That’s why we pay to watch. It’s not half price to watch the FA Cup is it?
Arsene Wenger has reassured supporters he can understand their love affair with the FA Cup, but insists the Gunners must not compromise their fight for the Premier League title.
I am a defensive midfielder for an advertising agency in London, an enforcer if you like, we try and win as many accounts as we can, we don’t focus on this one or that one, and we put our best people on every pitch (no pun intended) so why don’t Arsenal, why should we prioritise in order of importance, the fans don’t, one trophy would do.
I can never understand why paid athletes need a break, when we won the double in 1971 we played just 16 players in something like 68 games.
This brings us back to the Carling Cup argument, that one we throw away each year, I hate that, but we do, but to then have a list of importance for the rest, to me is disrespecting the fans.
Let’s go out today with the best team we have and try and win it from the off, play this like you would if it were the European Champions league, for me the FA Cup is second only to the league, many differ, many of you would prefer to win the Champions league and that’s why they are all important, because they all mean different things to different people.
For me FA Cup final day is the best day ever in football, I know, I’ve been to a bunch, I want that feeling again, and this year, so please don’t blow today Arsene, it means an awful lot to a shed load of gooners.
Here’s an interesting take from the Online Gooner and Wrighty7 has some strong views as well.
So who will we play today? here’s my guess if all are fit and available
Fabianski
Gilbert Senderos Sylvestre Cruise
Ramsey Song Diaby
Rosicky Watt Vela
It’s only a guess, but it’s an interesting one, and a team I would happily compromise on, the full backs are inexperienced as is the forward line, but the midfield is solid and experienced and we need a solid midfield to win this one.
Having Arshavin, Nasri and Eduardo on the bench will be our get out of jail card free, I would like to see JET and Wilshere play as well.
I think this will be the compromise that the fans would be happy with and a side I would love to watch in the Carling Cup as well, a bit of steel with a bit of youth.
I expect to win whoever he plays, we are on a roll and that will rub off throughout the squad.
I can’t wait for this afternoon, I would go as it’s quite close, but that would be asking for trouble, a rabid gooner at Upton Park, a bit like filling my car up whilst smoking a Cuban cigar.
Thing is I’ve done both! We won 2-1 the last time I went to West Ham, and I survived the Texaco fill up! I’d settle for that result again!
Yesterdays post really did attract a lot of people, our biggest of the week, if only we got paid in hits! It was 99.9% Arsenal fans but there were a dozen or so AKB’s frothing at the mouth suggesting I was comparing Arsenal to a Skoda. Let me explain, I was saying why buy a cheap car because it’s cheap, when you can afford to buy a better one. And if I was a Chelsea fan I wouldn’t be writing an Arsenal blog 365 days a year would I? Think about it. If you don’t like the way I write, read something else. Le Grove is not compulsory.
Alternatively read it twice and try going between the lines, you might find yourself agreeing this time.
I just read that Shitty are in for Paddy, Oi! hands off, Arsene if PV04 is available, go and get him, he wouldn’t disrupt Song’s progress and he would be perfect for the changing room, pretty please!
Have a great day Grovers, I’ll be on the blog throughout should you wish to exchange frank and forthright views during the game, but leave Genghis out of it.
P.S. Pedro has set up a facebook fanpage (Slightly different to the group page he has going already) and he’d be very appreciative if you’d click here and join up to it!
I can see why you feel the need Pedro! Top quality humour is underappreciated on this site.
well A ..its fine by me that you have your own view on things..just like me…but look back…at wengers history a more maybe babe man than him…does NOT excist…ha cant decide shit….and thats clear to see in our team..they lack that toughness…wenger is nothin more than a little crybabe…..and to be honest A…look at that man smile you just now somethings wrong with him…..
Baxter, did you hear about the Mexican carpet fitter?
He was always shouting “Underlay, underlay!”
Why don’t they have ice cubes in Ireland?
The lady with the recipe died.
I reckon,A is right.Morten Gamst Pedersen who has a lethal left foot, is naturally right footed.
I dont think Wenger will care about l or r footed if he can find the right player.
