Arsenal Banter Archive February 02 2014

02 Feb 2014 22:37:33
With so many injuries, fatigue setting in and a huge amount of games to come, we should forget about the performance and just be happy with the 3 points.

We are back on top and that's all that matters. If you can't win beautiful than win ugly.

PS, credit to Palace, they didn't come to the Emirates and park the bus, they played. Fair play to them and I hope they stay up.

M City 1 Palace 0
M Utd 2 Palace 0
Liverpool 3 Palace 1
Chelsea 2 Palace 1
Palace 0 Everton 0
Arsenal 2 Palace 0

Shows what a hard side they are to beat, 3 pts and move on

Palace are no mugs and did what they had to do, they worked harder than most sides and after coceeding looked dangerous.
They were unlucky not to get a a point at city earlier in the season and at Chelski but yesterday they were for all their efforts 2nd best by quite a margin.
We mustn't under value our performance just because we didn't play our super best or score a hatfull

02 Feb 2014 20:23:26
I don't like the bloke but Gary Neville said what a lot of us have been saying on here for a while
" Arsenal are back amongst the contenders and have proved that already no mater what happens between now and the end of the season "
" They have a lot of tough games coming up but the fact that they are all big games says it "

We are top AGAIN and if Chelsk as I think they will get at least a point tomorrow we will stay there.
We may not be champions of either PL or CL come May but within the next 2 years we have every reason to believe we can be both.

Lets enjoy the ride we have waited a while for this and like Arsene our rewards are not to far away now.

We are definitely going in the right direction and are a much better team/squad than over the past 5/6 years or more.

Finished article? not by a long shot, another 2 or 3 top class players and we will be a major force.

02 Feb 2014 18:26:31
Oxen and Santi were class today, fair play and a top line up, the Kalstrom signing is mental given that we needed cover. There must be a wager in squad to see who can clock up the most treatment table minutes, its my only concern really. I do feel that too many signings can disrupt the continuity, but a fit player would have been a better option. Positive stuff today, Keep it going fellas, get fit and push on, Livers, United, Livers, Munich, you can do this.

02 Feb 2014 17:59:15
Massive 3pts against a resilient Palace team. Just like to say a few things about the game.

Szczesny was solid alongside Sagna, Mertesacker and Koscielny. Monreal (in my opinion) has been caught out defensively on a couple of occasions in the last few games. He was caught out for one of the goals against Southampton and he was ball watching for Cameron Jerome's chance, which Szczesny saved brilliantly. Gibbs has to start next game against Liverpool.

Arteta played well alongside the Ox who I thought was brilliant. Deserved his two goals. Really pleased for him. Ozil was quiet but linked play well and create a few chances. Cazorla was excellent, great ball for the first goal. He touch, dribbling and skill is sublime. Love the guy. Podolski worked hard and Giroud, although he didn't look like scoring, held the ball up, linked play and of course, created the two crucial goal.

There's been a lot of negativity on the site recently but we are top by 2pts from City. 5pts clear of Chelsea and one or both teams WILL drop points tomorrow. We are miles ahead of Spurs (11pts) and half a table ahead of Manchester United (15pts)

We've kept yet another clean sheet today and we are looking solid and getting back to form ahead of a monster run of fixtures. I for one am very optimistic about the times ahead.

Wenger out? Crisis? What crisis?! COYG!

Top again nuff said

Good assessment Greeny, totally agree.

02 Feb 2014 17:42:09
Just remind some people the commercial position and the challenges that the club has faced/ overcome, and most importantly, what the club is trying to do.

I am constantly frustrated on hearing people slag off wenger. Although I do understand and I have my moments, (no one is beyond criticism after all) - but sometimes we have to remember the big picture.

So, let's go back a bit.

The club wanted to be able to compete with the best clubs in Europe, like Man utd, Bayern, Barca etc. A very ambitious proposition and that was the vision of the club and in particular Wenger in the late 1990's.

In order to do that they needed money, hundreds of millions. So, with no sugar daddy owner, how were arsenal going to generate such cash?

The answer was what they did - build a fantastic stadium that increases capacity, and demands a higher ticket price. The Emirates cost £470m - how do you think they financed that in a way that wouldn't cripple the club with debt for the next 20+ years? Therefore not allowing it to generate the money needed to buy players etc, which was the whole point of building the stadium in the first place!?

A combination of loan and sponsorship deals and a policy of paying off the debt as quickly as possible. A lot of sponsorship was paid up front so the stadium could be built, meaning, we have had very little money to spend for the past 10 years, limited profits and low dividends.

That is why AW has not had the money to spent on players and in fact had to sell players for profit to contribute to paying off the stadium debt.

