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02 Feb 2013 23:24:50
Forget Nacho Man, Luke Shaw should shave been signed. He's a great playr and would not be cup tied
Just signed a new contract, Southampton do not need to sell and we needed an experienced and young prospect in LB and RB position which we now have.
And is obviously champions league ready too. . . You couldn't make this stuff up, oh wait you did
1404
02 Feb 2013 22:11:40
I really hope just like any other Arsenal fan that we spend big in the summer! However two things that worry me a bit
1) Arsenal never spend big, well not while Wenger has been there anyway. He always says he is prepared to spend big on top top quality so let's see if it happens. It seems they would rather shop around for a bargain and catch everyone by surprise eg Monreal and Cazorla we bought both under market value.
2) Arsenal and Wenger have been very instramental in pushing for Fifa Fair Play. I can't see them spending 50 odd mil in the summer just before FFP is implemented! I thing is for sure we do need at least 3-4 top top quality players coming in, so all we can do is wait and see what happens.
When will people get it into their skulls that spending vast amounts of money on so called big name players does not mean guaranteed success.
Remind me how much chelski have spent in the last 2 years? And they now sit only 5 points ahead of us, and dropping points all over the shop.
Sure they won the champions league last year, but they are certainly not conistent world beaters.
Arsenal really are not far off in terms of quality, we just need to be more consistent, and for so called fans to get behind the team, instead of constantly hurling abuse and negativity at the manager and players.
Come on you Gooners, let's get in that top four, keep our squad together in the summer, and mount a challenge on all fronts next season.
Well replyed who ever you are?
People still forget that we bought an unknown Tierry what's his name? And Patrick err can't remember oh and there was that Petit bloke. I think the only big buy that came with a name eas the legend Bergkamp and he became an even better player whilst with us.
If we can get any big names for the right money great. But as said above please will you fans stop give stick to AW. There were many teams supposedly getting this player and that player but I didn't see many of them happen.
Good result yesterday, against another team who didn't want to play. HAve to admit didn't know much about Monreal but from the small clips on MOTD he looks a very good buy.
Let us fans relax let the team mature together and let us enjoy what will soon be the demise of Chelski ( I almost hate them more than the spuds) and the slow slip down behind us in the league of spurs and everton.
One more point, and I admit I am not totally happy with our defence but we do have the 4th best defencive record at the moment. Not bad for a bunch of crap.
Estepona gooner "Come on you Baggies"
02 Feb 2013 20:03:28
Really pleased with the result today - with 8 away goals all season I think it is clear Stoke have one thing in mind and that is park the bus. Playing 450 off the ball is incredibly tedious, no pressing, nothing, just sit back and watch us play sideways.
Things I didn't like - silence in the stadium until Shawcross got the ball, in which case there was booing. The crowd was far too quiet until the second half, waiting for something to happen instead of being pleased that they're at a game - I guess this is what happens when prices go up and Wenger says this is the best team he has ever seen behind closed doors.
-Shawcrosses challenge on Koscielny. Had every right to go for it but the difference in efforts between the two players was there for all to see. Kos went in to get the ball and tried playing it with a deft swing. Shawcross just went all in with studs showing, heel down toes up vertical. I mean this is how legs gets broken after all.
-The ref, in particular that balding ageing linesman on Theo's side second half. How are these fogies qualified and deemed fit to run a touch line, someone please tell me? I am sure they'll go on and on about all the rigorous exams they have to pass and how fit they have to be but at the end of the day we need more linespeople like Sian Massey because she wipes the floor with 90% of the old lot.
-One thing we have missed in these games where teams sit back is someone who will have a go from range and try and force the save if not get a sweet goal. All teams seem to do this except us - Podolski's goal the other day was a rare exception. Santi tries but usually skies it and also wasn't on the pitch til late on, but games where we go from side to side over and over. just have a go ffs! Arteta, Jack, The Ox, the wing backs, all of them had chance after to chance to hammer it, you see these goals fly in every single week but we seem so reluctant. Considering we do better when teams come out, it's strange we are so reluctant to lose possession trying to score?
Things I loved- WE WON!
-The Shawcross song 'You know what you are. '
-The Ox was a lot better today, glad he got a run out.
-Sagna did better today
-We didn't concede
-Koscielny was good
-Monreal did quite well
-Chelsea lost
-Everton drew
Overall a great day! Glad the bigger guns came on and made a difference! Well done to everyone involved, absolutely buzzing. Stoke can eff off with their parking technique, pathetic football. Great defensive work, but pathetic also, no desire to win the game.
"One nil, to the football team!"
Metal Gooner
Great post, now "come on you Baggies"
Braintreegooner
Obviously not 450 really is it haha sorry.
