Arsenal Banter Archive December 22 2015

22 Dec 2015 19:08:18
great game to watch. can't get carried away but things are looking good going forward. the last 10 minutes were bad for my health tho.

anyway I would like to ask a question and it is. what should count as an assist?

not sure what the rules of the game say yet for me the second goal was an ozil assist but the first goal was not

for walcotts goal it was a pass that walcott then moved backwards, creating a different route to goal and scored. where as for the second he created a clear opportunity therefore should count as an assist

I guess its down to the number of touches after the pass is made regardless

not to take anything away from our man ozil as he is just dandy this season.

22 Dec 2015 19:50:31
I take your point, but its just purely the player who passes the ball to the goal scorer.

22 Dec 2015 20:15:11
I do see your point Hamilton and agree with it to some extent, a long hoofed ball out of defence that luckily lands at someone's feet who runs on to score is classed as an assist but in reality its a bit of luck, but no different to a striker who gets credited with a ball that happens to hit him before going in the net.
I guess it pays to keep it simple long term.

22 Dec 2015 20:25:00
agreed, but then hypothetically speaking, if the goalkeeper makes a short pass to a player who then runs and beats all 11 opposition players to score would he get an assist?

22 Dec 2015 21:28:22
True but equally if player hits a shot at a defender full blast that hits him in face and is deflected into the net its an own goal, its just how it is.

22 Dec 2015 21:28:48
When I was a lad. Last week. Hehehe. The only thing that mattered was putting the ball in the net. The rest is rubbish. When you win a football match 15 assists to 0 ill be interested. It just gives someone a job to fill the time in talking in between games. Lol. I put that in because someone was bound to take me seriously.

22 Dec 2015 21:43:18
The first time I heard the reference assist in football was Kevin Keegan talking about Peter Beardsley who he said would be known as the king of assists in American football.

22 Dec 2015 21:50:32
Yes he would Hamilton.

Have to agree with you Steve.
If we win 1-0, I don't give a flying duck about who, how, why, when, if, but, maybe, perhaps, possibly.

Just give us the 3 points mother------.

22 Dec 2015 22:20:25
There was an assist he got earlier In the season where he passed to cazorla who missed it and Joel scored against Swansea. They all count I guess but is a very up and down stat.

Di maria got a lot of assists last year but no one really remembers them. He will beat Henry's record for sure and surpass lampard. Not sure how many goals they got that year tho.

22 Dec 2015 23:35:23
No pass - no goal :)

I think his pass to Rambo the other week for Rambo to get the assist was worthy of upping his stats on assists but it didn't count. Swings and roundabouts.

22 Dec 2015 23:57:09
As far as ozil is concerned his eye for a pass is not in question, his work rate now is excellent and is teamwork is great add 15 goals to that and we have the new bergy.

23 Dec 2015 02:12:06
Don't hold your breath for another bergy at any club let alone ours.

22 Dec 2015 13:41:34
Good game by the lads yesterday. Ozil brilliant as usual. Pace of Theo and Campbell was phenomenal. Flamini had a wonderful game. Cech is well.. Cech. Mr Dependable. Koscielny reliable as always

All I can fault (being overly critical here lol) is our clinical prowess in front of goal. We could so easily have scored five. Imagine beating City by five goals to one? That would send a strong statement of intent to all our challengers. But still, we got the three points and put a gap between them and us.

Players that we have under-estimated so far this season:

1. Nacho - this guy has been fantastic for us. I do not understand why people would want him replaced. He is not the paciest LB, but he is very intelligent and knows how to balance attack and defence

2. Per - yes I said it, Per! I think he has been having a very good season. My stomach doesn't rumble as much at set pieces and he might not be quick, but one on one with most strikers, he makes intelligent challenges that almost never leave us in trouble. I also think that as the on-field captain for most of this season and last season, he has a good win ratio. Too bad we can never hear him marshall his troops, but I think he does a very good job of it.

3. Campbell - still not there yet, but shows that he has the vision to get into good spaces. Needs to work on his shooting ability

4. Flamini - age is catching up with him. But he still puts in a good shift when he plays. Not the Coq that we had gotten used to having in the middle (pun intended) but when we play these days, I don't wish Le Coq was here. We are not being opened up as much through the middle as we used to be when Arteta was there

Do we need strengthening in January? I believe we do. In which positions?

Wing/CF/AMF - one of these. If Ozil gets injured now, I dread what will happen to the team. Santi can play his position but he is injured. Rambo would be his natural replacement, but I believe he is more suited to the box to box position he is playing now. I know Wenger has said he sees Ox with a future in attacking midfield, but with the league up for the taking, I do not think now would be the time for experimenting

2. DMF - Le Coq has a long term injury. Flamini has been a good replacement for him there. Approaching a very busy period. What if Flamini gets injured? Or fatigued? This position is a key one. Again, with the league possibly up for grabs, I do not think we should experiment with Chambers there.

