Friday night turned into Saturday morning, so excuse me if this post is a little hazy…
I wont give you the normal blow by blow account of the action, but I’ll give you the jist of the match and let you lot dissect the rest like you normally do!
The opening goal came from a magical piece of Samir Nasri ingenuity and a superb piece of finishing from our main man. Nasri was about 10 yards from the edge of the area surveying the blockade of Burnley players for an opening, he ended up playing one of those chipped passes I normally despise, up and over the Burnley back line where Cesc was on hand to half volley between Jensen’s legs… absolutely magical.
The next goal came from an Arsenal defensive brain freeze. The ball was cleared, our defense bombed forward, Burnley headed straight back, the ball managed to sail past the whole defence, Nugent chipped into the top corner. Completely against the run of play, yet typical of our defending this year.
Arsenal proceeded to batter the Jensen’s goal, the Dane continued his long run of excellent form against us. He hadn’t banked on Theo finding his shooting boots… he ran at the Burnley goal, cut inside and slotted the ball into the far corner with his left foot! Superb play and well deserved. Not sure what the celebration was all about… I’m sure the match of the dayers will be able to tell me!
The game felt like it was on tenterhooks despite Burnley rarely threatening our supremacy. Our fears were eased when Arshavin took it upon himself to beat a couple of men and bury the ball neatly inside the beasts near post.
Arsenal took the three points everyone expected them to and the quest for the title was kept alive.
There will be a lot of talk about Nik’s finishing today… it was appalling, but a few things need to be taken into account. His scoring record has been pretty good recently, he hit the target plenty of times today and he worked really hard. Today was one of those days, I’m pleased he’s making more intelligent runs, I’m pleased the crowd backed him the whole way and I’m pleased he’s playing for us. He’ll be a player and a half, mark my words.
Theo Walcott displayed the best parts of his game and the worst. He scored a great goal and far more of a goal threat today… he used his pace and played with far more decisiveness than usual, but there were still plenty of shocking decisions and very poor passes. If Theo is to become a legend, he has to work far harder than someone like Thierry, because he’s not naturally as gifted. Still, if Lennon can become a player, so can Theo. Hopefully he’ll make the world cup squad. Loved watching him kick off with the Burnley player who slid in rashley… more of the same Theo!
Samir Nasri looked the business today, he was all over the park and really stepped up after Cesc went off. Diaby also played superbly, he really is starting to deliver on his massive potential. Denilson didn’t have much to do, what he did do was sloppy and poorly executed. I don’t like to pick on players, but his form has been very poor in the second half of this season.
Manchester United wobbled against Wolves and were out of sorts. Unheard of in seasons past. They never normally stutter, so great news for us. We continued to beat weak opposition which is arguably the key ingredient to winning the league. It’s also worth noting that potential banana skin, Birmingham City slumped to a loss against Pompey. If we can take Spurs and City, we could make this one of the most memorable Championships ever.
Keep em’ crossed for Cesc’s hammy!
Overall, a great day out. Bring on the next game. I believe, I hope you do to!
P.S. A big well done to Jack Wilshere on scoring his first goal for the Trotters. I can’t tell you how pleased I am you have contributed to Bolton’s Premiership survival (Do I have to put some sort of wink there to indicate jest?). Oh, and a big thanks to all those I met before the game, a pleasure as always!
Friday night turned into Saturday morning, so excuse me if this post is a little hazy…
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hmmmm meaning either 2 things someone got lucky ,
or someone is delusional , waited up all night too get lucky and ended up just get getting knackered and passing out !
reggie 57 Says:
March 7, 2010 at 22:55
No I think eddie has lost his nerve now? he seems to shirk away from any type of physical challenge understandable really!!!
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yes he seemed to pull out of a challenge on Saturday that looked really noticeable to me …
at that point to me it was pretty clear he’s lost his bottle ! ….
and his ketchup
Gallas our of Porto tie and Campbell will be back. Cesc may be risked.
anyone here
I must have been sta next to David’s mum at the game yesterday…. She was slating Bendy all game…. Every time she called him useless, I defendended him and each time I said he was class, he missed another chance!
