Written by MickyDidIt89
Here’s an idea. Lets not bother with the Champions League, and concentrate on the League and other domestic trophies. One problem. That idea was not mine. Another problem is that I want the Champions League more than anything. I am getting older and I am a chronic hypochondriac. Anything could happen to me. It almost certainly will, and without doubt it will be very serious indeed. So, I for one, am right up for this. To make matters worse, the most miserable night of my life was on a wet night in Paris. So its also very personal.
I cannot tell you anything of any value about Partizan, other than they are not very good at football. They are from Belgrade, which is over there somewhere. They have noisy and excitable fans, and the country is usually very cold. Or hot.
I do realize that we have the little matter of Utd away on Monday, so if this lot from Belgrade are as bad as I think they are, we can field our strongest line up and then get the chance to ease off in the second half by bringing on one or two from the comfy chairs.
It may appear suicidal to start with RvP, but he needs to sharpen up before Monday. As I have said before, I think a large part of the success of this season rests on his fitness. He must tone up tonight, then wrap up warm and avoid any unduly large cracks in the pavement and other insurmountable obstacles between now and Monday.
I believe Arsène will start with Song and Denilson at Old Trafford, but for tonight I think one will do the job along with Jack, and for me Denilson needs the full ninety. Although Samir left the field hobbling on Saturday, there’s been no injury news on him and we need his creativity so no rest for him.
Here are my thoughts on the front three. The obvious choice would be to go with either Nic or MC, but I think the latter could do with a rest, while I don’t think the former is very good at football. Vela impressed me enormously with his positioning the other day, his movement off the ball and his potential understanding with Robin. From my point of view, this is a serious about turn as I had him inked in for the exit door. I have umm’ed and aah’ed over Rosicky. Well the reason I am not playing Mozart, is that I like the idea of keeping the same shape that we will employ at Old Trafford, albeit totally different kind of games. So we have:
…….Fab
Sag Kos Squil Gibbs
…..Den JW
………Nasri
Vela RvP AA
Old Big Ears, as the trophy is affectionately known, is the largest of the cups in every sense. The Daddy. Look at what is left in it. Harry, Maureen, Seralex, Chelsea and Barca. It is simply irresistible to not want to knock them out. Think also for a moment about of our away fans. This competition is pay back time. Year upon year of cold, wet mid week away days. Here it is Spain, Italy and Greece. Consider also the Foodies amongst us, and the pre match snack. Merguez Sausages topped with a searing chilli sauce wrapped up in all those weirdly sophisticated continental breads.
This Trophy is about Heritage, Pedigree and Elitism. Think Ajax, Barcelona, Real, Inter, Milan. Now consider Chelsea, Tottenham, Huddersfield and Torquay. One lot has. The other has not. I know where we belong.
So I say to all of you, like myself, who have been left mentally scarred by the events in Paris: “No more to the medication”, and in the immortal words of Dr Frasier Crane: “Let’s Get Better”.
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Morning all, I share your feelings about the CL R Lives( I thought you were referrring to Mr Rumbold in the title of your post) and a jolly post too; I got a gloating text from a Spud crowing about how they’d topped the group and it made me puke.
We will not do that most likely so we can only hope for Schalke or Bayern in the next round, assuming we go through.
Oh, and without trying to be pedantic Dr NILES Crane coined that phrase(in the episode where he stood in for his brother at KACL), Frasier’s catch phrase is, of course, “ I’m listening.” 🙂
Morning all
Thanks Micky for the post. I can’t believe that we’re needing to do the maths to qualify for the next round 😦
But qualify, I’m certain we will and hopefully with a sack full of goals and a clean sheet to cheer us all on to Old Trafford on Monday.
Ah, it was a MDi89 post then – thanks to MD in that case.
Talking of Old Toilet Peachy, I’m glad Villareal scored there last night – the commentators on the radio were creaming themselves off about how the Mank skummers were going to set a new CL record by going through the group stages without conceding a goal.
Well Ha-de har har !
Morning all,
Wowee, coming second in the Group could throw up some real biggies. Spurs and Real would be my preferred options. Both need “correcting”.
