11 Dec 2012 23:43:10
Arsene was asked the question. " Was this the most embarrassing result under you" and he couldn't even be honest. Well let me answer it for you. YES YES AND YES. I'm not going through them all, we know who they are, but we could all name 12 to 15 players in our squad that are not Arsenal quality. Brought in by Arsene.
Bould is the new yes man by the looks of it.
Which team being 4 nil up at half time draws the game against Newcastle. Which so called big team loses to Bradford for f**ks sake. ( on that note well done Bradford, it hurts, but needs to be said.)
EMBARRASSMENT doesn't even come close. I EMPLORE you Arsenal. SORT IT OUT NOW.
In the words of W.H Auden. "Stop all the clocks, cut off the telephone." That's exactly what I'll be doing.
So very depressed right now.
I would say " up the gooners," but I just can't be asked.
Flybo :-(
Arsenal Banter Archive December 11 2012
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11 Dec 2012 23:33:28
For me that match has made it more clear and more evident that we need one thing to fix our problems, no not wenger out, no not the board out, but signing a new f*****g stiker! Half the team can't hit a barn door with a MACHINE GUN! Honestly how many chances dos Gervinho need and his control is shocking, as for Ramsey, well we can all see he is not good enough to wear the arsenal shirt Nd in my opinion rosickt should have started, he was class when he came on! Tonight Vermaelen hold your head in shame, not for your penalty miss but for letting wells a league two striker walk all over you! Chamakh can't seem to pass a ball which is basics and Podolski just didn't look interested, for me Podolski needs to play down the middle! The big change of all though is a new formation! Playing with one striker isolates them and this is the reason lately it takes us 70 mins to muster a shot on target! Revert to 4-4-2 or at least two strikers upfront! Walcott bye-bye and for me January can't come quick enough! Henry in for the experience and a bit of passion, Huntelaar cause he can actually score and a new winger is needed! If we can actually start scoring goals this team may be able to win the FA cup but the fact of the matter is we can't score from a couple yards out for a majority of the time! Those saying the performance was terrible, it wasn't! We outclassed bradford for the whole game and cut there defence in half at times, the only problem is we can't find the net to save our lives and until we get a proven world class striker in we will be struggling to win games in the future!
A Very frustrated Gooner Red!
Yes we played much better in 2nd half and looked more dangerous when Rosicky was on, but you cant say we were all over Bradford far from it. How many saves did Duke make a few good ones near the end but that is it. It is not like he was making save after save which how it should be when Arsenal play a 2nd Div. club.
You right though we lack a real finishing instinct and good forward movement inside the box to get more clear chances. Added to that our crossing was just dreadful most of the match. The midfield was not too bad tonight Wilshire and Cazorla were decent it was the front combinations that did not work.
I find we really miss Giroud for that physical presence that can hold up the ball and also Walcott for threat in behind.
You then get a player like Gervinho then who has the ball skills but not glue what to do with them. Ramsey with no vision or quick thinking and awarness to make any incisive passes, he always plays safe and is scared to to take risks.
Defence still liable to mistakes but compounded by fullbacks both being up the pitch at the same time most of the time making the CB's having to move out of position. Defending Set pieces still very much a weak point. Zonal marking not the issue the issue is that nobody has been designated to attack the ball and clear it at each and every corner free kick.
The worrying thing for me is even much less technical sides than us know they have a good chance to get a result simply be pressing well keeping it compact and by executing good set piece deliveries. The is what is concerning teams are not having to play that well to beat us but are simply well drilled. Where as we have to played at top level just to scrape a win it seems like.
11 dec 2012 23:28:41
the 4500 loyal arsenal fans that bothered to travel to bradford on a cold december night 2 weeks before christmas should be given a full refund for match ticket and all travel.
this should be taken out of wengers £140k+bonus he gets a week.
have been an arsenal supporter for 40 years and contrary to what people think of me i love them but i have never been this embarrassed and ashamed.
should never have got this far
champagne charlie
Yes mate. Our fans have been the only good thing about our entire club (brand) this season.
gun44
CC, this is about the first time i have agreed with you. yes, aw (and team?) can easily afford to refund the travelling fans... nice post.... terrible result:(
andi
Too right, I don't think I will ever know the feeling of going to watch AFC as I haven't got the money but had I been there I would demand a refund. Not good enough!
StEvE
Spot on Charlie this was shameful!
11 Dec 2012 23:18:01
I'm starting to understand the Wenger doubters point in that tactically, he is losing it.
RAMSEY IS NOT A WINGER
GERVINHO IS USELESS, WASTEFUL AND HAS THE TOUCH OF A RAPIST
PODOLSKI IS BEST AS A STRIKER
WE JUST LOST TO BRADFORD AND WASTED A TROPHY.
I'm not a caps lock, rant on kind of guy but I don't care, we lost to Bradford (even though we should've won)
Without Cazorla and Wilshere we would be last.
**** Diame
Screw Downing
Forget about all that crap.
Gotze, Falcao and Baines. That will win us the league. That will help us beat Bradford.
Why the hell is supporting Arsenal so hard, I honestly don't know how much more of this I can take.
Too many let downs, too many disappointments, too many embarrassments.
I dont care what happens, who leaves, who stays; Something has to change.
Nick.
Goetze, Falcao and Baines.... Not going to happen in a million years... The first two are laughable to suggest and Baines... Why would he leave Everton to go to Arsenal for more mediocrity?
11 Dec 2012 23:16:46
Quit over reacting lads and give Wenger a break. True the lads didn't play so well tonight but you need to give Bradford some credit as well the way they went on with this game. They denfended well and got lucky in the end.
Wenger out? Are you serious. Please try not be total jerks cos that's embarrassing as well. Just one bad result and you want to sack the Manager? Are you kidding me. Please we are not Chelsea.
As painful as tonight's result might seem though, I don't think its enough to call for Wenger's head at all. As a matter of fact, I think we deserved something from this game. But now that that isn't the case, you still need to keep your head. If you must savour the sweetness that comes with a victory in good times, then you must also learn to keep your head when things aren't going so well. Wenger knows this and I'm sure he'll fix it over the next couple of windows.
RSVP
Clearly you and I haven't been watching the same Arsenal this season. One bad result? Did you not see the Norwich game ? or the Villa one ? or how about the Swansea one ? or countless others. Enough is enough Wenger out.
I'm gonna keep this short and sweet... **** OFF!
That was a League 2 side... Jesus! No one is over reacting!!
StEvE
Deluded as ever.
Struggled to beat leeds ipswich now lose to bradford with near full team.
you my friend are a born loser.
I don't think it is a knee jerk reaction to just this result and these cup upsets do happen from time to time(Remember Wrexham, York etc..).
It rather a straw that has broken the camels back so to speak. Wenger has just shown to losing the plot these last few seasons now. Not just in selling good players and to rivals at that but in also constantly failing to get the best of what we do have.
Persisting with players that are clearly not good enough in the first team(Like Ramsey, Chamakh and Gervinho).Playing players out of position Podolski, Walcott, Arteta, Arshavin the list goes on and on with that one.
Wenger seems this have this strange ideal that every striker has to able play out wide(Actually surprised Giroud has not played our wide yet). Wenger must have something against proper wide men.
We are overloaded with too many small technical central midfielders and not wide men and not enough physical players in midfield.
The team under Wenger just lacks balance and cohesion and he has failed every season to address this issue. He lacks motivation from the sidelines and seem unable to make any positive change or adapation to the game he sees before him.
