So the team lined up as well as could have been expected. We rested a few that were in need… Arshavin because of his foot, Eduardo because he’s played a lot lately and Rosicky because he has the genetic build quality of an MFI kitchen set.
We started off in spectacularly poor fashion. After 70 seconds, Delap launched one of his world renowned super throws into the box, Fabianski dithered, Ricardo fuller stooped to head in. Well played Fabianski, I guess we’re a little more aware of why Wenger favours Almunia, a shameful situation really .
It didn’t get much better for Arsenal, our play was interrupted with poor passing and an a lack of understanding between players. The team looked like they’d never played with each other. Stoke didn’t really create anything, but Arsenal were failing to capitalise on the space they were being generously afforded.
Sol Campbell looked steady dealing with aerial threat, Eastmond also following his lead with some good defending.
Carlos Vela was having a nightmare, as were Traore and Coquelin. When 30%+ of the team is under performing, you know you’re in for a tough day.
Just as it looked like we were heading into half time a goal down, we won a freekick after a Cesc flick was handled. The crap hacks tried to find a way of making the refs decision look weak, sadly, they couldn’t.
‘It was ball to hand’
Super logic. So can someone tell me a situation where a hand ball isn’t ball to hand? Muppets…
Cesc stepped up to the freekick, played it to his right where Frank Denilson was on hand to bobble the ball into the net! Super, we were back in the game! Denilson seems to be demonstrating the benefits of shooting… you’ve got to be in it to win it.
Fabianski picked up where he left off in the second half, flapping needlessly at the high balls. This wasn’t the Fabianski I was expecting. Catch it son… that’s why you’ve got a £100 pair of sticky keepers gloves on your hands.
It was interesting to notice that no one was passing to Theo. Coincidence or intelligent play?
Jet began to improve with the game, heading off on some meandering runs and making some good passes.
Fabianski was sustaining one of the worst performances I’ve ever seen from an Arsenal keeper. He let an Etherington cross slip under his hands. Lucky Stoke hadn’t committed anyone forward.
Wenger had seen enough, he brought on Rambo, Arshavin and Eduardo on for Coquelin, Theo, and Thomas. The latter two had been particularly poor. It was quite amusing that Arshavin forgot to take his hat off, Wenger stepped in to avoid further embarrassment… he has endearing child like qualities.
Silvestre made the tackle of the match after Delap sprung the offside trap, making up the ground superbly to stop the shot. Traore was guilty of a criminal lapse in concentration again. Games like these show we take some of the first teamers for granted….
Vela found himself one on one with the keeper but couldn’t pull the trigger in time. I couldn’t help but think he was trying to do something clever instead of unleashing a shot…
Sidibie broke down the wing, chipped a cross in and Fuller obliged by nodding it in. Where was Traore? How badly was Denilsons lack of pace exposed? Were Arsenal staring down the barrel of an embarrassing defeat?
Carlos Vela cut a cross back to Rambo who blazed over, at 84 minutes, things were looking desperate.
Stoke brought on Franny Jeffers, within a minute, Eastmond was hussled off the ball, Etherington crossed, Stoke punished us again.
3-1it finished and the experiment to rest players had failed.
I’m not happy about forfeiting the FA Cup. However, I think it’s as much down to the players as Wenger’s selection. On paper, I thought the team looked good enough to beat Stoke, I’m annoyed at the men on show. Where was Theo today… Mr £60k p/w? How poor was Denilson? Had Fabianski ever played football before? It’s also worth noting that Wenger brought the big guns on and that’s when the result turned for the worse… perhaps he should have brought them on earlier.
There were some really negative performances out there and a distinct lack of hunger from certain member of the starting 11.
The big question I have is how will this affect destiny month? If it doesn’t go well, Wenger has brought the criticism on himself. Chelsea didn’t rest a many key players. Lampard and Terry are into their thirties and managed to make it for the cup. I understand the logic of the decision, I really do… however, logic doesn’t take psychology into account and logic has screwed our season in the same way before. The FA cup is an irritance nowadays and I just wonder whether we’ll ever start the season with a team capable of competing on 3 fronts (The Carling Cup has already disappeared). I love the FA Cup, so do most fans. It’s such a shame the Wenger doesn’t anymore.
On the positive side of things, Sol looked really fit and he played very well. I thought bar the mistake, Eastmond performed in a spirited fashion. We didn’t pick up any further injuries and Wenger took the heat for the result. Other than that, I don’t really have many nice things to say. 2 shots on goal tells a story doesn’t it? I just wonder why Wenger has to wait for problems before he reacts? Why not be proactive and address the glaringly obvious… we’re short on quality outside of the first 15. Two players would do it… I doubt there are many out there who’d disagree. Killing a player seems to be a bigger worry than killing trophy hopes, that ain’t right…
So, next up, Villa. This is when spirit and character truly come into play. This is the month that tells us how far we’ve come as a squad, a month that will define the success of our season and a month that will tell us whether is was a good idea or not to throw the cup…
‘Judge me in May’
We will, I hope it’s a positive assessment and you were right, because that trophy cupboard doesn’t suit being dusty.
