Blackburn today, we know what to expect, no complaints, just win…

by & filed under Uncategorized.

I found Wenger’s press snippet about the referees offering no protection to the goalkeepers and football becoming a rugby match a bit girly.

Sure, some teams are too rough. Sure, some teams try and hustle the goalkeeper, but that’s Premiership football for you. By making a statement like that, all Wenger has achieved is to encourage Blackburn to play rough and target one of our weak goalkeepers.

If teams play rough against you, my suggestion would be to play rough with them. If they set their stall out early with a crunching tackle, someone in our team should munch them back. That’s the thing with bullies, they don’t like it up em’!

I was encouraged to read that Kozzer likes the physical game and he’s happy to get stuck in. It seems that since we’ve struggled with the physicality of the game, all we do is buy players who can’t cope. Thomas Vermaelen came over last year and changed that pattern and I’m hoping we’ll have more of the attitude with Squillaci and Koscielny.

Blackburn were the architects of the ‘crowded box’ technique last season.

You don’t know what this tactic is?

Well, seeing as everyone else in the blogging world is trying to craft out a career in football tactics (Arsenal Column being the best if you like to read about the science of the game), I thought I’d join the bandwagon and show you via our intelligent Peroni Sponsored chalk board.

Crowded Box

As you can see, the Blackburn players pressurise one of our hapless keepers and force them into a mistake. The tactical solution to this problem is to buy a good goalkeeper. As we’re yet to do that, I would hope that we’ve been training hard to combat this problem. I would suggest that anything that comes into the box is firmly fisted away and any foul is greatly exaggerated by the keeper. Knowing our coaching staff, I can imagine we’ve employed the tactic known in the business as ‘ignore the problem, hope for the best.’

Realistically, we should batter Blackburn. They are a solid team but don’t really possess too much in the way of fire power. I’ve been impressed with Kalinic at times, but his finishing is poor. Pederson is one to watch out for with his set piece play and penchant for a distance effort. The good news is that David Dunn is unlikely to be playing. It’s mighty selfish that since we sorted his career threatening injury, he’s often the fulcrum of our problems!

Arsenal need to concentrate from the off, we need to start having shots and we need to be aware that this is unlikely to be as easy as Blackpool. As far as I know, there aren’t going to be too many changes to the squad. You would expect to see Cesc back in the team ahead of Jack Wilshere and I’d like to think Alex Song and Diaby will partner him in midfield.

I’m not really sure what the boss is going to do with his front three. Personally, I’d go with Robin in the middle with Chamakh and Theo taking up the wide spots… but that leaves Arshavin out of the side and an apparently in form Rosicky! Which would make sense from a physical point of view…

… and guess what? We might even get the chance to see Denilson today!

Help yourself to a cyber party popper!

I think we’re going to win 2-0. The key to winning these games generally is scoring the first goal because it kills lesser oppositions game plan. If we can do that and come away unbutchered, that will be the first ‘dirty northern ba*tard’ test out of the way!

Come on you Gooners!

P.S. On the goalkeeper front, I fully expect us to make a signing before the window closes. I’ve heard that Schwarzer isn’t playing at the moment because he’s told his boss he’s not in the right frame of mind. If we renege on £2million for a player who could potentially be the difference between winning something and mediocrity, it tells a story about our priorities. After all, if reports are to be believed, we had no problem lining our managers pocket with a further £2million… a story I have no problem believing.

Why we’re in for a 37 year old doesn’t make sense to me… I do wish we’d work on the policy of, if a superstar kid isn’t ready, buy someone who is at the top of their game now. Pepe Reina would have cost £20mill, he is the best in the league right now. If we’d signed him and Chesney had made the necessary jump in 3 years time, we’d be able to sell Reina at a profit when he’s 29 and we wouldn’t need to replace him.

By signing Schwarzer, we’re signing a keeper who solves a massive problem. Name me a keeper in the Premier league who wouldn’t solve that problem? I think people are getting carried away about him. He’s been in England since 1997 and hasn’t attracted a sniff of interest from a top club in all that time. His signing isn’t about quality, it’s about penny  pinching and giving a young keeper we have no idea about a bit of hope.

