Arsenal Banter Archive December 24 2013

24 Dec 2013 22:22:15
To everyone at Arsenal. Happy Christmas and especially Arsene . Joyeux Noel mon amie.

24 Dec 2013 20:12:12
Merry xmas to all Gunners world over. Love u so much

Merry xmas Rue1025, all the best mate.

24 Dec 2013 18:46:44
Eds and everybody else on here. From the heart I wish you all a wonderful Christmas not just a great New Year but wonderful years to come. X

{Ed007's Note - Merry Christmas buddy.}

Happy Christmas GOLDBOY and Eds too of course, I hope you have great one's

Merry Xmas Gold, all the best to you and your family.

Merry xmas to u too mate

24 Dec 2013 18:26:44
One thing I forgot about last night

As I walked to the ground from the Arsenal tube station I was following a group of about a dozen Chavs in the their 20s or thereabouts

As they passed the gooner vendor these "hard" men shoved him and kicked his bag over.

Round my way in the Black Country we have a name for children like that lot. Cowards!

Just shows the pathetic glory hunting childish cowardice of fans of the Ruble chav team

As for Maureen's comment about crying tradition. one day he might look up the word "class" and realise he hasn't got any, much like the club he is at!

Suck up last night bad result for u boys will ya! Has wenger ever beaten Maureen? Who won more trophys out of the 2? If you can work all that out then ask urself who has CLASS

Hello Pinky. Jose might have won everything possible, but the way his plays football, is totally pathetic. When you send out players to defend you get a draw, but as a viewer, we get nothing! And the among of money spent by any team in EPL can never be highlighted.

24 Dec 2013 17:29:30
we need to put everything in perspective over the last few games. the media have already written us off and loved every minute of it!.but really my fellow gooners we are not in as bad state of affairs as we are to be believed to be in. the media and Michael owen love to slate us, any opportunity to have a go and the hacks are munching at the bit! . if anything wenger should use this to his advantage and let the players know that by winning and showing fighting spirit the hacks will get more infuriated and have egg on their face when we win an honour, don't give them the pleasure of having that smug "I told you so" look on their faces.

1- we are still joint top after a tough month, the city result looks bad on paper but it could have gone either way, draws against everton and Chelsea we would have taken and the Napoli result we were playing on half throttle (we f***ed up) but are still there in the last 16 and anything can happen, Bayern are class but can be beaten.

2- January is coming up, poldolski and ox will be/are back, Walcott is starting to show promise after a lay off, and January sales are fast approaching. a proven goalscorer battling midfielder and defensive cover and I think we will be in the mixing pot come May.

3- the players look jaded I agree with some posts but with the injured players coming back our bench is looking stronger. this will keep players on their toes and fresh. ozil and ramsey are looking tired aswell as giroud, new signings and returning players should fix the problem

4 - ozil will come good the pace of the premiership is a culture shock but give him time, his assists and movement are second to none.

5 - we need to believe in ourselves the start of the season we looked finished after the villa game but we fought back and achieved what wenger has believed in for years. the team has the skill and tenacity but seem to freeze in big games, that mental block needs to be fixed, hopefully with signings like ozil it is a matter of time. we need and are due a big win.

6- players like jenko frimpong eisfeld gnabry need to be loaned out to see if they can cut it in the premiership rather than be blooded into arsenal team this season. jack is a prime example of playing week in week out at Bolton how good it is for their learning curve.

7- leaders are appearing all over the pitch players are talking and encouraging each other. merti, kosci gibbs, rosicky, flamini, jack, giroud. we didn't have that last season.

these are just some points that we need to take on board and ignore the hate/jealous mongers in
the media. we are still on course and should back the team and manager.

COYG

team for west ham

. szecs
sagna merti verm gibbs
. flamini
Walcott ramsey rosciky
. ozil
.giroud

subs - fabianski kosci monreal arteta podolski cazorla bendtner

Hulk Hogunner

{Ed007's Note - Will you log-in when you post in future mate, cheers.}

I'd drop ozil for carzola I said when we signed ozil carzola is more influential behind the striker play ozil wide but.not carzola

Good post Hulk

24 Dec 2013 16:57:58
Ok now I'm all rested lol. Proper thoughts on last night's game lol

Just heard Chavs described as a rich mans Stoke. I'd agree with that but think it is unfair on Stoke!

