We have many who blog on this site who feel that we will still sign a goalkeeper and another centre-back. I’m not saying we won’t I just don’t see why we’ve left it so late if that is our intention.
It became apparent to most supporters last season that our first and second choice keepers were not good enough. In the last few games when we were without Gallas and Vermaelen we could also see that our back-up defenders weren’t strong enough either. Arsène himself stated that he would address the defensive frailties with re-inforcements so he let four centre-backs go and bought one. Great! Koscienly may turn out to be a fantastic buy, but at the moment our defense looks paper thin.
Our defending has got worse over the past two seasons – I’m sure someone will come up with some stats to show that I’m talking rubbish but what I do know is that the tension at the Emirates is palpable when we are defending set pieces. It seems the crowd and the players share that insecurity. Most teams know we are weak in that area and seek to take full advantage. It is a crude strategy, but it works. When Sol ‘Lazarus’ Campbell reappeared in January, the confidence grew and we were noticeably stronger at the back – but what now?
We are a short team. Short in stature, and mostly light in build. Arsène prefers ‘athletes’ rather than cloggers and I can appreciate his preference if we want to play the beautiful football. Sadly, the tall players we do have are not good enough to be effective when defending corners or free kicks into our box. Instead of having just two on the posts maybe we should have four on the line plus a flapper.
Of our taller players, I would say that only Robin van Persie is a reliable force – he’ll get a header away or clear the ball out of the danger zone but how many times have we watched tippy-tappy football going on in or around the box instead of getting the ball out. Clichy has been guilty of it and Djourou is the latest one to choose to show off his footballing skills at a time when a solid clearance is the better option. I’m not saying we should ‘kick and hope’, that just gives the ball straight back to the opposition and then we’re under pressure from a new wave of attacks, but just keeping it simple and solid at the back.
I’m no fan of Allardyce-style hoofing, but the time spent keeping the ball around our area allows the oppostion to press high up the pitch and if we lose possession, we are in trouble. We just don’t know how to defend anymore and Arsène led us to believe that he realised that too and he was going to bring in new blood. I thought he promised Cesc and van Persie that that was what he was going to be doing – he was going to make us stronger, no wonder Cesc thought it was time to move on.
The hot news this week is that we’re in for Shay Given again and that the Spahic deal wasn’t a hoax. I heard weeks ago that Anton Ferdinand was a target – how ambitious is that!!!!!!! and he’s only 6′. If we want to challenge for honours this season and for seasons in the future we need to be able to match our opposition in some of their strengths – we need a bit more height and strength when defending.
It doesn’t matter how many goals we’re able to score, if we can’t hold on to a lead and see out a game, sadly, we’re going to fail again.
Arsenal News 24/7
arsenalarsenal.net 
What a surprise peaches, I thought you were the eternal optimist 🙂
Apart from the keeper issue and lack of height why are we conceding so many goals.
Initially it was said it was down to being vunerable at set pieces, and a keeper that doesn’t command his box.
Now we also have the issue that the midfield don’t track back and the full backs or wing backs if you prefer get caught out so often on the counter attack, Clichy being a prime example.
Should RVP be defending on his own goal line ?.On the other hand Nasri has cleared many a ball last season.
With regards to Given, we have had the opportunity to buy him several times before, and I don’t think he is the dogs b******s, and he is short
.
Maybe a change of formation is the answer, but that wasn’t evident in any of the pre season games.
Even if we bring in a giant it may well help,but it doesn’t resolve all the issues.
I hate to mention his name but a John Tery clone is what we need.Back later with some more thoughts.
Morning kelsey – I just feel its all gone wrong, no Wengerball to delight us and rubbish defending. I love Arsenal and I just want the bits that are wrong to be put right ……………
If Wenger created what we all love once why can’t he do it again. Defending can’t be that hard – surely you just have to work at it. Its such a waste to be so creative going forward and so rubbish at tracking back and that applies to the team as a whole not just the back four.
Great title rasp 😛
It’s not about height, it’s about defending. Yes we conceded from set-pieces, so did every other team, but we conceded many more from counter attacks against us.
For me, it’s not just about ‘the defence’, it’s about our defensive unit. We are far too easy to pass through, and our midfielders just don’t seem to want to defend at all. It can’t be that they’re lazy, surely!
If we are going to always play a high line, we have to have MUCH better organisation up the pitch, which means pressing in groups tirelessly when not in possession, recovering possession and then slowing it down to our pace. Barcelona gave us a lesson in that last season. It’s funny because we did it first, the 97/98 team was unbelievable at it.
If we have 11 players on the pitch really determined not to concede a goal, that is all we need. Then I watch Bendtner and Van Persie jogging up and down the halfway line, and I wonder what on earth Wenger is seeing.
Morning Peaches, Rasp, Kelsey, everyone else tuned in. Agree totally with your 9:56 statement Peaches. Instead of having scraps of nonsense-gossip & hearsay to feed on, why can’t the club itself speak to supporters & let us know exactly what’s going on? The PR between club & fans is non-existant.
Our defence is simply too quiet, and too polite to each other. The back five have to be on each others backs all the time, demanding and getting the best out of each other.
Morning all
Oh dear Peaches a letter from the heart of love affair in trouble eh,
Preseason not yet over, a disrupted performance with half a side and constant changes for tired legs when we concede 5 goals and the end of the world is nigh.