*Must proof read*
Metal Gooner
Was not a vintage performance, but we won when the other team parked the bus, so got to be happy with that, nacho was solid looks like a full back from our past, Dixon or winterburn, keeps it simple makes some great diagonal runs trying to get in behind the back, but most importantly is a defender 1st, so far so good from him.
One last point I actually thought the ref had a very good game was calm when the linesman tried to rob us from the goal, used common sense with the arteta/Owen handbags and even with shawcross and kos incident was calm and did not overreact, a throw back to old style of football and refereeing. Well done
Shaneyd
Best part was singing 'one nil, to the football team one nil, to the football team' love it
03 Feb 2013 12:31:47
Can someone tell me, Eds or anyone, how the seats get allocated at the Emirates? It has been mentioned in many a post and by many other people that the atmosphere at the home games generated by our supporters is very muted at times as compared to away games where everyone who wants to chant etc. are banded together.
Most other grounds have still got recognised ends so people know which is most likely to have the bulk of the chanting, whereas at the Emirates no one would have known which end or area most people would have wanted to be in like in the days of The North Bank or Clock End.
Just a wondered if there was any way that people could be grouped in the same areas so that we can get some proper chanting and backing going for the team. I've always hated the fact we as a club haven't got a song or decent chant that is associated with us alone. Something that could really get through to the team.
Estepona gooner
Shayned that's fair enough - I think there are two ways of looking at it. Credit to the ref, he didn't want to blow up for every foul, I massively respect that - however, some you simply cannot ignore, or so I thought. There's lenient and then there's neglecting to do your job. I swear we are the only team in the league who doesn't have the home advantage - refs seem to have it in for us right from the start. I thought the whole lot were abysmal for the game.
As for the goal - well it's easy to give the ref credit to an extent and I am glad he used his brain, but honestly it was the only acceptable decision. Do you give someone massive credit just for getting a basic decision right? Nobody on the planet believed that goal should not have stood - except the Shawcross and that effing linesman. So considering his abysmal game, I don't give too much credence to the ref finally getting a simple decision right, although I am thankful haha.
If Foy could temper his lenience with decent decision-making he could be one of the best. As that linesman, well, I bet he doesn't get his P45 today. Football must be the only profession in the world where you can do anything but your job and still get paid for turning up.
Metal Gooner
02 Feb 2013 19:44:00
i was thinking about what sort of cb I would like at the club.
when you look at any successful team in the world they all way have a player from that country. we have not had a world class cb from england since sol campbell was at the club.
any time we have won anything we have had an english cb.
does any 1 else think this is an issue?
would you like to see a player like phill jagielka at he club?
i just think we have ignored this in the youth set up, we never seem to hear about any bright and upper coming up english cb.
does this alarm any 1 else?
champagne charlie
I think the CB area is a priority. Koscielny has made too many mistakes in big games. Mertesacker all be it is a good defender lacks speed and agility. Jagielka would have been great 2 years ago. Along with Cahill.
As for English players not many available. Would be controversial and it won't happen but Shawcross put alongside an experienced quality cb would work. I'd like to see if Micah Richards could revert back to CB too.
Paul - Rochester
IMO the CB position has been the most effected by the modern game, the good old English, get stuck in centre half no longer exists.
They have to stay on their feet, no hard tackles etc. The modern CB is technically better, quicker, and more athletic. Unfortunately the Adams, keown, bould, Campbell type would be sent off in every game.
337
A no nonsense CB. Someone like Samba
kev88
Say what you like about stoke and Ryan shawcross but he is a good cb with old fashioned pace and power
Hangeland all day long
Charlie, now England doesn't have world class CB! Koss is much better than Cahil. And Jagielka has past it. Even Lescott is not the same anymore. He lost his starting place in City.
03 Feb 2013 08:55:11
Been banging on about our defence all season, who hasn't to been to honest.
I'm stating the obvious here because we all know it but the summer will show us all exactly what desire, with everything in place, the club has as a whole to compete once again.
There will be no where for the club to hide no matter who is in charge from owner to manager.
Stoner
P. s, Imo the defenders we need are playing outside of the EPL.
I really don't get how Koscielny has gone from our best cb last season to 3rd choice this season, if anything I think vermaelen has been our weak link on numerous occasions this season, but you can't drop your captain can you?
Coincidence that we keep a clean sheet when vermaelen is out injured? Make up your own minds!
I have a feeling bould and our cb's have fallen out.
when was the last time any of them praised bould or even talked about him?
i don't think tommy wants to be at the club, I think he p****ed rvp and song left.
he is not a good captain.
when was the last time we demoted a captain?
i think he's gone in the summer.
champagne charlie
Funny you should say that Charlie, Malaga Gooner also predicted that TV5 was leaving.
