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Home›Match Previews›EPL Match Day 11: Arsenal v Newcastle United; Match Preview

EPL Match Day 11: Arsenal v Newcastle United; Match Preview

By Michael Price
November 6, 2010
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Here come the barcodes

I’ve been reading a couple of things with some slight amusement – Gareth Bale is supposedly as good as Messi, Newcastle United are suddenly NOT the Newcastle United of old and that Arsenal’s loss in the Champion’s League was somehow unexpected.

I won’t address Gareth Bale as I think the Spuds losing to Bolton quite admirably did that for me.  So I will turn my attention to things more important like this weekend’s tie between the barcodes from Tyneside and the red and white army from London.

In week 11 of the English Premier League 2010-2011 season, The team from on Tyne comes to London with all the gumption of a contending team. A lot has been written in the press about their impressive win against Sunderland last week. And it was impressive. They shredded a team that is managed well and on it’s day (as we know) can give contending teams a little bit of tussle. The prognosticators then have been ranting and raving about the succes of Carroll and Nolan and not to mention the rebirth of Joey Barton.

Fair enough the team did well. And frankly all the talk about manager Chris Houghton being sacked is quite perplexing because the team has done very well. The thing is – let me remind you – for all their success – they are still Newcastle United. The fact that ownership – that fat whale with the HP sauce on his bib who’s name I can’t remember shows his complete lack of footballing brains by even suggesting Houghton should be fired. The team itself as Arsenal fans should know is a a club we like to play. We’re undefeated in the last 6 tries against them and have only lost 1 in the last 15 meetings. Finally, Newcastle for the new found way to tnet have only scored once in their last 7 trips to Arsenal – a 1-1 draw in 2006.

Carroll and Nolan are strikers (Nolan is actually a midfielder) we are going to have to contend with but I think our defence is well suited to the task. Koscileny has proven up for the task and has done quite well against some of the stronger strikers int he league. Carroll’s main advantage is his height but Koosh and Squillaci are no slouches either. As a tandem they have done quite well and while I still cringe on corners and set pieces – its not always the look away disaster it has been in the past.

For Arsenal the task is easily defined, win and stay within a whisper of a Chelsea slip up. Lose and sit firmly in third. The Gunners need to show some set of resilency coming off the loss. But unlike the press I am not so stunned by the mid week loss. The team we went in with wasn’t our strongest. Wenger, looked to take advantage of the points they had and rest some key players. The players we had were good but they were playing against a team that has been absolutely solid at home. Throw in the fact that Arsenal have never travelled well to the Ukraine and the loss isn’t as suprising and in my opinion is more of a hiccup than something for the Gunners faithful to be concerned with.

What we need to concern ourselves with is focusing in our continued success in the league. For everyone that said we were dead after the appalling losses to Chelsea and West Brom – we are back in the hunt. Ultimately what we need to do is refortify at home or as Laurent Koscielny said – make Arsenal at home an “unbreakable” team (that means ankles too). The team has been good at home though the loss to West Brum and hard fought wins against  Birmingham and West Ham may make it seem like it has been otherwise. Teams need to find it difficult to play in our yard. How we do that is successfully play our football with an added defencive dimension.

The club itself look set to be in good form, Walcott is back and could start. Fabregas, Song, and others were “rested” midweek due to “injuries” and are slated to return. And Jack Wilshere is fresh off his 3 match domestic ban. All in all the team is getting healthy and when healthy it can compete with any team in the top tier of the league.

How It Should Play Out:
I suspect Newcastle are going to come at us right away. Carroll has been yapping in the press about where our weaknesses are. However, Carroll musn’t have watched us lately as I don’t Arsenal as much of a physical pushover as we have been in the past. I don’t think though that Newcastle have an answer for an in form Theo Walcott or can handle the dynamic abilities of a midfield of Fabregas and Wilshere. Walcott shredded Newcastle in the Carling Cup. And while some of the Newcastle team is different, some isn’t – Theo if he continues in his form will have his way wit this defence.

Players To Watch:
Arsenal: Duh!!! Theo Walcott  is showing exactly what he can do when applies himself. Look for it to continue and his pace to absolutely force Newcastle into errors.

Newcastle: Joey Barton. Why oh why not, I think he is still a useless twat and what not but he has come back to life in this new Toon side.

 Probable Starting XI:

 

Injuries and Suspensions:
Arsenal: Almunia (elbow) Vermaelen (achilles) Van Persie (ankle) Ramsey (ankle) Frimpong (knee) Gibbs (knee) Diaby (ankle)

Newcastle: Ben Arfa (leg), Best (ankle), Campbell (thigh), Gosling (knee), Harper (shoulder) Taylor (shoulder)

Last Meeting (Carling Cup):
Arsenal: 4
Newcastle: 0

Last 5:
Arsenal: LLWWW 

Newcastle: LLDWW

Leading Scorers:
Arsenal: Nasri 7 (4 league)  Walcott 7  (4 league) Chamakh 6 (3 league) Arshavin 5 (2 League) 

Newcastle Nolan 7 (7 League) Ameobi 6  (3 League) 

Match Officials:
Referee: Mike Dean
Assistant Referees: Simon Beck & Simon Long
Fourth Official: Peter Walton

Broadcast Information:
US:Foxsoccer.tv 8:30 AM EST  

UK: Sky Sports 1 1330 BST 

 Feeds:
www.atdhe.net 

www.iraqgoals.net 

www.jason.tv 

www.myp2p.com 

GAMEDAY CHAT: It’s Open!!!!!!
www.youaremyarsenal.com/gamedaychat 

YAMA Prediction:
Arsenal: 3

Newcastle: 1

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149 comments

  1. DaAdminGooner 9 November, 2010 at 18:54 Log in to Reply

    Um who had Spurs as an improved team?

    • CaribKid 9 November, 2010 at 19:24 Log in to Reply

      I was one of those who considered the Spuds to be a good team. However, Ole Arry, the next England manager, would be better off as the owner of a Bed & Breakfast Inn rather than being a football manager.

      Give Fergie, Mourinho, Martinez and a few others that team and we would see dramatically different results.

      • ChicagoGooner 9 November, 2010 at 20:44 Log in to Reply

        And what would you predict if Wenger were given control of that team?

        • CaribKid 9 November, 2010 at 20:54

          @cg,

          Apart from Bale, VDV, Modric, Gomes and maybe Defoe, Wenger would sell everybody off and take 7 years to rebuild a team in his own image which would be geared to win the CL.

        • ChicagoGooner 9 November, 2010 at 22:13

          Don’t forget about the captain, Willy Gallas!

      • Fred 9 November, 2010 at 21:17 Log in to Reply

        Harry Redknapp took them into the Champions League for the first time ever … and they are doing well in it … so what do you mean?

        Ofcourse it was very predictable that they would be inconsistent due to the big diversion of the CL.

        All in all, I dont see why Arsenal fans should be pointing at a Spurs home draw when we just lost at home ourselves.

        I think Redknapp actually has as much of a chance of winning the CL as Wenger.

        He is no tactical genius but say what you like he does call a lot of gutsy plays.

        I remember Spurs being behind and needing points desperately to overtake City … and he went to Stanford Bridge with an all-out attacking formation. He did the same in some other key games. Ofcourse he could have ended up with egg on his face, but he succeeded … while ultra-cautious planks like Mancini fell by the way side.

        If he could set his team out with the same ballsy tactics like he did against Inter … you never know what could happen in a Cup.

        • DaAdminGooner 9 November, 2010 at 22:41

          First I point at Spurs because well they are Spurs and any true Arsenal fan would feel the same way.

          I would say Redknapp has NO chance of winning the CL.

          The difference for Spurs is beating Inter was “the biggest night in Spurs history.” While Inter came at the match from a half-assed could give a crap attitude. Sort of like Arsenal did against Shaktar. In both cases they got penalized for it.

          There was nothing ballsy about Redknapp’s strategy or set up – Inter could care less. They’d already achieved in essence qualification and Rafa set them up in a way so as to minimize damage (injuries) and get home safe froma tricky place to play.

        • Fred 10 November, 2010 at 11:47

          Inter has not achieved ANYTHING close to qualification. They are SECOND behind Spurs with third place Twente just two points behind them on 5 points.

        • arsesession 9 November, 2010 at 23:20

          Defoe being injured has crimped Spurs attacking options.

          Based on play lately, no one would be expecting either club to win CL.

          Harry never calculated the impact on his squad CL play, mixed with PL and CC competitions. In their loss to Bolton last week end……you could tell the Spurs players (especially Bale) had nothing left in the tank.

          I do like to follow Modric.

  2. Fred 9 November, 2010 at 15:57 Log in to Reply

    @ Chicago:

    You know my answer to your question … ofcourse CM is most important! ;)
    In all our successful years we had a balanced CM equation of Vieira/Petit and eventually Vieira/Gilberto. Then Vieira was plucked out and suddenly our hitherto competent defence was all over the place and our razor sharp attack was all jittery.

    No matter how individually good and well drilled a defense is, it still absolutely NEEDS protection from midfield. If opposing AMs are regularly sauntering strolling through midfield and engaging in direct man-to-man combat with the CBs … it doesnt matter if you have Franco Baresi, Marcel Desailly or Sol Campbell in their prime, they will get drawn out and beaten. Protection from midfield is 100% VITAL. No buts, ifs or maybes.

    In the same vein, the attack needs a consistently solid midfield as a base for it work. Without it, every attack is a random set of events.
    When the midfield equation is properly balanced the other problems will be lessened significantly. The defensive and offensive players would even get more confident and play better.

    Wenger used to know this. Thats why he assembled the best 2-man CM pairing of the last two decades (Vieira/Petit). That pairing is second only to the Ajax 95 3-man Rijkaard, Davids, Seedorf equation.

    Imagine, today having Vieira and Petit (of 98) – or equivalent type players – sitting behind Fabregas! I assure you the attack would click instantly. So will the defense. We can then focus of bettering the offense and defense incrementally and what not.

    Before late 2005, teams never tried to get at our defense right through the middle … they always tried to go down through the flanks or by looping high balls to completely bypass our midfield. If you tried to go face-to-face with Vieira and company you are either going to lose the ball and not see it for another 5 minutes OR get shredded on 5 second counterattack. That was then … now every junk team can stroll down through the middle with stunning regularity.

    Until we properly fix CM – balance the personnel equation – we are not going anywhere.

    Ideally we should have:

    1) DM: A solid, consistent, experienced, highly tactical 28/29 year old anchoring. A M. Diarra type.
    2) CM: A mid-twenties absolute workhouse with nous and verve. An Essien/Petit/Davids type.
    3) AM: Fabregas

    4) DM sub: Alex Song
    5) CM sub: Aaron Ramsey OR if not fit, a snappy Parlour type.
    6) AM sub: Jack Wilshere

  3. joshuad 9 November, 2010 at 15:52 Log in to Reply

    Chicago, I don’t think goalposts are being moved. By virtue of the fact that we watch all Arsenal matches and the players aren’t perfect, the lot here are more than capapble of making a legitimate argument as to why we need to strengthen at every single position. The flavor of the month will be determined by the most recent poor Arsenal performances.

    Many fans also have their idea of what fundamental qualities are essential for a player playing a certain position; ie. “we need someone taller, stronger, faster, more robust, a better dribbler, a better crosser, a better header, etc. in this position or that one. The beauty of the site is we have varying points of view that cause fans to consider things they may not have previously considered; if they’re objective.

    Personally, I’m in the minority concerning the goal. I believe Fabianski was at fault. My theory is if a keeper is not absolutely certain he can get to the ball first, he doesn’t come out, period. The same applies with defenders going to ground; if you don’t know you can win the ball, you stay on your feet. The reason being if these players miss the ball, they’ve taken themselves completely out of the play. With that, I’ll say the only thing I really know about keeping is what I’ve learned earning my coaching licenses and watching/talking to goalkeepers.

    Watching Jens Lehmann, he used to make two steps towards every ball that came in. In that time, he would determine if he could get to the ball or not. If he couldn’t reach the ball, he’d take those two steps back and position himself to make a save or collect the second ball. It’s something I’ve taught and keepers have responded positively to that.