If wishes were horses, we would get two very good utility players in Jonas Gutierrez and David Alaba, these guys seem to be able to play any position on the pitch lol :-)

22 Dec 2015 14:43:52
Damn fine post Rue.

22 Dec 2015 19:32:05
City are nothing spurs put 4on them lol.

22 Dec 2015 19:54:08
Oh hello Raver,

I met this bird last night and we went back to her place.
She was a bit kinky and asked me to humiliate her, so I bought her a Spurs shirt.

22 Dec 2015 20:31:51
You must have thought a lot of her dags to have done that. Which jumble sale was that from.

22 Dec 2015 20:38:13
I hope you enjoyed yourself dags, I bet you felt humiliated when you found out she was a lady boy lol.

22 Dec 2015 21:02:19
Nice one raver but Dags wasn't talking about your other half!

22 Dec 2015 21:30:04
Raver and how good are Newcastle then.

23 Dec 2015 00:15:47
Lol, you boys.

22 Dec 2015 11:41:14
{Ed's Note - We have posted a new article entitled, Austin May Leave QPR In January And Other News Of The Day

22 Dec 2015 09:03:34
Awesome performance and a great result. We must follow up by beating Southampton, Bournemouth and Newcastle. I am still concerned at the effect the continuing injury situation will have on the team, as fatigue kicks in over this busy period. It so worrying that Welbeck, Wilshere and Sanchez have all had setbacks in their recovery. Wenger must make a couple of signings, my own choices would be Wanyama and Hernandez.

22 Dec 2015 09:16:38
Wanyama and Hernandez? Neither of those guys would get in our first 11.

22 Dec 2015 10:12:42
Not sure whether they would get into the first team is entirely the point. Would they have played last night and would they play plenty of games?

Wanyama would have started last night ahead of Flamini and would get plenty of games so yes please.

Hernandez wouldn't have started last night I think and unless both Walcott and Giroud get injured wouldn't get too many games (super sub though) . So upfront if we get someone they should be world class or a youngster with world class potential.

Just my opinion though.

22 Dec 2015 10:45:17
We have a strong squad when all players are fit. We lack quality defensive midfield cover and an extra forward. Taking into account the fact that Coquelin and Cazorla are out for some time and Arteta and Flamini need replacing, a squad player such as Wanyama would be ideal. He would be particularly useful when playing physical Premier League sides, away from home. Hernandez is a consistent scorer, who has Premier League experience, We know that our top eleven are exceptional, the whole point is adding to the squad, to strengthen the top starting eleven is almost impossible. We have a world class keeper, an emerging top quality right back and two superb centre backs. Left back could be improved. In the defensive midfield position, we have the superb Coquelin and can play Cazorla, Ramsey or Wilshere alongside him. However, I would prefer all three of these players to be played further forward and a second defensive midfield player alongside Coquelin. We have Giroud as the sole main striker, yes Walcott and Welback can also play in this position, but they are also capable of playing in the wide offensive positions. Hernandez would be a wise acquisition, as an alternative, who has a good scoring record.

22 Dec 2015 11:19:52
Hernandez wouldn't get ahead of Theo or Giroud, and I would take Welbeck over him as well. So you are talking about paying a substantial fee for someone who would be 4th choice. Won't happen. and I doubt Leverkusen would be selling as they only signed him last window. As for Wanyama, not good enough, no if's no but's. Better than Arteta? Yes, but why replace rubbish with slightly less rubbish rubbish?

22 Dec 2015 11:27:54
Left back could be improved? Monreal is the best left back in the league. I would say by a distance at the moment as well. And who are these 2 superb centre backs we have? Laurent and Koscielny?

22 Dec 2015 12:23:35
I'd take gaya from Valencia is we are shopping.

22 Dec 2015 12:14:32
Ubistonk -
2 Centre backs:
Mertesacker - German World Cup winner
Koscielny - Superb
We also have excellent cover in Gabriel and Chambers
Hence we have conceded the least goals in the Premier League this season.
Left back - I admit I am not a huge fan of Monreal and prefer, at their peak, the likes of Ashley Cole and Evra. I think we could improve this position.
As for the comment in respect of Hernandez ahead of Giroud and Walcott, possibly not, but we need squad players and can't expect them all to be world superstars. The advantage of players such as Walcott and Hernandez is that they can play in the wide attacking roles. Hence, if we signed Hernandez, we would have superb options across the front three positions; Giroud, Walcott, Welbeck and Sanchez. In addition Oxlade can also play both wide attacking option, as can Campbell. Wanyama is a better option than both Arteta and Flamini, who will probably leave this summer. He is 24 and he isn't cup tied for the Champions League. He is a beast of a player, who would be particularly useful against more physical teams, providing a different option. Which two players would you sign, who would be available?