We’ll have to wait till the Q/F’s for that MDi89(in the horrible event of them getting through the “Round of 16”) as the same country teams are kept apart in the draw for the next round.
I have a feeling we’ll get General Franco’s boys in the next round.
PS -so no one remembers who Mr Rumbold is then ? 😦
Chary,
You little sod picking me up on the quote. I was merely bending the facts to fit seemlessly with my point. Swine!
Morning all, 5:00am here in London, Ontario.
We’ve had a record snow fall over the past few days and have around 4 feet surrounding the house with another 18/24 inches forecast over the next two days. Quite remarkably the roads have been cleared and traffic is moving normally.
Morning Micky, interesting post.
Here’s my take.
We’ve previously used The Carling Cup as an opportunity to blood our youngsters, with varying levels of failure. This season AW has taken it seriously, IMHO, this is because he wants his players to get the taste of Victory vs Defeat. Quite a different taste.
The FA Cup is embedded in every Englishman’s soul and is a cup the fans always want to win, mainly due the emotional tug and the historic significance.
It was the 1st major final that we reached back in 1927 but we lost to Cardiff City 1-0.
It became our 1st major trophy win in 1930 when we beat Huddersfield Town 2-0. As a kid the FA Cup completely enthralled me and I would travel far and wide to watch our away games.
AW has taken us to 5 finals winning 4, it’s possible that we could have reached and won more FA Cups but AW had to balance his priorities and his team selection cost us on a few occasions.
This season is anybody’s guess but again I believe it will be a balancing act based on our placing in the PL and CL.
The EPL is the long distance race of English Football and is the toughest competition to win. Of all of our Managers AW has fared the best with 3, 1st – 5, 2nd – 2, 3rd and 4, 4th positions.
This season is the most open for years and from my personal viewpoint if we have a few lucky breaks and stay relatively injury free then it could be ours for the taking.
The CL is the Holy Grail of European club football and has so far eluded us, I still agonize at the thought of losing to Barca when we were so, so close to winning, but it was not to be…damn!
WE will beat Partizan today and hopefully top our group but I think that once again it will, be a bridge too far as Real Madrid and Barcelona are way too good.
Chary,
Oh ok. Franco’s boys eh? I really fancy a trip to Madrid, and can you imagine Maureens’ reaction. They are the type of team that suits our style, and I missed it last time we knocked them out.
I’m a bit of a Frasier buff MDi89, they are some classic lines from that series.
I like the one where Roz says “Men have also used sex to get what they want”
To which Frasier replies: “That’s ridiculous..sex IS what they want!”
If we can stabilize the CB pairing, keep Song fit and tethered, I think we have a real chance in this competition. Both Chelsea and Utd have fragile squads and I think fitness issues will certainly define the outcome of the PL. In turn, both of those are serious threats in Europe, so the same will apply there.
Thanks Micky. I agree that it would do RvP good to start tonight, and Chamakh looks in need of a breather in any event. But I think the fact we may still need to win this game (like Peaches, I can’t believe we’ve put ourselves in that position) will encourage Wenger to put a strong-ish side out, so I can see Song starting tonight, despite all the debate (or perhaps because of it). Likewise, Rosicky or perhaps the newly maligned Walcott over Vela.
Am a bit worried about Wenger’s suggestion that Diaby might be fit…..
So my prediction:
Fabianski
Sagna, Squillaci, Koscielny, Clichy
Song, Wilshere
Walcott, Nasri, Arshavin
van Persie
Although United looked poor last night, it’s a bit worrying that they will go into Saturday’s game fully rested, having had no game at the weekend and an easy one last night.
That’s the trouble 26May – our injury news is always a case of “good news, bad news.”
The good news is Cesc is back in training.
The bad news is so is Diaby. Damm!
26 May,
Didn’t Utd pick up an injury last night? Was working and only half listening. The extra day should make no difference, and in theory, we too have an easy game tonight.
Yeah MDi89, I’ve got a horrible feelnig we’ll see The Specious One at the Grove.
Still we knocked ’em out last time and they are vulnerable as our copycats proved at the Camp Nou a few weeks back.
26may: It even better for Man U than you think- we don’t play them until Monday. As usual advantage United – expect that they will get their obligatory home penalty.