Yes as a tactical and motivational manger Wenger has lost it, may still be a good coach at training but that is not enough now. Other teams have caught up with our training methods etc..
You clearly are deluded,its not 1 game mate,its been the whole season,no sorry ,last 6 seasons,wenger has lost it,he will never get back to hes best, how can you turn around and say that losing to bradford ,is ok, we had our strongest team out,we could,and lost to bradford,yeah they played great,but they should never have been at the races,we should have beaten them 6-0,so its not ok,arsen had more ambitions ,once,now sadly like gazidis,he just wants to make money,gazidis and the board promised us that moving to the emirates we`d compete with real madrid/barcelona,we cant even compete with 2nd ? division bradford... ....wenger has made this great club a laughing stock....end of. andys
11 Dec 2012 23:16:25
As an Arsenal fan that game was absolutely terrible viewing however the plus that I have was to see Nahki Wells a player I used to play against in school playing so well.
Bermy Gooner
11 Dec 2012 23:12:37
We are the laughing stock of football. Unfortunately I couldn't see the game tonight because I was dragged by a friend to the Norwich/Villa game and when the HT score was announced the whole ground laughed at Arsenal.
Judging by the highlights and what others have said it was another poor performance, there's no way we should have even conceded against a league 2 club let alone lose to them!
Unfortunately I think Wenger's time is up at the Club. I'm grateful for what he did for us years ago, he made us one of the biggest clubs in the world but our standards have slipped over the years. A year or two without a trophy is nothing to worry about but 7 (and soon to be 8!) years is ridiculous. We can't keep losing our top players but not using the profits to buy another world class player.. At the start of the season I was optimistic, Cazorla and Podolski looked like class players and I honestly thought we might challenge for the title. And though some of our team are playing really well this season (Jack, Cazorla, Merts, Arteta) we're still losing games that should be an easy 3 points.
In January we need a huge shake-up at the club. New board, new manager and new players. In terms of managers I'm a huge fan of David Moyes, like Wenger he doesnt splash the cash a lot but he's found some fantastic players and his team are thriving. As for players I like the sound of Nani coming in, I'd like to see Huntelaar in on a bargain deal and a GK ( I really do not rate Shez.) Also lets get Theo a new contract and get rid of all the dead weight.
Apologies for the long post,
GunnerGirl
11 Dec 2012 23:08:51
The result isn`t the shock, the time it took many of you to realise this has been coming for some time has been the real shock.
Take your seats at the Emirates, pay the huge prices, wave your in Arsene we Trust flags, say nothing as it will all get better by itself.
Its not going to end here, there will be more and more dissapointment to come.
Ike.
I dont know mate!
i think he will be gone now ike.
when supporters all over start using the words ASHAMED,DISGRACE you know hes on his last legs.
I THINK READING IS THE 1 THAT WILL BRING THE CHOP!
COULD BE WRONG!
champagne charlie
11 dec 2012 23:00:45
any 1 notice there was 2 different "forrest gump" movies on sky tonight?
the 1 with tom hanks on sky1 and the 1 with the arsenal manager on a website 1!
champagne charlie
To be fair forest gump had a happy ending.......I'm not sure we are going too
1404
1404 i think hes gone now?
champagne charlie
Stop this talk of Forrest Gump, Wenger will sign him and play him up front with Gervinho.
11 Dec 2012 23:09:23
In the past 10 minutes the FA have added a new rule:
Anyone who passes to Gervinho from now on will be booked for time wasting.
Lol
ScotsGooner
Thats brilliant.
To whoever put this up - I love you. Thank you for making my evening.
Metal Gooner
That deserved a name to that. Quality. If we don't laugh we'de cry. Sod it. Think i'll cry anyway.
Flybo
Best post I've seen in ages. Hilarious.
Aussie gunnah
11 Dec 2012 23:03:08
another thing did you notice santi seemed to be playing much deeper than usual
gooner mark
11 Dec 2012 23:01:02
absolutely no excuse for tonight's result. we fielded a strong side and we just wasn't good enough. jack was our best player and rosicky and chamberlain looked good when they came on. but overall we just wasn't good enough. don't understand why gervinho was kept on for 120 mins and don't know why chamack took a pen i would rather have seen rosicky take one instead. anyway we lost and that's it. we'll get knocked out the fa cup by swansea and go straight out the last 16 in champions league so yet again it just looks like we have to hope for top 4 finish again but i wouldn't bank on it.
there seriously needs to be some big changes at arsenal because we will end up like how liverpool did which will be a top 8 finish if we r lucky.
comments welcome
gooner mark
Why do people give Ox so much more support than Theo
He was poor except for penalty
Rosicky should have started over Rambo and Chamack over Gervinho
We needed direct pace and a striker
Pod was poor also
SY4
11 Dec 2012 22:57:34
It feels so good to see Gunners moan here. Weldone Bradford and Giofranco Zola. I thought this was the year... Waoh! Let the hostilities continue in our battle for 4th.
SpursMe.
Who were Spurs playing today?
Wtf has zola got to do with this game m8?
11 Dec 2012 22:55:13
I feel sick after watching that! Physically sick!
After this game people REALLY need to start having a look at Mr. Wenger as all of this is beyond a joke now. Zonal marking, playing players out of position, playing rubbish players that we payed £10.6 million for, the style we now play, its a joke.
I hate to say it but Arsene Wenger really HAS to go. He's done so many great things for this club but its more than obvious now that he's lost his touch. Yes he can find a bargain, yes he can find and obtain the best and most promising youth players in the world. But whats the point in finding a bargain player when he's gonna be rubbish (Gervinho) and whats the point in paying £12 million for one of the most promising young players in the world (The Ox) when you start that stupid £10.6 million, massive forhead, sitter missing, bellend in front of. We've signed the new Heskey! At least Arshavin could get past a few players before screwing up.
We desperately need a new manager with new ideas! When Wenger's ideas were fresh, we we're the invicinbles, we would slaughter teams like Bradford with out 3rd string players. Now the game has moved on and Arsenal and Mr. Wenger haven't and we cant even hold our own against League TWO opposition!
We need a man who will get the defense working properly, who will play the right players in the right positions, who WILL sign the right player for the right price and help Arsenal move on with the times and really compete again.
You can't put too much blame on the board (though they are partly to blame) when its Arsene who makes all the decicions ON the pitch and he hasn't got many of them right for a while!
Arsene. We will miss you. And thank you for everything you've done. But please resign and take a seat upstairs or become head of youth development or something. But please make it before you've undone all the good you've left in your wake.
JG
Agree it is time for Wenger to go he just does not know how to make an effective cohesive team anymore. That is why he just sticks with the same ineffective system because he playing safe with being consistent hoping it will work rather than making it work. No adaptation no imagination.
We have talent at individual level but it is just soo disjointed when put together in a team we never play anyway near what the players can be capable of.
We had a team full of experienced internationals out there and should be battering teams like Bradford. They should be extremely lucky to beat us but that was not the case.
It's not like we played all the kids or even like we had like 50 shots on goal with their keeper having a blinder making class saves.
The two teams actually looked like there were at a similar level which is shocking.
P.S. Anyone who disagrees with ANY post about the fact that Wenger's time is up either knows something we don't or is as stubborn a tosser as the man himself and is just too scared to experience change that may well be for the better of the club!
Morons
JG
11 Dec 2012 22:51:09
Oh my god that result hurts goodbye Mr Wenger I'm actually lost for words shocked.
