Arsenal Banter Archive December 17 2014

17 Dec 2014 23:22:49
Can you believe how disrespectful the spurs were to that young Newcastle keeper Alnwick.

I mean why put 4 past him when 1 will do and to rub salt into his wounds they get Soldado the worst striker in the prem to score one.

17 Dec 2014 23:39:13
Totally disgraceful,

Total lack of respect challenging the keeper and forcing him to drop the ball.

I bet Richard Key's Twitter account is going into overdrive :-)

Disgraceful, then what do you expect, they have no class.

I mean Santi should have blasted that penalty as hard as he could to give the keeper a chance IMO :-)

Im glad spurs will make the final more games for them :)

Come on guys Spurs are a classy team if they want something they ask nicely, they never resort to violence or burning property. Never unsporting, never sore losers. Just because they can't score 4 goals as classy as ours isn't there fault

18 Dec 2014 19:38:22
Lol Saint

17 Dec 2014 19:36:35
ok all name one player who now after they left us you think "how much we miss him" or could do with him, I am not talking abouts players likeHenry or Viera etc I mean players that did a job and did not necessarily get the plaudits.

For me I would say Gilberto at the time I did not rate him so much but after he left I noticed how we missed his defensive mindedness and now wouldn't he be great in our team?

{Ed025's Note - petit..

17 Dec 2014 19:44:17
Shaneyd,

Hold on tight because I'm going to ride sidesaddle with you.

Gilberto for me too.

Good shout though Ed, Manu was a top boy.

Matin Hayes

17 Dec 2014 20:33:46
Jeez G62,

I haven't heard that name in years.

Here's one for you, Rafael Meade.

I'll raise you Perry Groves Dags

Romford pele

17 Dec 2014 21:46:52
Glenn Helder

Ian Allinson

17 Dec 2014 22:21:01
Anders limpar

I think Gilberto was known as ' the invisible wall'

My pick would be Nick Bendtner AKA
the visible plank

18 Dec 2014 00:16:15
Lol Exiled.

Vladimir Petrovic.

Rhys Wilmot

18 Dec 2014 08:28:58
Pascal Cygan - leg end

18 Dec 2014 08:32:22
Yeah I've said it before Gilberto was massively important for us. I think we started our decline when he knackered his back and was out for a longtime. Shows how important he was.

Talk of him coming back to the club at some point. For me, I prefer him (and Denis B) to have some roll than Henry (love as a player but think he's too moody to be a good coach/manager).

Jose is moody :) don't see simeone smile much :)

Highest respect for Gilberto but Petite is the one - also good at CB if and when needed and we have.

17 Dec 2014 19:23:56
Careful lads,

I think we are being taking over by the MU banter boys.

First it was closet Gooner Chris (let's see if he takes the bait lol).

Than, Redrosie ( is she the new Jenny Taylor?).

And than, Honey badger (call him honey, he hates it :-) ).

Dags is fishing :-)

17 Dec 2014 17:33:39
If anyone didn't realize my last post was a joke, I'd never want diaby to get another contract, but on the wilshere subject, Iam serious I would sell and dags this isn't for a bite mate lol Iam deadly serious, yes he loves the club yes he would die for the club, but he's got to play to do those things and at the end of the day he dosnt, don't get me wrong I hope he dosnt get injured but we can't keep ayers like this ie diaby don't bite my head off please Iam intitled to my opinion just like you, some say sell some say keep that's where we are diffrent

17 Dec 2014 19:06:04
Jelfy mate,

That's why I put lol in reply to your post.

Wilshere will always divide opinions.
You say 'sell him', I don't disagree mate.

Yes, I love him to bits, he loves Arsenal to bits, but he is always injured, so I agree with you.

If he stayed fit, he is the future of AFC, but alas, he doesn't.

Personally, I wouldn't sell him because I don't anybody would buy him.

So Jelfy, I agree with you.

So that's 7 of you Dags who vote sell

17 Dec 2014 20:45:40
As a last resort, yes.

Love JW10 to bits, just tired of his constant injuries mate.

Not blaming him for his last injury, was a bad tackle, but he would have picked up another injury sooner or later.

Sorry,got my controversial hat on tonight.

Sell him for sure while his price is high. There are so any better than him. I know he loves arsenal but so does jenko. A lot of players love arsenal. Are we supposed to give them all contracts?

