Arsenal Banter Archive April 13 2018

13 Apr 2018 16:40:38
{Ed's Note - Adam Jones has posted a new article entitled, Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain: Zero to Hero?

13 Apr 2018 18:05:18
Tried to read as much as I could but a little bit to long for me to manage it all.
The Ox always looked a player to me but never got the chances he should have had especially in Mf, if he'd been given the same opportunities and support as Xhaka by Arsene then maybe he would still be here now and we wouldn't be in the Europa league this season.
Klopp has done a very good job with the Ox no question of that but the player was always there to begin with.
A bit like the sculpture who when asked how he had sculpted such a fantastic image of an Elephant from a piece of rock, answered " The Elephant was always there all I did was Chip away the bits around the edges that were hiding it "

13 Apr 2018 19:52:57
One thing I will say g62, the rest is debatable but you can’t say he didn’t get a chance. I remember a year or so back when a lot of people and people on here were criticising Wenger for giving him one chance to many. The real reason behind his improvement is that he is in a team with a manger and players that complement his style. He has always showed glimpses And been a strong aggressive player who is perfect for Liverpool . And it’s looking to be a good signing.

13 Apr 2018 20:40:03
Check out Ox"s games per season in Mf for us Sanogo mate, they are few and far between compared to the chances others get, Arsene saw Ox as a kid but Jurgen saw the man beyond the kid and that's the biggest difference in my opinion.

13 Apr 2018 21:08:36
He got his chances.

13 Apr 2018 21:41:24
Xaka Jack Aaron have had a lorry load more mate.

13 Apr 2018 22:15:15
Ok fine but so what? They have had more of a chance and ox still got a chance. He wasn’t sold without a chance he’s now somewhere that suits him better, he’s getting older he’s maturing more experience, but the only point from your initial point was that you said he didn’t get a chance which he did. I’m relying on honest here but we’re you one of the ones who said a few years back that he wasn’t up to it? I really can’t remember (I think you were still optimistic then lol so maybe not) but lots were saying he was getting to many chances.

13 Apr 2018 23:28:41
No mate wasn't me, Bayern Munich away can't (remember which season) Ox was easily mom in cmf and pre world cup 2014 before Ox was injured in the last warm up game Ox was excelling in England's cmf and for me that was enough to convince me that's where he should be playing
When he was about to sign for Arsenal, Arsene Ox and Ox"s dad all had a meeting where all agreed despite being signed as a wide right player cmf was where his best position was.
Xhaka Jack Aaron got and get lots chances yet in Arsenals cmf yet never played in a champions league quater final yet Ox gets one decent run at Liverpool anc is on the verge of playing in a champions league semi final, makes you think doesn't it :-)

14 Apr 2018 11:41:23
Will the ox start the more regular when everyone is fit? Will he be a regular next season with keita there? Will he be a long term success? . Time will tell. A good player with fitness issues and consistentcy issues.

13 Apr 2018 16:12:50
Great Draw for us, its rubbish or bust now but even then the final will not be easy but easier.

13 Apr 2018 17:23:28
No competition worth Being in should be easy mate, sooner or later you've got to stand up on your own two feet and be counted if you want to be the be crowned champions in any competion you enter.
You can't keep avoiding the big guns and hoping someone else does you a favour by knocking them out, there are no Lincoln or Sutton left in either European competition when you get to the last 4.

13 Apr 2018 12:25:14
Arrivederci Roma, another cracking night at Anfield ahead Ed001 mate.
How many sleeps to go? :-)

{Ed001's Note - I don't know about that, they were the ones I didn't want, they will sit deep and defend for dear life. Still, if we can get a lead to take there they will have to come out and attack us.

Actually very similar to you getting Atleti, it was the one team who play a style that really does not suit you.}

13 Apr 2018 12:38:37
Ed001,
Your defence has always been dodgy like ours, but this season, they have been as tight as Ed025 on a boy's night out.

What's Klopp's secret? High press?

{Ed001's Note - got them playing as a team, working together and doing their jobs. Oh and picked a goalkeeper in place of Mignolet.}

13 Apr 2018 12:49:30
I remember the last time you beat Roma and after the game someone played Arrevederci Roma over the tannoy system, Liverpool had to apologise and to be fair it wasn't very professional or friendly but it was funny :-)
How many sleeps? Nessun dorma mate Nessun dorma :-)
Athletico are on paper the toughest draw but let's be honest it is by far the most exciting draw too and we will have to play well and work hard over 180 minutes to reach the final and that's the way it should be in a European semi final.
Facing Athletico for me raise the whole profile of a europa league semi final to as close as it can get to Champions league standard, obviously they are not of anything like equal prestige but playing Athletico does narrow the gap quite a bit for me.

{Ed001's Note - to be fair, there is a lot of ill feeling towards Roma after 84 when their fans were vile and a lot of children and old people were viciously attacked by Roma thugs.}

13 Apr 2018 12:58:55
The big difference between Liverpool and Arsenal right now is Liverpool are always exciting to watch both in Europe and the premier league, v Bournemouth or Bayern you expect an exciting Liverpool performance and the real possibility of a positive Liverpool outcome.
12 years ago the same could be said of Arsenal regardless of who we played.
It's having to guess if our players will be up for it that day that is more difficult to predict than the result that makes things so hard to accept at Arsenal these days.