David 6
11 Dec 2012 22:50:28
We can only hope this pathetic display will give the board and Wenger the rocket up the arse' they need to make some big key signings in Janaury.
Although to be honest I still think it is time for Wenger to depart at the End of the season. He has just lost the plot and just has not got a plan to make this team which has talent into an effective team.
Don't get me wrong we have just not the finances at present to compete on transfer with Suggy daddy clubs (And will never have unless the PL implement fair play aswell) but we still have enough raw talent to be much much better than what we put out week after week.
It is just not good enough and Arsenal fans deserve alot better.
11 Dec 2012 22:50:17
Can't...stay...away....from the keyboard....ahhhh f*** it, sorry Eds but I'll say this and I'll try not to talk about this game again.
What's worse everyone?
-That we cannot beat a team 85 places or something lower than us?
-That it was a must-win-at-all-cost game and our strongest players couldn't be bothered for a good 45mins again?
-That Rosicky is approximately 25'000x the player Ramsey is yet he didn't start, and we only started playing between the lines once he came on?
-That Gervinho wasn't taken off at half time?
-That Oxlade didn't start?
-That our centre-backs in particular Vermaelen were absolutely shocking for 90% of the game?
Oh well, congratulations Bradford, you've made the cup interesting and you earned that victory fair and square.
Sad day for Arsenal, why do we always have to be the team other clubs set records against?
Metal Gooner
Gervinho officially worst ever arsenal player
watford gooner
Spot on Metal, your posts are getting better mate!
Just one thing though, the Ox was lively but still had a bit of a stinker, he couldn't cross for $hit, but i guess that's the norm nowadays for a makeshift arsenal winger...
gun44
11 Dec 2012 22:47:51
Wenger is a joke, How can he not see it?
That interview after the match has totally proved he has lost the plot.
He needs to go asap and take Stan and Ivan with him.
Ashamed gunner
11 Dec 2012 22:47:29
I have backed Arsene rifht up until this moment.
I am officially done with this. He is only tainting a stellar legacy.
Klopp or Guardiola need to come in. Or just promote Bould
Please keep him. It's hilarious seeing Arsene crack up.
Bould? The man who 'sorted' the defence? Come on lad, we need international class
Totally agree with you. Arsene has lost his way over the past couple of years. We have only two of three decent players, there's no pace or power to our play now. No Heart. We have a fantastic stadium, The fans who fill it every week but possibly the worst team we've had in 20 years. Investment is needed but we all know it will not come, Arsene will not be sacked. It will just be more of the same dross, same lame excuses. Please give the fans their club back
11 Dec 2012 22:46:44
Liverpool fan here...
Wow i thought that we was having a bad season...but at least we are improving and we have plans..
Have to say i really don't get Wenger how stubborn is he? If he was to splash the cash on 1 or 2 real world class forwards i.e Falcao or Cavani you guy's would have won a few more Leagues and defiantly more Trophy's.
Have to say i hope Wenger moves on time for some new ideas.
Good luck for the rest of the season
Thatracoonstolemybacon
11 Dec 2012 22:46:36
Everybody chill out.
Yes, we're struggling in the league.
Yes, we're out of the Capital One cup.
Yes, we'll probably be out of the FA cup before long.
Yes, we're going to struggle to succeed in the UCL.
But we might make 4th
And remember.
FOURTH IS LIKE A TROPHY.
D
Hmmmmm i detect a hint of sarcasm there :-)
AG`
11 Dec 2012 22:46:33
This team of jokers won't recover from this anyway so what the hell is the point!
PS. I wanna claw someone's face off!
StEvE
11 Dec 2012 22:45:19
If he loves and bleeds Arsenal like he makes out, he should leave now before his legacy is tarnished beyond repair. I love what he's done for the club, but even he must realise that his project would always be fulfilled after he left, Cruyff had to wait for a player (Pep) that came through his Barca academy to finish his career and then manage them for his plan to show its true value. It's pathetic that we didn't cruise through by 3 goals!
N1Fox
11 Dec 2012 22:45:01
Banter please Ed, cheers.
Absolutely rubbish. Poorest performance since god knows when. So many overpaid and useless flops in our squad. I'm going to go over it as i see it. Our new "star" Santi? He is just another above-average player at best, bottles challenges, not suited to physical battles and struggles to really be a game-changer, that kind of player who can win a match on his own. You see what i mean when compared to similar in his position (I'm talking about David Silva, Oscar, Mata, Hazard, Bale to an extent, Rooney, Suarez, Fabregas). We don't have a player like that, JW10 may turn out to be that player "in the future" but the fact remains he isn't now. And we now see how much we suffer due to this. I also wonder why no bid was made for a workhorse winger in the summer, someone not shy to put in the work, put in good crosses and chip in with some goals, a Valencia-esque, Lennon-esque or Moses-esque player. A DM is needed if we can't keep Diaby fit and we need quality now. Not "in the future" like with Coquelin. Plenty of players like that around, Khedeira, Luiz Gustavo, Capoue, Wanyama to just give a selection. Anyone would improve the squad right now. A good quality cover on LB is a neccesity and although Meade looks promising again he is "for the future". We need some experience. Plenty of names have been touted, Bastos seeming most common recently. And a CB who can cover and isn't erratic like Djourou or just plain awful like Squid. Someone like Yanga M'Biwa or Zouma. Thats just a mild run-through of how this squad could be improved.
Onto the match. Poor Ox-Chambo and Wilshire must really wonder why they bother to try and help our squad, wouldn't be shocked to see them out the exit door next summer if we keep playing like this. Podolski has been ineffective, Chamakh is just poor, Coquelin is too indecisive and as for Gervinho, Gervinho has made me long for Reyes back!
Wenger must answer. The players must answer. If that was Chelsea, Manchester United or even City, they would have gone, got the goal then shown their class and pulled away. Instead we laboured with a league two middle level team and were bogged down by their workrate. Didn't even deserve extra time, poor, poor, poor. We might have players "for the future" but we need players now. I've given up on a trophy already this season, we will be knocked out in the CL by any one of the ten better teams than us and fluff the FA cup against Swansea or someone similar as Wenger sees it as irrelevant compared to that top four finish. I posted last month a long winter was ahead, we might not get top four and that we would lose to Bradford if we kept playing like this.
Worryingly, so far i have been right.
Windsor Gooner
Dude are you crazy? Of all the players you mentioned, only Rooney, Bale and Suarez are game changers.
11 Dec 2012 22:41:50
Lost On pens, deserved really from our lacklustre 1st half. Pens are always 50/50 but it should have never got to that stage.
Better 2nd half but just could get behind enough to create enough chances, did not test their keeper enough.
That's our only realistic chance of silverware gone yet again for another season.
Really annoyed as we need to get that 1st trophy under our belt as with each season we are turning into having that loser attitude.
We still have that lacklustre lazy attitude which costs in focus and desire. Our set pieces still give all our opponents too much promise and what cost us tonight.
Plus points not many But Rosicky played well when he came on and Wilshire is improving and getting back to his best slowly.
Minus points usual suspects Gervinho has the skills but no intelligence or awarness on the ball. Ramsey works hard but like a slug in attack no vision scared to take risks. Podolski did nothing not really justifying his price tag thus far.
Poor crossing throughout not enough men in box and not enough runners in behind.
Wenger still shows a lack of motivation and leadership from the bench and still keeps perservering with this 4-3-3 that is clearly not working. If it is not that effective against Bradford that says it all.
