Bloody hell, it was crisp, cold and Christmassy all the way through December, then, as per usual, the miserable grey weather sets in just before the big day. It’s grim outside which means Birmingham will be even more depressing than usual this evening!
Most of the focus will be firmly on White Hart Lane. Spurs / Chelsea is massive for us. Spurs win, they start to look very good for a top 4, they lose and it could start to unravel for them. Hopefully it’ll be the latter. I’m looking forward to seeing how they’ll cope without key players. Their squad isn’t exactly jam packed with quality outside their starting 11 and so far this year, they’ve had the rub of the green on the fitness front.
Liverpool were taught a lesson in racism yesterday. Luis Suarez now knows that calling a black man the ‘N’ word over and over again isn’t a show of endearment and it’s not socially acceptable, regardless of what goes on in Dr Dre videos. It’s not your word Suarez and I highly doubt it’s the social norm to call black folk that word back in Uraguay. An 8 match ban is superb on many levels. Poor old Kenny, having to depend on Andy Carroll for all that time!
Back to us. Team news is the same. The defence shifts one place to the right. Miquel slips into the fold hoping to build on his smart cameo against City. Gibbs is injured again, his record is quite incredible, if he were a normal person, he’d be the b**tard pulling the emergency cord on the tube going down with a brief case induced dislocated shoulder. Being constantly injured and young usually sets a contract reminder off on Ivans PC. No doubt there’s an 8 year deal winging its way to his hospital bed! Wenger is worried. So worried he’s going to see if he can loan a left back in the interim.
‘We are starting to look at players if Gibbs is not back.’
Wayne Bridge is the only left back I can think of who is available. He could be an option. His pop star Girlfriend lives in Essex, it’s only about 35 minutes on the C2C to get into central London and property prices, though expensive are holding steady. I’m not a fan of him, especially after watching his disaster loan move at West Ham. That said, I can’t imagine there are too many clubs with left backs to give us for a few months?
Midfield should stay the same this evening. I am aware, as many others are, that we’ve barely rested any of the trio this season. Something will have to give, I just hope it’s not a hamstring. I can’t see anything other than domination in that area of the park this evening. I think Villa will struggle to contain our movement, especially if we play like we did against City.
Up top we’ll hope to return to goal scoring ways. Robin appears to be suffering some sort of drought, hopefully he’ll rectify that this evening with a hatrick. If he doesn’t, we might have to seriously consider given Chamakh a run in the side.
It’s important not to underestimate Villa. Though their form has been dreadful of late, they still have names that can damage us. Particular attention had to be focused on the erratic Agbonlohor. He’s lightening quick and has been known to have a finish on him. Mertesacker will also have to be on his toes with Darren Bent. He’ll pounce on any indecision and he’ll make a nuisance of himself all night given the chance.
The only other story I have to report on is Arsene Wenger saying the transfer window isn’t like a shop.
‘It is not a shop, you just take a good opportunity that is on the market when you can.’
Funny that, it felt very much like one when your career was on the line. Picking up 5 loaves of experience didn’t seem so difficult when you had a bit of desire.
Let’s hope it’s not a case of the same old story next month. We can see the squad is fragile, we can see it needs additions, so let’s make it happen. I really don’t want to get to the end of the year cursing exhaustion and injuries. If the rest of Europe is facing melt down, then now is exactly the time to test the waters. It should be bargains galore…
Enjoy the game tonight, I’ll be back tomorrow with a report!
Update – Song is suspended. I’d imagine he’ll slip Coquelin in there. If he doesn’t opt for the Frenchman, he’ll go for Frimpong. This I can tell you as fact. Pedro knows…
P.S. We’ve got an offer on the updated new edition of Arsènal - The Making of a Modern Superclub, written by Alex Fynn. It can be yours for £6.97 – including UK P&P (RRP is £8.99). To take advantage of this offer you need to order the book from the publisher’s website at www.visionsp.co.uk and type the promotion code ‘Grove‘ into the Promotion Code Box on the Shopping Basket & Checkout page. Enjoy…
haha roaary
lol bendtner missed a sitter
no change there…
>>>> do you wedding dj for a job coz theres no way anyone listens to this shit and holds a normal job<<<<
+10
ROFL
fair play to him he scored a good goal after
alright, one specially shit for Roaaaaaarrrrryyyy Mc Balls
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dvf–10EYXw
Ivory, the google earth vid was really cool, amazing how much time people have on their hands
im scared of o’neill helping bendtner find form and wenger taking him back! its been great to see him play shit and maybe be brought down a peg or two
I like to put a bit for everyone, cant please everyone all the time
i think bendtner has well and truly burnt his bridges.
didnt he say he wouldnt play for us again?
idiot, he could have played a role this season
ivory you have untold people on here who think you are a knob with no mates and have to play shit music videos because you have no1 to talk to or listen to music with.
but heres one for you
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6EEW-9NDM5k&ob=av2e
ha, one for Suarez
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=x93HSreHFg0
surely if folks want music they turn a radio on?
at least thats how it worked back in my day.
bendtner could have played a massive role this year for us. i bet he is kicking himself playing for such a poor attacking team as sunderland. gotta worry who would be interested in signing him now though and his value must have dropped incredibly.
what are your thoughts incesc would you take him back at the end of the season if wenger isnt going to sign anyone else. he is shocking but scores more than that poof chamakh
feeling the christmas cheer I see roaaary!