Good teams don’t become bad overnight neither do managers, the component parts are still there, all the jungle drums are adamant that a GK and CB are on there way as reinforcements, so Imho we will learn more from reading the tealeaves at the bottom of our cups than we will from the performances we have watched on Arse TV preseason.
They were all about formations and conditioning and in the Polish case honouring a promise to open a stadium.
Anyone remember what the footy was like when the Iceman opened our stadium.
Time for reflection is 31st of Aug we will have a bit of a clue by then
I had this argument with a friend last night that as good as Shay Given is he isn’t what we need. Almunia is a good a shot stopper as good as any keeper in the league the problem is he doesn’t command the area, he doesn’t come and take crosses and take the pressure of the defence and he doesn’t talk to the defence. How I wish we still had mad Jens, what a keeper
Morning dandan,
We are starting this season with more injuries and players missing than at the end of last season.
So far we have Song, Diaby, Denilson, Bendtner, Ramsey all injured and Cesc and RvP extremely unlikely to play. Add to that letting 4 defenders go and bringing in just one so far who hasn’t yet gelled into the team fully. There is a good chance that Frimpong will have to start against pool.
I think even the most ardent optimist would be a bit concerned at that state of affairs.
We shall see come Sunday Rasp who does and doesnt recover….
PS I have Put one in draft.
I have been a huge admirer of Arsene but there are a number of things that have been concerning me for several years. But let me mention only the current situation as the squad stands today. It seems to me that most of us believed that Arsene was going to address the defensive shortcomings of the team and I base this on what he said at the end of last season. In reality I believe he has weakened this area by letting so many players go and signing an unknown defender who may or may not turn out to be part of the answer. When thinking about it I must confess that I tend to exclude Djourou as he has been injured so much and I don’t think you can count on him. Everybody knows that our goalkeepers are not good enough just as everybody knows that successful teams have great goalkeepers. This, to date, has not been sorted. We desperately need a top quality, experienced centre-half who is a pure defender. I can’t see any argument against it. Teams at the top of the PL don’t have the luxury of bringing too many youngsters through as their inexperience costs points. The balance has to be right. It’s a lovely idea but so seldom works. The way the money flows seems to point to lower teams or foreign clubs bringing players through and making a profit by selling them to bigger clubs. The fact that Wenger has kept us in the CL and built a new stadium by reducing his spending and concentrating on youth has been a success and I doubt there is another manager who could have achieved the same. But, today our needs are different. If he doesn’t buy the goalkeeper and at least one centre-half we need it will be negligent (I can’t think of a more apt description) in the extreme I believe, especially as he told us he had the finances to buy those players. I really hope it happens.
Very well said Adam.
Spahic looks like he could be the pure defender you talk about. By all accounts he is a very vocal leader as well…exactly what we need.
‘Negligent in the extreme’…I liked that phrase !
Well said adam – thanks for your comment
dandan – this isn’t like when the husband doesn’t do the washing-up – its like when the husband does the washing up badly – you scratch your head and think whats gone wrong and try to help them do it properly 😉
SharkeySure. I hope Spahic is that player and that, if so, we do buy him. I just want to go into the new season with a bit of optimism and not sitting and waiting for the those awful feelings of deja-vu. If the transfer window had closed last night I would be worried.
We need a keeper like Oliver Kahn – top class but also frightened the shite outta his own defence cos he probably literally came close to killing them on occasion if they put a foot wrong.
Peaches @ 10:35 😆
If these issues aren’t addressed as promised, and we do fall short -again- is Wenger’s time up at Arsenal?
That’s why I got a new dishwasher and Arsene will get a keeper and CB LOL
OK Kelsey, Rasp, Peaches, Irish what is your real feeling will AW buy or not.
Dandan – He’ll buy a defender, I’m still 90% sure on that.
The goalie looks less likely but its not like him to appear so indecisive as to who will be No.1 so soon before the season starts is it?
“Pessimist: One who, when he has the choice of two evils, chooses both” …Oscar Wilde
Where Arsenal is concerned there’s no choice.
Hi Guys,
Peaches, your well honed post has chimed with my own view on the current position. I actually don’t see it as overly pessimistic, just a realistic appraisal of the actualite (can’t find the e acute, damn French), combined with a tinge of well founded concern. 🙂
The final pre-season against Legia was a reminder, as if it was needed, of our enduring frailty with set piece kicks into our penalty area.
Teams such as Hull, Stoke etc have set out a modus operandi or template on how to play against us at set pieces. It was evident that Legia copied the tactic of surrounding our goalie, jostling, pushing and treading on his toes.
The physiques of our light weight defenders was not sufficiently robust to defend Flappy and confusion reigned, resulting in a goal. Oh dear.
But wait, this is nothing new. Do you remember, mad Jens was a strapping GK but was constantly being hauled in front of the beak because he retaliated when some scoundrel trod on his toe.
I don’t think physique alone is the problem or necessarily the solution. No! What is needed is a little more professional cynicism, a little more “eye for an eye”, or “you kick, pull, hold me, then I will do unto you etc etc”.
