So City join the top four, Arsenal have to work harder starting with a win tomorrow.

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So now the northern chavs have moved alongside us into second place, I say second because we are top, we have a better goal difference so by virtue of that, we are in fact top, not joint jack shite, but top.

Now I’ve established that we’ll move on. Today the chavs play the spuds, I can only hope for a draw plus a few injuries, not that I would wish ill on anyone, well apart from either of the above, not a nasty one, just one that will contrive to lose them points over the coming months.

You see what we have developing is a top six, now that’s no good because that means too many games become big ones, it also shows where we could be had we signed a few top players, we still can be as well, the teams around us have had their signing fests so I doubt them signing anyone will make a difference, us on the other hand can still make the difference, and as I’ve said before, a few top signings and we are away, there won’t be a top 6, they’ll be a top 1, followed by the rest.

This Blaise Matuidi bloke, if he is the next Makelele then we shouldn’t let him go to Liverpool, if we can’t sign Toulalan then we should sign him, because Denilson is not good enough and we need someone that is. I thought Denilson could have had a Flamini type season, but he clearly won’t, so act now Arsene and we can clear up, we are well placed and still in everything, we need to buy players that aren’t cup tied, so Subotic, Sakho or even one of our own EPL players would fit the bill.

I don’t think the players need firing up for tomorrows game, Evra did the team talk very well, either way and after this game Wenger will know whether we are good enough or whether we need to buy, I’m prepared to shut up, if he’s prepared to buy, should we need to that is!

Tomorrow should be fun, I’m lunching with a Manc, so the pre match fun starts early, this lunch will spill into early evening when he’ll go home as all lightweight mancs do which will leave the evening for me to join my mates in the Borough of Islington at an Arsenal pub to watch us stretch our lead, onwards upwards, tomorrow is the biggest game of the season.

Have a great Sunday grovers, countdown begins!

594 Responses to “So City join the top four, Arsenal have to work harder starting with a win tomorrow.”

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  4. Paulinho

    Keyser – I don’t see your point. Yes, I was well aware all along why what Wenger was trying to do was unrealistic, the issue is why Wenger wasn’t. I don’t see what has happened in the last few seasons that could be described as ‘unpredictable’, or anything different to the years preceeding it.

    It was a crass ego-trip of pure stupidity at the time and looks even more so now. Remember, Wenger was the one who made a point – completely unprovoked – of coming out that stuff more than once in order to explain away our failures that season and also the season’s ahead. I said it was bollocks at the time, and it so has proved. He’s also coming out with similar crap at the moment, or at least last season, to explain our failures.

  5. Mayank

    Sorry Suga3, just don’t get it. Many of my friends have tried to make me listen to ‘true’ Hip-hop to no avail.

    Gambon, don’t get what something being dated has to do with its quality though. Most of what I listen to is pretty old. Kind of Blue still seems fresh as ever to me. can’t really be bothered with fashions and trends when it comes to music.

  8. Mayank

    Have to say Suga3, the track you posted is better than most of the hip-hop I’ve heard. Still the vocals always throw me off, a bit too invulnerable and lacking emotion.

  36. Pedro

    Mayank, I love Florence… she pushed in front of me at the bar in the Astoria a few years ago… I just let it go… what a rocket!

  39. Confidentgoner

    Word on the street is that Cesc is gone by Jan transfer window. Barca just signed a deal with a Qatar group for sponsorship and that brings our £45 – 50 million for Cesc. Not too bad, if he can spend the money wisely. two midfielders, a defender would be just fine

  41. gambon

    Saw Florence at coachella, didn’t even know she was English, quite sexy in a hippy way.

    Not as good as Asteroid Galaxy Tour though.

  43. Confidentgoner

    Barca are planning way ahead of time. Cesc would probably warm the bench, but they still want him. Perhaps they’ll rotate him with Iniesta. I hear Cesc and Barca players are twitting about this.

  46. SUGA3

    Pedro,

    a bit os a dilemma, that – Cesc does not seem to want to be here, so it’s better for everyone concerned if he goes…

    then again, that’s just another £45-50M squirreled away…

  49. Confidentgoner

    You don’t know how greedy our board and our own special one are. Money talks for these guys. Thats why they are fast fowarding Jack, Rambo etc. Players’ contracts is only as good as the paper they are written in.

