Arsenal Banter Archive December 21 2014

21 Dec 2014 22:45:31
Ed025,

You oversee us and the Toffee's.

Who are the most depressive bunch after a poor result?
(Assuming our point at Anfield is considered poor).

{Ed025's Note - deffo the blues dags...my bird has to hide my shoelaces when we get beat mate....banbury runs them close though mate.. :)

21 Dec 2014 22:58:39
Lol Ed,

Bambam's ok, but your boy Swan, jeez.

{Ed025's Note - 2 peas in a pod mate..

21 Dec 2014 23:08:48
2 peas were in a pod.

One says, "its warm in here".

The other one said, "Blimey, a talking pea".

Don't worry Ed, I'm going bed soon, lol.

{Ed025's Note - goodnight dags..

21 Dec 2014 22:19:47
Just a few quick point that I have observed over recent weeks.

Liverpool - Been on an absolute stinker of a run yet we go there and are comfortably played off the park. How Liverpool didn't win today is beyond me. They had the chances too.

Tactics - Where to start? There aren't any! We play the same way every week and are naive enough to think it'll work. We never adapt to defend a lead, we never change things up when it's not working. there's no plan B. Actually, I'm not even convinced there's a plan A!

Mistakes - Yet again we switch off on a corner and are punished dearly for it. It happens every week. EVERY WEEK!

Players:

Mertesacker - Ducking out the way of Skrtle's last minute equaliser. Cowardly defending. Been a disgrace since he came here and never looked like the leader many believe he is. He has never once taken charge on the field like you see Terry and Kompany do. He is non-existent. Other than a half decent 6 months last year he has been shocking.

Chambers - 16 million? Look relatively assured in his first few games but has been found wanting since. Almost like he sees he is playing for Arsenal and has been called up to the full England squad and he thinks he's made it. Not helped by the fact we failed to add to the defence in the summer and he's been left to cover every position.

Flamini - What does he offer?! Can anyone tell me? Booked in the first 15 mins of every game and can't touch anyone after that. Useless. We really don't appreciate Arteta. He's not the best but he's 10 times better than Flamini.

Ox - Will never be a centre midfielder. Attacking mid possibly. Is at his best taking people on out wide.

Welbeck - When he is played out wide he contributes very little. He is that great up top either. Not sure what he offers this team.

Giroud - Works at home. Falls apart when we play away. There's just something about him that suits him when we play at home and not away.

Wenger - Completely lost it. He has no clue. He is done! With a top manager and a couple of top CB's and a couple of top MF's we could go places.

Only another 2.5 years to go!

{Ed025's Note - bloody hell G95...you are a depressing sod mate!...you make banbury sound like christopher biggins mate.. :)

Watching Arsenal makes me like this. They have the ability to ruin my day/weekend. And they do it more often than not these days!

This is getting Tiresome ED

{Ed025's Note - im sorry you feel that way BG, for me mate a point at anfield is always a decent result, you could well have won that (9 mins injury time my arse) but a point is a point, and even though the performance was not great, its a results business..and that was a result..

21 Dec 2014 22:56:25
Fair point Ed.

Last season 5-1.
This season 2-2.

Although disappointed with the late equaliser, a point is still a point.

{Ed025's Note - thats the way i see it dags..

Liverpool have been awful this season and they play us off the park. Sorry for not putting up the bunting. We should be going there and destroying a side like that.

Despite being dominated today it was very frustrating to concede that equalizer so late in the game we looked like steeling away. Yet again set pieces our downfall. A strong header like Skertal should never been given a free run like that in our box. Like you say Mertasaker for is size is not physically strong and aggressive enough and to not even challenge for that ball is shameful.

Our problem today is that we were outnumbered to too long periods in midfield and To be fair to Flamini he just could not cope on his own trying to cover two players. Sanchez and Wellbeck needed to tuck in more to harras Gerrard and Lucas on the ball more to give them less time.

ED

Where have I said it wasn't a decent point. The stats suggest Arsenal will be happy with a point.

I posted this earlier .

Selective reading again from people.

A bit like a few think I have posted somewhere I want us to lose.

Off you trot and find it

{Ed025's Note - i was not quoting you BG, its just my view on things mate..

Aaaaah bless, I'll send a big box of tissues to Oxfordshire!

21 Dec 2014 21:36:54
So I can't bring myself to read the posts as I think I knpw who will be the doom merchants. who will brush it off, etc etc.