Ratings
Fabianski: The worst performance I’ve ever seen an Arsenal keeper have. 2
Traore: Caught out of position time and time again. Some terrible defending and he was at fault for Stokes 2nd for being out of position. 4
Campbell: A very impressive first game back. He struggled with fitness in the second half, but he seemed to be doing double the work load with Silvestre struggling. Looks like a good signing. 7
Silvestre: Struggled for pace and got caught out a few times. He got worse after he injured his shoulder, not a great game. 6
Coquelin: Terrible performance from the Frenchman. Poor passing, bad positional play… very weak from a player with a lot of potential. 5
Cesc: What was he to do playing with under performers? You can have the best conductor in the world, if you’ve got crap musicians, you’re not going to make beautiful music. Today Cesc was conducting the Spice girls. 6.5
Denilson: He scored a goal, magic. Other than that, he wasn’t really in the game. His passing was poor, his physical weakness was exposed and his lack of pace cost us a goal. 5
Eastmond: Dealt well with high balls and passed nicely. Cost us the final goal, however, on another day, the ref would have blown for a freekick. 7
JET: Wasn’t really involved during the first half with his game or his effort levels. The second half saw an improvement and a justified substitution. 6
Walcott: Proof that money doesn’t buy you quality. Sorry, that was harsh and I know he could come good and probably will. ROI isn’t looking impressive at the moment though, is it? Football is about the now… sadly the future doesn’t give you performances now. I’m getting bored of talking about his potential… how about a few decent games instead? £60k a week isn’t a potential salary is it… it’s a superstar salary. 4
Vela: Much more involved in the game compared to Theo. Did very little with his posession bar whinge a lot when he was fouled. Guilty of trying to be a smart arse when we could have equalised. He’ll be regretting that miss tomorrow. 6
Referee: Not a bad game, made all the right decisions and let the game flow quite well. Clearly wasn’t adding the time it took Delap to shine the ball to the clock. 8
There wont be much time to procrastinate on this result, the games will come thick and fast from now on. The good news is Geoff’s lucky ugg botts have been binned… it was the boots fault, blame Geoff for the loss!
See you in the comments!
ethangunner – Was talking about specific positions, it doesn’t matter what position it is, if we don’t have our first teamer in, the back-up is obviously not going to be as good, especially at the top end of European football.
You can’t go three deep into a position all over the pitch, we’ve been lucky at places like Right back or Left-back that we’ve got 2 sometimes 3 able players who can come in.
How many other places can we expect to have such depth. Up front we’ve had two strikers out for months and our midfield, of which we’re packed has made up for it in the scoring charts.
Look at United’s bench, if Rooney who’s as important to them as Van Persie is injured and then the next option, say Berbatov, then it’s what Owen and Diouf ?!
gambon
i think Traore will be sold on ..
gibbs has more long term value to the club ,
Traore- fish face – senders – big AL ..
should all be moved on – yesterday ..
Gambon;
Its funny, coz a few weeks back, Traore was being lauded for his performances and the fact Clichy wasnt playing was no biggy! Now he is suddenly shite!
And the fact he is our 3rd choice LB should not be over looked either…
Where I think the squad has been unbalanced is where we have had no experienced cover on the bench… But with the likes of Sol and Silvestre and Eboue, that is being sorted too…
And yes, I realise this will lead to yet more shite about Silvestre being crap, yadda yadda….
Its called Groupthing, I… erm… think…
Pennant – Never got to see much of him, just remember a couple of cup appearances and the hat-trick against Southampton, Bentley’s Bergkampesque chip in the cup.
Reyes thundered onto the scene against Chelsea. It’s not just young players making it, it’s staying there aswell.
There’s times when Fabregas has been slated for varying reasons, and he’s improved a different aspect of his game almost every season.
Denilson is good enough for me, he’d be a good squad player at least, and he’s still getting better. He’s a bit iffy for a first team place, though next to Song they work well together, but as a squad player I’d have him and at his age he should only get better.
Keyser Says:
January 25, 2010 at 21:10
ethangunner – Was talking about specific positions, it doesn’t matter what position it is, if we don’t have our first teamer in, the back-up is obviously not going to be as good, especially at the top end of European football.