I think the bigger problem is there are so few good CBs out there at the moment, and he definately trys to scrimp & save on defenders/GKs
Pedro about Island they are slowly melting….you know ?..its that global warming thing…its gettin warmer and warmer…and heey we can see that cant we ??..im buying an extra pair of shorts….
Arsenal boss Arsene Wenger is unsure how much business his side will do in the transfer window.
The Frenchman has been tipped to make a foray in this month’s window to help bolster his injury-hit squad, with a new striker his top priority.
However, Wenger feels whatever big spenders Manchester City and Chelsea do in the transfer market will dictate how much serious business is done this month.
“As many people say – I have the money, I have the desire, but I do not have the player,” said Wenger.
“I do not know what will happen [in the transfer window generally].
“Basically, it depends how the big guns – Manchester City and Chelsea – will move. Where will they buy? If they buy from English clubs, the market will be busy.
“If they do not buy from English clubs, I think the market will be very quiet because there is not a lot of money around.”
Praise
Wenger also singled out Aaron Ramsey for special praise following his side’s 2-1 win over West Ham as they reached the fourth round of the FA Cup.
Ramsey netted Arsenal’s equaliser to cancel out Alessandro Diamanti’s opener with Eduardo grabbing the winner for Wenger’s side.
Wenger is happy with Ramsey’s progress and believes he will play a key role in the side for the rest of the season.
“He improves from game to game. I set him a target at the start of the season to play between 15 and 20 games,” added Wenger.
“It looks like he will get that very quickly.
“We had a very difficult first half, against a committed West Ham side who were committed and got caught on the break.
“In the second half we played at a higher tempo and could make the difference
in the final 20 minutes.”
If Vela has good crossing abilities,I am pretty sure that Wenger would curb them down.Mr.Wenger is mysteriously obsessed with some of his habits,like he has curbed the shooting insticts of Tomas Rosicky and Samir Nasri.
Jaguar…wenger hates long balls…its easy to see..look at our crosses and corners….
How many games will Song miss?
one more, then im off for some beers….the last time wenger stood up was before the villa game..he was clear we have to win..he even gambled on Cesc..what happened…we wiped them out…eh..laters
Cameroon if qualify as group winners will prob play Nigeria or Egypt in quarters which is on 25th. Lets just say he should defo be back for Chelsea on Feb 7th. Hopefully if they lose in quarters could be back for Manure on 31st.
Interesting, Jaguar talkin about peoiple havin obsessions…
Zorro;
I misspelt his name once and he has never forgiven me!
Pedro/Wrighty;
Vela was central 1st half and switched with Eddie 2nd, both played a lot better as a result, IMO.
Songthe great;
What? You aint pissed already?
I’ll throw a young defender in the mixer we could sign.
STEVEN TAYLOR.
Don’t reckon he’d cost too much either.
We have scored a number of set pieces over the past couple of seasons. One of most in the league, apparantly… I recall at least 2 in our game at Everton to start with… Oh and didnt Eduardo score from a cross tonight by…erm, Vela?
It was such a fluke how nasri’s obvious pass in the Pompey game ended up in the back of the net innit?
Cheers MG,
Up yours Pedro!
I thought that both players looked a lot happier as a result of the change.
Zorro Quality joke mate
Sakho has played 4 times this season lads…
Song will miss the Villa/United games?!?!?!?!
Fuck me, Wenger will sign, surely?!?!
Song was bloody brilliant against the Mancs and against Villa
Wrighty 2 years ago he was class for Newcastle, got found out though and isn’t even particularly rated over there. As with Richards at City he was pushed out to right back because he was a liability central, though hes back at centre back in the Championship
Reading between the lines it looks as if AW is gonna bottle it in the transfer market once again!!
A;
Here’s that Wenger quote I heard him say before about how many players he was looking for. I know its no guarantee, but I would like it to be true, oh yes…
We’ll try to be in the market to get a player or two.”
Pat not sure where you’re getting your info from but it’s incorrect – Sakho has started all but one game for us, still not a possibility because of being left footed, but I rate him!
Song will only miss Villa and Utd if Cameroon get past the quarters, and even if he did there’s no way we’d sign someone just for those two games. Anyone we did sign would need longer to settle in anyways.
