Arsenal Banter Archive February 09 2014

09 Feb 2014 22:23:02
Eds, banter please.

I think I remember us being linked with Barry early on in the summer? Or am I just imagining this?

Wanted to know if Barry is hoping of earning a place in city's team, staying at Everton, or trying to get a move to an established Champions league side, like Arsenal perhaps? If there's any news of him at all, cheers in advance.

Going out on a limb here, we can do better and arguably have better in Flamini!

Fair one mate, I think we can do better too. But if it's a choice between a striker and a defensive mid. I'd go for an expensive striker and a low cost DM like Barry

09 Feb 2014 20:05:56
I can't help remembering Manchester United losing 6-1 to Man city at home, and still winning the league.

Nuff said?

Gooner83

I love the positive spin on the things 83, but City won the title that year

Erm, City won the league that year.

Nuff said?

Q.Jordan I would be happy if we came second on the last day of the season by one point and win the FA cup still though!

09 Feb 2014 19:10:17
I need something to take my mind off the Liverpool game, any new transfer news eds? Cheers.

{Ed002's Note - Not today.}

09 Feb 2014 17:20:04
Hi Ed's please can any of you shed any light on Ozil?
Is he just struggling for form or is he unhappy with life at Arsenal.
He seems to have lost that cheeky smile he had when he first arrived, can you shed any light on this for us please?
If its just form we need to give him all the support we can.

{Ed002's Note - It was wind he had when he arrived, he'll be fine.}

Coming from sunny Spain to England, I'm sure anyone would be a bit down! People forget how long Pires and to an extent Bergkamp took to settle, Özil will be a future Arsenal legend.

Pires literally did nowt first season!

Remember how well Silva started and then completely tailed off after Christmas aswell similar story!

And Per. remember how much of a liability he was when he first joined. I'm probably not the only one who thought Wenger had made a massive error in signing him. Coming from a league who's pace is a lot slower than the premier league, both he and Ozil would've had more time on the ball than they do now. Per has adjusted to that and i'm sure Ozil will do the same. We won't see his true potential until next season though I guess.

What I have noticed with Ozil over the last half a dozen games, is that he is usually marked by two players. Even Messi would stuggle to make an impact with that kind of pressure. For me though, £42 million is a complete waste and I personally don't think he's any better than Rosicky. In fact, I don't think he is as good as Rosicky. He is far too slow on the ball, whereas when Tomas plays, the ball gets passed a lot quicker and the tempo of our midfield play is a lot higher.

09 Feb 2014 16:02:07
Afternoon all,

Tough one yesterday, and I wanted to give it a day to let things settle.

First off, credit to Liverpool. They played well and the scoreline was deserved. After that unholy 20 minutes the wind had been pummeled out of our sails and there was little chance of a comeback.

My concern now, as we enter the most vital period in YEARS for Arsenal, really comes down to one player.

Where is Ozil? The heir to Cesc, Ozil was meant to be the savior of our Gunners. After starting somewhat brightly, the German appears tired, disinterested, lazy and not altogether that talented. I noticed a post by RyanP below suggesting a rest for Ozil midweek, and I would agree.

That says it all really. Resting our alleged "best player" for the most crucial game of our season shouldn't be the case.

Yesterday, Coutinho looked twice the player of Ozil. Little Jon Flanagan routinely outmuscled him. According to DM, he had just FOUR touches in our own half.

I know how good Ozil is, I've seen his skill, from Bremen through Madrid, but he is now a shell of that player.

I'm not saying its panic time, and I am thrilled he's in our side.

I just want to know what's gone wrong. Is he tired? Unsettled in London? It's not as if he's joined a mid-table side, were fighting for silverware, and he seems to have ZERO FIGHT.

Pease tell me I'm wrong, I just want to see his full ability.

Matt I just don't know if he regrets joining us or is just struggling to adapt, but he hasn't looked happy since November time to me.
I think it would be good if we knew because if he is just struggling to adapt he needs all the support we can give him.
I'm not sure how popular he is with other players either so maybe he is missing Spain and his friends he left behind.
All I do know is he is the best player we have signed in years and I desperately want him to make it at Arsenal not anther club.
Form comes and goes class is for ever and Ozil is class on grass

Don't panic. It's his first season. He's never played through winter without a break. Different players take different times to adjust to the PL, which is a marathon, not a sprint. In Spain, he would never have faced this consistent quality and work rate of opposition week after week.

It was a team effort to play that baldy, the entire team never got off the bus, except Shezzer - Özil was left playing too deep and too isolated to be at his best even if he had been on his game.

He will come good and I really think he could go onto to be as influential as Bergkamp (maybe not the goals, but in terms of his vision, passing, etc).