Mmmmmmm. it's like you two are twins
Well somethings not right in the TV5 camp, hasn't looked himself all season, I think we made a big mistake not going for Hangeland in the window as he could have made a big difference for the run in, I really don't see what effect Bould has had at all apart from a negative one?
1404
1404,, we just don't have a defensive game. that's the way we set up and play.
if you look at barcelona they only play 8-10 hard games a season. if you put them in the pl they would be playing 38 hard games a season.
barcelona do not have a defensive game there attacking players take all the pressure of them by keeping the ball. could they do that for 35 games a season?
you have to have the players to play like this and we do not have them.
you have to ask your self how many of our players would get into barcelona team right now. there use to be a time when they would be after 3-4 of our players,, not now!
champagne charlie
02 Feb 2013 19:25:19
i was looking at the league table and the gap between us and man city, its 11 points and they have a game in hand. they play liverpool tomorrow and it won't be an easy game. city have seemed to have gone back to basics and in my opinion not all is right in their camp.
i believe the 2nd spot could be up for grabs and if we can get a little run together we could surprise every 1 like last year when we grabbed 3rd.
chelsea are finished this season.
spuds do not have the experience in my opinion to hold a challenge they are 2 injury's away from being out of it
(bale and parker)
everton could surprise every 1 but do they have the squad.
liverpool will have a say when they play any of the contenders and they have a bit of experience in gerrard and a couple others who have played at the top who could be worth 1 last bash.
what do you lot think??
champagne charlie
Evening Charlie, I think top 3 is possible if we can start pressing teams, keep our shape and take our chances.
We have a decent team but they don't press enough, create space and passes for team mates or take their chances enough.
The crowd can have a big say in the season and we have the team and the quality.
SY4
What have you done with Charlie?
Forget either of the Mancs. not going to happen. right now, its about chasing the spurs first and then if possible, Chelski
Hi sy4.
i agree I think we need to start building more from the back, I think our game has been built too much from am attacking point of view and we seem to neglect the defence hence every 1 complaining about a dm player.
hope your dad is well mate all ways was a big fan!!
champagne charlie
I think 3th place is possible, but the 2nd will be long shot.
We really needed to take points off city and Chelsea recently, something that was within reach given our performances in both games.
3th place??
Is that inbetween 3rd and 4th?
02 Feb 2013 18:48:02
Glad to see Wilshere get in there against Owen when Arteta made the tackle. Good ol'Captain Jack
02 Feb 2013 17:14:27
Glad with the 1-0 win. A win over Stoke is always good, hate that mob with a passion.
Possession: 71% Arsenal - 29% Stoke
Fouls: 3 Arsenal - 13 Stoke (and should've been more)
Typical.
Nick.
They did leave their foot in on challanges, but hey that's Stoke. Glad we had Arteta back and even starting Diaby for this type of game. Even though we scored when Diaby came off for Cazorla and Ox off for Podolski. Special mention for Kos had one his better games of this season.
Bergkamp's apprentice
02 Feb 2013 16:59:14
did not watch the game but a 1-0 win against a team that parks the bus is good enough for me.
good day for the 4th spot challenge.
can any 1 tell me how nacho played?
champagne charlie
Pretty well for a first game with a new team. didn't over commit with the attack, which is kinda good but still was around well past the half-way line as you'd expect against a team that plays a 7-8 man back line. had a little moment during a fluffed clearance towards the end but nothing too serious. one of those rare game we didn't look like a team that concedes silly goals.
Nacho looks like a serious threat attacking though. would love to see more of his crosses finding the mark.
Mike
He didn't look like it was his first outing for us, solid, adventurous. made a couple mistakes in the last 5 mins but apart from that I was very impressed
1404
Hey steady there Charlie you almost sound positive! You mean to say that it might just be creeping in that we are in 5th, only just behind Spuds, and Chelski turning into the most erratic side since. well since we are at our erratic best.
What's more still in the FA Cup, qualified again for the knock out stage of the ECL (hmm I doubt much further once Bayern have done for us but still further than Chelski and City.
What's more we have done it with such a hopeless group of players and a hopeless manager - wow imagine if we actually were any good?
Just joking Charlie - your passion is excellent just don't forget we aren't as bad as the net would have you believe.
The ghost of Terry Mancini
Nacho was crunchy : -)
AJH
Some teams park a bus, Stoke always anchor an oil tanker.
Don't think we'll have any worries with Monreal. He didn't always bomb forward but his positioning looked spot on, only mistake I saw was towards the end of the game when he was trying clear the ball into touch and missed.
Bergkamp's apprentice
AJH, that's a bit CHEESEY, Comments 'Nacho' strong point then?
02 Feb 2013 16:04:54
Ok, what we need to do is stop putting Arsene under pressure! Why? Because his contract expires in 2014 and if he doesn't renew it, that will be the worse thing in the history of Arsenal FC.