  50. gambon

    Pedro, I couldn’t stand it…..I don’t go reading, v or Glasto, only went cos I happened to be travelling from Vegas to LAX for a return flight and had a day to kill. Florence was crazy though.

  52. sixx pac

    I know some people don’t like to hear this but, The Spanish league is absolute crap and in no way compares to the quality that the Premier league has. Surely they have 5 of the top 7 players in the world in Spain, but it terms of team performance it is absolute shambolick.
    For one,there is no tackling. No closing down of players. The amount of times I’ve seen CBs just back off the opposing striker is unbelievable.
    There is not discounting that Barcelona are by far the best team in the world,but make no mistake about it, there’s no way in hell they would play as comfortable in the Epl the way they are now. KMT

  55. patthegooner

    I cant see Cesc leaving in Jan,

    I am not sure Arsenal would accept a 50m bid for him then. They probably would in the summer though.

    I certainly expect him to be linked in Jan, but I wonder how much of this is the media jumping onto the new sponsorship deal and adding 2+2 and getting 50m.

  56. Pedro

    Gambon, I think she’s a fan of the powdered nose… defo a nutter!

    Suga, I’d keep him and I’ve no doubt we will. No one sells in January… especially if we’re still in everything.

    £40million isn’t enough either. I told you in the summer Madrid offered to outbid Barca whatver the cost… and City registered an interest. I reckon we’ll get £60 for him!

  58. patthegooner

    Its not enough Pedro,

    And the chances are we will either be top or pretty close to it in Jan, so to sell then would be suicidal.

    Sure you can bring in Hazard, but there is no way he will be Cesc level between now and May.

  59. BigRed1

    Cesc would leave a half time Monday if the chance came, and mark my words, RVPs attitude and body language are becoming very similar,
    sadly Denilson and Diaby`s aren`t
    But then its so long since i saw Diaby, every time he plays its like a new signing………

  66. BigRed1

    Incesc, he hasn`t much I know, but it`s a feeling i`ve had about him since he came back from the Man U injury.
    just watch the difference with Rambo and TV when they return, ASAP please God, and maybe you`ll get my drift.
    As for Cesc I think he`s starting to drag even his most ardent fans down, and to put it bluntly,
    if he doesn`t need us we certainly don`t want him,
    or any body else that feels the same way.

  70. Gooby

    BigRed1

    cesc is injured he didn’t play well because unfit, when he gets it back he’ll rock the league again.

    in form cesc+ in form nasri + in form RvP + verminator back = explosive cocktail

  74. BigRed1

    Gooby, I`d just loved to be proved wrong and would take great pleasure in admitting it, feel free to remind me……….. the sooner the better

  76. Ja_Gunner

    Sixx Pac yes La Liga is becoming more and more like Scotland…they are not there yet though….The ppl who run LaLiga should seriously look to balance the play field more….i guess starting with the TV deals….

    Now the fact that the Spanish league is now weak, has taken away from what Messi and Ronaldo are doing…

    They are both breaking records in a watered down La Liga….

    So for me Ronaldo de LIma 35 La Liga goals in 34 games is more impressive than what Messi and Ronaldo are doing…

    Because that year, Barca did not even win the league, Real was the dominant force then…plus Deportivo and Valencia were strong baCK then as well….

    So Ronaldo de Lima was carrying Barca on his back(I believe they won a cup) delivering 34 goals….

    While Messi is playing in a watered down La Liga with impressive sidekicks like…..Etoo, Ibra, Xavi, Iniesta etc…..

    Notice how I didnt class Thierry as a sidekick..he is too great for that…

    I would love to see how Messi would do in the PL…since the PL has now taken over as the league with the most depth….Its all a cycle tho as at one time Serie A was the best….and another time La Liga was the best…

    Now its Englands turn….

  77. Big Dave

    Not the 1st half but defo in the 2nd the chavs looked like they were getting back on track, worrying.

    We will have to up our game, especially for the big matches

  80. Honest Bill

    I hope we get Barcelona… Let’s not forget the true meaning of these trophies. Winning them is supposed to represent being the best team in the tournament. If we can’t beat them then we are not good enough. We need to be at the level where we are confident of beating whoever we face.

  81. Byo

    It has been illuminative to follow the dialogue b/w Jacob, Pat, confident.. etc. It is obvious as to the one who is more informed, balanced, nuanced, objective. And which are just reactionary, and regurgitating what they read in the papers!