Theo was awesome!!! Fuck you Waddle…
big dave Says:
March 7, 2010 at 22:44
Heard yesterday that pires is coming back in some form of coaching roll
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That would be fucking amazin man!
gambon Says:
March 7, 2010 at 22:37
Merida is behind Cesc, Nasri, Diaby, Ramsey & even Wilshere.
Of course he will leave, Wenger only wanted him to sign so he could sell him.
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Saw Merida out play the mancs in the yute cup semis a few years back, but he has never really taken his chances and I dont think he has what it takes to make it over here…. Real shame, but he’s been tapped up and decided a while back to fuck off, well thats what I think any ways
A;
Sunu signed a new deal fella…. Which for me is a great signing coz he is top quality and possibly our best young forward…
thing is MG if wenger eyed him as a REAL talent ,
he would of included him more in these final stages .. to give him that ‘your included ‘feel…
to me it seems wenger is happy to let him go ..
another player who is leaving and by going to Athletico his career is only going to get worse .
who paid for his wages ?
WHERE DID IT GET US …?
PROJECT YOUTH … you gotta love its benefits
just as well all players only get better
hmmmm so why is wenger letting him go ?
either that , or he is so GONE !
wenger hasnt bothered to TRY and make him feel a part of the teams future ..
i think thats more the case …
he probably knows cesc is off in the summer and
doesnt want to be left on his own
Thats the thing though ethan… Its a gamble with these young players… Some of em that you think are out the door, come good, like Gibbs and then there are those that you think are nailed on to come good who dont… Like, erm, Bentley and that fella who went to liverpool whose name I cant recall coz I am off my face…???
Penant!!! That was the one!!
Then there’s the likes of Reyes who was quality but had to go coz of outside issues and Merida who has been tapped up big styleeee…
Is Gallas going to sign an extension or is he off?
Luke;
I think he will sign, but there will be loads of shit in the papers before its official…
I really cannot see the point of risking Cesc vs Porto on Tuesday…. We should be able to beat em without him… We were shite in Portugal and yet they still needed us to score their 2 goals for em…
there was talk of Cesc signing the biggest arsenal deal yet , around Christmas time … i have mentioned this before ..
WHAT HAPPENED to it ?
any takers ?
i think its abrupt silence is a indicator to his future with us ….
MG
do you remember the article ?
For once I partially agree with Keys.
I really do think that Scoles should get player of the season.
Fat ginger cunt of player of the season.
why would you NOT sign a new and improved deal
(more money than TH14) for more money per week in Christmas if you were planning on staying ???..
Ginger Ninja of the season ..
I never heard anything about Cesc signing a new deal? Cant think why it would happen considering really either???
AA23;
Is that Richard Keys??? Figures if it is him, clueless cunt…
Its that same sentimental bollocks that won Giggs the award last season…. Basically, if you hang around long enough, you will win an award…
Did he really say Scholes should win the player of the year??? For what? One fuckin goal???
ethan;
AS many have said before, including you probably, signing a new long term deal doesnt mean shit mate… He could have 6 months left and still stay for years, or conversely have a ten year deal and fuck off in the summer… I think Cesc is staying, we have a good track record of hanging onto our best players for the long term…
MG
http://www.soccernews.com/fabregas-rejects-new-arsenal-deal-eyes-barca-move/30184/
here …
before you start whinging about the source .. there are too many cesc leaving rumors to wade thru but this is the article i read in feb ..
it was after barca tapping him up .. and wenger telling barca to back offf …..
yes but why stay on 80-90 k a week when you can get 37+ k pay rise ?
if your not staying ?
cmon . im not as stupid as you look
ethan;
I aint whingin! BUT, I am disputing the source old buddy! Its a Catalan (I think) tabloid and quite possibly the work of barca thru their media hack friends… I wouldn’t wipe my arse with it! The cesc to Barca/Real stories are only around vecause of the fact that now, unlike previously, we get regurgitated shit from abroad now. The hacks copy, verbatim, Spanish (in this case) gossip and pass it off as fact, neglecting the fact that it is, more often than not, doen with the direct input of the clubs that the player is supposedly linked to…
cesc deserves a pay rise – top goal scorer , the 1st year he’s looked like our captain and led by example .
i would give him the pay rise ..
question is why would you reject it ???
so one week after Wenger tells them to back off ,
this is just a Spanish rumor ?
so your saying its fake ???
and wenger remains quiet because ???
then you get a couple of weeks later this …
http://www.thegunninghawk.com/2010/02/26/martin-keown-arsenal-can-cope-if-cesc-fabregas-decides-to-leave/
sorry MG , you positive old sole .. something smells like fish too me buddy !