As frustrated as we all are by the lack of transfers in recent years there is a reason for it! We have built, maybe not the biggest but definitely the best stadium in England. Is that really the work of a greedy club? We have a vision for the future and the stadium was the first step of the ladder we're about to climb back to the top of English football and hopefully Europe.
With one of the lowest transfer fund budgets in the league, Wenger has kept us in the top 4 getting us Champions League footy year in year out even with the challenge of loosing key players and not always being able to replace them. Is he really a bad manager?
Now the stadium is paid for we have a lot to look forward to. Wenger and the board have got a lot to do to prove the doubters wrong as they have no excuse whatsoever to not spend big in the summer in the areas we need to strengthen. If they don't then I'll be the first one to get my 'get Stan out' banner with the rest of you!
For now let's try and enjoy the rest of the season and look forward to a summer of key changes. Don't forget that before this season started we looked at the team and thought we had the potential to win something this season. It's the same team now with the same potential they just need to find their confidence!
War Gunner
War Gunner
If I wasn't a red blooded, in every way, kind of guy I would hug you. Thank you for that voice of common sense. Yes we want a trophy but they key is keep in the CL and just for once go into next season with a strong nucleus we can build on.
Anyone else looking forward to a summer with no Nasri, Cesc, RVP, Clichy etc? Just for once we can BUILD.
thanks
The ghost of Terry Mancini
I think you are misinformed mate. We have one of the highest wage bills in the league. Spurs have a lower wage bill and they sit ahead of us on the log
I think it needs mention that the way the loan repayments were scheduled, it meant we couldn't pay off the entire amount at one go even if we could or wanted to. it's just 50-something million left and we have to wait two years more (i think) before we can wipe the slate clean. this meant every year, we had a chunk of money laid down for loans and the board's pockets regardless of what we made or didn't.
Mike
Sorry fella but I didn't mention anything about our wage bill.
War Gunner
02 Feb 2013 15:54:44
monreal playing very conservatively first half. not an attacking threat, but not a defensive weakness either. We definitely need shoring up in the defense, so i'm happy with how he is playing.
Im not happy however, with our sideways mentality. arteta has absolutely no intentions of passing forwards, leaving creativity solely in the hands of jack wilshere. diaby looks alright, but he plays like nobody is going to challenge him - he takes about 10 seconds to pass the ball, and that's usually to arteta.
Sagna has lost his pace, whereas walcott is finally exploiting opponents with his.
Begovic, top drawer. Peter cech replacement in my opinion.
Interesting second half coming up.
Daniel
Jenkinson is the way to go from now on.
Let's judge Arteta in a couple games and certainly not against Stoke who bunkered in massively, leaving little space in the attacking half to work with. As long as Arteta can keep possession and switch the point of attack quickly, I'm fine with it.
Bit of a stalemate in the end. podolski's fortunate deflected freekick aside, we lacked sting in the tail. I believe that if anyone deserved the win it was us, due to total domination of the ball. but it wasnt convincing was it. Giroud is a great target man, but he offers such little movement for midfielders to pass/look for. we are a bit 1 dimentional.
Daniel
Thibaut Courtois will take over from Cech. Chelsea fans are already creaming over him.
as for the sideways passing, we just lack another 'pick up and run' player in the middle. stoke player a 7-3-0 formation. only way forward was to carry the ball ahead instead of passing through, which Jack does best in our team, followed by Cazorla and Theo. it was still a good game though since we were awake from the whistle instead of waiting for the secret potion like the Space Jam movie.
Mike
The defense was ok mate, Monreal had a bit of fluff towards the end of game but nothing really dangerous, but Stoke really didn't have much coming forward. The only real moan we were a bit poor in the last third, Walcott was bit frustrating on the right looked as if he was a bit scared to take his man on.
But a win is a win and we need them.
Bergkamp's apprentice
If a team parks the bus, there's no way through therefore you tend to get a lot of sideways passing until you find an opening
02 Feb 2013 15:47:17
Seriously the fans need to stfu booing Shawcross and get behind OUR team.
02 Feb 2013 15:46:55
Jose Mourinho has been seen in London!
Time to get excited! : )
Why? the guys an arse cart. literally the last person I would want or have at my club
1404
Get the **** out of here you troll
US Gooner
Is he here to take Bendtner, Denilson, The Mighty Squid and the rest of the super squad off our hands and books?
Mike
Not for me, he's coming back to the prem but I doubt it'll be us and I for one won't be disappointed. Klopp is my first choice if not then a present prem manager in the likes of Laudraup or Martinez possibly.