  83. zeus

    Ja

    I see where you are coming from. Not sure I agree with the Ronaldo (real) vs Messi comparison though. Its not Messi’s fault that he is playing in arguably one of the top 3 sides EVER assembled. I would wager that if you take him out of this Barca side , they would not win as many titles as they have won in recent seasons.

    And you can’t say the league is watered down either. Less we forget, the EPL was looked down upon by Serie A and La Liga players and veterans. No stars wanted to come here. And dear I say it, the Arsenal have benefited from what Barcelona are right now.

    For eight years it was Arsenal and Man Utd and everyone else. Nobody mattered but those two, not even liverpool.

    Those successful years where Wenger had the midas touch, it could be argued, was a period of ‘watered down’ competition and since those days have gone, we haven’t really competed.

    La Liga could do with a tv deal similar to the PL’s though. But Barca and Real want a bigger piece of the pie, which shouldn’t be a problem from them really. Just do it like its done in England. Everyone gets a piece and then some is apportioned based on league places at the end of the season, where we know its Barca and Madrid again as 1 & 2.

  84. Moray

    Morning all. Some interesting comments on here.

    Ja_Gunner @22:20, plus Henry no longer plays at Barca. He is plying his trade in the US for the LA Dodgers or something.

    and sixx pac @21:16: Defenders in Spain backing off attackers…? Isn’t that where we bought Squillachi from? Hmm…

    I saw Wenger’s claim on the Guardian that the level of the Prem isn’t lower, just that there are more competitive teams. Well, for one, this is bullshit. The level is much worse. And it suggests to me he still doesn’t realise how good we could be if we actually bought what we needed. A non-shit experienced tall and strong leader at the back, and a DM that can defend (and stay there).

    I will have an early night and try to watch the game today; so if I make the effort I hope the players do. Forza!

  85. Keyser

    zeus – I think you can easily say La Liga’s been watered down, last year Barcelona finished on 99 points, you might say a team as good as that deserves to finish with such a number, but then Real Madrid outscored them and finished on 96. I can’t remember another league table like that.

    Valencia finished some 20 points behind and then lost their two best players over the summer, for the past year the league’s been a bit of a joke.

    The Premiership wasn’t really looked down upon, it’s that in the early 90′s I think we were banned from competing in European football, and going from the Liverpool sides who lifted the old European Cup, there were others in the 80′s aswell, to not being allowed to play because of certain stadium tradegies it must have had a massive effect on how we competed in Europe.

    The difference is that the Premiership was still pretty strong as a league within itself, teams like Blackburn, Leeds, Newcastle, Chelsea before Abramovich were decent teams that ran the title winners close or even won.

    Arsenal weren’t exactly title material before Wenger took over we were on a bit of dip and certainly nowhere near as strong as Ream Madrid or Barcelona are in Spain.

    These two teams are absolutely massive in their stature, people say we’ve come close in recent years because of what we’ve earned in terms of profits and turnover, it’s still nowhere near what they’ve achieved and the sheer size of establishment they have behind them.

    La Liga simply has to adjust the television pay structure, it won’t follow Scotland, or the Ere Divisie because there’s still people all over the world who’ll pay to watch the leagues, but it is getting ridiculous how weighted it is towards these two teams.

  86. Keyser

    Moray – I wouldn’t say it’s much worse, I’d say it’s a balance between the two, Chelsea and United aren’t as strong as maybe before, we’re stronger squad wise and there are more teams that have lifted a level, Citeh being one, Tottenham another, whether they can keep that going without being in the Champions League is up for debate.

  87. Moray

    Keyser, yes, you are right. I was focusing on the top five teams, say. City have gone up a level, for sure. The Spuds a little bit, but it is more a question of the top teams weakening. The Mourinho Chelski team, the Invncibles, and the various Man U teams over the last 15 years would all, in my opinion, be romping this year’s Premiership.

    I’m not really sure that teams such as Everton, Villa, Birmingham etc have got much better. Perhaps they are better able to hold on to their players for longer (Cahill at Bolton is a case in point).