11 Dec 2012 22:41:34
How long before Jack realises he is in a rubbish team ?
Praise the Lord for the global Arsenal brand.
I preferred a night at Highbury, watching us when we used to be good. Couldn't give a stuff for the Emirates or our fabulous wealth.
and as for our youth system...HA HA. they all move on and get nowhere.
Being a fan sucks, its all been ruined for us.
Was thinking exact same thing how long before jack says f this im wasting my time and talent playing with ramsey and gervinho week in week out when i could be playing with silva and aguero or ronaldo and modric,club is a joke
gaz
11 Dec 2012 22:36:39
Absolutely clueless. Wenger your time is up mate bad enough to be struggling through the league but to get knocked out by a league two ... A LEAGUE TWO club tonight is unbelievable.
These players are not awful players they just aren't that committed to the cause and dont even seem to either believe or be giving 110% for the manager - jack excluded
I'm not convinced wenger knows what to do anymore. He has done a lot for this club but if he wants to do the best for the club now is the time to step aside
Suffolk gooner
Enough is enough. Suffolk gooner is right. Most of them don't care. Exceptions Jack , Gibbs , and Ox. Arsene is clueless...just watched his interview. He didn't like to hear the truth from the interviewer. Notice the trend? Foreigners going through the motions. Surely the worst bunch we've ever had ! What has Podolski contributed this season ? Don't get me on the worse two , Ramsey and Gervinho. The chuckle brothers. No guts, no leader, no fight
NO GOALSCORER....... WE SOLD HIM TO THE MANCS. You couldn't make it up. Ashamed of this team.
11 Dec 2012 22:35:25
Wenger please go before you damage us beyond repair,
I dont understand your thinking, Why keep playing the same stupid formation which its clear does not work. If you ever had a chance to play a different formation tonight was it.
Its clear you are a stubborn waste of space who will continue to play the same formation with people like Ramsey playing RW
You are a joke No other manager would stick so long with something that does not work.
how many bad performances will it take until the penny drops??
I dont understand your thinking why the hell was ramsey playing right wing why did you not start Arshvain there who has played we;; in this competition so far.
I have lost all faith with you
Top 4 ??? we be lucky to finish top half with wenger in charge
so fed up
Get rid of Wenger, promote Bould and get Henry as assistant do whatever it takes to get him out of his MLS contract
spanner
11 Dec 2012 22:35:16
Yet another pathetic performance from the squad tonight. Something has got to change at Arsenal and soon.
Absolutely pathetic tonight - played off the pitch by Bradford City, 2 leagues below. took till 69th minute to even have a shot on goal with a side which will be likely featuring again this season against premier league opposition.
what has happened to the Arsenal who im used to; the Arsenal who pass other teams off the park and find space anywhere on the pitch to create chances; the Arsenal team with vision and thirst for goals.
We look flat, predictable and unpenetrating. the only players passing the ball well are Vermaelen and Mertesacker which is back and forth to eachother.
awful.
EMG
Little correction there, 3.leagues below, thank you......
11 Dec 2012 22:34:37
8-2 to us, Birmingham city in the Carling cup, holding on to 7th in the league. A mad manager and a board unwilling to spend any money. No trophy in 8 years, no chance of a trophy in the next few years. Now Bradford City.
You couldn't write this comedy!
Claire
"You couldn't write this comedy!"
Funny you say that cuz I was wondering why i was laughing when it was over. It's a comedy indeed.
Ezdee
Out out out GTF out!!
11 Dec 2012 22:33:21
How many more competitions do we exit before a decision is made at board level? Incompetence is tolerated, consistent poor standards are rewarded, same excuses are offered time after time.
Extremely disappointing but not unexpected result. Thanks for the memories Mr Wenger, and good luck in your new job elsewhere.
11 Dec 2012 22:32:45
That's it!!
Sorry guys but Wenger has to go.....
We created so many good chances and Jack and Santi got to the edge of the box with ease but we had no-one up top who looks to play on the shoulder.
He persists with Gerv and Chamack who are garbage! Pod should have been left on and Gerv took off and Chamack should have stayed at home!
I'm sick of his. It's half two in the morning where I live and I'm sick of going to work like a zombie for this rubbish! At least I can take heart that I'm not wasting all my hard earned money and time away from home following them.
We looked so creative and now there's no RVP w have nobody to finish it off!
I hold no grudge against ANY player who has left us, we are a disgrace!
Adam P
11 Dec 2012 22:31:33
Any manager with any dignity would quit, any board with any balls would sack. LET US HOPE
Wrong club mate!
Ezdee
11 Dec 2012 22:30:35
Knew we were gunna lose that the moment Cazorla missed his penalty, well no I actually knew we were gunna lose the moment full time was over!
I'll be annoyed if anyone but Jack and Shez play next Monday, and yes I am aware that pretty much all that team are first teamers but what the hell?
Beaten by a League 2 side, what a time it is to be an Arsenal supporter!
Wenger better sort this out soon, it just gets bleaker and bleaker.
Positives:
Jacks certainly gettting back to his best, future Arsenal and England captain and I would be happy for him to be captain now, Verm is looking very strange lately.
Shez can save penalties!
Rosicky looked lively, he had to be started more.
Ox played alright, nothing special but considering he had our first shot on target within 2 minutes of coming on helped us on a bit.
Bradford played their hearts out and our "talent" could really a note of t BRadford books on how to play for the badge.
Nevermind, there's only way and thats up! I guess.
11 Dec 2012 22:30:01
Did that just really happen?
Unreal......
US Gooner
11 Dec 2012 22:29:49
This is the most pathetic Arsenal team I have seen. Not one of them deserve to wear the shirt.
Bar Wilshere
2 words and they begin with JW
Jack Wilshere does!
G95
JW10 & WS1 are worthy. maybe TR7
gun44
11 Dec 2012 22:29:44
where do we go from here it can't get worse or can it
Limerick Gunner
11 Dec 2012 22:28:02
the only trophy we had a chance of winning we blown it i wont be on this site untill something chamges that might take a while.
imranredman
11 Dec 2012 22:26:51
Stoner - .... Good performance from pretty much your strongest line-up against Bradford you didnt even deserve penalties.... Quality team you have right there.....
11 Dec 2012 22:26:33
WE WILL NEVER WIN ANYTHING WITH THIS MANAGER, THIS TEAM JUST ALWAYS, ALWAYS BOTTLES IT
I do not want Wenger to be given money, I want him out before January
Sick to death
Here here
AG
11 Dec 2012 22:26:21
lol - i actually did just laugh out loud like i frickin person - cant be bothered to get stressed any more - well played bradford etc etc..
AG
Same here. you gotta laugh or else you cry.
humiliating. weak weak weak
a new low
gun44
11 dec 2012 22:21:12
when i seen the boys with their arms around each other in the center circle when the pens were being taken i was actually quite embarrassed!
champagne charlie
11 Dec 2012 22:12:05
sick of saying this please, please buy a world class center forward my mother is better than chamack
Limerick Gunner
11 Dec 2012 21:56:13
Watching this game and in particular Gervinho has turned me into an apoplectic Tourette's sufferer.
Stoner
Stoner mate, stay away from the United page in future, eh?
Proving to be a bad omen for your lads. There's only one team on the decline in the 'big 4' mate, and it's the team that's been degrading with every season.
8-2 should've been enough confirmation.
Dont' bother coming over to our board anymore, joker.