22 Dec 2015 13:44:38
I would take Hernandez any day. Good eye for goal and I believe he would flourish for us especially with Ozil type service. I think if he came in January, he could get to 20 goals for us by season end lol

22 Dec 2015 12:54:08
I've just realized what the RG stands for. It's you Robbie, the guy who thinks Gibbs is a better left back than Monreal. That explains it.

22 Dec 2015 17:49:18
RG
Great post and agree with 99% of it but for the bit you say Chambers is excellent cover, he is so dodgy and needs much more game time . IMO of course.

22 Dec 2015 04:42:55
Man United Fan here.

Your win against city was fanastic yesterday. You made city look ordinary. Some of Ozil's touches were gold standard.

I think this year Arsenal has THE chance to win the title. This season everyone is faltering, in my opinion u look solid of all the big guns. Next year will be mighty tough for every team I feel. With Pep (City bound) , United under new manager (I believe) will spend big. Chelsea under new manager will definitely spend big, so do liverpool, Spurs are looking in top shape as well, they have thin squad which will be addressed in summer. Arsenal will also buy quality players.

Looking forward for Arsenal vs Barcelona game. Fixtures like that are a treat to watch for any football fan who appreciate quality and beauty of the game.

22 Dec 2015 07:07:59
Thanks m m, Arsenal v Barcelona :-) that should be football at its finest.

22 Dec 2015 09:20:29
Thank you MM.
Football Gent.

22 Dec 2015 12:19:34
I reckon van gaal will go before January is out.

22 Dec 2015 08:52:21
Thanks midfield, let's not get carried away from pep to city just yet. And a new manager is definitely what United need it's not really the possition in the table that hurts United fans it's the style of football and over the years you have been spoilt . But you guys always spend big it will come right eventually. Arsenal v Barcelona is going to be great and I hope we can dig deep and pull it out of the bag.

22 Dec 2015 13:43:19
You are two or three top top players away from challenging Barcelona in my opinion. One in central midfield. Schneiderlin is tailor made for you but i still don't know why u missed him. One world class winger. I feel both chamberlin and campbell are good enough for PL. For challenging current Barcelona u need another winger in a different level.

22 Dec 2015 13:00:52
Derby, I agree with you. Now that's a scary thought!

22 Dec 2015 00:08:36
Just got back in from the game, great result, we really could have been out of sight before Toure scored a beauty.

Ok will probably get some stick for this BUT. It is looking like the only only side to pip us to the league is US. No Sanchez, No Santi, No Coq, No Wishire and yet we beat our nearest rivals .

I hold my hands up clearly the squad is big enough, not saying it can't be improved but its big enough to win the PL .

In saying this there are still people on here who thought and still think we can't win the league with Giroud and we need another striker, I have never believed that as I thought we were short elsewhere. Giroud does lack pace but when you have pace with Theo, Ox, Sanchez, Ramsey box to box you can compensate. I also think that after this result it will confirm to the club no January additions will be needed.

Advice to the board for gods sake give Bellerin the longest contract possible, stunning full back.

22 Dec 2015 00:22:55
The league this year can be won by anyone who can go on a run of twelve games unbeaten, any top six side. We do need to strengthen in jan, wengers big problem is not strengthening from a position of strength and not being pro active, if available a holding mid and striker still needed. Injuries are bound to bite again.

22 Dec 2015 00:41:38
Hate to say I told you so, but have I not been saying all season this squad is big enough, and more importantly strong enough to win the league?

Just saying :-)

22 Dec 2015 01:28:50
Dags, didn't you say we wouldn't win it without Giroud xx

Steve, No they dont.

22 Dec 2015 01:57:14
Banbury yes they do lol.

22 Dec 2015 09:22:20
Haha, no no no Bambam.
But, he is more important than people give him credit for.

22 Dec 2015 13:16:04
He is excellent IMO, yes of course there are better but would they be scoring 20-30 a season for us and be such a team player?

22 Dec 2015 17:56:50
Giroud is doing a great job. Still the injection not the cure. He needs walcott to supplement him.

21 Dec 2015 23:42:32
Derby,
You boy KDB is top class.

Can't take a corner though can he? :-)

22 Dec 2015 00:28:15
He is excellent their best player by far.

22 Dec 2015 10:20:12
Heard there is a guy walking around London today with the corner flag from last nights game . The man has been heard talking to it saying " Kev, my precious " . Derby, own up!