A,
I’ve always rated Steven Taylor. I reckon that he is still young and can only improve.
Ah ok mang, when he was asked after the game today he said no to the plural players but said we will be in the market. Wenger said he likes to have 4 centre backs, I really would be absolutely shocked if one came in without Senderos leaving. After that it’s a DM if there are doubts about Denilson, but only if, and the obvious forward. Have to wait and see, I hope/reckon things won’t drag on to the end of the window, as we’ve never been in this situation where there’s such a specific need for a specific reason before.
Song isnt away for that long, but we could do with another DM anyway, or else we may end up seriously overplaying him.
Vieira wouldn’t need time A……………….
Yeah I used to rate him Wighty, and he’s still young enough to turn into a good player, but I wouldn’t sign him this summer. He was so bad last season he lost his place in a terrible defence, I’d wait to see if he even keeps his place in Newcastle’s defence next season in the prem and if so how he does in the top league.
Maybe not Wrighty, but I don’t think he’d be an option. Goes on about wanting regular football for the world cup, certainly wouldn’t get that with us once Song returned.
Just seen GoonerM’s 20:11 and I must say “I salute you.”
But did anyone else notice the albino kid sitting behind ole 65% proof nose ? The thing worse on TV today was when the camera gave us a full close up of old Fungusscum to reveal his greying nasal hairs, eww!!
Ah, I live for days like this – seeing the mank cunts getting turned over on their own backyard by a third tier team.
Good times.
I think Wenger himself said he might have to look at a midfield signing due to injuries, so let’s wait (not too long now) and see…
wrighty 7 (great blog) taylor would be a great signing although i doubt he would want to come as cover for the mighty gallas/verm combo, but it was a signing i was talking about before the season started. I want van nist but nobody on here will even talk about it
Yeah Mang, he said depending on Cesc and Denilson’s injuries, which was after the Villa game. If Cesc is back for Everton, and Denilson might back back for Weds I’d be surprised, but you never know!
Zapata would be superb at CB. Would be a good long term option to take over from Gallas long term.
i did want paddy back but not sure now. am worried about our only 1 song going though…..
nucks;
You obviously havent seen my numerous posts about the long faced ex-manc twat then?
I think its all about partnerships in the centre of defence. I’ve always thought that Gallas has been brilliant for us but this season he has been even better with TV at his side.
Maybe Taylor as an eventual replacement for Gallas. Although personally I can really see Djourou and TV being a very good long-term duo at the club.
also, reading biography of wenger. good read, helps understand the stubborn, bad loser side of our great boss
A;
Well, seeing as how Denilson has a fitness test tomorrow, that will be a decider then I guess…
Although I think it is another gamble;
Denilson’s fitness problems and Song goin away for a month and not havin any idea what condition he may return in… Remember Kolo?
Really cant see Taylor being good enough as a long term partner for TV, or Djourou for that matter.
man goonian, no obviously not, i think Keown put that chance to bed many years ago, but i still believe it would be a good one…..
We could get to February with Denilson suffering a recurrence of his back problem and Song catching Yellow parrot disease…
Where would we be then? Where would we be…Huh?
Cheers Nucks. Appreciate it.
RVN could be a very good short-term deal. Maybe on loan for the rest of the season. Very experienced goal-scorer.
I somehow doubt that many Gooners would take to him though but if he scored the goals to win something then maybe that would all change.
wrighty, Keown would be cross but i would rather we had him than the scousers. i worry about unproven strikers coming, i just don’t think that’s what we need right now. good to see eddie improving every game though. We have got so much quality going forward but this is controversial, i think ruud upfront on his own would be more effective than Arshavin on his own. it drives me mad watching him trying to play that role. he’s wasted like that.
Burnley assistant manager Sandy Stewart has confirmed the Clarets are hopeful of signing Arsenal talent Jack Wilshere on loan for the rest of the season!
“As of yet there is no progress on Jack Wilshere. He is a player we have earmarked as one who would do very well for Burnley. We like his style of football and believe that he would blend into our system well,” said Stewart.
