Arsenal Banter Archive March 12 2013

12 Mar 2013 23:42:39
Does anyone else think that we can still make Champions League football?

I think that Spurs will slip up at some point, as will Chelsea. We need to win nearly all of our remaining games to be in with a chance, including our game in hand.

I'm not holding out much hope of a miracle tomorrow. All I would ask is that the team gives their 100%, and gives the fans at least a glimmer of hope for the remainder of the season.

2-2 for me tomorrow, although hopefully luck will be on our side.

13 Mar 2013 07:12:48
What's the point if we don't take it seriously, fielding a weakened team implies defeat has been accepted.

No I don't think we will, and am started to think we shouldn't as ever year we make the Champions league it just reinforces Wengers and the boards penny pinching philosophy, a season of despair with a 3rd and or 4th place finish and everyone seems to forget what came before it.

1404

12 Mar 2013 22:59:08
Wenger should purchase some proven BPL quality.
In: Lukaku (14m), begovic (10m), Richards (7m) and Jagielka (12m)

Begovic

Richards Jagielka Vermaelen Gibbs

Arteta Wilshere

Walcottt Cazorla Podolski


Lukaku

Richards would cost more than 7mil I'm
Not sure bout jagielka and Chelsea won't sell us lukaku as for begovic I's he really that good? He's had a solid Defence in front if him I'd prefer cesar or vorm
Imranredman

Chelsea paid £18m for Lukaku and he's now got a year under his belt at WB there's no way they'd flog him to us for that price after the season he's had considering his age.

13 Mar 2013 12:09:52
lukaku 14 mil?
my god. reverse the digits. mate.

12 Mar 2013 22:25:04
How many Arsenal players would play most games for Utd, City and Chelsea.
Wilshere and occasionally Cazorla and Gibbs

Id say vermaelen, he's just having a one off bad season imo

I think most of players would get into united a team if they had the desire and hunger Sagna when he's at his best he would be ahead of Rafael arteta would get into the united team even though he's had a poor season and carrick was poor last season. Carzola would start so would wilshere I think most of our players would do better at other clubs due to management if vermaelen was at united he would be dropped or ferguson would of had a word with him.
Imranredman

Not saying they would all certain starters but I think Jack, Verm, Gibbs, Sagna, Chesney, Podoski, Cazorla and Walcott would all get a lot of games.

12 Mar 2013 21:30:34
Arsenal are one of the worlds biggest clubs. It is matter of pride that we attempt to win every match with out exception.
The day we concede a game without contest is the day we bow out of the top flight and begin the slide down from our lofty perch as one of the big guns.
Should wenger field anything less then our strongest fit eleven and should be not attempt to win the match then his time is up and be has taken the club as far as he can.

Personally I don't think that's the case, its a tactical move to play a weaker squad in a competition where we are least favourites to win in order to have a full strength squad for the last 10 EPL games of which we are 1 of 3 favorites to win 3rd or 4th place (given the final fixtures and the fact that if we go out then spurs and chelscum have more games), definitely not a 'time up' decision for wenger

12 Mar 2013 18:33:16
Despite what reason and logic would suggest I was actually looking forward to tomorrow, I thought maybe that fact that we faced an almost impossible task and as such went in with little pressure, we would see a good performance from the team, not necessarily progression but at least I could see then trying hard. However I'm now dreading the outcome of the game, we've got so many players missing or being rested, that I must admit I'm very nervous over what the score could be. Wilshere for me is going to missed the most he has been the only saving grace of this pathetic season and he is out for three weeks according to the club, longer in the media, but in all honesty nobody knows when he will be back as the club never give an accurate timescale, diaby's three weeks turned into almost four months and this happens so often. One of the major differences between us and Bayern is that when Ribery was confirmed as out of the game, they had Robben as cover. When Wilshere is injured we have nobody to replace him and Podolski missing could see Gervinho return, you can see the difference is our squad's strength in depth.

