Arsenal Banter Archive December 23 2012

23 Dec 2012 21:33:35
I really do hate the arrogance that Wenger has a lot of the time. He said it himself after the Wigan game: "When it doesn't go your way in a game you need to search for that bit more" - hang on mate, if the players are giving 100%, then there shouldn't be "that bit more".

Fact is Wenger sends his team out to keep possession and keep the game slow, hoping for a 2-0 win (one goal after 30 mins, the second after 60mins), and coast the majority of the game "in third gear".

I want to see the team playing in top gear for 90mins, when in possession, and when defending. This is what well coached players need to get used to as a minimum.

Wenger is the club's biggest earner, he's obviously highly motivated by money. I'd like to try giving Wenger a nice bonus if:
1) Arsenal score in the first 15mins of a game
2) Arsenal score more than 3 goals in a game
3) Arsenal substitute scores a goal / assist

gun44

24 Dec 2012 12:43:51
what are you on about m8t?

23 Dec 2012 19:53:34
Feel sorry for Aston Villa. Thought they'll be up for a fight.
GunUp.

23 Dec 2012 19:17:39
Something that happened on a number of occasions in yesterdays match that suns up Arsenal, the Wgan midfielder Mc Arther stood in front of the ball on every Arsenal free kick not one Arsenal player tried to get him out of the way. Where are the likes of Vieira and co
happy christmas to all gooners

Limerick gunner

I thought that, TV5 should have rugby tackled him and got him in a headlock.

337

Podolski?!

23 Dec 2012 18:27:13
Gutted about Huntelaar!!

23 Dec 2012 18:10:24
Greetings and salutations my fellow Gooners,

A tough etched out victory yesterday I believe is a signal of good things to come. I prefer and will always look at the glass as being half full. Yesterdays result indicated growth I believe within the club. Its more important to win ugly than to draw/loose beautifully when required.

Now on to Theo. I think the conundrum for the club is simple. Theo does create opportunity but lacks the skill set to be considered a potential elite striker. However, the player (and good for him for having self belief) is determined to find a way to play in his preferred role. As such here we are, a crossroad. My belief is simple, it is and should always be the managers call regarding deployment of personnel. I honestly believe that Arsene realises that Theo adds tremondous value when he is on his game from the wing and I also believe he does see that he may grow one day into a potential good striker.

I believe the club has been very fair with Theo. If his resolve is to play solely as a striker then I believe he will seek an opportunity elsewhere (I personally believe this will be his downfall as it was with Flamini, Hleb). However if he understands that he needs to grow and be patient in his development then I believe he will resign. My hope is that he re-signs. I take strong opinion when Lionel Messi considers him to be a dangerous talent.

Finally I would like to add that I believe this site enables us all to add our "two pence" regarding the club we love, as such I believe it is important even in times of disagreement to respect the opinions of all.

With that I look forward to the continued banter about the club we all love with all of you!

Season greetings,

Gunners4Life, In AW we trust!

23 Dec 2012 17:34:36
Walcott Giroud

Podolski

Wilshere Cazorla
Gibbs Jenko

Vermaelen Kos Merts
I would say thats a decent plan B for when we are getting liuttle space. This will make us much more compact in the centre to allow for a more fluent quick passing game. WBs allowing for passes out to the wings if needed. Kos would be allowed to push up and be the beast DM we have been waiting for!

23 Dec 2012 16:50:53
Petition for return of eds.

Agree pls.

Billybob

Stop disagreeing... or respond and clarify... WUMs

Billybob

Its funny when some says stop disagreeing, there post gets a lot of disagrees, like i am sure i will now get, peace

spanner

23 Dec 2012 16:11:11
Great to see Arsenal back where they belong above Tottenham.

Glad to see we are climbing back up the table and while they may not be vintage performances we are getting the three points which is the main thing. I hope that the points I make don't seem too negative as they aren't meant that way and aren't just in response to last few games but what I've seen up to Christmas.