——————————————–
Denilson is a first teamer. Maybe you dont understand that.
ethan;
Mybe in the summer fella, not this window…
ethangunner – Was talking about specific positions, it doesn’t matter what position it is, if we don’t have our first teamer in, the back-up is obviously not going to be as good, especially at the top end of European football.
———————–
errr thats why we need a bigger squad , or better personnel than denilson in it too chose from ..
i dunno keyboy ,
if you had nasri – a fit theo – rosicky – cesc – song – AA
who do you leave out of the midfield ?
choices are a wonderful thing ..
but currently the cupboard is bare and denilson isnt the long – term or even a short-term answer .
When everyone is fit (I know, I know) Denilson aint a sure fire starter is he? A twisted fire starter, maybe…
gambon
yeah …
but unless traore in particular finds some pace , and some defensive nous he will be moved on , another sterling example of the failings of project youth ..
how much in wages did the boy cost us over time ?
how much time with the trainers were wasted !
these are the things you dont see add up !
time being the main factor ..
WE have amazing options in midfield, its just that most of em have caught RvPitis and are effin out!
A midfield 3 of;
Cesc – Song – Diaby could be our 1st choice…? Then there is;
Nasri – Ramsey – Rosicky…
Or;
Denilson – Eastmond – Wilshire
Hey! That lot aint too shabby is it? And I probably have left a few out too… Oh yeah, like Merida, JET and Lansbury…
You seriously aint suggesting Traore has been poor for us? Or that he lacks pace???
How many times? He is 3rd choice!!!
When everyone is fit Denilson still manages to get into the team.
Played over 50 games last season….most caps for Arsenal behind Sagna.
LUL
a terrific fire starter .. even
ethan “unless traore in particular finds some pace”?!?!
Traore is a close second to Theo as our quickest player!
YON
Yep, because the mark of a great DM is his goals per game ratio.
Conclusion; YON is talking shit.
________________________________________________________
Gambon, I must say I love the comment!
And A, honestly. You can’t compare the performance of Denilson last season with this season, considering the shift in our system.
As much as he might improve, he still was a fucking piss ant on the pitch yesterday and it still makes me completely furious to think of how he handled himself on Stokes second goal!
Having Song back will be good for everyone.. Nuff Said.
I don’t give a flying fuck if Denilson will be good in a couple of years since it’s not in a couple of years we want to win its now. Simple facts.
LUL
i thought traore was really 2nd choice
gibbs only covered for clichy because traore was at pompey .
still not good enough luved up ..
he is constantly getting a kick up the ass from everyone he is up against .. its sad to watch it from the young lad’s perspective ..
he has trouble V’s stoke and bolton what chance does he have V’s the the manc’s or chev’s ..
John Cross from the Mirror:
The same agent also said Mucha had a trial at Arsenal. He didn’t. I don’t know why these people say these things
David – He played over 50 times last season, Fabregas missed about 4 months with injury, so obviously he’s going to get games and did several other players.
I said he’s an iffy starter, you might play him, you might play Diaby or Rosicky, how many times have we had the choice though.
Also not to mention he does actualy play well when we’ve played with our regular first team.
Gibbs is 2nd choice, Traore is 3rd.
I thought the midfield of Cesc, Denilson and Song were excellent at the start of this season, no reason to think that cannot be the case again… Denilson seems a tad off the boil tis true, maybe he is pregnant…
He needs to grow a goatee, helped Diaby no end.
Keyser
David Says:
January 25, 2010 at 21:25
When everyone is fit Denilson still manages to get into the team.
Played over 50 games last season….most caps for Arsenal behind Sagna.
———————————–
Cant say that im suprised youre autumatic excuse machine started spinning by mentioning Fabreagas’ injury when I just said Denilson is a first team starter when everyone is fit.
Song was on the bench.
Actually I think thats most of our players problems not hairy enough.
Yeah, the midfield worked well at the start of the season, but by then we had RVP and Bendtner on top if needed be. That hasn’t happened in a looong time now.
ethan;
Well, whether Traore is good enough or not, it is an effin good thing he is still at the club, coz without him, we would be fucked for a LB!
And for me, he has done well, overall… A bit ropey vs Everton and for the 1st 15 minutes or so vs Bolton at the RTeebok, but considering the circumstances (New manager syndrome and all that!) I think he deserves a load of credit… 8 out of 10 even!
“Cant say that im suprised youre autumatic excuse machine started spinning by mentioning Fabreagas’ injury when I just said Denilson is a first team starter when everyone is fit.
Song was on the bench.”
Are you saying that with everyone fit, Denilson starts everytime ?!
Jaguar … man … give it a rest, will ya …
In the end of the day he is Arsenal’s manager and if you don’t like it complain and shit, but stop calling him crazy, hypocrite and all this childish bullshit.