Everything Arsenal do these days is based on faith and doing things on the cheap.

We’re one of the most cash rich clubs in the world, and we’re still pleading poverty… we’re like the fat girl who got thin and still dates ugly men. What is the point of spending the last 5 years saving money, then not using that money to take advantage of other clubs genuine poverty? If you don’t believe we’ve got money, you wait until the annual report comes out in October… I’m sure you’ll be staggered.

Enjoy the game wherever you are today! An early kick off for once, what a result! I’ll be back tomorrow with a match report!

1,036 Responses to “Blackburn today, we know what to expect, no complaints, just win…”

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  1. ritesh

    Blackpool drew with Fulham….Poor Keane, every1 will know he is a crap manager at the end of this year.

    To think that he was the Manager of City is crazy…how could they appoint a nobody like him

  3. Keyser

    sixx pac – Heh, I was thinking some people might agree with some of his comments. I couldn’t be bothered either, think he just wants hits.

  4. Keyser

    I think they should get Wenger on Goals on Sunday one day, that’d be pretty interesting.

    Have Fat Sam next to him.

  6. ritesh

    Keysey, yes it worked. Also we were more equipped in the midfield in the second half.

    I like Wilshere barging over Samba and coming back with the ball. Wilshere is as tall as Arshavin but he has a lions heart.

  14. Arsene Nose Best

    clichy really needs to start clueing himself up and having a look over his shoulder more often it’s shocking the way these players come in unnoticed like that.

  15. ritesh

    Keane is short tempered but fair most of the times. (except when we play him ;-) )He even came in defence of Wenger against the media a couple of season ago.

  16. Gooby

    actually it is a good thing that RvP is out for the international break, he’ll be back for our next game :D

    hope it doesn’t take more than expected with all the placenta stuff

  19. ritesh

    A&N true. Thats 2 week in a row. Last week end, that player got a free header against him when we were not clear on the score.

    Vermalen also guilty of losing his man…he should have waited for Kos to close back. It was comedy defending

  20. chozzer

    Keyser, as far as the game goes, you probably had a better view than me.

    I thought we were a little fortunate to hang on to all 3 points but I’ll take it every day.

    I was hoping it was to be a day when good football overcame the shite that Fat Sam’s teams dish up but we didn’t control the game as I’d've liked.

    Cesc was definitely out of sorts. Hope he can get his head round this season playing for us.

  23. ritesh

    Cesc Rule

    I think he did not attack the ball enough…he wanted to play too safe.. That was a 3 against 1 and we should have scored. Walcott should have passed it b4 too.

  30. Stu

    Apparently yid is slang or something for Jew. Calling them a yid is acceptable because they call themselves it (i think) but hating them because of Judaism isnt acceptable.

  34. Marko

    Oh ok. Even though it would explain why the media loves them and particularly Harry. They control the movie industry don’t you know. Speaking of movies did you see Arshavin is gonna be in a movie with his name in the title? Could be another Commitments.

  35. Cloggs

    Keyser,
    There were about 4 occasions in the 2nd half where Blackburn could have equalized; one of them was the faulty(?) flagged offside for Diuouf late in the 2nd half.
    Ofcourse you can pick-out any moment and endlessly discuss it but my overall impression was that we were not convincing and made many mistakes.
    My problem with AW is his all time attacking philosophy of “the quick fluent passing game in which we score one more goal then the opponent” whatever the opponent, which I still see reflected in the way we play.
    His neglect for adapting or changing his tactics to the circumstances and/or team you will be facing puzzles me.
    OK, we scored one more time than Blackburn but our patented passing game was shitty, let alone our ability to control the game after we took the lead.
    This was good enough for Blackburn but certainly won’t be good enough to win theLeague

  36. sixx pac

    Apparently yid is slang or something for Jew. Calling them a yid is acceptable because they call themselves it

    This could get u in trouble. Black people call themselves niggers. But..

  37. Marko

    So Schwarzer still coming anybody think there’s a chance of a sneaky midfielder coming in? If not surely Lansbury must stay in case of injuries.