    While the defenders didn’t do Fabianski any favors, if he stays on his line, there’s no way Carroll’s header scores. All Carroll had to do was keep his header on target as he knew there was no keeper to beat. My theory is you always give your opponent the most difficult option and make them prove they have the skill and nerve to pull it off. If they do, you shake their hand after the game. Fabianski gave Carroll an easy option.

    Concerning Cesc, he didn’t have a good game. I think it’s down to his lack of game time and he’ll soon be back near his best, if he’s fit. It was silly for Wenger to play him the entire match. It was equally silly to play van Persie for so many minutes. We’ll see how this all works out.

    • arsesession 9 November, 2010 at 19:07 Log in to Reply

      Josh…..not fair to compare a 25 yr old keeper with limited starts to a keeper 10+ years his senior and national team keeper for Germany.

      The goal was scored and its now the manager and staffs responsibility to evaluate the breakdown defensively and correct.

      End of issue.

      • joshuad 9 November, 2010 at 23:57 Log in to Reply

        I haven’t compared Fabianski to Lehmann. I’ve merely shared a technique that I learned watching Lehmann; a technique that I’ve taught to goalkeepers ten years Fabianski’s junior.

        Fabianski’s mistake was going after a ball he couldn’t get. You don’t have to be a German International to know that’s wrong.

  4. CaribKid 9 November, 2010 at 15:37 Log in to Reply

    I have not been involved in the usual post match AFC bashing since I didn’t see the game. However, after watching the lowlights I have to defend Flappianski.

    Arsenal does zonal marking from set pieces and time and time again we have cases where defenders allow an attacker to be wide open and it often results in us conceding a goal or near miss. When the GK realized Carrol was unmarked he did the only sensible thing, which was to try and disrupt his header. The exact same thing happened a week ago and he was successful, this time he was not. In this case, the blames rests entirely on the defense.

    In theorizing, I sense we do zonal marking and put 2 bodies beside the GK on set pieces is because we don’t have a tall and aerially dominant team. Shit happens, and it’s going to happen again and again. However, that goal did not cause us to lose the game. It was the lack of penetration in a game we dominated from all accounts and the lack of clinical finishing which has been our hallmark for the past 5 years.

    Now,on to El Kapitan, Cesc Fabregas. I was one of the few on this forum who said before the season started that one, he was staying this season and two, that we should have sold him while his value was at the highest, because his game may well suffer owing to all the off field distractions. I also said I would have preferred if the captaincy was passed on to someone like Vermaelen and not be retained by a player with a short term lease so to speak.

    Most of us here unfairly keep giving him a free pass for his continually poor performances while we hound the likes of Arshavin, Bendtner, Walcott, Diaby, etc. Cesc only has 2 attributes which make him stand out as an AM, the only position for which he is suited, vision (reading the play beforehand) and passing touch. He is not quick, aerially is mediocre, limited one on one skills, takes poor set pieces for most part, not exactly clinical and just average defensively. He still has the vision but the touch has deserted him, and without that he does not differentiate himself from the likes of a Denilson.

    Yes, I don’t like his body language this year, I further dislike his new found Barca habit of complaining to Refs and asking for cards to be handed out, and his noticeable lack of celebration after goals. And please, don’t tell me about lack of fitness from a 23 year old who barely played in the WC. Sneidjer and a host of others played almost every minute of every game and are back at peak performance weeks ago.

    JUST MY RANT

    • ChicagoGooner 9 November, 2010 at 16:09 Log in to Reply

      “Lowlights”… I got a good laugh out of that.
      ——————————————–
      “However, that goal did not cause us to lose the game. It was the lack of penetration in a game we dominated from all accounts and the lack of clinical finishing which has been our hallmark for the past 5 years.”

      Thank you! As I stressed in GDC and on here just minutes after the final whistle, we had practically NO shots on goal in the 2nd half. No shots on goal at home to a newly-promoted team that has far less financial resources than we do.

    • Fred 9 November, 2010 at 16:58 Log in to Reply

      Fab gave a shout out to the defenders(its seen in the highlights). When you do that you either get out and get the ball OR stay on your line.

      If you are a defender you are not going to be trying to head a ball your keeper has already called.

      As for Cesc … how many AMs are good in the air? Not exactly clinical? Funny he seems to score a lot in the seasons he doesnt have dolts around him. As for quickness, stats show he is actually very quick … just doesnt have the acceleration of a speedster.

      All in all I dont see why you are slating him for not having the physical attributes that even Iniesta, Xavi, Schnejder dont have.

      Infact those three would NOT survive the brutal kicking of the EPL that Fabregas has.

      If you breathe on Iniesta he would crumple to the floor like he has just been pole-axed. And that is in Spain. Good luck trying that in England.

      Give Cesc a break!

      • CaribKid 9 November, 2010 at 19:14 Log in to Reply

        @fred,

        I am not slating Cesc, merely stating FACTS. He is very much like Xavi. What i am saying, is that if he loses one of his 2 most important attributes, passing touch, then he becomes an ordinary player.

        Having said that, Cesc at his best has a passing touch second to none in terms of accuracy and weight.

        Re: Flappianski:

        Since my speakers are not HD audio like yours, I was unable to hear what he shouted. Just maybe he was shouting to them to cover their man. However, since I have no evidence I will not bother to dispute the situation one way or the other.

  5. ChicagoGooner 9 November, 2010 at 14:22 Log in to Reply

    Didier Drogba has fucking MALARIA and yet Chelsea are adamant that he will start against Fulham tomorrow. If he does start, then all I can say is, what a man. What a fucking player.

    • joshuad 9 November, 2010 at 14:58 Log in to Reply

      There are several different types of malaria that produce different symptoms. One may give flu-like symptoms that can be easily managed while others will put you flat on your ass, sick as a dog, and holding on for dear life. I’ve seen a guy with a more serious malaria a few years ago. If Drogba had that one, there is no way there would be any contemplation of him playing.

  6. HighburyterraceSteve 9 November, 2010 at 14:03 Log in to Reply

    Is the Wolves match not on TV (in the states)? I can’t find it anywhere in the listings….

    • DaAdminGooner 9 November, 2010 at 14:23 Log in to Reply

      I think it will be on replay in the US and on Foxsoccer.tv for the actual match and on feeds.

      • CaribKid 9 November, 2010 at 15:05 Log in to Reply

        It will be live on ESPN3 (ESPN360), which is a HD internet stream. Most cable companies carry it although it’s not regularly advertised.

        It’s one of the few streams worth hooking up to your TV if you have high speed internet.

  7. DaAdminGooner 9 November, 2010 at 13:10 Log in to Reply

    I’ve stayed out of the discussion lately because of my own level of frustration. I’ve gone back and watched this match, Shaktar and West Ham –

    I see a team that is gassed. Simply put our team is tired. We are simply playing too many players in too many games. I think “going for” the Carling Cup with first teamers has added another set of games that we don’t get off for.

    Our team is simply gassed. In some cases it is also a question of team members being frightfully out of shape (cough cough Mr Arshavin) or still not well enough to be 100% (RvP and Fabregas).

    As for the Carroll goal the blame lies both on Koosh and Chamakh. One or both of those players has to apply pressure to Carroll so that he does not have a clear shot at the header. In my opinion Fabianski was right to initially sit on the line thinking either of those two would get Carroll. Fabianski only moves when he is in open space by himself. Frankly it was the smart thing to do to try and disrupt the header – unfortunately it didn’t work.

    I find that last part hard to say and swallow it a little as I am one of Flappy’s biggest detractors. The fact is though he wasn’t to blame and to place blame on him is misguided and just frankly off the mark.

    I also have to say that while I like Koosh it is clearly evident that he still needs time not being the starter. Unfortunately our injury situation as it is, that is not happpening. I think Koosh will come right and be a solid CB for us I just think he needed to have a TV5 along side him or as a mentor. Who knows when and if that will happen.

    In terms of tactical set up I think Arsene got it wrong when he took Jack off for Nicky B. Only because Jack was our most direct player at the time and I felt that once he was off our attack whimpered out. Cesc just wasn’t there. Unfortunately for Cesc he already has a lot of miles on his body and probably needed a game or two more as a sub to get back into it. He was clearly off.

    Interesting thing on twitter – Jack Wilshere has a verified Twitter account @jack_wilshere – he basically comes out saying we had a bad day at the office.

    I’m not so sure that parity of the league is the issue – I still think that when it comes to it the likes of Arsenal, Chelsea, United, Liverpool and City are better than any of the other teams in the league. The problem is that for all our “on paper” discussions the game still has to be played on the pitch and anything can happen. Our match shows that, United letting in more goals than a sieve shows that and Chelsea losing 2-0 to Liverpool show that.

    I wake up for every match thinking we will win. Every new match is a chance to rise or fall with the team – that is the plight of being a fan and emotionally tied to the club. There are improvements I would like to see, sure. But every week, every match I start over with new hope. It’s been that way since ’89 when I got hooked in. So now its off to Wolves, a chance for the team to prove its worth and gain some redemtion for the last two matches.

    • vibe4arsenal 9 November, 2010 at 13:58 Log in to Reply

      Great effing post, DAG.

    • Fred 9 November, 2010 at 15:08 Log in to Reply

      Fabianski gave a shout to the defenders … that is why they stopped expecting him to come collect.

      The problem is he mistimed his run, got halfway there, ball hadnt arrived yet, so he stopped. Unfortunately once you stop, you wont have enough momentum to jump high enough anymore (except you have NBA leaping ability).

      All in all, it is basic goalkeeping.

      Its not Fabianski’s fault he is messing up at Arsenal. It’s Wenger’s.

      • DaAdminGooner 9 November, 2010 at 15:27 Log in to Reply

        And Fred you know the shout was shouting them off the player?

        Again, no fan of Fabianski’s but I don’t see the goal as his fault. It was poor play from Koosh and Chamakh. I’m not the only person who sees it that way or is saying as much.

        Give the beating Arsene story a rest Fred – its old and its outdated.

        You whole argument on Wenger is built around your desire for what you want the team to do. You (and a few others) think you know what is best for the team. When was the last time you were called by any sport team to give your precious insight on players to a team? Why don’t you leave talent assessment to the professionals and stick to being a fan.

        Sorry, every managers gets some wrong in terms of the talent picked. I am not so that Wenger is wrong with many of this crop just that they would’ve better suited as playing under the tutelage of senior players for a longer period of time. Putting players onthe pitch at 18 – 19 years old is a big ask. And it is the biggest flaw I see in the team.

        • Fred 9 November, 2010 at 18:27

          — Why would he shout at his defenders WHILE running off his line if its not to call for it?? Would he be calling for them to attack the ball while also coming out to catch? That wouldnt make sense now would it?

          — Beating Arsene would only get outdated when his team wins or comes reasonably close to.

          — Out comes the old “you are not a manager, therefore you know nothing” argument. So the only people in the world who can critique a coach must be another coach right? LOL!

          I am a design engineer … work a lot with ICs and PCBs for various applications like those in your smart phones and in your cameras and laptops, etc.

          Now, I might be arrogant enough to think the designs and products my group sends out are excellent. BUT guess what, YOU or anybody else do not need to have my engineering education or experience to tell a good electronic product from a bad one. You are the end user!

          Infact, a 9th grade girl can decide for herself if her android functionality is crap or not, if her operating system is ideal or not, etc. A layman can also tell if a movie is whack or not. The watcher does not need to be a film major with 10 years of movie making experience to give his opinion. It would be ridiculous to say otherwise.

          What about politics? Should only political science or law graduates do the voting. Or must one have experience running a country to cast a ballot?

          Most of the people who give the most pointed (and eventually most useful) critism of my work are people who have no idea what an LC oscillator is. But guess what? A lot of them make valid (though annoying) points.

          Football is a product whose functionality is on full display. We can see EVERYTHING. there is NO hiding on the pitch. We can also compare the product to past iterations of the team. We can also compare it to other teams, other leagues, etc.

          So sorry, you argument does not hold at all. (think how would club owners be able to sack their managers?) If you think it does, then please refrain from criticizing any movie, art, building work, electronic or mechancial device and refrain from voting. Critisize ONLY in a field in which you have the education and copious amounts of experience. OK? ;-)

          Funny you criticize my criticism then go on to tell us what you THINK the biggest flaw in the team is! How exactly do YOU know that putting 18-19 year olds is a big ask? Do you have 20 years managerial experience like Lord Wenger? :-D

        • arsesession 9 November, 2010 at 23:06

          “Or must one have experience running a country to cast a ballot?”

