Arsenal Banter Archive March 16 2014

16 Mar 2014 22:30:31
Great three points today, great defensive display, but poor going forward against a poor spurs side. We are well and truly in the mix but of the four teams we are well and truly fourth favourites. The next two games will decide our true worth, but boy giroud is like a statue and gives the team no let out. We can't keep letting teams dominate us and catch them on the break, because we have no pace or quality Chelski and sheik city will just pick us off. He won't do it but we need an injection of pace up front from gnabry and move the ox further up and if giroud is not having an impact bring sanogo on. Is sterling better than gnabry, he's playing regularly for pool. I'm always hopeful but I'm not very confident on the evidence.

Great post Steve.r. Totally agree. we need pace to get in behind. If it just keeps bouncing of Giroud -Wenger should mix it up.

16 Mar 2014 22:00:22
People are commenting on our slightly muted reactions to winning the NLD - I think it shows how much things have changed this year. Spurs away is now a tie that we should be winning, we are definitely a level above them. I am still over the moon with the win and happy with the performance - yes they dominated but we were not willing to go away with anything but a win. As Szes's selfies and Poldi's celebrations show, our team is really with the crowd in these games and they wanted it hugely.

Weird how we're right back in it after the disappointment of the Stoke game. At least 4 points from Chelsea and City and it's going to be very interesting. I'm still worried about the squad situation, hopefully we'll have Rambo back for City though. It's going to be very tough but performances like today can win you leagues.

With all due respect, too many performances like today and we win nothing.

Totally agree Oleg.

Agree Steve, we have to show more attacking ambition if we have ideas on the league. Though did look a different side to the one in recent weeks

Steve I definitely agree that we'll need more attacking threat, particularly against teams like Chelsea. but look at any of the recent league winners - grinding out wins has been bread and butter for teams like Utd and Chelsea when they've won leagues. you must have noticed how many times Utd played pretty poorly and still won. we can do that now - we couldn't before.

for me, the biggest obstacle to us winning the league is still defensive. the Liverpool and City games show that we are still very intimidated by teams with top attackers. our attacking injury list is worrying but we can still score goals, so if we can keep clean sheets in difficult games then we always stand a chance.

Oleg I accept what you are saying, but chelski and man u had an outlet and a forward and to grind out wins you want to be ginding it out on the halfway line not in our half. The pressure just gets greater as the season progresses and sitting back defending is not the same as keeping teams at arms length and controlling the game as the teams mentioned. I'm not sure we have the players but in my opinion we have to be more forceful against the next two teams. But can we.

16 Mar 2014 21:54:42
Win the league?

It's possible.

We have Chelsea away and Man City home, both very tough.

Swansea(H), Everton(A), West Ham (H), Hull(A), Newcastle(H), WBA(H) and Norwich(A).

There are all very winable.

Squeaky bum time

Dont forget that chelsea will be missing 2 players on red cards, and did jose get a touchline ban or the send off for the remainder of the game all that come from him?

16 Mar 2014 21:44:42
Absolutely buzzing.

Apart from first 15 mins Spurs outplayed us and looked much fitter than us (IMO), although we probably had the best clear cut chances.

Not often we get dominated (Etihad and Anfield apart) but we showed a different character today. We were on the back foot but we dug deep and held firm.

Special mention to Kos, if there's a better centre half in prem than him please tell me who?

Great result.

Right on Dags. I think there is one CB who can compete with Kosc for league's best. He's a 6ft 6 beast from the little town of Hanover.

Santi Cazorla? lol

16 Mar 2014 19:29:46
Ed are we in a discussion to offer new contract to Flamini because as far as I remember he was signed on one year deal that expires in the summer

{Ed002's Note - I don't know, sorry.}

It was a 2 year deal I believe./

He signed a 3 year deal. Well, I'm pretty sure he did.

{Ed007's Note - His deal runs to 2015.}

16 Mar 2014 19:02:01
Seems a little quiet on here for successful derby day.

We won. It was, at times, painful to watch, but it's another win over the scum. Our 3rd of the season as it happens.