Bergkamp's apprentice
My first choice is Arsene - after that Laudrup - as for Jose no doubt he'll be back at Chelski once he has incredibly managed to take the super funded Real down to third place in the two horse race that is La Liga. They are welcome to the most boring self righteous manager in the game.
The ghost of Terry Mancini
My two choices for Wenger's replacement are Klopp and Laudrup hands down!
North Carolina Gooner
02 Feb 2013 15:43:39
If we're being honest, Begovix is all that's stopped us being 2-0 up
D
02 Feb 2013 14:58:24
So here, is hoping that nacho can put in those crosses that giroud will thrive on
Not sure diaby and arteta both not fully match fit is the way to go but wenger wanted to add some extra height it seems
Shaneyd
02 Feb 2013 14:41:09
Cannot wait to have a look at our new LB! Best of luck to Nacho in his debut.
Also glad to see Cazorla getting much deserevd rest.
Love the midfield 3 of Diaby, Arteta, Wilshere. Very balanced.
Cant wait to show Rugby fc how to play the game!
COYG!
02 Feb 2013 14:29:58
Any link for tonites match?
Paki gooner
Check thefirstrow. eu when the game starts.
Mike
02 Feb 2013 14:13:22
Cazorla and Poldi benched today, good to get them a rest, but if Wenger has decided that Diaby should start over Cazorla regularly, I will cry.
Line up today is;
Gk: Szczesny
Rb: Sagna
Cb: Mertesaker
Cb: Koscielny
LB: Monreal
CM: Arteta
CM: Diaby
AML: AOC
AMC: Wilshere
AMR: Walcott
ST: Giroud
Subs;
Mannone
Jenks
Santos
Rosicky
Cazorla
Ramsey
Podolski.
COME ON ARSENAL!
D
Ps:
Better hear "Nacho, Nacho man"
It wasn't chanted (I didn't hear it where I was sitting) main chants were Santi Cazorla (to get him on) and Podolski scores when he wants after he scored. Monreal was cheered a lot in the first half when he touched the ball.
Bergkamp's apprentice
Cheers for the update mate!
I watched the game, but had to have the volume off, as was "working", so I couldn't hear anything really!
D
02 Feb 2013 13:35:20
I might be out of my depth here but was there not a rumours about Sagna having an argument with Wenger about how things are run at the club? I think that might be a reason why he doesn't seem to be up for it. He doesn't play with the same passion as he used to and that is the main difference between him an Jenkinson at the moment. TV5 has also been poor this season. We kind of know what he is about so we are all hoping that he will come back and turn things around. It wouldn't suprise me though if a lot of this can be traced back to us selling RVP. Without a doubt he was our best player last season and the psycological impact such an act can have should not be underestimated because it is a very strong statement on what kind of club Arsenal have become. Perhaps it was a realisation for TV5 that the club he thought he joined wasn't what he expected. He thought he joined a great ambitous club and realized that his assumption was false. I am just trying to imagine myself in their situation and think about how it would effect me. Yes it is their job to play but the psycological aspect is important. From watching Sagna this season he just doesn't have the same drive and will to conquer as he used to. He seems to have given up. Jack and Jenkinson who always play with extreme drive are fans of the club and love it as much as us, which is why they still have that drive. Just a thought.
The Swede
Sagna also had a terrible injury to get over. yes, the psychology impact over people heading out the door must weigh in somewhere, but unlike last year where we had Song helping out from deeper in the midfield (some of the time) and Theo out wide helping instead of cutting in to play as second striker. plus, the worry of another injury must play in too. look at Santos's confidence while moving ahead. he doesn't make a single run without checking the ball to the nearest guy first after all the heat he's taken.
Mike
TV5 was van p**sies best friend at arsenal too
02 Feb 2013 12:32:03
Holy shizzle!
A lot of massive posts to read today!
02 Feb 2013 12:05:25
Take note Nacho is versatile. Can play at left back and as a left sided midfielder.
Why thank you, have taken note.
What would we have done without this info?
02 Feb 2013 11:32:31
Etienne Capoue is the midfield power house we were looking to bring on deadline day, maybe if we pushed the the boat out we could of got him but the boss reckons it wasn't related to money just the desire of the club to not let him go, hopefully we can get him in the summer, imo he would fit the bill perfectly, I think it will likely hinge on champs league football. happy we picked up nacho think he will be a huge success at the club, would of liked one more to come in, anyone of GK, CH, CDM and a ST is still a must.
Wish list
Julio Cesar
Hummels
Etienne Capoue
Lewandoskie, cavani
big game against stoke today so come on you gunners!
And had we gone for him at the start of the month we could have given them enough time to get a replacement. Simple logic.
02 Feb 2013 11:04:00
D- Dot,
Apologies, having read your reply re deep lying / defensive midfielders I wasn't trying to be a smart arse, it was just that both Arteta and Ramsey have both spoken of the defensive role on the Arsenal web site.
