Arsenal Banter Archive January 31 2017

31 Jan 2017 22:22:01
If we won tonight (bearing in mind Chelsea dropped points) then the game at the bridge would have been a very important fixture. Instead, it is a chance for Chelsea to extend their gap over us and which they will maintain over us and go on to win the league. I have a few points from today's match, fellow supporters feel free to comment or argue -

1. Ramsey is simply not good enough and has not kicked on from his wonder season or even anywhere near the ability he showed then. He is a very average player at best and adds nothing to our side, perhaps takes away from it. His passing is slow and sloppy and he takes about 15 touches when he gets the ball.

2. Perez deserves more chances. Yes he did not score or assist when he came on but he brought with him a sense of urgency and pace to the game. He was very unlucky not to score with his effort of the bar. Would Sanchez up top and Perez and Iwobi on the wings been a better choice for tonight?

3. Theo Walcott. 99 goals for Arsenal, played in a one on one by Özil with half the goal to aim at, and he blasts the ball straight at the keeper. Don't get me wrong, even the best in the world can miss chances but that seemed like such a Theo moment to miss when he could have reached the milestone and brought us back into the match.

4. Recurring theme. These games at the Emirates whereby we have slim title chances to keep alive, and we consistently fail to do so. I remember Swansea last season and Swansea yet again a few seasons back (both at the Emirates) , along with Watford tonight.

We have the tendency to stroll into the game thinking it is won because we spanked Southampton'a B Team in the FA Cup. It's just not how football works, or how Premier League winning teams operate. We did not fight for a ball in the first half and Watford showed grit and hunger to win in that opening part of the match.

Bit of a rant there but I cannot say I wasn't expecting a result like this to come along.

31 Jan 2017 22:38:34
Agree to all of the above.

31 Jan 2017 22:42:37
The last sentence, there will be more games like this, its in grained, its the way we set up.

31 Jan 2017 21:43:13
As usual we choke.

No chance of winning league.
Top 4 mediocrity at best.

Please sell Ramsey.

31 Jan 2017 21:51:27
Ramsey, what at all was he thinking on the pitch?

31 Jan 2017 21:53:29
yep when there is chance to get win striking distance of Chelsea we choke, the team can handle pressure of expectation. Ramsey sorry enough. We miss Cazorla badly and there was lack of width tonight.

31 Jan 2017 21:55:31
Dags and steve r, it looks like watford was the only one i get right so far. lol

31 Jan 2017 22:16:07
Is that it, sell Ramsey. The club is infested with a lack of ambition and it reflects in our ability to fail to putxa challenge in. Tonight was a big chance to put pressure on chelski and we dis our usual, I am worried now for the rest of the season. We are dragging ourselves into the fourth place with gusto.

31 Jan 2017 22:08:42
The league was gone weeks ago, Chelsea will finish the season by more than 3 points ahead of us, best we can do is finish 2nd again, best losers.

31 Jan 2017 22:10:44
Even if we are lucky enough to beat Chelsea at the weekend they will still finish above us.

31 Jan 2017 22:39:46
Very true Leahy 😄

31 Jan 2017 22:40:43
I think the big winners tonight was chelski. And we were the big losers.

31 Jan 2017
The real time live chat page is open for today's Arsenal match at the below link for you to talk to each other during the match
Arsenal Live Chat page

31 Jan 2017 12:39:33
Manolas? What?! Proactivity?!

Any truth here Ed? What does it mean for Chambers / Holding/ Maitland Niles?

Are we dumping Per or Gabriel?

{Ed002's Note - See if you can structure it in to a sentence I can understand and I will try and answer it.}

31 Jan 2017 13:31:51
As I see it;
Koscielny - Recently signed a new deal and I can't see him departing
Mustafi - Signed last summe rand has been a huge success. Can't see him departing.
Gabriel - Hasn't been a success, but can cover at RB and unless he pushes for a move I can't see us forcing him out the door.
Holding - A superb young player, who will only get better as he matures. May be loaned out next season, but I doubt it.
Mertesacker - Just extended his deal for a further year, so I assume he will be staying.
Chambers - Loaned out this season and quite frankly I am not at all conveniences by him.
Manolas will be costly at around £35m. That's expensive back up for our two first choice CB's and I can't see him being happy to sit on the bench.
Perhaps he's looking for a pay rise at Roma.

31 Jan 2017 11:20:53
Transfers on Deadline day Ed002 podcast.


Sharkopod 8

31 Jan 2017 08:33:49
Eds.
You are probably best placed to answer this question.
Give us what you think would be a predicted line up for the game against Sutton United or do you think Arsene would be stupid enough to field a youth team.Niw I saw him do that a few years ago against the old Rushden and Diamonds and Arsenal nearly got turned over !
Anyhow I know this will be a tough one for you but I would love to read your thoughts.
Thanks.

{Ed002's Note - It is a tough question Lansra - I am still thinking about who to select for tonight and haven't even gotten to thinking who I will put in for the game against Sutton. It is bad enough having a fame tonight when I have so much transfer business to do today. Ask again nearer the time.}

31 Jan 2017 09:45:47
Ok mate will do.
Thank you

31 Jan 2017 10:49:58
Ospina, Gibbs, Gabriel, Mertesacker, Debuchy, Ox, Ramsey, Iwobi, Welbeck, Walcott, Perez.

31 Jan 2017 10:52:50
It's early to predict the team for the Sutton match, but I expect it to be along the lines of the selection against Southampton, injuries and suspensions permitting. With only Cazorla and possibly Elneny injured, we have a very full squad, so Wenger can use it sensibly as we have quite a few matches until the end of the season. Don't forget the Sutton match is sandwiched between tough away matches at Bayern and Liverpool.

31 Jan 2017 08:12:25
Hello Eds my old mates.
Just a quickie !
How many Paracetamols do you guys go through during the transfer window when reading the same questions year after year?.
I got to give it to you. You have my total respect.
👍😂

{Ed002's Note - Thanks.}