Chary,
I would love to see the “specious” one at the Grove, and its true what you say about them looking vulnerable.
Off for a while.
Nice one Micky. I’m glad you got your way with Peaches! 🙂 (I might have phrased that better, but I am practising to be your straight man!) 😉
In all honesty, I am a bit nervous about tonight’s game, it all seems a bit too predictable that we will beat Partizan, but football has a nasty habit of kicking you in the teeth when you least expect it.
I like the team predictions above, especially 26’s, although I think Bendy may start.
26, on a personal note, I am a big fan of TV series “House”, and particularly the gorgeous, blonde, bi-sexual “Thirteen”.
When did all these numerical names become de rigeur? Why can’t you guys go with something classy like “Red Arse”. 🙂
Ah Thirteen, now you’re talking…….
Sorry, I was distracted. GN5, apologies, I was being thick and got the day of the United game wrong.
Micky, I didn’t notice United get an injury last night but like you, I wasn’t watching attentively – was flicking between that and highlights of Adelaide Day 5…….
Sorry, I was distracted. My point re timing wasn’t to do with United playing a CL game on Tuesday and us on Wednesday, it was more that they didn’t play last w/e at all plus last night’s game was a soft one for them because it was a dead rubber, whereas qualification hangs on ours tonight, thanks to our own inefficiency in the previous two games.
Anyone who’s anyone has got a numerical suffix to their name, RedA.
Also I know this is not really relevant to the discussion but I have to say my tow msain wishes to see leave AFC are Diaby and Almunia, and possibly Vela but I’ll watch him closely tonight before I pass final judgement on him.
His horrendous display in the FA Cup game against Stoke last season has scarred me mentally.
You lot leave my Diaby alone! 🙂
I think we’re going to fall out over Diaby, RedA, although more accurately I respectfully disagree with you about Abou Vassiriki.
He’s got an appalling fitness record(I know it’s not his fault but we shouldn’t be carrying passengers) and when he does play I’ve lost patience with him and his “1 good game, 3 bad games, 13 games injured” cycle.
CharyB, you’ve got a point!
I think, like you, that with his injury record he should be shown the door, along with Thomas Vermalen, DJ and Cesc, three other no-good, injured layabouts. 🙂
While we are at it, I did not like the way Clichy and Sagna were sniffing, just because they had slight colds. Out with the lot of them, I say! 🙂
Hey guys! MDi89, your line up should be okay save for 4 key names who must play. Who would suggest a line up against Manure without, Chamakh, Song, Clichy and Djourou? The fact that he is being rsted tonite should say the obvious about Djourou featuring against Red Nose’ side.
Squad should read something like:
Fab
Sagna Squillaci Djourou Clichy
Song Deni
Nasri
RvP Chamakh Arshavin
Rosicky,Walcott and Vela to come in, depending on how things shape up.
GoonerE,
Wouldn’t argue too strongly against that, but I am willing to bet that DJ, when he recovers from his thigh strain, will be back on the bench.
Arsene is not going to demote his combo of the Squid and Kosser!
OK, there’s no need for the sarcasm RedA. The critical difference between Diaby and the other layabouts you listed is that with a consistent run of games he has never sustained a more than average level of consistency whereas the others generally do.
You do touch upon anther two points though, “value for money” as in terms of games/match time offered by a player and reliance on players who have proved themselves to not give us more than 20 games a season and its related implications on the squad depth/quality.
For example are we right to rely on Robin as our front line striker when in the 5 and a ½ seasons he’s been with us he’s made about 26 starts, per season, on average ?
Last season he only started 18 games !
CharyB,
My response was not intended as sarcasm, I thought, at the time of writing, it was an amusing counter-point.
Not for the for the first time my acerbic wit is misjudged …. sorry! 😦
In answer to your question; I, and many others, think RVP is an absolute master, but his injury record is pretty appalling. I would let him go, with the proviso he is replaced with a comparable talent.
Diaby is incontrovertibly inconsistent! Absolutely agreed. Where I have a disagreement with you, is that he has shown he is capable of the highest skill, and will become even better.
