Arsenal offer me a new contract I will sign it because I like this club and will always do my best to deliver on the pitch.”
March 12, 2009 at 12:41
irish is a forgiving person everone
March 12, 2009 at 12:41
everyone
March 12, 2009 at 12:41
It was always gonna take a miss from a Roma player for us to go through……Almunia was never gonna make a save unless it was a carbon copy of Vucinic’s!!!
March 12, 2009 at 12:42
please no not eboue
March 12, 2009 at 12:42
Eboue wants a new contract?? Well i want to be a millionaire.
I know which one is more likely. He should just fuck off to another club!
March 12, 2009 at 12:43
Im not Odub. Its a saturday game ‘Missus day’
March 12, 2009 at 12:43
when diaby stepped up i thought he would do a tonetto i was surprised them sorts of players normally sky the thing
March 12, 2009 at 12:43
And Almunia got extremely lucky for Vucinics. He slipped and happened to be in the right place.
March 12, 2009 at 12:43
BBK – not in general just Eduardo
March 12, 2009 at 12:44
I think Toure should be our new penalty taker. Get his goals tally up too. He always scores his penalties. Dont think i have seen him miss one yet. all 3 of them
March 12, 2009 at 12:44
Eboue on Move:
“Moving to Inter? My future depends on myself,” he told setanta.com. “I am under contract with Arsenal for another year and as long as Arsene Wenger keeps treating me like the golden boy and as long as I keep those photo’s of him with a whore locked in a safe, leaving the club is not my intention.
“If Arsenal offer me a new contract I will sign it because no one else could possibly let me play so shit on a regular basis and reward me with a start in the next game. I like this club and I’m hoping to pushed even further up the field next season and play up front. I will always do my best to deliver on the pitch but if I cant do that I’ll just be a petulant little cunt and get sent off instead.”
March 12, 2009 at 12:44
you hardnut irish cold heart and all that
March 12, 2009 at 12:45
Eduardo was the one player i didnt think would miss.
March 12, 2009 at 12:45
Ah yes, I remember you saying Franchise!
Oh well, MOTD it is then!
March 12, 2009 at 12:45
why would inter want eboue that is just madness same goes for ac taking senderos on loan.
March 12, 2009 at 12:46
Stu – I said that about Eduardo too and then expected Denilson, Sagna, Toure and Diaby to all miss!!!!
March 12, 2009 at 12:46
yeah MOTD
March 12, 2009 at 12:47
What makes it even worse is that when he does get a new contract he will probably get a raise too. Double his money in an economic fucking crisis.
March 12, 2009 at 12:48
Eboue wouldnt play for Inter anyway. They have Maicon and Zanetti to play there. I’d say EEs agent just made that up to get his client a new contract.
March 12, 2009 at 12:49
the chances of Arsenal drawing another English team is 3 in 7 (42%), while the chances of there being at least one all English tie is 77%.
what still puzzles me was last year’s draw. you must remember the liverpool echo blog posted the correct draw 90 minutes before it supposedly took place. the chances of them getting it right by luck was 1 in 105.
UEFA commented that whoever got it right did so by luck alone.
whats more at the same time, another post on Yahoo said that Liverpool would definitely draw another English team, which they did – us. They may indicate that the only loaded ball (heated or whatever) was Liverpool. As soon as an English team was drawn then Liverpool would follow. Arsenal were the very first team out of the hat, liverpool duly followed.
but the media had witnessed the practice draw and the ‘real’ draw, and all seemed fine.
question to all you Jonathan creek fans is how do UEFA fix a draw with absolutely no risk of being found out? I dont trust UEFA and as far fetched as it sounds I do beleive the draw was fixed and that it could be fixed again.
March 12, 2009 at 12:50
Morning All,
Geoff i think its the time to stop predicting scores you Jonah
Steve you must have been in bits last night i felt like i did when my misses was giving birth dry mouth sweaty hands and my hart going 10 to the dozen it could not have been more nerve racking and that’s just when i heard eboue was in the team
March 12, 2009 at 12:51
why roma shouldnt have let vucinic to take a penalty
watch the video lol
http://www.offthepost.info/2009/03/why-mirko-vucinic-should-not-have-been-allowed-to-take-a-penalty-for-roma-against-arsenal/
March 12, 2009 at 12:52
gazzap – I dont know how but I wouldnt be surprised! European controllers of football are about as legit as a £3 note! Be it Italian managers, Spanish CEO’s….they are all corrupt! I do believe that the English FA, through all of its other many faults, is not corrupt. Maybe they should let us conduct the draw, ha ha.
March 12, 2009 at 12:52
BBK.
It may have escaped your notice that Eboue plays for a team that is is the QF of the CL. Why would he want to step down a level to Inter ?
March 12, 2009 at 12:52
Gazzap – The two “worst” team always seem to draw each other – what chances Villareal vs Porto?
March 12, 2009 at 12:53
You could tell that fella was going to miss he looked shit scared.
March 12, 2009 at 12:53
If we took shit penalties and scored, that means their keeper was worse than Almunia
March 12, 2009 at 12:53
nick Geoff never listens phhhh
March 12, 2009 at 12:54
stepdown how many points clear are they at the top of there league b.r how many points are we behind man u b.r
March 12, 2009 at 12:55
http://www.dailymail.co.uk/sport/football/article-1161440/VIDEO-SPECIAL-Sportsmails-worst-penalty-misses.html?ITO=1490
ha ha the first one is worst than Vucinic’s
March 12, 2009 at 12:55
with uefa being so corrupt what are the odds for an all english q-final
March 12, 2009 at 12:55
I thought our pens, apart from Eduardo and possibly Theo’s were quite good. Doni got a hand to Theo’s and will feel he should have claimed it. Denilson’s would have been saved had Doni gone the right way but we can only speculate that Denilson ’sent’ him the wrong way!!
March 12, 2009 at 12:56
Maybe he didn’t dive because he was going in the wrong direction and didn’t want to dive just for the sake of it to make the supporters happy?
I don’t get it …. he is a shit keeper for not saving all the penalties, but the one that he did save, it was just a poor penalty so that doesn’t count. How many of ours went down the middle and scored?
March 12, 2009 at 12:57
whens the draw ?
March 12, 2009 at 12:59
nick the fix will be on friday week
March 12, 2009 at 12:59
Trinidad, who said he was shit for not saving all the penalties?
Nick, its next friday at about 11 or 12.
March 12, 2009 at 13:00
Trinidad – Almunia was a statue for at least 5 penalties. He started very, very flat footed which allowed him no spring off. He obviously cant read where a player is going (like some GK’s) say they can so he should just pick a side and really go for it. Even if he does that a lot of down the middle pens are saved with the legs. The one he did save was luck as it was soley down to Vucinic’s shocker!
March 12, 2009 at 13:00
BBK. I wasn’t being serious !!
March 12, 2009 at 13:00
Sagna’s penalty was really good
March 12, 2009 at 13:00
Anyway he got us to penalties with some good saves in the 90 minutes so no one should be overly critical!!
March 12, 2009 at 13:01
geoff… this article! whinge whinge whinge… we WON. get over it.
March 12, 2009 at 13:01
Earlier Almunia was being criticised for not diving and falling in a heap … but if you’re already heading in the wrong direction, whats the point?
March 12, 2009 at 13:02
Shittish is a new word i coined from shit. if a shit player shows some improvement he becomes shittish
who likes the word?
March 12, 2009 at 13:04
Franchise – I like it, you should tell Arsene and he can add it to his list of made up words
March 12, 2009 at 13:04
no offence but i feel its the lazy bloggers that are just interested in the fact that we won. let the real grovers moan moan and moan some more
March 12, 2009 at 13:04
How many keepers can read where a player is shooting his penalty? Seaman can claim that to inflate his ego but its mostly a guess. Players intentionally shape to kick right, and then go left. It’s a guess, and the keeper is 2nd favourite.
March 12, 2009 at 13:04
lol big r my bad
March 12, 2009 at 13:05
COME on people he has done ok the guy saves a penalty and we jump all over him for the ones he didn’t he made some great saves in the match and look at doni he should have saved dens pen i could have lets be pleased we won and as my dad said we pissed all over AC and didn’t do any thing a win a win and with luck like that it could be our year
March 12, 2009 at 13:05
shittish is a word that should be put in the dictionary along with denilsong
March 12, 2009 at 13:06
would you guys forgive me if i put 20 quid on united doing the quintuple?
i wld also put a tenner on arsenal doing the FA CL double
March 12, 2009 at 13:06
If it was about ‘reading’ the players, why would Jens keep a note in his sock?
March 12, 2009 at 13:06
“Eboue is talentless, period.”
sick.
March 12, 2009 at 13:07
Along with ‘doing an Eboue’
March 12, 2009 at 13:07
Geoff…I agree with everything you wrote.
Never have I bounced off the walls so much with frustration, as I did last night.
Our passing was shit…defending was shit…team selection was shit…we just couldn’t do the basics correctly. Not one of the starting 11 had a good game…no one!
God help us if we’re that bad again…we’ll be dismantled by any of the remaining teams.
Mental strength??…only in the penalty shoot out cos nobody seemed to think during 120mins of football.
Bottom line is…we were shite but we’re through. Not ideal, but I’ll take that…for now.
MUST DO BETTER!!…and breathe….right…large rum for me.
March 12, 2009 at 13:07
what else do you think jens would keep in his sock
March 12, 2009 at 13:08
or if a quality player has a bad game then he can be descibed as having a shittish game
Cesc performed shittishly tonight
wow ’shittishly’ thats a new one
March 12, 2009 at 13:09
Almunia even apologised for not saving more last night – not hear the interview?
March 12, 2009 at 13:09
the chances of 2 all english Qfs is 3/35 or 9%.
March 12, 2009 at 13:09
We did the unthinkable, we won ugly. I’m pleased.
Positives:
Theo and Eduardo weren’t rushed back, and they’re still fit
Cesc and Rosicky soon (and Ade)
So our team for the next round should be:
Back 5
Rosicky-Denilson-Cesc-Nasri
Eduardo-RVP
Doesn’t look that bad
March 12, 2009 at 13:09
fuck almunia he is shit
March 12, 2009 at 13:10
it’s literally an article a day attacking and attempting to destabilise arsenal in the daily mail, incredible at the moment – http://www.dailymail.co.uk/sport/football/article-1161446/Civil-war-threatens-wreck-Arsenals-trophy-dreams-Toure-reveals-problems-Gallas.html?ITO=1490
i don’t get how anyone can say theo or eduardo could have started, they’re very obviously very unfit, and came on against a roma team completely dead, but weren’t fit enough to take advantage, if they’d started they would have been embarrassed!
I still can’t get over how bad vp was last night, and has been recently, wonder what’s up with him. Be devastated if he’s been playing carrying an injury and just being strapped up playing through until eduardo, theo are back and fit to start and ade is back, but wouldn’t be surprised.
March 12, 2009 at 13:10
“what else do you think jens would keep in his sock” – his foot?
March 12, 2009 at 13:10
So a keeper should no that right? He should think he’s looking left and gonna go right. If thats the case then he shouldnt have been sold on at least 5 penalties where he ended up hardly moving. I’m not saying he nearly cost us qualification just that I thought he would have been better than that. I cant remember seeing another keeper being sent the wrong way on 5 occasions let a lone just falling into the ground.
For the record Seaman was great at penalties! If its just an ego thing for him then he was the luckiest person around and should have played the lottery a few more times!
March 12, 2009 at 13:10
I bet Jens keeps a blade in his sock. To stop fuckers standing on his shoes!!!
March 12, 2009 at 13:11
what do you think he would keep in his sock irish
March 12, 2009 at 13:12
lol Irish, i was going to say that but i thought it would be taking the easy way out. That was a lazy responce from you of all people!
March 12, 2009 at 13:13
Hello Grovers, Geoff you are spot on about the team selection, and what was worse was the formation and especially Nikki B’s position. Eboue is a joke and seems like he has no clue what he should be doing. The goal we conceded was an comical.
I have to disagree with those that say Clichy is crap, for me Chlichy makes the most interceptions and puts the best effort in the game, if we had 5 players who ran and worked as hard as Clichy then we will beat anyone.
Finally, Almunia just proved what a shit goal keeper he really is. He was very slow off his line during the match and absolutely pathetic in the shoot out.
March 12, 2009 at 13:14
i reckon jens keeps an 8-ball in there t
March 12, 2009 at 13:14
With Lehmann who the hell knows…I miss that madman
March 12, 2009 at 13:14
I think the Toure-Gallas fuck up and Eduardo missing his penalty should take a little more blame than Almunia *ONLY* saving one penalty.
March 12, 2009 at 13:15
For whatever reason i cant remember what Clichy was like during out first season at the Grove. All i seem to remember is him giving Villareal a Penalty in the Semi 4 years ago, then last season and now this. There is a big chunk missing.
March 12, 2009 at 13:16
Stu – ha ha couldn’t think of anything else to say
March 12, 2009 at 13:17
Franchize, point taken, i’ll elaborate a bit.
firstly, and always most importantly (as geoff rightly says) – we won.
however, where i disagree is on the performance of the lads. it wasn’t that bad. in fact, under those incredibly hostile conditions, it was pretty good. i thought diaby had a cracker in the middle and for the first time really this season i saw flashes of the gangly, domineering vieira in his interceptions and spreading of play. our strikers achieved nothing all game. they weren’t really on it, that’s a given, but by god roma were rock solid. i couldn’t believe i was watching the same team i’d seen torn to shreads from the emirates upper tier two weeks ago. you have to hand it to them, they were dominant.
and they scored.
with that in mind, then, i thought we did well, performed adequately… rode our luck but ultimately WON.
i’m a great believer in seeing the positive in things. happy days, then.
March 12, 2009 at 13:18
Trinidad – Did you not see my commment that read:
“I’m not saying he nearly cost us qualification just that I thought he would have been better than that.”
Again, I’m not blaming him for anything!! I just thought he could have done a little better like he apparently admitted!!!!
March 12, 2009 at 13:19
… and further to that, i hope we draw barca in the next round. fuckin’ bring it.
March 12, 2009 at 13:19
Stu, if he only conceded 2 penalties in 4 years that isn’t that bad … considering that the one last year wasn’t even a foul!
The general feeling of the commentators yesterday was that the ref got it spot on.
March 12, 2009 at 13:19
Uefa director of communications William Gaillard admits it was upsetting to learn an Arsenal fan had been attacked, but says the final will go ahead in Rome as planned.
”There is no way we can move a final two months before it takes place,” Gaillard told Setanta Sports News. “It takes a lot of planning on safety and security.
”The idea of moving a final two months before it takes place would actually make stadium security more problematic than leaving it where it is.
”We will be talking to the Italian authorities to see what can be done to make sure no incidents take place on the day of the final.
”We had one incident, but it is one too many and it makes us sad, especially as we know Arsenal fans have a tremendously positive record both home and away in terms of behaviour and it makes us particularly sad that it happened to them.”
Gaillard feels the local authorities have to do more to ensure the city as a whole is secure.