          No, anyone may cast a ballot, but it doesn’t qualify them to run a country. Plenty of low information voters.

          “Infact, a 9th grade girl can decide for herself if her android functionality is crap or not, if her operating system is ideal or not, etc.”

          yes, she never questions the manufacturer, just asks her parents to buy her the model that her girl friends are using or very similar……not satisfied, trade it it.

          “A layman can also tell if a movie is whack or not. The watcher does not need to be a film major with 10 years of movie making experience to give his opinion. It would be ridiculous to say otherwise.”

          Well here again, you may not like the end result, but the movie goer would never think of challenging the screen writer or director with their own script and actor and actress changes. You just don’t recommend the movie. One bad movie does not stop people from attending the next new release.

          “Football is a product whose functionality is on full display. We can see EVERYTHING. there is NO hiding on the pitch. We can also compare the product to past iterations of the team. We can also compare it to other teams, other leagues, etc.”

          Actually you don’t see everything – only the end product. Since none of us are privy to locker room, training room, board room, and practices – we are SO LIMITED to a real understanding on the Arsenal environment. You may compare the results of a past team with a current squad, but the past is what it is – past. r

          Fred, find yourself very ill. You’ve missed work for a week and not getting any better.
          a) would you call one of your friends who you know has memorized every episode of “House”, for a medical opinion or
          b) see a licensed doctor

          So I’ll turn around your own question, ” Do you have 20 years managerial experience like Lord Wenger? “

        • Fred 10 November, 2010 at 00:11

          All your arguments miss the point completely but I would not bother arguing any further since there is a new thread.

          However from now on, arsesession, make sure NOT to air your opinions of the team on this blog. Just accept all you see on the TV.

          Hypocrite!

  8. DaAdminGooner 9 November, 2010 at 12:56 Log in to Reply

    News of the Day:

    1. Koscielny Red Card upheld – will serve 2 match ban – Wolves and Everton

    2. Thomas Vermaelen, suffers injury setback. Timetable for return not set.

    3. Pepe Reina issues statement that either Liverpool invest in the squad or he is gone.

    4. Didier Drogba has malaria.

  9. AndezII 9 November, 2010 at 10:45 Log in to Reply

    All a sudden bloggers everywhere is riding on poor Fab’s back. Saying he is not good enough, or the Fabianski truth bah bah bah.

    Personally, I believe he is, technically speaking, and mentally speaking a good enough goalkeeper…. he’s just not TALL enough.

    At least not tall enough to play in the Premiership, where plenty teams have a towering center forward, and they love to make the most out of setpieces situation and throw a lot of long ball into your penalty box.

    Fabianski got probably the quickest reflex I ever seen in an Arsenal keeper. And he is extremely brave and positive.

    I believe he does have the potential to become a top class goalkeeper… IF, he’s playing in La Liga. I think he joined the wrong club, or more precisely, he joined a wrong LEAGUE.

    • Fred 9 November, 2010 at 12:04 Log in to Reply

      His height had nothing to do with his failure to get to Carroll on Sunday.

      Fabianski is allegedly 6ft 3in as per his wiki (even if his agent lied, he is definitely a 6 footer).

      That is the exact same height as Andy Carroll!!

      And the keeper has the advantage of using his HANDS!

      His problem was not height, my hippie friend, his problem was that he mistimed his run completely. He ran out, stopped, then couldnt get off the ground fast enough since he was lacking momentum. Very poor decision making.

      If Fabianski is soooo short, then what about Shay Given???

      The lengths people on here would go to defend Wenger’s failed players … smh.

    • arsesession 9 November, 2010 at 12:23 Log in to Reply

      For me Fab’s height is not the issue. He has good athleticism to make up the 1 or 2 inches in height of other keepers. I can list 6’5″ keepers that can’t jump.

      Its no different than the argument we lack team speed, when for me this is a game about mental and technical speed.

      Fabianski has never started this many matches consecutively. He is still adjusting from being a temp.

      I agree with CG’s comments about the moving goalposts and fan fixation.

      MAYBE THERE IS NO IMMEDIATE REMEDY FOR OUR OFFENSIVE PLIGHT?

  10. ChicagoGooner 9 November, 2010 at 03:46 Log in to Reply

    As much as I agree with many of the criticisms of Wenger that people on here make, I also feel that the goalposts are being continuously moved.

    In this discussion, people are saying that the lack of a world-class, clinical, pacy, powerful, direct (etc, etc, yadda, yadda, yadda… ) central FORWARD is Arsenal’s biggest problem.

    Now, some have always held that position. (Josh, I think? I could be wrong.) But for all last summer and the 2nd half of last season there was near-unanimous consent that GOALKEEPER was the squad’s weakest link.

    Before that (especially before Vermaelen came in, but after as well) everyone agreed (or so we thought) that depth at central DEFENSE was the biggest problem we had.

    And, all along the way, there have been people here and there saying that the lack of size, discipline, physicality, robustness, tactical awareness, defensive skills, and/or steel (etc, etc, yadda, yadda, yadda… ) in central MIDFIELD is our biggest problem. Fred, I know you tried hard over the summer to convince the rest of us of this.

    Now, I am not criticizing anyone here, or necessarily saying that any of these assertions are untrue, but what is really the team’s “most pressing need”? They can’t all be- the operative word here is “most,” which necessarily implies that only one of them can be more important that all the others… Well? Which is it? What say you, YAMA posters? Which area of need do you actually think is the MOST pressing? CF, CM, CB, or GK?

    • ChicagoGooner 9 November, 2010 at 03:49 Log in to Reply

      NOTE: Your answer to my question can’t be “Manager”! Even though it’s true, that answer misses the point of the question.

    • AndezII 9 November, 2010 at 10:39 Log in to Reply

      “I also feel that the goalposts are being continuously moved.”

      Couldn’t agree more CG!

      I think that’s the beauty of hindsight. If keeper made a mistake costing us a game, our problem is the keeper… If it’s the defenders who made that mistake, then we need to buy a new defender… If we fail to find the net, needless to say our strikers suck… so and so.

      That’s why in terms of “talking” the game, everyone seems to be wiser than Wenger.

    • vibe4arsenal 9 November, 2010 at 12:18 Log in to Reply

      CG, I appreciate you being even handed here. I disagree with your read. I think for the last three seasons there has been a very consistent call for strengthening the team at CB/DM/GK. Do people have different points of emphasis after different specific matches? Sure, because we’re responding to that which we’ve most recently seen. But over the Summer(s), there’s been consistency. Goalposts in place.

      To Andez, there is no way you believe Fab has found his ways into the cross hairs ‘all (of) a sudden’. I realize you checked out of YAMA for a time, but you would have had to check out off the planet to have missed people criticizing Fab’s numerous, monumental gaffes. Yeah, there was a brief respite when he had few solid matches, but those were the aberration.

  11. joshuad 8 November, 2010 at 23:59 Log in to Reply

    When a player returns from a long injury layoff, it will take time for them to discover their best form again. Cesc just needs game time. I don’t buy anything about his supposed state of mind or any of those etceteras. He’s simply a footballer who’s rusty because he hasn’t played in a while. Because he’s been injured, Cesc hasn’t even been training either. He may need a bit of time. The same goes for van Persie and Vermaelen.

    Two seasons ago, we had a player return from a long injury layoff and in his first game back, had a performance similar to Cesc’s on yesterday. Unfortunately for him, he wasn’t as popular as Fab and was booed by his own fans. The same for Clichy last year. There’s nothing wrong with pointing out a player having a bad game but understand it may take some time for a player returning from injury. Give the boy some time before you start throwing rocks.

    Wenger should have had the team going out understanding Cesc wasn’t back to his best yet. That explanation from the boss would have encouraged them to assume more responsibility in securing the win instead of look so hard for Cesc to try and win the game for them. The football they played when Cesc and RvP were out was good enough for second in the table. They should have been encouraged to kick on from there.

    Cesc’ situation is similar to Henry’s when he left. He doesn’t mind being the hero sometimes but doesn’t need the burden of being the one in the team that everyone looks for to win every game. It’s nice to share that burden, hence, the allure of a team like Barcelona. In the ’07-’08 season, Fab had Hleb to help him create and a hungry Adebayor for teams to focus on. That was Fab at his best. Now, he’s stuck with a lazy Russian and a Frenchman bitching about how he wants Fab’s central position. To establish continuity with those components is the greatest challenge Wenger is currently facing.

    • sachin 9 November, 2010 at 02:43 Log in to Reply

      >>He doesn’t mind being the hero sometimes but doesn’t need the burden

      Yeah I was thinking along similar lines as well. Henry did say that he wished that others took on more responsibility. The players always looked for Henry. Now, Henry did slam some players when he didn’t get the pass that he wanted but in a way his point was made after he left when other players stepped up. Although Cesc and others said that since Henry was not there, they were not afraid.

      It now seems that the current squad needs Cesc to be 100% week in week out yet even if Cesc was playing his best, there is no guarantee the team would win. And if Cesc is not on Song (ha), then a win would be tough to achieve.

      I wish the team had options and was strong enough that even if Cesc was fit, he can be given a rest every now and then, so that he is not driven into the ground, thereby sealing his move to Barca. Because at Barca, Cesc won’t have to play every game for the team to have success and even if he did, there would be many others who could win the game without his help.

    • arthur3sheds 9 November, 2010 at 06:01 Log in to Reply

      I don’t think anybody is throwing any rocks at Cesc,Josh. Rather we are pointing out to those who tend to victimise certain players that it was Captain Fab who was our worst performer on this occasion and if anyone deserves criticism for their performance against ‘Castle then it is Cesc.

  12. Fred 8 November, 2010 at 23:53 Log in to Reply

    Even if we got a Torres, Eto’o or Drogba we would still come 3rd or 4th. Would Clichy and Sagna suddenly start being proper wing-backs with different strikers? Nope. The new strikers would still get crowded out in the middle and soon get disillusioned by the structural weakness in midfield and the hilarious sight of the alleged DM roaming around in attack.

    What we really need is to balance the midfield equation first. Second should be to drill the defense thoroughly. Without a base to build on there is no point having the top layer of the cake and the cherry. And that is what strikers are.

    Central midfield is what everything is built on. The team with the best midfield ALWAYS wins. CM is the foundation, defense is the first few floors. The strikers are the spires of the building – the crowning jewel. Nice to have but not desperately necessary.

    Wenger wont even want a top striker anyway … because such a striker would challenge his “tactics” … Wenger cant stand that. He needs players who owe him everything.

  13. sachin 8 November, 2010 at 21:23 Log in to Reply

    I remember questioning Henry’s performances in his final season. But as Henry himself commented that “this game is killing me” and later revealed that he had not played a single game since October of that season without being in pain. So as Kiwi points out, sometimes there can be other factors regarding Cesc.

    The reason I can’t jump on Cesc’s back is that in the past he has shown his ability for a good duration unlike some other players who have not proved themselves beyond a few games (namely Fab). So if Cesc isn’t back to his old self, then there must be a valid reason such as injury or other musings listed by Kiwi.

    The one thing I wonder is if Arsenal’s football burns some players faster than others. I remember in the title winning 2001-02 season, Arsenal’s core players (Henry, PV) played a lot of games (more than 50?) and were clearly jaded at the season’s end. Not sure if Pires’ injury could be put down to fatigue as it seemed to be unfortunate. But it always seemed in that season, Arsenal had to play their best squad in high tempo games for 90+ minutes to get a result while Man Utd didn’t appear to spend as much energy in getting some goals/wins and could afford to rest some of their key players. I don’t have stats to prove that so it could all be nonsense but Arsenal’s football back then (and even today) appears to demand high tempo, quick passes to break down an opponent. Route 1, always. The last year or so has seen some goals via corners but overall, there are few goals scored from crosses or other means. Even in the 2001/02 4-2 home loss to Charlton, Arsenal pounded Charlton’s door time and time again while Charlton struck on the counter and nabbed a few goals.