The first thing is that we've played a few games where we just don't look like scoring and have lacked that player we can rely on to just put the ball in the net. If you look out our current options; I admit I may have been a bit hard on Giroud early in the season I expected him to replace RVP which was unfair, but he is hard working and does look a threat, I hope in the second half of the season though he will score more goals. Then there is Walcott through the middle, I've heard contrasting views of Walcott as our striker some saying his pace causes problems and as long as the ball is right defenders won't catch him and as our top goal scorer he should be given the chance, but others are saying he hasn't got a footballing brain, he doesn't take his chances and hasn't got the skill to beat defenders or hold up the ball. I personally haven't made my mind up yet as I think it is too early and he needs to play more games and get a game against a big team to see what he will be like. I would be disappointing though if he left for free after we signed him at 16 and suffered through many off his inconsistent performances. I won't even bother taking about Gervinho, but I would like to see Podolski given the chance to play through the centre either alone or maybe behind Giroud with Cazorla on the left wing as he is can be clinical in front of goal. I do think we are lacking a bit there though and need to add a clinical finisher to our strike force though but someone like RVP last year or Henry before that who can also make things happen upfront has that bit of magic in his locker and can be relied upon to score.

I also noticed that quite a few users and Eds have pointed out that this squad has a lot of wingers who can either play both upfront or on the wing or want to play upfront rather than on the wing, rather than real wingers, I hadn't considered this too much myself but I have to say when looking at the squad I agree. If you look we at what we have we have Giroud as our only out and out striker then Podolski and Walcott who both want to play through the middle but can play wide, Chamberlain who I think is great on the wing but in the long term Wenger see's in the centre of the park, Gervinho who often plays upfront but is useless in both positions. Then we also play Ramsey there from time to time and have Wellington Silva and Miyiachi out on loan. I personally think that this something we should address because in my opinion it means we will suffer in both areas because we have neither out and out wingers or strikers, there is a lot of realistic talent that could be acquired Ben Arfa just as an example.

I have also seen on more than one occasion either by football websites or newspapers comparisons between the top clubs second squads and what strength in depth they have and I again think this something we need to address. If you look at the squad for yourself and compare too many other top teams both in prem and Europe we need more players in certain areas. We also have a huge number of players that just earn a wage and do little else or players on loan that we probably won't see play for us again, like Djourou, Squillaci, Fabianski and Chamakh. But we also have players like Diaby who never play due to injury (I think the club should ask him to retire from international games seems harsh I know but we pay his wages and he can barely cope with league schedule and he got injured playing with France) or just rubbish like Gervinho and Santos. For me this needs to be addressed the squad needs a good purge and the deadwood cut out.The fact we still don't have a defensive midfielder is criminal this is a must for me so when we play teams like United or Bayern we have a line of defence between the midfield and the defenders, Arteta has played well there but it isn't his natural position and against some teams we could play or usual midfield trio but I feel we need a defensive option for the big games or physical teams.

I don't expect all of this to happen and even if it did to happen in January but I feel some of this needs to be addressed now and some in the summer.

I have to admit I'm really pleased that we have started putting more crosses into the box, with the return of Wilshere and the development of Gibbs and Jenkinson.

I'm also really pleased with that we have tied down five exciting young players and will have a British core to the squad and I know Ramsey hasn't been good this season but at least we won't lose him on a free! Personally I think in the UK we often overrate British talent, for me Young and Cleverly are and example of two players that are grossly overrated because they are English but in Wilshere particularly we have the real deal. But again I saw questions in the press with these deals whether it is again potential rather than what is done on the pitch that is being rewarded. I think it also note worthy that we don't have a player on over 100k a week, not saying that is a good or bad thing but impressive none the less. But I would like to see this whole giving players big wages when they have done little addressed e.g. Djourou because it isn't cost effective and gives us a big wage bill, I would also like to see should the right player be available top wages being offered but not to just anybody, and addressing the previous issue could help with making this more possible.