No one’s saying Wenger can do no wrong, and it still puzzles me why the fuck we’re not swiping Buffon who wants to change club, but this name calling crap really gets annoying.
Having no strikers has impacted on the midfield, which in turn impacts on the defence… Those players fall like DOMINO-OHS, DOMINO-OHS…
Is Victor Moses 6ft 3…? Bet he aint…
It’s great that Song and Eboue are coming home.
They will be like 2 new signings for us.
Honestly, noone has every said that Buffon wants out from Juventus.
Some stupid cunt caught him saying that he was tired of being a keeper in a team that only manages to counter attack, but he was most certainly just pissed off at the time.
I despise name calling, especially when there is no possible sense to it whatsoever.
So, we sign Dzeko, Buffon and erm, some random DM and WEnger is all gold again and all is forgiven…
Oi Arsene!!! You reading Le Grove again, fella???
well done Johan…
—————————–
akb Says:
January 25, 2010 at 21:55
It’s great that Song and Eboue are coming home.
They will be like 2 new signings for us.
If all were fit den would not start on weds.
Jaguar 19.49.
“Wenger let Aliadiere/Pires/Flamini go cos he doesn;t like fair skinned French people” ..??
Wtf is that supposed to mean..?? Are you serious, or just been skipping your medication….again!!!
LuvDup Loner Says:
January 25, 2010 at 21:25
You seriously aint suggesting Traore has been poor for us? Or that he lacks pace???
How many times? He is 3rd choice!!!
——
If Traore wasn’t poor in the last couple of games, then he was at least disappointing and certainly not performing well enough.
AW has known that Gibbs won’t be back this season for most of the transfer window.
Traore is therefore not 3rd-choice. He is 2nd-choice!!
AW has had and still has the transfer window to make sure Traore stays 3rd-choice by bringing in someone who is an effective understudy for Clichy.
This blog is so much fun!
captain silvest for you Ray.
Ray in SF – I don’t think there’d be much point in that considering Clichy’s already on his way back.
Vermaelen can play left back to.
I think that Traore is another square peg and the right hole for him may be left midfield supporting Clichy when needed and supporting the left winger when needed.
He might be very good in those transitions. He seems to be fast enough, pass okay, tackle okay. Just needs grooming not hung out to dry.
Keyser the bulk of the recent discussion has been about adequate back-up. Clichy injured again and we’re back the Stoke situation.
If Vermaelen can’t be spared for DM when there’s a vacuum sucking anything not tied down into it, then he can’t be spared for LB?
traore looks very good going forward.. he would be fantastic in a 442 as a winger.
Ray;
You seriously suggesting we spunk some cash on a left back fella??? Coz that is some wacky shit there my friend! Not a chance! Nope, Traore is good back up and Clichy is fit again now and no point stockpiling LBs fella…
Sharkey;
I think that bit was the 2nd statement Jaguar was pulling me up for, for not refering to…. He felt I deliberately ignored it coz it was the truth or something!!!
I missed it, completely… And I am glad you brought it to my attention, coz that is some far out doolally fucked up racist shit there man!!!
Wenger doesnt like fair skinned French people??? Jeeeezuss on a bike! I thought Wenger lurved French people of all hues and colours???
Fab
Ebway Sol Silv Gibbs/Traore
Ramsey Denilson Nasri
Walcott Edu Vela
That is not bad back up for the below and I would like to see the other big sides versions.
Clownmoonia
Sagna Billy TV Clichy/Gibbs
Fabregas Song Rosicky
Arshavin Bendtner RvP
LuvDup ..keep talking shiiite my friend.
spot on Ray!
Have we ever had a fully fit squad? would like to see if Wenger still chooses Denilson if Song, Diaby, Nasri, Rosicky etc are available
I think we have seen recently that if all 4 of song, fab, diaby and den are fit, den will lose out, especially with the good performances diaby had started putting in.
Ray;
Are you seriously suggesting we sing a left back this window??? That would be a waste IMO fella…
Sharkey;
I cannot believe even Jaguar would post something like that man! Seriously wacky fucked up shit for real!
Ray in SF Says:
January 25, 2010 at 22:11
I think that Traore is another square peg and the right hole for him may be left midfield supporting Clichy when needed and supporting the left winger when needed.
He might be very good in those transitions. He seems to be fast enough, pass okay, tackle okay. Just needs grooming not hung out to dry.
—————————————————–
Generally, we dont sprint back into positions after transitions and most teams that arent creative love to use transitions to get goal scoring opportunities. When Song is back in their we will at least cure that problem, Denilson isnt an orthodoz DM bcuz his positioning is more suited more interception but needs someone behind him.
Ray in SF – Exactly, adequate back-up, does that mean you go with 4 left-backs now ? If 3 get injured, even say 2 injured Traore not quite ready, who would you buy ? Wouldn’t it be better to try and find a temporary solution like play Silvestre or Vermaelen in there ?!