    Vialli talked about the difference in Italian League and EPL in terms of wasted effort that some players are seen to do in England, such as spending effort to chase a lost ball, only to see it still go out. The fans applaud the players but Vialli said that in Italy such behavior would be seen differently. Although in the Serie A, many matches have an average in ball playing time of 46-49 minutes, so the players are doing a good job of conserving their energy while making the game look dull. Serie A is at one extreme, and the EPL the other in terms of tempo. But even in high tempo games, Arsenal can and should find ways to play/score differently.

    Ofcourse, yesterday’s loss was not down to fatigue. If it was, then there are far bigger issues to come in the next few weeks.

  14. Kiwi 8 November, 2010 at 19:19 Log in to Reply

    “We’re absolutely crying out for a Torres level striker. Wenger absolutely needs to stop being tight git and spend some of the money he’s been sticking under his mattress for the last five years using it to fill his own pockets and also feed his obsession with paying all his players massive wages (There’s a reason why so many ex-players love the hypocritical ‘anti-financial doping’ old fool).”

    Mazza 2010
    ________________________________

    LOL

    The team has cried out for a rapier since Henry’s lustre dimmed and then departed. The problem seems to be Wenger is backing the wrong horses and is too blind/stubborn to change. Adebayor, Van Persie, Walcott, Bendtner….. none of them are/were right. Chamakh is a good pro and he’ll do the job of a good pro but he’s not the answer in this regard either.

    Our game needs a lethal striker – it’s that simple (to me :-) ). We’ve turned in to this side that enjoys enormous possession but is severly limited at the cutting edge. An A-grade striker would expand our game and make the park-the-bus approach less viable. He would also score the goals that would compensate for the attack-centric game that Wenger employs. KNOW THIS bleating on for a better keeper and defence and defensive midfielder is dangerous for your mental health. It won’t happen under Wenger. The best we can get is for this attacking vision to become reality. So, back the attack, pray that Wenger gets sick of waiting for Van Persie, Walcott and Bendtner and goes out and takes Mazza’s advice. We need an Eto.

    • Mazza 8 November, 2010 at 20:45 Log in to Reply

      Yeah, you’ve been banging that drum for a while. Maybe it’s become more apparent(recently) to me because our midfield cannot even pass it’s way to threatening positions anymore with any regularity. The 07/08 side would have been all over Newcastle in that second half(although frustrating as well) and so maybe a real top level striker may have not been needed, but today’s side is reduced to hoofing the ball to get the ball into the danger area and we need a real turn and shoot striker to feed off scraps, or just create a goal by himself.

      Luis Suarez is a bit agricultural in comparison to Torres but he is sort of gettable and at least is not afraid of shooting. I would very happy with him.

      Etoo would be a dream but that boat has sailed.

      • Kiwi 8 November, 2010 at 21:13 Log in to Reply

        Those comments weren’t aimed at you Maz, more the general musings of a long time follower of AFC.

        Of course you’re right re Eto, I was more-so referring to him as an example of what is needed. To his credit, Myles (Mr ANR) harped on and on about Eto long before he was a star for Barca and said he fitted our needs. He was right I think.

        I haven’t seen Suarez play so I can’t comment on his fit. But he sure seems to bang in goals for fun – although that doesn’t always assure a good transition (ala Huntelaar).

  15. HighburyterraceSteve 8 November, 2010 at 18:40 Log in to Reply

    Cesc is fantastic, let’s get that straight. I said it before but this may be a transition year for all parties involved…i.e., Arsenal learning to live without Cesc, Barca coming to grips with the idea that they need him and will have to pay big bucks, and the player himself continuing to improve his game, even if it’s more in technical than leadership terms.

    Having laid the groundwork in the late stages of the CC match, Yesterday Newcastle did exactly what they had to do to neutralize our best player. They had him worried for his physical safety and they man-marked him with their strongest mid-fielder (Tiote), causing him to rush his play. I would argue that Cesc AND Arsenal failed to adapt adequately. We needed more of the boring, one-touch, zero-forward-progress passes to establish possession and take the sting out of the opponent. Instead we (Cesc in particular) kept trying for the killer one-touch ball, to very poor effect. Possession in the end was what, 55-45? The lack of patience was a killer and it’s symptomatic of the idea that we need a lead, and then a bigger lead, before we can be comfortable, mostly because we can concede AT ANY MOMENT….In this regard Kiwi is spot on, regarding the goals scored numbers, etc.

    Unlike a team like Chelsea where you’d better score early or they will wear you down, we get weaker and more nervous the longer a match continues nil-nil. And it’s (much) worse at the Emirates because the crowd expects three points (and possession and sumptuous goals) but knows the frailty at the back and transmits all of those feelings onto the team.

    The Club (the team plus its supporters) needs to turn this around, and the team needs leaders to do it. We’ve had some good settling over recent half-time breaks, but yesterday, confronted with the late goal, the urgency to equalize was only heightened. When we failed to do so and then the (early) subs made no immediate impact (Arshavin looked bright a couple of times, I thought) we were in trouble. I’m sure others besides me thought that Newcastle might score a 2nd as easily as we might equalize. Belief in these situations will only exist if we trust our players AND our methods, and over the last 20 or 25 minutes, it steadily shrunk away.

    I’m not saying that Cesc wasn’t at least one of the better players on the pitch (I agree with the Arseblogger in that regard) and I definitely wouldn’t have subbed him. It’s just that, due to injury, poor fitness, or his heart being in Barca, (and quality work by the Newcastle MF) he didn’t have the ability to put the team on his back yesterday. It’s a lot to ask of any one player and given the hole we’ve dug ourself (points and confidence-wise) we’re going to need a “collective” of leaders to step forward and make things happen. And, we need others to step up, of course, because the team (and its supporters) should be prepared for life without Cesc.

    But where (I ask again) will it come from?….Who knows? A few goals and maybe whoever creates or scores them will be the (new) man. On the plus side, with our next two matches away from the jittery fans in their overpriced seats, the team shouldn’t be taking anything for granted. And if we could win those, I’m sure the home crowd will get behind the boys for the Derby match….

  16. Mazza 8 November, 2010 at 18:34 Log in to Reply

    We’re absolutely crying out for a Torres level striker. Wenger absolutely needs to stop being tight git and spend some of the money he’s been sticking under his mattress for the last five years, using it to fill his own pockets and also feed his obsession with paying all his players massive wages (There’s a reason why so many ex-players love the hypocritical ‘anti-financial doping’ old fool).

    Yesterday, we had Marion Chamakh up front playing like the average player he is (when he has no crosses to attack), and I definately think this contributed to an already stuttering team performance. Fabregas was slipping balls through and Marion was either caught continually on his haunches or the ball deflected off his legs like they were telephone poles(as Sachin mentioned). Fabregas slowly went from under the weather but still trying to make things happen ; to under the weather and with his slippers on.

    Our team is just not good enough. Really really simple observation to make. We lack the class to penetrate consistently. We’ve enough talent to put some good football together in certain games but generally the lack of compatibility and cohesiveness between players that top sides have, and our inability to move our football beyond the basic template of pass and move (due to that lack of compatibility/quality levels) mean more often than not we get what we are. An average football team who play vastly overhyped football.

    When was the last time we really convinced at home in the Emirates against a good side?

    • HighburyterraceSteve 8 November, 2010 at 18:56 Log in to Reply

      Torres….Permacrocked liked RVP, but maybe with actual striker skills….My wife likes him (A LOT) and only wishes that he could play more regularly (for her viewing pleasure….)

      With yesterday’s result we’re up against it already….We need quite the run of results the rest of the month to create a platform for the opportunities that present themselves in December (United Away, Chelsea at home)….If, like you say, we’re just not good enough, AW may have to reach into his pocket (but I would still argue the troubles are worse at the other end of the pitch….)

      All told, it’s hard to be a hippie after yesterday, but I’m trying…. :rainbow:

      • Kiwi 8 November, 2010 at 19:23 Log in to Reply

        “Torres….Permacrocked liked RVP”

        They don’t deserve to be mentioned in the same sentence. Torres is a world class player that has had an injury bout recently – ala Essien. RvP is just an injury bout.

      • Mazza 8 November, 2010 at 20:49 Log in to Reply

        There are troubles everywhere. That’s what five years of methodical squad building has achieved; time bombs in every quarter :cry:

    • arthur3sheds 8 November, 2010 at 20:00 Log in to Reply

      When did you become Fabs greatest fan Mazza?

      I will constantly remind you that you said that Cesc was overrated and average, when every man and his dog knew otherwise. Mazza, I will not let that one drop … ever ;-)

      No seriously, I cannot see how his performance yesterday can be defended or how you can logically blame Chamankh for Cesc’s poor performance. Cesc was not slipping balls through at all until the second half. Most of the errors I remember were simply bad balls passed by someone who simply was not even at the office to have a bad day. This was one of the poorest performances I have ever seen from him.

      “We’ve enough talent to put some good football together in certain games but generally the lack of compatibility and cohesiveness between players that top sides have”

      We are a top side, no doubting it who is any better? Chelsea and ManU alone maybe. Do Chelsea and ManU win every game? when Chelsea lost this season and ManU played like crap did they lack “compatibility and cohesiveness”? Well if that is what you accuse the Arsenal of than sure they did.

      Your outlook on Arsenal as a team is slanted. Most non Arsenal fans would never call Arsenal average, why? becasue we have proven season after season under Wenger that we are not. CL every season may not be the ultimate goal but it is not the mark of an average side in probably the best league in the world.

      • Mazza 8 November, 2010 at 20:38 Log in to Reply

        I was the one who tipped him for greatest back on AA, when quite a few were not convinced. Andez already has referred to this quite a few times, and I’m surprised this escaped your attention. My recent critiques of him have been more little tweaks that could take him to the very, very top echelons and help him improve against the top sides.

        Of course, most realise Cesc is on a completely different level than anyone else in our squad, and place criticisms in that context. Yet in “Arthur World” every player is on the same pedestal, and every game is taken as a single event, which perhaps explains why you continually miss the overriding point and why criticising someone like Fabregas is completely pointless when more persistent, endemic problems remain. Criticising the likes of Fabregas is completely superficial and once again confuses SYMPTOMS with CAUSE i.e – Maybe Fabregas is just sick of playing with a team full of errant chancers with application problems and that’s why he’s performing below his best?

        According to your logic, Fabregas and Fabianski are both fighting for their futures. Context Arthur, context ;)

        • Fred 8 November, 2010 at 23:11

          context? from arthur? LOL

        • arthur3sheds 9 November, 2010 at 04:52

          Oh so you did not say Cesc is overrated, average and a nobody without Hleb?

          “My recent critiques of him have been more little tweaks that could take him to the very, very top echelons and help him improve against the top sides.”

          LOL… I have to do that again; LOL. That ststement is so packed with bullshit that it is funny.

          In Arthur World every Arsenal player deserves respect and get criticim when it is warranted. That’ called equality in Monger Land there is no equality simply bias or favouritism.

          “every game is taken as a single event”, LOL every game is a single event dude! I was referring to Cesc’ performance in the Newcastle game nothing else, why must I take every game he has every played and lump them together? Because Mazza says so?

          “Maybe Fabregas is just sick of playing with a team full of errant chancers with application problems and that’s why he’s performing below his best” so you persist to blame Fabregas’s poor performance on his team mates, how logical :giggle:

          “According to your logic, Fabregas and Fabianski are both fighting for their futures.” I never mentioned anything about their futures, so I really don’t get the context bit but hey at least you boy Fred gets some gratification

  17. Kiwi 8 November, 2010 at 17:06 Log in to Reply

    Arse, fair comments.
    I think the spotty performances from Fabregas are quite predictable. He’s injured, he came back from the euphoric world cup (post-flump effect), and as we know only too well he wanted to be at Barcelona. All powerful ingredients. If this team was ‘on fire’ it may rekindle his spark, but alas….. we’re not.

    I agree Fabianski is a discrete problem and not the root of all our ills (but a problem nevertheless). Yet I also think the ‘offensive stagnation’ you rightly refer to is nothing new whatsoever. It’s not unique to this season – we have been doing this (albeit with a changing roster of actors) for several years. People look at our goals scored total and think as a statistic it demonstrates adequacy. Yet that is absurd. The goals scored total is a simpletons guide – it is only adequate if you find enough goals in each game to defeat your opponents. We don’t do that time and again – hence we come 3rd/4th with a consistency that Wenger trumpets as achievement. This is why I say (too often I know) that with Wenger’s current footballing vision we need an overwhelming attacking game – or we’re poked.