Arsene has never managed in the Italian league, therefore my suggestion/solution is to appoint an Italian stallion of a coach, and I bet the problem will …… ‘Ow you say in zee English? Poof, yes thatsa eet, it will go away — Poof!” 🙂
there can be no excuses from arsene-all we need is gk & cb & ideally a dm-but def the first two positions-he has had ample time to sort this out-we have the money-there has to be at least 7/8 poss c/halfs available,anyone of theses would improve us(&i’m not talking titus bramble or ferdinand ffs)there are at least 4/5 goalies he can go for-the same problems are there for all to see-is he really prepared to gamble in the last chance saloon??
We’re all getting twitchy, and given the defensive shambles against Legia, that’s a pretty reasonable response. But Peaches, you’re right to think stats might not bear out an overly pessimistic view: we had the 5th best defensive record last season, and the 3rd best goal difference. The situation isn’t good, since we lost Gallas, but equally we shouldn’t overstate it.
Yes, we need a CB (Cahill is still my preference, tall, English and skilful, but I’d accept any of the various names knocking around, and assume Spahic is most likely) and we need a GK (am hoping the Given/Hart opening is real in light of the comments yesterday). It is in the nature of confidential dealings that we will only get partial and warped views on what is actually happening until a deal is very advanced but, like you, the passing of time makes me nervous – I’m sure we’ll get the CB at least, and I really hope Legia showed Wenger that we really can’t afford not to have a senior GK in while Szczesny has a chance to develop.
Peaches,
Dandan is right, get rid of the husband, buy a dishwasher, and invest in a toyboy! 🙂
Don’t tell your husband I wrote that!!!!
If I felt confident that there were dealings going on behind closed doors then even my realistic view of the current situation would be unecessary – its the fact that we’ve been here before, and only as recently as last summer and the summer before that.
Schwarzer’s on his way…..
I just cannot believe that the story has dragged on so long and won’t be concluded favourably!
Who’s house do I put on it…?? Is DanDans house still the stake of choice…?? Or is it now Kelsey’s Spanish villa..??
To be Frank and not Mike, koscielny might be a good reader of the game…but(a very serious but indeed) how in the world will he stop a raging Drogba, IMHO i feel and know that we need a beast like Mertesacker and believe it or not with TV rigidness we’ll go a long way with these 2 CB’s. As for the keepers i have always known that Almunia is a 2nd choice golakeeper, how Wneger has never figured that out i don’t know!!!
Wenger has certainly done a lot for our beloved Arsenal and to a certain point i trust him in the market…but there comes a point in one’s life when you have to go crazy and do exactly wat you don’t normally do out of the urgency need…This is your time Monsieur Leprof!!! Do good by us!!!
A lot of people think a GK & CB will come and solve all our defensive problems – they’re going to have to be damn good!
We don’t defend as a team & it’s not through lack of will but because they are not coached properly.
For me the most intersting thing Cesc said all summer was not that he was staying, once we found out Barca had no money that was a gimme – itstead it was an insight he gave into the differences between Spain’s preparation & Arsenal’s.
He explained that at Arsenal there is little or no focus on the opposition and how to nullify their attacking play, AW prefers his players to concentrate on their own game. For Spain, they use videos/charts/etc to analyse their opponents, pinpoint their strenghts & form strategy to deal with them.
It’s called respect for the opposition.
Defensive wise, tactically we are just not good enough.
Ceeleo – respectfully, this oft-repeated benchmark of who can handle Drogba is a funny one to me.
In recent years only Lucio and Samuel have dominated him when he’s actually been trying. They dealt with him in exactly the way that RedArse is suggesting. Yaya also played him quite well at the Bridge
Drogba generally hands out a stern lesson to nearly all cb’s, world class one’s as well, so handling Drogba shuod not be the only criteria.
Hi sharkey – I agree, whilst being able to handle a Drogba would be good its not the be all and end all.
A few have already mentioned the need to defend as a team, we saw it at the start of last season, harrying players, fighting to win the ball back – hunting in twos and threes just as we saw Barcelona do to us.
If we have a flaky keeper then surely the rest of the team should be protecting him.
SharkeySure – you say this now but i tell you if we have any chance of winning the premier league we have to beat our rivals as equally as we dispose of the lower teams and that is something which we failed to do last season…and one of the ways to beat our rivals is by keeping Drogba, Rooney and Torres quet which is what we failed to do especially Drogba.
Did you all get out of bed the wrong side today?
What a sour dour bunch you are.
I don’t disagree with a lot of what has been said but the mood and the underlying suspicion of AW’s motive drives me crazy.
The dirty inuendo that he lies to us supporters is without base and frankly beyond the pale.
One person asks why don’t the club tell us what is going on — Well AW has he told us that he wants to strengthen his defense and he bought Koscielny then said he is still looking. What more do you want to hear from him? perhaps he should tell us who he is after and what’s holding the deals up – would that make you happy? It’s also obvious why he is not saying who his number one goalie is – because he doesn’t have one and is looking to buy that person – do you really think he should go public and tell the world what’s on his mind and further dis-stable his goalkeepers?
Peaches; your piece made sense until I got to the last sentence, stating that it doesn’t matter how many goals we score is simply wrong – I can bore you to death with stats that disprove that statement.
I’m going for a walk in the park to cheer up.
See you all later.
http://www.eveningtimes.co.uk/sport/editor-s-picks/young-gunner-on-rangers-try-out-1.1047321?
