Home Sweet Home. Arsenal v Manchester City; Match Preview
This looked much more fun before we lost to Wigan.
I wish I could write an easy article on this match. But YAMA and Gunner faithful, I don’t have a clue. The loss to Spurs aside there should’ve been no reason why this Arsenal squad – even with the missing starters let a 2-0 lead go away to Wigan. With that still very freshly in my mind I just don’t have a solid read on this match. And to be honest it has as much to do with City as it does with Arsenal.
City by all means should likely be comfortably in the 4th spot. What with Liverpool’s implosion and the quality of the players they have, they really should be more consistent. But the fact of the matter is this with the exception of shredding Chelsea and every bottom feeding club in the league against mid-table and stronger opposition they have been very feeble. They may have won some of those matches but the look more disinterested during those matches. Seriously they may have signed ex-Arsenal players but they are also playing like Arsenal of the last few years.
Take a look at the two matches against Liverpool. A top side on the way down. I am going to be honest those were two matches that were the most boring, uninspiring and absolutely energy saping events I have ever seen. Really! They built the team with money and I guess everyone just naturally thought they didn’t have to play the matches because seriously in many of the matches I have seen of City (and in true schadenfreude fashion I have seen a lot) they take the field and don’t put forward an effort – unless they are playing someone of stature – eg Arsenal, Chelsea, United.
From match to match you never know which side is going to show up. Additionally, some of the stars they have signed have been collossal duds. Tevez has been the single best signing and so has Andrew Johnson. Everyone else like the make up of this squad have been hit and miss. Adebayor still is a lazy player and takes more time off on the pitch then he does off. Bellamy is okay but not anything to write home about. King Kolo is a shell of his former self and younger faster players are having his scalp often. And I am not even going to go on about how I think Paddy Viera should’ve just either stayed at Inter or retired. He is no where near the legend or the half-legend he used to be.
But hey this is Arsenal and has been evidenced the last two weeks – something is woefully wrong with this squad. Like City there is talent – even amidst all the injuries. But whether its woeful performances by the goal keepers or just plain out shutting down for periods of time, Arsenal, who were in good form for most of the season have laid a big fat goose egg in the last few weeks.
Whether the gas has run out on a team that is beset with injuries, or maybe they just were overachieving all season and it caught up and bit them in the ass. Either way the team that was in the title hunt, isn’t and doesn’t look like it did only a few weeks ago.
There are lots of reasons we could aruge why but to me its simple, Cesc Fabregas is out and this team doesn’t believe in itself when he is gone. No matter how much Sol Campbell tries he can’t give the kids the heart the need to get through this. Robin Van Persie’s return is a few weeks too late to maybe have been a stop gap. Whatever, it is, this team is a shell of the good squad we saw through most of the season.
Another reason for my generally uncertainty (or is it apathy) is that it looks like Flapianksi (part of the dynaic GK tandem we have) will likely start in goal again. So if Almunia is really hurt and Flapianski is doing his best wounded duck imitation why wouldn’t give Vito Mannone a run out? Even with his mistakes he’s better than both of these guys combined. Vito in my opinion should be given the chance go.
Overall, if the lads want us to give them more credit (as Samir Nasri asked us to do) than they need to come out today and play like they care. The need to seize on whatever Sol Campbell is taking. Unfortuntately I am not sure there is a pill for heart. Even when winning 2-0 against Wigan, thee was a general laxidasical effort on the pitch. In order for them to win this today they need to find a “pair”, strap them on and play with the verve they’ve displayed throughout this season and was last seen in the draw against Barca in the first leg of the Champion’s League. They need to muster themselves and give the fans a reason to believe.
It is very easy for us say this squad is merely exhausted from trying to sustain themselves through the injuries. And it is quite possible that it has finally all caught up to them. And frankly, not because I am trying to make excuses I do think there is some validity to that. However, it does not excuse the players who remain from shrivelling up like a set of raisins.
While slagging Arsene is also easy, I am not sure what he could’ve done this season. I do think there is some blame to be had. I think the fact that he didn’t go out and get a new GK is a problem. I don’t think he could’ve managed the squad any better then he has this year. If anything he has to get some kudos as well for directing the team through the worst injury patch I’ve seen on the team. But he also has to bear the criticism for reliance on some classic non-performers like our GK tandem, a certain Brazillian and an ex Manc defender.
What it all means? Well I don’t know. Just like I don’t really know how this match should play out. City are certainly a good team. They are a Tottenham good in my oponion – perenially in the mix but always likely to be in the 5,6 or 7 position. They too have been benefactors of this wacky season. Had the title chasers and Liverpool actually been as good as they were billed, I don’t think Man City would’ve been as close to where they are today. But again Arsenal itself is a huge question mark and I don’t know if we’ve overachieved or if we have moved on this season. It’s likely more of the latter with some of the former sprinkled in. But that’s a story for the end of the season.
How the Match Should Play Out:
Like I’ve been saying I don’t know. The Arsenal that gave Barca a right scare can show its head and if it does Man City does not stand a chance. If the team that let Wigan back into the match shows up, I am not sure we stand the chance. As it stands like everything I have tried to convey in this preview, it is going to wind up a classic draw.
Players to Watch:
Arsenal: Robin Van Persie. Oh what a season we could’ve had had he been healthy. He will likely start today and it will place him back on the pitch for a full 90 minutes against a team whom there was so much controversy last time they met. Robin definitely has a score to settle and it could propel him and some of the team. He has shown how he changes the team in both of his brief visits to the squad since he returned.
Man City: Patrick Viera. Sure Emmanuel Adebayor and Kolo Toure are also returning to the Emirates but Paddy is a legend. And while his time back in the EPL is not anything to write home about or more importantly likely to get him added to the French National Squad, this is his first time back since he departed Arsenal. Let the love an adulation begin until the match begins
Probable Starting XI:
Arsenal: Fabianski, Campbell, Song, Clichy, Sagna, Eboue, Diaby, Nasri, Rosicky, Van Persie, Bendtner
Man City: Given, Toure, Kompany, Onuhoa, Bridge, Barry, Vierra, DeJong, Johnson, Adebayor, Tevez
Injuries/Suspensions:
Arsenal: Gallas (calf), Djourou (knee), Fabregas (leg), Ramsey (leg), Gibbs (foot), Almunia (wrist)
City: Sylvinho (calf) M Johnson (knee), Petrov (knee), Lescott (hamstring)
Last Meeting (EPL)
Arsenal: 2
City: 4
Leading Scorers:
Arsenal: Fabregas: 19 (15 league) Bendtner: 12 (6 league) Arshavin: 11 (9 league)
City: Tevez: 28 goals (22 league) Adebayor: 13 goals (13 league)
League Form:
Arsenal: LLWDW
City: LWWWL
Match Officials:
Referee: Mike Dean
Assistant Referees: Peter Kirkup & Rob Lewis
Fourth Official: Mike Jones
TV Broadcast:
US: Fox Soccer Channel 1230 PM EST
UK: ESPN UK 1730 BST
Online Feeds:
www.atdhe.net
GAMEDAY CHAT will be open: www.youaremyarsenal.com/gamedaychat
YAMA Prediction:
Arsenal: 2
City: 2
187 comments
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Why are you guys still talking about 2 or 3 signings??
Dont you guys realize how much of a f&cking tease Wenger is??
1) He will NOT buy a new DM … because he would never “kill” Denilson.
2) He will NOT buy a new CB … because he will convince Gallas to stay and even if he does not he will say he has Campbell and Djorou (who he does not want to kill).
3) He will NOT buy a new keeper … because Wenger’s MO is to double down on any player who receives lots of stick. If he does ditch Almunia, it would be for Fabianski with the Spanish Disaster backing up the Polish Disaster.
The ONLY signings Wenger will make are Chamakh for free. Then he will probably look for someone like Joe Cole who is on a free as well. He will then buy 2 or 3 kids for 5 million each and then loan them out.
Villa lead City thanks to some below par defending from Toure.
What a swap Verma for Toure was !!!