All the time in trying to make "top 4" for the CL revenue and to maintain a respectable league position and to keep a decent status as a club.

(if you think we've spent (net) in the transfer market about £10mil compared to citeh's (from 2008) £584 mil- title challengers? top 4? Maybe we should be grateful for not being in a relegation battle!)

Plus trying to do this within a changing football environment with vast wealth injections into other clubs (no need mention names here!).

Now arsenal have paid off most of their debt and signing new sponsorship deals, etc. which will cover the remaining mortgage repayments.

There has been a sacrifice i.e. no trophies, now is the time when arsenal can invest into signing top players and aiming towards the original vision that they had some 15 years ago.

To quote Ivan Gazidis, speaking recently:

"it is estimated that Wenger's budget for spending on transfer fees this summer (2014) will increase to around £80 million, this figure will be available every season for the foreseeable future".

"The money is available to the manager to use how he sees fit. We have a vision to be competing at the top of the world's game".

"The club has progressed and not from outside benefactors, but by the efforts of people who love the club and when we do achieve success, it will be incredibly meaningful to everyone who started and have continued this journey".

Personally I think this promotes great qualities, where short-term thinking, short cuts to fame, fortune and glory are all too common in this increasingly shallow football world.


Wenger has done so much for our club, taken criticism after criticism, sacrificed his own glory (arguably, could've stayed "safe" at highbury, etc) to build a legacy for the next 50+ years and all for our club (Ok he's been paid very well for it- but professionally he could've taken an easier option imo- also can you imagine someone with the ego of mourinho having the faith, tenacity and believe in a vision at the cost of not winning?).

But whatever happens in the near future and when AW finally retires, you can be assured that the next manager and the one after that etc, etc will have a stable financial and commercial base in which to make arsenal competitive for a very long time.

This will be Wenger's legacy.

Sorry for the long post and thanks if you've kept reading!

(so when people slag our club off, I always think of the bigger picture- they don't have a glue about our club, especially the glory hunters, sugar daddy clubs, etc.- we can be proud of our club and what it has tried achieve- ambition? This is real ambition that has taken a lot of balls and nerve- anyone who's rich can throw money around).

Very true - I will watch the us play with my grand-kids and tell them about a wise old Frenchman who secured our club and transformed it into what they still see today. I will also tell them about the great teams I had the pleasure of watching and the fantastic players that graced the pitch, finally telling them about us going unbeaten in style for a season! It's a tiny sacrifice for the good of the club and I really want the story to have a happy ending.

"So what happened after all those trophyless years grandad?"

Well kids, let me tell you.

Great post LG,

It is frustrating as a fan not to be challenging for honours every year and so the frustration at times has been understandable. BUT the people who run the club as you point out cannot be as short term myopic and that is where arsenal have really done well by committing to a long term vision at the expense of short and middle term success.

I respect Wenger for taking the abuse and recriminations (he has made mistakes sure but the margins were so much tighter at arsenal than utd, city, or Chelsea).

Before last year we were 20th in net spend on transfers and had the fourth highest wage bill.

Coupled with the fact that every year we lost one or two star players wenger has actually done well papering the cracks and making the top 4.

Basically, if any of our job performances were judged as some on here have judged wenger we would be unemployed and it is because most fans are emotional and not logical about our club. (Nothing wrong with that, but the expectations of fans may not reflect the realities). Now that we have money let's see if Arsene can deliver.

COYG

A lovely well written post.
Even though Arsene has many faults. His greatest achievement is setting the club up for the next 100 years at the highest level. It's a shame that it will probably be the next managers that will get the success (ie trophies). That's why I've been so frustrated of late, because I want Arsene to be the manager to lift the trophies so he can have the last laugh over the critics. Also if it is Arsene lifting the trophies it means it will be sooner rather then later.

Architect, Economist, Coach, Manager.
Flybo

Great post. Full with lots of often forgotten about facts which we have been dealing with over the last decade.

We are a club on the rise, not decline.

LG
You have said everything that needed saying but put it across so well, fantastic post mate.
We have so much to be greatfull to Arsene forand yes we have all disagreed with him and some of his decisions but no real Arsenal fan could ever not appreciate how lucky we are he came to us 17 years ago

Good post very well put BUT I don't trust AW with £80million. I can see him spending a bit on a young league 2 French kid not on the top drawer quality we need.

Now that's what you call a great post

Top post, well said.

02 Feb 2014 17:07:09
Well done Ox and Santi - clearly the boss had a word at half time just like my post!

02 Feb 2014 16:57:39
Not god enough firt half

Per looking great but struggling to break them down with Ox and Santi lacking final ball

May be Santi and Ox need to switch or Rosicky comes on.