Ceeleo,
I understand your concern. You seem to be implying that Kos and TV are not physically capable of dealing with Drogba.
Perhaps in a physical “fight” you could be right, but being canny (and dare I say it … sly), is an additional method of dealing with him, Kevin davies and similar forwards and the two are not mutually exclusive.
What do you think?
In addition, Peaches is quite right. If our backs and midfield get carried away recklessly attacking, they are then in no position to harry the opposition and most of the “stupid” goals we give away to Rooney and before him, Ronalado, come from break aways, which normally leave the keeper in an impossible position, whoever he may be.
Ceeleo – My point is that some of the players you mention eg, Drogba, Torres etc, are considered World Class because on their day, they are close to unplayable.
Should Fergie sell Vidic cos he’s been ruined by Torres time after time..?? Or should we look at a monster like Servet Cetin, and only use him when we play Chelsea..??
I’m more worried about Wigan-esque defensive collapses than whether we can contain Drogba 2-3 times a season.
Gunnern5,
A good walk always helps.
I’m in a good positive mood myself, thanks.
Anyone else seeing GunnerN5 stepping in dog poo on his cheery walk in the park….??
Just me then..??
It doesn’t matter how calmly some us manage to make our points and debate the issues we’re always going to upset someone.
Sorry gunnerN5, hope you have a nice walk in the park, maybe when you come back we’ll have signed a new keeper 😉
Sharkey – great point about wiganesque collapses versus containing Drogba. We only have to contain Drogba twice in the league whereas we run the risk of not holding onto a lead in every game.
Whoever posted the ‘O’Neill for Wenger Anyone’ statement, it comes up as ‘Sorry you’re looking for something that isn’t here’, and is blank. But I wouldn’t pick O’Neill over Wenger.
Except of course if we don’t score till the 94th minute and win all our games 1-0 to the Arsenal 😆
Sorry, couldn’t resist that one 😳
Don’t mention dog poo, i could make a fortune selling it.
I thin what peaches is saying is that she is concerned about vunerabilities in our game, ans she would like to keep her finger nails for a while longer.
Come on admit it, how often when we are leadind do we get that feeling of uncertainty that the opposition might score.
We need to put games to bed earlier, and I believe our attacking options are better this season, but nevertheless it doesn’t answer our defencing frailities.
A lot of what I said first thing today, has been emphasized by others.
Sorry Graeme – that got published by mistake 😦
What I really hate about all these debates about our defence is it creates an impression that’s what we really care about, as if we actually want to return to the destructive anti-football of the latter George Graham period (after 1991). There is an art to defending but at a club like Wenger’s Arsenal, it is the artistry of creation that should command most attention – I just wish all the defensive issues could be dealt with so we could concentrate on the fantastic attacking talents we have.
No probs Peaches, thought someone might have done it to inject a bit of humour amidst all our gloom!
26may,
That’s the great thing about commenting on the blogs. You can pick and choose the subjects that interest you, and introduce your own if you want.
Of course, I agree that when everyone goes on about the same subject over and over again, like the Cesc debate, it’s better just to lay low until the storm blows over. 🙂
Red Arse, I agree, and I’m as much at fault as anyone else in being obsessed with our defensive frailties right now (esp after that Legia game). Maybe I should take your advice and lay low – I’ll go back to watching cricket until Sunday afternoon……
Peaches,
I’m really cross with your 12:32; your calm and reasoned comment about calmly and reasonably debating points and issues makes me want to go and walk in the park and tread in some dog poo.
You have got some nerve!! 😉
Anyway else notice my link???? LOL
Barazite is gone on trial with Rangers with a view to a permanent deal.
26May,
Don’t do that, your comments add variety to the mix. I too get bored with the defense issue being spoken of as a simple physical problem. And whether we need one, two or more players and how big, short they are.
There is more to it than that simplistic approach, and it’s why I was agreeing with Peaches’ point about the whole team tactic of defending as a unit, as well as learning from some of the continental teams solutions to the “Drogba” problem.
I promise, if you bring up another topic, I will chat to you about it. 🙂
Irish,
I think it’s a pity that Barazite is probably going to go. Injuries have limited his chances, but he is one of the most skilfull young players in our youth system.
The problem is that he is now “ageing” at the ripe old age of 20.
Red Arse – Yeah suppose its not too much of a shock. Rangers are a decent club to be moving for him if it all works out.
i dont think kozzer is a bad buy …..
but he is very similar to vermy ….
if its a def then it has to be vermy….
frimpong is not ready for first team yet….
diarra on loan from real for 1 season could turn out to be very good ….
just 2 players and we will be title contenders next season
Afternoon All,
Maybe Vic Akers should be given ago as the Boss he wins everything and still improves the squad year on year see hes signed another 2 today, Thats what managements all about !! The blondes not bad either no wonder he signed her 😉
Im starting to get to the stage where i just hope we make signings so everyone stops talking about making signings if you get my drift !!
Hi chippy – if we don’t make the signings it won’t be because we haven’t willed them to happen 😉
irish – I’m really disappointed about Barazite possibly going – I know we can’t keep everyone but he has such grace when he plays – almost ‘Bergkampesque’ and he’s 6’2″ 🙄
Vic Akers stood down as Ladies boss before last season started Chippy
My view too, Peaches. 😦
I think Vic’s still general manager of the Ladies
Terry – I think we’re already title contenders, I honestly do. Signing Spahic and Schwarzer would make me happy enough.