He added: “It is difficult to make a whole city safe and secure, but it is our goal. At the same time it is up to the local and national authorities to do their jobs properly.
“We will put more pressure on them, so instead of having one incident, or ten like we had a year ago or twenty like we had five years ago, we will get to a situation where we get none.”
Gaillard feels that no Italian teams being able to make the final will lessen the likelihood of trouble.
”There are no Italian teams so Rome stadium will be a neutral venue for the final,” he added. “This will reduce the possibility that incidents may happen.
”One would imagine local interest for the final decreased yesterday and is far less appealing for the kind of nasty people who are usually involved in these incidents.”
—————————————————-
That’ll teach ‘em won’t it UEFA
March 12, 2009 at 13:21
UEFA are unbelievable!
“It takes a lot of planning on safety and security.”
Well evidently the Rome Police and security staff cant even fucking handle a knock out stage , let a lone a fucking final!!!
March 12, 2009 at 13:22
TAIG … I understand what you’re saying .. about his comments last night though, picture this:
You’re a goalkeeper after a penalty shootout (which you won). You saved one. You think to yourself “man, I know I saved one, but I wish I saved all 5, that would’ve been easier on my team”
Can you see this happening? I can.
March 12, 2009 at 13:22
apparently the bus driver was a local and he ran away – ponce
March 12, 2009 at 13:23
I heard that the stabbed fan was stabbed in the knee. What an off place to be stabbed. Must have been a midget attacker….sorry a little person.
March 12, 2009 at 13:23
Let’s be happy that we got through, but hope that this woke up the players. If this doesn’t wake them up, nothing will.
March 12, 2009 at 13:23
Irish – I say you drive the next bus into Rome and show ‘em what for!!!!!
March 12, 2009 at 13:24
Stu – ha ha! Although I reckon getting stabbed in the knee most fucking hurt something chronic!!!!
March 12, 2009 at 13:24
Trinidad, the players are all in a coma. Nothing will wake them up. Not after all the shit performaces already this season. Each defeat not learned from and followed by another crap match.
March 12, 2009 at 13:25
UEFA are a bunch of cunts if that had been here we would be striped of the final and banned from europe.
Its double standards why the fuck should Italy have it any way when was the last time a side made the final and when we get man utd in the final whats going to happen then. War and it will be the English that went looking for it according to uefa and the media you watch
March 12, 2009 at 13:25
TAIG – I think so and I’ll drive over the bridge and all, try and stop me
March 12, 2009 at 13:26
TAIG, getting stabbed anywhere would hurt, especially the knee with metal on bone.
March 12, 2009 at 13:27
Stu – I think Clichy is the type of player who will be recognised for what he brings to the team only when he is not there. As a left back he does his job very competently, what I like about him is that he never stops running, and he gives it his all during the match and never play acts or rolls around when he gets knocks. Next time we play just count the number of passes he intercepts and the number of tackles he wins on the left
March 12, 2009 at 13:28
Italy never get punished. Match fixing scandel – play in the WC and win it. Let AC still play in the CL and win it. Italy are un-punishable.
March 12, 2009 at 13:29
Spanish_SHITE4BRAINS:
If there isn’t a “Arsene doesn’t Know” brigade, you should lead it.
In fact, why don’t you start a petition to have him removed, Spud supporter.
Love and fatal kisses,
Goons_with_Guns
p.s. your Blog is the most shite of any of ‘em.
March 12, 2009 at 13:30
Great in put well done
March 12, 2009 at 13:31
Remember Roma beat Chelsea 3-0. Just because their players aren’t that popular doesn’t mean they’re a shit side
March 12, 2009 at 13:31
just came back on and saw that last post!!
wtf was that about?
March 12, 2009 at 13:31
I think Clichy just needs to slow down a bit. I think he is trying to do too much and that may not just down to him. His main failing seems to be letting the oppo get in behind him too much and then the chances of him comitting a foul increase. Maybe he should spend a game mainly defending rather than trying to find that killer cross into the box????
March 12, 2009 at 13:32
Thats a double negative idiot!!
If there ISN’T a “arsene doesn’t know” Brigade then how the fuck can he lead it!!!!
March 12, 2009 at 13:32
WTF?????
March 12, 2009 at 13:33
But Roma are a shit side. 6th in Serie A. Lost 7-1 to United. I would call that shit…even if it was a few years ago its most of the same players.
They beat a shit Chelski side 3-0 too.
March 12, 2009 at 13:34
Put your mummy and daddy’s computer down and take the meds man you need them
March 12, 2009 at 13:34
And who the feck is Spanish_shit4brains??????
March 12, 2009 at 13:35
Roma are not shite but we make shit loads money than them. we have no excuse to have a poor team. we have a few players but no team. i saw that line up and i thought we are going down just like the same way i felt against porto away and the eastern european team we drew away with in the group stages.
March 12, 2009 at 13:36
You sure you got the right blog my friend?
March 12, 2009 at 13:36
Stu roma are shite but we seem to play to the opponents level this year and remember they are holding the final so had a bit more to go for but we should have smashed em any way
March 12, 2009 at 13:36
I think he means geoff
March 12, 2009 at 13:37
Roma are average not shite – Sporting Lisbon are shite
March 12, 2009 at 13:37
TAIG – I agree with that, especially since his crossing is shit (in fact our entire team cant cross). The thing
I love most about Chlichy is his attitude.
March 12, 2009 at 13:38
Roma are not shit, but they’re not great either!
Considering how much better the EPL is to serie A, where in our league would you place the team currently 5th in their league?
March 12, 2009 at 13:38
Irish since you came to London you’ve changed them big city ways have corrupted you ;0 Roma are shit absolutly
March 12, 2009 at 13:38
I love it when cunts like that come on. It really makes me laugh.
Even his name is superb. Goons with Guns….. probably wearing his cowboy hat and sheriffs badge as well !!
March 12, 2009 at 13:39
clichy
sagna
toure
gallas
are raw athletes with a lot of pace and power
they are not technicians at all. toure seems to have the best technique amongst the lot. if our attacking play means that full backs give us width then we sort sagna and clichy out. dont ask me what that means
i ask my question again
would you guys forgive me if i put 20 quid on united doing the quintuple?
i wld also put a tenner on arsenal doing the FA CL double
March 12, 2009 at 13:39
Sporting Lisbon were soooo shit. They were awful, horrible beyond belief. Bayern scored with most of their attacks. Rui Patricio should have saved at least 3 of their goals.
But Sporting did dcore the best goal so the should have gone through really!
March 12, 2009 at 13:39
20th
March 12, 2009 at 13:39
Franchise, I wasn’t really happy with the team either but Theo and Eduardo weren’t ready. He was never going to play Vela or Ramsey. Who else is there? Song?
March 12, 2009 at 13:40
Big Raddy
I just had a flash back of the cowboy from Toy Story!!!
March 12, 2009 at 13:40
Inside – re Clichy’s attitude: Like when he bulldozed through about 3 Roma players in extra time like it was only the 5th minute!
March 12, 2009 at 13:40
What are the odds Franchise?
March 12, 2009 at 13:41
ha ha Nick the “big city”
nah Roma aren’t shite but they are very average in comparison to other european sides.
I think we might be better off drawing one of the better clubs in the next round ie not Villareal or Porto cos we seem to go down to the level of their play
March 12, 2009 at 13:41
Franchise thats good as long as you buy us all beers if it comes in
March 12, 2009 at 13:42
Its gonna be tough picking a Le Champ this week.
March 12, 2009 at 13:42
Franchise, despite all your pessimism here we are in the Quarter Finals…why not be positive it makes no difference to the result when you’re in your in armchair. God help Arsenal with fans like u mate.
March 12, 2009 at 13:42
goons_with_guns…
what ae you? 9 years old? an adult wouldnt say “spud supporter”…if yo udont love AW support spurs. grow up, infant. I SUPPORT ARSENAL whose manager is AW NOT the other way round
March 12, 2009 at 13:42
Franchise – if they win them all you might as well make money off the bastards
March 12, 2009 at 13:43
Make you right Mary but not sure i would relish barcelona over those two but would rather barca over utd and the other english teams
March 12, 2009 at 13:43
i dont know stu but it would be at least 10-1 two trophies have been delivered already. another (PL) is almost certain
March 12, 2009 at 13:43
Franchise i will be happy for you to do it as long as you split the winnings with us
March 12, 2009 at 13:44
I wonder is other fans who criticise their respective managers get told to fuck off and support arsenal! I doubt it tho because all fans except arsenal fans love their managers unconditionally, right?!!
March 12, 2009 at 13:45
I’d give le champ to Toure for his penalty …. made me laugh for some reason. lol … the way he walked away from the keeper, and just suddenly did a 180, ran towards the ball and kicked it without looking up and without pausing to compose himself
March 12, 2009 at 13:45
Nick – Barca can’t defend it would be end to end stuff and all we need to do is emotionally blackmail Henry so he won’t score against us but what to do about Xavi, Iniesta, Eto’o and that Messi bloke is a different matter
March 12, 2009 at 13:45
King Kolo u take objectivism as pessimism. good luck to you.
im the kind of fan that calls a spade a spade.
if u cant deal with it fine
many on here love me
cause life is all about variety aint it?
there is a cheessy saying that if
March 12, 2009 at 13:46
u fail to prepare u have prepared to fail thats the way i see the way we have entered this season. with too many holes in the squad
March 12, 2009 at 13:46
When they come over employ the same chef the spuds had that fateful day
March 12, 2009 at 13:47
Franchise was that cheesy line done over two post for the dramatic pause lol.
March 12, 2009 at 13:48
Franchise – I see you as a grumpy bloke and a bloke that has a right to be grumpy!
March 12, 2009 at 13:49
King Kolo the help we need is called ‘CASH’ we’ve got arguably the best manager in the world but he seems to be derailing at the moment. If we spent a bit more on quality it wouldnt be all about the scums from up North
March 12, 2009 at 13:50
Franchise you say what you see so and think your allowed your own opinion.
March 12, 2009 at 13:51
and ive heard your 6′4 and built like a brick shit house so you crack on
March 12, 2009 at 13:51
its worth a punt cos those northern fuckers have a sick winning mentality
£20 on the mancs quintuple
£10 on arsenal double
clacko thanks for spotting my split comment. Art has always been my thingy
March 12, 2009 at 13:53
One the bright side, one more team to get past and we’re in the semis … FA and CL
March 12, 2009 at 13:53
Trinidad toure’s penalty was class i agree. we should give baptista le champ.
if it wasnt for him we wouldnt have made it to the quarters. gooner for life
March 12, 2009 at 13:54
nick 6′6″ and im aggressive
March 12, 2009 at 13:54
Baptista was our best player contribution in defence was awsome
March 12, 2009 at 13:55
This is what I love about this website the writers on here are realist not people who get an orgasm becuz Arsenal win that is the only Arsenal game I’ve ever seen where we won on pure luck I guess this is what it feels like 2 be a Liverpool fan.
A word on Almunia according 2 Wenger he’s on par with the Cech’s and Van der Sar’s of this world during the penalty shootout Almunia cemented once and 4 all that he is a ¾ choice goalkeeper and nothing more. I must add Walcott did not hardly touch the ball when he came on cuz the players wouldn’t pass 2 him are these players thick? The team selection was beyond a joke it’s like Berbatov or Drogba on the left!?!? What is wrong with this man and Wenger was shitting himself I mean shitting it he know if there’s no trophies at the end of the season he is going 2 get slaughtered like never before. Anyway we got through but if I see that team again I know we’ll go out.
March 12, 2009 at 13:55
Good for you
March 12, 2009 at 13:58
lol Thee was a baby boy born in russia with 2 penis’s…whatever the plural is. So doctors joined the 2 together. How nice for him.
March 12, 2009 at 13:59
In all fairness Almunia’s refusal to dive worked well for the one he saved by Vucinic
March 12, 2009 at 14:00
No you’re not!!
You’re a puddy cat!
March 12, 2009 at 14:02
“He told Centro Suono Sport, “I don’t know how I missed and I still can’t believe it.
“It was a really awful penalty, had I sent the ball left or right, it would have gone in because their ‘keeper did not move.”
See if Almunia had dived he wouldn’t have saved it
March 12, 2009 at 14:03
I thought Almunia slipped. Not didnt move. He couldnt move.
March 12, 2009 at 14:04
Today seems very slow i feel bolloxed from last night which dont help.
March 12, 2009 at 14:05
Almunia should dye his hair to a darker colour maybe then i would start taking the muppet seriously
March 12, 2009 at 14:05
Nearly 600 comments and its only 2 o clock. I wouldnt consider that slow….or did you mean something else.
March 12, 2009 at 14:05
What happened happened lets stop going over the same thing fuck it we won saturday is whats on the agenda now what do we think the line up will be and the main thin the score
March 12, 2009 at 14:06
The time stu
March 12, 2009 at 14:06
haha unbeaten run is over. cant wait to see what wenger says next to justify poor performances.
March 12, 2009 at 14:07
Never mind then
March 12, 2009 at 14:07
Stu I thought he was going to his left and then saved with his feet?
March 12, 2009 at 14:09
Saturday is tricky nick our boys would have been wasted from last nights game
at least we have ‘i am gooner’ rested and ready to unleash some russian trickery
March 12, 2009 at 14:09
Fabinaski
Eboue JD Gallas Gibbs
Nasri Denilson Diaby Arshavin
Bendtner RvP
Thats what i’d go for. Fabianski and JD because they are good with crosses while Fat Sam will depend on. No Toure even tho he is captain because Gallas is better. Maybe SOng for Diaby for “strength”. And Eboue will probably be there to ruin something.
March 12, 2009 at 14:10
Trinidad, i dont really know. I didnt watch it, only saw the instant replays straight after them. The commentator said almunias foot slipped.
March 12, 2009 at 14:11
Franchise – I’m sure on a technicality he can argue that we are still unbeaten as it was a two legged tie so it really was a 180 match or in our case a 210 match which ended in a draw and we won on penalties – that’ll do him
March 12, 2009 at 14:11
Thats the thing i noticed yesterday nobody seemed to want to pass to walcott and rvp doesn’t pass much to AA so as there both quite direct maybe they will pass to each other and we might score some goals
March 12, 2009 at 14:13
Come to think of it Eduardo and VP should both play because they both have a nack of scoring against Blackburn.
VP in the FA cup semi, the amazing curler at highbury, rounding the keeper at Ewood, in the 1-1 last season and in the 6-2 and Eduardo in the cup last season. Ade too but he is injured.
March 12, 2009 at 14:14
Surely rest Sagna??? He needs it!
Almunia
Eboue – Toure – Gallas – Clichy
Theo – Nasri – Denilson – Vela
Arshavin – Eduardo
Eboue by default as we have no other RB’s.
Theo is the obvious RM choice.
Vela back in coz he deserves it.
Rest RvP coz he cant keep misfiring wihtout getting munished for it.
March 12, 2009 at 14:15
Stu, from your proposed midfield I would put Theo in and Nasri in the middle. By Saturday Theo might be ready to start his first game.