  38. Marko

    Cloggs if you can’t be happy with a win away to Blackburn and must find fault in clear improvements then I dunno

  39. Stu

    Yeah good point Sixx pac. I take it back in that case. But they do call themselves yids whether they are actually Jewish or not.

  45. Keyser

    Cloggs – I appreciate that, I don’t think we were wholly convincing either because when we are we usually rack up more goals, thing is it’s Blackburn away it’s just not going to be easy.

    We looked nervous in the first half, and with players returning to fitness, or others experiencing Blackburn for the first time, even Van Persie having to go off and be replaced, it’s to be expected.

    Blackburn had one tactic which was to just hit it long, every single time apart from the goal they scored, oddly.

    In the second half we adjusted to that, we countered it simply with what I bet Wenger’s tactic was to begin with, not give them as much of the ball in the first place.

    We did that well, the only real chance we gave up in the second half was a speculative shot by Dunn, from the edge of the area.

    I thought we’d start slow to the season, the way players are coming and we’ve had two tough trips in the first 3 games, but we’ve taken 7 points, that’s not too bad.

  46. Arse&Nose©

    fair play to alan hansen. he has come out and clarified his criticism of theo and admitted he would hate to play against him.

  47. Honest Bill

    Does anyone think that Squillaci might have been preferred for a game like Blackburn away, if he had been ready to play?

  49. Arse&Nose©

    HBill, that is a fucking awesome goal!

    I felt a tinge of sadness watching that because it just reminds me of what Eduardo could have done had he stayed injury free for us.

  51. Man

    Wow that wass a great goal by Inzhagi…AC have got a very good squad this season, its their midfield I’m not sure about.

    Front three of Pato, Boriello/Ronaldinho and Ibra sounds is pretty handy.

    Without Ibra, Barca might be too one dimensional in their attack…Messi, Iniesta, Pedro, Villa, Bojan…hmmnnn

  54. timao

    fabregas was having an off day, but i think he looked happy enough until subbed – he just didn’t enjoy being hooked

  55. Cloggs

    Marko,
    Did you see Real Madrid vs Arsenal 2006?
    We totally outplayed them for 90 minutes in february and kicked them out of the CL in a similar return one month later.
    Real had Robinho, Roberto Carlos, Zidane, Ramos, Zidane, Guti, Ronaldo,.
    We only scored one goal which was enough *because* we outplayed the fuckers on any spot on the turf anytime!. Real had no fucking chance because we dominated when and whereever we wanted.
    Now compare this to the Blackburn game and you’ll know what I mean.

  56. gooner

    “There is no doubt about it, Theo is an exciting talent, he’s got pace to burn. Some people would say I would struggle to play against him and that would be right, I would have hated to play against him.
    “He was sensational last week and he was excellent today. As I say, he’s got four goals already this season. The way to answer your critics if you’ve got any, is not verbally but by doing it on the pitch and he certainly did that today.”

    The Scottish pundit was then asked: “Do you detect a maturing in his play?”
    “A lot of people say, again quite rightly, that he’s only 21 and when I was 21-years-of-age I was still at Partick and he’s playing in the Premiership, the toughest league in the world.
    “He’s playing under a great manager that will coach him. I think without a shadow of a doubt he is stronger this season than he was last, we’ve seen that already. So there is exciting times ahead for Theo Walcott.
    “Theo Walcott is going to be a star, he is a star already. What I said last week on Match of The Day, I didn’t want to be detrimental or too negative about Theo but I just pointed out where his weaknesses were and everybody’s got weaknesses and I think that if he improves on these weaknesses then he will be a star in the Premiership.”

    Fair play Alan Hansen

  58. timao

    some pople are never happy though. when we play well and drop points, obviously, it’s all about the points. when we take the points without playing well, then OBVIOUSLY, it’s all about the performance.

    newsflah: three points away to blackburn, early kick-off and all, 3rd game of the season, is a great result.

  60. Gunner38

    Alan Hansen is still a big mouthed fuckwit. His grovelling makes me sick. Wonder if he had slagged Theo off if he was Scottish. Hansen is a tosser who has nothing better to do than criticise Theo/Arsenal in general. Still, he has lots of buddies to hack us with like Phil (there’s only a top 3) Thompson. Hope his apology sticks in his gut and gives him pain until May when we lift the Prem.