I’d happily have Big Phil back at this point as well. I think he’s going to do really well at Fulham, once he gets a a run of games going.
He was a very good organiser of a back line, and I give hom more credit for our 2006 CL clean sheet run than I give to Kolo.
I’d love to know why Arsene completely blanked him last year
Peaches – Wenger and his midgets >:-(
Speaking of the Ladies team, is there an actual rule that says Emma Byrne can’t play in goal for us, although she’s only 5ft 8″ 🙄
Chippy, I think the Arsenal women’s team loses players to the US league every summer, so they’re always having to recruit new signings. Also, Vic “I always wear shorts” Akers stepped down from managing a while ago – Laura Harvey’s the boss now. Having taken my daughter to an Arsenal women’s game for the first time last season, I strongly recommend it – great fun, relaxed atmosphere, cheap and genuinely good football. I’ll be back there this season, defo.
Laura Harvey is manager, and Vic Akers is General Manager
http://www.sufc.co.uk/page/NewsDetail/0,,10418~2117283,00.html?
Bartley gone out on loan again to Sheffield United
irish – I think the whole ‘women playing in mens teams’ is a giant can of worms – shall we open it today?
I always watched the women when we had Arsenal tv and agree that they are really skillful and why shouldn’t they be – no reason, football’s not a difficult game to master and practice makes you perfect.
Just re read the article and your all 100% correct he is now the General Manager should be even easy to put him in the hot seat in that case 🙂
26may,
Yep went to a few games myself a good few years back , One of the players used to work in the gunners now and then, so got to know a few of them quite well nice ladies and loved playing for the club,We headed over to Charlton one year for a cup final and then had a party back in the pub 🙂 The level has improved greatly from the early years thats for sure, Where do they play now?
Bartley is 6’3″ – there you go, someone must have made a bet on us having the shortest squad in the UK 😆
The ladies play at Borehamwood I think
Peaches – Cos if women want to play in men’s football, men will argue that they should get to play in women’s football and it’ll just go back to as it is now.
Anyway, there is the physical difference. I used to play hurling and gaelic football with boys at underage level but was pulled after U14 level for fear I’d get too injured. I thought it fair enough to be honest.
I’m going to rename my fantasy football team “Midgets FC” in homage 😆
I’m not really LOL I like the name I have
Im just praying this movement is to make room for incoming players because this is hitting epic proportions of bad planning 🙂
You stick with your name – its excellent. How many teams do we have now, I haven’t checked recently.
I think we’ve about 10, Peaches not bad going – have ye joined the one between Arsenal and Liverpool fans?
Lady Gaga’s Hats XI will dominate 8)
All those parrots who keep on saying Almunia is a good shot stopper should check out his stats. 66% of shots on target he saved. Which means a wopping 33% That’s 1/3 ladies and gentleman of the shots on target he faced were goals. Appalling stat isnt it. Well over 10% less than the likes of Van De Sar and Cech. Even Gomes at Spurs looks to be a halfway decent shot stopper. Almunia is not. So dont simply repeat what you hear from the blogs. They don’t always know what they are talking about.
Almunis is a perfectly acceptable second choice, and that is all he should ever have been. Anyone with half an eye can see it. Keep him, sell Fabianski who is totally spineless and buy a proper INTERNATIONAL no.1
EZ_GOONER – have you even read the post or any of the comments that have followed? What’s the point of your comment exactly or have you just posted the same thing on as many blogs as you can find?
Some bloggers 🙄
😆 Peaches is taken no prisoners today ha ha 😉
Oooh stats EZ – might I add that you shouldn’t ‘simply repeat’ them – like a parrot..??
Have you yourself analysed the stats to profile the type of shots he does and doesn’t save…?? I haven’t.
My response is a little scathing, because that’s what your own ‘tone’ calls for imho.
Who do you think we should buy…?? You didn’t actually say…..
I don’t think he’ll be coming back 😳
Gone on to the next blog a cutting and a pasting
A whirling and a twirling….
OK, I never really considered Gallas to be an Arsenal player (cue loads of comments about how much of a winner and battler he is), but can he really be talking to Spurs?? Bastardo!
They’ll give him the money he wants…he’ll be out injured a lot anyways
He’ll talk to anyone…
He won’t get what he wants out of them though
Nooooooooooooooooooooooooooo – where’s the loyalty 😦
Guys n gals,
I think you may have been a bit harsh on EZ. All he did was to express the opinion that Almunia is not good enough for our No.1 and that the stats did not show him in a good light contrary to what is often quoted on blogs. I believe his comment was directed at someone on here who said earlier that Almunia’s stats for shot stopping were good……. or am I missing something?
Could we really sit back and watch Gallas sign for totnum and then fail to sign an additional quality CB boulster our defence??? surely not!
See “You know I’m right” at 10:13.
Rasp,
Name names! We should debag the blighter who said Al was a good shot stopper. Which he is! Oooer. 🙂
26May,
You stoolie! 🙂
Is that for real Gallas is in talk with the Neighbours ? Well #### my old boots if true Arsenal Chelsea and Tottenham he will be almost as despised as he who shall remain nameless for fear of smashing my keyboard 🙂
Actually, Peaches was right. It’s all in the tone.