RED_SKY
11 Dec 2012 21:53:52
Positive for me so far, is that Jack is well and truly back, passion and determination included!
The guys head didn't drop once, glad he's back!
D
Agreed D
JW10 and WS1 are the only players worthy of the shirt
gun44
11 Dec 2012 21:42:36
Seriously f***ed off i can't understand 85 places lower and we have been completely mugged off we don't deserve to be here most crap performance what am I supposed to think fatigue again? Aw has lost the plot plays strong team no one wants to stamp authority on the match
11 Dec 2012 21:41:45
1-1 full time better in 2nd half much more urgency, especially when Rosicky came on, we certainly look much more fluid without Ramsey. Without creating lots of chances we did enough.
The main issue fro us was a lack in runners in behind and this always seem evident when Walcott in not in the side. We were just playing in front of them to much.
11 Dec 2012 20:57:17
Most top flight managers would have subbed Gervinho off after that first half performance.
Irrespective of tonight's result the problems are clear to see we aren't playing for wenger anymore it's jack whose driving team forward. Wenger clueless and sad forlorn shadow of his once self
I was thinking the same thing : Wenger, the only manager who doesn't remove a problem at half time.
Metal Gooner
Subbed him? i'd treat him like a race horse which is past it - turn into glue.
its not good when a players head and feet are doing different things. the guys takes himself on more than anyother player.
EMG
11 Dec 2012 20:50:00
Hi all, celtic fan here. Wenger's time must be up? If I was an arsenal fan I would want a change. Just putting it out there to see what the general consensus is. Ian L
11 Dec 2012 20:41:05
1-0 to Bradford , Lets give credit to them they are playing well and using the ball better especially down that right channel and causing prblems by moving the CB's around. This is down to the fullbacks being both too far forward again
We are not playing that bad actually but I think are missing Giroud a bit for that presence up top and lack width out left. Gervinho is just frustrating at times and should have scored that chance.
The question is is how Bradfords fitness will be maintained as they have worked their socks off.
I would take Ramsey off bring Eisfield on and Cazorla look jaded aswell bring the Ox on.
Still think we will get back and win the game just need top up by
10-20%
11 Dec 2012 20:40:13
we are 45 minutes away from a total embarrasment and the lowest point for this club since Wenger game. We are playing our usual crab style football and can't even break down a league 2 side. Apart from that, our Premiership, International defenders are being made to look completely average. As for Gervinho, well he is total and utter rubbish. If we do not pull this round, Wenger must go. Regardless of the outcome tonight, Wenger must go.
11 Dec 2012 20:38:45
First half. If Gervinio's the answer, then what's the question. ZONAL MARKING DOES NOT WORK. Ramsey's passing is very lax.
Positives.
Shez pulls off the pink look, and our away fans. As usual.
Flybo
11 Dec 2012 20:37:39
45 minutes gone - not a single shot on target. pathetic.
these are not bad players. with the exception of gervinho, ramsey and coquelin (who, despite being poor are still better than the players they are playing against tonight) they are all very good players.
the problem here is a manager who is totally out of touch and hasnt a single clue on how we should set up our attacks or defence.
i've no doubt we will win tonight, but it wont be due to our better skill, technique or tactical nouse, it will be down to fitness and better stamina that comes with playing at the top level - that is what will win us the game tonight, and thats embarrasing
AG
Its more embarrassing than that AG...you lost TO A FOURTH DIVISION SIDE.
Lol how wrong was i!!
AG
11 Dec 2012 20:30:16
Why can't Mertesacker EVER win a header with the size he is, honestly!
PS. Gervinho - 11 million pounds wasted!
G95
I got shot down at the start of the season when i said PM4 should never be a starter for arsenal.
he is too slow for us play the high defensive line that we to play for our possession style of football, and as you say, for his size, he is rubbish in the air and particularly a liability in both penalty boxes.
just because he has been our best defender, does mean he is a good defender. where in the pecking order would he be at any other top-half premiership side?
gun44
11 Dec 2012 20:28:47
I think Gerv is trying his hardest not to be picked again, but Wenger just won't answer his plea!
11 Dec 2012 20:19:44
What i have notices is we get into the oppositions half and we go square ball all the time.
this is because are forward line is not showing enough.
metal is right we have no out and out class forward with pace.
if there was 1 position where i would buy a marquee signing it has to be the forward line.
we need a player with gervinho pace and cazorlas finish and skill.
this will cost around £30 mill would we spend that
sort of money
champagne charlie
What's frustrating is that Chamakh's standing at the edge of the box calling for balls that are sent through 5 seconds after he's half-started his run in or not given a look at all.
worrying if this would be the same situation even if we do sign a new striker.
psychocyst.
11 Dec 2012 20:06:03
Here we go again! I know it's not over yet but...
Stefan
11 dec 2012 20:02:32
if they beat us i promise i will never moan on here again!
champagne charlie
I wont have to
THERE WILL BE A REVOLT!!
champagne charlie
LONG LIVE WENGER !
much love n17
11 Dec 2012 19:57:06
Its almost comical how bad gervinhos decision making is would have much prefered to see gnabry and eisfeild over him!!!!!
The whole team is comical atm, its a joke that we have that big headed dummy up front and a top class striker playing on the wing. agreed that eisfeild and gnabry should have played! would have given the team a bit of hunger for the ball, we look as if its a training exercise
GCGunner
Point proven that was a horrible miss
11 Dec 2012 19:45:16
What is Wengers obssesion with Ramsey on the wing and Gervinho up front? Why not play Gnabry of he is suppose to be all that?
Its f**king ridiculous if they are not playing well then drop them would have loved serge gnabry and chuba akpom in for rambo and gervinho and then bring on eisfield in the second half for santi or jack :(
Agreed 100% why not start with TR7 and the Ox over gerv n Rambo
OnlyOneGilbertO
11 Dec 2012 19:28:03
What do you guys think of the rumour of signing Nani, do you rate him?.
He blows very hot and cold, but can be a real game changer on his day but also equally frustrating.
I just don't think Wenger will buy him really anyway and not at 20Mill for sure. He is proper wide man as people on here have been crying our for, but Wenger does not like wide men for some reason and does not seem to find room for them in a 4-3-3.
If Wenger did buy Nani I would be shocked and for me this would be indication Wenger is switching back to a 4-4-2. Would he be to replace Walcott or to move Walcott to the centre?.
Personally I rather Ben Arfa, he would likely be cheaper and I think would fit in better with us.
If I was Wenger I would first make a proper DM my priority signing so Arteta can be moved further forward to rotate with Wilshire and Cazorla and also another Box to Box physical midfielder in the Diaby mould but who can stay fit.
A LB would be useful aswell as Gibbs is fragile injury wise and Santos just cannot be trusted, TV5 is uncomfortable when played as lb aswell.
It about time the club bit the bullet and just release the likes of Denilson, Squallachi and Bendtner from their contacts. to free up squad places much easier. Sell Arshavin and Chamakh to whoever will have them really as it is clear they have little future here.
Agreed
OnlyOneGilbertO
11 Dec 2012 18:45:34
Can anyone actually enlighten me as to why Wenger won't sign strikers with any pace? The only striker we had in recent years who had any pace was Vela and he was hit and miss.
I do not understand why Theo is not up front. I don't understand why a player who picks the ball up in the centre circle after we defend a corner, turns and runs at the opposition's box, probably taking it past two or 3 players but either way doing so with pace and control...why are there no strikers like that at the club? Really the only forward player like this is Oxlade. His dribbling control is better than Theo's and he's probably one guy with so much raw talent h could easily convert to a striker like Mata does for Chelsea.