The goal was a scorcher, and the defense was solid. Another three points on the board.

COYG!

Let's be honest ted. Yes we won. Do we win a trophy for beating spurs, no.
Totally agree the defence was superb, considering both Gibbs and Sagna got booked ( Sagna suspended now I believe, 5th booking ) it was well disciplined. You could say it had to be because we were put under a lot of pressure.
The goal was a cracker but it was after 70 seconds. After that the chances we created were far from clear cut.
If spurs won that part of London would be having street parties. The way I see it, and I said it earlier, besting spurs means nothing unless we improve on today and WIN next week at Chelsea.

Rocky - Sagna isn't banned as 5 bookings only results in a ban up to a certain point in the season, which we have passed.

16 Mar 2014 18:50:35
I've always thought OG12 was a pretty decent player and deserves respect, BUT he did have a dismal game today and maybe his mind is not on the job he gets paid for. He pretty much lost the ball every time he got it, never made any impression on their CBs, never looked like getting onto anything and didn't seem to understand that he needs to be onside occasionally. I am a bloke of faith when it comes to football but I did find myself praying that AW would put Sanogo on in his place to give them a different problem to deal with.

One of the worst strikers that we have had over the years, and also think that he is an important reason that we most probably won't win the league this season

His goals and assists wouldn't suggest that .

So what is the reason for the other 7 years? lol

OG has done ok, he brings other players into play very well

Can't exactly remember one instance in todays game where he did anything positive at all - normally I would agree with you but he seems to have 'hit-the-wall' at the moment

Hey BG, grinding out results, Mental strength to cope with the pressure of a tittle race was lacking in earlier year because most of the player were young, currently we have a good mix of young and old players , this year we had our best chance in last 7-8 years but we lack a decent striker, Giroud can't dribble, can't run, can't shoot, he needs 10 chances to score a goal and the other 9 chances he shows us how long his tounge is . lol

Blimey guys, forgotten the 2 late goals recently in the cup?

Is it ok for OX in his 'new' boots to miss a golden chance.how many times did Podolski give the ball away.

Just sat and watched the game again all 90 mins, apart from the defence as an attacking force we did naff all. If you listened to Alan Smith he was explaining how hard it is playing up front on your own when you have to just chase between 2 CB's all game .

I have no doubt OG will notch up 20 + goals this season and numerous assists. boy that is crap ain't it :)

On another note, surprised we didn't make more of the penalty that wasn't given

16 Mar 2014 18:21:20
Well, we made hard work of that boys and girls. But at the end of the day it's 3 points. I'm not going to say much more apart from we need to get our arses into gear the passing once again was quite poor. Highlight! WOW! that goal was a screamer!

Spot on Goldboy - passing was not only poor it was really slow and a lot of the time lazy, with touches of arrogance. We should have had 3 goals at least and I think Podolski should be skinning the ox tonight for wasting so much good ball in their area in the first half.

16 Mar 2014 17:38:52
if that was kosclienys arm on vethrogen I am sure mike dean would have given a penalty. he's been good so not moaning but a decision like that can cost ua the game.

16 Mar 2014 16:05:53
Arsenal letting us know there's 4 teams in this title race!
Good start!

16 Mar 2014 16:02:30
What! What was that a missile from TR7 unbelievable!

16 Mar 2014 15:59:03
What a player that Rooney is, worth every penny of his 300,000 a week. I take it that is Rupees though. Well I hope for United it is, as he is absolutely diabolical . So glad we never ended up with him.

16 Mar 2014 15:29:45
Hi Ed's, thoughts on this if you have time,

Giroud is seen out in town with mega agent, wife demands a move away from Arsenal, England and the Honey Bees who seems to buzz around the players who think more with their gentleman's parts than their brains, I don't mind Ollie G, but he is not top top quality, do you have any insider info. is he on his toes?

{Ed002's Note - RTP.}

16 Mar 2014 14:18:20
I have heard one or two rumours about resignig Carlos Vela on the cheap in the summer? Any truth behind them do you think?