Q: “Would you like a cup of tea and a slice of cake?”
Which is the correct response?
A1: “yeah you stupid looking person, and make it quick”.
A2: “Yes please, that would be v.nice”
For me A1 wins anyday. 🙂
Hi Red Arse – was it you? 😛
Actually I have no great problem with Almunia’s shot stopping, its everything else that bothers me.
You’ve got to feel sorry for him Chippy.
He is wandering around like a lost key looking for the right keyhole.
(Slightly worried about that symbolism, but hopefully no one will notice). 🙂
RedArse…it was my good self that specifically addressed the issue of his tone.
I don’t get much credit round here do I …??
Rasp,
It wasn’t me, but it could have been because I think he is a good shot stopper, and an indecisive cross gatherer, but don’t say anything, I don’t want to have to debag myself! 😉
Red Arse,
Yep but then again he will be well paid for it !!! 🙂
My humble apologies Sharkey, but I find it’s safer to give credit to the ladies.
When a mere male later on makes the inevitable cock up it stands him in good stead. (that’s just between you and I, obviously). 😉
“debag” yourself 😕 😆
Chippy,
In that case I wish I was a lonely, lost key, symbolic or not. 🙂
So RedArse. You’ve got ‘giving it to the ladies’, ‘cock up’, and a reference to a horse ‘good steed’.
You writing a childrens book…??
I agree Red Arse,
Its not unusual for us to have to ‘educate’ new bloggers who have had come on with an abrasive approach.
Sharkey,
You have an eye for detail, not normally given to mere mortals.
My real name is; — wait for it, — Enid Blyton!! Ta Ra.
That well know author of horsey tales, with adult bits; and I think I might be an angel now!. Doh 🙂
Well although obviously I should hang my head in shame now, having been chastised by Rasp, I have to say that the blogger ‘I told you so’ is not familiar to me and I hadn’t noticed his comment 😦
Shall I send him a nice email to apologise
While we’re coming out in the open, I’m in fact ….. Jesus.
Peaches, NO.
Jesus Irish, forgive my sins! 😳
Hi peaches,
I didn’t see a comment from ‘I told you so’, I was referring to EZ_GOONER @ 3:00 – or are they the same person? EZ was a bit aggressive in his wording but his point was reasonable I felt.
Rasp,
What do you do to naughty people like Sharkey who is leading me astray?
Red Arse – All is forgiven. You may enter my Kingdom.
I’m Spartacus !!
EZ Rasp, don’t make Peaches wild!
Whilst we’re all discussing name derivation, had it occurred to you folks that the excellent ‘heffer’ may be a lady? Someone called her/him mate yesterday and was not corrected. I am assuming that the name ‘heffer’ has no connection to ‘The Herd’ simply because of the nature of his/her comments.
Sheesh, Irish, and I have never even been to Dublin.
Talk about symbolism, — Sharkey will be in heaven! 🙂
No, I’m Spartacus !
Identity fraud..??
Red Arse,
Sharkey is a maverick and plays by his own rules 😆 don’t be seduced into following his mantra.
Jesus pwns Spartacus
Rasp – I see what happened and a few of us are talking rubbish 😆 the guys name is ‘You know I’m right’ and he came on at 10.13 – read his comment – when EZ came on, as I hadn’t noted the earlier comment I thought he was doing a copy and paste jobbie and didn’t like his tone so used my best school marm voice to good effect – or so I thought 😦
Red Arse – Jesus says you’ve been to Dublin. Don’t question Jesus. Jesus does not approve. I’ll smite you.
Yeah – I’m a ‘maverick’ Accountant, I lead a small but merry band!
I’ve adjusted the ‘Transfer merry-go-round’ widget to include Nacer and Kyle, if I added Silvestre and Gallas, the ‘Outs’ would far outweigh the ‘Ins’ 🙄
Rasp,
I think a heifer is an unmated female bovine animal.
Heffer was a (slightly) famous deceased Labour politician.
(I know, I know, my unhelpful comment was a bit like saying, “just a minute darling, I’ll take me teeth out first”).
Yeuk, I’ll have to go and wash my fingers now, before i can type anymore. 🙂
RedArse….eugh !!
That might just be my cue to leave….
” I think a heifer is an unmated female bovine animal.” – Illuminati 👿
Did anyone see Watt play for Leeds on Saturday? I thought he did well enough, faded and should have taken the header better but did well overall.
That’s OK peaches, I just thought he was jumped on a bit too quickly … 3 of you bullies ganged up on him and sent him packing 😕 and all he said was that the stats didn’t show that Almunia was a particularly good shot stopper ….. albeit with the mild insult that those who repeat the myth that are ‘parrots’
Haha irish,
The urban dictionary definition of ‘heffer’ is not particular flattering to your gender 😳 a lady with a fat arse’n’all
S’truth Sharkey/phoney Spartacus, now you’ve got Rasp on all the ins and outs! my knees are trembling.
On top of all that, Peaches is utterly confused, and Jesus lives in Dublin.
You have a lot to answer for young man/woman!! O.k. I don’t mean you are ambidextrous, it’s just that I don’t know which persona you are currently using. (slinks off whistling Dixy) 😉
This could be turned into a massive Hollywood hit!
Jesus lives in Limerick. Jesus does not like your lack of knowledge. Jesus is offended. Jesus refuses you entry into Jesus’ kingdom.