Zorr0
I would have Diaby for Nasri and Nasri for Walcott in your team selections…but your point is well made.
Trouble is we seem to play well enough with the first-team, but replacing more than two or three of them often leads to disaster.
Perhaps rotating in the talent to groom them might make it easier for them and the team when they are needed as starters.
The demoralizing game at Stoke can’t have been much help in moving Coquelin, JET or Eastmond closer to contention — and it didn’t teach us much about the likelyhood of them fulfilling their potential.
Keyser Says:
January 25, 2010 at 21:44
Are you saying that with everyone fit, Denilson starts everytime ?!
————————-
Thats what im saying. Infact this is the 4th time I would say it. Difficult to have a discussion with retards when you have to keep repeating yourself.
I cannot understand this slating of Traore… Up till the Everton game he was getting rave reviews and people were mooting selling Clichy in the summer coz we didnt need him!!! How effin easily sdome people sway from one extreme to the other…
Ramsey has had good games, then piss poor ones, I dont see calls for him to be sold, or saying he is a round peg, blah blah…
So, David, are you saying Denilson will start every game then?
What I’m ‘seriously’ saying is that you can’t blame Traore for being 3rd-choice.
Either we live with and sympathize with his position or we clamor for a better alternative.
Obviously not now.
That was the case last season.
Ray;
Perhaps it has escaped you, but we have been missing a hell of a lot more than 2 players and we aint doin too badly…
I’d play Diaby in the first team anyday.
luv dup…blah blah, at last your making sense!…watch the goals from yesterday..no effort im afraid!!..
Opps, I hadn’t updated in a while.. That was a comment on your first and second team lineup Zorr0
Ray;
But I think Traore has played well, I dont feel the need to sympathise with him on anything… other than having to endure needless criticism…
Big difference between being a “first teamer” and “starting every game”
Obviously nobody starts every game. Thats why we rotate isnt it?
Do I really have to explain that? I guess I do.
Loner, he was just about getting away with it before everton, he was shocking at pompey. The boy has done well, but now he needs a breather and the chance to learn from the bad games and come back a better player. Clichy got fit at just about the right time.
David, no point calling Keyser a retard if other people do not agree with you either, or perhaps we are all retards for that reason.
Fab, Song, Diaby & Denilson, all fit. AW will leave Denilson on the bench.
LuvDup Loner: There might have been some relief that we seemed to be surviving the loss of Clichy and Gibbs better than be we expected.
Perhaps more recently Traore has been targeted.
Who knows, perhaps he has a new girlfriend that saps his mental and physical energies.
You tell me why you think the perception of Traore’s performance has gone from good extreme to bad extreme.
And your point about selectively giving Ramsey slack was a good one.
Ray;
What are you on about fella?
Coquelin, Eastmond and JET will have learnt alot from their experience on Sunday, thats why its called “experience” its kind of a clue… Plus all of them played well… Coquelin after a rather shakey, nervey start…
ON a completely unrelated topic, i suggest some should watch televised games with the commentators switched off…
Ray, the other thing is that AW will learn a lot about them as players and men from how they react to that game.
Well Zorr0
I cant be arsed really if you cant read the whole thing and just pick the word “retard” in all that i said.
You saying there is no point when i gave a point when i mentioned the word retard?
Whats next? Arsenal shouldnt spend money because nobody is spending?
BREAKING NEWS: Liverpool have just bid for Kenwayne Jones.
Ooopppss…
Geoff’s missing ugg boots
http://i50.tinypic.com/1i6c0.jpg
LuvDup Loner Says:
January 25, 2010 at 22:29
Ray;
Perhaps it has escaped you, but we have been missing a hell of a lot more than 2 players and we aint doin too badly…
—-
Didn’t escape my notice one bit. Have enjoyed it immensely.
But at the risk of trying to be realistic, for once we have been experiencing a run of decent luck.
Many of the games in our unbeaten run were close or close enough.
Both Bolton Games could have cost us points and we were not robbed in the draws with Burnley and Everton.
Even the 3-0 over Villa was touch and go before Cesc entered the arena.
Oooh David, let me fetch your rattle for you.
Liverpool bought him then have they? SSN says it so it must be true. So waht will Sunderland do with that money, sit on it or buy another striker?
You’re so fucking clever, I waited for you to explain why out of all the big clubs awash with money there had been minimal movement, especially us, chavs and mancs.
Still waiting.
Buffon please get Buffon.
This is the weakest position in our squad and no great teams have a weak keeper. He will also help Mannone who probably hero worships him.