09 Feb 2014 14:28:43
FACT:-
Since we went top after the home loss to villa no other team has held the top spot for more than 1 week. and are then replaced by us.
Liverpool went top at Christmas then tripped up, Man City a few weeks later then tripped up. hopefully Chelsea will do the same.
The Liverpool win yesterday was the best they played all season. When City beat us 6 -3 that was the best they played all season. the big teams seem to get themselves fired up to play us ( something I think Wenger needs to do for us )
We need to get over our phobia of playing against big teams and eat raw meat or something so we are also fired up.
Listen we sometimes have freak results against us but we always bounce back.
No one is giving us a chance to win the league. we are the underdogs. this could work in our favour as now there should be no pressure on us.
Ozil and Giroud do look jaded, but a few back to back wins will boost confidence, Man U wed and Liverpool sat. then let's see how good Bayern are next week

09 Feb 2014 14:04:45
How I so wish it was Halloween tomorrow maybe I could wear a mask to work. Well, at least I had my small revenge on the wife last night for her annoying antics during the game, I pretended to be dreaming and gave her a knee in the gut, I don't think it hurt, she thought it was an invitation to play and before I knew what was happening it was Liverpool vs. Arsenal all over again and I am proud to say I managed 5 minutes before I collapsed, exhausted and beaten but at least it was better than the few seconds it took for our boys to throw in the towel, I just couldn't stand a home and away loss in one day.

Mofaya you did us proud mate, what are your plans for Wednesday night?
Save your strength now mate your Arsenal debut might just be needed

09 Feb 2014 13:19:13
Ok we have always known Merts lack of pace is a problem against really Mobil forwards, so we need to sign a quality CB with pace not to replace him but to rotate with him and Kos and play either the best paring siuted to each match as well as rotate and the potential for 3 4 2 1 formation if needed or wanted in big games.

We need to buy a quality RB to either replace or compete/rotate with Sagna
LB we are fine IMO

We need a quality DM to compete/rotate with Flamini
We need another top AM to rotate/compete with the quality we already have there.

We need A TOP TOP QUALITY STRIKER to play with or instead of and rotate with Olly, giving us much needed goals and options

We are talking £120 million + to make us as strong as anyone in depth.
Will Wenger be given that amount this summer?
If so then I think we have every right to demand success and silverware next season.

Yeah spot on.

I don't think AW will get 120 mil, unless he can some of the following season's budget upfront (I think he'll have around £80mil).

A quality DM and striker is a must. Purely hypothetical, but can you imagine Cavani and Lars Bender in this team? They would take this team to another level imo.

This will be a big summer for AW and arsenal- they really need to get it right.

In saying that, this season isn't over yet. I just hope the team can prove everyone wrong (again!) and go on a run, winning the next 4-6 games.

Despite yesterday's result and knowing some of our deficiencies, they are capable of doing that.

09 Feb 2014 12:07:20
I would personally rest Ozil for Utd and give Podoski a start on the left hand side. This would be my team


Scez.
Sagna Mert Kos. Gibbs

Wilshire
Ox Cazorla

Gnarby Giroud Podolski

This team for me gives better balance between attack and defence and better natural width. Flamini is ofcourse a big miss and if availble he would go in the Dm postion with wilshire moving into Ox's position. One thing we lack without Walcott is real pace hence why I would like to use Gnarby in the team to give us that pace threat on the counter.

Personally, the back five picks itself. Shez, Sagna, Mert, Kos & Gibbs.

I would play Wishere and The Ox in the middle with Cazorla behind Giroud with Poldoski and Gnabry on the wings.

Greeny - agree but I think Sagna needs to realise what a poor game he had yesterday. He is definitely our no 1 RB (still one of the best in the world), but the amount of times he went charging forward yesterday and left Sterling unmarked was ridiculous. Gibbs over Monreal certainly.

RyanP, Arteta had a very bad game yesterday (defensively) but I don't think he should be dropped against Man U. I just can't see Wilshere and Ox dealing with Mata, Rooney and RVP. We need someone sitting in front of the back 4, Arteta is still our best-equipped player to do this. Another option would be to try Vermaelen there if he's fit, but that might be a touch over the top. Agree though that Ozil should probably be rested. I would maybe rest Giroud too - he is looking more and more tired.

I would go
Carzola Rosicky Ox Jack Poldolski
Gnarby
Ozil and Giroud are knacked/out of form and Gnarby has pace to hurt united defence

09 Feb 2014 11:06:58
Wednesday is a do or die game, three points are essential to stay with the leading pack. The doom mongers in the media are having a field day with their "I told you so" tales, but Bo. ocks to them, wenger will have to lift his fallen players whilst axing a few and bring in some fighters. My team for Wednesday is

Szecs
Sagna merti Kosci Gibbs
Flamini
Rosicky ox jack Santi/Ozil
Giroud

Subs
Ozil/Santi jenko arteta podolski gnabry verm

I'm not sure if flamini is still suspended but we are missing him big time. Arteta as I said before is not a defensive mid and is found out in big games over and over again. IMO I would try vermaelan until the end of the season, he's got pace and is a defender that can play.Gibbs should come back in defence otherwise it SHOULD be fine. fingers crossed!
Ozil needs a break or if he is picked it should be either him or Santi both of them changes the dynamics of the team when they play together, too many spaces are left it's ok against so called lower teams but against big teams IMO only one should start. Rosicky ox and jack will run and fight for the ball but also have some guile. Upfront if giroud turns up we will win.

Come on you gunners, it's about restoring pride on Wednesday!