At around 80 mins with them with 10 men, a chance to counter we have walcott on the bench and bring Monreal on, was such a piece of tactical stupidity it surprised me. It was a move of fear because to be fair, we played so badly we didn't deserve a thing. We played the worst first half of football I've seen, no one pressured the ball, it was pathetic. Chambers, Carzola and Sanchez had their worst games in the first half I've seen.

Absolutely useless, on the pitch. Absolutely clueless tactically for me. A huge pile of steaming turd. Welbeck was an embarassment.

Shambles.

{Ed025's Note - bit harsh that imo baggins, no side will play great every week, you went there to do a job, and nearly succeeded, a draw at anfield is not the worst thing in the world mate..

I'd accept it if we played great every other week but we don't. There's nothing there. A draw at Anfield is decent if it's not against an awful Liverpool team who are being beaten every second week.

21 Dec 2014 22:25:53
Ya I can imagine that

2-1 up 10 mins to go we bring on walcott to attack the game

We conceed. 2-2, and every subeditor in the sporting world would be splashing Anderpool headlines.

Come on man, the right call was shore up the defence.

{Ed025's Note - fair shout sheeny..

21 Dec 2014 23:04:02
Sheeny,

Its a judgement call mate.

I understand where you are coming from, and I agree, but with 10 mins to go and losing 1-2, Liverpool will chase the game and leave gaps at the back.

Walcott could/would exploit that and seal the game for us.

Like I said, judgement call.
Unfortunately, we seem to getting quite a few of them wrong lately.

We had an extra man, we should be able to control and exploit. i'm not a giroud fan but his height would have been invaluable for dead balls. Plus all three subs were like spare dicks at a wedding for the goal. They had know idea what they should be doing. Again it was changes that didn't work for us, not for the first time.

22 Dec 2014 01:56:50
We should have been able to push up without Walcott dags. It was poor play that we didn't.

And personally Walcott would have been the wrong call because he's played 10mins of senior football in 12mnts. He's on the bench atm to get handy 20 minute bloodings when things are going well. They weren't so he wasn't in contention.

Monreal is well able to get forward anyway, we didn't because we were playing poorly had a terrible amount of possession a fluffed our lines under pressure when we had it.

21 Dec 2014 20:28:35
RED ROOSTER

No I wasn't mate HONESTLY.

If we would have won I would have said fair play to those who tipped us to win. It is after all merely predictions. But isn't it like us to concede leads, we just can't hold on to them anymore .

Everyone can see I have said wins against QPR and W Ham, if we don't I will still post on here and say I got that wrong, I am confident of 6 pts from 6 because of the teams styles, they will be open games which of course will suit us

Thanks for the reply BG.

21 Dec 2014 19:59:49
Over the Christmas fixtures we play both West ham and Southampton and so do chavs.
These games won't decide between champions league and uafa for next season of course but they will be a big indictor to how high we need to up our performance to stand still and clinch 4th this season

21 Dec 2014 19:54:40
SHEENY

I do believe we will get 6 points in the 2 London games.

Interesting people will think i'm mad, just as I did with people thinking we would thrash Liverpool.

Opinions


337???????????

21 Dec 2014 22:01:57
I don't think predicting 6 points in those games is mad, but I don't think we'll have that. At our going rate 4 is likely to me.

21 Dec 2014 19:29:58
Just saw Wenger's interview - says he is happy with a point.

C'mon pal, if you give up points in games you should win like Swansea and United and then take only a point in a gift game like this. then you are really heading for mediocrity.

Are we really happy with a point?

21 Dec 2014 21:22:36
I'm not. Very disappointed.

21 Dec 2014 18:07:13
So I get called a miserable git for predicting 2-2 . funny site this isn't it?

We all have our opinions but I won't predict we will win when I don't think we will, I think we will win v QPR and v W Ham and quite comfortably.

It was a decent point against one of the 'big boys' ( even though Ed says 'pool aren't ).

As I say it is opinions but how some of you thought we would win 3 or 4 nil baffled me. We concede goals that is the nature of our play.

The man Giroud does it again for us and at least we are starting to et a bit of confidence back.

It wasn't a great performance but we got a point.

Well done Banbury, I hope you had some money on it.

21 Dec 2014 18:38:49
Have to agree with you mate.

Even though I thought, or should I say hoped, we would win 2-0, I couldn't believe people were predicting a walk-over.