  62. Keyser

    Inzaghi’s is pure quality, flat out on the run, he can’t break stride to set himself because he’ll miss the ball completely.

    He can’t adjust his stride, and the way he has to stretch right to the end of his reach means the only power he’ll get on it is that which has been gernated by the pass.

    So he has to make sure the direction is perfect, and it is, that’s probably the best goal he’s ever scored.

  63. Cloggs

    Keyser,
    Agree, 2nd half was better. After all we gave Fat Sam a nil pointer :-) . even better WE got 3!.
    But we need to improve. It was good enough today but it won’t be good enough for the rest of the season.

  64. zeus

    AC Milan confirm loan signing of Barcelona’s Zlatan Ibrahimovic with option to buy for £19.7m in 2011
    Former Inter man will appear for the Rossoneri this term…
    *****************************

    Barca run by muppets. Sell Eto’o + 66m euros for Ibra? No wonder they are skint. Buy Fabregas? Pffffffffft.

    Couldn’t happen to a nicer guy than Ibra as well, was running his mouth after they beat us last season and had his say on Cesc as well I think.

    That barca forward line is gonna be so small now. Messi, Bojan and Pedro.

  65. WengersSweeties

    You lot are ridiculously negative on here!

    These 3 points was massive for Arsenal. Normally I would expect us to slip up here but we got the result we needed.

    I have a good feeling this season for us. IF we don’t conceded too many injuries I think we can bring something home.

    “In Wenger we trust”

    ….ok that was just a little wind up.

  66. The Ruler

    What the critics of Theo fail to realise is there have been many signs that he has the potential to be a fantastic player….. when he first came to Arsenal he was off the pace and he wasn’t that good, I can understand doubt then BUT he also had a whole season where he was VERY good and destroyed many opposition, I don’t understand why that whole season was dismissed, probably because when he came back after injury again he wasn’t as sharp,but berfore he was hugely improved and that season was the season I KNEW Theo would make it becuase he was deadly, he has also showed signs of his ability against Barcelona, Chelsea, Liverpool and many others, this is like a 20/21 year old imposing himself against some of the best clubs in the world and scoring or assisting, Theo has unique phenomonal abilities, and he isn’t even finished developing yet, he could be a world class player and extremely important for us, and I’m so pleased, so many have dimissed Theo and said he has no footbaling brain (not true, he makes intelligent runs, he’s still adapting to the winger position) and that he gets payed too much and plenty of other nonsense, but Theo could be like our Ronaldo, and it couldn’t happen to a nicer person, I wonder when people will cotton to just how good Diaby is…. they are probably gonna be VERY late just like they were with Theo….. Koz also has great potential, he looks like he will become a top player, our future is very bright. There ARE areas we need to prove but we have some great talent here, our players are not terrible as often made out.

  67. zeus

    Oh and on the suing rubbish, Tony Pulis should shut up, strip naked and headbutt oneof his players again.

    Geoff considered Wenger statement ‘girly’ whatever the fuck that means, to me that was a master stroke. Red Nose has been using the media for years to his own ends, if that is what Wenger has to do to not get ourplayers legs broken SO BE IT.

  68. Stu

    Injuries or not it shouldnt be taking anyone 4 years to learn a new position. SO thats not an excuse for Theo.

    I wont go further though because i dont want to criticise him during some cracking form. If he keeps this up all season he’ll end up as one of my favourites.

  69. The Ruler

    Alan Shearer was exactly right with what he said and once again Alan Hansen was talking shit, firstly I believe you can learn to develop a football brain, of course you can…. children don’t come out of the womb knowing exactly what to do, that’s what training is about and also experience, it’s your general intelligence that measures wheather you are perspective and learn through your experiences and Theo is intelligent…. and as shown on MOTD, Theo’s runs can be highly intelligent,Arsene picked that out from day one, when we signed Theo that’s one of the things he specifically mentioned about him, INTELLIGENT runs… and he is still learning, give it a bit more time and he will get better and better, gereat finish today.