Well played today boys! This team may not be as good quality wise as last year….But they definatly try alot harder!
I’m sure we’d of won things last season if that Spanish ponce Cesc wasn’t captain! Terrible decision by Wenger!
Also, Arshavin coming on? Give the Ox a go Wenger!
Can’t wait to see the back of Arshavin!
that is music, lurch, not a big serving of gay pride anthems.
lurch my office is located just off oxford street. its clear to say im less of a fan of xmas than most muslims
i think we should move on.
arsenal are bigger than idiots like bendtner that want to waste their talent
he makes a mockery of the great arsenal strikers like henry, bergkamp and rvp
aryan pele made it impossible for his return to arsenal when he came out and said he would never play for the club again. i had a sex pee that day.
roaary: well, those untold are just fascists. the day tony sucking atwood stops censoring anything that doesnt go in his sense, I’ll start taking real notice, only dogface’s refs reports are worth a penny.
now I dont care. Im happy there, with some great people, as long as Pedro/Geoff tolerates me, why should I go onto ditactorland?
these fools are entitled to their opinion, Im entitled to mine too, that they cant see further than their own nose, and that they planned their own demise the day they started their blog. if they come over here, that’s because they got fucking nothing interesting to talk about at home, and can’t even reach 50 comments per day
what’s untold gonna be once Wenger is out? (retired or fired) nothing. nothing. you hear me? just a second zone PSG fan rally point.
“Untold Arsenal: Arsenal News. Supporting the Lord Wenger; coach of the decade”
well said incesc. i think the idea of hard working players fits the mould now. i am really keen on podolski i just feel he has had a career knock before and would really appreciate an opportunity at a European super club again
Lurch: some actually like to discover new tunes and new bands, widen your horizon? no? ok, whatever.
ivory goon you know what you are
Why’s roaasey trying to go all WTL on Ivory, cheer up.
henry used to stay behind after training practicing free kicks and finishing even when he was the best in the world
bendtner complains about not being able to go skiing and gets arrested for being a cunt.
if he makes a sacrifice and goes on loan for years, knuckles down and concentrates on developing his talent then maybe but it wont happen.
the guy could have had it all…
@keyser – because this is an arsenal blog not a myspace page. you know i like people with an opinion…..something u seem to have developed lately
i remember bendtner in the youth set up and at birmingham smashing goals in like its easy. i watch him now though and he looks uncomfortable on the ball you have to wonder what happened
roaaasseey – I’ve been here far too long to continously laden people with my inept opinions, others should take note.
@incesc – that was also the reason henry was the best i think. will never find many players like that i just wish he had have had the bollocks to stay at arsenal till the end of his career rather than allow it to fade out in the same way it started
Have you considered that the gay anthems are part of a genius plan to motivate Chamakh?
But seriously, no to pink boots, What then? Denilson? Vela?
Fresh hardworking meritorious blood need only apply.
@keyser – inept opinions or not a blog is for sharing views. as much of a twat as barton is his views are entertaining and surprisingly well educated even if he does bark up the wrong tree a lot.
right off to bed early start.
later potatas
he got the big head and big money before being big. simples
BRING BACK ALIADIERE. Im starting a petition
i hate that cunt, aryan pele. but between the two, i would take him over the vegas talent scout any day of the week. only way camel face scores is when he is in vegas…
http://www.dawn.com/2011/12/21/arsenal-ready-to-sell-arshavin-to-zenit.html
nite Grovers! enjoy the win and Spursday/Mancs day
Bendtner scored a lot of important goals for us in the past……….ducks head down and awaits incoming!
He also missed a lot – no shit Sherlock I hear you say. However, considering the shite we have on the bench for a RVP replacement atm I ……oh god this is painful…cough, splutter – I think Old pink boots on the bench would be better.
However, and here’s the caveat : Arsene, I have been giving you a different medication this last two months, it’s scientifically designed to loosen your purse strings. Buy in January!!
keyser
i thought you’ve only been an arsenal fan since 2010, you dont even like tony adams
Would love if Arsene Bought Mathieu from Valencia. Excellent signing.
Poor performance made a McLeish Villa side look good but it’s 3pts, hopefully there’ll be some quality additions in January to rejuvenate the squad.
It weren’t so bad this time last year either, I think the side last season was 2nd at this point and 2 games away from Wembley only the likes of Denilson etc were still around but the league has more teams challenging for places this season.
So many long term injuries but United have had it bad themselves, City have raised the bar you have to say, squad depth is key.
http://www.statto.com/football/stats/england/premier-league/2010-2011/table/2010-12-20
So, good morning!
Tough win, but a win
And Yossi, just like he was with Westham, Scousers, keeps his “winner” reputation
He doesn’t score many goals, but he scores some vital ones!