Rasp – I know plenty heffers 😆
I’ll leave quietly, before you throw me out! 🙂
I will sneak back tomorow when none of you are about.
Jesus likes speaking in the 3rd person.
Red Arse, you forget Jesus sees all….. *cue music*
I think I make a great Jesus!
I thought the Holy Ghost was the third person!
Irish is Jesus?… bejesus!
You’ll never recognise me, Jesus, I’ll wear my favourite moustache and pink tutu.
I’m sorry we started this 🙄 if she is a female she may think twice about appearing now.
There are three main Arsenal stories today
1. Barazite going for a trial at Rangers
2. Jack playing for England and other England tittle tattle
3. How we and Cesc are never going to recover from the ‘Battle to keep Fabregas’
have i missed something .
No Rasp, I think Jesus is Irish.
…..oh I forgot and Gallas talking to the potato heads
Red Arse – You are a cunning one. Jesus will not be able to find you in such clever camouflage.
Jesus also notes Peaches attempts to get the blog back onto football speak.
Hi kelsey 😛
Rasp is in fighting mood today fella’s keep yer heads down.
And I thought a heifer was a bull with is bits removed, load of old bullocks going on here.
Jesus is the man who makes the Guinness in Ireland as in “Jesus this black stuff is good”
Nah kelsey,
Just mild hysteria, 5 days to go before poolgate and 20 days to go before windowclosegate
here is a very simple question amidst the complex rules of football.
Why does the transfer window close two weeks after the season kicks off.To me it just doesn’t make sense,but i am sure someone has a logical explanation.
Jesus is Irish, Irish is Jesus.
Irish Jesus shouldn’t have drank so much of that green alcoholic beverage last night….
Kelsey,
Thank goodness you have come to save me.
This site is like the Venus Honey Trap for bloggers. Every time I try to leave I am lured back.
Phew, thanks again, I’m off. 😉
Moi, how transparent of me – Rasp doesn’t even know anything about the mess-up we had earlier – have a look at the stats …………….
I’m chilled dandan. Call me the caped crusader of the net 😆 or should that be ‘escaped’?
What you lot been sniffing ??? It’s like the magic roundabout in here 🙂
Haysus which is the spanish pronounciation is a very common name over here.it gets a bit confusing when you phone for a plumber and they tell you Jesus is on his way.
Explain please peaches???
I shall hereafter rename our friend from the Emerald Isle ‘Irishbejesus’ (so it is)
Has Red really gone…is it safe for me to return..?
There you are Kelsey, now you are doing it to me too.
The trfr window closes on the 31st August to standardise it all over Europe.
Other Leagues don’t all start their seasons at the same time as the PL.
O my god I am off, I really am sorry peaches
Spartacus – have you written that post yet 😉
” Haysus which is the spanish pronounciation is a very common name over here.it gets a bit confusing when you phone for a plumber and they tell Jesus is on his way.” – Ha ha I laughed out loud.
Rasp – I like it “Irishbejesus” 😀
Thank you Red Arse.
just when all 26 staying here go out and I am alone you all b***** off.
dandan – you can run but you can’t hide 😉
irish, and i swear it’s true.
Just one of those days ChippyD !!
What about that nice lad peter crouch (cough) and in all places Madrid, where the average height is about 5″ 5″
Welcome to the Happy hour
Kelsey – I’m going to change my name by deed poll to Jesus …. no, no, … Lady Jesus Spongebob Gaga Pants so if you ever ring for me, that’ll be who you look for…
kelsey – I’m sure the transfer window closing later than our season starting is going to be a problem for the 25man squad rule.
When do the squads have to named, now or at the end of the window? How will citeh for example be able to shift some of their players?
Maybe he wanted a 5ft5″ specifically for ahem height to waist reasons …. just throwing it out there
‘Lady Jesus Spongebob Gaga Pants’ excellent 😆
Spartacus has left the building Peaches…off to met Elvis and Jacko he said.
Hey, maybe there’s a topic in that somewhere
peaches,
this is the troube with football.it is a universal game with the same rules but each country basically does its own thing.Winter breaks, different start and end of season time etc.
And you a nice Irish girl 😛
That I am Peaches, a nice girl 🙂
I thought we’d get kicked out of our local chip shop last night. Don’t ask me what we were talking about but my sister shouted out syphilis really loud…
Some these comments really would have benefited from being threaded this afternoon
😆 😆 😆 😆 😆 😆 and what was the green stuff you were drinking
😆 Have you heard of “Fat Frog?” – that and some more Alcopops – I wanted to be a teenager again last night.
Good news for LJSGP …..
Despite having worries over defensive reinforcements, Wenger has been boosted by the news that Czech midfielder Tomas Rosicky intends to stay at the Emirates.
Rosicky, 29, has been linked with a move away from north London, but he told Sport.cz: “It (speculation) is a normal thing in the football business,
”I must thank everyone for showing interest because it flatters me, but I must repeat myself – I am satisfied to be with Arsenal.
“And as long as the club want me to stay, I am not interested in moving elsewhere.”
I go to get a glass of wine and when i get back there’s Mrs Spongebob on. A glamour site or what?
The HGP lists have to be handed in after the close of the trfr window on the 31st August (effectively the 1st September) and cannot be amended until the opening of the January Tfr Window.