Now, if only Arsene would sign 3 players like that this summer.
yeah, and then Adebayor and Tevez score for City as they bury Villa… so good signings AND mediocre ones.
I wouldn’t mind having Toure still at Arsenal. He’d be a good defender to have in a group of 4… Vermaelen Toure Sol and “fill-in” our new young starting CB that Wenger will sign this Summer!
;)
We all get it Stag, we just don’t care.
As commendable as fiscal prudence is, we don’t follow sport to observe and celebrate a club generating a profit from transfers or whatever fiscal measure you want to select.
Of course you know we know, you’re just testing how long you can keep it up.
As for the style of play, how many on this site actually like what they’ve seen this season? How many on-field performances exhibited a compelling style? Let it go, move on, it wasn’t there, the praise we receive is delayed and owing to a reputation acquired from seasons past. This team ain’t flash. One irony, of many, is that the only world class attacking talent on show for us this season is bagged by many supporters. LOL Whilst of course Mr RvP Brittle Bones spent most of the season in Holland playing with his children for the 6th year in a row. Let it go.
first of all, we scored a LOT of goals this season.
second, a LOT of supporters are fans of our STYLE of play, not because they like our kits, so style is a big factor in our backing…
lastly, its not a matter of “keeping it up”…
You don’t support the Arsenal Football “Club”, just the results on the pitch, so some people might say you are not a real fan, or too short sighted… not me, but that’s what I’ve heard previously.
Me, I like us to be winners, so if we win the profit league, I will embrace it.
Its smart business, and to be applauded.
I am sorry you don’t enjoy us being financially responsible AND still maintaining a high level of performance on the pitch. But don’t belittle that for those of us who do.
No cracking you, eh? You’re reaching Andy Kaufman levels now. ;-)
you mean like when he was a wrestler or something?
no, I’m just trying to find a way to be happy about our team, and embracing their methodology. It is not going to change soon, it is a success on the board’s terms… so, I support the club’s endeavors.
Who knows, (i know Arsene knows!) we might even bring in a few players this Summer.
Stay Positive.
Besides that, its a WC year. Good football abounds!
Andy was sort of a performance artist. Once he committed to a character, he refused to break.
I’m not trying to talk you out of this. We’ll probably need it for awhile since most of the actual Kool-aiders are taking some time off now. ;-)
Oh, well… then they aren’t REAL Kool-Aiders!
They are PLASTIC Kool-Aiders if they run from adversity when the team doesn’t do well.
stag is right. Everything would be easier if fans adopted the 4th place glory mantra. Just ignore the top 2 or 3 teams that will be above Arsenal and everything will be great. Having a huge profit every year is better than winning a trophy. It is the league’s fault that they do not award trophies to clubs with the highest moral values or to clubs who demonstrate smart financial sense.
Also, next season the club will be deciding how they want the fans to behave. Part of the rules for fans would be to stay completely quiet during the game. Why? Because last year some fans were rude towards the players. The young players clearly need encouragement from the fans so that the young players can improve their technical skills. But the fans should also not put too much pressure on the young players as well. So if any fan shouts something about “winning” or “trophies”, they will be banned from the stadium. Because the word “winning” will put pressure on the young players and cause them to make a mistake. In fact, shouting the word “winning” towards any of the Arsenal player’s might “kill” their development. Video evidence uncovered by Arsene and Ivan has confirmed that it was a fan shouting “clear it” that caused Fabianski to drop the ball. Arsene has likened this to the butterfly effect. The Arsenal manager has also indicated that any fan typing something too positive or too negative about the team anywhere on the internet could directly impact Arsenal’s on field results.
The library will be in session next season at the Emirates.
Sachin, no chance of this getting lost in translation. ;)
I wonder if it was no coincidence that we were all kicked out of AA, because we didn’t toe the party line?
I have no doubt that’s precisely why AA was shut down.
Sach / Nip…
I really believe that AA was “changed”… by a handful of people who were on “Big Soccer”… and came up with the idea of getting one of their people as PRESIDENT of Arsenal America, and thus controlling the allotment of tickets that Arsenal FC provides to the “Official US Supporters Group”.
The way to get rid of us, was to change the format of the site, not allow us to have dicussions, and tell us to go away nicely. They did it, we all left, and they have all the tickets to themselves.
Sachin.
Ummm, it is already in effect to some degree.
Supporters at the Emirates can NOT STAND during the match. It is NOT ALLOWED. Not in ANY SECTION. This used to be part of the “football” experience for supporters… as in the days of terraces, there were no seats.
Even more recently, at Highbury, many fans/sections stood for the match…(and sang and shouted and other stuff)
If you sing and shout at the Emirates, most people look at you like you are CRAZY.
If you STAND… the security comes over and tells you to SIT.
So, not that far-fetched that you won’t be able to yell bad things at the players, only encouragement…!
Arshavin “Lost in Translation”?
Lost in translation my arsh.
That’s bit arsh innit? Maybe it was lost in translation?
;)
Great job by Fulham, that is an amazing run…
and I think they played 15 games in Europe!
What a great experience for the club fans and players.
so Mancini told TEVEZ that if he wasn’t sure he wanted to
be at City, to leave!
OK… I think MANCINI is gonna be leaving… getting sacked.
and… if they want to off-load Tevez, there will be many many
suitors for his massive talents. Arsenal would be a FANTASTIC place
for him, and he’d be worth the 25 Million or so he might cost…
If we allegedly have 30 to 40 million to spend, I’d start there.
Chamakh is free… just need a keeper for free or some no-name for 2mill, and maybe a defender if Gallas leaves…
I’m not expecting too many coming in… but I can dream.
If you are going to dream, dream big… Tevez at Arsenal is a big dream!
oh well, silly season is ON.
Chelsea supposedly sign Aguero, and D.Villa to Barcelona?
Sounds about right.
I’ve lost confidence in Wenger and the Arsenal medical team. Between them they can’t accurately assess what we need squad-wise depth-wise to sustain a challenge.
So…. his latest online utterances re signing a replacement being contingent on Gallas leaving is just another example of this recurring problem.
Forget it, let it go, he has lost it.
The usual “if we can find one or two we will do it”….Zzzzzzzzzzzzz
Well, a healthy (name here), (name here) and (name here) will be like new signi…zzzzzzzzzz.
It is good to see Fulham take the Europa League seriously and reach the final. Too many of the so called big teams neglect smaller cup competitions in search of CL glory. They neither make it in the CL nor in the cup.
It puts our ‘strategy’ in perspective. We have loftier objectives like 3rd or 4th. Funny no-ones celebrating….
Well, not no one. stagg’s having a blast. ;-)
There’s only so long he can keep it up ;)
Judging by the post below, he’s on the Kool-Aid Viagra, and may keep it up all Summer. ;-)
Anyway, it’s about as authentic and convincing as Joaquin Pheonix and his jaded rock star routine ;)
Just because you don’t support ALL aspects of the Arsenal Football Club, PLC, Limited…
don’t hate on me!
I just like us to be winners and successful in some endeavor, and what we do BEST, is make profit, lower debt, AND… all the while, maintaining our Top 4 status in the league on peanuts, AND… playing nice football.
You have to be patient. Let’s see how the Summer plays out… Wenger said he is hoping to sign 2 or 3 players, if they are special.
AND… who knows, we might not even sell anyone… or we could sell Cesc… and make a MASSIVE profit, and use that to bolster our activity in the transfer market.
Either way, we’re making major progress, and making major bank.
Buy a shirt… go to a match… support the club.
You have to admit, Wenger has done a remarkable job with this team. Nobody expected us to be so close this year after selling off Ade & Toure.
Amazing.
I think the majority of you just don’t get “it”.
Arsenal have a PLAN, and Arsene is leading it, and the Arsenal Football Club are executing the plan to near perfection.
We are KILLING it in the Profit League. Did you not see my link above?
