17 Mar 2014 23:31:50
Great result at the weekend! 3 points at this stage of the season is that matters, that's what builds morale in the team not great performances! In the last few seasons we would have played brilliantly and not have come away with three points! Glad we grinded out the win, we needed a strong defensive performance before chelsea, Swansea, city and Everton! Non of them games are easy!
Anyways just saw that we got allocated nearly 2/3 of Wembley against Wigan! So that should help our nerves on the day especially seen as our away support get first dibs! They've been immense this season!
Just enjoy the next 10 (hopefully 11) games lads and jenny! And get behind the freaking team whether it's bendtner, sanogo or kalstrom on the pitch!
I feared worse for us than where we are at the beginning of the season! No matter what the media say it no where near gloom and doom over the emirates
COYFG!
Arsenal Banter Archive March 17 2014
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17 Mar 2014 21:40:23
How about Tim Sherwood when Wenger retires?
Dim Sherwood? No thanks
I think we should go for Alan Mcnee. At least he knows he's a joke.
Flybo
17 Mar 2014 18:21:46
Isnt it about the time of the season our new transfer sigining Diaby makes his 3 season appearances?
Be good - we'll have two new signings with him and Kelstoem
17 Mar 2014 13:33:49
As i'm sure we are all accutely aware football formations go through many fads/phases. 352 of the 90's 442 of the 00's and the 4231 of the last few years to put it breifly.
As the 4231 seems to be drawing to a close with bayern and man city etc prefering a derivative of the 442 with 2 deep lying centre midfielders and wingers who may aswell play upfront, do we think somewhere, potentially on the horizon, Wenger may be building for this change?
Ozil has been all but useless largely without the runs in behind he has with germany and at madrid, but played as a second forward, true number 10, would it be such a bold move? flamini, ramsey, wiltshire, rosicky occupy central areas, with walcot, santi, ox, serge playing wider.
giroud would likely be kept in this situation, as looks ever so likely, with maybe only a pacey wide player and/or a holding mid to cover our aging players in that area the only real signings, likely to happen.
to me this seems much more like a Wenger move. Transform a player, use what you have, save a fortune. leaving whoever takes over from him in 3? years time or whatever a healthy transfer kitty to play with.
We all agree that Ozil needs runners to help his game but "all but useless" is ridiculous. He has assisted 8 goals and scored 4 times in the premiership. Cazorla has only scored 4 got 4 assists. Do you think Cazorla is useless to?
As for the formation, I like the idea of 4-4-2 but we have far too many talented midfielders at Arsenal and unless you are willing to sell the likes of Wilshere and Arteta I cannot see us changing formations.
As many have said before we only really need to sign some speedy wingers and a fast and strong striker and then Ozil will dominate the assists stats in the premier league.
I personally do not understand why when we are lacking so much pace Wenger still allows Ox to play in the middle. The boy is rapid and is the only real outlet option we have without Theo.
Next year could be awesome but I am still not convinced Wenger will sign the players we need, but fingers crossed.
17 Mar 2014 22:31:44
Yh fair comment, the ozil statement was abit over the mark but you get my point "underachieving" at least by his standards would porbably put it better.
I agree with the ox comment wholeheartedly, but as oppose to that, currently he seems one of only a few willing to make that powering run into the box one way or another, whilst still chipping in defensively.
I also agree wenger won't sign what players we need, if anything I almost expect him to sign another attacking centre mid like we do most windows, a position we are if anything, proficient in.
to me we badly need pace. One way or an other. Be it wingers, be it a forward, whatever, just something to give that out ball and prevent people doing the stock high line against us to restrict us space because they know they could probably catch any counter attack.
Now when I was a lad we played (from back to front) 2, 3, 5 in front of the keeper. Left back and right back. Left half, centre half and right half. Left wing, inside left, centre forward, inside right and right wing. That was the standard formation of all teams, even in the top flight (old first division) until Alf Ramsey basically didi away with wingers and mae the full backs take on attacking duties. Anyone else remember this formation and does anyone think it might sprng a surprise or two if a team suddenly adopted it now for a game or three?
17 Mar 2014 12:12:40
Wenger says that he will never buy 6 or 7 players in 1 transfer window like the sp*ds have done.The only problem is that in the coming transfer window we need a no 2 goalkeeper, possibly another right back, 1 or 2 centre halves, a defensive midfielder and 1 or 2 strikers.I make that at least 5 players we are going to need.