21 Dec 2014 18:47:55
Amazingly I'm with you on this BG. I in know way stand behind wanting to lose or wanting to come 7th. I trust your intentions are pure but I personally could never stand for that, aside from the fact I believe whole heartedly it would damage us too greatly. That's a divide in opinion on whether 2 steps back would work for the future of the club.

On the prediction I don't believe its miserable at all not to expect a win. I think the misery side comes from wanting us to lose. Although you haven't been touting that lately you have in the not so distant past.

I also think some of the 3-0, 4-0 predictions that people jump out with are mad. But they're dreamers like the rest of us. I'm sometimes peeved about it because our recent form has been terrible but for 2 games and some people get carried away when in fact we've given ourselves a stay of execution until the next game.

I'm honestly afraid of us not making top 4 this year. Bad performances will catch up with us, and they already have been. I'm terrified its going to get worse and QPR are going to give us a game, as will West Ham.

We're the worst we've been for 30 years and we spent big in the last 16mts. Yes there have been injuries that if they never occurred we could be doing much better. But they have and we are in a poor position right now.

On top of that even having a full side I don't think it would change the culture of our approach to games. We started today like we did against stoke and that's absolutely unacceptable. Games where we make only a single tackle is disgusting to hear. Its actually an affront to football when we're supposed to be one of the guardians of the good game.

This fixture last year Gerrard made more tackles than our entire team, so its not a new thing either.

Liverpool in my opinion are not one of the big teams. They were when they had a 50 goal strike duo. Millwall would be a big team with a 50 goal strike duo. Without that they are not. They are what they have been for 7 years without that duo which is a top half team at best.

Even though Anfield is still top 10 most difficult grounds for big teams to go against in world football that shouldn't excuse the way we approached this game.

In the end we got what we deserved. A slap in the face, which is worse than 2pts dropped in some terms. Next game we'll come out blazing in reaction to today, three games from now we'll be back to our old tricks.

We're in trouble boys. Sliding since February and even the bad teams are getting it over us the last 2mnts

21 Dec 2014 18:52:04
Comfortably against West Ham?

You started on the Mulled Wine early Bambam?

Hey Banbury - tip my cap to you on the call. I, for one, was pissed about our performance in the first half, and being on the back foot when they were down to 10, and especially pissed that we cannot cover a corner with extra men…


One question for Banbury - Were you pulling for Liverpool to get that goal deep in injury time so you could be right and stick it to the chat board?

Appreciate your post Sheeny

Have I ever said I want us to lose??

NO

All I say is I believe in order for some changes to be made we need to finish outside the top 4, that could mean drawing many games. .which we are good at because we can't convert.

ED
Please find posts where I say I want us to lose? If I have then I will eat humble pie.

No Dags I believe the QPR and W Ham styles will suit us and we will win both. Might even get a clean sheet

Banbury we say what we see, not with them rose coloured specs.

21 Dec 2014 20:27:39
Bambam,

I'm going to hold you to that lol.

Indeed you can

an early prediction

v QPR 3-1 or 2-0

v West Ham United 1-2

21 Dec 2014 22:00:25
Banbury I think that's cop out. For us to achieve what you want in itself losing in that case.

What I don't get though is you want us to do well in the champions league?

21 Dec 2014 16:50:13
LOL

Have to say fair play but we don't deserve 1-1 at HT.

But it is the score that counts.

2-2 is looking a possibility eh 337.

No midweek game I know but surely we've trained for this game? looks like we spent the week at butlins eating burgers and drinking pints

We will win but won't be deserved

Good call banbury. That was awful. We nicked a point there. Terrible

This is the worst football in the wenger era. Horrible

21 Dec 2014 18:07:01
Winning with minutes to go against 10 men and we are happy with a point, it amazes me how many verge sides have made us look below average this season.

I have to admit guys I thought we would have been sharper .

Wenger will no doubt point out how unlucky we were to concede goals late on in each half but I'd say we need to concentrate more when it matters

1404 I think the stats suggest we should be happy with the point.

As I have said we will always score goals but until we learn how to defend we will concede goals more often than not

21 Dec 2014 18:22:25
Not really the point is it mate

21 Dec 2014 19:06:17
I'm far from happy with a point.

2-1 up, stoppage time, we should be shutting up shop and marking players at corners, especially their well known danger men, like Skrtel.

Having seen Utd, City and Chelsea pick up wins over the years, when they have played poorly.

We need to start doing that.

Which is my point about MU, people said they have been crap and I argue it means nothing as they are getting the points ( up to yesterday )

Mancs and Chelski would have defended the corner, we cant.