“He is one we definitely like and there has been dialogue between ourselves and Arsenal, but as I understand it there are a couple of other interested parties, so we will just have to wait and see.”
Its bad enough having one ex-manc but having two is taking the piss,iv said it before if we signed horseface i would end my association with arsenal stretching back 45 years thats how strongly i would oppose that twat coming here!!
Wilshere will be off then.
Hopefully Merida will soon follow him out on loan. (After signing his bloody contract)
Nucks,
If we could get someone more younger with experience than RVN I would rather have that but I agree that he would be a good short-term player, although very controversial!
Reggie my main man, I second that.
How about Rooney then Reggie57?
Wrighty you are on a wind-up !!!
Rooney can fuck off as well we have got more class than that!!
Bordeaux striker Marouane Chamakh claims Arsenal are still attempting to convince him to move to the Emirates Stadium.
Wenger really wants him. I think he might get convinced. Bordeaux would surely some money now rather than none later.
They do have a chance of progressing in the CL though. They are playing Olympiacos…..
take some money**
Reggie;
For once, I am gonna keep a dignified silence on this one…. As promised!
Wrighty he’s also buggered – he could never get back to full fitness. Signing him is akin to signing Dean Ashton, no way he could be a short term player, when he hasn’t played in a long time, after a serious injury, and has a bad injury history. He might never play at the top level again, and even if he does he could take longer than eduardo to get up to fitness, so over the 6 months he’s needed!
No way he could be a short term option…..
Reggie;
Just been chatting to a Manc mate and he is spittin blood over Rooney! He hates him and wants him gone! Says he’s a scouse cunt whose heart aint in it….
Apparantly he has just decorated his new baby’s room in Everton colours…
ok reggie and mang, i will forget that one and never mention it again i promise!!
Its been emotional! Ha ha
Night all, Keep it Goonerish………
A;
You have said that before about RvN, where is the evidence about him needing to be put down please?
Yeah piss off wrighty
what about teddy sheringham then??
nucks;
Mate, the ex-manc twat is a player I have been suggesting for ages. But I hasve been forced to never mention i ever again by Reggie, GoonerMichael and a few others fella!
You know it makes sense Mangoon!!
i love u diaby
diaby is at last delivering on all his potential
There’s a lot of love in this place…
Mang since his injury on 5 November 2008, he’s made a total of 2 sub appearances, one in the league, one in the champs league! He was last seen as an unused sub on the 7th of November.
reggie;
You are right, for once!!
2 sub appearances since 5 November 2008???
What only once!
In fact he’s played 21 minutes since 5th November 2008, after a serious knee injury, adding to the damage that had previously been done to his dodgy knee, not sure he’s going to be in a state to lead our attack!
He means 2009
Yes indeed Mang, his injury was on 5th November 2008. Since he recovered from that in the summer, he’s played the last 12 minutes of a game against Xerex on 20th Sept, then the last 9 minutes on November 3rd against Milan in the Champs League. Other than that he’s been an unused sub 4 times
No I mean 2008 reggie….
So he hasnt played since 2008 A, and people on here say we should sign him loll
well, he’ll be fresh then…..
is there a MOTD today or any other highlight show?
pat, itv
HaHaHaHa me sides are splitting
Put the cunt out to pasture !!!
United bidding 22 million for Benzema…
Thanks nucks, and at what time?
good one reggie, he is a hoarse faced twat, i do agree with you there mate..
pat, 11.15 mate
So, not only is he CL cup tied, but he’s effin lame!
Shoot the effin horse faced twat and put him out of his misery more like!
Yes indeed reggie!
If they’re bidding that for him then they’ll get told to double it or fuck off Pat!
Right thats me done!!
Good nite and as Nick Ross says Dont have night mares!!
Benzema won’t be off loaded in january….
Sweet dreams Reggie reg…
If Benzema is in any way available Wenger should be on that in a flash.
or send him to a specialist in france, pay him 100k a week then send him back next season when he’s better….. nah let keown put him out of his misery..