And finally I doubt the rumours are true but I hope to god Podolski isn't sold in the summer, I was delighted when we signed him and we are yet to see the best of him stuck out of position on the left wing, where he has still managed an impressive 8 goals and 9 assists in the premier league. Love to see him get a run either through the middle either alone or with a partner.

Praying for a miracle tomorrow.

12 Mar 2013 18:59:01
Go, go, Gunners. Chelsea did it against Napoli who were very strong and in form last yr. Believe, do England proud. Go on and win the UCL!
BBcfc.

Go, go gunners. I am guessing you are one of our younger supporters:)

Shanedcotta

Arsenal don't have any luck
We are away
Munich is no Napoli
We got no chance in hell

Watford gooner

12 Mar 2013 17:57:37
first time posting, bayern tomorrow, we need to make the tie respectable, what would you guys play? if gibbs is fit, would you play him or monreal at LB?and how do you think we will progress without Wilshere in the squad for the next 3 weeks?lets hope sp*rs self destruct,
COYG

gillythegooner

Gibbs because Monreal is cup tied

Monreal is cup tied

Monreal is cup tied. played for Malaga

12 Mar 2013 16:16:21
Imagine spending £600 on flights, hotel + ticket for the munich game, just to find out podolski and wilshere and sagna (and diaby, and maybe gibbs) are not playing in the game!

I would be a bit frustrated personally.

I thought arsenal were playing away? :)
Chris the REDman

REDman if you're a man u fan then take a bow for the first amusing thing a man u fan has ever said.

12 Mar 2013 15:20:39
Hearing that wenger going to rest players? We are not out yet need to hit Bayern all guns blazing Everyman giving 110% not thinking about Swansea game yes it's a big ask but we have a chance Wenger don't mug us off before game has started, other then injuries our best team should be played if he rests players and we get embarrassed he should walk on Thursday when did arsenal roll over before a game started! I'm not saying we're going win but least give it a go!
COYG

Agreed. Games like this come round only so often. (might be awhile if we can't make 4th)

Don't spoil the occasion. LET'S GIVE EM ALL WE GOT

12 Mar 2013 14:48:56
everything can be kept aside.
how on earth does wenger believes arsenal can beat bayern in munich?
this has become a joke.
is that a motivation?
we can't hit the barn door at emirates. what are we going to do there?

Hes hardly going to come out and say we have no chance, that would really motivate the team. not

Well we were a V. persie fluff away from overcoming a 4-0 deficit vs Milan and a ridiculous red stopped us beating Barca. In the CL we seem to do well when we need to. close but no cigar.

Detroit Gooner

Nlt sure about the Red card cost us Barca game the only shot we had was their own goal,

12 Mar 2013 14:27:17
I know Ed has previously mentioned he has heard rumors that Wenger is more than likely departing AFC this summer, however, "apparently" it is broadly known that Arsene has had no such discussions irrespective of AFC's positioning at the end of the season, it is however freely spoke about that Arsene is not expected to renew his contract upon its expiry date in 2014, the boards only wish is that once he departs AFC the new regime want to inherit Champions League football, Wengers & arsenals biggest season will be next season in securing Champions league football. Ed what's your thoughts?

12 Mar 2013 12:54:57
I'm not getting this we should rest players attitude goi g on today! winning is a habit as us losing! winning creates confidence as losing breaks it, refused less weather we can go through or not we should still try and win or not lose the game! people saying spurs and chelski have a heavier schedule than use, well don't be fooled. cause if they are winning the games they grow in confidence and there games will become easier regardless how many games they have or who they have to play! when teams are winning doubles and trebles they don't complain about being tired or having players injured you just get on with winning games, end of!

R. D.

They've had near 2 weeks off it's a disgrace. We should be going out there to smash bayern off their own pitch, the boys can have every day off til the Swansea game if they do it.

12 Mar 2013 12:14:22
I think there is some cause for optimism out of all the badness of this season.

1) We are having a stinker yet Spurs who are apparently playing great are only a few points ahead. I think that shows who is the biggest club still is.