I just don't understand why Bendtner, Chamakh, Podolski, Giroud and potentially Huntelaar are all signed, they're practically all the same player but with varying degrees of quality. Why do we not have a Suarez/Giovinco/Aguero/Doumbia style striker? It's like the yin to our yang.
Good wingers and nippy strikers is what AFC have lacked for a long time.
Metal Gooner
11 Dec 2012 19:55:07
because Wenger's a stubborn person with an ego the size of France.
plus, not that this is in support of his decision to not buy a proper striker, more recently, Spain and Barcelona have playing without a prolific striker up front (and no, Messi isn't one) but they get by because the talent in the middle of the park just runs the show. the team has to suit the striker and vice versa. *cough Ibra cough*
on and we did try and get Kevin Mirallas, remember? he has place and has performed well for the toffees.
psychocyst.
11 Dec 2012 18:32:58
Chaps, as a United fan trust me, you really don't want to sign Nani. He has a had one decent half season and apart from that has appeared not to have a clue.
On a separate note, who is this Stoner person? He appears to have banged his head as some of his musings on the United banter page have to be read to be believed. I enjoy reading other club's pages and seeing what views people have but he is deluded.
AJH
Haha, Stoner where do you find the time? you been sprouting rubbish on the man utd page?
shaneyd
11 Dec 2012 20:27:10
Off sick mate and was bored, you can post what you like over there and they go nuts.
Stoner
11 Dec 2012 16:57:04
Y dnt wenger use the 2 mil for nani on securing walcot. He is versatile than nani. I hope its not true #ihateMan Utdutd
ZimGooner
11 Dec 2012 16:48:06
i dont understand why people keep saying walcott will sign a new contract it said in the paper today that ashavin is on 90k a week and walcott is on 80k i know your not ment to believe everything in the paper but if this is true then i can see why walcott wont sign a new contract he is much better player then gervinho and ashavin and there on more money so say goodbye to another player who we need at the club like players that have already gone clichy, nasri, fabragas, van persie and song and i will say add walcott and sagna to that list in January. arsenal dont replace the people that leave so expect to be in a worse position next season asking the same questions and wondering if its wenger or the board
11 Dec 2012 16:14:23
1st goal scorer tonight EISFELD 6/1
Just had 20-00 on the new arsenal sensation
champagne charlie
I doubt hes even playing
Hope he doesn't
11 Dec 2012 17:05:59
Good luck then mate, really be cool if they started him in the middle with Jack, Arteta and Caz with Poldi and the Ox up front.
Stoner
Hes not playing
Hes not even on the arsenal bench lol. But at least you'll get your money back.
Hope you got your money back?
Yeah cheers lads paddy power put the money back on my account
champagne charlie
11 Dec 2012 15:27:19
A lot of press about us being interested in Demba Ba , however, i feel it may be all hot air because;
- long term concern over knee
- agent fees of GBP5m required
- GBP7.5m (only half goes to player)
- GBP5m wages
That's getting quickly up to GBP20m for a player who will eventually break.
Therefore, lets hope that the following rumour is true............www.sportskeeda.com are reporting that we are definitely in for Huntelaar, however, this is then tempered with the M'Vila saga that was reported as being 99% done!
11 Dec 2012 14:45:05
wenger needs to show ambition and buy world class player we need a striker evereyone is saying guntelaar but he was a flop at madrid and milan hes 29 id prefer higuain or jovetic classy strikers i think 25mil we could get either wenger smell the coffee open your eyes!
Would love Higuain but that is never going to happen. Also 1 average season for Huntelaar doies not make him poor much like one good season for Giroud (in the French league) does not make him good
11 Dec 2012 14:37:42
So happy Gary neville is slating Samir nasri :)
They should have a fight in the ring for charity, i'd pay to watch that!
337
11 Dec 2012 14:19:01
I would so love us to have one clinical amazing finisher. It really is the difference sometimes, imagine if we had cavani or falcao. Drools...
11 Dec 2012 15:29:46
Or imagine for a minute we'd kept RVP!
Stoner
We will hopefully have one soon! Ian wright to Thierry Henry to (when fit) vp, surely the next one is just round the corner. We may even have him already and he's just not realised his potential yet, Walcott? Podolski? Giroud? Campbell? Afobe? Who will it be??
Walcott was so well suited to pick up the run where TH14 left off and RVP quit. he knows the team and the team know him so there wouldn't be time required to adapt, league experience, plus going from terrible decision making two season ago to how he's playing now, he's only going to get better.
i can only hope our most experienced player signs on...
psychocyst.
psychocyst.
11 Dec 2012 13:42:42
if we have agreed any kind of swap deal with liverpool regarding walcott then i'd much rather see sterling as part of the deal not pepe reina
I would be so annoyed if we bought reina, imo the Gk position is the least of our worries.
11 Dec 2012 12:24:24
Would love to see us sign a
GK capable of challenging for no1 jersey
Lb capable of challenging for lb position as we only have Gibbs (though quality injury prone)
DM in the mould of Capoue or Mvila allowing Arteta to revert to his best position CM
Winger - squad in need of a speed demon when Theo's out we look slow
Striker - That can stick the ball in the net, though I rate Giroud! Hunterlaar for 6m sounds good to me.
5 in for under 40m
Sell off all the deadwood plus anyone not happy at the club
Revenue from sales put against the 40m easy up to 25m available.
Thoughts fellow gooners!
OnlyOneGilbertO
11 Dec 2012 13:06:28
Bradford tonight. I don't care if we win by a scrappy goal in the 90th minute, as long as we do win. There is no pleasing some people. 4 0 ffs.
Get in the semi's and enough said.
Bones
Well said Bones!
Although I'm going 5-0
Always the optomist!
337
I agree, huntleaar is class, but we need someone as well as him
Is Theo fit? Also I think we should/will score at least 3 tonight.
Chess
11 Dec 2012 12:41:50
Hey all, sorry I've been quiet, was away all weekend. Can anyone tell me how well we actually played in the WBA game? I've seen both sets of highlights but they neevr paint the whole picture at all. I am glad we won obviously, so happy! But I am disappointed we didn't score from open play at home. Gervinho makes me want to cry, I am not too sure how much longer I can go on pretending there's a good player in there - the chances he misses are just so bad! As for Podolski - well that's one I'll let slide because we know on any other day that's a buried chance. Either way I'd like to thank the ref for the positive result for the Arsenal, take a bow son.
In other news, turns out my mrs REALLY fancies RVP. This has been a truly disappointing discovery. The only thing that makes it bearable is she loves watching the games with me. I can assure you this has nothing to do with women finding football attractive.
You win some you lose some right?!
Metal Gooner
At least you know she'll still fancy you when you go grey. Flybo
Its obvious to see who runs your household.
if my wife mentioned any thing nice about that c*** she would be sleeping out in the shed for the winter.
get your household in order metal!
champagne charlie
We played O.K., in all fairness they didn't have a shot really, I think Shezza made one save.
We had loads of the ball, but looked shocking in the box.
We did deserve to win, but penalty should never have been, although if Cazorla didn't dive he probably would have broken his leg - he has to stop that though
The game was a much, MUCH better performance compared to previous games.
the players in the middle of the park were clicking and the defense looked relatively solid and more or less untroubled. there's always the usual scare in between, but that clean sheet sure looks gorgeous.