  18. Fred 8 November, 2010 at 16:18 Log in to Reply

    @ arse:

    Oh come on … you want people to be “merciless” on our best player (by a mile) for an off day because they are not forgiving of a Fabianski error???

    In case you have not noticed those two players are on the complete opposite ends of the spectrum when it comes to adding points on the table for Arsenal. How many chances has Fabianski had? He like a lot of players on the team SUBTRACT points from Arsenal’s column consistently.

    On a very bad day for him and still with hamstring problems he could have created three goals. Any fan slating Fabregas is ridiculous … he is the ONLY top-class player we have and has performed consistently and in an upward trajectory over the years.

    • Kiwi 8 November, 2010 at 16:37 Log in to Reply

      On Fabregas, he is quoted as saying he’s played a lot of football for his age and with the impact on his body he has to be careful. That rings true to me. For a while now I’ve pondered what the impact will be on our bevy of young players that start playing in the bigtime at say 16-17 and the stress it places on their bodies.

      Each player is different, not all play as often as Fabregas has done from the get-go, and some players are more naturally robust than others. But it’s an interesting consequential effect to observe in our policy.

      Players ‘starting’ at 16 are 3-4(+) years ahead of the historical norm.

      The other related issue is whether the body of a 16-17 year old is as able to withstand the physical stresses. Or do those extra 3-4 years allow physical development that adds to their robustness?

      Just musing.

      Fabregas is our truly world class player, yet it’s also true he had a stinker. Perhaps the truth is in that uncomfortable grey area – he is carrying an injury, it is impeding him, he was prepared to play for the team, and yet in the recesses of his mind he’s less ‘happy’ to do so knowing that he’d rather be somewhere else. We’ll never know, the human mind is a complex thing and being in the ‘right space’ is a moving target.

    • arsesession 8 November, 2010 at 16:44 Log in to Reply

      Most here have seen our captain progress steadily over the past few years. Like you I see Cesc as a world class player.

      Even with Cesc’s injury last November and then the last 6 weeks of spring, Cesc had a remarkable season 09/10.

      At 23, he has not reached his prime and most fans (especially myself) anticipated the same or raised performances this season.

      That is definitely not happening. Yesterday was not his only ‘off’ day and his contribution this fall is uncharacteristically spotty.

      All of us watch the same game but have different interpretations of the same efforts. I have much more expectation from Cesc than I do from Fabianski. Cesc has earned it.

      If this sight is a venue for match, player, manager, club critique, why would any players be exempt from criticism or praise!

      This makes the 2nd consecutive league fixture (1st was West Ham) that we have struggled offensively. Plus our performances v. Pool; Sunderland; Birmingham City; Shaktar, were for me anemic offensively; yesterday was a symptom of THIS SEASONS offensive stagnation not Carroll’s goal. (only my opinion)

      • Fred 8 November, 2010 at 17:02 Log in to Reply

        Fabregas has created at least 5 or 6 chances per game on average this season. If that is a spotty record for someone carrying all sorts of niggly injuries into the season then I would take that EVERYDAY!

        Ofcourse we are struggling offensively … we have idiot fullbacks and lazy forwards. Even if Fabregas is on fire he still needs the forwards to actually make intelligent runs. That just was not Bendtner or RvP or Walcott yesterday.

        All that said the main reason we conceded was by a direct error from the GK for the gazzillionth time.

        Maybe if we hadnt conceded so close to halftime Wenger wont have put in RvP so early … or maybe the game would have still been tied going into 80th minute giving our players hope they could pull off another West Ham style victory.

        • arthur3sheds 8 November, 2010 at 18:17

          5-6 chances a game on average this season!! where did you get that stat or is that a figure you have plucked out of thin air?

          Regardless of the previous performances he played like crap against ‘castle and deserves criticism more than anyone on our team did even Fabianski.

          Ars’ point is valid and it is an injustice when we we slate the lesserm lights but turna blind eye when our favourites play like crap.

        • Fred 8 November, 2010 at 23:04

          A MOTD viewing of all our games would prove it. Facts my friend. It might not be common where you come from.

          All the very good players earn the right to have off days. They are not machines.

          Fabianski and his Spanish colleague have cost us several points in the last half a year. They have not earned the right to play at a club of Arsenals stature let alone earn the right to drop regular clangers. Sorry.

          If Fabianski was at a real job he would have been fired last year for poor performance.

        • arthur3sheds 9 November, 2010 at 04:29

          Bull Fred that is a thin air stat and you know it.

        • Fred 9 November, 2010 at 12:34

          Facts (with video evidence too). Not common with you ;-)

  19. HighburyterraceSteve 8 November, 2010 at 15:20 Log in to Reply

    In other news, Arsenal will appeal the late red card, which looked awfully divey and harsh, and was just icing on the cake….

    http://www.guardian.co.uk/football/2010/nov/08/arsenal-laurent-koscielny-appeal

    Another indication of how very weak we are at the back, that we’re willing to risk extra matches out for the bird-boy? (My wife thinks Kosch is kinda cute, like a little bird, just emerging from the nest….)

    Overall however, Mr. No Nonsense, Mike Dean, under whose watch we almost ALWAYS play like shit, I thought, did alright…(see the preview column of my friend from Tacoma, Timmy the tooth…. http://www.7amkickoff.com/)

    And maybe that’s why Chamakh looked poor yesterday….take away what he does best with his feet (losing them) and maybe he’s just a (bad) haircut. I think that’s a little harsh, but RVP, Makh, Bendy, and Theo (which might be our pecking order for playing up top) all have some severe limitations and, more importantly, differences in their play. While the others were out, Makh did a job for us, now, assuming better health (LOL, I know….), the others need to re-adjust.

    Another tough task, among many…

  20. arsesession 8 November, 2010 at 12:43 Log in to Reply

    re: Arseblog
    this guy is just a blogger and he spent a good portion of his article blasting Fabianski; yet I found it ironic that all he could say about our captain was
    “Nothing Cesc tried seem to come off although he did hit the bar, set up Nasri’s chance and have that late header, so even on one of his off days he did more than most. The creative responsibility is not his alone though and nobody else seemed able to step up and help out.

    Anyone who watched the match witnessed the number of errant passes by our captain. How many times did he lose the ball from the dribble? For the past three years, I can never remember Cesc having such an ‘off’ day. If Clichy, Diaby, or Denilson had exhibited that kind of performance at their positions, there would be no mercy.

    If you watched Super Sunday + yesterday, both commentators (ex-players) discussed the Newcastle goal with video stoppage. They specifically pointed out that neither Chamakh nor Koscielny marked Carroll – totally left him unmarked as soon as the free kick was taken……remarking how it was their responsibility to create some pressure on Carroll (anything) bump him off stride, disrupt his timing, block his path . The goal keeper is helpless when such a tall and powerful player is able to get a full head of steam on his approach.

    While he’s giving Cesc a free pass with “The creative responsibility is not his alone though and nobody else seemed able to step up and help out ” why are not the defenders responsible for Carroll. This is poor communication/organization.

    We fielded a strong line up yesterday, but there was no mojo and no mojo for the subs. It happens.

    European Champions Internazionale – from their 5 home matches have 3 draws. Yesterday drawing 1-1 to Brescia (a newly promoted team).

    All of us should be upset and frustrated with our inability to execute against Newcastle or any opponent. We are in a funk offensively and now the task at hand is for the manager to change the momentum.

    By the way, for many who skimmed or missed my mini scouting report above (2nd posting): deja vu.

    • HighburyterraceSteve 8 November, 2010 at 14:15 Log in to Reply

      Yeah, plenty of frustration all around….

      Generally, I think the Arseblogger maintains his standing as #1 (in a crowded field) because of his balanced approach to all things Arsenal. Lately however, he’s been going pretty hard after a few players, notably Clichy and Vela. Fabianski has had lots of chances and lots of bad errors. If he had a more commanding presence out there, (i.e., screaming at his defenders before and after the event, esp. if he truly thought they were at fault for the goal yesterday) we all might be a bit more likely to give him some slack. In fact, it was that vocal element that made Sneezy look so appealing (for me at least) in the CC match….

      And you’re right….It does happen….(Chelsea didn’t do much yesterday at Anfield and United certainly have had their gaffes, etc….) We all get caught up, match to match, and Wolves away will be another good test/opportunity for getting back on track….

      • arsesession 8 November, 2010 at 16:23 Log in to Reply

        I read Arseblog every morning and have great respect for his ability to build such a strong following. That said, you are spot on about this year’s negativity: especially to some of the low profile players.

        However, this season, it is a recurring habit for Arseblog to conveniently down play or omit poor performances of fan favorites or his favorites. How can you watch a match and not call a spade a spade? Yes, players have off games – its life.

        I am as guilty of expectation as any Arsenal fan. We had a strong line up and BENCH in a home fixture. Dejected after yesterday was an understatement.

        So the match is over and the issue to resolve b4 our next match is why did we create so little and make adjustments.

  21. HighburyterraceSteve 8 November, 2010 at 11:45 Log in to Reply

    A day later and still at a loss….

    The whole gestalt (redundant, I know) of the team/club just seems very, very poor. You could almost see it coming, that if we didn’t score early and if Newcastle didn’t get frustrated and get players sent off, etc. that we would be the group that would suffer. It’s especially vexing in that we rested players and sacrificed the midweek match, knowing (intellectually, at least) that we had to be up for an in-form team which hasn’t given up the pleasures of regular winning from last season in the lower division.

    Offensively we had poor ideas and (with the exception of young Jack) when they (over and over and over) failed to come off, the shock of needing to defend and re-group seemed to wear on the team. Personally, I thought everyone was poor, with Theo and Nasri’s performances compounded by the fact that it clearly doesn’t suit them to be relegated to the wings. The interplay with their respective full-backs was halting, as if to say, “why do you take up MY space”…. Song completed most of his passes and a couple were probing ones. But what is with Cesc and the routine giveaways and the one touch balls to no one? It’s as if the effort of looking up before receiving his passes (his trademark really) is too much these days. Has anyone seen his stats from yesterday? If he completed over half his passes, I would be shocked.

    And given that nothing was working going forward, it became a matter of time before the inherent weaknesses at the back told upon us. Arseblog this morning suggests that Flappy actually called off his defenders on the goal and the way they let Carroll through suggests that perhaps he did and that they were all too happy to let him make a hash of it. In general the defense did OK, I guess, but they too seem surprised that the likes of Guiterez, Ameobe and Carroll (and Tiote, a beast further back) worked them as hard as they did.

    In the end, that seems the problem. We expect to show up and ease into matches and have our superiority be manifest. I agree with Sesh above about the depth of the league. I actually think Arsenal and AW are a big factor. At present there are only a couple of teams that go into matches against the bigger ones hoping not to lose. (Blackburn and Stoke, but maybe also B-ham and West Ham, maybe.) The rest actually try and play and get all three points. It’s great for the league, not so great for a team (Arsenal) that thinks they can cruise to easy victories.

    Overall, I’m pretty disgusted. There’s still plenty of time to turn things around, but I don’t see it happening. I just don’t see where the change will come from….Where’s the leadership? (Not Cesc, still suffering a “mental hammy” says AW….) Who will take up the reins? Returnees RVP or TV5 (doubtful), And who in the squad can handle/embrace the inevitable adversity?

    These next several matches are big ones. (Wolves and Everton away, the short Int’l break and then Spurs at home, and cup matches sandwiched around Villa away.) Given that we’ve been SO unconvincing thus far, I’d say we need nothing but victories AND the renewed spirit that would come with such a run of results. (After those matches, it actually gets tougher….) It’s possible, and they must be taken one at a time, etc., but, on current form, I’d give very, very long odds if I were a bookmaker.

  22. Mazza 7 November, 2010 at 22:22 Log in to Reply

    I don’t blame Wenger for putting RVP on. Chamakh was utter garbage and I cannot believe Wenger waited over a year just to get him because he was on a free.

    He’s uneasy with the idea of baring down on goal with any regularity(just look at his record scoring with his feet at Bordeaux) so he makes weird runs to nowhere and just can’t use his feet with any purpose and has no shooting technique at all. Yet another average player adding to more average players.

    Anyway, that appraisal of Chamakh is probably a pointless digression. The issues that arise after a result like today’s run much deeper and have been aptly covered by Kiwi today and been touched upon numerous times before by others.

