Arsenal Banter Archive December 02 2015

02 Dec 2015 16:45:22
I've just had a look at the last 4 seasons injury league tables, we've finished 17th 6th 5th and 4th and are currently sit 2nd.
Becuase we have a head start on other teams each season with Jack Theo Rosicky and of course poor old Diarby who are there as long term regulars our figures give a slightly a distorted veiw of things.
If you take away those 4 ever presents we've had a lot less injuries than teams who finished above us but because of the big difference in quality between our starting 11 and the 12 - 25 other squad member's we feel injuries more than most.
We need more quality in depth and to stop considering players with low availability rate over a prolonged period as first team causalities.

02 Dec 2015 18:14:08
Agree mate,
As you say, we have some players who are so regularly injured, Florence Nightingale probably treated them at some stage.
Nov/Dec always seems to be our troublesome period, and this season seems to be no exception.

02 Dec 2015 18:37:49
I just think we need to start looking at things from a different angle Dags and maybe we're not anymore unlucky than others after all, which when you think about it is excellent news because we can't control luck but we can change the way we do things.

02 Dec 2015 20:35:41
The problem is the sites that are used for these stats say that it is the same players out over much larger periods of time than other teams and players. Plus if you theoretically take wilshire out for six months and rooney out three times over six months but plays a total of four months football and two months injured over the same period, then rooney would be classed as injured 3 times, wilshire 1. Which makes our stats in real term even worse.

02 Dec 2015 21:20:17
Fair comment Steve stats can be twisted to suit peoples argument either way but I don't think we can be considered unlucky with injuries over Welbeck and Rosicky because they were both long term out before a ball was kicked this season and if that's left us short then that's not bad luck more like poor planning, same with Jack he has to be consided a bonus player not part of your plans because if he is with his record your plan is doomed.
Bad luck is a phrase often used by people all over the world in walks of life who underachieve on a regular basis.

02 Dec 2015 05:45:40
Is there any foundation in the Arsenal transfer ban story coming out of Spain?

{Ed002's Note - It is a little convoluted and rather old news dating back to the Spring. However, FIFA has found two more clubs culpable of abusing the regulations regarding the transfer of minors - both clubs have had two window bans identified as punishment but neither have had the band imposed just yet. One of those clubs offered to voluntarily take a one window ban but that was not accepted. Additionally, a larger number of clubs (double figures) have been identified as potentially falling foul of the same regulations but investigations are now on hold. This larger number does include Arsenal and Chelsea but neither has been asked to defend their position at this time. The only clubs initially investigated were those in the Champions League two years ago - FIFA will have to decide whether to extend the investigation or look to an alternate solution. For now, it should not be a concern for Arsenal.}

02 Dec 2015 09:33:03
{Ed's Note - We have posted a new article entitled, Diego Costa Needs To Grow Up And Mike Smalling Is Better Than Chris...

02 Dec 2015 06:30:15
Both Sanchez and Cazorla were victims of assaults by Norwich players, that went unpunished. Sanchez was cowardly pushed into a TV pit, which would not have helped his suspect hamstring. The player concerned should have been sent off and Norwich should be forced to fill in the TV pit. Whilst Cazorla was injured by a reckless challenge, which again should have been punished with a red card. Last season Debuchy was assaulted by a Stoke player, resulting in a badly dislocated shoulder, which required an operation. If my memory serves me correctly, Wilshere suffered a bad injury against Man U last season, which put him out of the game for some time. Yes, we suffer some muscular injuries that could be avoided, but until the standard of referees is improved and restrospective punishment taken against offenders, where referees miss incidents or incorrectly interpret them, players will continue to suffer bad injuries. On Saturday we play Sunderland and under Allardyce, I am certain they will be over-physical. Hopefuly we will get through this match unscathed, but somehow I doubt it.

02 Dec 2015 07:57:11
Or until the prem give into arsenal fans constant whinging and make it a non contact sport?

Take it u didn't like keown, winterburn, vieria etc.