“If you look at just the past 5 seasons, since Arsenal had to start financing Emirates Stadium, the results are even more striking. Arsenal have spent £112,050,000, but raised £138,320,000, for a net GAIN of £26,270,000, or £4,378,333 per season. That’s more profit on transfers than any other team in the Premiership over that time span.”
Seems it is pretty obvious we are winning the financial battle, and that is as important to the Arsenal FC, as any trophy you can put in case to display.
Wenger is leading this cause, and he is absolutely ADORED by the board. The results ar amazing… to be in the top 4 every season AND acheive the goals financially that we have, is HIGHLY successful.
So, get behind the club… the players, the manager, AND the board… and support all the objectives of Arsenal Football Club, not just trophies.
That is so very short-sighted.
To only care about our Wins and Trophies, is a very myopic view, and not what AFC is really about.
its about a style of play, a style of acheiving success, and doing things the right fiscal way.
What’s even funnier is how Benitez is already talking about how many more millions he needs to spend this summer in order to take the club forward. What an assclown.
well, Liverpool do need to spend money on improving their team… that is FACTUAL.
unfortunately, I certainly wouldn’t want Benitez being responsible for spending MORE money if I were Liverpool!
I’d let him feck off to Juventus in minute.
How great must it be to be a Fulham fan. How bad must it suck to be a Liverpool fan. I’m happy for Fulham. I thought they were foolish when they sacked that guy from N. Ireland and brought in Hodgson but it’s proved to be the right choice.
I’ve been talking about Quique Sanchez-Flores for months now. Atletico play good football. Merida will fit right in at a very good team. The Valencia board must hate themselves for sacking Quique. BTW, lovely assist from JAR on Forlan’s goal. He left Glen Johnson with egg on his face, again.
Fulham into the Europa final after a come-from-behind victory!! Wow! The football gods are certainly smiling on West London this year. And Liverpool were dumped out AET, to make things even better.
Twitter has a VoteEboue campaign going for PM. It is the funniest thing to see.
I wouldn’t even joke vote Eboue for anything, other than Diver of the Year, and first one off the island!
;)
Don’t know if you boys like rap music but I’m a big Jay-Z fan. I’ve always heard rumors that he’s a big Arsenal fan. I don’t know how long it’s been up but I just saw this interview on the Arsenal site.
http://www.arsenal.com/usa/news/features/grammy-gunner
From today’s press conference –
Some Good News – Denilson is out for the rest of the season
and this:
“We have a basic squad and I believe in the squad I have,” he said. “But if I can make an addition – two or three maximum – then we will do it.
“I will try to do what I want to do as quickly as possible but I am not the only decider. It doesn’t only depend on me.
“Ideally, you would want to do the job before the World Cup. It is difficult to give yourself the right timing.
“Certainly, we will announce one player before the World Cup. After that we will see.”
Also –
on Eduardo –
“He is very important but I will assess that situation before the end of the season to see how he feels.:
If you go back one season, you are pretty much sure to find the same sound bites from Arsene.
The one player before the WC must be Chamakh. We surely need more and in other positions.
Perhaps I got it wrong when I said young players. Inexperienced players was the proper term I was looking for. With Pep coming up from the youth setup, he showed loyalty to many of his former youth players. To have Henry available but opt for a front line consisting of Jeffren, Bojan, and Pedro against Inter is absurd. In fairness, Arsenal beat both Chelsea and Man Utd last year but those kids were never going to score against a ten man Inter, let alone a full strength Inter.
Nip, Gilberto hardly won over the masses based on the strength of his World Cup performance. I think that was the point Wenger was alluding to. While Gil certainly had a successful World Cup, he was the least recognized player in that team. Wenger did well to bring him in under the radar instead of getting into a bidding war with Inter for the likes of Fahdiga. I’m sure Wenger’s remembering the likes of Suker and implying that he wasn’t going to sign players based exclusively on the strength of their world cup performances but to recruit as if there was no world cup. I’m sure wenger will be on the lookout for potential signings in South Africa.
I love the Arseblogger –
“I have definite transfer targets and I have been talking to people but I will not tell you who. I believe the earlier you settle your team the better it is and the less anxiety you have.”
Seems very sensible and he also said he wouldn’t be buying anyone from the tournament itself because any old cunt can have a few good games. Like that Gilberto fella.
Bizarrely, Mourinho claimed the key to beating Barcelona was relinquishing possession at the Nou Camp.
“We didn’t want the ball because when Barcelona press and win the ball back, we lose our position – I never want to lose position on the pitch so I didn’t want us to have the ball, we gave it away,” he said.
“I told my players that we could let the ball help us win and that we had to be compact, closing spaces,” he added.
The key moment of the game was Cesar’s fingertips save of Messi in the first half. Reminded me of Lehmann’s save of Solskjaer in the 1-0 win at OT.
Last night’s result shows how uphill a task it is for a team like Arsenel that wants to win everything playing the beautiful way and beautiful way only. When a team like Barca finds it tough, what chance does Arsenel (a poor imitation of Barca) have?
That is why a generous dose of reality/pragmatism is needed in this team. If Arsene can do that, this team could be one of the best. The summer will tell us if anything will change.
Guardiola showed his lack of coaching experience last night. In a CL game that you need two goals, you don’t play with three young guys up top; not against a team like Inter Milan. I don’t care how good the yongsters are, you’ve got to have some guile and experience up top to break down that team full of seasoned campaigners who’ve been there and were winning trophies when Barca’s youngsters were still in primary school. It’s especially true when that team doesn’t need to score and is coached by Jose Mourinho. Guardiola used to play for Mourinho so he should have known better.
Barcelona didn’t get outplayed tonight but Pep got outcoached.
What players did Pep have except for Henry (who he clearly does not trust)?
PS: Doesn’t the same thing apply to Arsenel as well? Who are trying to beat the seasoned campaigners of ManU and Chelsea with a bunch of youngsters.
Pep is at least young and learning, but Arsene has been around for such a long time.
Josh, I believe it was just one of those games where the outcome was destined.
Barca missed Iniesta and as some have stated above, Ibrahimovic sometimes forgets to show up.
The transfer policies of Madrid and Barca are at the opposite end of the spectrum compared to Arsenal’s. Madrid and Barca will splash tons of money to get a big name player, regardless of if the player is needed or not. Then Madrid do not think twice before getting rid of players, such as Makelele. On the other hand, Arsenal will not go after a player even if he is required because they do not want spend money beyond a predetermined quota. Arsenal will also hold onto unneeded players for longer than they should. Arsenal do sell players frequently but that is usually thought out and has to do more with a player’s age. Neither end of the spectrum makes sense for on-field activities but the opposing models makes a big difference on the financial books — Madrid’s model leads to debt while Arsenal’s methods lead to profit.
Madrid and Arsenal also differ substantially in terms of coaching stability. Madrid can easily go through multiple coaches in one season, leading to confusion among players. Arsenal on the other hand are so comfortable in one established coaching scheme that every team in England and Europe knows Arsenal’s weakness. There is simply no variance in what Arsenal do. Arsenal could use with some changes such as improving their defensive training like what Dixon mentioned recently and something echoed by plenty of fans.
I always found it amusing to read those rumours of Wenger to Madrid. That would just not have worked. Now Madrid might have let Wenger buy as many attack minded players as he wanted and ignore any defensive signings but that team would have imbalanced to win the CL. It is quite clear that a team cannot win the CL just by putting together 24 passes in a row (not that anyone has done that in the CL, although Argentina had that number in the WC). At Madrid, trophies, especially the CL, are a must and winning is #1 priority, or is it winning with beautiful football? I can’t see Madrid settling down for say a 4th place finish every season.
I really would have liked Wenger to have won the CL with Arsenal but I don’t see it happening unless something changes in the summer. And that something means more than just getting competent players. Arsenal have to finally learn how to defend, starting with basics such as set-pieces. Oops. I fell into the trap again. Arsenal don’t need to change a thing because whatever Arsenal are doing is great to get atleast 4th place. That is all that matters. And I apologize for using the word winning. Now, I have to go hide before Arsenal’s Ministry of Truth personnel come looking for me :)
As Josh mentioned, with Barca needing goals their super expensive buy is replaced by a young kid. That says plenty. Also Henry was left on the bench. I guess that gives a clue as to where these two are in Guardiola’s books. So that means that Man City might be bidding for Zlatan & Henry then :) Man City can continue their side project of importing former Arsenal players. And if Sol is not offered a new contract, he will probably end up at Man City as well.