They came for a point, wasted time from the start and got what they came for. Personally I'd hate to have to watch that week in week out

Mike Dean was his usual one eyed self. How he missed the pen and the red card for the tackle on Arteta only he can know!

As for us, we need a clinical finisher and to rest a few player. Hopefully we will beat West Ham and get back on top- and if you'd told me we would be in this position now back after the Villa game I'd have laughed at you

So, in summary, I'm feeling ok for now and think we might get another run going into Jan so we might give the title a shot and even if we don't win it I'm looking forwar to enjoying the race

To one and all enjoy Christmas and have a great time

Yet had more shots and more on target get real the fact was BOTH teams were poor last night

Have a great xmas Soops

24 Dec 2013 15:28:42
Jackie boy just can't leave well alone can he, if true its sick fans having a go at his kids, if its the truth! sorry but I must confess it sounds like a poor me story to exonerate himself again to me and will to a lot of other people too.

Just serve ya ban and come back and do your talking with the ball for a change Jack not via Twitter or the media.

So much talent and potential but is becoming better known for comments and silly stuff than being a footballer.

I know its not popular to hold Jack to account but he is letting the club down repeatedly

24 Dec 2013 12:27:05
I honestly believe if we had a world class forward we would win the prem league. I like Giroud but I don't think he is a world class forward, also there seems to be a lack of belief when we play the top teams. I don't think we will get a better chance of beating a poor Chelsea team.

Limerick Gunner

24 Dec 2013 11:53:29
Glad we are the top two at xmas lads. Two proper clubs with history and class. Hope we are the top two come May. With us (Liverpool) on top obviously ;). Even though I don't really celebrate it, merry Xmas lads.

Arsenal top, Liverpool second mate lol.

Have a great xmas Fitz

24 Dec 2013 10:19:12
OK we do need a top top goal scorer, I thought Olly and the MF would get us enough goals I got that a bit wrong that's just not happening.

So who realistically ticks all the boxes below??

Guaranteed goal machine

At a fee we are prepared to pay

Wages we are prepared to pay

Availability

Would be proud to come to us

A certain Dortmund player? But is Jan possible and would he chose us above other options?

Thats the problem G62, we won't get much in January, player availability is minimum and Wenger won't "panic-buy".
Solution? not sure but persevere with Giroud, let's face it, we all love his commitment to the Arsenal cause and his work ethic is second to none. I think Wenger may change things a little, maybe push Pod upfront a little more when he's back, and maybe Theo.

Berbatov?

Cangun, nah not for me mate. I like Berba but I don't think he's the answer.

IMO, we need an out and out goalscorer. Suarez will never happen nor will Aguero but they are the type of players we need.

Loic Remy for me mate, anytime.

Imho I certainly don't think berbatov would be the answer, to me he is jus a more skilful version of Bendtner. The best type of striker you need would be suarez, aguero type. Now obviously neither of these are available but for me the closest available would be Costa. I would break the bank to get him for us never mind you lot lol.
I couldn't see chelsea selling lukaku given his current form, or city selling negredo either but defo Lewandowski would suit that type of role.
If which is possible any other targets are not met, I would be more inclined to push Walcott up top with giroud/podolski in behind. I'd play cazorla ramsey ozil with flamini in behind and regular back four and keeper. Plenty of pace and movement and a little more bite in the centre.

Good point Simon, totally agree with Costa, world class striker IMO.

24 Dec 2013 09:31:46
That was definately one of the worst games we've played this season - Chelsea were there for the taking, and I just felt we sat back when we should have hammered them - (which must have been to do with the city game and how we lost it) - it was a poor performance, especially from Ramsay who looked like his confidence was bad, with at least a dozen bad passes, and Giroud who has hit a bad patch too. We need to bounce back to get back in the zone, and although Rosicky was probably our best player, not having Carzola on the pitch, or giving Podolski a run out when he could have worked the left flank, was really really a bit cowardly from Wenger - he didn't want to lose the game, neither did Jose - so that's what we got. We should have rolled in and destroyed them. Chelsea are poor away from home and not a great team at all. Confidence was gone - not happy at all, and Ozil looks intimidated at the moment. We've played and done so well, it's a shame we always fold a key moments, and we do lose against the big teams every time - if we can't break that, we can't win the league.