    • sachin 8 November, 2010 at 00:13 Log in to Reply

      In the first half, Song played a nice thru ball to Chamakh but the ball appeared to hit the inside of Chamakh’s foot and deflected, leading to nothing. Or did Chamakh attempt a backheel? If he did, then that makes little sense. It all seemed bizarre given he was in such a promising position. I suppose this one example could be exhibit X to support your evidence.

    • Kiwi 8 November, 2010 at 01:54 Log in to Reply

      Dunno Maz, granted, there’s been a couple of games where Chamakh has been very quiet – and today was one. Not sure what to put it down to, perhaps tiredness, perhaps struggling to make an impression when the teams under the pump and the game physical? But even still he gave the team a cohesive shape.

      If Chamakh was quiet Van Persie his replacement was (predictably) irrelevant with one crowd-pleasing back heel his contribution for 40 min’s. I honestly still can’t see any redemptive point in playing him.

      On Bendtner, yikes, the guy has zero acceleration. I remember someone passing a lovely ball into his path in the box – but Nick’s a mule with no pace and the move died – as always. The guy is just not fast enough for this level.

    • arthur3sheds 8 November, 2010 at 17:59 Log in to Reply

      LOL Mazza you are something else. On the Makh’s back now are we.

      You haven’t even given the guy half a season to settle.

  23. ChicagoGooner 7 November, 2010 at 21:11 Log in to Reply

    The last time we played at home to a newly promoted team we conceded 3 goals. This time: only one. We have improved, which requires character and devotion. It also shows we learned our lesson last time, and have learned yet another lesson today.

  24. Kiwi 7 November, 2010 at 19:05 Log in to Reply

    LOL Vibe.
    I’ve been a stuck-record on Van Persie and the fact he is a bad basket to store all our eggs in for a while now. I’ve noticed some of the traditionally ‘supportive’ sites are finally losing patiences with Robin (e.g. Arseblog, but also others).

    The good thing this season is the arrival of Chamakh. I’m not eulogising the guy, at this stage, to me, he’s in the category of ‘a good pro’. But that’s ok. We need a bit of that. And he does provide a genuine target whilst having the brain and game to play in the system Wenger prefers.

    But…… it doesn’t really compensate for Van Persie. Van Persie has (in theory) got the x-factor. That edge, an ability to create something when it doesn’t look ‘on’ and to finish. Well at least that’s the narrative (myth?) that’s formed around the player. Because truth is, over a season he’s never done it, ever. He’s never won us anything. Never stayed on the field for an extended period of time – ever. And yet for whatever reason the reputation that surrounds the player has grown in linear fashion without any substantive evidence. It’s another aspect of the herd mentality – say something often enough and it becomes accepted as fact. Evidence is optional.

    My point is, Chamakh is good, a welcome signing, but he’s more another cog in the Arsenal machine not an x-factor up top. I really wonder whether we’ll win anything without a genuine world-class piece of attacking talent. A Henry, a Drogba, a Torres. A player that capitalises on the wealth of possession and the half chances that our play offers.

    • vibe4arsenal 7 November, 2010 at 19:46 Log in to Reply

      “I’ve been a stuck-record on Van Persie and the fact he is a bad basket to store all our eggs in for a while now.”

      I remember over the Summer you thoughtfully compiling the statistics of RVP’s actual games played over the last few year …and people still argued those proved NOTHING and THIS YEAR WILL BE DIFFERENT.

      Yes. This year will always be different. Until it’s proven the same. Then NEXT YEAR will be different.

      Wonderful thing, the memory of a goldfish. Every lap around the fishbowl is like starting all over again. Nothing ever changes, but you never have to confront it.

      ‘Oh, look, a castle.”

      “Hey!! Check out the new castle!”

      “Awesome!! I have a castle!!! Man, this bowl is great!!!”

      • Kiwi 7 November, 2010 at 21:39 Log in to Reply

        I luv the ‘goldfish & castle’ analogy.

        It’s fascinating to see the outworking of human nature as reflected in sport through the comments of fans.

        If the evidence doesn’t match someones ‘perception’ or the collective perception of the masses – you simply ignore the evidence.

        This is why during the commentary on Sunday we heard how “no one with any sense would call for Wenger’s managerial head”. Why not? There’s a strong case to say that 5+ years of failure to win and persisting with ‘low return star players’ the time is right for a change.

    • OziKenyan 7 November, 2010 at 20:57 Log in to Reply

      Injury-wise he is the most frustrating player around. But don’t take anything away from his talent. He does have that mythical x-factor about him. He has, at the least, done enough to show that…

      I don’t see us getting that world class talent at at our apex from outside. The only way it’s going to happen is if Chamakh/Bendy/anyone else from our squad improves to that level or if VP stays fit. With VP’s injury record, the former seems like our only hope.

      • Kiwi 7 November, 2010 at 21:29 Log in to Reply

        I guess I struggle with the notion of separating the ‘talent’ factor from the ‘physical fragility’ reality. For me, a genuine world class talent inherits that title on the back of sustained and excellent performances. With an emphasis on the “s”. We’re way to liberal with our praise – Henry was a world class talent Van Persie isn’t – at least not yet. The guy is 27 and has never played a season. He’s never played a season and yet he’s one of our top earners. That’s incredible.

        • stag133 7 November, 2010 at 22:41

          you shouldn’t say that about Robin… he’s our most talented striker, sheer genius.

          I know he’s fragile… and can’t play more than 20 games a year, but its worth it for those few moments each season where he’s magic!

          do you want quantity? like 30 goals, and 40 matches?…
          or do you want QUALITY. 20 games and a few STARTLING goals.
          :giggle:

        • Kiwi 8 November, 2010 at 01:40

          I want world class…. AFC at the top and trophies

        • sachin 8 November, 2010 at 00:05

          Since he has been out for so long, I do wonder if he will ever get back to his best.

          Wenger has gotten rid of players who he thought could not perform at the level he wanted of them. So does that mean next summer Wenger will finally assess RVP given his age? Or since Wenger has not gotten much out of RVP, will he persist in holding onto him as long as possible because he would still be looking for that one season of worthy return on his investment?

        • arthur3sheds 8 November, 2010 at 17:55

          Interesting question Sachin.

          I do not see Wenger letting RvP go. When he is injured it simply gives Wenger a chance to blood some knew talent or keep the periphery content as they get more games.

        • sachin 8 November, 2010 at 20:55

          Yeah I don’t see Wenger as letting RVP go either. But if RVP can’t play for the remainder of the season, I would be wary of his long term ability.

  25. Kiwi 7 November, 2010 at 18:20 Log in to Reply

    The last 7 EPL fixtures have returned:
    3 wins
    1 draw
    3 losses
    That’s seriously average particularly when one considers, it’s summer (our continental squads favourite time) and the schedule has been rather kind (only Chelsea posing a serious test). I’ve been saying for a few weeks that Nov/Dec looks a bit ominous for AFC with a tough run of fixtures.

    • vibe4arsenal 7 November, 2010 at 18:29 Log in to Reply

      Parity on, Kiwi!

      • arthur3sheds 8 November, 2010 at 17:49 Log in to Reply

        Party on Vibe ;-) I can see you are enjoying yourself

  26. Kiwi 7 November, 2010 at 16:50 Log in to Reply

    Deep sigh. We’ve watched this match many many times before. Before the match we were told that we wouldn’t take Newcastle lightly. Well maybe we didn’t. Maybe what we saw was simply a reflection of the limitations of this team and its game-plan. Maybe we still aren’t as good as we look on a good day. Maybe the consistency and maturity that a winning team presents just isn’t in us.

    Look at the team. Chamakh, Nasri, Walcott, Fabregas, Wilshere, Song – that’s near to being our best front six (although I’d tend to have Arshavin or even Rosicky and keep Walcott as a sub). And the D, well it was the French connection and Flappy – so you know, barring Vermaelen it was the best we have.

    And as for motivation? Well we’d come off the slightly embarrassing defeat to that enormous Euro-superpower Shaktar. So there’s no way we should’ve been in a complacent space.

    No, despite the window of optimism that opened after the encouraging result against a 10-man Manchester City (amidst the warmth of some high-scoring cup games) we feel the cold breeze of reality blow through against Newcastle at home reflecting the earlier WBA game.

    On specifics:

    Players need playing time to re-find their games after being out – this applied to Fabregas and Van Persie who were both negatives in the context of this match. I was surprised that Van Persie got 40 min’s – why???? We were clearly struggling to turn the game around and it was 100% predictable that Van Persie would offer very little having been out for so long so why give him the prime slot at the apex? We needed Chamakh to stay to the end – he gives this side an attacking shape. Once he left we looked a lot worse – shapeless. Don’t be fooled by the sense of urgency that rises in the last 5-10 min’s, that’s an illusion created by the clock.

    Kos was a bit silly attracting another red – he needs to make better judgments. The attacker was still quite away from goal and in any event the game was gone.

    Anyway, perhaps this season will be a re-run of last, with Chelsea and Manchester United showing compassion and failing to pull away when we stumble. Sadly, we’ve blown 3 points that were a 100% giveme and we’re about to enter a really hard run in the EPL.

    • Fred 7 November, 2010 at 17:14 Log in to Reply

      Giving RvP 40 mins – after not playing a single reserve or friendly game in over 2 months – is right up there amongst Wenger’s ridiculous “tactical” decisions. Almost as stupid as allowing Fabregas to remain on the pitch against Barca after the penalty.

      I won’t be surprised if RvP is now ruled out for a few more weeks after this.

      Threat of injury aside, he was completely and utterly pointless.

      • Kiwi 7 November, 2010 at 17:37 Log in to Reply

        The return of Van Persie is a tad bizzare. Hard not to think it is a face-saving move by Wenger, getting in and playing him before he makes Wenger/Arsenal look powerless by swanning off and playing for Holland.

        If he’s ready (and needs) game time why not play him in a more meaningless less intense fixture like Shaktar mid-week???

        In a black humour type of way the funniest thing in the match was the moisty-eyed Arsenal fans cheering his return. He ain’t a messiah.

        • sachin 7 November, 2010 at 18:02

          >>Hard not to think it is a face-saving move by Wenger,

          I thought the same thing about RVP’s return. Or maybe Wenger thought that since RVP is going to get injured for the next 4-5 months playing for Holland, he might as well squeeze some time from him before Van Persie’s re-return as a new signing in April. But it was shocking, especially to see Chamakh withdrawn as if RVP could slot in and make a difference.

          Now, I shudder at the thought that away to Wolves some Arsenal player (Cesc, Wilshere) might get their legs broken. Ofcourse, I don’t mean to suggest that Wolves are that kind of team. They have some of the nicest chaps around in the league but sometimes the speed of this game can cause accidents.

        • arthur3sheds 8 November, 2010 at 17:48

          I was thinking along the same lines, if Wenger players him then he cannot tell the Holland coach that he is not fit to play.

          However I do not see why anyone would be so astonshed that RvP would be brought on to change the game, he has that ability, he is a game changer, and there is nothing written in stone that you can not score or make a killer play or pass when you have just returned from injury.

          If Wenger felt he was looking sharp in training, then wht not bring him on with Chamankh looking tired, I am not sur ewhether I would had made that decision but I can undersatnd it.

          What I found more puzzling was the switch of J.Wilshere for Bendtner, I could not see the practicality behnind that decision.

        • vibe4arsenal 7 November, 2010 at 18:29

          Brian: I am NOT the Messiah!
          Arthur: I say you are Lord, and I should know. I’ve followed a few.

  27. ChicagoGooner 7 November, 2010 at 16:02 Log in to Reply

    Fred, I don’t think the Bills game is gonna console you at all, cause DA BEARS are in town! Monsters of the Midway are gonna own the show in Toronto today, despite the suckiness of the o-line and Cutler. You have Bills season tix right? So they’re good for the games in Toronto as well?

    • Fred 7 November, 2010 at 17:09 Log in to Reply

      Nah, I dont expect the Bills to win … infact I would be shocked if we do. My expectations match the team. At least we might get a good QB in the draft!

      Yup, we get the Toronto tix as well (we get an extra charge for them tho) … and an extra 2 hours drive up north. I love Toronto, so not complaining.