Man City is to Arsenal as Sunderland is to Tottenham.
Hmm. I believe there are atleast 4 former Spurs players at Sunderland. Didn’t think of it that way.
No kidding about Ibrahimovich. I like to call him Christian Vieiri. All of that money and with the team needing goals and a half-hour to play, he was first to get subbed out; and for Bojan! What a loser.
How sweet must this victory be for Samuel Eto’o.
Did you guys see Mourinho celebrate? Awesome. If he wins the double, he should leave Inter proclaiming love for his players and hate for the Italian people.
How must Real Madrid feel now that the two guys that they sold this summer are both, truly, leading their teams in the Champions League final while they went out at the knock-out stage. You can’t make this stuff up. I really wish Wenger would have bid for one of those guys. Sneijder was begging to stay at Real Madrid but they treated him like crap. Good for him.
Jose could still win the treble. In his own words, if his ego was up there before, then where will it end up if he does that? :)
At Nipuna: True, I think we were the only two ppl to predict Inter going thru.
Every tom, dick and harry kept on saying that they would smash Inter, when any sober reflection on both their styles would show Inter are a more disciplined and CYNICAL defensive unit with relatively solid set of skilled players too.
—————————————–
Ibrahimovic is the very definition of the word BIG-GAME-CHOKER !!!
The most OVER-RATED striker I have ever witnessed.
He is so useless, Pique is a more usefull striker than that show pony.
And Barca paid 45 million pounds PLUS Eto’o for him. LOOL!
PS: Thinking of it, Ibra would be right at home with our bunch of players at Arsenal!
Yeah the money that Barca paid for him was always baffling. I guess Barca just hold juggling chewing gum as a very valuable asset :) Wonder who will take him off Barca’s hands.
I don’t remember even making a prediction on the match. I don’t think anyone else did either.
Anyway, most of us, well me anyway, talked more about how shit we were before our games with them than how great Barca are(It’s clear without Iniesta they’re not the side they were last year). That’s the major thing you were missing in your analysis – you seemed to think we were alot better than we really are before those games. Hence why you were saying we had nothing to worry about when we rolled up to the Nou Camp. That looks a bit stupid now eh? ;)
match predictions, I don’t remember making one either, but hoped for an interesting match-up.
I certainly didn’t expect Inter to WIN over 2 legs, but if Barcelona aren’t as good as we thought, and they completely dominated us over 2 legs, what exactly does that say about WHERE WE ARE as a team on the pitch?
While we are in a great position OFF the pitch, finance-wise, where are we ON the pitch?
and… Barcelona dominated Inter in the 2nd leg, just didn’t get the final goal, much like we have done over recent times.
Inter make it. Someone laughed at me when I said that Inter will go all the way this year. Hmm…
Certainly deserved to win today after that ridiculous red card. The final should be fun.
they defended well, and Barcelona had 75% possession, and had 15 shots on net to ONE for Inter.
So, “deserved”?
They were dominated today, and went thru anyway…
that’s football.
It usually happens to Arsenal, dominating possession and shots, and finding a way not to advance!
oh well, Inter v Bayern is a good match up… two big teams… two good teams.
Possession means f-all in football that is why I was amused when you kept on arguing that Arsenal didnt have a chance against Barca because they had 65% possession.
Now you know.
makes no sense.
Barca had possession against us AND beat us down.
Arsenal play a possession game, so we have no chance in a game where we can’t play our style…
we had ZERO chance.
Inter, don’t play that style, and Mourinho plays defense first… we don’t.
didn’t think Inter would win the two ties, but its not shocking, just an upset…
they got dominated today.
En route to the final, Jose has probably gotten immense pleasure to have knocked off both Chelsea and Barca. If he could have beaten Liverpool as well this season, especially in the semi’s, then it would have been his perfect revenge.
Right after Jose won the CL, he came to the EPL. Could he be back to the EPL if he wins again? Possibly.
Could be quite the bidding war between Real Madrid and Man City for the Special 1….especially if City fail to get 4th and Madrid lose out on La Liga….
Well the two might still be bidding even if City get 4th and Madrid win La Liga. Winning titles has not stopped Madrid from getting rid of their managers before ;)
Nip http://www.youaremyarsenal.com/gamedaychat or youaremyarsenal.com/gamedaychat
There has been a problem with the servers the site resides on. We are being migrated to a new one – I just don’t know when.
First link doesn’t work, the second one does !
DAG, GDC is not working?
https://youaremyarsenal.mystagingwebsite.com/gamedaychat is returning – Server not found.
Nip, I was able to get in the GDC but it was working very slowly for me (but I think that might be the fault of my own system, which is also very slow today….) Good luck, hope to see you there, etc…
Just not working for me. Can you send me the “exact” URL you used to access it?
EMIRATES CUP Teams are announced:
Arsenal
AC Milan
Lyon
Celtic
I’ll be up tonight watching Barca play Inter in the clash of the titans. I hope some others will be around in GDC.
Ivica Olic is a beast.
and… to keep you entertained when our football
this season no longer matters!
this from Yahoo Sports … in an MLS game…
could be, in my opinion… as stated…
THE WORST MISS EVER?!
(and we thought Bendtner missed a few sitters!)
http://sports.yahoo.com/soccer/blog/sow_experts/post/The-latest-worst-miss-ever?urn=sow,236778
I saw that too! But there was one by Collins John of the Fire (formerly of Fulham) that I think could compete with it. (Although, the Fire have a nice strike partnership overall w/ John and McBride having already played together at the Cottage.)
This is hilarious!
I forgive Bendtner :) Atleast he gets his foot to the ball.
Malouda over the weekend was quite epic. I’m surprised he hasn’t been mentioned in this. Worst miss of the EPL season I think.
Just read a really interesting article…
I’ll put the link below… but here’s a bit of a paragraph
from the article:
————————
If you look at just the past 5 seasons, since Arsenal had to start financing Emirates Stadium, the results are even more striking. Arsenal have spent £112,050,000, but raised £138,320,000, for a net GAIN of £26,270,000, or £4,378,333 per season. That’s more profit on transfers than any other team in the Premiership over that time span.
————————
This is NOT by accident. This is by plan.
I think this article is RIGHT ON THE MONEY, no pun intended.
It reiterates what I thought (and said)… that Arsenal are making
money like no other teams… and Wenger has done a fantastic job
of keeping us in the mix, while raking in HUGE profits for the club.
ENJOY
http://arsenal.theoffside.com/team-news/arsene-wengers-net-expenditures-199293-present.html#more-2800
It’s good business to buy early; especially before a world cup. Wenger bought Rosicky before the last world cup. He secured Vermaelen, Nasri, Eduardo, and Sagna as early as he could in those offseasons. I even remember shouting with excitement at the announcement that Arsenal had signed Robin van Persie before the season was even over. The advantage of buying early is a player gets a chance to get moved and settled before pre-season begins.
After Wenger’s praise of Fabianski’s recent performance, I’m not sure he’s serious about buying Joe Hart. Perhaps that rumor came out before the weekend.
off-topic. Find it interesting that Boateng points back to that half-time team talk as the start of their problems.
http://soccernet.espn.go.com/news/story?id=777366&sec=england&cc=5901
It was certainly a bizarre incident and I am sure no other manager would dare repeat that. Although even more bizarre is this statement:
“Then after losing at Liverpool, Phil Brown sacked the whole canteen people for a week.
“We were not fed for a week. We had to train there with no food and then after training, drive and go and get food from a petrol station.