Whether it be deep lying or defensive it appears its not their favoured or natural position which is why I think talks of a true DM continue on here, that and defensively we need to tighten up.
I think Arteta is the better of the two in that role, but say had we brought the likes of Wanyama or Capoue, two names spoken of, as their favoured position they could surely have filled the role better as deep lying or defensive midfielders?
Stoner
I know it is going to be very controversial, but I feel Ramsey can eventually fill that position. Before his injury he was top quality next to Jack and as much as he has been slated playing out wide I still feel that he is best in CM and he can tackle and pass exceptionally well.
Ready for the disagrees as always.
337
This is the thing Stoner - people are so quick to say 'Yeah but we don't play with a defensive midfielder so there's no point in getting one' - it's flawed logic. One of our biggest problems is that we don't play with a defensive midfielder.
What was Diaby saying the other month on the official website. Did anyone read it? His come back interview - he said in almost as few words, he finds defending irritating and he likes to get forward as much as possible. Arteta knows he should be further forward and by allowing to him to do that but expecting him to defend perfectly as well, we're asking a hell of a lot for someone his age.
Then we have Coquelin who knows his role, is happy to sit back, clear up the mess, he covers ground like nobody's business and loves getting stuck in. but Wenger seems reluctant to play him and then he gets injured.
All I will say is the 'we don't play with one' argument is a real facepalm comment for me, because this is WHY we have so many problems at the back. The players dedicated to that role either don't want to do it or aren't good enough. If our forwards were good enough we wouldn't need 3 forwards and all 3 midfielders in attack, simple as that. Sure it's normal for moments in every game but this 'we have no defensive midfielder' is a cop out.
It's a tad incorrect to say we aren't looking for a more defensive midfield player. remember Vertonghen saying he didn't want to sign because he was told he'd be played more in a holding midfielder role?
yes, we aren't going for the right guy who plays naturally in that role, but it's not like we hit the snooze button on that one. after last summer's debacle, I think the club's decided not to go for back-ups or second choices in their already limited options for transfers. there were voices coming out from the Wanyama story and i'd like to believe the interest there is real.
Mike
02 Feb 2013 14:49:33
337,
Yep I w
as arguing with myself. Not good I know.
I really like Ramsey and can remember how good he was pre injury and how much I liked the look of him; I also think he will become a really valuable part of our squad, obviously if not played on the wing. I voiced my preference for Arteta as he has looked better there simply because it is even newer to Ramsey. Neither is ideal though at this point. We could argue it's possible to mould Ramsey into a DM but I think he would serve us better higher up along with Arteta.
To the unnamed poster, I posted a while back that Diaby was the man that dragged the team up the pitch prior to Jacks return from injury and was looking good doing it, thus don't think he is the answer to our deep lying / defensive midfielder position.
I really like the look of Coquelin he is our only true DM but we have seen so little of him, he gets stuck in and gets around the park. It's just I think most peoples feeling are that they want a tried and tested player in that defensive role whether we call it deep lying or just plain CDM. People don't want to wait for Coquelin to develop.
It's those run of games for our defence as a unit which, so far have been way to varied through Injury etc that has just not helped them evolve. Our best teams have been built on a truly solid defence.
Stoner
It's not just our best teams it's every successful team in history. To not have a clear high class defensive midfielder is totally contrary, look how Barcelona have used Toure and Busquets, or how much better City are with Toure and Garcia. We seem to Seem to be the only club that thinkswe can cope without.
What I wouldn't give for a Vieira, Gilberto, Petit or even Flamini now? I hae said this 100 times you don't have to spend £20m to get the player that would become our new heart. No box to box, no drive in adversity, no thrust behind attacking flair - it's simply ridiculous.
You know I will support Arsene but it's stubbornness without sense, Arteta, Ramsey, Diaby et al are all fine players but they aren't and never will be CDMs, and not close to the ability in that respect of any of our top rivals for 4th place let alone the top three.
I fear within a few weeks our season will be over, and yet for the price of Wanyama we could be competing at a whole other level.
The ghost of Terry Mancini
02 Feb 2013 20:01:59
Terry,
Wanyama would be my ready made pick all day long, have said it so many times and I'm seriously hoping we've got something in place to get him in the summer.
Stoner
02 Feb 2013 09:51:24
Going back to London from our home here in sunny Cyprus, it will be lovely to see the kids again. But most important got some tickets to take my grandson to The Grove against Blackburn. Got to be the highlight of the 3 weeks over there.