Gervinho needs to find his bearings because that guy just cannot seem to make up his mind. he's as indecisive as Theo was two years ago. makes a run and then halfway towards the box forgets which end he's supposed to be shooting towards and gives the ball away cheaply. but one thing you can say in his favour this game is that he didn't switch off or not care about tracking back. the effort was definitely there.
oh and Santi dived. bye.
psychocyst.
Love it Flybo!
Charlie - come on, a man as smart as me uses a situation like this to his full advantage - I can say whatever I like about any woman I see on TV and not get in trouble - that's a brilliant place to be, especially when you're drunk. Trousers are firmly on me I can assure you!
To the 3rd reply, thanks v much, basically that's what I got from the highlights. Was our passing good? They seemed pretty positive about stuff on MOTD.
I'm in 2 minds about that penalty - I mean yeah it was a bad dive but if you watch the replay the guy's foot does make contact with Santi's....just. Contact+ground = penalty... but yes, not something I like to see anyone of our guys do. Would much rather he'd just buried it the corner!
I loved The Ox's one-hand-flailing dive too, fair play that was 100% a penalty but he needs to practice that move I think haha.
Metal Gooner
11 Dec 2012 17:08:03
Nice to see you back Metal. Always good to read your posts.
Stoner
One the main reasons i consider it a dive is because he clutched at his foot, apparently in pain.
i can understand him buckling to avoid that tackle and getting up and running on, but it was a blatant appeal to con the ref.
much props too Flybo's reply.
psychocyst.
Look every 1 it was a dive.
we were under so much pressure to win that game and it helped us settle.
so be it!
champagne charlie
Thanks all, a nice light hearted convo!
Metal Gooner
11 Dec 2012 12:03:39
I think He should just play Theo down the middle, he's got pace and can finish, which is what we are lacking at the moment!
Danny61514
Wouldnt work at the moment as he is injured.
It could we put him in a wheelchair with nitrous and perhaps a laser cannon?
psychocyst.
11 Dec 2012 10:47:37
By the end of the season you guys will realise thet Giroud was/is a bad signing. This is a striker who refuses to shoot, creates nothing for himself and only looks for the cross. He never looks for through ball passes and always comes deep. Giroud is not the right sort of striker for Arsenal. He may be a decent signing at Fulham, Stoke, Everton etc but not us.
Giroud is Chamkh V2.0
Eventually you all will turn on him like I have already.
In other news Diame, Huntelaar, Ba and Nani would definately improve our team while Gervinho is the worst Arsenal player since Cygan or Stepanovs
Chess
By the end of the season you will realise that Giroud is a good signing.
Seriously though...our supply to him has been weak. Consider that we basically don't have any decent wingers who consistently supply him. Our midfielders aren't exactly racking up the assists either and we aren't scoring that many on the whole. Consider our formation and consider that if Giroud had someone else beside him helping create space by drawing defenders, (anyone see the analysis of Torres' goals? How the other players need to play off him more etc? Same thing) then he would have so much time on the ball to pick his spot. If you consider the number of truly exceptional 4-5yard runs he's made where someone's dinked him through on goal and how unlucky he's been not to score more of those chances, and then if you consider that in his 21 league goals last year, I think only 1 or 2 were with his head, it shows he had adapted to being a lone man and having brilliant movement for crosses when they do eventually come in.
If we have Matt Jarvis - a player I turned my nose up at when he was at Wolves, but a player who has shown this season he really gives ANY side a hard time - crossing the ball in to Podolski and Giroud in the middle, our scorelines would be very different. Ditto if we had a player like Mata or Ben Arfa or Moses on the right, a nippy direct player with great delivery, and I really don't think it's about Giroud being a poor player.
In 23 apps for us (8 as a sub) he has 7 goals and 6 assists as a pretty slow lone striker not supported by good wingers or efficient midfielders (they have not been efficient this season sadly). That's not dreadful at all in his first season in the EPL with the pressure he is under. It's not ground-breaking but he is a great player and when it truly clicks we'll know about it.
Metal Gooner
Check mate!
A bit harsh on Giroud man, and on Gervinho to be honest.
You are right that Giroud needs to play a more selfish striker, and he will given time - he is still finding his feet in the prem and give him his due he is working his socks off for the team.
I do agree that he was bought to score goals, but please don't compare him to Chamakh.
As for Gervinho he is like Marmite, love him or hate him! He looks like a headless chicken at times and holds on to the ball too long, but maybe this is because he has nobody in the middle to pass to at times?
Anyway all in all, both will come good, it seems to be the way we are playing at the moment, the players don't seem to know what they should be doing or where they should be - this needs to be sorted
337
Great post Metal Gooner, Giroud is one that will really prove to be a great signing I think.
For me his not scoring has been all down to the midfield. As Metal Gooner says, with a proper Aaron Lennon/Jesus Navas type right winger and Cazorla/Wilshere pulling the strings just behind him I think he could be a ruthlessly effective centre forward in this league. I'm a big fan.
Also he is still adapting, I remember laughing at Drogba in his first season in England, he looked useless. If he can end up anything like Drogba, and bar pace he has all the ingredients, I'd be pretty pleased!
Considering OG12 was thrown into the fire he has done pretty well .
337, whether there are or aren't players to pass to in the middle does not make a difference for Gervinho. He is incapable of lifting that big head in time to find someone open plus he is just too selfish most times and cannot pick out a decent pass. Squad player at best.
Ezdee
Ezdee, no need to bring his head into it!
Thats 'headist' you could be arrested.
Joking aside, I always try to find positives in our players, just thought the comment was harsh comparing him to Stepanovs.
337
Thanks for the input guys. I do hope he turns into a decent signing but I am a bit pessimistic this season. I agree he needs better service as well but I just wish he would look more for the slide rule pass and shoot more.
The only thing I will add is he only has 4 in 14 in the Premiership. 1 v West Ham, 2 V Fulham and 1 V Spurs (10 men). Still not good enough yet, but fingers crossed he comes good. Chess
11 Dec 2012 10:35:56
With Walcott having a mysterious/convenient calf injury, does anyone think a deal has been agreed for him & hence he isnt playing. I have two theories:
1) He will swop with Reina & join the club he supports
2) He will swop with Nani, as he is a big pal of RVP & the deal would help both clubs.
Thoughts fellow gooners?
Only destination I can think for Theo Walcott is Liverpool. That carrot of CL football will last two more games, and I'm not convinced we will be playing CL next season. Liverpool can quite possibly challenge for CL football, they are playing in Europa League and have a manager that is building properly for the long term. He won't play as an out an out striker at any of the 'known' big teams but a L'pool he is in with a realistic chance. Added to that L'pool will probabably meet his wage demands.
It is very sad to see him go - I assure all arsenal fans we will miss him.
I agree I think a deal has been agreed with another club. What I can't figure out is who it would be. I can understand both sides of the deals when you sell a LB who cannot be bothered anymore, and a snakey lazy midfielder to a side willing to pay maximum for them - and I can understand why they'd want to leave for a better team.
But with Theo, if he moves to a poorer team in the name of game time that will be a real shame. I think I would almost take that worse than someone leaving to go and win something because you cannot control that desire. However Wenger has publicly stated for years that Theo would be played down the middle, he never was. At the end of the 2010/11 season Theo did an interview in May saying how he was so excited about playing down the middle alongside RVP for the 11/12 season - it didn't happen.