“
Did the canteen serve bad lasagna that led to the loss? :) If not, then it seems quite amusing. Although, maybe this is an obvious tactic in Big Sam’s black book of football coaching to toughen up players. If that book does come out, then I will probably skip buying it. Speaking of Big Sam..he is probably waiting for the chance to derail Arsenal’s title challenge..oops, sorry..it’s not 2003..how could I mistake 2003 for 2010? In the 2-2 draw at Bolton in 2003, Arsenal had Seaman, Lauren, van Bronckhorst, Cygan, Keown, Campbell, Cole, Ljungberg, Luzhny, Parlour, Silva, Pires, Henry, Wiltord, Bergkamp, Taylor.
Age does soften one’s views. I used to be worried everytime Cygan came on as a late sub but compared to Silvetre, Cygan was…oh what’s the point..
oops..typo..
Silvestre
Hull’s players weren’t complaining about that “incident” after the goal celebration by Bullard.
It was all funny then, as they were doing OK.
To me, sounds like bullshit, Boateng is looking for a scapegoat for his TEAMS piss poor season.
I always that celebration was therapeutic for the players and they waited a long time for that. I just think Boateng is trying to say when things went wrong with Brown.
I’m quite sure he’s talking about the first incident that sparked the celebration. The season before where Hull had started so well and then went downhill. Boateng thinks that was the point where the seams started falling apart. Weird manager, Phil Brown…
So is there a correlation between the two?
Cesc gets a sweetner and a raise to stay.
Arsene comes out and says we have made a significant dent onour debt and now have money to spend on the players we want.
I hold my breath with cautious optimism. But two money stories – spending stories to be exact – come out on the same day.
I draw your attention to the beginning of the season – Arsene said he was giving the young charges this season to prove themselves. If they didn’t he would make changes. Again, I am cautiously optimistic because this isn’t ENTIRELY new.
Also I’ve been trying to do my best Journo imitation and two people I have talked to, have led me to believe that Arsenal could seriously make two or three signing announcements within the first few weeks of the transfer window. And if the rumours are true – than two of those announcements could be Chamakh and Hart.
Don’t know if any of that is true. Just reporting it.
it would make sense to strike EARLY…
have your team set… because once the WC starts, all bets are off, and by the time it ends, training will begin two weeks later.
It would be refreshing to see us do the business a week or two after this season ends.
I will believe it when I see it…
Would you want to also see how some of your targets fair in the WC or is that an inaccurate measurement? You also run the risk of their price running up if they do perform well.
we aren’t really going to go for a “star player” in the World Cup… its a catch-22.
If you buy pre-WC, they could get injured!
If you buy post-WC, they could increas their stock/ value!
If we like the player, make the move pre-WC, is my opinion.
Good World Cup performances by OUR players, will increase their value!
Then its win win baby.
Thing is, I don’t see how pre-WC prices would be significantly lower unless the player absolutely stars. Clubs selling would not want the deal to go through till after for that very same reason and would hold out or make you pay a king’s ransom for buying the potential.
Meh pre, post whatever. I don’t really care as long as we get a goalie made of steel in mind and body.
so, if we aren’t worried about Cesc leaving THIS SUMMER…
then why would Arsenal… at this point, hand him a 3 Million GBP payment, and double his salary.
PANIC. that’s why.
My same exact thoughts.
Cesc got a new contract?
No he was given a bonus payment of £3 million and given a raise to £110,000 per week to stayat the club.
When was this?
The £3 million sweetner was last year and the wage increase was this season I believe.
And the deal was negotiated by none other than Darren Dein – son of none other than David Dein.
I believe Darren negotiated Henry’s transfer to Barca? So I guess Darren can also negotiate stay orders? ;)
INteresting comments from Le Professur this morning =
Arsenal’s new 60,000 capacity home cost nearly £400million to build, and Wenger claims: ‘The construction of the Emirates Stadium meant that for many years we could not spend a lot of money,’ said Wenger.
‘Our financial situation has greatly improved. We are finally able to buy the players we think we need.’
Okay what does HE think he needs?
how about, WHY DIDN’T YOU SAY THAT 3 YEARS AGO, INSTEAD OF LYING TO THE FANS, SAYING WE HAVE MONEY TO SPEND?
for those into Orwell……
http://blog.emiratesstadium.info/2010/04/the-gooners-who-hate-arsenal/
Love Orwell, and 1984…
but heaven forbid anyone mention shortcomings in the club, or not worship at Arsene’s feet.
if the AFC would just come out and say … we are limited in what we will do, we are trying to lower the stadium debt, and that is equally as important as winning,… you know some truth mixed in with the smokescreen!
then I think more folks might understand the PLAN, and accept our lot as a club… and just enjoy our status as Top of The Profit League, and a team who is good, but not good enough…
On Lehmann, I never questioned his shot-stopping. And yes he was a good buy at the price. And yes he did a good job for us. Yet his weakness was setplays, corners and crosses. He got rattled all the time. With that – he ain’t great imo. Now Seaman – he was truely great, near flawless and instilled an incredible confidence in the defence (…until he got old and injured ;-) ).
But hey, those who think the contrary on Jens – that’s cool.
Congratulations to Cesc and Verma on making it to the PFA team of year.
If we have more players like them (talented AND committed), this team will go places.
100%
Liverpool fans may want to throw the game against Chelsea, but how will that matter to the players? Except for Gerrard and Carragher, do any of the players care about the rivalry? I doubt it.
The kind of atmosphere generated by that rivalry I should thing will resonate to the rest of the squad. Plus they have little to play for (see above). Should be a fun match regardless. Think I might watch it.
If you’ve been to Anfield, and experienced the atmosphere the fans create there, you know that a half ass performance against a major foe, in a year in which they failed to do much, WON’T be accepted warmly by their supporters.
They’ll be expected to play to win.
(now at the Emirates, we could pass the ball around nicely and draw 0-0, and since the fans only are there for 1 game a season, it won’t matter!)
;)
I missed yesterday’s game. Maybe I can catch a replay later in the week. Not surprised to hear someone gripe about Nasri holding the ball too long. The boy’s got talent but seems to value his individual skills more than his team moving the ball effectively; which is a role of a proper CM. If he were at Arsenal during the Vieira era, PV4 would have eaten young Samir for allowing his exceptional skills to screw up Arsenal’s dominant ball movement. Good skill can win games but good team play wins trophies. He’s got to learn that.
Not surprised to hear that van Persie ran out of steam yesterday. Wenger should have played RvP for a half hour plus stoppage time against Wigan and maybe an hour yesterday with Theo subbing him. It’s really silly to take a guy who’s only played for twenty minutes in the past five months and play him for the full 90 yesterday against Man City. Sometimes, 2+2 just doesn’t equal 4 with Wenger.
Kiwi, gotta disagree with you again, this time regarding Lehmann. Mad Jens was a high-end keeper; one of the world’s best. Arsene only paid like two million for him which certainly made him value for money. His addition saw our team make history by going unbeaten over an entire season. In the ’05 FA Cup Final, he won us our last trophy by himself. In ’06, he made history in Europe with a constantly changing back four in front of him against the likes of the Galacticos, and a “top of the food chain” Juventus. His penalty save against Riquelme saw Arsenal reach it’s only CL final. Sure, Lehmann got beat by some bullshit from time to time but what keeper doesn’t? Lehmann was right at home in the Invinicible’s side.
with the surviving cast surrounding Nasri, not sure what you want from him at this point… he’s been one of our best players down the stretch.
probably wants to showcase VanPersie! Summer is coming and someone has to be sold!
and I agree on Lehmann. Great bit of business in picking him up for relatively short money, and he was a SOLID keeper for many years at the club… I think he would have been a big improvement over ANY keeper we have in the last few years, even at his age.
Lehmann was a great keeper. Very under-rated and under-appreciated by many Arsenal fans. Almunia was never (and no point in time) even close to Lehmann, let alone better than him.
When Diaby holds the ball too long, he is castigated from every direction.
Yet, Nasri is given a pass.
Ade exhibits lazy habits on the pitch and the criticism bandwagon is in full swing.