2) Our squad isn't that far away from being very good (its not like I'd pick many Man U players over ours). Get rid of some of the fringe squad player (Chamack, Squid etc. ) and replace with 3 or 4 properly good players as we can afford it. We have too many good but not great players playing for us. It may be controversial but I think Per, Arteta, Ramsey, Giroud, Walcott are all good players and deserve to be our squad but shouldn't be the mainstay of our team.

3) You could probably get an old goalkeeper (Friedel or Cesar style), Jovetic (or similar), Capoue (or better) and a really good CB for less than £60million. And still have money left over.

4) We can and must get 4th place still.

I'm don't want Wenger out yet but I really think next season is his last chance.

12 Mar 2013 11:22:57
Apparently we're looking at Martin Skrtel to shore up our leaky back line. Rodgers wants to sell, Liverpool want £13 mil, Arsenal (obviously) want to spend less than that, closer to the £10 mil mark!

What do you think? Would he be a good addition? Personally, I think he's better than big Per plus he and Agger, when fit, are one of the best CB partnerships in the prem so he'd add some strength, steel & thuggery to our back 4 which we haven't had for a while!

Very similar in style to Vermaelen & Koscileny, although taller. I belive that Vermaelen criticised Wenger & along with Sagna, will be sold this summer.

Would way prefer Agger. Don't know why we keep going for cast offs why can't we just go to a club and buy their best defenders not the ones they're happy to sell?

I like skrtel as he is the "no nonsense" type of player we need. Similar style to Vidic.
Put a decent ball playing defender next to them and we would have a good combo.
Agree with metal though would be nice if we just went and purchased a top class defender. A Subotic or Hummels, someone of that high level.

Yeah and liverpool are waiting with open arms to accept your bib for Agger :)
Idjit

Whats with all the disagrees? Skrtel been better than Vermaelen this season. And its an improvement of Djorou and Squiillaci. PL expericence, youngish, strong. i'd welcome him to AFC

Detroit Gooner

12 Mar 2013 10:45:30
as forever optomistic I always am have people actually seen the other teams left to progress into the next stage? that's 1 more round with bayern then another 2 legs per team until the final shall we make it that far; now given we couldn't beat bradford or bradford then why place loads of stress under the boys when 3rd or 4th place is the easier and more realistic bet for us. As much as iam faithful we will beat bayern tomorrow, then we will make life a lot harder in the league by progressing to the next round.
Anyway heres to 3-0 and the next round. no matter how hard it makes life for us ;)

12 Mar 2013 09:23:11
I have heard that the Russian has got the shares to take him to 30% and has got some deal with red and white holdings will be made public 2 weeks before end of season and also that verm per and kos are all off in the summer as not bin doing there bit so next season will be a lot going on and with the money being put in to spend big on new faces looks good as long as we get top 4 its make or break time for us don't know about if wenger will stay as not heard nothing on that yet



gunner d

12 Mar 2013 07:21:44
lets talk today about THOMAS VERMAELEN (cpt)
this guy has come under too much scrutiny in this forum its unreal. yes he has made mistakes that has cost us alot. and yes he seems to have faded away with the weight that's included in wearing that captains arm band but he is still the best CENTER BACK that we have. and that's a fact. (check the english premier league opta stats if you think am guessing)
this man should first of all relinquish his captaincy. and focus on his game. as I said yes he has done small mistakes that have cost us. but if you keenly check the man does a job for three people on the pitch.
by that I mean.
a) his partner mertesacker despite reading the game well most defenders gets past him. therefore vermaelen has to go deal with whoever has past BFG hence leaving space where he was supposed to defend. and worse is BFG doesn't go to cover his place when he leaves.
b) same applies to vermaelen and his mid field. the lack of a midfield general does the same to him. our mid field is easily bullied. hence vermaelen has to step in to calm the danger which once again leaves a blank at the back.
in short what am saying is it is due to the lack of better personnel in certain areas surrounding verm that puts him into a lot of trouble.
MY VERDICT : stick with verm this season and next pair him with kos the boss add a true DEFENSIVE MID and watch verm shine again.
iwarutis