2 monkeys in a bath tub
one goes “ooo ooo aaa aaa”
the other says “why not just turn the hot water off”
If Benzema was available, then yeah, Wenger would go for him… But I can’t see Real letting him go so soon. They do have a history of collecting shiny new players then discarding them again, but this fella was one of their marque signings…
MG, they expected him to be even better than Higuain, which isn’t the case. He has more individual brilliance than Higuain, but overall I think I’d pick Higuain over him.
Thanks again nucks.
Yeah Mang, and it isn’t like he’s totally flopped for them, he’s been good, just not out of this world. Still started the majority of games since he arrived, no way he’ll be surplus to requirements, though I’d love him at the Emirates!
Swap for Clichy in the summer and I’m a happy bunny.
I dont think we are going to sign anyone.
Looking into the quotes of a couple of people in the last 24 hours
Firstly Chamakh who states that Arsenal are trying to pressurise him into coming this month. Now he has no reason to lie about that. He is not after another Contract at Bordeaux so it is not like he is trying to force their hand.
Secondly Wenger who has the money but not the player.
It says to me, Wenger wants Chamakh, but if he can’t get him, then he wont spend.
I think we have seen this before, where there is no Option B, and I think it is the case now.
Will be a big mistake, and on his head be it if he chooses not to.
i am not impressed with the rhetoric coming from chamakh, the guy sounds like he is playing us off with seville and inter
trouble maker.
These are the most encouraging quotes Wenger has made in recent times regarding transfers. I’m confident we’ll sign at least 1 player, hopefully 2 (a CDM capable of playing CB would be great).
A;
Yeah, we have discussed the Clichy/Benzema swap thang havent we!!!
pattg;
I think Chamakh is lined up for the summer and we will try and get a loan signing in attack and one other too…
But, we shall see…
Gignac looks more and more likely every passing day..
I think Chamakch’s chance to come was in the summer.. It didn’t happen so i can’t imagine it ever going through now or in the summer.. I’m hearing sevilla, juve and pre contracts…
We have indeed Mang, I’m a HUGE advocate for it!
pat I don’t see how you get that from the quotes!
I’m sure we’d like Chamakh but it’s not happening now, so we’ll get in a short term dealio, Saha or Adriano or equivalent, if we can’t find anyone good enough for the long term, then sign Chamakh in the summer.
Rev, he prefers Premier league
LOL Real tie with osasuna. Way to take advantage of barcelonas tie. dickheads.
not many on here rate gignac and most only saw him against the irish..
i too only saw him against eire.. but thought at times his touch ans hold up play as the lone striker against a very defensive minded irish team was pretty good.
maybe pat, but putting a now or never ultimatum to him after all that fucking about we did last summer doesn’t bode well.. Plus his team are top by a far way in Ligue 1 and they are also in the last 16 on the CL.. Chamackh is a definant no-no…
Out of all the likely targets i’ve heard I cannot see past Carlton Cole, Gignac or a bizarre dzeko suprise. If we don’t get any of those 3 we will sign no-one.
this goal typifies his touch, hold up play and finsihing to perfection
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=h43FHpnb-0k&feature=related
Gignac is what will do.. Offers a presence upfront, is french and can score given half the chances adebayor was.. Plus he’d be content in being a squad member acknowledging the step up to Arsenal from Toulouse…
Because eduardo and arshavin offer no presence upfront whatsoever… I’m not with the confident bunch who seem to think eduardo and arshavin will do untill bendtner is match fit.
agree with that rev
Cotto, its one goal!
CHamakh is certainly not out of the question, you should know better. I don’t think we’ll pay up, but another club will if they truly want him. Money talks mate.
Any french player, playing in france is as good as ours if we make an accepted bid..
It’s a well known fact that every french player follows arsenal and wants to follow in the footsteps of the greats before them…
pat yes i understand its one goal, but if you look at his goals in total, and some of the comps of his play.. that goal is a really nice summing up of the type of player he is
and he is exactly the tpye we need, strong, good touch, can score.
now, whether or not he will be good enough for the epl.. that is anybodyd guess
no player every purchased in history came with a guarantee of success…i think?
I’d stick a tenner on beckford staying at leeds until the summer
Green had his 8th blinder against us in a row..