I always liked the lad, quick, good eye for goal and not as cocky as Bendtner?

What do you guys think of another ex rejoining if it comes off?

Vela and Griezmann and we would be set attacking wise

I rate him, think he'd be perfect for our smaller nimbler striking role, and I believe up untill jan? we had some kind of clause in his contract.

if giroud goes it could be a godsend.

FORCED to buy a front line striker, when we've promised to spend? sounds apealing :P

The messenger, would love them two, Not sure if that rumour about Vela being able to re-sign for around £4m?

Griezmann being around the £15m mark? Perhaps even more, but for them two, about 20-25m is a bargain!

16 Mar 2014 12:27:08
The sppuds away is my favourite game of the season

1-3 to us, the BFG to score 1st goal

coymfg

Malaga has spoken and so it will be ;) haven't seen you on here in a while mate! Good to have you back

Sanogo to score the winner.

16 Mar 2014 10:56:21
Win today and we are fighting for the top again, lose and we finish fourth in my opinion. This is the time you put a mark down. Momentom starts now in both directions.

Derby Day! Me and the usual hoard of Gooners are heading to a pub on the border of Tottenham, both fans mix always cracking. Come on lads, a win today and a Liverpool loss, which I think is a very strong possibility with RVP deciding to do another U turn and decide he will actually play properly for a change.

Yesterdays games have handed us an incredible opportunity to get back in the mix. Chelsea not only losing but now Willian and Ramires out for our game next week is a touch and no Kompany I think at least for City against us. Without him at the back City will have to start scoring heaps. Demicheles is a liability. So hopefully we get a favourable result against them too. Then all of a sudden we are top!!

Yes there is a lot that needs to happen but let's keep the faith. As bad as this might sound, I'm happy we are without Ozil, TR7 has been outstanding and he brings much more attacking urgency. Ramsey and Jack being out I'm none too fussed either to be honest, but we can't really have any more injuries or its going to be a problem.

As for the latest on Giroud and his missus. Well I can honestly say I'm not anti-Giroud, he has done well in parts for us this season, terrible against Bayern imo. I think if he leaves he is easily replaced and I think torus to get the best out of Ozil we need a player who can stretch the defence and has the ability to beat a player. So if he goes cheers Olivier and Wenger go and get either Martinez at Porto or minimum the Bathshuyi guy from Belgium he looks a very good prospect.

Come on Arsenal! (and RVP do us a favour today, stick in a couple.)

A win today will make no difference unless we back it up next week against Chelsea

16 Mar 2014 08:40:46
looks like Jennifer Giroud could answer my prayers and take Giroud back to France forcing wenger to buy a striker, and he has no excuse not to get a proper decent striker that we all crave :)

Don't care what anyone on here says, Giroud will be missed, if he goes. He has done very well for the club

I don't want to see Giroud go. He just needs a couple of strikers to help him out!

So right boys, Giroud is a very important player for us - would really miss him.

Hope he puts in 3 today!

I'd prefer cavani and falcao rather than giroud, just saying

Giroud is only important because we have nobody else, if he dosent want to be here I'll drive him to Paris myself.

16 Mar 2014 08:47:35
I think we will win by the odd goal in three, we will take a 2-0 lead and then concede in the last 10 minutes to give us a twitchy end to the game

16 Mar 2014 07:22:01
DG

So you come over to our boards wishing us luck then hoping for 0-0. YOU SWINE. ;) LOL

There's some serious matches coming up in the next few weeks and some twists and turns still to be played as I said earlier in the year.
The EPL is still wide open but IMO it's still Cities to lose.
Good luck for tomorrow guy's. Although a draw would suit me I cannot bring myself to hope Tottenham can get a result because I dislike the team after the shabby way they treat Redknapp.
So I am on an Arsenal win. And hopefully we can tank the Manc's.
vrcomp
Y.N.W.A.

Lol, thank you Vrcomp.
Amazing result for you boys today, well done.