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!
Buying Saha would be buying a CF Rosicky!
Good win, though I must admit I only saw the result & goals. Had to laugh about Sir Fur-on-Tongue & his hissy fit. Now I must admit it was embarassing as an Australian to acknowledge Garcia for Hull, but Patrick Kisnorbo & Neil Kilkenny for Leeds were there to stick it up the PL biggest whinger.
P.S We ma be copping some flack from the Pakis, but we might ahve found a future arrows (darts) player
But he is no Jocky Wilson though.
Morning Gnarley. Really hate all those AW quotes on how transfers depend on this and that. It does not add up. I am away from home, and in transit, my laptop appears to have frozen up. Its on a go slow.
Saw the game yesterday, and it was not pretty, although agree with you on the result. Watching Alex F. was top viewing. Moaning about having only five mins of time added on! Oh, and the close ups of Manc supporters.
Abou Diaby insists consistency will be the key to Arsenal’s push for glory on two fronts this season.
Arsenal are now third in the Barclays Premier League and in the last 16 of the Champions League and Diaby is convinced the club can lift some silverware this term.
“For the last six months we have to be really consistent and win games. The team is ready, the spirit is there and the quality as well, so we have everything to win the league and even the Champions League as well,” said the French midfielder.
“I think now we are in a really good position and I hope that we will keep going and get closer to Chelsea and Manchester United. We have a good opportunity to win the title this year so we have to really work hard for that.
“If we win (our game in hand) we get to one point behind Chelsea so it’s really important for us. We have to win that game to get closer and then we will see what happens.
“We have everything here to be a great team and we have got to give our best and give everything to win something this year.”
Diaby believes he is enjoying his best period at the club since arriving from Auxerre in January 2006 and he paid tribute to Wenger for his belief in him.
“I’m very happy to sign a new contract with the club,” added the 23-year-old. “It shows my long-term commitment to Arsenal.
“I’m very happy here and I love the club, which is why I’m so pleased to extend my contract. It’s a good thing and hopefully we’re going to have some great years here.
“He (Wenger) decided to extend my contract and that means that he has confidence in me and I’m very happy about that. At the same time I want to be thankful because it gives me a lot of confidence.”
Just reading through some of yesterdays posts, I hope there is no truth in the rumours of PV4 joining Chelsea. He could do so much of our team on and off the pitch.
GG
thought it was going to be another C.C repeat myself , only saw the 1st half ..the went to bed angry at 1 am in the morning .
at 1 – 0 down i thought here we go again .
cant say i saw rambo score or even play , but 2 goals = 2 games , that’s gotta warrant some more 1st team chances !
Ramsey was top drawer, how can he be behind Denilson??? He should now be afforded the same playing time as the marmites.
As for Jack Wilshere, what do we expect, he’s been on the bench for 2 seasons with very little playing time outside the CC and the Youth cup.
Diaby and Nasri made a difference, but then they would wouldn’t they. Top performance from Diaby and Vela though.
Denilson is a very good defensive player, he’s a good tackler and reads play well too.
ramsey is more in the fab role. in song’s position i’d rather have denilson in front of the back four.
So if everyone were fit, what would be your first choice midfield then?
first choice:
fab, song, diaby.
in song’s absence:
fab, denilson, diaby.
if denilson is injured:
fab, ramsey, diaby (more defensive duties for diaby)
if fabregas denilson are ou:
ramsey, diaby, nasri
Me I would go Fab, Diaby, Ramsey or Fab, Song, Nasri or Rosicky, Ramsey, Nasri, in short my midfield would be made up of Rosicky, Nasri, Diaby, Cesc, Ramsey and Song.
Denilson would be somewhere in the utility department. No more.
In fact Diaby is fast becoming the new Vieira for me, Ramsey and Cesc are the middle, either or, or both, Nasri and Rosicky are the midfield flanks and Song playing the sweeper role when we play teams that lack pace.
rosicky-ramsey-nasri. i don’t think one of them can fill the song role.
but wenger may change tactics if song is gone
4-4-2 return?
nasri–fabregas–diaby–rosicky
——-eddy–arshavin——
I’m not a big fan of the DM role, I think it’s a waste of a flair player, if we play a sweeper, or a DM as they are now called, then we should lose a forward, so yes, a 4-4-2.
new post coming up mate?
Not mine today, it’s a match report, that’s Pedro.
Every time on here I mention the immortal numbers 4, 4 and a 2, I get bollocksed, but it is a pegs and holes deal. If you want this DM thing, then we only have Song. Diaby, as you rightly say Geoff, is fast becomming a pv4, and he had Petit to do the dirtly work. So lets go 442 till Song returns.
I am half way between home, Devon, and a funeral, Essex, and my dongled laptop is on a go slow. So have a great day all.
Howdy Micky, ethan. Sorry just slipped off for some Thai takeaway
Having SAF as the big moaner adds an extra dimension to my enjoyment of the PL. He is such a sook when they lose. Blames everyone but himself. The only reason he has had all his success is coz benefactors are willing to fork out wads of dosh to satisfy his needs. But its over now for the Ferguson era, piss off you old fart
Lets see how we play with Song and Eboue and decide later, if it works better, who knows?
Eboue? Blimey Geoff the only time I’ve seen him in 2010 was kissing Cesc after his free kick. He looked like the Michelin Man with his big jacket on. Well a negative version of him. Now thats not racist, the jacket was dark
Geoff,
Song is a DM and he had a hand “leg” in both goals build up as well as other Greens save and few other chances.
I would not like a DM that only sits back and never participates in the build-up play, but what he is now showing is that he is also contributing in the attack and HAS constributed in the attack.
As for Jack Wilshere, what do we expect, he’s been on the bench for 2 seasons with very little playing time outside the CC and the Youth cup.
—————
yes geoff well and truly stunted !
very theo-esk!
jack could have been bigger than cesc ,
i suppose because he’s British
Well Ethan, we’ll find out now if he continues to play Ramsey or not won’t we???
Thai takeaway
haha !
yes its funny where i live there’s one around every corner here… i cant think of why
and at 20 baht (75 cents) that pad thai tastes mighty good
Yep had pad thai as well
NEW POST!
i hope so geoff ..
i also hope when ramsey does the odd thing wrong he isnt just canned !,HOPEFULLY wenger will be as forgiving as he is with Almunia .
LI like Thai and Chinese but I don’t like Indian, that put something in that I don’t care for, maybe cumin, not sure coriander’s another but that goes in Thai food as well.