Ratings:
SZCZ-
A great game again, saved the day few times. Superb keeper. If we keep him injury free enough, we have ourselves a 15 years ahead problem solved there….. 8
Coquelin-
Struggled hugely in the RB, and Villa obviously targeted him all night, but with the game going on he improved his game there, though if I was you Arsene, I wouldn’t play him there again… 6
Tommy-
Well, the spirit and the attitude is always there. But as he admitted in twitter, he didn’t have a top display, to say the least. Made few bad decisions and was to blame for the goal we conceded….5.5
Kozzer-
Another great and solid game from him. He’s building a strong stance as one of our best defenders…. 7.5
Per-
What a great game from the German giant. Was all over the place clearing almost everything and covering well for Le Coq in few occasions. Couldn’t understand why people slagged him for the goal, it wasn’t his fault. It was a bad ball by Tommy…. 8
Rambo-
Had few good chances to score, made few great runs and great tackles. But you feel he’s jaded and needs some benching breath. But he runs and always pose a threat to opposition… 6.5
Arteta-
Our best midfielder through the whole season, so far. Was pivotal yesterday, especially with Frimm’s off game. Made some great tackles, interceptions, and few good drives with the ball. Suddenly looked quicker with the ball, did he not? …. 8
I wish to overhear what transpires between Kroenke and Wenger while they discuss buying players.
Does Wenger beg and Kroenke refuse? Does Wenger act smart pretending he will pull off some fucking miracle his mother would have taught him through some black magic? Do both of them are in agreement about a 7th/8th position and none really care? What what waht actually happens between these two devils, mates????
Frimms-
Oh me, the boy had an off game. Seems like he never made it to the pitch, mind wise. Almost not involved in the game, no tackles, was overtaken all day, and bad bad passing game. Looked like he forgot his desire and confidence back home…. This game showed he needs the loan deal badly. Do you read, Arsene? …. 5
Gervinho-
A quite game by the forehead man. Jeez his hairstyle is some bizarre one. He was so quite I could concentrate on that! Though he helped defensively like you would want him to…. 6.5
Theo-
A typical Theo’s display. You feel he was bad, but checking the cold facts, you find he did the trick. Made the penalty in a superb move, TH14 like. Could’ve scored, and looked dangerous. You expected more of him…. 6.5
Robin-
A bit like Theo. He did the job, scored a penalty and almost made an assist with that Theo’s miss. But his presence on the pitch, his leadership is always important as much as his goals are…. 7
Why doesn’t Arsenal fans scream and register strong protests to get rid of Wenger like the Blackburn fans? He is no better than King. In fact, he is worse…because he has systematically, planned the downfall, regression of Arsenal from the heights of glory to the ‘also rans’ with a bunch of rats and mice. Arsenal will not be able to keep the three true World-classers – Vermaelen, Sceszeny and RVP – beyond this summer if Wenger does not buy at least 2 world-class, top quality players.
Subs-
Rosa-
Did well, a big improvement on Frimms from the moment he got on pitch….. 6.5
AA23-
The obviously most uninterested player of our squad at the moment. He’s not a crap player, he’s just had it with us, doesn’t want to play for us. Very painful to watch such a talented player play with such a lackluster spirit…. 5.5
Yossi-
Showed you don’t need 90 minutes to made such a vital impact on a game. Super cameo. It’s not just the obviously vital winning goal, it’s his ability to drive the ball and keep it in some very tricky situations, when few players surrounding him. I thought he’s going to lose the ball few times, but he turned up with the upper hand. You could see he add some spark and flair to the side. Should get more starts now …. 7.5
Arsene-
Well, he always make it harder to us with some strange decisions and some dogmatic ones
Should have started Yossi (or Rosa) instead of Frimms.
Should have not excluded Miquel from the squad, even if he didn’t plan to start him. Vermaelen doesn’t like the LB, clearly. He was caught too many time out of position as he moved almost intuitively to CB position time after time.
I hope Arsene got it, that Le Coq isn’t comfortable at RB.
Should’ve taken Frimms out on the 45 mins.
Yossi in for Rambo was good, but almost went too late
After all, we won, so 5.5
Don’t get me wrong, because I think Arteta has been a great buy, but I do think he now lacks the acceleration that world class players need to give them that half a yard to beat a player. When you add the fact that Ramsey is also a bit short on acceleration, we are really finding it difficult to open up mediocre teams. If Theo and Gervinho continue to blow hot and cold we won’t be able to compete with the best teams in the world simply because we are not dangerous enough in attack.
i know Cesc was not blessed with great acceleration but he could still beat a man plus he had sublime vision and passing ability, pity he turned out to be such a cry baby.
Arteta has improved remarkably. Lets be fair to these guys…Arteta, Rambo, Theo, Gervinho…they are all mediocre chaps playing ina club with a great history because of a cunning club management. If you expect Arsenal to play like the world class teams, you need to buy quality, top notch, proven players.
Morning all, new post!
Not such a good game we had last night, but we were simply fortunate. Frims needs to go on loan, Yossi deserves more playing time. Rosicky still has that flair, I rather sell aa23 and diaby, move up OX in the pecking order
Mayank must wonder what’s happening. More than 950 comments and we won…