Arshavin duplicates the same half hearted performances and few want to address the issue, but give Arshavin a pass – his foot has been bothering him (lol).
For our attack to be effective, the ball must move through the midfield efficiently and at speed. Nasri could be that player, but his lack of maturity and experience hamper his effectiveness, notably in our matches with Spurs, Wigan, and City. Rosicky should be considered for this role.
Rosicky? he plays 10 matches a season.
I thought Diaby was supposed to be the next Patrick Vieira… why the hell would he hold the ball?
Arshavin doesn’t play the style or position that Ade did… and have you ever walked your dog injured, let alone played sports with an injury.
We’re LUCKY he played injured at all, a lot of players would have sat on their ass and said, I’m hurt.
Rosicky is playing regularly. We’re talking about matches now. NOW, and who is effective for our attack. debate is productive if you stay on topic…
Do I say anything about Diaby being a replacement for PV? For the past 3 years, the most common criticism of Diaby has been his holding the ball too long…..nothing to do with PV. Watching the past 3 Arsenal matches, Nasri has same problem…..and our attack bogs down.
The comment I made was in reference to fans having favorites and selectively choosing criticisms.
Arshavin’s laziness started last season (when he joined the team) and again my comparison is appropriate; that criticisms are being leveled based on favoritism.
There is no doubt that fans have favorites and scapegoats. It happens every season.
Diaby and Nasri, I don’t think are comparable as players… nor do I think Adebayor and Arshavin are.
Different style, body type, and positions really.
Anyone watching the Chelsea game? Their first goal… OUTRAGEOUS control form Drogba. Very impressive.
they are crushing Stoke, and the title will be on the line @ Liverpool next week.
Should be quite interesting, as Liverpool would love to ruin their season.
Can you imagine how awful Chelsea fans feel right now?! Knowing that every one of those goals was scored by players paid vast sums of money??!! I mean, really.
Up the Values!
I’d have thought they feel just fine. What with being top of the league, on fire, no off the field debt to worry about, paying players wages they can afford without potentially doing a Pompey. I’m sure they feel just grand.
I think they feel like they’re about to win another Championship!
If they can beat Liverpool, they’ll have dethroned United, and it will be a United / Chelsea dominance for how many years running?
Hope it doesn’t get to be like Scotland!
Yeah, so irony definitely isn’t a universal language. Even with the elbow to the ribs about Values! at the end.
Yes. Chelsea fans do feel great. Despite the fact that their team doesn’t play as pretty football as Arsenal, and has a bigger budget. Well spotted there.
Vibe I know you were being sarcastic. It was so obvious I didn’t think I needed to put my own ‘giveaway comment’ if you like when playing along.
Obviously after your last comment it’s going to look like I’m retracing and building an explanation round my comment… Ah well…
Are you being sarcastic? ;-)
And Liverpool ruining Chelsea’s season would also mean that they would be helping their bitter rivals Man Utd take top spot on the overall league title tally with 19. Ofcourse, Liverpool have been stuck on 18 since 1990 and Man Utd have had 11 titles since then but this 12th Man Utd title depends on what Liverpool does next week. Ironic fixture.
I’m finding the Pool fans I know to be torn between whether they want to help Utd beat their record or not. Some even want to ‘throw’ the game, which I don’t think is going to happen nor is it a sentiment that most of them are tolerating. Irregardless, I think Chelsea should have too much for them anyway. At least it’s keeping the season interesting still.
with the match being played at Liverpool, I’d say Liverpool are even money in the match…
Liverpool have only lost TWICE at home all season.
Chelsea have drawn or lost HALF their road matches this season.
should be an interesting match.
True that about home vs away Stag. Like you say, home ground advantage has been a big big advantage this season.
But I still think Chelsea have too much quality for them. A bit like the way they came and decimated our spectacular home record earlier. Plus Pool are getting to the stage where, like us, they have nothing to play for (other than saving themselves for Europa league/WC). And with Torres out, I can see Mikel and co deal with Gerrard convincingly enough.
I’d prefer Chelsea win the league rather than United again, so I hope you are right…
however, I think Liverpool will come to play, and I think they can get a draw.
A draw, and United can win the league.
On a less cynical note…..
I thought our defense played well and kept the City attack in check. Sol was dynamic in disrupting Tevez and providing leadership. Even Silvestre impressed.
Agree with Andez, that Sol should be offered some type of contract, either as player or added to the coaching staff.
Song’s return had an expected positive influence.
RvP’s performance was admirable, but you could see he lacked match fitness and the last 25 – 30 minutes his influence was limited. Hoping he didn’t pick up any muscle issues and is available for Blackburn.
Most of our play through Theo fizzled out. I thought Bendtner should have started as he’s been a strong influence in the middle.
After watching our midfield play, I would make one adjustment for Blackburn; move Tomas to CM and Nasri to the wing. Although Nasri has the skill sets for CM, he tends to hold the ball too long, where a quick pass better serves our attack and the involvement of others.
Anyway, after last week’s poor effort, I was apprehensive about what to expect v. City. Nice to see a change in our team’s effort.
Arsessesion.
I don’t think the match was worth disection.
We slept threw the match, didn’t really care about the result, and there isn’t anything left to play for in the remaining games.
I hope nobody gets injured, and I hope we play all kids.
Maybe I was just bored with the negativism that flowers after every draw or loss.
Some of us just feel pissed with the lack of effort coming from highly paid Arsenal players in the last three games.
When Chelsea lost to Spurs last week, the game took on the tone of the same importance; no goals coming from Anelka – Drogba – Ballard – Deco – Cole – Mikel – Malouda …………….and this was not a line up filled with 2nd choice players.
lack of effort isn’t isolated to Arsenal.
They are deserved of criticism for lack of effort, but its an event situation – NOT THEIR USUAL CHARACTER.
There isn’t much ON the pitch to be positive about at the moment, with all the key players injured…
off the pitch, we can disect …
– 3rd place, is an excellent result for this team… above expectations.
– preseason, we sold Ade and Toure for CRAZY money, and brought in Vermaelen… OUTSTANDING business and big profits.
– Sol came back, cost us nothing, and he might even be here next year. Shrewd business.
– Sold out the stadium EVERY match… progressed some in the CC, CL and FA Cup… so additional sell-outs at home, and additional money coming in for advancing.
– debt lowered significantly
All in all, a pretty exciting season, in which we came back from the dead 2 or 3 times to get into the title race… we had some players really step up and improve… and younger players got great experience.
GOOD SEASON for the Arsenal Football Club, good managing job by Arsene Wenger.
Go Arsenal.
Let’s do it again in 2011.
One quick point –
Sol Campbell should be rewarded with a new contract.
Because – If he doesn’t deserve it, no one else does.
At least he has been playing like he cares.
I know. I hope the wait for summer to discuss with him isn’t some stalling effort to see if Gallas stays and if someone else comes in and then letting Sol go. In just a few games, he has shown more desire to play than certain players have shown all season.
I think Sol played really well… but Silvestre would have to go, and he’d have to accept the role Silvestre played… which is sparingly.
If Gallas goes, we need another FULL-TIME defender, and then Djourou is back as well.
I like Sol Campbell, but at most, he can only figure in about 15 games next year.
So according to Adebuywhore the 20th reason he left Arsenal was for a new project.
The previous reason just to remind you was he was forced out by Arsene.
Hopefully the next reason will be the reason – they offered a shitload of money.
he’s history.
i’ve never been less interested in a player that left Arsenal than Ade.
I’d rather listen to Ash pontificate about why he left than Ade, because Adebayor really hasn’t done shit in his career.
Good Luck Ade.
I thought we played a very good game. We passed the ball around well and controlled possession. We lacked a bit of sharpness in the final third. But that is understandable considering the number of injuries and the fact that this team is a bit tired after challenging on TWO fronts all season. The team showed great mental strength and character after the back to back defeats.
I thought Fabianski had an outstanding game. He showed that he can be a great goalkeeper. I am convinced that he will the #1 some day.