March 12, 2009 at 14:15
just watched the penalties again – Almunia didn’t slip, he was just slow to dive, say the ball was coming right at him so just sat down basically – there was no power or speed in the shot
March 12, 2009 at 14:16
*punished for it
March 12, 2009 at 14:16
Almunia
Eboue DJ Gallas Clichy
RM Walcottt CM Nasri DM Denilson LM Arshavin
CF Vela CF Eduardo
March 12, 2009 at 14:17
I would like this team
Almunia
Eboue kolo gallas gibbs
walcott den diaby Vela
Arshavin
Eddy
March 12, 2009 at 14:18
I have to agree with A although he isnt here. I wouldnt put Nasri in the middle of a 4-4-2. He isnt capable enough defensively and it would leave us even more exposed than usual.
March 12, 2009 at 14:18
Wow these are similar line ups! Metal we are only different by having AA and vela swapped!
March 12, 2009 at 14:18
he’ll start with Sagna even though the guy needs a rest – maybe give him a rest in the FA Cup?
March 12, 2009 at 14:19
Stu – Nasri doesnt have to be able defensively if he plays next to Denilson. Otherwise we are saying we need 2 DCM’s!
March 12, 2009 at 14:20
nick what about set peices? And Diaby?
March 12, 2009 at 14:20
Anyone think Ade will play on Saturday?
March 12, 2009 at 14:21
Trinidad – nope, bench maybe
March 12, 2009 at 14:21
Great minds think alike tony.
March 12, 2009 at 14:22
What about them Metal? Diaby is tall but cant header for shit and is sloppy at defending. Remember his marking against Porto.
March 12, 2009 at 14:22
Tony Vela is much more of a threat up front then Arshavin in my opinion Arshavin can play on the wings better than Vela.
March 12, 2009 at 14:23
We’ll probably see Ade and Eduardo start the game against Hull
March 12, 2009 at 14:23
our team for blackburn
————–Buffon———————
Sagna—–gallas—–hangeland——clichy
—————-Alonso——————–
——————–Cesc——————
Rosicky——————————Arshavin
——–luis Fabiano——-Eduardo———–
March 12, 2009 at 14:23
guys – ye forgot that Silvestre is back from injury, how could ye??
March 12, 2009 at 14:24
Franchise is the air tining out up there fella
March 12, 2009 at 14:24
Stu I hope I have’nt givin you the imppresion that I what Diaby in the team.
March 12, 2009 at 14:24
Arshavin can play on the wing but when he sets up camp on the touchline he doesn’t get enough of the ball.
March 12, 2009 at 14:24
*thinning
March 12, 2009 at 14:24
pft Franchise. Luis Fabiano of all people! lol!!!
March 12, 2009 at 14:26
Franchise, you would start Fabiano and leave Messi on the bench?
March 12, 2009 at 14:26
Metal if we picked players on there ability at set pieces none of em would play
March 12, 2009 at 14:26
I would love to see AA score against Blackburn….I think that would get him really settled in at Arsenal and the rest of the goals would start to flood in!!
March 12, 2009 at 14:26
Metal, yes you did but i dont know why now. I guess i wasnt paying attention.
March 12, 2009 at 14:26
Franchise that team is quite impressive if only it was real and not part of your sexual fantasy.
March 12, 2009 at 14:27
Silvestre
Silvestre Silvestre Silvestre Silvestre
Eboue Eboue Eboue Eboue
Silvestre Eboue
Classic 4-4-2
March 12, 2009 at 14:28
We should tell Barca they can have Ade +20 Mil for Messi … just for kicks. Of course, even if they accept it may go down to the last day of summer with our board trying to do it for Ade + 19.75
March 12, 2009 at 14:28
Iris, you forgot about Song. Stick him in goal.
March 12, 2009 at 14:28
*h
March 12, 2009 at 14:29
Trinidad messi picked up his 5th booking against burnley
cant wait for danny alves to return from injury
we might have to recall vidic from his loan to the mancs cos gallas let in a goal after 20 straight clean sheets
March 12, 2009 at 14:30
Nick I think that’s a very very flawed point DJ is better at dealing with set-pieces and crosses then any other defender at the club with DJ in the team there is more of a chance we won’t concede that type of goal. And remember how Fat Sam has been fukin us up the arse over the years becuz of that very weakness
March 12, 2009 at 14:31
ha ha yeah Stu
-Song-
-Silvestre Silvestre Silvestre Silvestre-
-Eboue – Eboue – Eboue – Eboue-
– Silvestre Eboue-
March 12, 2009 at 14:33
I would just like to point out that Senderos is in fact our best defender of a long ball that anyone at the club. Not JD….in my opinion.
March 12, 2009 at 14:35
true stu but he let himself down with his woeful defending against hypia CL 1/4s at anfield
March 12, 2009 at 14:37
Franchise is that the only Senderos howler you can remember? And why have you got Song on your blog box are you tryna hurt my feelings? lol
March 12, 2009 at 14:37
Metal i think the mistake we have made this year is trying to counter attack, teams are wise to that now. if we set up an attack teams from the off we dont give them the opportunity to attack us, kolo and gallas are good on the ground and quick i would start them over dj for this reason, diaby is a lesser evil then song but would rather have cesc and den for the rest of season. if you start arshavin on the left he would leave gibbs exposed more then vela they can swap when possible i think that team would be quick attacking and rest key players.
March 12, 2009 at 14:38
Fair point but i like to consider that he was only drafted in late to the team because of an injury. Not usually an excuse but we all know he needs confidence to play well and being a back-up isnt very motivating. It was a shit mistake tho but not the only idiot on the night.
March 12, 2009 at 14:40
Song made a step forward from shite to shit hopefully he can step up to shittish cos we would certainly be needing big performances from him if we are gonna win anything this season or qualify for next year CL
thats why i chose him as my avatar cos of the baby steps he made
March 12, 2009 at 14:40
Franchise, I think its a good idea that we’re resting Kaka on Saturday … keep him for Hull
March 12, 2009 at 14:40
the only thing senderos would have worked on and improved in italy will be his tan
March 12, 2009 at 14:40
I would actually prefer AA ahead of Gibbs than Vela because AA has better ball control, takes less risks than Vel and is used to playing midfield whereas Vela isnt.
March 12, 2009 at 14:40
Nick have you seen Arshavin’s work rate since he came here? And you’re assuming Wenger will go with Gibbs rather than Clichy.
March 12, 2009 at 14:41
Senderos is and always be a pale fucker. He just has really light skin.
Like Torres and Iniesta.
March 12, 2009 at 14:42
Metal that was a very blatant one and i learnt that he broke down emotionally like Sol after that game thats why he was dropped and Song played as CB from the prem game at old trafford until the end of the season
March 12, 2009 at 14:43
Platini and Sepp Blatter will remain quiet about the ugly incidents last night where innocent fns who there solely to watch the game got attacked by”the ultras”.They appear to despise the English and you know 100% that if this had happened on English soil(which is highly unlikely because our police are not in cahoots with our firms which seems to be the case many times when you go abroad)Sepp Blatter would be heavily critical of our chances of ever staging another European Final.Wanker.
I hope and pray that what Arsene sys infront of the media is a 100% different from what he says to the players as anyone with a pair of eyes knows that last nights performance against an appauling Roma outfit who gave the ball away more than any other Italian team I everhave ever witnaessed at this stage of the C.L.
We are through more to do with Roma bein shit than us being good but at the moment with a potential midfield of;
Nasri Diaby Fabrigas Rosicky
in the quarters I care very little at this stage
how we won but more that Arsene impresses on the team that they were very lucky.
Finally,Bendtner struggles to impress me on many an occasion against weaker opposition,playing in his natural position,so I think it is madness to play him out of position wherehe was highly inneffective last night;in short I don’t think he’s good enough and we need either a fit Adebeyor who for once will start to work like he did last year(before he trippled his wages)or to play Eduardo or Vela.
March 12, 2009 at 14:44
I think we should pick the times to rest sagna and clichy weather arsen sees it i dont know but they seem fucked to me hence the crap crosses tired legs and minds.
Arshavin isn’t full match fit yet to get him chasing back would be counter productive let him use creative energy vela can go up and down he has a reasonable engine
March 12, 2009 at 14:45
Trinidad i thought we sold him to Man City in January for £128 million how do think we funded the Messi purchase?
March 12, 2009 at 14:47
George, that part about Bendtner is very harsh. He was great last night. He may not have scored but noone else did anything either. At least Bendtner tried things and worked his bollocks off. Which is a lot more than ca be said of others….and especially Adebayor this season.
March 12, 2009 at 14:47
Nick there crosses are bad full stop.
March 12, 2009 at 14:47
Nick – Arshavin must be match fit by now surely?
March 12, 2009 at 14:48
If the only thing we can fault our fullbacks for is their crossing, I’m happy with that.
They should play simple balls to Arshavin/Cesc/Rosicky to do the damage
March 12, 2009 at 14:49
Stu ur undying love for Bendtner knows no bounds. He was very poor yesterday. You remember when he was given a pass in the 18 yard and he chose to revolve and control the ball at the same time. Shocking the way he gave the ball away. he lost possession too often to mention.
March 12, 2009 at 14:51
lol if we win the CL .. how pissed would Arshavin be with Zenit that they didn’t let him move in the summer
March 12, 2009 at 14:55
Franchise, it does know its bounds. Im just defending him.
He was better than others, definately not the most ineffective.
I have criticised him before but only when he deserved it. Not when he has worked hard during a match.
March 12, 2009 at 14:56
He was slated for being lazy before but now that he is working very hard for the team i just think its a little harsh.
March 12, 2009 at 14:56
Well said.
This season we’ve struggled in games following a perfect performance in a different tournament. This happens when the second eleven plays in this other tournament. (E.g. we struggled in the game after the Carling cup performance against Wigan. After cardiff). You would think the team would reproduce something close to the performance against Burnley. But then Asene makes the changes and you begin to wonder why the supposed first eleven are unable to perform together. I wouldn’t go into individual performances last night, but enough of this. It was all down to the wrong personal. These players looked like they’ve got issues amongst themselves. There was something wrong with the timing of the final passes to the man upfront. An extra touch from the approaching midfielder and the chance was all gone. The cohesion is no longer there. No harmony in Arsenal’s game play. Happy we won last night though, but only just.
I am hoping these players would let their personal differences aside and start living up to the expectation. Or Wenger does the needful by taking out the bad egg. I just hope we don’t struggle against Blackburn.
March 12, 2009 at 14:57
I’m just can’t ever wish for my team to go out of a competition no matter what it may prove in the short term and I certainly wouldn’t say so on an Arsenal blog.
We have 98% of the media running us down and bogging up the Manskummers so I’m not about to reduce that 2% anymore.
March 12, 2009 at 15:02
Chary – we knocked Man Utd off the news headlines – Arsenal were top billing cos of the shoot-out, sweeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeet eh
March 12, 2009 at 15:03
Great Day
and well put Geoff,and one more thing im actually shocked over the negativity som fans show..did we get trough ??..and for thoose who claims roma is a shit team…youre living in a fantasy world…
facts: Arsenal is among the 10-12 best teams in the world in a season that have been hampered by injuries..we play with a bunch of youngsters…it is actually a incredible achievement,,dont you see that ??
the real problem as Geoff stated spot on…the rotation politic does not function well,,,at the moment,and that is a real problem that Wenger must adress….why Vela didnt play was for me a real downer and shocking…we should play Our best players every match…and not rotate just for the heck of it….wake up Mr.Wenger…
and Ps! Rome should not be allowed to hold the finals,furthermore i hope fifa will put a ban on the club…what a shitty town and club….there has been far to much trouble concerning that club and its supporters…..Mr:platini…get off youre ass..and concentrate on real problems instead og hacking away at Our Beloved Arsenal..all the time…
have a great day All…..its a beautiful day….and we’re on a roll
tom.
March 12, 2009 at 15:05
Ive got a solution for denilsong’s crabbing
if we train across the width of the pitch denilsons sideways passing would become forward passes
March 12, 2009 at 15:07
Black burn team
……………Al……………
Eboue/Kolo…..Djouoru…Gallas…..Gibbs
Walcott……Song…….Denilson….Vela
………….Arshavin…………….
………………….Eddy
Sagna needs a rest surely he wont play 3 games in 7 days or something like that.
Maybe wenger will say that Wlacott is not fully fit, so he may still play ~Eboue..if thats the case Kolo should play at right back.
If I started Eboue, I would bring Walcott on at half time….surely he can play 45 mins.
March 12, 2009 at 15:11
|———————|
| |
| |
| |
| |
| |
| |
| |
| |
| |
|———————|
| |
| |
| |
| |
| |
| |
| |
| |
|———————|
March 12, 2009 at 15:12
for
eboue
March 12, 2009 at 15:13
hahahahahaha
March 12, 2009 at 15:14
\ /
\ /
\ /
\ /
\ /\ /
\ / \ /
\ / \ /
\/ \/
March 12, 2009 at 15:17
Franchise, I don’t quite like your solution to the crabbing … yes it might encourage forward passes, but what about all the backpasses?
March 12, 2009 at 15:19
Have to disagree Tomstoned as I thought Roma were appauling in the last 75 minutes of yesterdays match.They were out on the feet and giving the ball away which is something rarely said of a top class Italian side.As for the “negativity”of the fans posting here;I thought the original post was quite understandably fairly negative given the manner in which we went thru so I can’t really see a major difference in the overall sentiment displayed after his original post.We’re through anyway!
Stu,I find Bendtner the most frustrating Arsenal player out there as just when you think he has got what it takes he let’s you down and just when you write him off he produces a very good performance but overall Iam of the impression he will end up plying his trade at WBA or Birmigham as I just don’t think he is good enough.Agree that Adebeyor has become a lazy player which further alianates fans that haven’t forgiven hinm for his behavour in the summer.
March 12, 2009 at 15:21
if we train sideways to our left then we would tell him to only pass to the RB or RM
arshavin——————sagna
denilson————————gallas
———————————toure
————————clichy
March 12, 2009 at 15:24
makes sense trinidad dont it
assume that the comment box is the pitch
u are behind one of the goals
the back for are like a side four
lol
March 12, 2009 at 15:26
lol that might be too complicated for them
March 12, 2009 at 15:27
we can alternate directions in the training and instruct he only passes to the LB and LM
clichy———————-nasri
gallas———denilson———-
toure———-song——————–
sagna————————arshavin
March 12, 2009 at 15:27
I think we need to be grateful we have limped as far as we have this season we are in touching distance of 4th or higher the semi of the fa cup pending after hull 1/4 final of cl. we achieved all this carrying eboue and song ade in a coma nikki as erratic as i don’t know what.We now have eddie coming good walcott set for a run in the side cesc and rosicky due back.Arshavin showing what his made of and can only get better.
Almunia
sagna kolo gallas clichy
walcott cesc den rosicky/nasri
RVP eddie/ade
This team should be capable in the cl and chuck arshavin in there for the league and fa cup we can beat any body cant we ?
March 12, 2009 at 15:30
well just look at most of our good performances this season and you will see a common trait, namely that the players were not what we would consider our ‘first team’. that does not mean none of the first team players played but crucially the chemistry in wengers first choice 11 is just not right.