Zorro;
He has come in, due to major injuries to the 2 LBs infront of him, he had played mostly as a winger for Pompey last season, so, for him to come in and play well (in the main) for the majority of the time, he wasnt shocking vs Pompey… Nope, not having that fella… Plus he is a very young player and, like Ramsey, is bound to be hit and miss, and as a defender, that shit can be a tad more high profile…
Zorr0 I can’t tell if there will be a feeding frenzy in the remaining few days or if this will be one of the quietest transfer periods for a long time
whether or not there are a series of chain reactions waiting to be triggered
Italian Master Chef for the Spanish Tapas bar waiter.
Before anyone starts the Italian League isn’t a shit League with shit players. Hee Hee.
Ray;
No mate, the Villa game was never touch and go…. It was pure dominance from start to finish with Villa, never threatening, aprt from threatening to dive all over the place…
FFS! Do you think the chavs and mancs have been luck free??? They have been way lucky in games a plenty as well as luckier in terms of effin injuries… To think a team goes thru a season without luck is crackers mi amigo!
And the draws vs Everton and the comeback vs Bolton could be also be seen as signs of spirit, mental strength, etc too…
But I am glad you have enjoyed the ride so far! Thats what its all about man…
Loner, sorry, will have to disagree on his game at Pompey. I am not knocking the kid, as I like him, he has pace and puts inbetter crosses than Bac and Gael put together. He has height too, but he has a lot to learn defensively, in as much that a far less experienced player like Gibbs is a better defender already.
At Pompey he started badly and other than getting forward he was average and that was where it started imo. He had rocky games then v everton and it snowballed. He may be better suited to left mid, sort of Krancjar style.
“especially us, chavs, Mancs”
Oh Im clever thankee very much.
Well just yesterday or the day before you added liverpool to that list….what happened? Are liverpool not a “big club” anymore?
Im struggling to understand what the point is in comparing us to the “chavs and Mancs”
So because they arent spending we shouldnt spend? Sorry?
So im guessing when the Chavs and the Mancs are splashing the cash so are Arsenal right?
RSF
I reckon they are all waiting for Shitty to make a move as some lucky Club are going to get an awful lot of money.
Torres £100,000,000 out
Jones £10,000,000 In
Buffon to Arsenal £3,000,000 and a bag of chips.
Almunia oops no takers.
He has a decent shot on him too from his reserve days!
Hope that didnt sound aggresive BTW, Ray!
HI El Tel
Buffon would be absolutely the best signing AW has made. But let’s face it, it ain’t gonna happen.
AW remains deluded enough to believe in The Waiter, and the two games v Bolton will bolster his belief. Shame, because fully fit our 10 other players would walk this league.
GK
Sagna – WG – TV – GC
TR – Song – Cesc – AA
NB – RvP
or variations including Nasri, Diaby, Vela, TW, Gibbo etc.
Luvd Up
Agree with most of your last comment. The Chavs and Mancs have won a few games in the 96th minute if memory serves me right, dodgy pens for and the Mancs have probably more own goals for them than Berbadick has scored.
Lucky cunts.
LovedUp. Are you MG in disguise?
Hi BR
As usual you are spot on. In both Bolton games he let in the first shot on target.
lol, that was a poor comeback. Look up the word especially. I said those 3 because they ‘appear’ to be the teams we are fighting against for the title. You can add pool, scum, villa and citeh to the list, but I fail to see the massive amounts of transfers going on.
All I asked for was a reason why it is not happening, as you do not like my explanation that there is no-one buying at present as they are all waiting for others to blink, prices to drop, the merry go round to start.
AW may not spend because he has deluded himself into thinking he has a good enough squad. That is what we should be worried about. Not the other reasons why he has not bought anyone yet, as possibly, do you think they could be legitimate. As evidenced by the otheres keeping their hands in their pockets too????
Zorr0;
Yeah, no probs mate… Wasnt saying you were slating him and I would not suggest he is the finished article either… He is a great 3rd choice though! And has done a lot better than I ever expecting him too, as he was not even considered before the season started… Plus, I think he has a future as a LB and at AFC too… Time will tell though….
But yeah, its good that Clichy is back now…
Big Radd;
Not disguise fella, just not at home and on an old PC is all!
But thanks for noticing!!!
Zorr0
Let me help you out.
Arsene doesnt spend regardless of what the “chavs and Mancs” do.
El Tel, are you stupid mate?
Buffon is still a great keeper, in fact, he is a fantastic keeper and he cost Juve 40 million euros, and you think he’d go for 3 mil? Check your facts ffs
MG, you rascal! How was your weekend?
When you consider he is 3rd choice LB he is brilliant and would piss over a lot of clubs reserve LB.
I see Avenall Road is shutting down!