Today, we drew (and kept a clean sheet) against a team which has an unlimited budget. It showed that the values and long term vision of this club are in the right place. I am convinced that we are in the right direction. I have complete belief in the young players. They will improve with every passing year. We are on the up, while ManU and Chelsea are on the down. Next year will be our year.
All hail Arsenel !!!
>>Next year will be our year.
for whatever reason, this line made me think about Orwell’s 1984. Ministry of Truth.
:)
next year COULD be our year…
if we can not have so many key injuries, and the youngsters continue to improve…
if the referees can be a little more fair towards Arsenal…
then ANYTHING is possible.
just need a little luck with injuries, the bounces, and the referees…
Eh?
Is that you Nip? Or is it Arsene’s post match comments… I thought it might have been Stag for a second but he ends with “Go Arsenal” rather than “all hail Arsenal”
although you are saying this with sarcasm…
a lot of it is Arsenal truth and fact.
other than the bit about Fabianski, it could have come from Arsene…
next year, you can be sure we’ll be fighting for the top spot, and getting in the Top 4… lowering the debt, and filling that stadium.
These are positive things for the Arsenal Football Club.
Oh and a word on Fabianski. His cross handling ability wasn’t tested, I know, but whoever our keeper is next season. I hope that the distribution showed by Fabianski during this game stays intact. It was exceptional.
he’s good at picking the ball out of his net, after he gifts a goal, and throwing it up the pitch for the restart too!
LOL!
;)
Wenger on Song (but slightly off tune) playing CB… “He has not the reflexes at the moment”
Is like something like Denilson’s lovely ankles?
I could only catch the first half but looks like I didn’t miss a thing. Or maybe I did but then again I don’t care :) People involved with the club aren’t too concerned, so why should I worry? It wasn’t too long ago that there was such a positive energy about the club. The 2001-2005 players looked like they were having fun (example: PV to Henry to Pires and Wiltord taps it in and the crowd goes wild), the fans had such great hopes for the future and well everything was great. Arsenal had players that wore their love for the club on their sleeves (or hair in the case of Freddie) and it was a delight to see them play. Even if that team lost, it didn’t matter. One could look forward to the next game with the belief that the players would do everything in their power to win the game. That old team had so many interesting likeable personalities. But in the last few years, only a few truly likeable players seem to exist in the team. And one can find stories of fans who say any criticism is met with anger. Something rotten exists but we are told nope, it all smells of roses. Any fan that does not smell the roses clearly has a defective nose or is not sophisticated enough to appreciate the beautiful red rose that is the current Arsenal team. So I guess I am not worthy :)
“Any fan that does not smell the roses clearly has a defective nose…”
__________________
Luv it.
Arsenal FC is becoming (has become?) rather artificial. We no longer compete in the real world, we make new rules in our own parallel universe. Not surprisingly there’s a lot of confusion across the Arsenal fanbase. We never signed up to compete in this parallel universe. Many (most?) were quite happy with the existing competition and understood the rules very well.
Wenger’s presenting more and more like this crazy cult leader, leading the decreasing numbers of the Arsenel faithful.
Hmm, your mention of artificial makes me think the gardener has replaced the real roses with artificial ones. And yet, like the Emperor’s new Clothes, we are asked to squint our eyes to see the ‘reality’.
If the model had led to success, then it should have been applauded. But now that the model has failed, it is still not called a failure. Instead, we are told that the model is still correct but the rest of the world is morally corrupt.
Yet I still can’t figure out how Almunia fits in any model. He joined Arsenal at 27 and was promoted to #1 when he was around 30. His weakness were on display during his transition to overtaking Jens and they still exist. People have given excuses for Almunia by saying that a goal keeper gets better after 30 but when a keeper shows some basic weakness such as dealing with crosses, then it is very hard to expect them to get better in a few years time. If a better keeper was used instead of Almunia, then some more points would have been gained (or saved) over the last few seasons, thereby improving the overall model’s results. Yet, Almunia remaining as #1 does not seem to be because he was part of some model but because money was looking to be saved. Moreover, even if all the outfield players were brilliant, then Almunia would still have cost Arsenal success. So his presence has ensured that any youth model was bound to fail and his presence also is violation of the youth model because he was older than the others.
Quite bizarre really. It has been the Twilight zone for a while now :)
Some things are just a consequence of a managers weakness. Wenger has never identified/recruited a good keeper. Lehmann was a relative success yet that was behind a winning team. And if we’re honest Lehmann was a weak link in a great team – I ALWAYS had my heart in my hands at crosses/corners. Lehmann hated being buffeted and spread an element of panic at set pieces because of this.
You raise an interesting issue. Is it possible for a large contingent of players to ‘develop’ at a top top club? Or, will the expectation to perform at the highest level undermine the process? Obviously the answer depends to a degree on the proportion of developing players – yet you have to wonder how valid it is to try and ‘develop’ a young squad in such an environment.
If we apply this thinking to Almunia, let’s pretend he had the basic potential when he was elevated to the starters role. The question then becomes is a top 3-4 club (aspiring 1st) club the right place to continue developing and ironing our weakness? I doubt it. A top club at that level is UNFORGIVING and rightly so. Only the best is good enough.
Not only the keeper but the entire defending area has been a weakness under Wenger.
I think if a few strong core players were around, then having younger players develop around them might not have been so bad. If the invincible team was not dismantled in such a quick manner, then could the development have been better? This ofcourse assumes the experienced players would have been willing to sit out some games. Man Utd have Giggs and Scholes still contributing vitally but what if they had gotten rid of them a few years ago along with their #1 keeper?
Everytime I keep thinking about numbers, it always feels like if there were 3-4 experienced competent players around at Arsenal (including a keeper), then everything would have been better. But discussing about just 3-4 more players is hitting a brick wall because there is where all the talk about values and youth project come into play.
On the positive side, Arsenal are guaranteed yet another top 4 finish as Man City have to play Spurs. Yah :) Oh and it gets better. 3rd place is all but secure so that means no qualifying round in the CL. I wonder if 3rd place will cause bonuses to be handed around Arsenal because if 4th place is the goal, then 3rd place probably feels like a treble winning season :)
Two teams at opposite ends of the spectrum…
in regard to what’s left to play for.
Arsenal are sleepwalking with an array of injuries, playing
for nothing, and as if they are playing out the string.
Man City are supposed to be playing for their CL lives!
It is all on the line for them.
What a SHIT game. DOUR was the word I heard used as a description,
and it was very accurate.
a draw is JUST FINE for us at this point…
it means we are going to get 3rd place.
doesn’t change a thing in terms of the thoughts about
our players in the team… and what Wenger needs to do.
I got some sleep and avoided this game. Good judgement, sounds like the team couldn’t be arsed, too busy counting their money, organising their world cups or holidays…. or next moves ;-)
Most interest centres around the recent publicised thoughts of 2 ex’s.
Kolo confirmed everything I had expressed (on AA) about his relationship with Willie. And Vieira’s slightly deflating revelation for Arsenal fans confirms what I thought too. He wanted to go to Real. It’s a little bit sobering to contemplate what we wouldn’t have enjoyed if Vieira had acted on his feelings (perhaps no invincibles?). :-( If you follow players long enough and listen to what they say (and don’t say) you can piece together a lot.
“I got some sleep and avoided this game.”
So did most of the participants. ;-)
lol :-)
Well at least we play unique never-seen-before football guys. I mean, I really don’t know how I would cope if Wenger left, the football is just awe-inspiring……
… it’s our values Maz
Kolo has had a really good half for them as has Sol and Silvestre for us. Song and Persie seemed to have made all the difference, we are the better team however we need better link up with RvP.
Oh and Johnson of City I think is the man to watch out for. Clichy’s gonna have to be on top form, he’s really impressed me everytime I’ve seen him (admittedly only about 4-5 games plus highlights). He’s got an excellent set-piece delivery as well. And with Paddy, Kompany, De Jong etc. they have aerial firepower (not to mention a potentially extra player in the shape of our goalie).
Yeah Johnson will be a real threat, the boy is hot Ozi, Bellamy too.