  71. Queen of suburbia

    Injuries or not? I don’t understand that point stu? Are you saying that massively disruptive injuries should not have impacted his performances to date?

  72. Dan GOONER !

    Look , I’d like to tell you my thoughts on the game and Blackburns style of play.

    To start I watched the game on sky sports today and felt our defence was weak and exposed in places but at least Squillaci should help toughen it up :]

    Anyway i felt we looked a great threat to a strong Blackburn defence and walcott’s pace helped when great passing play (as per usual from Arsenal) the ball ended up with Walcott who perfectly tucked it past the keeper :]

    Sam Allyerdyce meanwhile is one who wants the 25 man squad rule to improve englands squad is ruining the premier league with his style of play!
    England want a passing team and his style of play is SMACKING the ball into the area and scoring ? :S

    Good result 2nd in the league COME ON YOU GOONERS ! :D

  73. Stu

    Well QoS, i dont deny his injuries have been disruptive but even with them he has played over 150 games for us. I think thats more than enough to learn a position.

  75. Marko

    More than enough to learn a new position? I don’t know if you’re qualified to make a statement like that. He’s doing alright now thought Theo has always been a confidence player, when it’s up he can be brilliant but when it’s down he’s just flat and poor. I’m not talking about his penis by the way.

  76. WengersSweeties

    It’s really early doors to judge anyone yet. But so far Rosicky, Theo and Arshavin have stuck out for me and Chamakh to add.

    If we can keep these together playing some nice football we might be a team to be reckoned with once again.

    Theo has shown some good timing and skill on the ball. He seems to have a point to prove.

  78. Stu

    Qualified? So i need qualifications to give an opinion on a player? What makes you more qualified to say its not enough than me to say it is enough?

  79. Stu

    How convienient that both Lampard and Terry arent fot to go play for england. I wonder how long it will be before Rooney or Gerrard pull out too.

  80. Queen of suburbia

    150 games true, but as you know that isn’t the while story as he has only completed about ten of them.
    Also it’s not like he failed to perform in all of them, he’s been a mixture if ok, poor and sensational which is what you’d expect from a teenage footballer.

  81. Marko

    I’m just saying some times we can be harsh on a player of such a young age and wether he’s adapt or not to a new position can’t really be fairly debated. I think. I don’t even know what was said to be honest.

  82. Marko

    Denilson’s another fella who at only 21 gets some torrid abuse. I’ll admit he can be frustrating at times but he’s only like 21 he needs to grow.

  83. Stu

    Only 21 would be an acceptable reason to easy on players if they hadnt already been in the team for 3 or 4 years.

    I know younger players are generally less consistent but then dont play them so often if they arent up for it. Use them a little more sparingly. Not giving them 30 starts a season or whatever.

    Anyway, Theo is doing very well this season so i dont want to really criticise anything he’s doing because im not really in a mood this season to look for negatives when we are winning because i did that the the last 2 seasons and am sick of it.

  87. David

    Oh dear..sorry didnt know you were talking about Theo

    Well we all know Theo has been Class for a long time

    Injuries have effed him up

  95. David

    You want to know how shyte Denilson is…

    There was a time he was prefered to Alex Song.

    Now he’s a “squad player”

  96. Stu

    Denilson may not be a first choice now but in 08-09 he was definitely first choice DM. Its just lucky that Song has developed so far and displaced Denilson.

  97. choy

    Hughes said after Fulham’s 2-2 draw against Blackpool: ‘Mark Schwarzer has made it clear that he would like to go to Arsenal so we are trying to look at other options. I’m
    always interested in quality players and Shay Given is a quality player. Make of that what you will.
    ‘But I have said that if we can’t get anyone else in, Schwarzer will have to stay.’

  99. sixx pac

    what the fuck are you people talking about. Denilson our Lucas? Thats the biggest insult i’ve seen.
    Denilson is a very good player and up to 2008 was one of the best mids in the EPL. Unfortunately back injuries have caused his career to regress

  101. Marko

    I meant it as some people think Lucas like Denilson is shit when in fact they’re decent enough young players and good as part of a squad. Thats what I meant Sixx

  103. arsenal4ever

    do you guys think a sneaky bid from Wenger for perhaps Matuidi? He rates him highly and monitored him for a long time!!