He will buy one goalkeeper & use a young one as third choice. He will buy a Right Back if Sagna goes. He will buy a centre back if Vermaelen leaves. He will buy a forward if Giroud goes. So 4 players at best.
We do need a few signings as we are crazy injury prone.
For me we really need a left winger and a strong and fast striker more than anything. Obviously strengthening in all areas (bar central midfield) is the only way we can really compete with the likes of Chelsea, City, Bayern and alike but this is not the Wenger way. I am very pleased with this season but I would not be dissappointed if Wenger left for Barca in the summer.
The signings I think we should make that are possible are:
Ballotelli
Draxler (as Reus is never happening)
Remy
Shaw (Harsh on Gibbs but he is always injured)
Coleman (Unless we stump up cash for Sagna which we should)
A young Keeper
Robbie, If Giroud leaves then Wenger would surely buy 2 forwards? we are 1 short now so surely a no brainer to get another
With sanogo and chuba akpom I don't know if he would 100% buy two forwards. remember he has poldi he can play there too
Banbury - if Giroud leaves I believe he will sign a replacement and use Sanogo as back up. Unless he departs Podolski could be used or perhaps it's time for Walcott to be played in the central striker role. The alternative would be a player like Draxler, who could play an attacking midfield role or the central striker position that Wenger reportedly has in mind for him.
Can anyone see Sanogogoogogogogog getting in the Chelsea, M City, Barca, RMadrid or Bayern squad? If that is the quality then we have a huge wait for CL or PL Success
17 Mar 2014 10:54:16
The GUINNESS is about to get a huge bashing today
Happy ST.PATRICKS every 1
Beep beep
17 Mar 2014 10:40:36
Good morning everyone and a happy St Paticks day.
Reading through various sites and media today, I am delighted that there isn't any mention of us winning the league. It's all about Liverpool being real contenders, which obviously they are.
We haven't got the media pressure and I can't help thinking this will effect Liverpool.
To be honest, I don't think we will win at Chelsea but can see us nicking a point.
The premiership this season have produced some very unpredictable results and with City and Liverpool both playing teams this weekend who are fighting for survival, I wouldn't be shocked if there was an upset.
Under the radar and off the back pages. Love it.
This season it could be us.
Be lucky.
Off to the boozer now to raise a glass of the black stuff to my dear old mum who gave me her Irish blood.
17 Mar 2014 08:05:15
Been away for a few days with work and as ever overjoyed with the win against the spurs. By the look of it we weren't at our best with the ball, but defended very well with Kos and Per. And let's be honest it's all about the three points, especially against that lot.
What a player Rosicky is. It's a shame that he's suffered so many injuries throughout his career.
I can't tell you the amount of injuries I've sustained due to having brittle bones.
"He told me it was talcum powder, honest guv! Now get out my way while I prove to my mates that I can jump off that double decker bus. What a tune! Listen to this beat drop. I love you mate. What you looking at? I'm hungry. It ain't my baby."
Anyway 1 nil to the Arsenal, happy days. That will get me through the week. Along with the thought of laying next to Jenny on that beach.
UP THE GOONERS.
Flybo
17 Mar 2014 10:33:20
Now I have an image in my head of you lying next to me in one of those crazy outfits you've often described. :-) lol.
I really REALLY hope Jenny Taylor is a dude after the way some people on here have been hitting on her!
We could look like twins, but I'd have a 5 o'clock shadow, and a scrotum.
Flybo
17 Mar 2014 07:38:38
Arsenal:
only Chelsea & City left from top teams, must win situation against Chelsea (A) and City(H), Chelsea missing players but shouldn't be too effected due to squad size, City (H) must win to stall City chances otherwise with games in hand they are in the wind
overall we have 5 away games and 4 home but with a pretty relaxed schedule but a must win FA semi final. squad size an issue but hopefully ramsey coming back and ox shinning it could go well
Chelsea:
played the most games so vulnerable and afford to loose like this week, still in CL contention so possible fixture congestion, play Liverpool away towards the end of the season which could play in their minds and a potential title decider, more away games (5) to 4 home games
City:
3 games in hand but can they really win them all, Manchester United despite their recent performance could pull a stunt for the derby and away at Arsenal won't be that easy, a massive match for title contenders,
nothing else but the league to focus on but lots of games to play in April including Liverpool away, potential title decider again. 6 away 5 home till the end of the season
Liverpool:
Slowly sneaked their way into top 4 and look to cement it there, few defensive woes but their attack covers for any casualties.