  28. arsesession 7 November, 2010 at 14:05 Log in to Reply

    The league has changed. Yet many of you have the expectations that because we put on the Arsenal jersey, play at home, we can expect the competition to surrender the 3 points.

    There is parity in the league. Better coaches with stronger management skills, larger budgets to acquire the right type of powerful and technical players to play systems that can be competitive. With the TV money shared, smaller clubs can field their best XI and pull off results like today – yet Newcastle is not a small club. We will encounter the same problems with Wolves this mid-week.

    Very disappointing loss and marginal performance from Cesc and Theo.

    I agree with Fred about the RvP substitution.

    If anyone needed to come off it was Theo. He is a limited dimensional player and his speed was negated today by Newcastle.

    So when Nasri needed to come off – slot in Rosicky. Bring on Bendtner for Theo and leave Chamakh in the line up. Take off Jack, and move Rosicky in the middle with Cesc and Song – Arshavin on the wing. The last 20 minutes we were just using the route 1 tactics and Theo and RvP (up front) produced no threat to Newcastle.

    Give credit to Newcastle’s midfield. They applied enough pressure on our captain to disrupt his timing.

    Carroll scored a well deserved goal. If you had scouted this team, there is no way you’d allow this player a clear path into the box.

    • arthur3sheds 7 November, 2010 at 14:44 Log in to Reply

      Ars’ this wasn’t Theo’ best performance of the season but he looked and can be dangerous at times, which is more than can be said for Bendtner.

      I can not seen how a Bendtner for Walcott sub would have helped matters Walcott in his current vein of form is a far bigger threat.

      I do not see the problem with hte RvP sub as Chamankh looked tired I would have rather see RvP come on than Bendtner, those are the options.

      RvP looked quite sharp should us some silky RvP only touches/moves, but I do not think we had any player, who was going to make that much of a difference at that time in the game.

      Maybe Cesc should have been taken off a lot earlier and Rosicky introduced. Maybe he would have fed RvP for a goal on his return, who knows? If RvP looked good enough and fit enough to make an impact in training then why not introduce our most technically gifted player when we have a tired CF needing a rest?

      • arsesession 7 November, 2010 at 20:45 Log in to Reply

        “wasn’t Theo’ best performance of the season”

        that is my point, how long does a manager give a player to show something? Theo was never dangerous down the flank. All the play to his wing, the attack was stifled in the corner. I’d have removed him at half time.

        Bendtner has played on the wing and been effective, moving inside, linking play, and crossing. I believe the combination of Chamakh and Bendtner would have put more pressure on the CB’s for Newcastle.

        I don’t believe Chamakh was in need of rest. There was no service – not from Wilshere, Cesc, Nasri, or Theo…….but the one great scoring chance came from Song’s nice move in the box to cross in front of the goal mouth – Chamakh was ‘late’ reacting –
        where (imo) Bendtner would have found away to get his foot on the ball. Even Chamakh on the wing has more ability to beat someone 1v1 than Theo has shown.

        On the whole, when the midfield is not effective, our offense comes to a screeching halt.

        • arthur3sheds 8 November, 2010 at 17:10

          I don’t know Ars’ I personally thought Theo was not bad. Yes he lost the ball here and there running into blind alleys but he did look like he could pull the rabbit out that hat at any minute, he even hit the cross bar with a great shot.

          Nicklas Bendtner cannot take on players he doesn’t even try to most of the time, Chamankh is not much better than that.

          Have you not seen Theo’ form this season so far? hardly worthy of criticism, but it may have been more warranted to take him of instead of Nasri.

          However if we want to identify a player that was underperforming more than anyone else and deserved to be subbed then we only need to look towards Cesc.

    • Fred 7 November, 2010 at 15:34 Log in to Reply

      Are you kidding me?

      The ONLY parity there is in this league is between Arsenal and the rest of the league. Man U and Chelsea are not feeling any parity.

      Our wage bill is TWICE that of Newcastle’s. We collect 2.5 times more in matchday revenues than Newcastle … so why should there be nonsensical talk of parity – as if we are paupers trying to make ends meet.

      The exact same problems we have had for the last few years that Wenger has stubbornly refused to fix has bitten us on the ass once again, yet you still give excuses.

      That is TWO promoted teams beating us at HOME. We score one goal. We didnt even test their keeper much in the entire game. Sorry, the “league parity” excuse is utter bullshit.

      PS: Man U and Chelsea are late season clubs. They really get in their rhythm in the second half of the season … we on the other hand are traditionally the opposite. So when we have already lost this often at the beginning of November you know the season is gonna get grimy soon.

      Karl Henry and co. at Wolves await in midweek … Fun times!

      • arsesession 7 November, 2010 at 20:33 Log in to Reply

        Did Chelsea win today?

        It took 93 minutes b4 ManU could nick Wolves and they have struggled against: Fulham, Everton (gave up 2 goals in injury time), West Brom, and yes that powerhouse Bolton.

        As to the newly relegated teams:
        Blackpool has beaten Wigan, Newcastle, Pool, WBA, and drew to Fulham, and Everton.

        WBA has beaten Sunderland, Birmingham City, ManCity, Arsenal, Bolton, Fulham and drew to: Spurs, ManU, Bolton.

        Newcastle has beaten Villa, Everton, Chelsea, Sunderland, and Arsenal

        We struggled offensively against West Ham, WBA, Birmingham City, and Shaktar.

        It was never my intention to make any excuses, just pointing out that when your offense can’t execute……other teams will exploit your ineptness. When players don’t perform, then make the manager the fall guy?

        You cannot guarantee that ManU and Chelsea will be second half clubs. What they did yesterday is no promise for tomorrow. Their key players are on the wrong side of 32 and injuries will handicap their fielding an experienced squad when its most needed. (just my opinion)

        • stag133 7 November, 2010 at 22:51

          when the players don’t perform, over and over, year after year…
          and the manager hand picked ALL the players in those years… and the manager fails to bring in adequate replacements in key positions, over and over…

          then YES, the manager is the FALL GUY. Every day of the week, twice on Sundays.

          I know Arsene doesn’t like criticism, especially from supporters of the team, but that’s too bad, he’ll have to get over it.

          When the board make him the fall guy, then something will have been done… until then, he has carte-blanche, and has had it for many years…

          the last 5 have been BLISS for the board and the Arsenal FC, PLC, INC…
          not so much for the fans.

        • arsesession 8 November, 2010 at 12:08

          The conversation is about player performance….in the Newcastle match.

          “when the players don’t perform, over and over, year after year…” wow, what match were you watching yesterday?

          I would not consider Cesc a player that doesn’t perform year after year, nor Nasri,
          nor the new addition of Chamakh
          Theo is having his best start as is Wilshere.
          Song underperforming?
          our centerbacks?
          Sagna or Clichy?
          year after year??????
          who are the replacements you’re referencing?

          If Arsenal had to field a patched up team to play yesterday, their might be some foundation for your remark “and the manager fails to bring in adequate replacements in key positions, over and over…” how is this appropriate for the match yesterday?

        • arthur3sheds 8 November, 2010 at 17:18

          The way some people talk you would never believe we were a top four club in the best league on the planet and probably among the 15 best teams in Europe.

          I agree a lot of players have upped their game butit seems we are still lacking 1 or 2 ingredients that Wenger appears adamant that we don’t need.

        • arthur3sheds 8 November, 2010 at 17:12

          I think you have made you point very clear and very well Ars’, however some will still contrive to miss the point.

    • vibe4arsenal 7 November, 2010 at 16:45 Log in to Reply

      How can it be a ‘disappointing loss’ with your grand understanding of how ‘the league has changed’ and the deep wisdom of your ‘no expectations’ philosophy?

      The only thing that HASN’T change is (as Fred says) Wenger. As a result, the other change appears to be a further decline in Arsenal fortunes.

      There’s a lot more evidence supporting the latter point of view, then some nonsense about ‘league parity’.

      “We encounter the same problem with Wolves this week.”

      Ha. Yeah, well, you make sense there. If Arsenal has to consider the 19th place team in the League a ‘problem’, there’s the ‘change’.

      • arsesession 7 November, 2010 at 21:01 Log in to Reply

        I have no grand understanding of how the league has changed ( your cynical words), but as a fan, I do have a right to feel disappointment – win, lose, or draw.

        Historically you will not see championship teams move up to the premier league and consistently get points as these clubs are doing.

        Just review the fixtures and standings. 11 points separate 19th spot from 4th.

        We fielded a strong line up. Maybe Arshavin should have started, but Theo has definitely shown performances worthy of a start. When our captain plays like sh*t, then its still the manager’s fault.

        When the team is unable to create scoring chances, then its the manager’s fault?

        ” The only thing that HASN’T changed ” are those that gloat after a draw or defeat.

        • vibe4arsenal 7 November, 2010 at 21:09

          What you see as gloating is frustration and burnout and watching the same thing and over and over.

          You’d be clearer on that, if not for your being in denial.

        • arsesession 7 November, 2010 at 22:13

          All of us have frustration when our team under achieves.

          Stick to analyzing gold fish.

        • vibe4arsenal 8 November, 2010 at 12:47

          Not all of us contrive to find new ways to excuse a (seemingly endless) repetition of the same few mistakes and call it ‘analysis’.

        • arsesession 8 November, 2010 at 16:02

          there is no attempt to make excuses…..you get beat by someone that plays better, thats sports.

          I found no surprises from Newcastle, only an inept Arsenal attack, which is uncharacteristic for the club; by the way, there was no repetition of the same few mistakes; maybe this remark is in reference to your studies and analysis of gold fish.

        • arthur3sheds 8 November, 2010 at 17:23

          “What you see as gloating is frustration and burnout and watching the same thing and over and over.”

          I still don’t get it, why watch then? If it upset you so much, why not join Fred and watch the Bills or another random “team” like that.

  29. macmac123 7 November, 2010 at 13:46 Log in to Reply

    Everytime you think this team will build consistency and momentum, they slip up.

    Today seemed more of a motivation-energy problem than anything else.

    I can’t see how Wenger’s French mistress tabloid coverage is helping matters.

    Still, at least someone at the club is scoring.

  30. Fred 7 November, 2010 at 13:19 Log in to Reply

    I cant believe I woke up at 7.30 (forgot to change the clocks on my old-school alarms) for this big pile of crap.

    Arsenal is a p&ssy team filled completely with a nonsensical bunch of spineless, random players.

    I knew this before the season started yet I still get shocked when we lose at home to a promoted team. By the way, SECOND lose to a promoted team … at HOME!

    Someone said (cant remember who) that we are a team of ticking time bombs waiting to blow up randomly and frequently.

    Today, we had Big Flappy reverting to true nature. Koscielny getting his second red card in his very short time at the club. Chamakh was out of it, Fabregas was whack and Song’s legs seems to be getting heavy. Song tired already? Its just November son. Maybe he should do his real job and sit back? Not gonna happen!

    The introduction of RvP on 55 minutes was the biggest blunder of the game. The guy hasnt even played a reserve or friendly game since the end of August yet he was supposed to magically save us when we were trailing? Wishful thinking.

    Because RvP has been out for so long and so frequently a lot of folks completely overestimate his ability.

    Ah, well, on to the Wolves AWAY! I would be shocked if we dont lose that.

    • arthur3sheds 7 November, 2010 at 13:31 Log in to Reply

      Why did you get up at 7.30 to watch a p&ssy team?

      Why don’t you watch the Bundesliga or Ajax or even one of your national sports, Grid Iron, I am convinced you would enjoy it more :-D

      • Fred 7 November, 2010 at 15:19 Log in to Reply

        Oh I do watch Bundesliga, Ajax, NBA and NFL. None of them is at 7.30 am though.

        I am at the Bills game right now … mind you, Gridiron makes more in revenue than your tinpot country’s GDP, so go ahead if you want to continue making your snarky remarks.

        Nothing personal ;-)

        • arthur3sheds 8 November, 2010 at 16:58

          LOL! snarky remarks, the irony of it. Snarky is the trademark of a Monger I just like to give you a taste of your own medicine Monger.

          What tin pan country are you referring to, anyway GDP has nothinhg nothing to do with the question I asked you, why have you not answered it?

          No matter how much your beloved Grid Iron grosses it is still shit and poor excuse for Rugby “football”.