Jesus people agree with me Iam shocked

17 Dec 2014 10:15:36
On the Manchester United debate - We haven't been a good team this season yet. We are getting by on very good attacking players and a world class keeper and of course luck. That is all true.

What has been ignored to this point is the 40+ injuries we have had to deal with. Despite what Red Dog said those injuries were not just 'squad players'. Rooney, Di Maria, Falcao, Carrick, Herrera, Shaw, Rafael - All missed time with injuries. Those are all first teamers and arguably our best outfield players bar RVP and Mata. To still be third at this point is a brilliant and the sign of a good and most importantly, hardworking team.

I will absolutely concede that our defence individually is poor (despite getting results). We are obviously looking for a top CB but as it was in the summer we weren't able to get a deal done and we are making do for now until we can get one.

With players coming back from injuries and money to spend going forward the only way for us is up.

Onto Arsenal - To be honest it is difficult to analyse you. Year by year nothing seems to change and you have the same issues. You are strong with possession but weak on the counter - been an issue for years. Play attractive attacking football but can be bullied in physical games - see every Stoke match. And there is definitely some truth in the old joke, 'The problem with Arsenal is that they always try to walk it in. I don't know if all these problems are Wenger related but they need fixing.

Finally onto the United/Arsenal 11

GK: De Gea (Not up for debate)
RB: Debuchy/Rafael (Neither consistent)
CB: Koscielny (Better than the rest by far)
CB: Per/Smalling/Jones (In that order. All poor but too small a sample size to put Rojo or Chambers here)
LB: Gibbs (Could make the argument for Shaw but again, too small a sample size)
DM: Carrick (If you watch and appreciate him you'll see he is very good)
RM: Sanchez (Not up for debate)
LM : Di Maria (Not up for debate)
AM: Mata (since joining United has more goals and assists than Hazard)
ST: Rooney (Better than DW and OG)
ST: RVP (Better than DW and OG)

Notable players missing: Falcao (not played enough, looked meh when he came on) Wilshere (Inconsistent) Ox (great player, not yet in Alexis or Di Maria's league) Ramsey (Obviously brilliant last year but barring a wonder goal this year has been anonymous) Ozil (Does he still play for Arsenal?)

The defence is a crapshoot with one solid player (Koscielny) If Ramsey had been playing better he would have Mata's spot. Other than that I think that's a pretty fair assessment. Obviously I'm open to reasoned debate!

{Ed025's Note - very good and fair post that rosie..

17 Dec 2014 11:29:24
Rosie,

I like you. Not a lot, but I like you :-)

{Ed025's Note - get a room!.. :)

A very good post Rosie, I don't agree with all comparisons but I do agree we both have our strengths and weaknesses.
In think the thing that's in your favour above ours is you WILL strengthen in January and again in the summer and you'll do it where its most needed regardless of who it upsets.
As for us? I just don't know, I want to believe well add in January and by next season be truly able to challenge again but in truth I will only believe it when I see it.
Of the two clubs? If everyone was honest on here few would bet their house on us being champions again before you are, despite us being in a much better position in the summer we have conceded our advantage imo

17 Dec 2014 12:05:13
How many key players have been out for months rather than weeks, you honestly have maybe 9 first teamers in a squad of 25. Rooney and Mata want to play the same role. You have a top quality young keeper and RVP who can put the ball in the net, Sanchez and Di Maria play left or right wing.

GK - De Gea
RB - Debuchy all day long, has shown he is a great replacement for Sagna and way better than the hot headed hot and cold Rafeal.
CB's Kos and Mert
LB - at this time Gibbs, for the future Shaw
DM - Not a lot between Arteta and Carrick, neither good enough
CM - Ramsey all day long because he is coming back to form
AM - Ozil over Mata for me, even when he was at his best for Chelsea Ozil was better at Madrid.
RW/LW - Sanchez or Di Maria, Sanchez all day again, Di Maria is not a midfielder as much as you'd like to shoe horn him in the team.
ST - RVP, scores goals, simple as. Falcoa still unknown and does Rooney score enough in his current guise.
LW/RW- Rooney, Walcott, Welbeck or the Ox, I'd take any of Welbeck, Walcott, the Ox then Rooney as in that position they offer way more for our style of play and so much more speed.