{Ed025's Note - i think i see daniel sturridge with his hand up there chris.. ;)

02 Dec 2015 09:39:44
Personally I think this is poor old us looking for excuses, its a man's game and we need to man up to that.
There is not some vendetta by all premier league clubs to injure Arsenal players but there is a knowledge that Arsenal don't like it up em and teams try to exploit it (George Graham style I might add. Keep calm and don't get paranoid captain Mannering, we will not resolve our problems looking for excuses but only by accepting our where we need to improve and doing something about it.
There's so much more we can learn by having a good look in the mirror than a life time spent pointing the finger at others.

02 Dec 2015 11:38:24
Totally agree but the pushes on Sanchez and Debuchy were totally ridiculous and thuggish.

02 Dec 2015 12:36:58
I have no problem with agressive play, as long as it's fair. However, the challenges on Debuchy and Sanchez that I metioned were idiotic and dangerous. Have another look at the tackle on Cazorla that damaged his ligaments. Were the leg breaking tackles on Ramsey and Eduardo part of 'a man's game' or simply violent acts intended to damage opponents?
The attitude of some of the people that responded to my comment typifies all that is wrong with the English game and why we are failing at the top levels of European and World football. Yes, the PL is a great league, but there are fewer and fewer English footballers playing regularly at PL clubs. Indeed, the regulations had to be changed to force clubs to have homegrown players. Both leg breaks I mentioned were committed by English players. They are of course not the only culprits.

02 Dec 2015 15:46:39
RG we have how many players out at the moment mate, 9? How many of those are due to poor challengers or ref decisions?
If we go back as far as the Eduardo and Ramsey leg breaks how many players have been out between then and now and how often and for how long have they been out on each occasion?
Yes there's been bad tackles and poor decisions by officials along the way but no more or less than those suffered by other teams over the same prolonged period.
Our biggest injury problems are a lot closer to home and a lot more of our own making than been inflicted by other's mate.

02 Dec 2015 17:16:26
Gunner 62 - Some of them are certainly down to poor challenges and others possiby not. The point is that as recently as last Saturday against Norwich, Cazorla's knee ligament injury was a direct result of an awful challenge. Samchez was shoved into a pit, that should not be permitted. The simple fact is that some injuries are unavoidable, whilst others are and if players are properly punished, then they may refrain from making bad challenges. Do you think the ref got it right last season when a Stoke player shoved Debuchy over, resulting in a bad dislocation and an op. Last Saturday was the ref right not to punish poor challenges on Santi and Alexis? Don't forget when a player such as Debuchy is out as a result of a poor challenge, the player that covers him has to play more often resulting in fatigue and injury.

02 Dec 2015 18:30:17
RG I do think the FA should stop clubs like Norwich from digging pits especially to push Arsenal players into that just isn't on :-)
But seriously mate I'm obviously missing something your saying because I can't see where these incidents are unique to Arsenal from where I'm sitting every team suffers bad tackles and pushes from opponents, Norwich were pumped up on Sunday but IMO are aa long long way from a dirty team.
I do remember the early days of Arsene Wenger we were well bottom of the disaplinary table collecting Red and Yellow cards like confetti and because of our aggressive style.

03 Dec 2015 07:31:41
Gunner 62 - Inane comment about the pit. Do you seriously suggest a pit positioned in the surrounds to a premier league pitch is acceptable?
I didn't suggest for one moment that bad tackles are unique to Arsenal, as an Arsenal fan I am concerned at the amount of injuries we have suffered as a result of bad challenges that went unpunished: Debuchy, Cazorla and Sanchez are three that came to mind. These types of challenges should be punished and eradicated from the game. I fail to understand why you appear to condone them.
In the early days many of the players Wenger inherited looked after themselves having played under George Graham. The likes of Adams, Dixon, Winterburn, Bould and Keown could stand up for themselves. The current crop play a more technical style relying upon fast movement, which encourages thugs such as Shawcross to commit bad fouls., resulting in very serious injuries. There needs to be an improvement in the refereeing and punishment for challenges not seen or adequately dealt with. Santi will miss 3 months as a result of bad challenge, which went unpunished.