I am saying it is yet another Catalan sourced piece of bullshit… I would question any story that eminated from Barcelona, given their insessant propoganda regarding Cesc.
i got a gut feeling when PV – bert left ..
….
same with cesc now
ask PAT THE GOON ! he still owes me 2 beers !
one from flamini not resigning .and one from TH14 departure !
i remember PAT
!
If you went thru Newsnow and took every story at face value, then we would be signing 200+ players every season and letting go all our squad…
sorry not pv – was TH14
Hey, I dont doubt Cesc will go, eventually, but I don’t think it’s happening any time soon… maybe that’s naive? But I just don’t see it… Yet
yes MG ,
i think your starting to sound a bit like a woman now . pure over exaggeration ..
200+ players every season ..
DRAMA KING…/ queen
(i suppose we are the same as pompey too if we spend a bit >?:) )
all im talking about is a few well timed articles , with matching events .. and our captain and wenger remains silent thru-out..
im not expecting you to believe everything you read , neither do i .. i look at the big picture … does cesc look happy to you ?
other than after a goal celebration of course ?!
cesc warranted a pay increase this season without question !!!!
to what level .. not my affair ..
i think it needs to happen to prove to wenger that over buying too many youth players changes the team , and its spirit , MG if this is correct and cesc goes you have to say over all what wengers been screwing around doing has largely failed , the only players of noteworthy value , are NOW players who he has bought like nasri – theo – ramsey – sagna – tv – AA – gallas …
it will be a ghastly % who have failed in the past 5/6 seasons to make the 1st team ..
ethan;
You love to stir it up fella! I dont see an issue here! Cesc has stated numerous times he is happy and settled in London, the stories are just that… But obviously in football, you never know! The 200+ players thing is how many players we get linked to on all the sites on newsnow buddy, not me exagerating! Or being a drama queen, you bitch!!!
its not only those English lads its like those dutch 2 .. who left a few seasons ago , stoke lupoli,larrson ,mumbva ,hoyte etc … .. thats besides sidwell and all those other ginger ninjas we sold .
ethan;
Fergie spent over £35 million on Nani and Anderson!!! Buying young players is a risk for sure and maybe we have tried to rely on too many? But hoping Cesc goes to prove a point aint exactly the answer dude… Plus, if we win the title, that kinda over rides everything else anyways!!!
Even the ones that dont make it bring in a few quid mate…
not me exagerating! Or being a drama queen, you bitch!!!
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no pedro listed them .. it wasnt 200 ….
its was about 47 ish
DRAMA QUEEN ..
your pageant crown is still safe
however if you told me about 200 of our youths have left in the past 5 / 6 years then id believe you
I think its a win win anyhow , providing wenger
gets a player plus cash from barca ..
he could ask for 3 players .. for cesc i would
i think the board would prefer 50 mil large thou
It’s just a numbers game, you nurture all the finest talent you can find from the youngest age, and every now and then you will find a Cesc or a Ramsey, even if some don’t make the cut, the ones who do will make the scheme worth it in the long run. We are only just beginning to see the lads coming through now, and you have to admit, a lot of them are very good.
These lads can hold their own against premiership sides at such a young age, and they’re all contracted to Arsenal. I think it makes good business sense to do this, and i think the youth experiment will prove to be a success, even though most of them will not make it, the ones that do will be pretty special.
Haha! There was a blog in the summer that listed all the players we had been linked to and it was well over 150 players, so maybe I did embellish it a bit!