{Ed001's Note - they are always up for it in the big cup games mate. That is why you have become the new Spurs - a cup team. It is trying to wake them up for 38 league games that is a problem.}

13 Apr 2018 13:01:38
Fair play Ed I'd forgotten all about that.

{Ed001's Note - difficult to forget for Liverpool fans as it was a contributing factor to the Heysels disaster. When the Juve fans started pelting the Liverpool fans with bottles etc, they were remembering what happened last time and charged them. It wasn't that long ago a couple of Man Utd fans got stabbed by Roma fans as well was it?}

13 Apr 2018 13:23:43
Well let's hope nothing like that happens this time mate, 2 great games of football and absolutely no one getting hurt from either club would be brilliant, oh and Liverpool making the final too of course.
On Arsenal mate, I just want us to compete in every game win lose or draw, I want to go to old Trafford Anfield Chelsea City and Swansea and Stoke knowing no matter what we will be up for the game ahead and our oppenents will know they've had to work thier socks off to get anything from us.
I'd love a title win but right now I'd settle for a season where we don't fold up and roll over in any of our 38 league or cup games and if that meant finishing 5th or 1st I'd be happy.

{Ed001's Note - very much so on the first point. I hope those idiots with their flares and tendency to throw stuff from the Liverpool support are unable to travel. Hopefully because the bell ends have all been locked up.

As for Arsenal, it is poor recruitment that has done it. Too many samey players and not the variety in the team you once had. You have never recovered from letting Gilberto Silva go as he was the last player with genuine steel you had.}

13 Apr 2018 14:20:47
Do you think we have much chance against atleti ed?

{Ed001's Note - always a chance. Atleti are in the middle of an extremely tough season, they are not at their best at all, this is the best chance Arsenal will ever have of beating them. They are not good as they have been in recent years, though the same can be said of Arsenal, you have a tendency to really lift your game for these matches.}

13 Apr 2018 14:33:35
I think so ed. I think I actually prefer them over 2 games. Last night was no yardstick CSKA can beadifficult place to travel and the artificial pitch is always a factor. I do think we will need an away goal and wish the tie was away first but hey ho. I wonder if rebels turn up for the athletico game.

13 Apr 2018 14:45:45
Thier current league table says they are Spains second best team so although not at their best still formidable opponents, they will make next seasons champions league with or without the Europa league trophy so for them it's all about this season.
They would not have come this far not to give it everything in the next 2 to 3 europa league games.
We should go strong as possible at Newcastle on Sunday and all remaining league games home or away to try and get ourselves in the best possible mindset for Athletico.
Newcastle Leicester and United away are big tests for us that we should expect our team to compete in and give as good as we get as preparation for the task ahead.

13 Apr 2018 15:25:55
By rebels do you mean our midfield and defence Sanago? :-)

13 Apr 2018 16:22:36
Hopefully that’s compulsory mate. I’m on about if the stay away fans stick to their guns or if they turn up when it suits. Me personally hope that they can stop been daft and have the Emirates rocking.

13 Apr 2018 19:08:11
I think there two ways of looking at Sanogo mate.
The way you see things of
Support the club no matter what they serve up
or
Say no longer will I accept what the club and Arsene deem as acceptable for me to watch.
How people chose to spend their free time and spare money is up to them and it's up to the movie makers tv companies pubs clubs restaurants and football teams to offer something that makes the public chose the product they offer.

13 Apr 2018 11:22:42
Toughest draw - Atletico, with first leg at home!

13 Apr 2018 11:29:47
If your going to win it sonner or later you've got to step up and have to face the toughest oppenents the competition has to offer.
Just be happy it's not Bayern Munich RG :-)

13 Apr 2018 11:55:35
Rather play them over two legs to be honest.

13 Apr 2018 12:21:27
Agree SY and I'm glad we play at home first too giving us our very best chance of making life tough for Athletico over 180 minutes.

13 Apr 2018 13:57:31
G62 - Absolutely, it has been so refreshing not to have to play Bayern! I just would have preferred to avoid Atletico in the Semi's as we would have stood a better chance in a one off match in the final.

13 Apr 2018 07:31:13
{Ed's Note - Ed001 has posted a new article entitled, Review Of The Day 13th April 2018

13 Apr 2018 01:37:47
Our defense really does frustrate me at the best of times but last night was such an example of how weak or defense are. That first goal I think it was when mustafi was playing the guy onside and just didn't put in effort in playing to the whistle just stuck his hand in the air. Its so frustrating that our defenders just struggle with the basics.

13 Apr 2018 09:48:21
The defence clearly needs rebuilding and a replacement keeper. The lack of quality defensive midfield players simply adds to the problem.
On a positive note, well done to Wenger and the team last night. Hopefully we can avoid Athletico in today's draw.

13 Apr 2018 11:25:03
Kos said after the game " we didn't compete in our personal duels, and that's not acceptable "
At least it's now being talked about rather than simply brushed under the carpet while everyone gets in position for the next selfie which can only be good thing.