Arsenal Banter Archive May 13 2013

13 May 2013 20:15:22
I'm usually a bit of a pessimist when it comes to the Arsenal, but there's a part of me really looking forward to tomorrows game. I think with the magnitude of the game for both teams, i'm finally going to have the question asked of my team "how good are they?" And you only truly find out when it really matters. Let's be honest, there can be no excuses. Giroud aside everyone's available, apart from ! Diaby. Plenty of time to prepare, and plenty of time to mull over the fact that this game is HUGE. A season mixed with poor performances, the a#se end of a couple of cup giant killings, and getting knobbed by the teams we want to be associated with. But then we pull out a Bayern result and show we've got a bit about us. Which only leaves me feeling confused, because if we were out and out s##t then it would certainly shine some artificial light on the matter of what needs to happen to our club going forward.

Tomorrow for one club will determine there standings on a European level. The other a National level. Tens of millions of £$�� riding on this one game and both teams need to WIN. That's pressure!
So do they rise to the challenge? Or crumble under the burden. Will Wenger prove the doubters wrong, or will the 16 years of CL (Churrchinngg. ) come to an end.
Tomorrow is all about character. When it matters can we see it through? Wigan already have their answer to that question. We'll have ours by the end of tomorrow.

See you on the other side :-) COME ON YOU GOONERS
Flybo

Spot on mate. This is what it is all about winning the big games that matter. A big Club Like Arsenal should rise to the occasion and prove that they are better side than Wigan and Newcastle no matter what the pressure. Its in our control just get the job done.

Sure Wigan will give everything, but they can't afford to sit back either they have to pressure higher up the field and get men forward. There is more at stake I feel for them in a way and they could crack under the pressure, we just have to be confident and play our game. I always favour Arsenal in a open attacking game.

Good post flybo, for the same reasons i'm a mixture of excitment and dread all at the same time, here's hoping the lads pull the finger out and tak all 3 points.

COYG

Pressure does strange things

Any given day we would beat them

Still have faith that we will get the win tomorrow night.

Need to ensure we start when the whistle blows and we pressure the opposition high up the pitch and don't panic as its 90 mins

Come on you Gooners - make the stadium rock

SY4

Flyboy, mate I have to say you just smashed it with that post nicely said.
Now let's do the business and take all 3 points

I also think what works in our favour is that Wigan are a passing team that likes to get the ball down and play, they are not such a dangerous side from Free kicks and corners that say a Stoke side would be.

The pressure of the game might force them to play a game not naturel to them and they might start just lumping it forward especially more as the game goes on which does not really suit them.

Put it this way I would be more worried if we were facing say a Stoke in this situation rather than a Wigan. In a pure open passing football game I would always fancy us against Wigan. Wigan can't afford to sit back and have to bring men forward which will hoepfully leave gaps for the likes of Walcott to exploit.

Great post, a step closer to Champions league qualification and unfortunately Wigans relegation are completely in the hands of the players and the coach tonight, Massive game.
COYG

13 May 2013 18:44:19
I am fired up for tomorrow

Attack in waves and put a couple in early. They need to be chasing the game early and open play always favors us

Set pieces still scare me and that's where I see Wigan trying to throw everything at us

ManU knew what they needed against Villa, and title was theirs, they put 3 on the board in 35 min

This is how we need to come out. It's been over a week since we played. Boys should be itching to get out there and destroy

As fans we are nervous, but lads needs to go out there confidently and beat Wigan like a top 4 side should against a relegation side

Hats off to Martinez, but I want a message sent tomorrow, to Newcastle, but more importantly to all the clubs for next year, that our Bayern victory and subsequent run have not been a joke. This is very real

Coyfg!

13 May 2013 17:21:52
If we just take into account the second half of the season then we would be champions, this is great encouragement for next season, if we don't have to deal with major disruptions like losing our best player and we strengthen well in the summer then we could be right up there challenging again!

13 May 2013 16:53:42
Who would people prefer Jovetic or Higuain? I'm a Higuain man myself

Bergkamp5353

Higuain

Higuain all day long

Jovetic of course

13 May 2013 18:22:36
Higuan better goalscorer so we need him more. Jovetic more of a playmaker we have plenty of them.

Detroit Gooner

Neither

Sheeny

Jovetic for me, higuain seems to have lost it recntly,
but jovetic is a on the ball type of player, he can make things happen in the final 3rd, whereas higuain would need good service.
would love both tbh
Waq

You clearly haven't seen HIguain play as he is very skillful with the ball at his feet. He has be out of sorts recently at madrid but that's down to mourinho not liking him.

Jovetic, Higuain is more similar to Giroud

Yh, hence why I said 'seems to have lost it recently'. reading before commenting might help.
Waq

13 May 2013 16:35:08
Looking at the source of the Fabregas to United rumours, they have no quotes or any references to having a source of information, they haven't made an attempt to even associate the information with a "exclusive source" or an "insider". And larger media outlets have basically made carbon copies of the original article with a full reference to the Standard, obviously because they have no faith in the article but need to be seen to be in the know. Shoddy journalism! Anything can happen in football but I reckon this is flim flam

Sheeny

And RVP did not score in three months!