Personally I dont like the Denilson-Eboue partnership. For me that is a really weak link. look back at all our best games and this partnership was not involved. that doesn’t mean Den or Eboue have not had good games, just not when the other was playing.
I have believed for a while that the most important part of any team is the midfield duo, and the partnerships they form with the players adjacent to them on the field. as much as Den tries hard, I think he is a weak link in our team.
I reckon you can get by with a weak winger for example (which Eboue is), but I dont think you can ever bluff that central midfield role. its just too important.
Ignoring Cesc for a moment, the best dynamic I have seen was Song and Diaby. When Nasri came central in a couple of league games in January that also worked but wenger would never use him in central midfield from the start of a game. For me, I just dont rate Den beyond being a bang average midfielder. Thats why we need Cesc back, because wenger sees Den as his main CM based purely on misleading statistics. Neither do I think Cesc and Den works at all, but at least you have Cesc on the pitch.
I might be hated for saying this but the strongest CM pair in the first team squad (ie ignoring Coquelin etc) is Song and Cesc.
when wenger decides to use players like Vela, Ramsey and Gibbs, I think we have seen our best performances of the season. Lately Arshavin and Eduardo have given us a new dimension so I hope we see a lot more of them.
March 12, 2009 at 15:30
Nick totally agree,we should be grateful that we are still in the running for the 4th spot,The C.L and the FA CUP given the appauling level of some our recent performances.
March 12, 2009 at 15:30
IMO no other team could be where we are given the injuries we have had this year
March 12, 2009 at 15:31
nick we can draw with anybody im not too confident that we can beat anybody
ok for u
yes we can beat anybody on our day
March 12, 2009 at 15:32
I don’t know Nick,with one central midfielder purchased in the closed season we could have been a lot better and only Cesc is injured in that department.The whole injury thing has become boring and only leaves us open to ridicule from opposing fans.
March 12, 2009 at 15:33
I agree Nick
March 12, 2009 at 15:33
All i want at the moment is a win in our next three league games and against hull.
If the spuds do us a favor then we should be about 6 points clear in 4th and through to the semis of the FA cup and in the quarters of the CL. That would look a lot better than we have had to look at this season.
March 12, 2009 at 15:34
Gazzap we will all disagree on line up and who works with who but you know what i mean we have options and better then the one we have had
March 12, 2009 at 15:35
It’s too late to talk about what could’ve happened … but we still have alot to fight for if they are up for it.
March 12, 2009 at 15:36
Thanks franchise you know it makes sense you big fucker you
March 12, 2009 at 15:37
without injuries i dont think our squad was still good enough
March 12, 2009 at 15:40
George your right there but the injuries are real im not saying we dont need a new midfielder or one shouldn’t have or still be brought just we are ok and are going to get better hopefully and we can still do something this season the excuses are going and its time the players showed why they play for arsenal.
March 12, 2009 at 15:40
George: “The whole injury thing has become boring and only leaves us open to ridicule from opposing fans.” – nah raving Rafa saying Liverpool would be top of the table if Torres was fit more often leaves them open to ridicule from opposing fans – what a stupid thing to say considering he sold their only other real striker
March 12, 2009 at 15:40
we have too many erratic players IMO i think u need a reliable core of 15-18 players to win the league and compete in other competitions. we dont have that luxury
March 12, 2009 at 15:42
Is it me or do we have a shit load of midfielders? Whether good or not i swear we could have a team of them!
Song
Diaby Cesc Rosicky Ramsey
Denilson Nasri Walcott Eboue
Wilshere Arshavin
Plus we have other youngsters like Emmanuelle-Thomas, Lansbury, Randall etc still to come!!
March 12, 2009 at 15:42
nick, most gooners pick Cesc and Den as their ‘first choice’ pair when everyone is fit, so I dont think you are odd or anything. I just think people see the occasional decent tackle or pass from Den and then assume that he is an effective player. my view is that he is anything but effective despite his high passing stats. If you play in central midfield in a team that plays passing football can you ever be surprised that you come somewhere near the top of the passing stats in the PL?
Arsenal pass the ball far more than any other side. central mid sees the ball more than anyone else. I think I saw that Den was 6th in the PL number of passes. I am wondering why he isn’t top. he missed only 2 games I think.
as I say when cesc comes back we need to hope he hits top form and basically covers up Den’s weaknesses who I am sure will not be dropped.
March 12, 2009 at 15:44
we dont have that luxury franchise but alot of people still want adebayor sold … which would mean a smaller squad. no way would wenger buy a striker
March 12, 2009 at 15:48
I just read on BBC about Valencia officials meeting with Man Citys about the transfer of David Villa and it also mentions that Silva could be going. Surely if we could get rid of some dead weight and have a sweet little tickle behind the fat russians ear we could get some money together to buy Silva? The guy is a genius with the football!
March 12, 2009 at 15:48
gazaap, who would you rather in there?
March 12, 2009 at 15:49
Franchise the team needs to be looked at i would show ade and silvestra the door. the last chance salon for song / eboue and senderos next season they can play when the opposition allows if they don’t improve they can go in January.RVP as well he is starting to grate me either sign the deal or leave rosicky if he comes back all well and good he breaks down again pension him off.Gallas can run down his contract but have somebody like sako in there learning and bedding in with the team. Bring in players for the positions we need not brought and then moulded to suit our needs buy players for their specialist position.
I would buy one world class player up front a left sided player and dcm then we can dominate
March 12, 2009 at 15:51
I already said it in my previous post and that most people on here would be up in arms, but the best partnership in terms of chemistry is Song and Cesc.
In the absence of Cesc, its Song and Diaby. they were magnificent against Burnley.
I dont particularly rate Song as a top player, but he is the right kind of player and he lets players like Diaby and Cesc do what they are good at. I still would like to see a top DM coming in to replace song, but my view is that Denilson is the weak link in our team. Even Ramsey would do better.
March 12, 2009 at 15:52
ridicule from other fans ???
im still a bit dazzled about the negativity…in my eyes we’re in front when it comes to the fourth spot…looking at the fixtures…could even manage a third place…
we’re still in with a great chance in the Cup…
we’re still in the champions league…and well in my eyes even in it with a great shot of reaching the finals..when we have played against l’pool…chelsea..and manu…what have the results been ???
with this young team..this is a fantastic achievement ::: so how we can be ridiculed by other fans is for me quite silly …
some choices of players choosen to play i can understand but the overall achievement of Our Beloved Arsenal…cant really be critizesed….
and to underline it,,,how many teams are as sucessfully as us..???
tom
March 12, 2009 at 15:53
Nick, you’re suggesting that we get rid of up to 7 players, plus Gallas in 2 years. Thats 8 players !!!
We’re already short and complaining about injuries.
I don’t mind if Arsene gets rid of those 8 players and bring in 10. But its’s never going to happen
March 12, 2009 at 15:56
Tom, I don’t agree with the negativity either.I’ll be negative if we fuck up on Saturday or Tuesday, but for right now I am Content
March 12, 2009 at 15:56
Geoff, I want to renew my plea to you to stop predicting scorelines. You don’t just have the touch for that. Good journalism, Yes, but Scoreline prediction, you are worse than EE and Song combine together.
Lucky Arsenal eh? Recall that we were classy in last year’s CL quater final but ‘Lucky’ Liverpool went through to semi final. Y’day perfomance wasn’t great but Roma are equally good and we must give credit to them for doing their job right.
March 12, 2009 at 15:59
Hi Irish, I meant to say “bigging” up the Manskummers but since the equity in the coverage ole 65% proof noses’ crowd get is toilet I was probably right first time.
Someone earlier said that if the Manks had got through on pennos the gutter press would have been creaming themselves off about “the winning mentality to grind out wins against the odds” and the “heroic nerves of steel” and that we had just passed through on the basis of sub standard opposition.
I should be used to this blatant hypocrisy and brain stultifying stupidity from hacks but it stillpisses me off but I’ll never buy into the lie they perpetuate. As Geoff said the media fawning over the Manks IS a result of the Munich tragedy – the tragedy being they were just another team of mugs from up north who were nothing special.
March 12, 2009 at 16:03
great Trinidad
cheers mate —
March 12, 2009 at 16:05
Trinidad i said ade and silvestra to go for sure and the others on their merit to be replaced in that event not make us weaker
March 12, 2009 at 16:08
nick, Arsene is not going to buy more than 2 players. Last summer we got who? Nasri and Silvestre, after losing Diarra, Gilberto, Flamini, Hleb. Every year our squad gets smaller and we’re depending on 17 year olds to come in. I don’t want anyone leaving. If Song is here next year, and we have someone better, the better player will play. But having someone as backup won’t hurt.
March 12, 2009 at 16:09
we need the dead wood gone and quality motivated players brought in
March 12, 2009 at 16:10
Nick
some inside information for you mate,silvestre was bought for one simple reason ..to help create a better situation on the training ground..if you ask any manu fan…what the best thing about silvestres was..it was his incredible attitude towards training…even ferguson has stated on several occasion that silvestre was ine of the most proffessional players he ever had ,when it comes to attitude….and regarding the situation happening at Arsenal both on the training field and in the locker room…at the time silvestre was bought ..for me its a great buy….that the man should play….hell no
March 12, 2009 at 16:11
the media do love Man U but I think you have to accept that. the reasons are many and varied and probably too complex to get to the bottom of in a post right here now. But the fact of the matter is, Man U are effectively the national club team. Juve in Italy and Real in Spain are the same.
No matter how many trophies arsenal win, we will never reach the stage where man u are now with the media. I think you have to accept that and deal with it as an Arsenal fan.
Of course, as we all know, the media have a lot of power and influence over all sorts of things around the game not least Referees and the FA. again you have to accept that this happens. its a bugger but its life.
March 12, 2009 at 16:11
whats the point off having song den and diaby plus others that aint good enough in the same position cut some free save on wages to spend on better players imo
March 12, 2009 at 16:12
Chary – The meeja in England really don’t like Arsenal.
1. No tragedy a la United and Liverpool
2. The audacity of Arsenal to win the league in the last minute against Liverpool at Anfield in 89
3. Johnny Foreigner manager coming in and being top class
4. Us producing the best football between 1996-2005 thanks to said Johnny foreigner
And you know what – they can go £$%^ themselves – reading their excuses for why Liverpool continually fail is fun and lets see what they come up with United don’t win the quintuplet – as Eamon Dunphy said the World Championship is only mickey mouse why is it called a real trophy
March 12, 2009 at 16:14
tom it makes sense to have a good pro in and around the team not the injury room can see what he was brought for but has not happened so let him go and move gallas upto that experienced type if his not up for it get someone else
March 12, 2009 at 16:16
Nick, the point of having them is that next year when we have players injured, we have ones who can come in for a few games. Whats the point of getting rid of Song, Diaby, Denilson and buying first choice and second choice for their position? I would much rather buy first choice for their position and make then 2nd choice.
March 12, 2009 at 16:16
nick, if you are talking about freeing up money for new players, I dont think Song would bring much in or save much in wages. Ade on the other hand would be a great little money spinner. If you could sell Ade and replace him with a top DM would you do it?
I would offload den, but that purely because he brings us down not for financial reasons.
March 12, 2009 at 16:16
The point I was making Gazzap was that I would never believe the hype and anyone else (i.e. any non Manskummer) should use their intelligence and not buy into the lie either. I said I’m not surprised by it anymore but we – as Goons – have a duty not to perpetuate the myth either.
It doesn’t actually make me angry in real life – I just make sure I point out the idiocy to anyone who wishes to look behind the bollocks the gutter press churn out.
March 12, 2009 at 16:18
its the desire of our club to be great and we aint doing certain things right. if ppl point these things out it is cos they care
The Negativity card is being used out of context
In reality being a big club in this era is like a pressure cooker the moment you get comfortable with mediocricity ur decline gains serious momentum
fergie reacted quickly to Chelsea’s threat now they are arguably the strongest team in the world.
If Arsenal just wanted to be any other club they wouldnt have moved to the Emirates
Being very ambitious isnt negative
March 12, 2009 at 16:18
We need to concern ourselves less with player salary and transfer fees. Personally all I care about is what they do on the field and if we get anything at the end of the season.
March 12, 2009 at 16:19
We need 2 new CB people.
Gallas and Toure were a disgrace
March 12, 2009 at 16:20
Howdy!
Great post Geoff. Awful performance from the boys… but I was chuffed with the win.
Nik and Denilson were very bad last night!
Still… we’ve can make amends in the next round!
Btw… there are tickets in Le Exchange.
March 12, 2009 at 16:22
Denilson is consistently average Pedro
Were you surprised by his performance ?
We look lightweight in many positions. Gut feeling is that we have went as far as our ability will merit unless we draw Porto.
March 12, 2009 at 16:23
tomstoned no one buys a player to improve training situations. i dont know where u heard that one for.
Arsene historically buys cheap crocks
or players with personal problems with their clubs
he loves bargains just like the millionaire arab heiress shopping in primark oxford street
hes a cheapskate
a dented 08 golf costs 4,000 in an auction a clean second hand version costs at least 9,000
thats the kinda shopping Arsene likes
March 12, 2009 at 16:24
* one from
March 12, 2009 at 16:24
I don’t think he’s consistently average. I think he’s been good most of the second half of the year.
He doesn’t waste the ball as often as he did last night…
So yes, I was surprised.
March 12, 2009 at 16:25
Tomstoned my comment re “ridicule from other fans”was a response to Nik regarding the fact that we have experienced a few injuries but it is undeniable that we were desparately short of quality in the middle of the park before Cesc got injured and you won’t meet many people who will sympathise with our position on that injury front ie what is the fucking point of building a 60,000 stadium and boasting about earning more money per home game than any other team to then field a team containing weak,inexperiencesd players in vital positions?Nik I do agree with your view re the other injuries like Walcott as in theory the much maligned Eboue should 3rd choice right midfield but there are those that would argue that Arsene knew about the seriousness of Rosicky’s injury and should have caterd for the fact he would be out for nearly the entire season.It’s a tough one as how many right midfielders do you need!
Irish Gunner I have not paid any attention to the fat Spanish waiter Rafa since he came out with such gems as “don’t be fooled by the theory that Arsenal have achieved tremendous strides in their adoption of a progressive youth policy,as they have spent a fortune”,this was after we gained deserved praise for the likes of Wilshire and Simpson’s performances against Wigan in the Carling Cup,whilst Liverpool’s expensive group of 2nd string,mainly Spanish dropouts lost embarassingly at Spurs.He is as deluded as Mourinho and actually believes his own crap when he claims that financially “Liverpool are at an disadvantage in the transfer market”…..wtf he has spent a fortune on mainly average Spanish players and cannot take the criticism.
In short Tomstoned I stand by what I said,Roma were pretty poor in the 2nd half and the entire extra time period and Nik I agree with you re the injury situation to a certain extent but have no sympathy with any moaning re the central midfield position as Arsene was warned.
March 12, 2009 at 16:25
Franchise, I drove past the Primark warehouse today. It’s massive.
Don’t know why I shared that.