4 away to 5 home games however playing City Chelsea and Spurs (lets hope Tim Sherwood can do some magic) in April, lots of potential pot holes and massive pressure but only the league to focus on.
possibly the best league run up and too close to call
City- too many games
Chelsea- off form
Liverpool - big games towards the end
Arsenal - squad concerns
onto the next game.
17 Mar 2014 08:18:12
I'm not sure how you can say Liverpool have slowly sneaked their way into the top four, they were league leaders at Christmas and have been playing really good football for ages.
Culminating in the humiliation of the current Chumpions yesterday.
17 Mar 2014 09:51:22
It was also just consecutive away games at City+Chelsea that knocked us off.
Just saying :)
I would say Everton away is as hard as any other fixture we have
17 Mar 2014 07:00:03
Im going to be a bit blunt about yesterday, sorry everyone. Personally I was far from happy with our performance yesterday, except for the 3 points, which if we had not got against a Spurs team that couldn't hit a cows arse with a banjo this season would have been an insult to us fans. We are now going into the Chelsea game yahooing! and whooping! because Chelsea have got 2 main players out and probably for a our sakes it's a good job too. To me that shows where our confidence is. While I was watching the game yesterday I had to pinch myself to remember that we were actually supposed to be a team supposedly chasing the title. I thought we were really very poor. We should be putting our hands together that we had Mert and Kos because without them it would have been a different story this morning believe me. I couldn't really pick out individual bad performances as it was going on all over the place. But people keep talking about Ozil lately what about Santi what's going on with him? he has been going hot and cold for quite a few games now . We were known all over for our passing ability, have you all noticed how bad it's been lately? so much so that when we do string a combination of passes together we discuss the brilliance of what we just saw where as it use to be common place. I honestly don't know where we will end up at the end of the season but I do know that our fluffing around in the summer transfer season could well be the undoing if us winning the EPL this season. I was going to say I hope the board learn by this messing around every transfer season when negotiating to buy players but why would they break the habit of a lifetime.?
17 Mar 2014 08:22:58
GOLDS,
That was the most depressing game I've watched all season only eclipsed by losing FIVE points to that abject cr4p that is United.
It doesn't even feel like we won :-(
Jenny. My sentiments exactly .
We should just move on but before we do . spurs didn't have 1 shot on goal in the first half a first half that should have seen us a least 2 up . In the 2nd half Schezza did his best to get involved but spurs were very limited to chances . A win is a win especially in a London Derby, look what happened last year we were so open. A performance like that on Saturday with the same result will make everyone happy
I hear you Golds, but at this time of the season, IE, the business end, points are worth more than performances.
If we play crap for the rest of the season and win every game 1-0, I will be a very happy Dagenham Gunner.
I understand your point though mate.
16 Mar 2014 23:49:08
Just heard a bizarre rumour that Girouds wife wants him to secure a transfer back to France to save his marriage, if it's true I think he could be a good thing (if wenger buys a suitable replacment.) if he doesn't buy someone like Morata who isn't experianced enough to lead the line to the title.
But it does sound a bizarre rumour, let's see how it pans out.
All this aside, I love the guy like many of us do. And hope he stays.
I'll talk him out of it. Even though Giroud does a job for us, I'm hoping next season he's going to be a very good plan B.
Flybo
Please do flybo!
Love the guy (not as much as you) seems to really care about us.
17 Mar 2014 00:21:05
Banbury I just saw your "predictions" on "Arsenal other posts".
I hope you are wrong mate, lol.
His wife will get over it. Look at Rooneys wife. Now that's a woman with the patience of a saint. Not only is her old man facially challenged, when he does find a bird on the side she is getting a birthday card from the Queen and has more lines on her face than the London Underground . LOL
Lol, Golds
Dont be so sure golds, giroud's wife isn't coleen 'gimmie the money' rooney,
does anyone really believe wayne rooney is smart enough to ransom himself off against man utd? obvs his agent and a lil push from his mrs.
ANYWAYS back to giroud. in 3 years he's gone from playing some decent football in his home country where his wife would feel a little impowered to being on the back pages week in week out, Olly has had like 300% more attention from women and press, its nothing completely new to her/him but its a different league to what it was before.
IF its true, then I think its a win win for arsenal.
Giroud goes; MAKES us spend big on a big name striker.
Giroud stays; I think he's only going to get better, and when we spend it'll improve the team