Youth players will always be let go, I hate it when even one has to go, but thats how it goes… I do think we will see quite a few come thru though…
didnt cesc tell the media in barcelona last week that he is not leaving arsenal? I saw it with my own eyes
Hey Bill!
Yeah, its why clubs offer 15 and 16 year olds and their families £200 thousand + deals to sign for them, coz if they come good, it has saved em millions! Some won’t make it and it is a gamble…
sixx pacc;
You werent dreamin, it happened!
Yeah MG. But when you consider the amount of quality young players they bring through, you know you will at least get a few who will make the grade, and then it’s already worth it, because these players go on to become premiership quality footballers at one of the best clubs in the world. Whatever we think about some of our players, they all have talent, even if some of them haven’t yet shown the extent of it.
i will take his word for it. If he leaves then he is a cunt
wenger is trying hard to keep merida trust me
He ought to keep Merida, I reckon he’ll go on to be a special player.
HB;
Course it is worth it, and I think we will see quite a few come thru and establish themselves in the 1st team…
i think cesc knows better than to say yes im leaving when we have title race to win …
or maybe im over estimating common sense
Merida staying depends on what advice he is getting, if his agent is a twat and whether he would rather go back to Spain or not, IMO…
Course it is worth it, and I think we will see quite a few come thru and establish themselves in the 1st team…
but boltons – birmingham and man shitty etc …. 
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yes , only not in our 1st teams
i hope winning changes his mind ..
but my gut tells me he’s off …
ethan;
Yeah, we will always see players end up in other clubs, like Sidwell, etc, but I think we really do have a top batch of young players… Time will tell…
You just have IBS ethan!
Also you have to consider that it is very rare that youth players can just waltz into the big leagues and adapt to it straight away. There is an incredible amount of pressure to deal with, along with the need to adapt to the actual realities of competing with the big boys.
Your average player doesn’t really peak till their mid 20s, Whereas our young players can slot in quite reasonably at the age of 18. So not only are our youth players as good as anyone in their age group, but they are also gaining more experience than any other kids.. So just imagine how good many of these kids will be by the time they reach their mid 20s..
Well we don’t have to imagine, Just look how good Cesc is and he is how old? 23? Can you honestly think of a better CM in the premiership than him? It’s because he has a massive amount of experience for his age, and he still has not reached his peak.
MG
wengers choices recently since sagna, nasri – wellington
ramsey -even theo and AA23 , TV etc
shows me he is far better at picking talent to fit the CURRENT side more so than futurology ..with youths ..
ethan. That is ‘futurology’. Those players were all young when he bought them in, they were/are young players, except AA of course.
Honest Bill Says:
March 8, 2010 at 03:39
Also you have to consider that it is very rare that youth players can just waltz into the big leagues and adapt to it straight away. There is an incredible amount of pressure to deal with, along with the need to adapt to the actual realities of competing with the big boys.
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the word i think your looking for is EXPERIENCE .
and no youth will have it .. or they wouldnt be youths
and with that comes the gamble ..
however as ive stated wellington is NOT a gamble . and im sure ronaldo and messi wer’nt either ..
if wenger starts buying the elite and not prunes anymore ill be happy with project youth .
wellington excites me.
HB
there is 2 levels to project youth , theo – nasri – ramsey all were purchased for the 1st team ..
not did an apprentaship in the stiffs like sunu or jet – jacky boy etc …
i think jack is really the 1st to make it …
at bolton
He mostly does buy the elite. For every Messi, there are 50 David Bentleys out there. One has to take a chance on anyone who shows promise, in the knowledge that ‘the cream will rise to the top’ You can then sell the ones who aren’t quite Arsenal quality, and keep all the world class ones. Not only that but your giving yourself first refusal on all the best young talent which ensures you are ahead of the game for the future.
sixx pac Says:
March 8, 2010 at 03:48
wellington excites me.
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me too , i think by far its wengers best youth purchase ..
vela is good too .. which required 3 years vision prior to him joining ..
vela and jack .. are pretty much the only project youth candidates in the 1st team really!