Our GK situation amazes me. AW is such a good judge of a player. He correctly assessed when Mad Jens was finished (though he played Seamo for too many games when he was clearly past it). Yet he continues to field a GK who has lost the confidence of his defence.
Why? I can think of no reason at all. Fabianski is not ready, though I do not accept the rubbish written on LG about him today – Fab had a poor game but it does not make him a poor GK. We need a GK today, not next season, and we have the money. A new GK is more important than a striker or another DM.
Wa Hey! The Football Factory is on in 10 minutes!!!
Oh and Liverpool have given up on signing Kenwynne…
LovDup. After all this time I can recognise your dulcit tones
ManG
I dont know about Traore…maybe its cuz he’s young?
He was in the side that Lost to the Wancs at Old Toilet last year with Justin Hoyte.
Thats the fuckin problem with Project youth.
We sacrifice the FA cup. Only for these young players 2 years later to be off somewhere else or play substandard again.
David, thanks for the assistance. As I said, that is what we need to fear, that he will not buy because he thinks he does not need to! When I see a transfer frenzy and players, good players, moving around and we are static, then I will join you on the beach for a game of chess!
Johan, possibly there was a better way of querying ET’s figures??
LuvDup Loner Says:
January 25, 2010 at 22:51
Hope that didnt sound aggresive BTW, Ray!
—
It did but not inappropriate.
I wasn’t comparing our luck with the Chavs or the Mancs.
I was comparing our luck this season with say last season. Several of those games in the winning streak we would have dropped points in last season.
And yes I believe in luck and have my rituals to ensure that it’s not my contribution to the Butterfly Effect that screws us up.
BR
What a great line up you posted earlier. 442 or 4??
Zorr0,
Fair enough, but honestly. How hard is it to google some facts, before you actually put them up on here?
I mean in these times there’s name dropping all over. But I said before that there’s no way Buffon is “up for grabs” and on top of that with a quick googleing you’d see that the whole assessment that ET made is inaccurate, unproven and therefor, bearing in mind what I’ve stated rather stupid.
Zorr0;
Sorry mate! I thought you knew it was me???
BR;
Fabianski would be more than ready now IF he had been given a stint in the 1st team, IMO…
Aye Zorr0
Apologies. Now i understand what you ARE saying.
Maybe im not so clever afterall.
Johan,
It was a piss take mate. Wenger would value him at 3 Mill. I know its a bit late buddy.
El Tel,
Fair enough.
Big Raddy;
Haha! Thats nice to know!
Never Rated Fabianski.
Low cross from the flag corner..decent power on it and he lets it go under him.
Not surprised as to why he gets beat on low shots all the time. Cant get down quick enough.
I think you are clever enough David, you just like a barney sometimes! lol
MG, forgot you told me the tale about your old alias! Plus I was distracted by David baiting me again!
So do you think we will get any of those who usurped to Avenall Road back here again? Could be interesting.
Cheers for your support Zorro.
Of course I knew about Buffon being the most expensive keeper ever and didnt need to Google it I was joking check out the bag of chips bit.
Song and Eboue back in time for “crucial 4 matches” I see. There goes our injury crisis down the drain…for now
El Tel. Whatever takes your fancy!
When we have our proper first team out we are able to play in such a flexible manner than any formation works. Sometimes we go 442 the 352 then 451 etc etc.
Had AW the chance to play his first team consistently, there wouldn’t be the belly aching we get so regularly on LG !!
Can’t see either being back for Villa, certainly not Song. Did Ebway play the QF or was he suspended due to his ‘mistimed’ tackle last week.
Should both be available to play the mancs, a game I am seriously looking forward to!
A striker is more important than a GK imo.
The way we play is seriously impaired by the fact that we dont have a target man.
David.
Re Fabianski. As I wrote previously, one bad game does not make a bad GK. Give the young man a break.
Zorro. Nearly all the AR bloggers write on here . I have been a supporter of both sites from inception, and I am sad that Avenell decided to hang up his boots. But so be it….. and check out the meaning of the word “usurped”
A good crowd in The Groove tonight, good points too. I don’t personally rate Traore but he is way down the pecking order. Still rather see TV in there with Billy and Sol as a 3 with 4 in midfield with maybe Eboue on the right and TR on the left side with Song and Cesc inside them. AA23, Diaby, Nasri/Edu up top.
Only until all the injured return mind.
Right you muggy little cunts, Im off to watch Football Factory and that Heidi Fleis doco…
Laters…
Zorro,
We can beat Villa without them. Song will be vital against the mancs…I’m not sure what happened to Eboue tho, haven’t really watched the ANC this year as I used to
Having Song and Eboue will be like having 2 new players!!
David . Your favourite striker and target man is about to return !
zorr0,
I really hope we’ll see Song, Cesc and Diaby for the Manc game.