De Gea
Debuchy, Mert, Kos, Gibbs/Shaw
Carrick, Ramsey, Ozil
Walcott, RVP, Sanchez

That team still needs a DM better than Carrick and a CB better than Mertesacker. You have a much bigger squad build than we do Rosie with the likes of Cleverley, Anderson, Nani, Fletcher, Young, Evans, Smalling, Jones, Rafeal, Fellaini, Valencia, Hernandez, Blind and Zaha just to me, not United standard, still need to be moved on or failing to live up to your expectations.

ROSIE
Well I don't agree with a lot of what you say, I mean your on a run now, which you have been very very lucky,
De gea = having a good year, last year you wanted him replaced
To compare Mert, with smalling /jones
Their can't get in your team
Carrick you must be watching his fifty best clips, because, again a player that can't get into your team most weeks.
RVP, is now playing well, but 2 weeks ago rubbish,
Rosie I think we will finish above you and then we can compare, not after your on a very very lucky run.
just my opinion.

Red Dog's got it about right for me. Would probably change the lineup to get Rooney in there but no way you leave out Walcott's pace.

Thanks for that - Rosie's post had me a little down.

You must be quite crazy to not include Ozil and Wallcott, and choose Mata instead. As far as RVP is concerned he is quite rubbish, I would still pick OG because he contributes to the team in many ways.

Yeah, the only united players that could get into our starting 11(sans injuries) in my opinion would be de gea and possibly carrick. Obviously wouldn't mind having rooney, mata, di maria, rvp(c***) in the squad if they weren't on such high wages, but I don't think they'd really improve our best team. All we need is a world class dm, cb and possibly a goalkeeper. Throw in quality competition for giroud (sorry welbeck) and we're good to go.

17 Dec 2014 15:24:37
A nice debate brewing here! Not posted on this site for quite while, so hi everyone. I would like to make a few points if I may, please don't gang up on me like you did to my mate, Chris. Nasty gooners 😊

Red Rosie, dags, g62 - some very good, unbiased posts from you guys and I agree with a lot that you have said.

Red dog, you're not managing the bias so well I'm afraid so let me help you out 😉
1) what is the fascination with our players who are not 'united quality' are monreal, merts, chambers, flamini, arteta, sanogo, welbeck, rosicky (I could go on) 'arsenal quality'? In a squad of 25 you're going to need quite a variety in terms of quality
2) you've mentioned our signings which were not 'stellar' why, were sanogo, flamini, chambers, welbeck stellar signings? Again I could go on but surely there is no need
3) you use injuries as an excuse yet we have had loads too, probably more in total this season, so that really is no excuse is it.

All the points you have made against United could be made just as well about Arsenal, difference being we are in recovery whilst Arsenal have had all the right conditions to push on. United are in major transition as we all know whilst Arsenal have enjoyed a consistent base, so what is their excuse for letting a worse team in your eyes sit 5 points ahead at this stage? Surely it would be us expected to make the slower start and later improvement?

Honest arsenal fans will admit that the last 18 months was Wengers opportunity to shine, no more stadium excuses, cash to spend (ozil, Sanchez etc), all the other top clubs struggling through managerial and player changes. Yet he still failed to strengthen the necessary areas and you still fail to challenge for the title. City, Chelsea and united are all improving. Arsenal seem to stay still under Wenger. From reading this site recently those seem to be the worries of the more realistic gooners on here.

I agree with the consensus that with a top DM and improvements up front and at CB arsenal can easily challenge. But its like groundhod day, because every man and his (red) dog have known that for years. Apart from one man, it would seem.

On united - clearly we have issues, including our shoddy defence. But then again arsenal's has been just as shoddy due to lack of depth. We have a long way to go but I am at least happy that the club and Lvg seem to be making positive moves both on and off the pitch. It is a work in progress and I would be delighted with 3rd, happy enough with 4th for ONE season tbh.

This is my honest assessment. I have steared clear of the player comparisons since those debates tend to encourage bias in my experience.

1st/2nd almost certainly Chelsea /city

3rd/4th almost certainly be a fight between us and you. It will be close Imo and I hope our lack of European competition gives us the edge.

Best of luck gooners and may the best team finish 3rd, lol

{Ed025's Note - i enjoyed that post HB..

17 Dec 2014 16:14:59
Honey,

I think you have made a fair assessment.