  105. Marko

    Wouldn’t be surprised at all if the reason Hughes is digging in his heals on Schwarzer is because it’s Arsene and Arsenal. The manc chav prick

  106. Stu

    I think Denilson is definitely our Lucas or vice versa, whichever way you prefer. Talented but the fans opinion on him is split and he gets blamed for a lot of things that go wrong even if they arent his fault. Another thing they have in common is that their mistakes are scrutinized and what they do well is, for the most part, ignored…well thats the case with Lucas anyway.

  107. arsenal4ever

    marko MS will come!! He wants out and fullham just looking for a replacement to name Given or perhaps Begovic

  109. Marko

    Well he was decent 2 seasons ago and with injuries I’d say yeah 91 starts and 22 sub appearances would still make him a squad player. What is the definition of a squad player to you? To me it’s a fella who makes the odd start and sub appearance and when another player is injured he steps in.

  111. Stu

    Yeah thats pretty much what i’d consider to be a squad player Marko. But 91 starts compared to 22 off the bench suggests he is not a squad player used for rotation and such.

  112. Man

    Diaby was generally good last season until the last three or so months.

    I’d like to see some rotation in our team, especially from now till December. I’d hate for our players to start dropping like flies again come March.

  113. Man

    In a way I’m pleased that Nasri and RvP are injured at this stage of the season. We can cope without them for now and they should be well rested for the crunch part of teh season. Similarly, Cesc can take anly the time he needs to get himself fit and in form we don’t play any of the ‘serious’ teams until October I think.

  115. OPG

    Speculation on my behalf but maybe we have a agreement to allow us an option to buy/loan one of City’s players after selling them Ade and Kolo, wishful thinking I know but it would be the ideal solution to bring in Given.

    Let Fulham and MH keep their unsettled and injured keeper, as it’s been long, drawn out and complicated saga.
    We did bid for Marchetti earlier this summer so there are other options we’re hopefully looking at in case everything doesn’t go to plan but I can see us signing no one else and Almunia staying.

  116. Marko

    Liverpool have signed Raul Meireiles from Porto. A good player but not exactly a like for like for Mascherano. More a replacement for Alonso/Aquilani. Should be a couple surprises yet til the window closes. I’d love a sneaky move for Matuidi too.

  117. LeProf

    Maybe Wenger saw some of our tips here how to beat fat sam bullies, eh! Great to see our team got far more intelligence with smart passes. Song new hairdo as dangerous as his clean sweep against pedersen and dunn thuggish play. Clichy continue to expose our weakpoint where rovers attacked mostly from clichy position. To sum up, beat the bullies by using intelligence play as shown by walcott and rosicky keep on dragging them tired. Fucking brainless fat sam. Ha,ha alan hansen better go fuck yourself ‘sensational’ my ass! Hansen and spuds lick wigan balls too huh!

  120. David

    Interesting Gambon isnt here when Walcott has another blinder.

    Hope he’s not stuck in a rest room over that Humble pie

  121. MickyDidIt89

    Morning all,
    Arsenal away win, Tottenham home defeat, and all on a saturday. Nothing to do but really enjoy Sunday.
    Extra Marmite soldiers for the boiled eggs!

  124. MickyDidIt89

    Chozzer,
    Nice. Always maximum respect to away Gooners. Just watching Spurs on MOTD again, and we think we have defensive issues!! Its great viewing.

  125. MickyDidIt89

    Any news on RVP injury, although hardly worth asking as if its not a serious injury, there will be one along soon. Lets at least hope Chamakh can hold out until the mighty Bendy returns!

  126. chozzer

    Twist of the ankle, Micky. Don’t know if you’ve seen but Wenger said 2 weeks unless it’s worse when Robin wakes up this morning.

  127. moray

    Morning grovers

    So, have Barca offloaded Ibrahimovich in order to make sensible bid for Fabregas?

    Looks like a panic decision by them. I don’t like Ibrahimovich, and he is questionable at the top level, but he gets goals particularly against the poorer teams (and us)!

    He will rape the Spuds!

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