March 12, 2009 at 16:26
gazzap I dont care about money wenger does i just think having the dead wood all sucking 15-25k a week hits the wage bill and the little bit of transfer fee goes towards replacement not covers it so wenger can balance the books bring in top quality and keep the good players as back up. you dont need three average players to back up one great two would be over the top imo
March 12, 2009 at 16:27
You’re so right Irish – a good deal of the Arsenal hatred is due to good old fashioned xenophobia. Before Wenger arrived no one really challenged ole 65% proof nose and as he couldn’t be accused of boring play, as was the accusation labelled at George Graham, the fall back, default position of hacks is xenophobia. The paedo accusations/insinuations was the work of hacks as they had nothing to unearth about Wenger when he arrived so, in keeping with journalistic tradition, they just made up something anyway. Hence the viler chants we hear directed at Wenger at Old Cowshed and Shite Hart Lane. What these people forget is chanting about paedos says more about the person doing the chanting than who they direct their retarded singing at.
March 12, 2009 at 16:28
Yesterday was shocking Pedro. Lets forget the how poor the players on show were. Our style of play needs to be updated.
March 12, 2009 at 16:28
Irish,
Did Dunphy and Giles have any comments re: the Arsenal performance ? I missed the end.
March 12, 2009 at 16:29
Franchise… we have no drive through the middle… it’s painfully slow getting the ball from one end to the other.
… and only Ade is suited to our 4-4-1-1 formation.
March 12, 2009 at 16:30
Maybe the poor performances yesterday had something to do with this being the first time these players are in this situation … yes we got past this stage last yea but it was
Hleb-Fabregas-Flamini-Adebayor
instead of
Nasri-Diaby-Denilson-Bendtner
maybe the pressure and the big stage of Roma away with all to play for got to them. It’s possible. But we got out alive.
March 12, 2009 at 16:30
Roma showed some good combination play yesterday. good link up play, passing combos, player movement etc
we on the other hand……………… FUUUUUUCK
March 12, 2009 at 16:31
Pedro i have noticed that too only Ade can play in that formation. Was Nasri more frustrating than Hleb yesterday or what?????
March 12, 2009 at 16:32
I think the size of our squad is about right. its the quality of the players that is the issue. I dont think reducing the size of the squad would be helpful, particularly midfielders.
as I say replace Den with a DM using Ade’s sale money. we have tons of strikers.
Ade will probably have a blinder when he comes back now I have said that! hope he does.
March 12, 2009 at 16:33
OK Pedro – I would suggest that Denilson would not get near the midfield of any of the other top 4 clubs. His continuous inclusion is baffling.
I would gladly swap him for Fletcher at MANU, and he is consistently seen as backup to Carrick and Scholes
March 12, 2009 at 16:33
Bren – no they ran out of time. It was funny actually cos they were waiting for the penalties to be edited to show them and they had to fill in and were talking crap and then Bill said “Well, okey doke that’s enough rubbish talk and time filled we can show the penalties now”
Although when they went through the list of eight teams left they didn’t rule Arsenal out – they ruled Bayern, Villareal and Porto out. They said with Cesc, Adebayor and Rosicky back that we might have a shot but wouldn’t be favourites.
March 12, 2009 at 16:34
The good thing is we are still competing on many fronts when given the level of some of our performances we should be 7th in the Premiership and out of the C.L.We have been due a large slice of luck for some years afer various incidents like Babel’s dive etc and now we find ourselves progressing into the latter stages of the FA Cup and the CL.
With Rosicky and Cesc’s return imminent who wouldn’t want to gain rvenge for last year’s robbery by the scruffy scousers in the next round?…they are without Gerrard and Macherino for the 1st leg.
March 12, 2009 at 16:34
The good thing is we are still competing on many fronts when given the level of some of our performances we should be 7th in the Premiership and out of the C.L.We have been due a large slice of luck for some years afer various incidents like Babel’s dive etc and now we find ourselves progressing into the latter stages of the FA Cup and the CL.
With Rosicky and Cesc’s return imminent who wouldn’t want to gain rvenge for last year’s robbery by the scruffy scousers in the next round?…they are without Gerrard and Macherino for the 1st leg.
March 12, 2009 at 16:34
VP is beginning to worry me too Pedro he isnt the same VP as i used to pre 08 season. i think he has lost a bit of pace and he seems quite stiff too.
March 12, 2009 at 16:35
* used to know
March 12, 2009 at 16:35
Yes RVP cannot do 4-4-1-1, especially when he is off form. Ade can.
I thought Roma were as shit as us TBH. it was a low standard game. decent defending but not a lot else.
March 12, 2009 at 16:36
Chary – I’d bet not one of them apes could spell pedophile if you asked them
March 12, 2009 at 16:36
Bren, he is only young and you can see he has potential. He is tenacious, normally a good passer and you can count on him for the odd goal and assist.
I’d keep him… we’ve come this far…
Franchise, Nasri looks very lost in away games. He hasn’t found his feet yet… but again, he is only young. I know he cost a bomb… but he is only 21!
We should have bought Ribery!
March 12, 2009 at 16:37
Im praying Arsene drops Denilson….he has had maybe 3 good games all season..in all competitions.
March 12, 2009 at 16:38
Im not confident of our current striking options anymore that is with Ade. if we sell him i think we need to replace him with sm1 better. Dont ask me who cos my knowledge is limited? I would love Torres but its never gonna happen
March 12, 2009 at 16:38
I wouldn’t swap Gunnersaurus for Fletcher. If nothing else puts you off, he is Scottish.
March 12, 2009 at 16:39
Bren – when I last looked Denilson was Arsenal’s best passer beating Nasri by about 15% completion and the 5th best passer in the league as well as the 5 th best tackler in the league.
He’s not that bad……
March 12, 2009 at 16:39
I actually thought Nasri did well yesterday. strange how people view things differently. he took a fair amount of pressure off Clichy and took the ball up field a lot. dribbled past his markers etc.
March 12, 2009 at 16:39
Funny you should say that about Nasri Pedro,
Last night i watched Nasri lead a “fast break” and dribbled to the left….when he looked up and was done dribbling….there were two defenders infront of him
March 12, 2009 at 16:39
Ribery over Nasri anyday Captain Hook
March 12, 2009 at 16:39
irish, you’ve spelt paedophile wrong.
March 12, 2009 at 16:39
Thanks Irish.
Not only do we need all our players fully fit, we need AW to start picking the best 11 and to be more attack minded to the end of the season.
I would’nt fancy Bayern in the next round, nobody will.
March 12, 2009 at 16:41
Nasri struggles to stretch defences. he has got a lotta kinks and tricks but he always remains in front of the player he is trying to shake off
March 12, 2009 at 16:41
Our players who constantly talk about leaving if Arsene leaves or if we don’t make CL .. they should take a good look at Valencia’s players. The club can’t even pay their salaries, and quality like Villa and Silva commit themselves to the club with no CL, even when the club is pimping them out to raise money to pay debt.
March 12, 2009 at 16:41
* jinks not kinks
the fascist is back
March 12, 2009 at 16:41
clichy???
You wonder why he’s not in the starting XI for france? Gibbs should get more games….or at least 20 minutes.
March 12, 2009 at 16:42
Steve how you holding up after last night
March 12, 2009 at 16:42
Fascism rules, and i’m a tad pissed.
March 12, 2009 at 16:43
Charybdis1966,I thought the whole paedo rumour re Arsene was started by a dj called Caesar the Geezer who is a Spurs fan who put it out there that Arsene was facing investigation for paedo offences.The ignorant hacks descended like vultures upon Highbury to get their story only to met on the steps Arsene who must have wondered whether other repected British managers would be subject to such vile rumours and interrogation without the thick,Arsenal hating press did a shred of homework….can you imagine old whiskey nose having to answer such questions?
If it was Caesar The Geezer I can only wish him an Alan Partidge type of existence in Norwich.
March 12, 2009 at 16:44
Franchise, who would do better than Van Persie with a midfield of Bendtner, Nasri, Denilson, Song, Eboue ?
I want to see him get the service Ade had last season …. he would have 60 goals.
March 12, 2009 at 16:44
Steve – I spelt it the American way – I’m universal me
March 12, 2009 at 16:44
Tonyadamisgod,
Stats me arse. He’s a crab of a footballer and not the answer. Bench him for the rest of season and let’s see if he progresses in time. My guess is that he will not.
Ribery over Nasri – anyday of the week. This Nasri has alot to prove. Give me goal shy Hleb anyday of the week.
March 12, 2009 at 16:44
Good nick me old beauty. I’ve stopped looking into the whys and wherefores now as I have just enjoyed over four hours of caning a yid (on his expenses). Now it’s good to be a Gooner.
How you doing?
March 12, 2009 at 16:45
This is the problem when you have too many average players in the squad. They start effecting the good players and drag them down to their level, so we end up debating who was shitter than who when it misses the point.
This team as it stands doesn’t deserve deep analysis or discussion. It’s too average. Last season’s team was great but had flaws, they were exciting yet fragile. They were on the cusp. They evoked emotion because we could see the ability was there.
This team and Wenger is just dull. All the players are playing to their maximum and they’re still shit, thus I was pretty emotionally detached last night, even though I’m glad we’re still in the comp just for the craic.
If we can get Rosicky back fit again, then our champions league challenge might be worth discussing again. Fabregas and Rosicky together can provide a basic of technical quality will may elevate the games of lesser players to the required levels.
March 12, 2009 at 16:45
Vieira allows Vidic a free header 2nd half he doent return he’s subbed
Mourinho has balls!!! Wenger was too scared to make a sub yesterday. considering how woeful we were i was shocked to see such a late substitution.
he should have introduced walcott for eboue earlier and moved bendtner to partner VP and move Nasri wide.
March 12, 2009 at 16:45
No worries my little leprechaun.
March 12, 2009 at 16:46
Inter are out Franchise, Arsenal are through.
March 12, 2009 at 16:46
Bren – did you see much of it last night? Do you see Giles saying players and most managers shouldn’t be interviewed because they talk crap
March 12, 2009 at 16:47
at 1 nil the game was still stacked in our favour all we needed to do was try score one 4-4-1-1 wasnt working we shoulda switched to 4-4-2
March 12, 2009 at 16:47
Mourinho has won the CL b4 Arsene hasnt Steve
March 12, 2009 at 16:47
Last night was completely embarrassing. Only the result mattered. But to see our players celebrate like they had just won the world cup…just shows you how highly this team rates itself.
March 12, 2009 at 16:50
120 minutes without a goal against a tired team of old men and crocks.
March 12, 2009 at 16:51
He has Franchise. he won’t be doing so this season though. He also didn’t do so with Chelsea regardless of his bucket of cash.
March 12, 2009 at 16:51
VP was so isolated up front. u cant lump it up to him. he isnt the best hold up player we have. Why play him as a lone striker? then u stick a slowmo striker on the left of midfield
Arsene u worry me with ur tactics
March 12, 2009 at 16:51
David,I sincerely hope the celebrations were born of relief rather than belief that we played well!
March 12, 2009 at 16:52
Franchise …. we have no idea what the result would be if Wenger made early subs last night … yes we might’ve sccored, but it’s equally possible that they could score … and if they did …. we would be saying “Wenger you fucking asshole, we were in control and you changed things”
As it is now, we are still in Europe. Not pretty, the difficult way, but we are still in it.
When a manager makes decisions we don’t like, the only way he can vindicate himself is if it works, and last night, like it or not, worked.
March 12, 2009 at 16:53
True Steve… Wenger looked lost yesterday though. He was fucking clueless. I bet at some point he just gave up until it went to penalties
March 12, 2009 at 16:53
I did Irish.
Giles makes sense 99% of the time. The best analyst by a stretch. A big Arsenal fan. Was gutted last year when we went out at Anfield. That was one of the few games he co-commentated on – apparently asked to do.
He does’nt see us winning anything of substance until we address the shortcomings in central midfield and centre back.
March 12, 2009 at 16:54
what else did you want the players to do? no matter how shite you play if you go through on penalties to the 1/4 finals of a major competition you celebrate – people baffle me
March 12, 2009 at 16:55
Steve the guy is paid several millions a year to know what he’s doing not to gamble and hope. Even I a mere armchair watching mortal could see that the formation wasnt working. And I paid for my beers rather than get paid
March 12, 2009 at 16:55
Sorry that was to Trinidad
March 12, 2009 at 16:56
Bren – I love the way they got Whelan to admit that Liverpool were boring to watch two weeks ago and he admitted that he doesn’t go to their games much. The RTE pundits are honest, Dunphy says stuff just to be controversial a bit too often but at least he’s entertainment.
March 12, 2009 at 16:57
You don’t need to rate yourself highly in order to celebrate … it depends on what your expectations are. If you’re being outplayed, and you win, you would celebrate. If I expect to fail an exam, and I pass, I ceelbrate.
March 12, 2009 at 16:58
Irish
Does my “Mental Strength” baffle you?
I know….it juss shows my “maturity”….or lack off…
March 12, 2009 at 16:59
I fucking went ballistic after the win. Penalties are not a joy to watch. I get nervous just watching penalties irrespective of if my team is involved or not
March 12, 2009 at 16:59
i just posted comment 777
March 12, 2009 at 17:00
i’ll catch u guys l8r. home calling
March 12, 2009 at 17:01
He is paid alot Franchise, but it’s always a risk changing formation with a tie at 1-1. We could easily lose it while adapting. Subs are great if you’re winning or losing but at 1-1 it can swing you either way.
March 12, 2009 at 17:01
March 12, 2009 at 17:01
Pure entertainment indeed.
He also has a good eye for what is happening. He called the MANU game well, and but for their 2nd offside goal – he was spot on in how the game would have panned out.
March 12, 2009 at 17:01
Steve nice one happy days pissed and entertained at his expense.I had visions of you ko last night with all the tension it could not have been more nerve wracking if they tried but its the result that counts.
March 12, 2009 at 17:02
Franchise – Heh, are you still on about balls ?!
Inter went out, Arsenal went through, see there’s negative and then it goes to border on hysterical, mate it was bad enough with the honour thing.
March 12, 2009 at 17:02
I still have 4 hours left at work
March 12, 2009 at 17:03
How is traffic in London usually?
March 12, 2009 at 17:03
IrishGunner,I do agree,Manchester United in the FA Cup final springs to mind,the players celebrated like mad although we didn’t deserve to win.Teams have got lucky against us before and it is gutting to watch their celebrations(Liverpool at Cardiff) but if you,you win.
March 12, 2009 at 17:05
il take a bad win over a good lose any day its the result that counts
March 12, 2009 at 17:05
TAIG, arsenal pass the ball more than any other team in the league. central midfielders see more passes than any other position on the field.
So you would assume an ever present arsenal central midfielder would be top of the passing charts right?
Denilson is 5th.
March 12, 2009 at 17:05
Bren – They got the Liverpool game all wrong though. I think everyone got the Liverpool game wrong. Dunphy loves having a go at Ronaldo, even when he was talking about Messi last night “Now there is a REAL player, he has it all” – have to agree with him on that.