    Of course, there is a direct correlation between money and performance (which is sad). Man U can no longer buy the best player in the Prem every season, unlike Barca and Real. Actually, it is always enjoyable to watch a super-galactico team, but not at the expense of one’s own. Whether Man City get the stability to get their act together, we will see. The Spuds is another case – they have always outspent most teams and underperformed: and are able to do so largely because of rich backers rather than takings or winnings. This season I think will be a flash in the pan. They don’t have a winning mentaloty.

  89. sixx pac

    One or two mishaps by the big teams does not diminish how competitive the league has become this year. I don’t agree that there’s a balance either Keyser.

    If you think back on the last decade there has only been a standard Top 4 of Utd,Arsenal,Chelsea and Liverpool. That only ended in 2005 when Everton beat out their Merseyside neighbours and then the status quo returned until last season.

    I don’t think anyone can look at the emergence of Spurs and City and think that the league is not harder to win today than its been in the last decade. The one dissapointment you could say are Liverpool but with the way Spurs and City have been playing,they’ve hardly been missed.

    Then you look at the middle of the pack. The likes of Newcastle,Everton,Villa,Bolton,Fulham and Albion. I believe that only the top 3 in Spain are better than these teams. If you look at the three promoted teams this year,Newcastle,Albion and Blackpool,They have been very good. And not route one football either. They play on the ground good football,score a lot of goals and get great results.

  91. Keyser

    Moray – I still dunno, obviously the team aren’t as dominant as they used to be, but theres loads of variables to be looked at, I’d say the squads aren’t quite as deep maybe. Chelsea definitely don’t have the variation they used to.

    At the same time the level of Chelsea’s first team fully fit is still pretty formidable, just this season they haven’t had Lampard, Terry, Essien and Drogba as fit and firing as they’ve had in the past, same with United and Rooney.

    I think the influx of money into the Premiership has lifted the level of teams further down the table, if not in overall consistency, but in that on their day they’re more likely to pull off a result.

    The Premiership has always had an edge, in respect to the pjhysical side of things, and that with a bit more skill has been pretty successful for teams. Like Bolton for instance. Or Sunderland.

    I don’t really like the Galactico way to be honest, it spoils leagues and ends up wasting the talents of players. Though that’s helped teams further down the leagues at least in the Premiership.

    It’s far more enjoyable to watch teams grow naturally to have a far more even contest throughout Europe, where instead of just expecting to go through each time you go through the group stage, you actually look at the oppositions team and can see one or two dangerous players that’ll make it a tough game the way it used to be.

    Van Der Vaart would never have gone for such a sum a season or two ago, Parker failed at Chelsea moved down, Petrov’s decent for Bolton, Bent’s scored quite a lot for Sunderland.

    I really hope Citeh slow down with their spending, it’s just getting silly now, as for Tottenham I think Redknapps not a disciplined enough manager to be able to make small tweaks to get his teams to play to their peak, so unless he gets money to spend again, I can see them being a bit up and down.

    Though the collection of players he has still seem to be able to have room for improvement.

  93. Keyser

    Sixx pac – I think the fact the Premiership’s probably as strong as it’s ever been has helped the lower to mid-table teams alot, as a whole we get a lot more money coming in.

    We don’t have individual television rights, so each team gets their share and because of the new rules being imposed by the governing bodies, United and Chelsea have had to cut down on their spending.

    I think we have a very competitive league, obviously the top teams are still very established and have good resources in place so it’s very hard to overthrow them from their place, but it is harder to dominate.

    Like you say if the top teams have a few injuries or mishaps, it becomes that bit closer, the difference to previous years is that the chasing pack would never have been as close in the first place.

  97. sixx pac

    From: @53Szczesny53
    Sent: Dec 12, 2010 4:17p

    @bristol411 Yes I do and I am more then prepared for Rooney tomorrow… :)

  98. David

    Off to rat infested Old Toilet to rid pick up the 3points..Get in You Reds!

    To the FA, and the refs,

    Dont force us to bring out the Pitza Tommorow.

    COYG!

  99. David

    Keyser says:
    December 12, 2010 at 16:59
    David – On your point though, I’d say that’s part of what footballs become, what the Premiership is, look at Adebayor, we brought him through gave him a chance, helped him become the player he was when he scored 30 and what happens ? He moves on to a higher wage.

    Look at Tevez now asking for a transfer.

    ———————–

    Keyser,

    Im pretty sure Gallas didnt get a higher wage at Tottnam.

    And im pretty sure Ade didnt want to leave Arsenal.