And finally the sale of our top talent has got to stop especially this leaving contracts till the last year it is not how to move a club forward and build a better squad.

I know this post is long and I may have not addressed everything but I just wanted to share some of my thoughts on the team. Hoping for a good run in the league now and some top quality signings in jan. I know they aren't realistic but how amazing are Goetze, hat trick in the week and Isco.

I don't know if you heard as well but apparently the team went out for food after the game yesterday was a buffet, £6 a head except Gervinho who had to pay £27 and he was the only one who couldn't finish his dinner.

Hope everyone Eds included, not sure what this issue between Eds and some on here is as I haven't been on the site a lot recently but I appreciate their work, Have a Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays :)
Will

23 Dec 2012 20:06:01
How is one supposed to read all of that?

23 Dec 2012 23:26:28
i just skip on past long posts like this one some posters think their writing a book and get carried away

You have way too much free time...
kb

23 Dec 2012 15:50:26
Still here Malaga, but i dont post much these days cos its all repeats of the last 3 years.
Still amazed how many supporters are still living in eternal hope and abject denial.
We beat a bottom three side and all of a sudden the world is bright and we are on the march, lose at swansea and people post they are a tough team to beat, basically double b*******.
Low ambition from the club, low expectations from the fans, not worth much to comment on.
Has Metal upset the Eds? or just Ed002? (not hard if its Ed002) lol.
Ike.

23 Dec 2012 15:13:01
As a Celtic fan who followed The Gunners for years while working in London,could somebody tell me what on Earth Ade Durham on Talksh**e has against the club?Travelling home from work every day listening to him it seems that he does have an agenda against the club.This is before you even look into his awful comments regarding Wenger.This no mark,third rate presenter can have no way of knowing Arsenals plans,Football or financial,for the future of the club.He seems to think he is some kind of football expert,when he clearly is not,and the daily Arsenal slot is just embarrassing.The thick cricketer who co-hosts is another who clearly knows nothing about football but also feels the need to chip in with inane comments.I honestly feel it is now a personal thing and should be stopped.Good luck for the season Gooners. A Celt.

23 Dec 2012 14:13:33
Hi guys well a hard game with Wigan,but 3 points when we looked pretty tired and rugged,mind i dont think the weather helped much with our passing.We need a solid defensive midfielder desperately especially against physical sides,we seem to get bullied in the middle,when we run out of ideas.I think we should make a move for benteke from villa he looks solid and knows where the goal is.We need a solid defensive midfielder,we get bullied too much at times,would essien maybe come,any thoughts guys devon gunner

I've been saying for a while now that arteta is not good enough as a DM. Anyone to replace him is fine with me. He'll move forward up the park and solve any midfield depth issues

23 Dec 2012 13:37:22
And don't you dare criticize the editors of this webpage for not answering your childish queries.. If you lot believe every story that every news outlet prints, the Eds can't be held responsible for your stupidity. I wonder if you lot are 16 year olds, the majority atleast. The eds don't get paid and do this for free. Show some class.


Sliced Bread

Sorry Dad!

This is a site to share rumours an opinions not ask the editors the same questions over and over

23 Dec 2012 13:13:34
Ed please come back!!
Don't let a small minority ruin this site!!
Macca

We're doing fine without him

23 Dec 2012 12:04:36
not bothered at all about huntelaar staying in germany. he's over rated and we should be breaking the bank and buying someone like cavani or falcao.
i'm hoping this little run of beating team's in the bottom half of the table won't stop us buying in jan because we've got much bigger tests to come.

gooner mark

23 Dec 2012 11:21:56
Pathetic how EDs are refusing to comment {Ed002's Note - Perhaps if there was no abuse there would be comments. But there has been abuse - why should I have to tolerate that? Seemingly my input is worthless and whatever else the likes of Metal Gooner was grizzling about, so perhaps those folks can give their views instead. I have zero interest in doing so any more.}

Minority ruining it for the majority. Just ban anyone giving abuse and I'm sure they won't be missed

Well said ED002, too many peeps on here tend to want an easy answer rather than using the site to its full capability. The search tab provided is a useful tool for all. As for the abuse comments, totally out of order in my opinion. You guy's do a great job in running this site. Wishing all the Edd's and fellow gooners a merry Christmas and success in the new year.