It is too easy to forget the horrendous, career threatening injuries he has suffered and from which stems a lot of his inconsistent performances. Bear with him CharyB, it is my hope he will, one day, become a jewel in the Arsenal crown. 🙂
Afternoon all,
Witty and entertaining post Micky. Sorry I haven’t been on earlier, I had to go to the docs as I’ve been coughing up things that look like Werthers Originals 😦
I remember that final in Paris for so many negative reasons. Mad Jens getting himself sent off when it would have been much better to let them score as it was right at the start of the game; the loss of Bobby – not only from that game but the club; TH14 leaving his shooting boots at home; subbing Cesc to try to protect a lead and Almunia getting beaten between his legs at the near post …. aaaarrrrggghhhh
PS. Diaby is a gifted footballer for 20% of the time, for 60% he’s average and for the other 20% he’s a liability. He’s a big leg-breaking lump who is injury prone. I don’t think we need him and I’m with those who wouldn’t be upset if he left.
A very enjoyable read Micky.
I learnt three things from reading the post and the comments:
Firstly, I am not alone in thinking I need Arsenal to win the CL before I die; the weight of disappointment from that cold night in Paris continues to grow heavier and heavier every season.
Secondly: there is someone who has seen something in Carlos Vela that suggests there might be hope; personally I had given up.
And thirdly, I had no idea it was Niles rather that Frasier who coined the phrase “I am listening” It’s amazing what you learn on this site.
Great read Micky.
Three things I learnt from reading the comments:
Micky got his way with Peaches.
We have too many players whose futures with the club are subject to question because of their injury records.
And I’m not the only one who still has hope of Vela coming good.
London, I was close to giving up on Vela also, but to be fair I have 2 others I would rather go before him at the moment.
PS – it was Frasier(not Niles) who’s catchphrase is “ I’m listening”, which he actually got from their dad.
No worries RedA, I’m a bit of a hypocrite as I’m a right sarcastic so and so at the best of times. 🙂
One reason I can’t give up on Vela is that he is a better footballer than Theo and we wouldn’t dream of letting him go.
Incidentally GunnerN5 has written a piece on Theo that we hope to publish soon …. he’s not a fan I’m guessing 😉
Hilarious post Mickey….great stuff.
It really is a an absolute shame tht we still have a ‘live’ game tonight.
If we don’t get an early goal, it will be a very tense and nervous evening.
I think selling Diaby would be a major blunder. I challenge anyone to go look at his one man show against Bosnia(?) that someone posted on here a while back and tell me that Diaby is not supremely talented.
Yeah he’s injured a lot and inconsistent, but as he gets older and stronger I expect both of those issues to fade. Ability wise he’s just too damn good to let go on the cheap.
Mickey,
I’ve actually found myself asking myself (!!) if I wouldn’t be too miffed about an early(ish) exit from the CL.
Obviously Group stages would be a disaster, but I’m concerned that you can get pretty close to a final, playig all the extra games that that entasils, and then be let with nowt but a thinly stretched squad that suffering in the PL.
Yes we have a large and talented squad, but certain players will be almost unrotateable, with the games coming thick andfadt, especially if we go far in the FA Cup.
I guess I’m just not too upbeat about our chances of getting our hands on Ol Big Ears.
Btw Micky – when I read your headline I thought you were demanding the return of Francis Jeffers.
…or Tony Adams Rocky
On a related topic, can you believe the aussies are seriously considering bringing Shane Warne back to rescue the Ashes series
Rasp, they were so roundly thrashed it wouldn’t surprise me if they drafted in Merv Hughes, Lillian Thomson, Ned Kelly and Skippy the Bush Kangaroo too.
Chary – I got your Mr Rumbold line. Didn’t have time to respond to it earlier but I’m Free now.
Raspers, they could tempt him back into the Aussie changing room with a trail of hair replacement products and fast food.
London,
Let me help you with the pain of Paris. Here’s a true story. I could only get a train back at six the following morning, and ended up drinking in a small bar with three Gooners from Dublin, amongst maybe thirty other Gooners. At about four in the morning, the noise had become too much and the Police (led by an alarmingly attractive female gendarmme) arrived to shut the place down. One of said Dubliners leant over and whispered to me in his silky irish tones “don’t worry, I’ll sort this out”. Forty minutes later, the place was still open, minus Dublinner and Gendarmme!