Yeah but you must consider that the real ‘project youth’ players are just coming of age now. Most of them are not quite old enough to make it to the first team. But players like Wilshere will be coming through soon. Watch this space I say. And imagine how good that team will be, with players like Nasri, Vermaelen, Theo, Song, Vela all reaching their peak, and some of the project youth players coming of age too. It will be a good mixture of experience and the youth players will find it easier to integrate because they will have the experienced players to learn from
I haven’t even seen Wellington yet
NEWSFLASH………………….. DIDIER DROGBA WINS OSCAR FOR BEST ACTOR. CHRISTIANO RONALDO THROWS HISSY FIT BECAUSE HE DIDNT WIN THE AWARD
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7q-Zqvlz3bA
u should check him out on youtube hb. As i said he has the speed of a robinho, finishing of villa and the passion of ronaldo
Wow yeah, the kid has some unbelievable footwork
hb
there you go
http://v.youku.com/v_show/id_XMTUzOTUwMjA0.html
hb
this one is better i think
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zABXNTNYIwA&feature=related
Sorry if already posted
Wenger will risk Cesc against Porto
http://tinyurl.com/ybnkfsy
Question is, touch wood, will we be able to win next 9 EPL games without him.
Cunt Phil Brown is starting it up already.
“I’m not looking for fancy football; we’re looking for people to get into peoples faces which we didn’t do today.
“There are a lot of lessons to be learned from today; hopefully we’ll see a better performance at the KC [stadium] against Arsenal.”
hahahahaa what a girl is ronaldo. unbelivable
Arsenal midfielder Theo Walcott has explained that his goal celebration against Burnley, which involved pointing to an imaginary watch on his wrist, was an attempt to dodge a fine for missing the team bus. “I was late for the bus the night before, so that’s why I was pointing to a watch,” he said. “I probably will get a fine but I’ll take it. I shouldn’t be late but I just got caught in traffic. Maybe it will be forgotten about now!”
A little late on the Merida discussion, but I think talent wise, Merida is far far better than Wilshere, Ramsey or Nasri.
Just look at the video titled “Fran Merida has arrived” on youtube. He is an amazing amazing talent.
The only drawback is he isnt that much imposing physically, but still I would like him to stay.
Nasri is far less convincing than Merida.
Morning all
lets all wish a very happy womens day to ronaldo,shawcross,gerrard,rooney,terry..
wish u all women out there a happy womens day at le-grove
pls add drogbra 2 that list too…
Wenger thibking of gambling on Cesc’s hamstring..
I personally wouldnt. We have enough quality to beat Porto at home wihtout him. Maybe throw him on last 15/20 if things arent going wel (Kind of like the villa home game)
We will need him to play as many league games as possible in the run in.We cannot afford a slip up against Hull or any other of the next few games, that dont look to hard on paper.
Nasri is in good form,he can play in Cesc role…at home should be enuf..dont risk fabregas..
Another Yellow for Cesc and he misses next Champions league game..
Ferguson has funds to sign new striker and goalkeeper
By Harry Harris, ESPN Football Correspondent
Sir Alex Ferguson will be allowed to spend up to £80 million this summer as he targets a new striker and goalkeeper.
Sir Alex Ferguson is eager to reinforce his squad
• Gill plays down financial concerns
• Ferguson denies backing Red Knights
Ferguson has been reluctant to spend big money and has said in recent months that he feels there is a lack of value in the market, but he now acknowledges that Manchester United cannot continue to rely so heavily on Wayne Rooney and will look to bring in a new forward when the transfer window reopens.
So Pompy are tarred & feathered, i.e deducted 9 points, but these clowns are allowed to go futher & further into debt & the FA says nothing
NEW POST!
Please, please, please, please fall down the stairs tonight Bendtner…please!
I really hate blogs from arsenal fans usually but I must admit I have enjoyed reading this one. You do not follow the typical routine of insulting everybody, if you do feel you need to criticise you do so constructively, it is such a refreshing change! Niklas is still a young man people always forget most great players become world class as 25/26 and Niklas will be no different. Always there just makes a mistakes soon the mistakes will stop and he will still be in the right place. I love Nick and all the work he puts in!