There is something really special taking a grandson to the shop buy a bit a gear to wear, feeling the tension building walking up those steps finding your seat & all the joy of seeing the GREATEST Team in the world. Those red shirts & white sleeves. Sam will have a flag round his shoulders I'll have my retro 70's shirt on. I'll think back 40 odd years to when I was a 15yr old gooner like Sam.
Ain't it great to be a gooner & a grandad.
Sagalout
Why would some d**mhead disagree to this?
Good on you sagalout, hope he enjoys it mate.
337
There is always a fool who disagrees with every post
This is how our great club survives ov time and we get true Gooners!
Have a great day, hope we win and play well and also get loads of great memories
Lovely to read about days out like this!
SY4
The disagree was probably a spud, they know as much about greatness as a zebra does about brain surgery.
Thanks guys I hope when you reach my ripe old age you have the joy of walking up those steps into the ground with a grandson, it's the best feeling in the world.
Sagalout
Ah two spurs on our page now. Hope you and Grandson have a good day should be an easy win. Take him in early, I always love the big screen when it shows the old and more recent Arsenal fans (black and white film mixed up with colour film) really grabs the history of our club and great supporters it has and had.
Bergkamp's apprentice
02 Feb 2013 00:10:09
Hey All, just like to say that I am of the view (much like BGGooner amongst others) that when it comes to spending blaming the manager makes little sense. He does not look after the money as it is not his job. that's the owners via the CEO and CFO/FD's role.
The sense of frustration though is something I think we all feel and despite Metal Gooner's views not necessarily mirroring mine his posts are passionate and interesting.
However when it comes to performance on the pitch we all have the right to question Wenger when performances can at times contain errors so consistently dreadful you would have to be criminally insane not to ask why.
If we have strong players then the problem lies with Wenger and if we don't then we can question the recruitment in this area that he has supervised.
Although Wenger does NOT play a classic DM it is true that we do not have a muscular all round midfielder to forcibly break up play. It is the qualities we are missing and are even more important within the system we play in my opinion.
Also we do better both offensively and defensively when we pressure the ball further up the pitch. Every time we have gone behind this as been the key change. Against Swansea we did this from the off thus the clean sheet.
In truth until we were never likely to spend big until these commercial deals were in place but we will see this appen soon. This will bring better players and therefore better results.
However I do feel that we actually have a better team than our position shows. Wenger has not brought out the best from those in the team currently and instead of demonstrating flexibility and changing the way the team plays to accommodate those he as tries to remodel the players to fit the system. Even more frustratingly does not play to this systems core strengths (until the 70th minute!).
Anyway very long post but lot on my mind!
Hackney Gooner
02 Feb 2013 09:43:13
But he does look after the money even though it is not his job.
It should be the ceo/cfo who detirmines who gets paid what, not the managers job. Makes me wonder who decided Wenger should be one of the highest paid managers in world football?
I know I would give myself a fat salary if I were the one determining the wage structure.
Frank Reynolds
You make a good point about TV5 maybe playing a little inhibited because he knows he may have to cover for Mertasaker slowness. TV5 is best as a aggressive defender attacking the ball with the forward but to do this you ideally need someone with pace to back it up and recover for you if you lose out. That is why TV5 and Kos I still think is better partnership for us especially in the high line we play.
Mertasaker is not a bad defender and does read the game well but his weak points of slowness and a slower touch and technique are exposed more in our higher line. Mertasaker would operate better in a deeper system as a sweeper in a back 3.
Not sure if being captain has not helped but TV5's form has dropped and is main reason why our defending overall has sucked of late. I think with Kos alongside there is a better chance of his form improving knowing he has that pace to back him up.
01 Feb 2013 23:09:01
Sorry this will be long.
As of right now. our first team moving forward should be
Shezza
Sagna Kos Verm Monreal
Cazorla Ramsey Wilshere
Walcott Giroud Poldi
Let our best partnership develop again. BFG can come in and TV can play LB vs Bayern. Otherwise, let Kos read the game and Verm attack the ball.
Ramsey has been superb in the holding role, and his pace makes him a better fit to Jack and Santi than Arteta.
When Arteta plays, Diaby has to play and Santi has to play wing or sit. otherwise our midfield has big gaps
Walcott Giroud and Poldi is clearly our front line going forward, and they seem to be finding form. on another day we slide 5 past Liverpool
Time to use Arshavin and Rosicky. Like last year w Rosicky, at their age, they can give you 3-4 good months. Lets see it now. Rosicky can replace Jack or Santi when need be, and Arsh can play the 10 or wide, given Santos is also in as a wingback in front of Monreal.
We still have tons of talent on our roster, and Gervinho hopefully comes back brimming with confidence. It needs to start clicking now for this squad.