Hulk hogunner

Flamini is still suspended and will be back for Bayern Munich and Liverpool in the FA cup.

No mate Flam is back!

09 Feb 2014 10:56:37
I think someone has spoken about it below, but I must say that I view the reason for our loss yesterday very simply: big game mentality.

Should Podolski and Gibbs have started? Yes. Are we lacking in squad depth? Yes. Should the boss have made subs earlier? Yes.

BUT - I still believe the team that started yesterday was good enough to get a result, even win. The problem is that we sometimes bottle it against big teams - particularly ones with top-class strikers, and our usually outstanding defence seems to get very intimidated and lose all its shape and organisation. We've had some good results against these teams this season - Liverpool, Dortmund and Napoli come to mind. But in the cases of Utd, Dortmund (home) defeats, City & Liverpool thrashings, our team has looked like it lacks the belief to win. We look scared of players like Suarez, Aguero, Lewandowski etc.

Some have said we are missing Ramsey, Walcott etc and that's undeniably true. But the problem in big games goes a bit deeper than that, I think it's a managerial/leadership issue that Wenger needs to sort out. I don't want to be over critical because until recently we were pretty good against big teams - I think the high volume of squad turn-around, particularly captains coming in and out, has contributed. We need to find a way of keeping our composure in these games and believing we can win.

Call me mad, I still think we have the ability to win our next 3 games. It's just about attitude now, and I hope the team/Wenger learns from today.

09 Feb 2014 09:05:51
That's Southampton and Liverpool we have had dismal first halves against now.

If we don't come out of the blocks quicker against these smaller teams then what hope do we have against Bayern, City and Chelsea?

Hopefully Arsene has given them the talking to they need to now go into the tough run and show up at kick off.

I have a lot of respect for arsenal fans because of how you fans come on our site and we have good banter but to cool Liverpool a small club is very disrespectful.

Still because so many of you are so nice and in general arsenal is a much better club then the chavs or man city I really hope you win the league if we can't!

I think I can get what you're saying, but you can't call Liverpool a small team! You're kidding. Southampton are a decent side as well. That's being disrespectful.

yes we have injuries to some key players (Rambo and theo), but I think one of the reasons we are found out against better teams is because we lack a top class striker and a dominate def mid type player.

And as much as I love the guy and he been great for us, mertz, I think his lack of pace and mobility and can be found out against the top strikers (hence the need for a quality def mid).

anyhow, I agree with you, we are starting off far too slow and need to pick up it up, if we're not going to end a promising season into a disappointing one.

09 Feb 2014 11:50:19
I think you are being harsh on Southampton let alone Liverpool who are a huge club and the fact they have the best strike force in the EPL means they cannot be discounted from winning the whole thing IMHO.

We were sunk fair and square but yes we do now need positive results against the next big 3 City, Chelsea and United.

No matter how much United have struggled they are still a big team and they more than most we need a big result against.

I said smaller not small. In terms of realistic ambition and last decade of football it's factually correct.
Only Chelsea, Man City and United are bigger and of course you'd include Bayern.

Firstly, fair play to you guys who've come to our page in the last 24 hours.

In terms of class, you're definitely ahead of United, Chelsea and Spurs fans, for me. I don't know any City fans!

Paul, genuine question. You say Arsenal are a "bigger" team than Liverpool based on the last 10 years?

In that time we've won -

1 Champions League
1 FA Cup
1 League Cup
1 UEFA Super Cup
1 Community Shield

Even if you take it back 20 years we have 12 trophies to your 11.

I'd personally put Liverpool and Arsenal on a par in terms of club size.

Good luck for the rest of the season.

09 Feb 2014 02:33:23
hi all, not posted on here for a while, have to start by saying we deserved the hammering we got in that match, no excuses whatsoever the best team won.
a win on wednesday is a must.

also another 2 things I wanted to know
why is monreal starting instead of gibbs?
the other was, does wenger dislike podolski or something because he rarely gets started and whenever he does start he usually gets subbed.


i just hope end of next month we don't end up in a position where are back to normal fighting for a top 4 spot.

Mark, I posted after the palace game that Monreal was caught out for one of Southamptons goal and also was ball watching for Cameron Jerome's chance in the 2-0 win. For me, Gibbs has to start!

Monreal is a far better player than Gibbs and podolski can not change positions like the rest of the midfield which is why he does not start! it's all about flexible playing position!

Liverpool defo. saw Monreal as a weak link in our defence and focused more attacks down our left hand side compared to our right. Infact I am willing to bet that most sides try and do this. In his defence I would add though that Cazorla on the left hand side offers next to zero protection for his fullback as he often drifts inside anyway.

This has been problem for a while Wenger not utilising better wide men favouring central players and playing them out wide.He has something again naturel wide players for sure

For me our best current combo down the left would be Gibbs and Podolski, but for some reason Wenger just does not seem to fancy Podolski. I like him he is something a little different to the others more direct more powerful type of player. that can be used out wide.

I would give Ozil a rest for Utd use Podolski wide left Gnarby wide right, Carzorla Wilshire and ox in middle wilshire the one playing more deep