COYG

Naz

I had a few words with Ed002 a couple of months back re FFP, this guy (or girl) does know their stuff!

The problem was the way which I was belittled which caused a reaction, I apologised (which did not get posted) and have since taken note that their (ed002) knowledge of the game is excellant.

Ed, we do appreciate ALL of you and sometimes our passion for Arsenal leaves us a bit blinkered and we react.

Anyhow don't be a Glifnard (one of your favourite words) and grace us once more with your infinate knowledge, please....

337

23 Dec 2012 10:59:23
I accept the fact that we still need some players in some positions. but we need 2 fight our own demons 1st. how can wenger sub his best player just 2 put in ramsey. we are losing points due 2 tactical deficiency.

wenger should try his best to do without ramsey and gervinho for now. let's keep the winning team. walcott has to do better when he is backing the post. he must be able to at least hold on to play while support arrives. but I honestly feel he would function better in a 4-4-2 formation, partnering giroud.

it's been a torrid season so far but I feel we will prevail. merry xmas and a happy new year in advance.

gunner4eva. Geo Obizu

23 Dec 2012 10:46:57
We need to spend 30-50 million on one player.. Gotze, Cavani, Falcao someone that is an established WORLD CLASS player and try to get Isco from Malaga, he is young and is quality. These things can happen, we just need Wenger to make the call. Usmanov is there to help! Haha. Thoughts anyone?

-LacedUpGooner

Spot on, we need a few big names in the team.

Nick.

Unbelievable !

Just because a player is 30 -50 mil they are not guaranteed to be a hit in the EPL. Veron, Shevchenko, etc..... Were all complete flops, Torres was great at Liverpool but a waste of 50mil at Chelsea, Carroll 35mil great at Newcastle, need I go on.........

It is a gamble that needs to be done. No more of this 3-5 players worth a total 50 million.

I'm not saying we go and spend 30-50 million on one player that had ONE good season (Carroll). Make sure the scouting has been done properly and that the player has already been an established WORLD PLAYER for a few years. I also wouldn't put Carroll in the category of world class players.

-LacedUpGooner

But a falcao or a cavani have done it every season carroll had half a decent season and was a massive gamble which didnt pay off and torres was out of form when he joined chelski. falcao has done it for three seasons and so has cavani

manchester gooner

23 Dec 2012 10:43:04
Huntelaar renewed contract with Schalke till 2015.. So it looks like he is out of the picture for sure. Time for Walcott to do the same!

-LacedUpGooner

There was never any interest in him..
malaga gooner

24 Dec 2012 11:47:03
@malaga gooner - Yes there was, how can you say there never was interest in him?

23 Dec 2012 10:13:50
as i said in the summer rosicky was being touted by a german club untill he got injured...
i am told there is interest from 2 german clubs now...
i am told he will not be an arsenal player come next season,,,not sure if something will happen in january...
malaga gooner

23 Dec 2012 10:02:44
Arsene, please get some quality players in Jan. Don't use this run as an excuse not to buy. We all saw problems yesterday. It was pure luck that we got off with a win.

M024

23 Dec 2012 09:34:56
where has all the regular posters gone?
wheres usgooner?
wheres ezdee?
wheres raz?
wheres 1732?
wheres ike?
where big dickie?
wheres paul-rochester?
wheres the heart of the site gone?
malaga gooner

Some are still here, some have left but atleast one has changed name.... Can you guess who?

Metal...
malaga gooner

Idk mate, some come and go, some stay
and some turn up every transfer window.
Nick.