Personally, I've seen enough to believe Jack and Rambo, as always planned, will be our midfield duo moving forward, with the other likely Eisfeld. who will be a first team player and Santi's backup next year
Moving forward, per form and thinking about how they play and team moving forward
Midfield
1. Jack Rambo Santi
2. Diaby Arteta Rosicky
Don't give up on what's working, stick with it. Change needs to come defensively.
Time to pair Verm's ability to seek and destroy with Kos's ability to back him up with his pace. Kos is a superbly quick CD. Sure we give up height, but
A. Not like height has helped set pieces defensively
B. Kos being in the match seems to result in Verm getting more headers on goal during corners, this is purely speculation, but Verm doesn't score anymore on set pieces. and Kos doesn't play
Centrally Verm is trying to do too much right now and Mert cannot compensate because he's slow. So either he stays back, reads game and ruins high line, or he comes up and exposes space behind defense. Kos has to play moving forward for us. play Mert against typically PL longball teams. mainly to give duo a breather
We needed signings, but it's not the end of the world. We just have to stay healthy.
Thanks for the read.
US Gooner
Spot on mate.
Nick.
Sagna has been poor this season, I'd swap him out for Jenkinson.
Nice to see we still have some Ramsey fans as well as me
337
It really shouldn't be Sagna any more though, simple as that. Two leg breaks in a year and he's come back a different player and got no contract extension. I seem to remember an equally poor season from Clichy before he left. Anyone who still sits there thinking we have 'the league's best RB' (haha!) or that Jenko should still be behind Sagna in the pecking order arguably has failed to:
-watch our season
-watch Jenkinson at the start of the year (most touches of any player, defensive record was amazing)
-in particular, watch Sagna.
01 Feb 2013 22:34:35
So stoke tomorrow, window is over, we have to focus on the football. you can complain however much you want, but its finished. NOW DOWN TO BUSINESS THE FOOTBALL
So tony pulis. HATE HIM and normally his resilient defence are conceding left right and centre, 3 POINTS IS A MUST.
Depends how we start, stoke will no doubt sit deep so an early goal changes the complex settles the nerves, have to play giroud pod and walcott, but the midfield is where opinions could vary,
For me its diaby jack and cazorla, arteta won't be 100% and we seem more balanced with diabby (i know he's looked sluggish and off it since coming back) but he needs a breakthrough game! I like coq though but isn't he injured?
Defence well nacho man has to come in, welcome to england, STOKE CITY haha! we will see what he is made of and kos over mert I know kos is struggling but last year he was great start of the season he was the only one with abit of fight and showed abit of quality, we turn on players too quick through a rough patch!
sczeney is due a performance. i'm going 2-0 clean sheet solid win ONWARDS AND UPWARDS GOOD FEB IS KEY
get behind the boys
COMMENTS WELCOME
Yorkshire Gooner Joe :D
02 Feb 2013 10:31:45
I wouldn't play Diaby in this game, he's fragile and Stoke won't go easy on him.
I have a feeling Stoke will not sit deep on us because they will know that will invite pressure onto them, and our attack is on fire. Stoke will be looking to get up the pitch and send balls into our box as quickly as possible because that is our weakest area. He will want Walters and whoever else trying to rinse Sagna. Pulis will know how badly he's playing, and if Santos plays then it's game over down the left. Any manager coming to the Emirates will know they should come out all guns blazing, lob balls into the box, get free kicks and set pieces and shale up our defence before it has had half an hour to stop bricking itself.
So I wouldn't expect Stoke to sit back - people forget they can actually play football as well as rugby : D
01 Feb 2013 22:24:27
Expect to win the next 3 league games and beat Blackburn, dreading Munich result even though I can't wait to go. Then 2 crunch games against spurs and the Toffees.
01 Feb 2013 20:49:28
Hi Eds,
Wenger speaks abiut the PSG project I today's interview. It's quite interesting. Do you think he'll probably jump ship there once his contractnruns out at Arsenal! I, personally don't think he'll manage another team but What do you think?
Thanks! {Ed0v07's Note - I have a sneaky suspicion that Madrid might be a destination. I also have a suspicion that anyone who calls anything to do with a football club/team 'a project' is a knob.}
Ed are you referring to Wenger or the poster? {Ed007's Note - I don't know if Madrid have any interest in the poster, he forgot to leave a name.}
01 Feb 2013 20:21:39
hope we keep up the good relationship with malaga as they still have some players like isco and camacho who i'd love at arsenal.
also we should give them miquel on loan since he doesn't get game time here and maybe even bellerin and toral
Sorry, but I would hardly call taking a teams best players for much less than they are worth a good relationship.
The only reason they sold to us is because they are desperate for money, we took advantage, that's life, but if they sort themselves out I would imagine we would be the last club they would want to deal with.
I would say that we gave Malaga fair money for each player. Assuming the Monreal deal was the £10m rumoured.
Jason C