One day Wenger will say 'yes I have always believed that Theo will be an exceptional striker for us and he will move in centrally of course.' - we always wondered when. Then, this season, his chat has been 'What Theo needs to realise is he is a wide striker who needs to realise his potential in that position.' Wenger that's fine if you want a little personal player project, but the point is the player has to want that too. Imagine being Theo and knowing that if he was playing off a rotation of Podolski and Giroud up top then he would be lethal, yet because Wenger hates buying wingers he gets lumped out there just like every other unhappy forward player has been in the last few years - Vela, Bendtner, Nasri etc.
So if he leaves basically because Wenger is stubborn with formations and weird in the transfer market then that will be a massive shame.
For me, if he were staying, the contract would have been signed and announced simple as. I hope I'm wrong but the writing's on the wall.
I'm reading in various places that we're considering going for Nani - I would take that. People say Theo scares defences but lets be real, NANI scares defences.
Metal Gooner
Would way prefer he is part of some Nani deal! I would love to see Nani Arsenal - inconsistent for UTD and often had worse end-of-season stats than Theo but his impact on a game is second to none and he is a better winger and all-round more dangerous and skilful player.
Also Reina has been at best so average it's almost impressive and anything over £5m for him is just a rip off imo haha. Would prefer someone who doesn't struggle with long shots and who looks like they have the hunger for the game, someone like Vorm.
Metal Gooner
Nani, no thanks - stop reading the Daily fail and current bun!
£20m plus 130k per week?
Nani is not as good as Theo, just give Theo his 100k and get him on a 5 year deal - we can't lose, if he doesn't work out we can sell him in the summer and get £20m plus with him on a long contract.
337
337 I am not suggesting that I think the rumours are true but I would still like to see Nani at the club.
Metal Gooner
Phewww, thought you were suggesting that we have him instead of Theo, from what i've heard he has done a similar thing and asked for a massive pay rise, but they won't give it to him (£130k per week) so neither would we pay him any where near that.
337
11 Dec 2012 10:28:19
I am trying to work out our likely signings in January. Henry on loan for sure. I dont believe we will sign Ba, as he has had a problem with his knee & it would be quite a gamble to pay £7.5m, plus wages for a player that could break down.
I presume Wenger will be looking for a keeper, a defensive midfield player, a replacement for Walcott & a striker.
So, keeperwise,I believe he will go for a quality experienced keeper, such as Reina.
He may try & sign M'Vila again, for the DM position or a cheaper alternative in Diame, but the combination of his hamstring injury & likely departure for the ACN might put Wenger off.
Nani would be a superb replacement for Walcott, but I doubt United would sell to us & I have a feeling Walcott will still be with us until the end of the season, when he will walk for nothing. It is far more likely that we will sign Zaha.
Strikerwise, I would love to sign Huntelaar, but Im not sure we will get him.
Possibly in the summer we will try to sign M'Biwa, who can cover RB & CB, with Sagna possibly departing.
We must ship out:
Mannone, Fabianski, Djourou, Squilacci, Santos, Denilson, Arshavin, Park, Bendtner, Chamakh & Arshavin.
Arshavin, so bad you sold him twice?
I like Arshavin.
I genuinely think he can add to the team, but wenger seems to have exiled him.
D
I never knew we had 2 arshavin's at the club
11 Dec 2012 11:42:08
Couldn't we at least keep one of the Arshavin twins?
Stoner
There are definitely two Arshavins. The one that was awesome before he signed for Arsenal & scored 4 goals away to Liverpool. shortly after he signed & the useless tart who now warms the substitute bench. I trust this clarifies matters.
No, you can't have twins together - not after that 'motorway madness' clip over on the conspiracy page aye Charlie?
337
11 Dec 2012 08:52:58
If we do not win by at least 4 goals tonight against a mid table, league 2 side then we have finally reached rock bottom !
11 Dec 2012 10:32:31
It's a cup game away from home where it doesn't matter if your Arsenal, Chelski, spuds, citeh or Utd, any thing can happen, I won't be happy if we lose but to say we've reached rock bottom is bollox!
Stoner
Wouldn't losing be hitting rock bottom?
Hass
11 Dec 2012 05:36:48
We wont be signing Huntelaar, if we were going to sign him we would have done so last summer. Same goes for Llorente. If we get anyone it will be Nick Bendtner who is being made to feel a bit unwelcome at Juve.
We may sign Zaha if we decide to sell Theo this Jan
We may sign a cheap second-rate holding midfielder, not Wanyama, Capoue or MVila - more along the lines of Diame (but probably not him cos he's injured)
We probably will sign Henry on a temp.
Honestly, dont get your hopes up guys, remember how angry and dissapointed you've felt the last 4 transfer windows.
I appreciate your point - but I think I speak for most gooners here in saying that this transfer window MUST be different or Wenger will be out on his arse. The paying fans will not accept money being stashed away and no new faces coming in.
ScotsGooner
Wanyama is NOT second rate.
kev88
11 Dec 2012 04:57:53
Bradford will come out to play, knowing that we could make mistakes and that they could possibly win.
So we really have to dominate this game, don't give them a sniff and give 100%.
This is our chance to win a trophy, there aren't many other big threats in the competition and if we win this plus make top 4, I would consider this as a good season.
Then buy some class in the summer and have a crack at winning the premier league.
Nick.
11 Dec 2012 00:35:00
i wasn't denying that huntelaar has the ability but first and foremost i think theo's contract should be our priority for now and we need to start looking at a strong cdm. theo's got the ability to get us goals and he's still young. we might get two good years out of huntelaar if we sign him but personally he's not the man for me. if we are buying a striker then i would rather us pay 7 million for demba ba or launch a big bid for cavani but can't see that happening.
anyway that's just my opinion but don't get your hopes up guys because it wouldn't surprise me if henry is our only signing and if rosicky stays fit and diaby comes back then arsene will just say we have a full squad.
he always says we are active in transfer window
gooner mark
Walcott is gone. Just my opinion. Flybo
Mark,if wenger can shift 3-4 players he will buy.
i think this has been the problem freeing up wages not the actual out lay for a transfer fee.
if arshavin,chamahk,walcott,santos,sagna and maybe ramsey are moved on i can see wenger signing 3-4 players in january and use the other 3 places to introduce the likes of eisfeld and co.
i all so think it will be diabys last season and rosicky i think will be moved on in the summer.
there are not just 1 or 2 players around europe now a days you can pick up for around £15 mill and wages for £80-£100k a week,cazorla is a prime example.
for me january will tell the tale of intent.
champagne charlie
10 Dec 2012 22:53:41
Ed, any chance we could sign referee Mike Jones on a permanent :)
Ash
10 Dec 2012 22:28:47
I know we have different players and it's always hard to compare, but I think we have missed Gary Lewin since he became England's head of physios/medics.
I don't recall too many "injury-prone" players, or long lay offs or "setbacks" whilst he was at the club.
Maybe it is too easy and too early to say, but we do look like we miss Pat Rice as well. Maybe he was the guy to put a rocket up the players or responsible for the quick passing.
gun44
RVP? Diaby? Rosicky? All from Gary era. Same old same old. Sometimes it just the player. Dont try to blame others.
I believe there are a few reasons for the injury situation. Firstly, the conditioning of the players. Secondly, there are insufficient options, so the better players are rarely rested & become fatigued, then injured as a result of the fatigue. Thirdly, Wenger's insistence on playing 4-3-3 which places enormous stress on players to cover gaps in this personic formation. It is interesting that many clubs are reverting to a form of 4-4-2 this season.