Only person showing and moving is Ozil - others need to put more in and pull Palace around the pitch more

02 Feb 2014 16:35:49
Arsenal looking to send Kallstrom back to Russia in light of his injury

02 Feb 2014 15:45:53
I am loving the team Wenger has named!

Poldi starts alongside Ozil and Cazorla with The Ox and Arteta starting centrally although Cazorla and Ox can swap.

Solid back five picks itself although I would have Gibbs over Monreal personally!

Really excited about the match!

02 Feb 2014 15:35:28
Poldolski starts happy happy happy

02 Feb 2014 14:51:37
Finally managed to justify the kallstrom signing. He must've been signed for his influence on the rest of the team in terms of what his experience in the changing room and at training can bring to the younger players, maybe to help mould Olsen. F**k I'm really clutching at straws here

02 Feb 2014 12:37:03
Hi Eds, I've just read in twitter that RVP could possibly make a return in summer, what do you reckon? Will he even be welcomed back after the celebration against us?

{Ed002's Note - I don't comment on Twitter.}

You only need to read the headline to know that its total nonsense. No quote, no reference of any kind.

My suggestion, make a note of the paper and the journalist, and avoid reading their garbage in future.

Well i'm not a fan of glass personally great for certain occasions but all too often chipped and cracked, plus i'd rather not look at it now it has a stain all over it

02 Feb 2014 11:47:26
I see that we are being linked with RVP, how funny.

One of my favourite films is Braveheart and the scene where Mel Gibson rides to pick a fight with the English and delivers his terms is perfect.

We should agree to take him back on the condition that all the fans drop there pants outside the stadium and he kisses every single one of our 'Ar**s' on the way in!

I was also looking at the slysports website and have discovered why Man United are losing every second game, its because the alternate red and green dots in the 'tables' section make a very nice pattern!

Read an interesting article on mata, trying to find it again to post the link,

In summary it stated how Mata was chelsea player of the year for two years, and in that time period, for both seasons, they were out of the top 4, or struggling to make top 4.

In mata's first season, they won the champions league final, but in ever game he was ineffective(defensively), and mostly subbed, and it was a game of defending. We all know how chelsea won that title.

last year, under benitez the same, he would barely make defensive movements, his numbers looked good attacking, but his defensive numbers were poor.

last but not least the article stated, how the midfield has to be the hardest working area of the team, tracking back, defensive position and so on, while mata was more like a bystander.

and then it lists all the games that chelsea were leading, and the opposition was knocking on chelsea's door, it was mata who came off, to keep the defensive position of the team.

looks like mourinho just took Manchester United for mugs, but let's see how moyes builds it.

I know what I'll do when he kisses mine!

02 Feb 2014 11:42:59
Its being reported that we didn't actually put in a bid for Draxler. we only inquired. anyway the transfer window is now closed so we must move on.

Palace are going to park the bus, and their whole ground in front of our goal. just hope we can get an early goal. to calm our nerves. but i'm confident of an eventual 3 - 0 win.

And tommorrow I think Chelski. will do us a favour by getting something at City

100% support for the team today. no slagging off if things are not going well early on.

Lets hope mourinho can knock city off their perch, if the beat chelsea, they will become unstoppable.

02 Feb 2014 11:06:19
"RVP looking for a £15million move back to arsenal". I bloody hope not!

Athletico madrid could use him, after diego costa leaves. oh wait his wages,

maybe chelsea then or city. don't he dare come back to arsenal.

02 Feb 2014 10:48:15
It amazes me reading some comments that people want wenger out!? I mean if that were to happen there's a club in Manchester in dire straits at the moment and would in my opinion Pounce on having wenger in charge. Please for the sake of the club back the manager and get behind the team. we are in a title race ffs and have as good a chance then in the last 3 years. COYG

Wenger out and he can take Giroud Ozil Ramsey Wilshere and his style of football with him, bring back George Graham and Perry Groves Martin Hayes John Jenson Jimmy Carter and Ian Allison and his one shot one goal kill the game cold style back

People have either very short memories or are to young to know.
You never truly appreciate what you have until its gone I guess

Well said lads, anyone who is thinking Wenger out when we have the best team since the invincibles needs their head examined

HEAR F&^%ing HEAR!!!