Any player not on the list, and who is older than 21, will continue to Registered to the club and paid his contracted salary. These might include long term injured players. Others will just have to twiddle their thumbs and play in Carling and FA Cups etc., as the list is only in respect of PL games.
Smart arse or what? 🙂
Heeeeeeelllllllllllllllllllllooooooooooooo
I hate it when people just disappear 😦
What does threading comments mean and is it painful?
Lady Spongebob, you could always have a word with IrishGunner!
Where’s Kelsy gone? She said she is all alone and you could talk to her.
Hah, RA, we’ve seen them all off. Can I interview you now?
Of course you can redarse.
Tell me RA when did you first become interested in Arsenal?
It was about 1980 when I noticed the smart red and white outfits and the long baggy shorts, ……. Ssch, I can hear someone coming. Quick, hide!
Irishgunner is a bitch Red Arse, wouldn’t talk to her. Lady Jesus Spongebob Gaga Pants has standards….
That’s a relief RA, you can come out now, it’s only Lady Spongebob and she’s as nutty as we are.
Well, what’s threading then? Hey? 🙂
Lady Spongebob – whats a Green Frog?
Hello all. Has the lack of transfer activity driven all you ladies a bit mad today ?
First things first tin of Peaches.
What’s threading? 🙂
I’d like to be called by my proper title folks, my mama gave me the name Lady Jesus Spongebob Gaga Pants and there isn’t anything I can do about it but love it.
Peaches – a Green Frog is something you shouldn’t lick.
Barum,
Yes.
Anyway, are you calling me a lady? 🙂
Evening Barum – In a word “yes”
Lady thingy blah blah,
You are the only one who understands me, so I am coming over to Billericay, or limerick …. there was a young lady from Ealing …. no, no, sorry, so we can compare notes.
Anyway Peaches won’t talk to me or answer my burning question. 😦
Haha. To be honest RedArse I know the other two are young ladies but not sure about you ?
Red Arse – What is your burning question?? Is it a physical burn? If so I might not want to know….
Barum,
O.K. you’ve got me you little hussy! 😉
Lady thingy, what does “threading” mean, at least in Peaches’ terms?
I think what she means is that we could reply to each post and create a thread – those all the ones about me being Jesus would be on one thread and if people wanted to just read about football they could ignore my post and all the posts “threading” on it.
How incredibly boring.
I hang on your every word, Lady, (if I can be so informal). 😳
Is my description boring or the actual idea? BOTH?? 😆
Red Arse says:
August 10, 2010 at 6:20 pm (Edit)
Where’s Kelsy gone? She said she is all alone and you could talk to her.
Bloody Hell I have been sussed 😉
I was going to correct him Kelsey but Lady Jesus Spongebob Gaga Pants is too shy 😳
If you think I am going to address you every day with that name forget it 😉 I will stick to irish.
Who is this “Irish” 😆
Lady Jesus Spongebob Gaga Pants will be back tomorrow, night all 😀
We are a day away from 2 of our youngsters having the proudest moment of their lives – pulling n an England shirt for the 1st time. This may well be the start of a major contribution to English football by Arsene and Arsenal. But the site where one would hope to have dialogue about that and Sundays game at Anfield seems to have turned into a social club with nobody talking football.
By the way I didn’t step on dogs do do during my morning walk but I tripped and bruised both my knee and ankle.
Grumpy old man aye!!!
Big Raddy is back in the building and ready to rock and write ….. tomorrow
Hope all my cyber mates are well and happy.
A domani
Hi Raddy,
Welcome back, you’ve been missed 😛
gunnerN5
I take your point. I think the explanation is that the growing angst and tendency to over-analysis is emotionally draining so the occasional sortie into a parallel universe can be quite cathartic …. or in other words, this lack of transfer activity is driving us bloody mad 👿
Good luck to Jack and Kieran and I hope Theo can regain his hattrick form and transport it back into his Arsenal career.
Thanks for that Rasp….
I was struggling to think how I’d explain my role in this afternoons frivolities.
GunnerN5. I knew that walk to cheer you up was a bad idea. Hope its not too painful and doesn’t drag on for too long.
Welcome back BR, respectfully !
Nite all
SharkeySure; I think the bruised ego was more painful. I was trying to get a picture of a young red fox frolicking in the grass and I wasn’t looking where I was walking and tripped over a rock. My wife thought it was great fun.
The bald eagle has returned 😉
So kind Kelsey!
Looking forward to this evening and my first taste of football for over a month. Hope Theo shows Capello that he was mistaken to exclude him from the WC. Though in retrospect Theo (& AW) must have been delighted.
And good luck to the youngsters. That said, it is foolishness and a sop to the media to cap them both. Gibbs and Jack have glittering futures ahead of them but this is surely too early in their careers for the call up, I assume their inclusion is an attempt to increase the Wembley crowd.
BR,
Nice to see you back. Whilst you have been away we have been joined by gunnern5, born and bred in Avenell Road, and has been going to matches since 1947.
So none of this old boy business about me, I am now officially the third oldest on here closely followed by you. xxx
welcome back, BR, morning Kelsey did you notice the scandal sheets are saying Mark Schwarzer has put a transfer request in. Seems our man could be on his way.
Morning all
Welcome home Raddy 🙂
Theres a NEW POST