March 12, 2009 at 17:06
Denilson was horrible the whole 120 minutes….even his penalty went down the middle…
March 12, 2009 at 17:06
I cant remember who said it, John Barnes I think, he said, “I dont care if we lose every game 1-0, as long as we win the league”.
fucking hilarious.
March 12, 2009 at 17:07
Franchise,
You fight your corner well and with vigour, but thankfully, I see things differently.
Sure we won ugly, but so what. If nothing else this season we have shown that one display gives little hint of the next. Who knows – we could destroy Blackburn and then scrape a 1-0 with Hull. I really don’t care. What is important is the win.
In no way do I think we have the answer yet, but I firmly believe we have the first team to beat anyone, yes even MU and Barca.
And David’s comment about the players celebrations beggars belief. Were the players meant to trudge off disconsolately, or go to the travelling fans and celebrate with them ? Incredible.
March 12, 2009 at 17:08
What next David ….. Kolo didn’t compose himself, and was lucky to score?
March 12, 2009 at 17:08
Thats like some other twat think it was mark drapper ”i would like to play for one of the spanish teams like juventus or some one like that” cock
March 12, 2009 at 17:09
George – exactly. I sincerely doubt (and hope) the none were happy with the performance but when you win a game like that particularly by penalties you just go mental. I went mental in my living room
My mother though I was possessed – I had a big thick, angry head on me for 120 minutes and then tornetto blows it over the bar and I’m jumping around like a mad woman
March 12, 2009 at 17:09
Spot on big raddy
March 12, 2009 at 17:10
Bren – You want to bench him and see if he progresses?? I’m pretty sure Zinadine Zidane wouldn’t progress if he was on the bench for half a season!!
People say crab footballer. Thats bollocks and shows complete ignorance for some of the skills required in football. Nothing is more important, especially in a team that apparently prides itself on its passing game, than ball retention. It doesn’t matter if its backwards, sideways, forwards or diagonally, if you keep the ball then the oppo can do all fuck all! And how many times have you heard the immortal phrase ‘play the way you are facing’???? Its a simple rule that all managers use. His job is to win the ball and pass it off to a creative player like Nasri or Arshavin. His job is DEFENSIVE midfielder not ATTACK AT ALL COST AND ONLY PASS FORWARD midfielder.
Its intelligent football and unfortunately some people dont have that very attribute to see the benefits of it.
If Helb was still here and had those stats everyone would be wanking over him like he’s the best thing since sliced bread! As it goes Hleb’s pass rate was worse and his goal and assist rate are almost identical even though at this point Hleb has played more games than Denilson in an Arsenal shirt!!!!!
March 12, 2009 at 17:10
Irish,
IMO, Ronaldo is a spoilt fool, who just happens to have plenty of football ability. He is nowehere near Messi, as a player and a professional.
Liverpool surprised everyone on Tuesday. I suggest that if Liverpool played in such manner for 75% of the season, they would be champions.
Torres was really up for the game in a manner I do not see very often in Arsenal players. The rest followed him.
March 12, 2009 at 17:10
Not quite raddy
But i did like how both he and Gallas watched the ball roll past them for Roma’s goal….i thought that was quality.
March 12, 2009 at 17:10
And for the record, I think Denilson was fucking attricious last night! I’m just not judging him on that performance alone.
March 12, 2009 at 17:11
Raddy, how funny would it be if after winning a penalty shootout and qualifying for the next round, our players drop to the ground weeping and they have to be consoled by the Roma players
March 12, 2009 at 17:11
As Vin Diesel said in Gone in 60 Seconds “It doesn’t matter if you win by an inch or a mile, winnings, winning”.
As long as we don’t cheat to win I can get over playing crap
March 12, 2009 at 17:13
FFS David.
Still at least you haven’t had your Nik rant – but I guess that is on it’s way.
March 12, 2009 at 17:13
Bren – I think Ronaldo is a very good player but he all step-overs and crap, like Michael Flately except a footballer. Messi is out of this world – so direct and huge end product and a major plus, he is not a cheater (bar that hand ball goal)
March 12, 2009 at 17:13
Irish – like beating Utd on pens in the FA Cup! The fact that we were shocking that day only made the victory sweeter than ever!!!!
March 12, 2009 at 17:14
Charybdis1966,Iam not too keen on Mark Bright as a commentator as I still think he for some reason harbours a small grudge that Ian went onto be the bigger of the Wright and Bright partnership which could account for the reason he smashed Lineghan’s nose to pieces in the Cup Final Replay.The worts offender is probrably Marwood who Perry Groves grassed up in his book as leading a players revolt for higher pay and was consequently drummed out by Graham.When Dan Smith broke Diaby’s leg listening to Marwood commentate you would have thought it was Abu’s fault.
March 12, 2009 at 17:14
I wouldn’t care if wenger slapped the opposing manager to create a diversion why the team kicked the shite out of their best player as long as we win its time we stopped playing nice and do what needs to be done take a leaf out of the cheating manu book
March 12, 2009 at 17:15
you have to remember that we were much better than roma in the first leg as well. on balance we deserve to be in the quarters, no question.
March 12, 2009 at 17:16
Our players don’t get away with those things though Nick … if Denilson kicked Totti in the balls or kicked out at him, we’d never hear the end of it
March 12, 2009 at 17:16
irish… i think u fast and the furious… your right though, we won and thats all that will in the record book
March 12, 2009 at 17:18
TAIG – yep. Lets me honest if that was the CL final and we played shite and won on penalties exactly like last night would one person care – I wouldn’t, particularly id it was United, that’d be brilliant
March 12, 2009 at 17:18
true trinadad but it would be nice and to be fair clichy got away with a pen that could have been given
March 12, 2009 at 17:18
you’ve got to be in to win it
March 12, 2009 at 17:19
AT – yeah your right it was Fast and the Furious there were cars in both films though so i wasn’t too far out
March 12, 2009 at 17:20
Irish you crack me up
March 12, 2009 at 17:20
Since we’re all Arsenal fans …. we need to say “The ref got it right, it wasn’t a penalty”
.. esp as it was 50-50
March 12, 2009 at 17:20
didn’t see it yesterday but it feels like teh 2005 FA Cup final (remember? When we last won something?)
Delighted with the win but ultimately disappointed with the performance. Thats how I felt at the time anyway. Probably because we were spoilt for trophies at that time so winning ugly tinged the feeling.
We’re in differernt times now. If we have another 5 of those performances but still win the CL I wouldn’t give a flying one!
March 12, 2009 at 17:21
Irish Gunner I too received a severe rebuke from my georgeous wife re the noise level during the penalty shoot out,and I thought it did my children good to be woken by a pissed father’s rantings at 11.30 pm!I mean what is the World coming to when you can’t celebrate a penalty shoot out without waking up everyone in your house and the adjoining houses?
March 12, 2009 at 17:21
Damn right. Which would you prefer l… leaving Cardiff trophyless after giving the Dippers a lesson, or leaving with the Cup having been totally outplayed by MU?
Rhetorical question…..
I was so proud last season when we smashed AC in Milan, but what did it get us. Nothing. In fact, as a direct result, we lost Flamini.
Winning is ALL that counts
March 12, 2009 at 17:23
Good for you George. Every football fan would agree with you
March 12, 2009 at 17:24
Good point Big Raddy,the drive home from Cardiff that day was a very low point as some of their thieving fans had knicked my stereo!
March 12, 2009 at 17:26
George – ha ha I swear I was like a bull I was so angry and my father knew it best to say nothing but my mother was all “Are Arsenal not winning?” which only made me even angrier, then for the shoot-out I hid behind a cushion which promptly got dispatched as I jumped half way across the room, shouting my head off
March 12, 2009 at 17:29
I have rarely been more angry after a game than the Dipper Final. The ref cost us the game (and Lee Dixon).
But I went to all the Sheff Weds final, and bejeesus they were boring. But we sure partied afterwards.
March 12, 2009 at 17:29
Bugger Eduardo is out for Saturday. it doesn’t say if he’ll be out for Tuesday as well. This will happen to Rosicky as well. its so long to be out of football, that your body just changes and cant cope with it.
wenger does not mention Ade, but I assume that means he is not fit yet.
120 mins of football followed by PL game = not good.
My team:
Almu
Eboue JD Gallas Gibbs
Theo Rambo Song Vela
Arsh
Nik B
March 12, 2009 at 17:30
Raddy, remember that game in Milan also lost us Hleb
March 12, 2009 at 17:30
SAME here irish the cushion went and hit the light and i wernt far behind it even my girlfriend was happy we won coz apparently i would have been a miserable git for the rest of the week and all the swearing would have been in vain
March 12, 2009 at 17:30
Irish.
Mum’s don’t get it …. unless they are Peaches
March 12, 2009 at 17:31
trinidad at least some good come out of it
March 12, 2009 at 17:31
Now can people see why Eduardo didn’t start or didn’t come on at 60 mins?
March 12, 2009 at 17:31
IrishGunner Iam ashamed to admit that due to my inability to control my temper with an anti Arsenal brigade that seem to attend pubs across England that I can’t do “pub football”as I become embroiled in arguements with the wankers who turn up to cheer the other team(these people usually have a leaning to Manchester United)when I should be watching the game.So I now watch the game at home behind a bolted door as no one is allowed in the room,to ask such inane questions like”how’s it going.”
March 12, 2009 at 17:31
gazzap i’m hoping for
Almunia
Sagna Toure Gallas Gibbs
Theo Denilson Song Arshavin
Bendtner Vela
March 12, 2009 at 17:31
Eduardo is out of the blackburn game with a groin strain
March 12, 2009 at 17:32
Shit. That is not good news about Eduardo
March 12, 2009 at 17:32
trinadad i don’t get how anyone who actually watched the game could claim that eduardo should have started or come on for longer – he came on and was less fit than the players who’d played all game!
March 12, 2009 at 17:34
fucking hell is this how his coming back gets you excited and then out we may as well sack rosicky now save the disappointment
March 12, 2009 at 17:34
A, Theo didn’t look that great either, yet aparantly Arsene made the wrong call by not starting them.
March 12, 2009 at 17:35
Did anyone else notice last night Wenger said we are unbeaten since november, funny that im sure we lost 1-0 last night.
March 12, 2009 at 17:35
was in rome last night great night we was poor but made it!! van persie and bendtner were as bad as ive ever seen them before but we are through so im grateful the youngsters kept thier nerve!!!
March 12, 2009 at 17:35
BR – especially not my mum, she doesn’t get sport. She went along to support my brother playing in a match once and didn’t know that the teams switched sides at half time and starting shouting for the wrong team – colours didn’t mean anything to her.
George – I’ve got my friends into arguments before ha ha all my fights are verbal they can’t hit me cos that’d be so wrong.
March 12, 2009 at 17:36
wenger knows we need these players back as much as we do if they could then they would have started
March 12, 2009 at 17:37
Does anyone really believe we will see Mozart again?
I really, really hope so, but, I have my doubts. And could he ever be the player he was?
TG.Who said that?
March 12, 2009 at 17:38
yeah i agree completely trinadad. Some people are absolutely ridiculous.
Wenger is shit or a cunt etc etc cos he picks shit teams and then when it’s shown that there’s absolutely no way that they could or should have started rather than go back on themselves said people just ignore that they’ve been proved to be wrong, and keep on with it!
March 12, 2009 at 17:38
Fuck ive hated today and now eddie news caped it off and tomorrow is friday 13th blinding
March 12, 2009 at 17:40
BR – I really hope so but he has been out for so long you have to wonder what he’ll come back like
March 12, 2009 at 17:43
Yeah A I was saying earlier. If he started Eduardo and Theo, and they got injured, it would be Arsene’s fault.
If he made early subs and they got injured again or even worse, we concede because of changing formations towards the end of the game, we would call for his head with a glass of french wine.
March 12, 2009 at 17:43
See you grovers later and goodnight
March 12, 2009 at 17:44
nah it’ll be fine re rosicky. He’s had this persistant injury due to the original misdiagnosis, and he’s been playing with it hampering his performances for years. Therefore when he returns he will actually be stronger than he’s even been before, and he’ll actually be better than he’s ever been before, let alone come back at the same level!
March 12, 2009 at 17:44
Eduardo was brought on at 85 mins and got injured within 20 mins. Imagine if he’d been brought on at 60 mins …. he would be injured before the 80th and had to play 40 mins like that, or take him off.
March 12, 2009 at 17:46
Me too Nick.
I woke up with a hangover. Had to spend the day inside because it has been snowing like a complete bastard. Thought I would have a fun day on LG, and then had to wade through such a wave of negativity that I got so depressed that I started to think these bloggers had a point – which is a major first for me – normally I just dismiss that pants.
Thankfully, I have a fine glass of Italian red by my side, and the world seems a better place.
March 12, 2009 at 17:49
Laters Nick
March 12, 2009 at 17:49
If you feel like being negative today … just think … imagine if you were italian … now be happy
March 12, 2009 at 17:51
Just re-read my post. I am becoming as illiterate as a Spud. Sorry.
TG, The idea that any armchair manager has a better understanding of the players than AW is farcical.
March 12, 2009 at 17:51
kirby how was it for the fans were you treated well
March 12, 2009 at 17:57
TG. I am nearly always happy, it is a fault of mine
Thinking of which, may I take the opportunity to recommend @The Power of Now’ by Eckhart Tolle? It has helped me out of troughs of despair, by giving me a guide to inner peace.
Sounds American and naff, but the book doesn’t sell anything.
Anyone able to recommend a book or two? I hunger after a good read – and not Perry Groves Autobiog …..
March 12, 2009 at 17:57
I’m hoping to make a trip to watch the Arsenal play soon …. i’ll let Le Exchange know
March 12, 2009 at 17:57
yeah it really is raddy, but it seems to be almost a commonly accepted fact that every other internet gooner is far more knowledgable about the condition, form, and fitness of the players than the manager who trains with them every day!
March 12, 2009 at 17:58
Yes, well played kirby. Good to have you back safe and sound.
You Gooners were loud on my TV. I was proud of you
March 12, 2009 at 17:58
lol Big Raddy, i’m familiar with that book … my cousin tried it (among other things) to deal with divorce and a brain tumor/cancer at 28
March 12, 2009 at 18:00
A. I guess if we didn’t we wouldn’t have much to write about !
March 12, 2009 at 18:01
TG. I hope your cousin is alive and recovered.
March 12, 2009 at 18:03
I still think we should change our shirt sponsor to FCUK .. what would suit us more? french connection united kingdom = Arsenal … and for short we can be Arse Fcuk
March 12, 2009 at 18:04
LOL TG
I would buy the shirt !
March 12, 2009 at 18:05
Raddy, she’s fine … in 3 years she’s had two brain surgeries, chemo, radiation, and experimental medication (not fda approved) …. and she’s out and about like normal.
March 12, 2009 at 18:05
TG – lol i like it
March 12, 2009 at 18:06
we was treated quite good really paul apart from the annoying buses and waiting for long periods like a tin of sardines.
the roma fans are pretty mad setting fire to the groung after throwing bottles, chairs and lighters but it was funny we were just taking the piss out of them!!