Some very good points Baggins.

24 Dec 2013 09:05:47
This is not a dig at Wenger question. But I would like to ask this. Would you all like Wenger to give it up at the end of the season. Personally I think he will have run his course he has done a great job, but for me at the end of the season I believe it's time to give up the ghost.
I'm not going to start a debate of who we would like instead as I think the choices are blatantly obvious . Just a question of do you want him to stay or go.

Oohhh Goldy,
Tough question mate. i'm going to say "stay".
Granted, we have hit a rough patch but we are still joint top and into the CL knock-outs so its not all doom and gloom mate.

Stay, we are on the up no question maybe not as fast as I lead myself to believe but we are deffinately on our way, THIS is TIME :-)

Ozil signing has proved he still has ambition and he is our very best bet in my opinion.
I don't agree with all he does but I doubt I would with any manager

24 Dec 2013 06:09:59
Joint top of the league and in the last 16 of the CL is excellent. In order for us to stand a chance of winning either competition we need to make two world class signings: A forward, Costa or Lewandowski. A left side attacking midfield player, Di Maria or Reus. Oxlade coming back and fit again Podolski will be a huge bonus going into the second half of the season. A fit Abu Diaby in March will also help. Well done to Wenger and the team.

I would be happy with any of Costa, Lewandowski or Benzema and then I'd take Angel Di Maria, I feel we lack a bit of pace at the moment, especially when Walcott was out. Walcott and Di Maria on the Wings would be frightening!

Flamini must start over Arteta, unfortunately Arteta is just too slow, and he slows our game down drastically.

24 Dec 2013 01:40:54
Ed in addition to depth at CB - it seems main need is a striker and I would think a complimentary type to rest Giroud against weaker teams and to come in for 15-20 mins of offense when we need it. Berbatov would suit this role any interest from us?

{Ed013's Note - Not for Berbatov}

24 Dec 2013 01:51:09
tonight would perfectly explain why we may not win the league. first of all we do not have a better squad than manchester city or chelsea. the only way arsenal could win the league with this kind of players is if we get a coach like jurgen klopp or guardiola. I have always been a member of the wenger out group. I didn't change my mind at the beginning of the season.if we are to succeed with this crop of players we need a better coach. someone like klopp or guardiola.someone with a system of attacking and defending. klopp works with not so many average players but he is so tactically sound he makes them look world class. plus we need a better striker. giroud doesn't cut it for me.

And you base this on what exactly?
the fact that we are level on points at the top of the table?
or the fact that Dortmund are having such a great season?
or the fact that guardiola has done wonders at clubs which were suffering from quality, finance?

Punani, Wenger is one of the best coaches in Prem. There's no arguing that.
I don't think he did anything wrong in the set up for both the Man City and Chelsea games. Maybe he could have put in a sub, but I felt we were attacking them well enough not to. (Also, because we didn't put in a sub yesterday, Ozil might get a rest against West Ham.) I don't understand what is wrong with his tactics. We are an enormous attacking threat and our defense is one of the best in the PL.
Wenger was at the heart of acquiring large players (specifically Henry and Ozil), and also, Gnabry and Wilshere have expressed their love for Wenger (I'm sure there are many more players, but specifically, Gnabry and Wilshere have announced their vast admiration for him to the media.) I don't think any other manager would have continued to give Ramsey another shot; now look at him. (Yes, he's struggled in the last couple games but has VASTLY improved from last year.)

Even Benitez thinks he's the best coach in the PL. There are reasons, which might not be seen to the public's eye, that make Wenger such a great manager. As for the things that are observed by the public, like tactics and transfers, I don't think we need to dramatically change, besides obtain another striker in January. However, the lack of "world class" striker shouldn't be enough to impeach a brilliant manger.

24 Dec 2013 01:25:27
Just a thought,

Not having a pop at Olly Giroud because I love the shift he puts in and it is a hard job being the one-man upfront, but where do you think we would be, at this present moment in time, if instead of Olly upfront we had Thierry?

I know, bit unfair to make comparisons as Thierry was a legend, and I know you may argue that Olly suits our style of play because he links up well with ozil, walcott, Ramsey, Cazorla etc but Thierry use to link up very well with Vieira, Bergkamp, Ljungberg and Pires etc but, let's be honest, Thierry would still bang the goals in left, right and centre.