I’m looking forward to it aswell, but I’m fearing anything other than a win, considering that I’m meeting up some United buddies of mine with my Gooner friends at O’learys…
United fans are the most cocky cunts on the planet.
David, I think we need both a striker and a keeper but we are still scoring plenty of goals but sadly we need to to either stay in the game or to win as our keeepers shots on target to saves ratio is apalling.
It’ll be nice if we had a target man, gives us another option…but a need? I don’t think so, and our goal record backs me up
El Tel
I’d have Sol ready to pounce on Drogba at any rate.
Johan.
totally agree, thats why I hate them like no other. They reflect the cunting Manager imo. Everything about them is cuntish.
El Tel
Gone are the days of playing 3 big men at the back. Remember Tony, Steve and Martin? I have to say that I cannot understand why that formation has gone out of vogue, but it has.
Johan,
Any idea how Sol did against the Dog shit while at Pompey?
MG, laters and what a lovely turn of phrase.
Raddy, yeah saw you there, wondered if a few might come back. Usurped was the wrong word then, must have been thinking of another!
Man, agreed.
Sadly those c*nts have got reason to be so c*ntish
Right Zorro. It is many years since anyone called me a” a muggy little c*nt” !
Da da da daa… Sol’s a Gooner…
Zorro, Well, Im glad you finally cottoned on it was me anyways!!!
Nite y’all…
El Tel
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=d3fg32AhGSo
This is just some inspirational clip,
But as far as I know Drogba has some bad memories of Sol, which would be a nice change.
BR
Those were the days my friend, fucking almost imposible to go past all 3 of them. With the awesome Winterburn and Dixon charging up the wings it turned out to be very attacking.
One of my favourite players of yesteryear was Marwood. Nobody could cross like that man.
Night MG
Big R
Fabianski also had a bad game in the FA cup Semi-final with Chelsea.
Also had a bad game with Liverpool at Anfield last season.
This was the game that he was supposed to claim his place as No 1 and he failed miserably.
The truth is Fabianski doesnt have the ability to get down quickly to save low shots.
I will also point out the inbetween the legs goal that was scored in that CL game.
El Tel
We are scoring plenty of goals and its the brilliance of Cesc Fabregas. Amazing performer.
But is it just me or do we play 5 a side football and try to pass through the middle all the time?
Btw, how come the youtube clip is only added as a link instead of being able to watch the vid here and now?
Oh and sorry about the “muggy little cunt” thing, Its off that hooligan fillum Im watching innit!
Now, really off…
“Thats what im saying. Infact this is the 4th time I would say it. Difficult to have a discussion with retards when you have to keep repeating yourself.”
It doesn’t mean you should stop trying, if you hang in there maybe one of them might be able to explain things to you even slower this time.
Mister Marwood to you El Tel. I never took a shine to him. He didn’t feel like a true Gooner, coming from that Northern hellhole. But for a season, he was the dogs, and certainly a better winger than Pezza ever was.
We’ve got Brian Brian Marwood on the wing, on the wing…Away at Forest in 89, what a game!
On that pleasant thought fellas, I’m off! Laters all.
cheers Johan, Classic sol. Lets dream he can still do it against Dogshit as I fancy Billy or TV to get sent off v the Mancscum.
It would be a double win for them playing us with 10 men and then one of them being out v the Chavs or Pool.
Reason being they fear us more imo and would rather a 2 horse race.
Keyser ?????
David. Maybe you are right. I would prefer to give him time. GK’s tend to develop slower than other positions (though there are inevitably exceptions).
El Tel,
Honestly, considering how Chelsea is gonna try and pound us and that we won’t have a very high defensive line I’d play Sol and put him on fuck-up-the-dog-shit-duty and I’d play him with VT, giving Gallas a break.
Night Zorro.
Smudger scored plenty with Marwood down the wing.
BR. I cant stand the Mancs as the war with theem is always uneven. Do you remember the start of all the crap with them before the Fergie days. I remember the placid David O having it large with a couple of the bastards.
David. I agree we do go through the middle and believe we are getting better at this over the years.
Good idea Zorrp. It is late over here, effing cold, I have a wonderful book on the go and a new wife to wake up
Night All and thanks for the banter.
G’nite Zorr0 and BR
Nite Zorr0
Keyser
…how was the sandwich?
I was talking bout you. But nevermind.
Johan,
Sounds good to me fella as long as there is back up for sol who will surely get tired later in the game.
G’Night Raddy old boy, hope she lets you sleep mate.
El Tel,
Good point, maybe shove in Gallas after 50 mins.
Anyway, I’m off myself, take care gooners and lets hope for some good news tomorrow!
Maybe we should make a cheeky bid for Robinho.