Where did that come from Reva re Beckford??
his contract runs out this summer
Cotto, I disagree. Gignac is a poor goal scorer. He’s had 1 good season
at the same age, drogba was a worse player and a worse goal scorer in a lower divsion of french football.
my view?
if wenger buys him, wengers take on him will do for me.
A – dunno.. Just watched the highlights and ‘membered the move to newcastle is nailed on if you believe the rags.. I think at 26 he should stick it out at leeds because with a couple of decent signings i do not see why they cannot jump 2 divisions in 3 years…
Cotto, don’t make me draw out chamcack’s record.. It’s not better by any stretch of the imagination..
sorry cotto the record thing was aimed at pat..
There was another French Ligue 1 player we were linked with… cant recall who though…
A;
Yeah, I imagine Chamakh to come on a free in the summer and a short term loan deal. If Adriano was fit and healthy, he would be amazing and well suited to the league and our system, IMO…
i would rather gignac over chamakh..but again
i will bow down to le boss’ superior knowledge of world football.
Watford had awful luck. OG, deflection in 2 of the 3 goals so far
gervinho, mangoo.
team of the decade:
Given
Neville Campbell Ferdinand A. Cole
Ronaldo Vieira Keane Pires
Henry Bergkamp
Rewva;
I think cahamkh looks a pretty classy player when I have seen him. Plus his all round game and technique are excellent. A better, more technical Ade if you like! maybe that Gignac is better, cant really say, but he has one decent season under his belt and Chamakh seems to be doin well in the CL too…
Chamakh is a much, much better footballer though. Gignac is very average imo.
Chamakh MOTD performances against Bayern and Juve. Goals or no goals, his link up play and technique is miles better than Gignac’s.
cotto;
Thanks, but I am sure there was another one, about the same time as the Gignac rumours…? Maybe I dreamt it!
Fact is ManG so long as we sign somebody upfront that weighs more then a buck o five that’s over 21 years old and has some experience in a top league i’ll be happy..
If Wenger rates Chamakh, then thats fine with me, just a pity we didnt get him last summer… Oh hindsight is a marvelous ting innit!
ligue 1 recent links include chamackh, matuidi, leko, gignac, toulalan, lloris, hazard, ben afra, gervinho, M. Sissoko and Sakho
has any1 seen the miss by tranmere.. Christ!
Ah ok Reva, was confused as it came out of nowhere! I dunno, he’s got a terrible attitude, and a massive ego, Newcastle are a much bigger team than Leeds now. I reckon it’d be a good move for Leeds, with the money they’d be able to get in a couple of players who aren’t as individually talented, but contribute more to the team overall. He’d want to go for his ego, and the fact that he isn’t exactly a darling in the eyes of the Leeds fans, despite his goals, though today will have given him a special place in their hearts!
Remy is someone we were linked with in the French league, never seen him play myself
ManG, Remy possibly?
A, beat me to it!
yeah loic remy, plays for nice or lille
Thanks fellas! I am struggling to remember! Been a long old Festive period and I have over indulged way too much…
I need to De-Tox…
Actually, I think it is Remy!
Cheers Pat and A!
it probably will be a signing out of left field like this remy fella
thats it fellas, mon jan 4th
OFFICIALLY the end of a long xmas holiday period.
heartbreaking
Real Madrid today was a real disappointment. I watched the game in pieces hoping to catch something exciting … not even close.
Kreshnik;
Whats up dude? Why were you in pieces?
Anyways, seeya all laterssss….
THE SHOPS ARE OPEN
In the name of all that is holy, not Saha
Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger feels whatever Chelsea and Manchester City do will dictate how much serious business is conducted during the transfer window. Wenger openly admits he would like to strengthen his squad – without Holland striker Robin van Persie to a long-term injury – but remains unsure just what the January sales will bring.
He said: ”As many people say – I have the money, I have the desire, but I do not have the player. I do not know what will happen [in the transfer window generally].
”Basically, it depends how the big guns – Manchester City and Chelsea – will move. Where will they buy? If they buy from English clubs, the market will be busy. If they do not buy from English clubs, I think the market will be very quiet because there is not a lot of money around.”