Rocky,
She got her way with me to be strictly accurate. Mind you, it took her until about 10:30 last night to do it!!
I’m glad someone remembers Mr Rumbold R Lives. 🙂
Those were the days…it reminds me, when we play back highlights of the second half of the PL game against the Spuds perhaps we could use the theme to “Some mothers do ‘ave ’em” as the backing track?
Peaches,
By the way, thanks for the Cesc/Nasri tidy up.
Talking of headlines….
Not one person commented on my –
‘Alex Song – Presser in Chief. Mens Suits £8.50, Ten shirts for £15.00’ yesterday.
Poor gag, or no one got it…??
Sorry S Sure – I didn’t get it.
I thought “Presser” was the term for a Press Conference?
Sharkey,
Song will understand when he realizes the large package is me taking up the 10 for 15 offer.
Sharkey, it was an example of such luminary wit that it defied comment. It made me chuckle and I’m sure it did the same for everyone else.
Micky 🙂
Sharkey, you seem a bit steamed that nobody picked up on your joke.
Don’t worry Sharkey, these things iron themselves out over a period of time.
Actually I creased up when I read it.
Which just goes to show I’m not the starchy old sod some people take me for.
10 reasons we can sell Diaby:
1. Fabregas
2. Nasri
3. Ramsey
4. Wilshere
5. Rosicky
6. Arshavin
7. Denilson
8. Song
9. Emmanuel-Thomas
10. Coquelin
Looks like I’m on my own with S Sure’s gag, as in not getting it.
It must’ve have gone right over my head.
Presser, as in someone who presses (or irons) clothes.
Oh, I think of it as “The Ironer” – what a thicko !.
Chary, you’re right – Presser can also mean a press conference.
Ahem, I have just come back from a pleasant repast, and settled down to read your comments, guys, accompanied by a beautiful rendition of Bruch’s Violin Concerto. 🙂
Unfortunately I do not have a clue about the “Suits £8:50” etc. Damn! 😦
Micky, Rocky may not know what you are referring to viz a vis Peaches. I believe I made the comment to you, today, following on from last night’s “will he?” … “won’t he?” 🙂
26may, sub Diaby for Denilson and you have 10 reasons to sell Denilson.
Very good GN5! Not that I agree, Denilson, while a more limited player in terms of talent, is significantly more useful to the squad than Diaby – Chary’s reference to a “1 good game, 3 bad games, 13 games injured” cycle was on the button.
GN5 you got me good and proper there…very good !!
Rocky top quality those….after one hours hard graft on account hierarchies they were very welcome.
Fair do’s Chary, I’ve also seen presser used in that way.
Either way, that list of MF’s is very impressive.
Well played Arsene for assembling such an array of talent, whilst apparently being the tightest manager on the planet – according to some.
26,
You seem to have omitted PingPong from your list of “reasons” to dispense with poor old Diaby. But then Coquelin has “gone” for all intents and purposes.
I suppose there are some who would be “head over heels” with delight at Diaby’s departure. But why head over heels? Would it not be more understandable to say “heels over head”? 🙂
My general physiognomy may be unusual, but my head is usually over my heels even when I am unhappy. 😦
26,
I did not add that you have also omitted Randall and Lansbury from the list but I think you were stretching credulity anyway.
Apart from his great skill, the one other asset Diaby has over everyone on that list, apart from Song (5′ 10″) is that he is tall (6′ 3″) and strong. Everyone else on your list is a talented small person! 🙂
Redders, with your moniker I would imagine you prefer the phrase: “arse over tip” (sometimes said as “arse over tit”).
Talking of Randall, I saw him on Sunday up at Bicester Village the shopping mall.
I played it cool though and just shook his hand. I should have kicked him up the arse and told him to leave our club to make a space for someone with talent.
Rocky,
That’s what is known as a leading question. So, arse me no questions and I’ll tell you no lies! 🙂
Sharkey, 🙂 🙂
He would be perfect for 26’s list then! 🙂
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Well we are rapidly approaching what I call the pickled onion end of the day, and on match days, that’ll be out of the jar marked “hot”.