March 12, 2009 at 18:10
lol kirby, glad that you’re okay. How sad is it that they do damage to their own stadium?
Same thing happened when we beat Bahrain to qualify for the world cup … trashing their own stadium to throw chairs at us and our players
March 12, 2009 at 18:12
I thought Bahrain was very zen??
March 12, 2009 at 18:14
Well they were pretty pissed we beat them 0-1 at home to qualify for the WC
March 12, 2009 at 18:14
cheers TG yeah pretty sad innit but the police just let them do it!!
March 12, 2009 at 18:17
Dont get that sort of behaviour in club level,most of those around me are too interested in the food so they might riot if the gravy was cold
March 12, 2009 at 18:24
lol Paul
Does that include Geoff and Pedro ?
March 12, 2009 at 18:27
No they are too busy winding up the jobsworth stewards
March 12, 2009 at 18:28
I’ll come to London to see the Arsenal if irish is in town
March 12, 2009 at 18:30
Today is slowwwwwwwwwwwwww can’t believe I have 2 1/2 more hours at work
March 12, 2009 at 18:33
ha ha Trinidad – tell me when you’ll be over
although looking at my back balance I think Burnley was it for me this season 
March 12, 2009 at 18:35
irish, at least you didn’t make the trip for one of the 0-0 games. You got a good one.
Well, i’ll have to make the trip next season then
March 12, 2009 at 18:39
three good ones Trinidad – Wigan, Bolton and Burnley, well least we won the other two as well
You are in America isn’t it?? That’ll have to be a planned trip – I’m only an hour and half by plane
March 12, 2009 at 18:44
Yeah i’m in America. East coast at least. If I was on the West coast that would add 6 hours to my trip.
I plan to do some travelling as soon as I can take some time off work .. the only problem is that my mom wants me to fly home. lol
March 12, 2009 at 18:45
fly to london for a game – tell her you got on the wrong plane by accident
March 12, 2009 at 18:46
I’ve to go for a while, talk soon Trinidad – hope work finishes soon for you
March 12, 2009 at 18:46
lol, that works .. yeah for the past few years i’ve been making them visit me instead … but sometimes it’s nice to have good weather and be 30 mins from teh beach
March 12, 2009 at 18:47
see ya
March 12, 2009 at 18:49
Big Raddy try ARSENAL The making of a modern superclub by Alex fynn and Kevin Whitcher a damm good read
March 12, 2009 at 18:50
i was just goin through the posts from today and a few people said that bendtner had a good game last night lol!
he was really bad last night i think because he gets flack people are trying to stick up for him when he is bad but just because you like a player and feel sorry for him we just cant escape the fact that hes not arsenal quality and i dont care that hes young we need results now!!
March 12, 2009 at 18:50
Lovedup Loner Says:
March 12, 2009 at 10:19 am
Where’s Seb?
Seb mate you are 100% correct fella!
I think you know what Im talkin about???
___
LOL
It would appear so mate!
March 12, 2009 at 18:51
I will Terry. Thanks
March 12, 2009 at 19:10
have u guys seen this yet?
March 12, 2009 at 19:19
i watch this match on uefa,,for 10 bucks ,,but its wroth it ,,haha ha ah ,,go gunners ,,ok
March 12, 2009 at 19:20
lol yeah franchise .. those Adebayor translators are funny
March 12, 2009 at 19:20
all those Hitler videos that came out last summer were funny too
March 12, 2009 at 19:23
well Franchise hope that put a smile on your face after all that moaning you did all day
March 12, 2009 at 19:25
I think i’m showing tremendous mental strength to still be awake at work today
March 12, 2009 at 19:27
Seb;
March 12, 2009 at 19:35
trinidad its not mental strength its luck
March 12, 2009 at 19:37
those were the days
March 12, 2009 at 19:38
Franchise …. not falling asleep is mental strength, not being caught dozing off is luck.
March 12, 2009 at 19:40
happy days alright but so was the result last night
March 12, 2009 at 19:42
the funniest thing ever
March 12, 2009 at 19:43
result last night was fantastic but u know what im talking about
March 12, 2009 at 19:51
last night was excruciatingly painful.. !!!
the feeling was of relief!!
March 12, 2009 at 19:51
that was funny you must be thawing out a bit I know what you are talking about alright but its time to move on, If you can cast your mind back to a midfeild of Ian Selley David Heiller John Jessen and Eddie Mc goldrick you will get over it
March 12, 2009 at 19:55
luck is what it’s all about though! i don’t care if we struggled through this time, i’ve seen other teams do it often enough in the last 16 and go all the way. and eduardo didn’t miss because of his lack of playing time, it was because he’s rubbish at pens. he did exactly the same thing again as what he did against Cardiff. i knew for a fact he would try it and so did the roma keeper. all our pens were rubbish though, more or less. we were incredibly lucky yes, and that just makes it a racing certainty we will lift the trophy this year!
March 12, 2009 at 20:05
Basically we were very poor and even more lucky. But over all it was fair that we went through considering we should have won by more at home and lost by more away. Even stevens.
Franchise, that Ade translator think is fucking brilliant. But he was talking so damn fast i could barely read what he was saying!
March 12, 2009 at 20:06
I agree timao, I don’t care if we play rubbish and go through. Look at Liverpool for the past few years
March 12, 2009 at 20:09
exactly, we just need to recruit a couple of referees now and we’ll be al-right!
March 12, 2009 at 20:10
actually the one last night wasn’t bad – must have gone to school with Gael!
March 12, 2009 at 20:14
terry;
Ooh it aint time to move on yet, there must be something else to moan about, surely?
March 12, 2009 at 20:17
Nikkis boots are always a fall back Lovedup
March 12, 2009 at 20:18
“Next year Inter is going to need some new players…” Mourinho said
—————————————-
Jeeeeeeezussssssssss! How much money have they spunked and how many players do they want? Twat
March 12, 2009 at 20:18
Timao when Manchester United or Liverpool perform at a lower level han we are accustomed to and scrape through it is often descrbed by their swooning media crowd”as a professional job”so I will take any success,however we achieve it at this stage of the cometition.The simple fact is though that if we play that poorly again against Chelsea,Liverpool,Bayern Munich,Manchester United or Barcelona we are definately out so bring on Villareal or Porto for an unconvincing 1-0 after 180 minutes!
March 12, 2009 at 20:19
Terry; Oh, yeah, he is sooooooooooooooooo shite innit!
March 12, 2009 at 20:21
George, I’m hoping that last night will be our worst performance and we won’t play like that in the next round
March 12, 2009 at 20:21
Lovedup, if Inter needs more players, why loan out Quaresma to Chelsea?
March 12, 2009 at 20:21
Lovedup, if Inter needs more players, why loan out Quaresma to Chelsea?
March 12, 2009 at 20:22
Not that I want Arsene to go, but I wonder what would happen at Arsenal if we had a manager who liked to buy players
March 12, 2009 at 20:28
Trinidad, Quaresma was loaned out because he was shit.
And Wenger does buy players. But just shit and un accomplished ones.
March 12, 2009 at 20:30
T G be careful what you wish for .We all bitch about him now and again but not sure I would like to lose him
March 12, 2009 at 20:30
Trindad;
Mourinho’s getting his excuses in… Spent gazillions, including about £20m on Quaresma!
Stu;
I dunno, Arshy aint too shabby IMO
March 12, 2009 at 20:31
Quaresma isn’t that bad
March 12, 2009 at 20:31
steady on stu… that’s a bit uncalled for!
March 12, 2009 at 20:32
terry, I don’t want arsene gone
March 12, 2009 at 20:32
Terry; True dat… I have given him plenty of shit this season, altho somehow, by the time Im postin on here after a game I always tend to go the opposite direction!
His time will come to leave, probably in 2 years when that deal ends…
March 12, 2009 at 20:33
Fair enough Lovedup, but there are exceptions to every rule.
Either that or he has changed his ways after too many years.
I know which one is more likely.
March 12, 2009 at 20:33
OMG! How many effin step overs did Bobinho do then???
March 12, 2009 at 20:33
Trinadad G;we can’t play any worse than that so things can only get better performance wise.The player who seems to sum up our ability to go from from very good to very bad very quickly is Diaby who is capable of producing moments like his goal at Villa and was very good in the 1st leg against Roma but yesterday I thought he was below average and often a little too sloppy in his passing as Roma were there for the taking and we didn’t have the quality on the night to finish them off in open play.
March 12, 2009 at 20:36
Stu; IMO, he saw a need for a creative player and went out and got the best one out there, in our budget. Just wish he feels the same way about a DM in the summer!
March 12, 2009 at 20:38
yeah george, but our captain should be playing soon
March 12, 2009 at 20:39
see ye later guys off out playing footie
March 12, 2009 at 20:43
Have a good one Terry. Just shoot from everywhere. One is bound to fly in!
March 12, 2009 at 20:46
Stu, if he does that and one goes in, they might call him Lampard
March 12, 2009 at 20:48
As long as he doesnt have a hump-back and only shoot he should be fine.
So….just shoot when well placed then.
March 12, 2009 at 20:50
Actualy, just do what i do. Play defence and break forward only to help the others and make sure you take your chances with cool finishing and slick passing. Easy as pie!
March 12, 2009 at 20:51
I did not realise that some Chelsea Fans were stabbed in Turin as well.
Honestly dont know how UEFA just let the Spanish and Italians do what the fuck they want.
Amazing how they turn a blind eye to Stabbings, Crowd Trouble and blatent tapping up of players and managers, yet spend all their energy complaining about the Success that is the English Premier League.
Fucking Cocks the lot of them.
March 12, 2009 at 20:55
The Italians are just shit losers. Cant take it. And Platini hates that “his” league is doing shit and is corrupt now.
March 12, 2009 at 20:57
very quiet here tonight.
March 12, 2009 at 20:58
Very quiet on here tonight.
March 12, 2009 at 20:58
Pft, dont know what happened there. My first comment didnt show up. Wierd!
March 12, 2009 at 21:01
hello stu.. how you doing
March 12, 2009 at 21:01
I have never liked Platini, even as a player.
Thing that Grates me is, Take away the English Clubs from the Champions League and see what kind of sponsorship you would get.
It might not be the Technically Best League in the World but it is the most watched and popular by a long way.
It is pure jealousy from Platini and his Clingons, and I wish we could just fuck em all off.
March 12, 2009 at 21:01
Good evening choy. I am fine. How are you?
March 12, 2009 at 21:03
B4 leaving my overused keyboard;Stu I cannot imagine any other manager in the World achieveing what Arsene has achieved at our club with the finacial costraints he has been under;buying players constantly when you don’t thnk wat you have available is good enough is not necessarily the answer just look a Tottenham who outspend us year in year out but are shit.Put simply Modric stood out as an excellent player i the Euro’s but is currently part of a team of expensive underachievers and is in theory being eclipsed by Song and Denilson who cost 1 fifth o less of his fee.
Do you think some of Arsene’s competitors could have achieved what he has on the same budget;
Mourinho:if he had achieved anything the ground would have been half empty beause of the dull style of football he prefers.Chelsea after winning back to back Premiership titles could only get 26,000 for a CL game at home to Rosenburg,special one my arse.His followe will point to Porto’s success in the CL on a elatvely low budget which I found about as exciting as watching Greece wi the Euro’s.
Alex Ferguson;no doubt the man can motivate players and had achieved success on a lower budget at Aberdeen before joining MUFC but his early year at Manchester United where he failed to win the League inhis first six attempts suggest to me that it was only after several veryhigh profile unsuccessful purchases that his transfer policy of going for the biggest names in English football paid off,coupled with the emergence of Scholes,Beckham,Giggs and the Neville brothers from their academy.I believe that Alex prefers to have the dough to lash out on Veron 28 million,Ferdinand £28 million,Rooney £28 million etc etc that he would fee hamstrung by Arsenal’s lack of financial muscle.His fans point to the energence of Giggs etc wich was a outstanding effort but something tells methat wasn’t all Ferguson’s doing as whe was he last big player to be bought through the rnks there that has really made a difference.Luke Chadwick!
Rafa Benitez,fuck off he can’t even do it on Liverpool’s infalted budget so he’s got no hope.
In short those who critisise Arsene have been becoming unerstandably more vocal lately and if he insists on playig Eboue,Song and possibly Bendthner when there is money available next year fans will have every right to qestion his judgement but I wouldn’t wish him too ill as we may end up with a cunt like Ramos,Benitez or God help us Mourinho who could ruin the tradition and standards thi club has built up in 1 season.
March 12, 2009 at 21:03
He only hates the league because he never played in it and England are shit at international level. Negative football and all that. Owners of the long ball outside the top 4.
March 12, 2009 at 21:09
George; Nice post there, doubt it will be well received on here mind….
March 12, 2009 at 21:11
Pathegooner the hypocracy that comes out of the English hating cunts at UEFA is unbelievable.A decapitated English fan with his head on a stake in Italy will be ignored or referred to as “an isolated incident”whilst a full scale investigation will ensue if a coin is thrown at a Spaniard at an English ground with our behaviour condemned by Sep Blatter etc.Platini sums the hypocracy up as he plied his trade at Juventus earning millions of Lira but now moans about French players coming to England….what a prick.
March 12, 2009 at 21:11
Well put George. Cant argue with anything there.
March 12, 2009 at 21:13
Im hoping we buy a german (or german based) player during the summer. Like what they do over there.
March 12, 2009 at 21:15
m good stu.. thank you…
edu’s out again
but i guess this is part of the recovery process.
March 12, 2009 at 21:16
I think you have hit the nail on the head George
Platini is just fucking pissed as he did not play in an era where players are being paid so much, and he can’t handle it.
How these fucking idiots get such positions in Football is beyond me. I just hope that if it is not us, then another one of the English Clubs wins it, and I hope Man City win the UEFA Cup as well. I just wish we got to a situation where it was an all English last four in the CL.
March 12, 2009 at 21:16
Iam off to bed now having bored myself!but thanks for your support Loveduploner as I sometimes feel that sticking up for Arsene is the equivalent on here to admitting to being tax dodging,illegal immigrant kiddy fiddler!Only joking as I can understand the frustration particularly with the expectation generated by the building of The Emirates but I think we are getting closer and am prepared to be patient but not with Eboue!
March 12, 2009 at 21:17
Yes choy. A few injuries were to be expected as he regains full fitness. At least we have a good deputy in Vela.
March 12, 2009 at 21:19
lol is there anyone that can stand Eboue! Aside from those at the club obviously.
March 12, 2009 at 21:22
just too fucking typical of the way injurys are fucking us up yet again now eduardo out for saturday who the fuck is gonna score now fucking shit bollocks cunt
March 12, 2009 at 21:23
I have been living at my current address for almost 15 years but i only found out a month or 2 ago that a spud lives up the avenue from me. How odd is that. But he isnt really an in your face supporter like United cunting “fans”.
March 12, 2009 at 21:24
I can stand Eboue the RB, but cant take Eboue the RM
That shot last night was like an Arsenal team that were one short and got someone from the crowd to play. He is fucking awful
Apparently though he is a Morale Booster in the dressing room, so if we could leave him as backup RB I could live with it.
i think in most places of work, you know someone who is pretty shit at their job but their personality wins the day and the place would be very dull without them. The difference is that in most of our places of work, the employee concerned is not on 20k+ a week.