Olly has 7 league goals so far and if it was Thierry I honestly think by now, in place of Olly from start of this season, he would be on at least double that.

Like I said, bit unfair but what's your opinions?
PS, sorry Olly,

I think if we had loic Remy he'd have at least double what Giroud has. For a lone striker his conversion rate is shocking.

That's what's so frustrating for me, we knew at the end of last season we needed a striker, okay we gambled twice and lost twice with hig and Suarez, but there were still some very good strikers moving around in the summer we could have had, Remy for one, Bony and even Lukaku - if wed put a 30 mil bid in for him would Chelsea have refused? I don't know.

Hi mate . Early morning for me but couldn't sleep! Anyhow my answer to your question or rather my opinion.
Thierry Henry would have scored more than 7 goals by now. Really 7 goals for our only striker is far from good enough when you look at it. He started the season off flying, but is it really his fault now? Maybe he is not just good enough and we are only now! just seeing it.
Maybe we should be playing with 2 strikers, I've always thought we should but we haven't! . Should we be looking for a big money striker even at the cost of Giroud being back up? I think we should. Problem is what quality top name is going to transfer in January? none I would guess. As we all know we can't start digging out individuals we need to strengthen all round. Take TV5 for instance. Great player but we all know by next week he will be in the treaent room again . Sagna who we got for him? Jenkinson! Then we look at the Ox, I thought he would have been better off on loan last season I could go on and on. To get to the point one if the best things about landing Ozil was it may attract other top quality players to us and I think we are going to have to spend BIG! and do it fast. This season so far looked good until recently but we are running the risk of being swallowed up. No more pussy footing around otherwise our seasons are going to be like GroundHog Day. Top 4, CL, out of that, FA cup, out of that etc. Sounds all too familiar.

Or if Wenger had managed to sign Suarez. You would already have the title in the bag.

Thank goodness John Henry knows what he is doing. If we had still of had the two cowboys in charge (Hicks and Gillett) then they would have taken the money on offer.

Football turns on these moments

Happy Christmas

We wish Tommy Gunn lol,

Have a great xmas mate.

DG I think tactic wise Mourinho has beaten wenger again, they came exactly what they were looking for a point away and got it.

AW should have really changed things around carzola and podl for rosicky and ramsey, who looked out of sorts. Carzola should have played, his last game was against Napoli not city and still dint play Yesterday god knows what's happening there.

Wallcott was no good one of his usual no good games, no control no runs, no shots, it was amazing for 70 mins 0 shots on target. I am going to take some of the Mickey of Giroud when you do not have a good chance for 80 odd minutes and suddenly get one its difficult to score, well but that's the difference between good and world class.

Suarez signing a new contract shldnt get us too depressed or liverpool fans too happy, it just means there is a clear buy out clause now, Cannot get him in Jan but next season if liverpool fail he is a goner.

Next 2 games intersting pool play City and Chelsea away hoping for a draw in both, while we win ours at West Ham United and NEW

Aman, very very good post mate.

Going to go with Original AG on this one, I love Loic Remy, trust me, that guy has everything to make him Thierry Henry mk11.

I'll go with the Remy thing Dags. I've always said it and M'VillA.

He's the man Goldy, Remy is very good.

24 Dec 2013 01:07:20
Maybe I was righy about Giroud after all?

On another note arsenal still seem to suffee the same problems imo, team turn up at your place and change their tatics to stop u and for reason arsene doea nor tweek his!

Chelsea got exactly wor they came for and i'm pretty sure the game played our exactly how Jose thought it would.

From a non biased view I thought the tackle was 50/50 but tbh they could of both gone, and yes that was a STONEWALL pen, maybe Theo throwing himself down made the ref think there was not much there!

Either way I personally thought there was a little bit of nice football played by both, in condictions more suited to Russia than north London.

Oh well gives us a lil hope yet I suppose :-P

P.s i'm really sorry and i'm sure u will be all gutted to no rhise is my last post for a few days due to an occasion where I have to give my children presents and bloody tell them there from a fat guy in a red suit that some how got in my chimneyless house.

In the famous words IT'S CHRISTMAS! And I hope u all have a good one.

CTR

Lol Chris,

I like your post, fair comments.
Have a great xmas mate.