13 May 2013 15:32:59
I believe Gonalons will happen. Not many people are familiar with him including myself but what I do know is he is available, he's affordable, he is playing in the french league where Wenger feels obliged to send Arsenal cash, and statistically he is one of the best DMs out there. I am talking actual DM, rather than a deep-lying mid. Players like Sven Bender are marginally better but will be double the price. This has deal written all over it.

I think your right about gonalons being the type of player wenger would look for. Problem is, because you have named him as a potential target, you just know that it won't happen. the only players arsenal buy, are the ones that nobody thinks we will buy.

Daniel true but the weird thing is I think he IS one of those guys. hardly anyone has heard of Gonalons until this rumour, myself included!

13 May 2013 15:16:09
If you think finishing 5th will be good long term you are truly insane. Yes it will make the board buck up their ideas, but the horse would have bolted.
Once you drop out of the top 4 it's incredibly hard to get back in there- how many players signatures hinge on 'champions league football'? It could even be the difference between our fiercest rivals keeping/losing a Welsh superhero

Paul

Yet Liverpool still manage to attract players. Suarez, Coutinho, Sturridge. Sure besides Suarez none are top top players but its not like we won't be able to sign any of our tagets because we finished 5th! We not trying to sign Flacoa or Cavani so don't think it would stop us from signing the players we want. We might not have as much money to spend if we finish 5th.

13 May 2013 14:20:00
Would you be interested in signing Benteke?

Originally I was unsure but having actually watched him a few times now I think he would be an excellent signing.

I am still not confident about us making 4th but Benteke should come whether we make 4th or not.

Also Ed's how much would he likely go for?

Benteke is a top striker - would be great at arsenal in my opinion. Very similar to lukaku, who is going to tear up the league at chelsea.

Villa would want near 20m

I would pay that ^

I've watched villa a lot this year, and he could play at the very top level. Tbh there isn't a striker atm that comes even close to him. In the premier league anyway

13 May 2013 13:30:20
I hope these rumours going around of Higuain being a potential signing are true.

For me he would be the best buy for us to play the striker role for us. He has been playing the same position at Madrid and has got a good scoring record.

Some people do not think he is quick enough but believe me he is not a slug. He has a great ability to get on the last man and has a lethal finish. We could have our 30 a season man.

At 25 the guy has his best years ahead of him and would become an arsenal legend

13 May 2013 12:00:59
One of the biggest problems we are facing is the prospect of non auto qualification for the Champions League.

Historically if we finish 4th we don't sign players until qualification is assured. This is usually too late, hence people blaming Wenger for leaving it too late. Now I don't know whether this is Wenger, or the board, making this decision.

If we finish 4th this season and wait as per usual, we will miss out on Jovetic - Juve will probably snap him up and countless other 'potential signings'.

If we beat Wigan by 2 or 3 goals we have a chance at 3rd. Chelsea host Everton, not an easy game especially being Moyes' last game. If they draw, and we beat Newcastle it'll go to goal difference (currently 31 v 35).

In closing. We need 6 points. We need to come out the blocks and get +5 goals over the two fixtures. f we get 3rd, I can see us having a great summer with signings. If we finish 4th, we'll do average in the market and finish top 5 again next season. If we finish 5th, I fear for our future.

Thinking about it I realized that finishing fifth could be a shocker for the board. It could help them realize that they relied too much on Wenger to save their tight asses and that they need to splash the cash. I think the difference between the third and fifth place can be compensated with money, but as it is not our current philosophy, better win!

Stan

I don't see how 3rd or 4th have an affect on the type of signings we acheive. Both mean champions league but 4th means 2 extra games for us. We should have no problem beating one of the lesser teams around europe.

Very good point Paul but given how so many sources are so adamant over the amount of change and signings over the next few months I can see us still making signings in due time. As for Jovetic I would say you are correct as he would be a marquee of sorts for big money and is believed to be wanting a garuntee of champions league football. Personally I would see missing out on Jov to big a big loss, there are better more established players.

Sheeny

Good point, but let's juts get there first.

Although To be honest dropping into the Uefa Cup is not such a terminal diaster as perople make out. It will be at at least a cup we should have a very good realistic chance of winning and that is what we need more than anything to get to know the feeling of being winners again. let's be honest we have not looked like potential Champs league winners for a number of years now and Just effectivily make up the numbers.

Being in the UEFA cup this year has not done Chelase or Spurs really any harm in the League. I appreicate the drop in income but we have budgetted for missing out on it if it happens.

I fell we have the quality and potential to win the Major prizes but we need that winning mentiality you only get from winning things and the Cups Give you the best chance to build that mentality in your squad.

We need to have that inner confidence that we can win when it matters in the big games to actually get over the line and win things.

"We budget for a lack of champions league for 2 years in every 5"

If you think finishing 5th or lower would shock the board into action you are sadly mistaken.