March 12, 2009 at 21:25
Dont worry BBK. Im sure Song will up his game enough to add a goal to his 2 assists of last weekend. Maybe Denilson will grap one too between an Eboue brace.
March 12, 2009 at 21:27
I would rather work with someone i didnt like and be very successful than be working with a cunt that makes my work life shit.
Why cant he leave and be their friends at a different club.
March 12, 2009 at 21:28
denilsion getting a goal now that would be a sight to behold apart from keep giving the ball away that cunt just runs around like a headless chicken
March 12, 2009 at 21:29
at least song showed he has more brazilian in him then what denilsion will ever have the back heel from song was sublime
March 12, 2009 at 21:33
I think i might leave early tonight. Get an early one for once. hmmmmm
March 12, 2009 at 21:39
George, your whole argument is blown apart becuase you don’t know what budget Wenger has had.
Fact: We haven’t won a trophy since 2005, we haven’t won a league since 2004.
That’s not good enough.
You talk about Wenger being a stadium filler… well, take a at the footage of the Burnley game.
He’s done a lot of good in his time at Arsenal… but how far down the shitter do you let the club go before you address the problem?
March 12, 2009 at 21:39
hey BBK.. i think arshavin will open his account…
what has happened to adebayor?
March 12, 2009 at 21:56
Link
March 12, 2009 at 22:02
So Eduardo is injured… again!
March 12, 2009 at 22:03
who the fook is amy lawrence
March 12, 2009 at 22:06
hey pedro.. please thank rico if you see her around.. i received the book after 4 months!! heheh…
yeah sad to eduardo injured again, i think he is going to be the FC cup hero this time around, and be fit for hull.
hope your hand is healing well!!!
March 12, 2009 at 22:07
FA Cup
March 12, 2009 at 22:09
pedro – i don’t think you can sack wenger when the club is at a much higher place than it was pre-wenger, or in post-war history. If we lose out on champs league then there’ll be a lot of pressure on him, as it is we could win two trophies, and get in champs league, which would ve a very successful season.
If we don’t get champs league this year he’ll be under pressure, and if we don’t have a real title challenge after that I think he’ll be off at the end of next season, but i’d be very surprised if we didn’t.
March 12, 2009 at 22:28
Pedro; Soooo, the fact a few 1000 couldnt be arsed to turn up to an FA Cup game is proof of what exactly? Nuffin, IMO.
You have it in for Wenger, thats why the only people on here who get moderated are those that dont call him a cunt, or words to that effect.
March 12, 2009 at 22:34
All the arguemnts on here seem to boil down to;
Well, even tho Arsenal historically have never been a consistent league winners (no back to backs since the 1930’s FFS!) or trophy winners for that matter, we should be winning a trophy every year… or 2 at the most coz….erm, WE PAY THE HIGHEST SEASON TICKET PRICES IN THE WORLD…
So, did Wenger set those prices? Hmmmm…
But, of course I am being a Wenger apologist now, ooh naughty me….
maybe Ive had a bad day (shit! No maybe about it!) But I still think what george saus is spot on!
March 12, 2009 at 22:45
does anyone know how many times in the clubs history we’ve reached the quarter finals of the champions league?? can’t find a record of our champions league/european cup history
March 12, 2009 at 23:03
Loveduploner you are absolutely spot on but Iam afraid I will earn myself another banning for sticking up for Wenger but here goes;
I guess anyone who posts on a site that openly claims to dislike “the Arsene knows brigade”but allows people to post “Wenger is a cunt”shouldn’t be shocked by the site’s leanings.And the whole arguement re “get an opinion” is flawed because if you argue vehemently for Arsene using colourful language you finfd yourself blocked but are free to post spiteful rhetoric claiming Arsene is a hopeless cunt and should be kicked out.
Pedro my whole arguement isn’t blown apart because of the ground filling rules re Burnley as I was at that game and you tell me any other club apart from MUFC in the country that could achieve 50k plus for Burnley at home.My arguement was who could have done a better job and I notice you haven’t addressed that althought that issue is so theoretical it’s virtually unwinable.
We have been here before Pedro but your version of “how far down the shitter do you let a club go”is far different than mine as we are 5th in the Premiership and still in the advanced stages of the CL and FA Cup,if that’s down the shitter it must be a gold platted,diamond encrusted one with shit that smells of roses lying in the ubend!
My issue has always been that there are various people who are very quick to condemn Arsene but those very same people would happily celebrate advancing to the latter stages of the CL this year and see a marked inprovement next year in The Premiership and conveniently forget their damning posts written weeks or months before.
March 12, 2009 at 23:11
As for Wenger’s budget Pedro I do know that since Arsene arrived he has a had less money made available to him than Liverpool,Spurs,Manchester United and Chelsea.Arsenal’s accounts are readily available and going back especially to the pre Emirates days his record is exeplary in managing to get top players on a low budget and letting people go at the right time.
The wages we pay are another issue and never really discussed at length like our low transfer spending,the reason being that we are very big payers and does drive me mad to think that it is highly likely that Song and Eboue are on well over £30k a week,which they would struggle to get elsewhere.
March 12, 2009 at 23:16
i agree with the “arsene knows brigade” thing george. It creates an atmosphere whereby one side of the argument is written off unfairly. The only way that can exist is if there’s an “arsene’s a cunt brigade” too for the other side, so people can pigeon hole as they wish!
To be honest i disagree massively with the whole “arsene knows brigade” things, because it categorises people by opinion, regardless if they’re arguing rationally, if they’re in the “arsene knows brigade” their argument is supposedly voided.
It stinks of (though isn’t quite as laughably stupid) as the “political correctness brigade” the unintelligent right such as the daily mail uses in an attempt to argue against logic and rationality
March 12, 2009 at 23:25
A that is my point entirely,you cannot win an arguement b simply saying”oh your just one of the Arsene knows brigade”so implying that the person is lazy,deluded and ignorant.No doubt there are people that exist who don’t tknow their facts and trust Wenger too much in his judgement(try the current board!)but I find them equally offensive as the get Wenger out brigade who seem to put equally as little thought into their arguement…like who the fuck would do a better job?
Iam glad you bought up The Mail as from front to back the paper is a disgusting insult to one’s intelligence.I’ve got a mate who’s colleague used to work in the sports section and to say they lean towards MUFC would be an understament.Use to wrap fish and chips or spare bog roll during hard times ids the only decent thing you can do with it.
March 12, 2009 at 23:37
Amy Lawrence Choy is a sports journalist who apparently got caught in bed with Brian Robson,I think but my grey matter might be playing up.Also for some reason I have got it in my head that she is an Arsenal fan as I seem to remember singing her name when she walked past the away end at Tottenham when we were celebrating winning the Premiership,but it all sems a bit vague in my alchohol sodden memory bank.
March 13, 2009 at 01:44
maybe Pat Rice until we find a Ramos George
March 13, 2009 at 01:51
That amy lawrence is some cock sucker
March 13, 2009 at 04:35
A SPOT_ON ARTICLE
Wenger sat there like a drowning man on the bench – and like a man that had invented sex afterwards!
did he try to bring-on Vela at the death for penalties – like Roma bought-on Montella – and did so too late? If so it summed-up Wenger’s night – poor from the team selection!
I thought Denilson was OK. I think he and Diaby is a more potent midfield. I thought Nasri and Bendtner were good (and I calll Bendtner a Championship player – but he played well last night). I thought leaving RVP up front alone against a second-string defence was poor decision and fucking Eboue WHY? Oh why does this twat play? Should have started with Vela and Nasri on the wings
If I was Vela I would fuck-of if you can’t get a game in front of that useless twat Eboue (fuck it makes me angry)
Really good piece thanks
March 13, 2009 at 07:36
Not a great performance, but mental strength nonetheless. Conceded early goal, failed to score first pen still went through was that because of mental weakness?
Only mental strength can explain the final victory.
Wenger admitted we didnt play well – that being the case they still hung on – Chelsea lost 3-1 there in group stage this season
March 13, 2009 at 07:44
Padre Pio
conceded early goal, failed to score first pen still went through was that because of mental weakness?
———————————————–
yes mental weakness and a shite load of LUCK !
you can hardly call not scoring from open play in over 210 minutes a STRENGTH !
well that is unless the idea of football IS NOT to score a goal ..
or the fact that im missing something ?
March 13, 2009 at 07:47
Padre…
Roma were so poor. We should have put them to the sword in normal time.
1 goal would have done sealed it and yet we couldn’t.
We had Theo, Vela and Eduardo snd he chose to start with neither and brought them on too late.
Something’s gotta change.
March 13, 2009 at 07:56
Ethan, Iceman totally agree with you both.
March 13, 2009 at 07:57
Morning, oh i feel a bit better today
With so many attacking options to choose from our left winger was Nikki and right winger Eboue? And RvP obviously is not a lone striker, he dosen’t enjoy it, and he is a 2nd striker who has the skill and flair to make things happen, he will not be scoring 30+ goals a season, he is there to get around 15-20 magical ones, and 15-20 assists, i mean i don’t think i ever ever seen him score a tap in. He should play behind Eduardo, fucking lucky we were, but who gives a shit, United are always lucky, but everyone is on their dick how they are the best team in the world.
March 13, 2009 at 08:06
oh yeah and Barca is just like us but with money and a manager who dosen’t play favourites, they saw our invincible team, modeled their team like that, without the mistakes Wenger makes.
March 13, 2009 at 08:08
Morning all….I think its been proven that Wenger was right not to start Eduardo. It took him about 30 minutes to get a groin strain so we would have been looking at making a forced substitution well before half time.
As for Theo not starting however, I think Wenger got that wrong! That prat eBay just stood up front the whole game. Seriously! He never worked back and was more advanced than RvP sometimes. Me and my mate were watching the game saying ‘where is eBay’? ‘He isnt even in the picture!’….thats because he was just standing, hands on hips right at the top of the pitch!
March 13, 2009 at 08:10
Morning all
This wont be the last time we will be pissed off at his team selections,
Bring on Blackburn who knows what team he will put out,guaranteed song and eboue will grace our team, feeling fucked off already
March 13, 2009 at 08:11
Stange noises coming from the Arsenal dressing roomthis morning! Kolo has come out in The Sun and reaffirmed that he doesnt get on with Gallas off the field and that there are some people who have problems with others in the dressing room. Then Theo comes out and says that it was like they had won the world cup in the dressing room and that they are like one big happy family!
Either way, our ‘Captain’ should no better than to make those comments even if they are true and it has fallen to yet another mature for his age kid to send out a positive signal!!
March 13, 2009 at 08:17
Ebay. LOL. Yeah there were times I too was like where is the cunt……..
March 13, 2009 at 08:26
Wonder if we could sell the mug on Ebay. (would probably get done for fruad) could’nt describe him as a footballer
March 13, 2009 at 08:29
Ha ha, so what would the advert read?
March 13, 2009 at 08:35
How did Eddie get injured? Was it with his penalty kick? If not, then he got injured before and should have never taken the penalty anyway…
March 13, 2009 at 08:38
Also will Wenger stop going on about us being unbeaten in 17 games, makes it sound impressive forgeting to mention we drew like 16 of them.
March 13, 2009 at 08:41
Constant moaner. Unique species. Cannot be found anywhere else. But now and get 10% off on similar item, less whingeing, just slow aka Song.
March 13, 2009 at 08:45
Iceman – ha ha! Buy It Now price??
Duke – he picked up the groin strain in the 2nd half of ET apparently!
March 13, 2009 at 08:48
Morining akll
Barca eh? Hmmm, won nuffin under Guardiola, playing quite well at present, but could end up ended handed this season…But what the hey?
March 13, 2009 at 08:50
empty handed, balls!
March 13, 2009 at 08:52
taig, he should have never taken the penalty. Also Doni is an idiot, all our players took the penalty the easiest way, and he just kept going the other way, RvP took his to the bottom left as he is left footed, and all the right footers took it to the bottom right, as they were scared to miss and took the easiest option, we are lucky Doni is stupid.
Also UEFA are fucking muppets, leaving the CL final in Rome, the fuckers do what they like and don’t get punished for it. If it happened in London, they would probably cancel the game, have the English team forfit and move the Final to another country.
Seriously how can you pick Rome and Istanbul for the 2 finals of your competitions this year? Fucking idiots!!!
March 13, 2009 at 08:56
Loner, if they do end up empty handed, then they will be exactly like us
March 13, 2009 at 09:01
wengerism is all power because its true.
vladimir lenin.
March 13, 2009 at 09:01
Would be effin funny…. in a sick kinda way!
March 13, 2009 at 09:03
in original it was ‘The Marxist doctrine is omnipotent because it is true.’
http://www.marxists.org/archive/lenin/works/1913/mar/x01.htm
March 13, 2009 at 09:03
Duke – Its hard to call on Eduardo. If he told me he could do it i would believe him. A groin strain that apparently isnt too bad wouldnt have that much effect on the penalty. He just kicked a poor pen in my opinion. The only thing that was wrong was the placement, not his run up or power behind the ball.
Its weird that you say right footer’s easy option is the right side. I find it easy to tuck it to the left.
As for UEFA! Well you can imagine what Blatter and Platini would be saying had this happened at the Emirates! They would have relocated the final already, all english teams would be expelled from the CL for the next 4 years and the FA would get find £100m to cover costs! Those 2 are the real muppets behind this. Like you say, who had the fucking bright idea to hold the finals in 2 Cities that boast some of the most violent fans known to football! Fucking ludicrous!
And there is no way that UEFA dont have a back up plan from the start! You can guarantee that they would have picked Rome and somewhere else just in case. What if there had been a huge terror alert in Rome? They would never hold it there. They would take precautionary measures for such incidents so for them to say they cannot move it is stupid! And for that twat spokesman to say they ahve spent too long on setting up the security is a disgrace! if they cannot get through a knock out stage game without violence how can they expect a final to pass peacfully! There is no way the Ultra’s will be happy that there stadium is being used to host a final that doesnt include their team!!!!!
March 13, 2009 at 09:05
Ps Duke – did you see Wenger having a pop at Blatter in The Sun today! brilliant!
http://www.thesun.co.uk/sol/homepage/sport/football/article2316735.ece
March 13, 2009 at 09:06
NEW POST!
March 13, 2009 at 09:06
Morning guys Whats crackerlacking?????
March 13, 2009 at 09:10
taig, i fucking hate Uefa and their double standards, it’s unbelievable how they are allowed to behave like that.
The penalty thing is if you are right footed it is easier to open your body up and place it to right side footing it, when my coach trained the keepers he always said that if the penalty is being taken by someone who is not an attacking player, that they will always go for the option to put it to the side of their fav foot or slam it down the middle. If you are an attacking player then you have your own style of where to put it, for example Henry would prefer to side foot it to the right, while Shearer would like to slam it into the left. The point was being made about our defensive players, and on evidence you can see that they all did go for the option.