Been a gooner for well over 50 years. During that time we have gone periods over 10years without even lookin like winning a pot. Also playing real KAK but we still went and stood and cheered!
Fans out there should be real careful what they wish for.
WELL SAID G62

02 Feb 2014 09:28:24
Would you lads like to sign Jose Enrique, Lucas etc., pay to fix 'em up and then just send them right back? Heard you were doing that sort of thing ;).
I'm sorry lads, had to be done. Though with the Edward Scissor-hands you have for a medical staff, they'd probably be out for two years, so never mind. Haha, in all seriousness good luck today, would love for my Liverpool to catch and pass you, but at the same time I don't want any of the plastics to win.
Fitz

Fair comment Fitz mate, think we are in for a lot of this good humoured banter, and why Not!
We would enjoy it if it was another club, keep them coming I say

02 Feb 2014 07:35:44
Eds answer this please boys you may have the answer from somewhere that makes sense because I can't make sense of it. If Kallstrom was injured before we signed him and presumably our medical team would have examined him now saying he could be out for a couple of months Why did we bother with him? I'm stumped. So far we have a 31 year old player that can't kick a ball when we are in desperate need. Wheres the logic in that? Even if he were fit he probably wouldn't be in the reckoning come next season. We may aswell have signed a player from the conference league.

{Ed002's Note - Arsenal would not knowingly have signed him if they thought he was not going to be available for two months.}

02 Feb 2014 07:04:44
well guys, first trip to the emirates today with my daughter and seriously hoping for a goal rush.
reading some of your posts on here you'd think we were in the relegation zone and city were out of sight. ITS 1 POINT for christ sake! we will more than likely be top again by tonight and there's the small matter of city chelsea tomorrow. some of u guys really shouldn't just assume that city and chelsea will beat us when the games come either, they r both beatable! none of u would have predicted that we'd be were we are come the halfway point so climb down from your high horse and get behind the team. what can I say, i'm a glass half full kind of guy!

02 Feb 2014 02:11:42
Guys, I agree with Jenny. Yes, the window was rubbish. Yes Wenger is stubborn. He has made his mistakes but who hasn't. Wenger is stubborn and wise. The KK injury ridiculous yeah but we are doing good. Last year we we're struggling at this point with a weaker squad (minus Ozil and Flam's experience) and we still pulled up our socks under immense pressure and got 4th. Not only did we get 4th we finished the league stronger than any other team. Also everyone was saying 'no, arsenal have ****ed it' . 'no spurs will get 4th' and we silenced them. Wenger silenced them. We got 4th and if we hadn't I very much doubt we'd have got Ozil and also now because of him, other players that will follow in the summer. We always finish strongly no matter what. If we can ride out what is admittedly going to be a very difficult period for us and keep close to City we will have good chance when Ramsay gets back. C'mon Arsenal! It's not doom and gloom. We are involved in a tttle race. Enjoy it.

Couldn't agree more LeeGun mate
We have to enjoy what's happening this season if not what's the point.
The reality is 20 teams set out with hopes and dreams for the season ahead every August, some of survival others of CL football qualification and the elite few the title.
No matter how well everyone plays 3 have to go down and only one can be champions.
We are real contenders again and if its 2nd place for us this season I won't be exactly be full of despair.
Just happy with the progress we have made

02 Feb 2014 09:36:58
Thanks Leegun,

We have so much more to feel good about than to feel down about.

I to think along the lines of Flybo that it was let down not to get Draxler, with money to burn its a hard one to know exactly why he isn't here. But Liverpool didn't get their man because the owner said No.

But the good things are still here and I appreciate you can't man for man say Walcott and Ramsey are at the level of Aguero and Yaya Toure but for our team they mean the same in level of impact and yet we are still up there.

We have some great youngsters in Zelalem and Eisfeld who I think have shown the ability to step in if really needed.

And who knows what Sanogo or NB may chip in with.

{Ed002's Note - Draxler was never going to move in January. In the summer if the offer is right, he will be able to decide between Arsenal and Bayern Munich. There remains a residual chance that Manchester City will still be interested.}

02 Feb 2014 00:42:01
Gents and Jenny,

Prediction for tomorrow>>>

Im going to be a bit cheeky and say we are going to win 4-1.

Giroud 2, Cazorla and Ozil
Chamakh for Palace.

I hope he starts Podolski!

I'd love us to smash em 6-0 but I am going for a conservative 2-0 ground out win with Giroud and Cazorla scoring.

02 Feb 2014 09:40:03
Dags I'm rubbish at predictions but I'm going for my favourite player Santi to score again.

Either 3 0 or 1 1.
If we are back to business as usual 3 0 as even an improved Palace won't be able to keep us out all game, if we are still struggling for our rhythm it could be a long afternoon against a side that is fast improving.

DG, I think pulls has got them working well as a defensive unit I will go 1-0 a draw halftime and us nicking it in the 2nd half

Spot on Greeny, lol