And totally agree with you about the last 18 months.

Compared to previous seasons, ie not having to sell star players, we had a good, but not very good window.

Ospina was a straight replacement for Fabianski.
Debuchy for Sagna.
Chambers for Vermaelen.
Welbeck and Sanchez, especially the latter, were major plusses.

But, as is well documented, he didn't sign a Hummel's or Schneiderlin type player.

Until that is rectified, I don't think we will challenge Chelsea or City.

With Utd, I see a very poor (in comparison to previous seasons) defence.
Same with midfield, but a very good attack.

I look at Arsenal and Utd, and I see more deficiencies than plus points, for both.

There is nothing between us, team wise and I agree with you, we have '3rd' and '4th' written all over us.

17 Dec 2014 16:15:37
Hi HB,

In the first instance the REDman has only himself to blame, I used a word, pathetic, as bait and he drowned himself. That is youth for you.

Secondly I have no fascination with United, if you can tell me they are all the kind of quality you want within your squad then please do, whether there is variation or not.

Have you had long term injuries to your equivalent of Koscielny, Debuchy, Giroud, Ozil, Ramsey and now Wilshere I don't think so to be honest.

Not sure I mentioned stellar signings but Falcoa and Di Maria have not set the Premier League on fire, as yet.

Whilst I am fully aware and have said before that upgrades are needed for some of our players as well as the DM and CB that are the most urgent. So seriously I'm am being honest, because I still want Wenger at the helm doesn't mean I turn a blind eye or wear Red Tinted specs.

I also look at a whole picture and see why things I might like to have happened, haven't already, but I'm not going to throw my toys out of the pram because of it.

I note the tone of your post aimed at me and just assume you are sticking up for young RED.

If he was honest, he went for it, lost his cool, got somewhat petulant and in reality might think about apologising but I'm not holding my breath.

It is like ed025 said the Arsenal page. He chooses to come on here and as he says go fishing, when he got well and truly hooked himself he didn't like it.

A couple of spoonfuls of MTFU and he'll be fine. :-)

17 Dec 2014 16:20:19
Red,

MTFU, lol.

Love that.

17 Dec 2014 18:16:49
Can't grumble with much of that, dags, apart from referring to me as 'honey' which feels a little over familiar :) but I'll let you off, lol. Now please do me a favour and help your pal red dog to remove those blinkers from his eyes :)

Red dog,

I get the points you make I really do, its just that you seem to fail to see the very same failings in the Arsenal team. A la Wenger you might say!

Injuries - are we really going to get into a player by player analysis of who has had the worst injuries? All teams have injuries, its part of football, Arsenal and United have both had their fair share this season. But we all have 25 man squads for a reason so pulling the old injuries card is a little weak from my perspective. If you actually had a ready made back up CB in the squad it would not be an issue but AW forgot to get one.

For the record we have had injuries to Di Maria and Rooney who are two of our best, Carrick for a long period who is our un-sung hero, all our CB's have been injuried at least twice each leaving us to rely on an 18 year old who had barely played at u21 level, both fullbacks out for long periods leaving us with wingers in their place, Blind and Herrera out for long spells, even DDG and RvP having short spells and of course Falcao who has barely featured due to injury. I'm not saying Arsenal haven't had very bad injuries but you seem willing to recognise that whilst unwilling to recognise our, also blatantly shocking, transfer list.

Squad players - of course I would like upgrades on a number of our squad players, wouldn't you? The likes of Cleverly, Ando, Nani, Hernandez are not good enough for us and are already on their way out of the club. Thanks LvG. We already shipped out Welbeck and made a fine buck which was nice, only messing, slightly :) Players like Smalling, Jones, Evans are limited and will largely replaced by better players over the next 2 windows. Again thanks LvG. But again, you string off these names (in a previous thread) as if to prove how poor we are whilst ignoring the irony of having the same calibre of players in your own squad? I listed many of them earlier, you know who they are, the ones who regularly get slated on this very page. My point is, both teams have top level players, both teams have good players, both clubs have average-poor players. Only City and Chelsea are ahead in that regard but even City as an example have the likes of Clichy, Kolarov, Fernandinho, Richards, Mangala etc. it doesn't make them a poor team by default.