As I said a few weeks back we can't defend a sand castle on a beach

Dags we need to stop playing poorly, full stop. This is supposed to be a spectacle.

21 Dec 2014 15:06:14
Walcott on the bench then, let's hope his comeback lasts longer than the last one. Its been a long year without him, he has been missed

21 Dec 2014 15:55:17
My fav player Bambam.

And, I think, our most influential, although Sanchez could change that.

He is quality when fully fit, I hope Wenger doesn't throw him on in desperation .

21 Dec 2014 12:37:23
Back to the top

337

spurs hammered Newcastle so I wouldn't shout about our win that much.

Every toppish side are capable of winning any game so that is a dumb statement, its if they do that really counts.

You don't know me enough for a personal insult, I guess that is the level you live at

LOL

Were you one of the old g*ts from the harry enfield show? Jeez you really are a bundle of joy :-p

Spurs hammered them in the worthless cup, but only after we knocked the stuffing out of them 3 days earlier!

Todays poll:

Is Eboniza Banbury the most miserable supporter?

Lads let's not get personal please, we've never recovered from the last time two posters did that.
Prior to that very personal episode this page was its most buoyant I have ever known it but sadly because of that very personal exchange we lost loads of very good posters who have never been heard of again.

All light hearted G62, there was a smiley face after the first line!

Hopefully we all have the same reason for being here, because we love AFC and want to win every game.

I can't help being optimistic it's how I am and won't allow anyone to change it.

337 neither should you allow anyone to change your optimism, our differences are what sometimes makes the site the most interesting.
Apologies if I missed the :-) I just think we have to respect the fact we all we do want the same thing but just have different ideas how best to get there.
We all want to challenge for the title some believe fourth place year after year will eventually get us there others feel only missing out on CL will bring about the changes needed to make us real contender's again.
Right wrong who knows its all about opinions and sometimes we share them and others times we disagree and that's fine by me

Thanks G62, the wanting us to finish outside the top 4 though really does stick in my throat.

I know we've been here before but the fact is that the financial implications would be monstorous, and although some believe it would shake the board in to spending it would not be the case as we would not be able to due to ffp rules.

I hear and understand the arguments for and against finishing below 4th 337 mate, the easiest way out of it is spend what it takes to get the players we all know we need in January then finish 3rd all ready for a very real title challenge next season. Simples :-)

21 Dec 2014 12:09:43
Out of interest, does anyone actually know ow why we have a January window?

As far as I'm aware clubs don't like a lot of players moving due to in season stability being compromised. I also, read a fair comment by Mr wenger I think, in relation to mata and his January transfer last year that Manchester United were a stronger team with him, and anyone who had a return fixture to play at old Trafford might be disadvantaged compared to those who played their before the player was brought. I know everyone plays the same games, but away from home I think impact is reduced.

Alas,

Why did they even conceive the idea in the first place? Something for the papers to write about In the winter? Why not go the whole season and allow emergency loans if required?

Apologies if I've missed something obvious :)

{Ed001's Note - what is wrong with just scrapping the windows altogether? The old system was much better.}

Agreed ed, I think the old system will work much better now ffp is in place, we would no longer have the big spenders just buying players for the sake of it.

21 Dec 2014 09:48:39
Just watched the benteke highlights again. Alan shearer rates him too. he's bigger. Stronger. Taller and faster then most defenders. Good weapon to have

21 Dec 2014 10:22:54
Early days in his comeback from injury - want to see how he finishes the season. Not worth the gamble right now.

With the options we have we can see out the season with a good amount of goals.

If all else fails Alexis will drag us through.

21 Dec 2014 12:18:59
Imo, still waiting to see if he is a one season wonder.

The last few games have shown what he can do when not suffering from a long-term injury. He's extremely young, a lot younger than he looks, and I think he'll prove himself if he stays in the PL for season's to come.

21 Dec 2014 09:42:44
Class goal from benteke I rate the guy. Wins so many headers to . Defenders don't win many headers against him

21 Dec 2014 01:06:24
Hope we get Kallstrom back again, that would make my January transfer window.

21 Dec 2014 02:57:01
Dags changed his name again :P

21 Dec 2014 07:53:45
Lol Sheeny, I like that.

Kim kallstrom is reminder to us all not to get to excited about January, if we expect him or less we won't be disappointed and anything like a DM or a CB would make me full of gladness in the extreme.
If we signed another forward or attacking MF player only irrespective of how good , I think I might actually just sit down and cry uncontrollably