If we do not finish in top 4, I do not want us to get 5th also, but sadly that will happen. Because 5th means europa league, I do not argue that it will be an excellent chance for us to win a trophy but I would prefer no European distraction and fully concentrate on the league.

"Although To be honest dropping into the Uefa Cup is not such a terminal diaster as perople make out. It will be at at least a cup we should have a very good realistic chance of winning"

Fair point if it were true but arsenal had a good realistic chance of winning the capital one cup this year and couldn't even beat bradford with a full strength starting 11 - some of the teams in the Europa would horse the gunners on a good day. The recent run from the gunners is very impressive though and hopefully they can build on that and start like that next season and add a couple more important signings that enhance the starting 11 - a clinical striker anyone?

13 May 2013 10:42:11
Hi guys,

Ben here. (The original Ben - the one who kept you all updated regarding Samba, Cahill, M'Vila etc etc) The Ben who was around in the Eman/Ike/Raz days.

I haven't posted in a very long time, I have been quite busy. How is everyone?

I'm now to be known as "Ben 1" as it looks like the "Ben" username has been taken (Lol)

Cheers.

You kept us updated about Cahill, M'Vila and Samba?

Thanks for that. I assume you told us Cahill would go to Chelsea, Samba would be awful for QPR and M'vila would turn out to be a load of rubbish?

I said this a LONG time ago, Ben used to contribute to this page but none of transfer 'info' was any more spot on than malaga's. Everyone would be like 'Ben, can you ell us this/ Can you tell us that/ Is so and so deal done?' when he was the same as the rest of us.

The sooner people stop pretending they have a clue who we're after the better.

Cahill the done deal didn't come. Samba the done deal didn't come. M'Vila the done deal didn't come.

Nobody knew about Santi until about 2 days before it was announced.

Mertesacker and Oxlade are the only transfers in recent history that people knew about before they happened. Oh and Podolski.

Gervinho was a surprise. Arteta was a deadline day deal so neither here nor there. Nobody saw Andre Santos coming- we were all expecting Enrique.

Giroud was bloody obvious because you don't tell Grimandi you want a 10-week dossier on a top scorer if you aren't valuing them.

Nobody saw Monreal coming.

Not even the eds have the inside scoop on transfers, as has been proven in the last 3 windows. In all honesty, and that's not even a dig, nobody here knows anything about our transfers.

But welcome back all the same Ben, lets' just not see wild speculation and 'done deal' comments lol

Yeh welcome back Ben. You riled me 2 years ago with your constant transfer nonsense, so I hope you haven't come back to do more of the same.

13 May 2013 09:54:42
Happy for Almunia.

What a final two minutes.

Nick.

He was never good enough for Arsenal but in spite of all his errors his heart was always in the right place, unfortunately his brain was not.

13 May 2013 08:44:37
if we fail to qualify for CL it will be fully deserved.
look at our record with other teams from top 6:

man u - home 1-1 - away 1-2 -- 1point from 6 possible
man c - home 0-2 - away 1-1 -- 1 point
chelsea - home 1-2 - away 1-2 - no points!
spurs home 5-2 (was 0-1 when adebayor sent off) - away 1-2 -- 3 points
everton home 0-0 -- away 1-1 2 points

so all together from 30 points possible - 5 games at home and 5 away we got
1 win (against 10 men) 4 draws 5 defeats -
7 points! from 30 possible! even if we have 12 we would not be woring now about spurs being behind us
shockin form for a team who wants to play against the best teams in Europe
hopes Wenger sees this - real time to improve!

13 May 2013 08:03:33
Higuian more or less signed!!

Is it more or is it less?

337

Fingers crossed less. Benzema please!

Churchill Gooner

I agree. The Benz has more pace. Would suit 4-4-2 counter attack football. Madrid would never part with him though

13 May 2013 00:09:06
Where have the old Skool posters gone?

SY4

Do you mean like metal and champagne charlie? if so I was thinking the same lol, a lot of people have said they think its same person


gooner mark

No. like raz, ben and the dublin gooner

Raz was Metal

13 May 2013 10:43:35
Depends what you see old skool as, I was thinking more Ike, Rigsby, NightDoctor, Raz etc Champagne Charlie was only around for afew months. I suppose they just got sick of abuse

Detroit Gooner

What ever names they come back as (and I'm sure they have been looking in every now and again) I for 1 would like to see them back as debates were always fun. BUT it was since they stopped posting, (their negativity towards Wenger especially) that the ten started this run which has seen us back in contention for 4th. So do come back, but not till after Sunday!

I believe the Edd's pointed out that Metal and Charlie were not the same person.

Metal said he would no longer be posting after some heavy banter which was pointed in his direction. I believe it was the same with Charlie.

Ed02 no longer posts on the Arsenal site due abuse directed at him.

Charlie I am not so bothered about, but Metal made some valid points and is missed, Ed02 is the biggest loss for the site. He often came up trumps with insider info.