          You are watching the BILLS live? are you kidding me? There is a p&ssy team if I ever saw one.

          So I reapeat why do you get up at 7.30 to watch an allegedly “p&ssy” team when you can give us a break from your mongering and be thoroughly satisfied watching the effing Bills at a decent time of day.

          It is just a suggestion Fred :-) How about it?

        • Fred 8 November, 2010 at 22:58

          Your tin-pot country inferiority complex is cute ;-)

        • arthur3sheds 9 November, 2010 at 04:24

          LOL :-)

    • Mazza 7 November, 2010 at 13:46 Log in to Reply

      “Someone said (cant remember who) that we are a team of ticking time bombs waiting to blow up randomly and frequently.”

      That would be me :-D

  31. OziKenyan 7 November, 2010 at 13:00 Log in to Reply

    Right so much for my earlier post. We got OUTPLAYED!!! They completely dominated us in every single regard. By the end of it (read: when Wilshere, our best man was taken off), we could not play the ball on the ground and were left lumping it up-field. And unlike the Bolton’s and the Stoke’s, we’re not any good at that. Pathetic.

    I raged for a bit during and after the game. Then I thought, f*ck it, not like it matters, Chelsea’s got this in the bag anyway.

    Stag:
    “but again, in the grand scheme, its fairly meaningless.
    We are in a top 4 spot, which is our goal, in good position in the CL, and we have a shot in the Carling Cup.”

    Oh my God I agree with every word! And I was so full of hope when I saw the lineup: Other than Vermy, that was practically our first team… And Barton didn’t even have to swipe at anyone to influence the game.

    Ah well, looking at Chelsea’s lineup, without Drogba, Essien, Lampard and you still see quality players throughout.

    Whatever, my thoughts are all over the place right now.

    • arthur3sheds 7 November, 2010 at 13:26 Log in to Reply

      Ozi we were not OUTPLAYED!!!. Once they went up they just locked it all down. Thye shut up shop and as we often do, we struggled to find a way through especially with Fabregas playing so badly. Song lost the creative impact that he had in the first half (still our MOTM IMO), Wilshere was taken off for Bendtner, so it became evermore difficult for us.

      We wer beaten but not outplayed. Newcastle played as good as they could against us, we were not at our best.

      Don’t pull your hair out, if we had the luck of ManU we could have won this one 1-0.

      • OziKenyan 7 November, 2010 at 20:53 Log in to Reply

        I thought Wilshere was our MOTM. He was the only one physically up to the challenge. And as for my immediate reaction, okay we did okayish until they scored. But the last 30 minutes we could not string more than 3 passes together and were hoofing it up the pitch at every opportunity.

        Generally when we find ourselves a goal down, we still play it around and probe and create chances. Today we got completely stifled by Newcastle. We were hoofing it at every opportunity! There was no point in the game where you thought, “hey we might equalize here”. Thinking back to as recently as last week against W.Ham who were trying to smother us the same way, we were passing, probing, moving the ball around and looking to make chances. Once we went to 4-4-2 yesterday we started bypassing our midfield entirely. Ugh…

        Credit to Newcastle though, they deserved it. Our only consolation is that miraculously we are only 5 points of the top after the Torres show.

        • arthur3sheds 8 November, 2010 at 15:11

          Motm is always a matter of opinion but Song was outstanding as was Wilshere in the first half in a creative sense primarily but they were both effective defensively too. I felt Song provided the more i cisive and penetrative passes of the two. Song is not afraid to try to play the killer balls although fans will readily criticise when he gets it wrong. Nevertheless i was paying particular interest to his distribution.

          I have been saying Chelsea under Ancelloti is not as good as some believe and they would drop points i was hoping we would continue to take advantage of this. Nevertheless we have still recovered two of he seven points we were behind after the game at the Bridge.

          We have abetter shot at the title than last year not sure we will have what it take to do it though.

  32. Fred 7 November, 2010 at 12:58 Log in to Reply

    I clearly remember Andez having a moan because the critics wont go into hyperbole after we “scraped” a 4-0 win at St. James Park in the Mickey Mouse cup.

    Andez, I am sure you remember my response. Yeah, THIS performance and result is proof and confirmation of my response.

  33. stag133 7 November, 2010 at 12:32 Log in to Reply

    Well, that didn’t go as planned!

    I have to say it was actually an entertaining game to watch.
    Give Newcastle credit. They are not a bad team. They defended very well.

    They scored, so I know that is somehow Clichy’s fault. :-D

    But we played a decent match. Fabregas was not his usual self, and we didn’t finish the few chances we actually created… hitting the post twice.
    I thought after Nasri came off, we were actually worse.

    Nice to see RVP back in a match, though he did nothing, and neither did Bendtner…

    Not a big deal. We’ve lost to 2 teams at home that were promoted this year… but again, in the grand scheme, its fairly meaningless.
    We are in a top 4 spot, which is our goal, in good position in the CL, and we have a shot in the Carling Cup.

    This is all Arsenal Football Club want.

    Enjoy the day… some good NFL action coming your way!
    :yes:

    • Fred 7 November, 2010 at 12:56 Log in to Reply

      LOL! You are trying to use paragraph 3 to cover your “we are goign to mow the lawn” with them nonsensical statement.

      Nice try ;-)

      • stag133 7 November, 2010 at 18:29 Log in to Reply

        only non-sensical to YOU, NOBODY on here predicted we would draw, let alone lose to Newcastle.

        But apparently YOU KNEW?!
        because you are a know it all.

        If there is a goal against Arsenal, YOU will blame Clichy, along with a few others.
        Even if he is on the bench, its his fault.

        • Fred 7 November, 2010 at 19:57

          LMAO! YOU are the only clown on here who predicted a certain victory. Nobody else.

          You were so certain you said “we are going to mow the lawn” with them.

          To cover your embarrassment you are now talking about other random stuff.

          Wipe the egg off your face son …

    • arthur3sheds 7 November, 2010 at 13:16 Log in to Reply

      Oh what a shame!

      Not the best performance from the Arse, not outperformed but nevertheless beatedn at home by another of the new promoted teams.

      Song and Wilshere were outstanding in the first half but ould not make up for Cesc bad day at the office although to be fair to him he did improve his passing in the 2nd half.

      I cannot understand why Wilshere was taken off for Bendtner apart from the idea of introducing greater physical presence. I think Bendtner has proven time and time again that physical presencecan be of little significance if the oomph is missing.

      Fantastic leap and header by Carroll, I only really pity Fabianskion this occasion.

      I felt a little sorry for Kosch too, his lack of power let him down a little at the end. He had to go though, a deserved red card.

      Anyway I for one am looking forward to the next match :-D

    • arthur3sheds 7 November, 2010 at 13:32 Log in to Reply

      Funnily enough someone did try to blame Clichy in game day chat :shock:

      • stag133 7 November, 2010 at 18:30 Log in to Reply

        of course.
        he was on the pitch, and we let a goal in…
        he is ALWAYS responsible in that scenario… for some folks!

  34. ChicagoGooner 7 November, 2010 at 12:28 Log in to Reply

    How many shots on goal did we have in the 2nd half? We were down a goal, at home, to a newly-promoted team. And how many shots on goal did we have?

  35. ChicagoGooner 7 November, 2010 at 12:22 Log in to Reply

    We stink.

  36. DaAdminGooner 7 November, 2010 at 09:47 Log in to Reply

    Starting XI: Fabianksi, Squill, Koosh, CLichy, Sagna, Song Fabregas, Wilshere, Nasri, Walcott, Chamakh

    and yes, RvP is on the bench.

    • DaAdminGooner 7 November, 2010 at 09:52 Log in to Reply

      Our bench is a first team line-up of sorts –

      RvP, Bendy, Rosicky and Arshavin

    • DaAdminGooner 7 November, 2010 at 09:56 Log in to Reply

      Full list of subs:

      Subs: Szczesny, Djourou, Eboue, Rosicky, Arshavin, Van Persie, and Bendtner

  37. OziKenyan 7 November, 2010 at 03:11 Log in to Reply

    Oh, and to those that haven’t watched it, watch the replay of the stoke sunderland highlights plus post-game interviews, good for lots of laughs against Pulis and Shawcross. Heh

  38. DaAdminGooner 7 November, 2010 at 00:03 Log in to Reply

    According to the Mirror – Robin Van Persie will be part of the squad facing Newcastle

    • OziKenyan 7 November, 2010 at 03:09 Log in to Reply

      The mirror is generally way off on these things! But good for us if he is… Let’s hope he doesn’t feel the need to outshine Owen Hargreaves if he does play, though it’s not something I’d put money on

  39. ChicagoGooner 6 November, 2010 at 23:12 Log in to Reply

    Everyone remember the time change when setting your alarms for tomorrow morning!

  40. OziKenyan 6 November, 2010 at 21:38 Log in to Reply

    Agree with ArseSess’s take on the lineup. Think that Arsh will start over Theo. But I won’t be disappointed either way. Newcastle have a bunch of really big guys, and they are going to be well up for the physical game (yes ht, it was me regarding the barton comments). I hope Barton does get sent of early, not only does it give us the numerical advantage, reduces the chances of Cesc et al getting a broken leg, it also would take out their most effective set piece taker. They’re good in the air, and while our keeping and CB situation has improved over the tail-end of last year, we’re still not convincing enough as a team at defending those balls in the air.

    But I do feel, like Stag, that this is going to go well. I think our playing style matches well against theirs and if we can finish off an early chance, it could get ugly for them (unless of course, we decide to learn another lesson on not getting complacent).

    @ ht – Fantasy team having a bit of an injury crisis. Nani, VdV out. Malouda doubtful. A bunch of players with bad fixtures. Ended up having Fabianski and Carrol cuz I think we’re more likely to keep a cleanie than city, but still think Carroll could get some points. I will be hoping very much that he gets sent off in the first minute though don’t you worry. Keeping Carib at arms length is proving to be a tough task.

  41. stag133 6 November, 2010 at 20:54 Log in to Reply

    Arsenal should mow the lawn with these guys.
    I think we will have a very good day.
    Just a feeling.

    4-1.

  42. News Arsenal Soccer - EPL Match Day 11: Arsenal v Newcastle United; Match Preview 6 November, 2010 at 19:52 Log in to Reply

    […] Visit Youaremyarsenal.com for more informations and other articles Share this article with your friends: […]

  43. macmac123 6 November, 2010 at 18:12 Log in to Reply

    Midweek was a classic case of under-estimating the opposition by Wenger while trying to keep players fresh for the weekend. Sp*ds had a classic case of midweek European high, Saturday premiership crash. Hopefully, we will do the reverse.

    We should bang three goals past this bunch once we’ve absorbed the usual physical bullshit.

    Fave statistic for those nerve-shredding Gooners late show victories: Arsenal have scored in the last 10 minutes in nine of their last 11 home league games.

    3-0.

    • Mazza 7 November, 2010 at 12:37 Log in to Reply

      MacMac, stop please ;)

      • arthur3sheds 7 November, 2010 at 13:34 Log in to Reply

        LOL!

  44. arsesession 6 November, 2010 at 17:18 Log in to Reply

    Mike Ashley, whatever you want to say about his ownership style with Newcastle, they are back in the Premier league, and making a statement. I’ve watched a couple of their matches and their best IX will be a handful for any club.

    Tiote is the surprise player for me……a quicker and more aggressive Song; and with Barton they are an extremely physical pair to negotiate in the center. Gutierrez is deceptively technical and effective on the left side.

    Andy Carroll is a handful and a great prospect. Seems to be similar in size and bulk as Bendtner, but quicker……excellent in the air. The match will hinge on how well Fabianski and our CB’s handle the free kicks and route 1 balls.

    All this said, their defensive back four are vulnerable.

    For me, I will be watching if we play with the same intensity as we did against West Ham – and obviously, we need to put away our chances EARLY.

    Arsenal will have a very deep roster available for this match…..but our manager will be predictable in starting the line up DAG has listed, except I see Arshavin starting over Theo; Nasri on the right wing.

    3 points
    no injuries
    solid performance

  45. Mazza 6 November, 2010 at 16:20 Log in to Reply

    At least Wenger will be relieved he’s not playing away from home this week…….

    • DaAdminGooner 6 November, 2010 at 16:30 Log in to Reply

      CUE: Rimshot

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