Adebayor off the bench may also be a bit of a problem but I think he is more effective when he starts.
Obviously the biggest threat will be Carlitos running against our aged CBs. This will be a really interesting game.
If RvP is on it then we can win else I expect a draw.
Correct its no longer our midfielder who gives them the extra man advantage its our GK
Well so much for that… Kid’s done nothing. Not got any service and City seem to care even less than us. Let’s hope it stays that way.
Adebuywhore starts on the bench for City and Vierra and Toure start.
Hull are relegated !!!
Arsenal: Fabianski, Sagna, Campbell, Silvestre, Clichy, Song, Diaby, Walcott, Nasri, Rosicky, van Persie. Subs: Mannone, Eduardo, Vela, Eboue, Traore, Eastmond, Bendtner.
Art, agree with not conceding first. We’ll get smashed if they play on the counter being a goal up (and mentally well above us in that situation)
Starting XI: Fabianski, Sagna, Campbell, Silvestre, Clichy, Rosicky, Song, Diaby, Walcott, Van Persie (capt), Nasri
Subs: Mannone, Traore, Eboue, Eastmond, Eduardo, Walcott, Bendtner
So with the Spurs loss today – should we manage to win or draw today is officially St. Totteringham’s day.
A win would also keep us out of the fight for the Champion’s League qualifying spot.
Here’s the thing that fight for fourth people are like it’s Cahmpion’s League. Actually it’s not. It’s for the pleasure of playing in a 2 leg qualifier to get into the group stages. So, if you make that fourth spot you could still not make the group stages if you were to lose.
If we win, yes, it is St. Totteringham’s day.
If we draw, the gap is 8 points and Spurs still have 3 games to go. I know they won’t make it, but officially, it isn’t over.
That didn’t stop Arsene from aiming for 4th place last year, did it?
Well after losing so many matches in the first half of the season what choice did he have?
Same is true for Spurs and City.
A CL spot is a CL spot.
Of course, if Spurs make it, they will promptly crash out in the qualifying round.
Maybe City will do better by buying a lot more CL experienced players.
Yep it’s one of those games anything can happen, I expect our boys to be up for it though, but I think we will have to score first to win the game.
I presume our confidence, drive and determination maybe low so a goal against early in the game may lead to anxiety and lead us open to Bellamy, Tevez and Adebayor on the counter attack.
I think we should play Sagna rather than Eboue at RB as we really need players who are good in the air since Vermaelen is missing, Eboue does not like to head and often won’t even get of the ground and disrupt his opponent if he thinks he can’t win the ball. Adebayor will be the most dominant player in the air on the pitch and will need to be stopped if the likes of Bellamy and Johnson get plenty of opportunities to cross.
The Wigan game was a 1 in a 1000 type of game, we are severly under strength so we need not take that as a barometer of where we’re at. Although I do not see we have progressed enough as a team (as opposed to individual players) to see this season as a success, I hope Arsene will learn from his mistakes and give up the blind faith he has in some of his players.
DAG if you have watched Vitto Mannone make as much of the most ridiculous blunders playing for our reserves, youth team and on loan as I have you would not want him in between the sticks. He is wholely unreliable and derserves to be behind even Fabianski in my opinion. Unfortunatly Big Al is our undisputed No1.
How’s this for a stat:
Spurs last 67 away games against Liverpool, Arsenal, Chelsea and Mancs:
Won: 0
Drew: 20
Lost: 47
Not sure of its credibility (from another footie fan) but sounds about right.
It is right, as I pointed above – no away win since 1993.
Steve and I were on GDC, where were you?
Eh? Didn’t know we hang out there on non-arsenal games (except post-arsenal)…
[not sure why this got printed in reply to DAG]
So Spurs have predictably crashed at OT. For a moment, at 1-1, it looked like things may change, but who are we kidding, this is Spurs.
This should “spur” City to reclaim fourth place tonight. It should be a real test for Arsenel.
PS: Arsenel is my new name for Arsenal. I started supporting Arsenal, the club that fought hard and won titles. But now it is a totally different club, redefined by Arsene’s rules, so I think henceforth it should be called Arsenel. ;)
Nice write up DAG (anyway), as most feel like you, DRAINED.
For those who have diligently watched and followed the premier league this season, it is easy to make a strong case that no team has dominated the league. Every team has had NUMEROUS moments of disappointing performances for the their fans, including: Chelsea, ManU, Pool, City, Spurs, Everton, Villa, Fulham, etc.
If your honest with the assessment for the strength of the Arsenal 1st team roster, missing both starting CB’s, our only DM, and poor goalkeeping play, the team will disappoint.
There is no experienced depth at those positions and this has been freely discussed about the team for 2 years.
Wigan is history. Some players can perform under adversity. Its a lesson for our manager.
Even with the availability of Song today, playing at the Emirates, and RvP seeing more playing time – I’m cautious for my expectations.
From the past few matches, we will need a different team ‘mentally’ to show up in our colors.
So Arsene wants us to respect Adebuywhore – I will make a deal with Arsene I will respect Adebuywhore if he starts Vito Mannone? Better yet I will actually get right on the band wagon if this summer he goes out and buys a real GK and not someone who couldn’t start at Nobbs County.
Thanks for the preview DAG, but where’s the hype, you know the revenge factor, etc…Where’s the recap on the match up there at Middle Eastlands…you know the stomps (Cesc’s ankle, RVP’s face, both missed by Clattenburg) and then the goal celebration….rather the opposite of kissing the cannon….(Notice I didn’t mention the name…as he’s soon just a 120,000/week sub for 50 mil pound Torres…)
I’ve got a feeling that the pre-match introductions, etc. might be the best part of this one and that we’ll be putting out a squad hoping to avoid extending our losing streak to 4 matches.
As such, I expect the two old bald guys (Sol, Syl) ahead of the Flapper with Song at DM. Diaby and Nasri are undroppable at this stage, pedestrian performances at Wigan notwithstanding, so there’s your MF.
Sometimes, if we need 3 points at home Eboue starts at RB, thus I fully expect Sagna, though I wouldn’t be surprised to see Eboue on ahead of Rosicky and/or Theo (maybe on the left?).
Finally, if RVP starts we have to hope that he can live up to the happy memories of his nice play when he’s not hurt (and that he doesn’t get hurt again….) The left foot (set pieces), the smart passing, and the (relative to Theo and Bendtner) wise mobility.
Though neither team is known for their defense, I somehow think the smart money might be on a nil-nil snoozefest.
We shall see, c’mon you gunners, dig deep, show me something…(please?)…
So Spurs have predictably crashed at OT. For a moment, at 1-1, it looked like things may change, but who are we kidding, this is Spurs.
This should “spur” City to reclaim fourth place tonight. It should be a real test for Arsenel.
PS: Arsenel is my new name for Arsenal. I started supporting Arsenal, the club that fought hard and won titles. But now it is a totally different club, redefined by Arsene’s rules, so I think henceforth it should be called Arsenel. ;)
“So Arsene wants us to respect Adebuywhore – I will make a deal with Arsene I will respect Adebuywhore if he starts Vito Mannone? Better yet I will actually get right on the band wagon if this summer he goes out and buys a real GK and not someone who couldn’t start at Nobbs County.”
Right. On.
Rooney not playing and Spurs haven’t won away at a top four side since 1993 !!! Should be fun.
Before anyone says nice write up – it’s lacking but then so is my enthusiasm for this match. Throw in a late Friday at the office and you get this article. Plus frankly, is there anything positive to write about this team right now?
Also I should note, I know people are all over the City bandwagon – frankly, like I mention in the article, they decieve to flatter. They have great scorers and great individuals – but they are not a team. The only player on that team with any concept of the kind of passion needed to be a team player is Craig Bellamy. While I’ve never been a great fan of his (with his petulant behavior) he brings it every game.
Also I suspect less of the antics than we saw in the first leg of this match up. For no other reason than Sol Campbell. Sol will take matters into his own hands if Adebuywhore wants to have a go at Robin Van Persie.