Vermalen is my first choice form or not, he just needs that freedom to roam forward again for us and maybe scrape a goal or two. I saw an article the other day about putting him as a DM but I think when he's on form CB is the place for him.

also read somehting earlier somewhere about mertesacker heading back to the bundesliga so that could solve the pairing issues out

Iwarutis I like your posts (not that that means anything lol) you always seem to talk sense and I agree with you on this. I just a post saying all 3 of our defenders are off in the summer that is sheer lunacy. Koscielny and Vermaelen need COACHING not SACKING.

I made a lengthy post the other day saying how despite Mert's performances it is actually the fact that he is even in the team that we are falling apart because it makes Verm's job impossible. You're right in that he is doing several jobs but that does go for all the defenders not just him, including Verm. They all have to fill in and hang back/cover when needed that's the value of teamwork. What Verm needs is a partner who has the natural attributes that mean he can be coached into an amazing defender - that's Koscielny. He's already proved it. Yes error-prone but that is the self-conscious nature of the team these days and he needs confidence. I don't even think it's the captaincy affecting Verm it's the fact that last season his partner was Kos this season Mert is undroppable. All that will happen if we sell our entire defence and replace it is that a new bunch will come in and be the same if we don't get the coached.

I hear Bould is leaving, that is disastrous. What an asset to have, we should be doing whatever we can to keep him!

Including Mert* sorry.

Totally agree with Iwarutis and Metal Gooner, if you think back to last season we at least had Song as DM which allowed Verm to get forward on some runs, we don't have that protection this year so he has been restricted and doesn't have that extra cover in front of the back 4.
If we get a decent DM then bring Kos back in CB things will be a lot better.
Hoping Bould stays but rumors don't sound good on that front.

11 Mar 2013 18:16:46
Ed01 please can u tell me do you have any latest news of takeover bid? And please tell me do you see this takeover happening?thanx
wajid {Ed029's Note - Ed01 is off with the man-flu right now.}

12 Mar 2013 01:12:34
Greetings and Salutations my fellow Gooners,

Now that I've expressed my sentiments regarding one Mr Arsene Wenger let's get back to the business at hand.

With 9 games left we are respectively 5 and 7 points behind our fellow London rivals. As such I would like to see the following (please feel free to discuss and disagree accordingly, its what makes this site fantastic for us all):

1. Podolski playing up front - I love Giroud's work ethic but I still feel he would be best be deployed a main striker, unfortunately the 4-4-2 which made us great, lacks a Viera type midfielder that we all hoped Diaby would be, nevertheless I still contend Podolski is our best finisher and hopefully he will enjoy another opportunity to display his talents.

2. Play Rosicky. I still contend he is true class on the pitch. Despite injuries I believe he presents opportunities that our other midfielders do not present.

3. Light a fire under Walcott. Mate you got paid, its time to produce, nothing more needs to be said.

4. Drop TV5 as captain and give it to Jack - While this may not be the best idea this season he needs to be our de facto leader much in the manner Gerrard is at liverpool. And Jack, a few more shots on goal wouldn't hurt.

5. Back 4 needs to be more confident. It appears that each match that we have moments where we turn off. The room for error is small and indecisiveness can lead to unfortunate outcomes we cannot afford.

6. Rise up and be accounted for - This is for our supporters. Regardless of our position we need to be united as a club for the remainder of the season. Our club needs us and frankly we need them. So let's get behind the lads and the manager wholeheartedly.

A final shout out to my fellow posters Charlie/Metal. I have nothing but the highest regard for both of you. Banter and dialogue is what makes this site great, it would be a shame if either of you took a break because your passion is fantastic!

Gunners4Life, In AW we trust!

12 Mar 2013 08:01:30
jack wishere out of the season. crucial time. if we loose to swanse. or drop points. probably that ends our top 4 hopes.

Thanks buddy, I 100% agree with everything in this post! Point 3 was exceptional.