    Youve missed the point completely

  102. sixx pac

    David I’ve always thought you were a smart lad but you are incredibly naive. Have you forgotten all the flirting with AC Milan and Barcelona? Certainly in the end Arsene might have sold him because he didn’t want him anymore. But after all the flirting and not to mention his ineffectiveness and stink attitude,does that come as a surprise?

  103. David

    Arsene Wenger sold Ade to City after he had secured the top four spot.

    Because Ade was very important to securing a top four spot.

    And when we collapsed yet again, most Gooners turned their attention on Ade.

    Inadvertently blamming him for another Wenger failed season.

    You can also chill out with the pathetic insults Sixx,

    If its a question of flirting and intelligence,

    Id like to see you debate how we still have fabregas.

  104. David

    There are quite a few players in the squad who many can argue are “ineffective” and their “attitude stinks” especially on the pitch.

    That really isnt a criteria to getting you sold now is it.

  105. Moray

    so are the mid teams stronger financially, or are they just extending themselves in order to be more competitive on the pitch?

    I wonder sometimes how the Evertons, Villas and Boltons can afford to pay players 50k per week, for example (I’m sure they both have a few).

    And as for the top teams getting weaker, I think this is difficult to argue against – just look at the first team squads and you’ll see how much. Chelski of course stopped spending once Abramovic got bored of winning, Man U have Fletcher, Park, Pike from Dad’s Army in defence…and Liverpool of course. It is like buying a brand new car and then running out of petrol and having to freewheel it over the line.

  106. sixx pac

    That’s quite easy David. First off I don’t see how you can possibly try to equate the two. While Fabregas has effectively declared that he wants to go to Barca ( and he hadn’t done that till in the Summer) he is still our captain. He still gives 100% on the field ( regardless of what our resident body language experts on LeGrove would have you believe). And he doesn’t create cliques and disrupt team harmony like Adebayor did. And that’s why we still have fabregas.

    As for patethic insults? Sorry I’ve hurt your feelings David. I guess now you know what it feels like when you call QoS Bitch of Suburbia? :grin:

  107. pantsR2long

    Morning/evening Munglers!

    So, word on the street is that Fabianski is injured and Chezzer will play. Personally I’m not too worried, he’s quality and if he does play I’m sure he’ll be good.

  111. Jaguar reloaded

    Sixx pac,you are the first one to call her that. :)

    And she deserves it if she comes in an Arsenal blog accusing Arsenal fans of being spuds

  115. sixx pac

    Diaby can’t win a race against a slug. Sorry he’s not needed for the Utd game.

    Jag I didn’t call her that. I would never. Afterall I agree with most of her posts. David called her that once though.

  116. Moray

    Diaby is a liability. I will never get that header he put into his own goal early last season out of my mind. He was outside the box too, as I remember. And we were outplaying the mancs too.

    An outstandingly bad judgment. If he is playing, I think we might as well give up and go home.

    BTW, wasn’t Queen Bitch a Bowie song? perhaps you are all getting the wrong end of the stick here…?

  120. sixx pac

    Um I just saw a promo for the United V Chelsea game. ” England’s most legendary clubs”. Dale I’m sorry but tell those fucking yanks to learn some football history.

  122. pantsR2long

    It’s is just as bad in AUS, for last seasons Chelsea V ManU game, there was an ad that said “The worlds two biggest clubs face off”. Ridiculous!!!

  124. Moray

    pantsR@long…are you sure you read it correctly?

    The poster I saw was much more accurate:

    “The world’s two biggest cunts face off”

    It was a pic of Rooney and Drogba

  128. Kushagra India

    Ahead of tonight’s game, Sagna said:

    I would never allow myself to criticise another team

    It shows a lack of respect. Patrice loves to wind people up and raise the temperature.

    That is his way of doing things, but it does not affect me in any way.

  129. Moray

    An accidental elbow blow to Evra’s windpipe should equalise things nicely.

    He is a horrible little scrote of a man. I just hope our team have enough fire in them to put them to the sword.

  134. Rohan

    I was referring to Moray’s comment. I don’t want us to kick him all over the park like last time..just show him on the pitch .

  135. goonerT1m

    Come on Arsenal, looking forward to a rousing post!, manure are due their first defeat of the season, we have the best away record so the time is now, 1 – 2 arsenal. get in !!

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