Falcao and Di Maria have yet to set the league apart, agreed. Falcao has barely featured so what do you expect. Di Maria has had limited game time due to injuries and is brand new to the league - he has has some poor, some good and some world class performances during those games. Anyone looking to write him off right now would be foolish in my book.

You seem confident that Arsenal are well ahead of United, which is the only reason I chose to post. You got me 'hooked' if you like. My opinion is much like dags, United and Arsenal have 3rd/4th written all over us and there is very little to separate us. Similar squads in terms of overall quality, we have a better GK and goal scorers, you have better creativity and ball retainers - both have dodgy defences. I'm honestly looking forward to the battle throughout the season and like I said a few days ago over on our site - I would not be surprised to finish below Arsenal but would also not be surprised to finish above you. 3rd or 4th either way I hope.

I was only messing by mentioning Chris in my OP. He's a good guy and a good poster on many sites and he's old enough to look after himself without needing me as backup, lol.

p.s. sorry for the long post, particularly the non-Arsenal related bits, I will give it a rest soon I promise! And no offence meant to anyone, just enjoying the debate.

{Ed025's Note - cracking post HB, very accurate and very fair mate..respect..

Excellent inter page banter from both Honey badger and Rosie, good humoured intelligent and interesting, no offence Chris :-)

17 Dec 2014 18:56:14
Thanks Ed025, might I say you are easily one of the best eds in terms of banter and contribution, from reading this page in recent weeks. Keep it up.

G62 thanks but leave my pal chris alone or we'll come back together and bring Syd and co too, lol

17 Dec 2014 19:17:59
Honey (you know I'm going to keep calling you that, lol).

That's a damn fine post mate.

Respect to you.

But ya team is still rubbish, lol.

17 Dec 2014 21:19:25
Dags,

I know it is but your team is just slightly rubbish-er.

Now grow up!

17 Dec 2014 23:07:53
HB,

I've just told you exactly what our short comings are so how can I have failed to see them.

People like to assume I'm both deluded and wear blinkers simply because I still believe in Wenger and have faith in the quality of our players.

We are saying pretty much the same things about our respective teams, both lack in positions, I simply think you lack in more and whether you have more points or not we are playing better football.

I also genuinely believe that we will finish above you. :-)

18 Dec 2014 00:08:59
Only just got round to reading all of this. Enjoyed it immensely. Will take me too long to reply to all of you!

Whoever said Carrick never makes our squad is just wrong. Sorry about that. A little research never hurt anyone.

And you can't make the argument that Sanchez and Di Maria 'play on the same side'. They are wingers that get moved around. They are both superior to Walcott and both make the squad ahead of him. Di Maria also had his best year at Madrid in midfield so there is no shoe horning either way.

I would also repeat my Mata over Ozil choice. Mata has delivered for us (plenty of goals and assists since he arrived). Ozil hasn't yet.

Rafael is absolutely hot headed. Shame but I can't argue with that at all.

ANYHOO - United and Arsenal. toss up for 3rd and 4th. If either team is superior it is by such a small amount that it's not worth arguing about.

I miss the Keane vs Viera days. who's with me?!

18 Dec 2014 11:42:35
Red dog, I don't mind that prediction coming from you. Not long since you predicted 2nd was it? These things tend to change 😆

Merry crimbo gooners, if I don't venture over again before the big day hope you have a good one!

17 Dec 2014 09:33:44
Thierry Henry. What a player. As a United fan growing up in the Arsenal v United era I tried so very hard to hate Henry but I just couldn't. I miss those days.

17 Dec 2014 11:31:01
Respect Rosie.

17 Dec 2014 15:35:32
For me the most important factors in choosing best ever epl player would be level of quality, length of service (at highest level), that x factor and what they have achieved.

Many names should be mentioned including Cantona, Keane, Ronaldo, Rio, Schmeichel from my own club.

However, I must admit, it would be hard to put anyone above TH on that list! Top, top player and did I consistantly over a long period.

Legend.

17 Dec 2014 07:39:30
Before our next home game. The club should show all of henrys goals on the big screens. Encourage fans to get in early to watch it. Could you imagine the atmosphere if they did that then the man himself showed up on the touchline just before kick off. What do you think?

17 Dec 2014 09:10:55
Sizzling idea Bacon.

Nice to see you slipped in a ham fisted pun there dags!!

They'd have to get there very early, he scored a few