I really hope RvP starts up top and central, and that Bendy does not start up top or central.
Now now RA.
Diaby’s height has never got in the way of him not imposing himself very well on a game. The guy has talent, we all know that, but surely we’re all just banging our heads against a brick-wall thinking he’ll finally become what he could be.
Has Coquelin gone? I understood it was a genuine, “for experience” year long loan.
I would’ve put Pingpong and Lansbury on the list but got to the magic ten without the need. Randall, no. Perhaps he was in Bicester for a job interview when Sharkey bumped into him.
Micky,
If RVP starts up top and central, perhaps Bendy could start central and up top. They could be dynamite as the soixante neuf of the Gunners! 🙂
Very cunning deflection, 26. 🙂
No answer to the burning question of head over heels as to heels over head then? P:
26, Candidly, I am not sure about Coquelin. I admired him when he played for the youths, but injury messed him up, and I read a French report that said he wanted to stay and play in France.
I think that was mirrored by Jeorge Bird or Young Guns.
It must be disheartening for the youngsters when they read your list! 🙂
The Diaby debate is frusrating as I have stated my case and it leaves no room for debate. Talent, yes. Ambition, zero. Such a waste.
RA,
I am quietly ignoring your “soixante neuf” reference.
No matter who we are playing, I still approach every kick off time with the same ever increasing frenzied levels of anticipation. It is now utterly pointless in trying to do anything useful or speak to anyone on a meaningful level. Its hopeless. Love, I guess.
Very wise Micky! 🙂
Actually I am disheartened by Diaby too, but I remain steadfastly hopeful.
But you are right, the discussion has become sterile as neither “side” will convince the other.
Unlike the majority of Arsenal players, I get the impression that Diaby is not very bright. The evidence for this is that he can be brilliant when he acts instinctively, but often cocks up when he has time to think (or not as the case may be). I have never seen a more deliberate own goal than the one he scored for manu against us, and breaking Nasri’s leg in training was none too clever either.
Redders: “If RVP starts up top and central, perhaps Bendy could start central and up top” – soixante neuf AND head over heels all in one.
Just weather checked London. Another night in tights and gloves for the boys in red and white. Doubtless bare chested and thongs for the lads from Belgrade. They’re hard over there.
Micky, forgot to mention: I loved your pocket description of our opponents and their habitat:
“They are from Belgrade, which is over there somewhere. They have noisy and excitable fans, and the country is usually very cold. Or hot.”
Brilliant.
Rocky,
Don’t encourage him!
Rasp,
Thick may cover it. Tragically, he will look back on his career with regret at this rate. Hope someone sticks one up him.
Hi Rasp,
Perhaps not surprisingly I share your view, which is not specific to Diaby, but to many footballers, including Keepers.
Play the ball instinctively and, for the most part, they are fine. Give them time to look up and measure a pass/cross and they inevitably miss hit or misplace the pass.
I don’t think it is anything to do with intelligence though, it’s just human nature to tighten up and over analyse the options.
Rocky,
Thanks. Not necessary though.
RA,
You are only right about the “over analysing” bit if we assume all the wires are connected. And in the right order!
Rocky, your 5:24! 🙂
Micky,
I have a sense of pot and kettle coming on.
Your 5:24; “Bare chested with thongs, the lads are hard over there”, and “hope someone sticks one up him”.
I rest your case. 🙂
Now at Pre-Match Level 2.
Bollocks. Snookered!
Thanks Micky. Fancy me getting one bit right.
I love being patronised. Do go on.
Loving the banter on here today.
I’m at my desk at work (and popping in and out of meetings) but every time I check back in there’s another brilliant line from someone.
Not to mention some good discussion about Diaby, our midfield in general, PingPong, the French Coq etc etc.
Is the game on ITV?
Hi RA,
Thanks for the generous and reasoned argument as to why Diaby seems with the fairies sometimes – but I’m with Micky, I think he’s a tad thick.
Having a striking resemblance to Huggy Bear (he’s nothing like my hero, the magnificent PV) doesn’t help in the intelligence/looks perception either I’m afraid.
That’s a bit naughty Rasp. (not that I could be arsed 🙂 to become a PC personage).
I was always taught not to judge a book by it’s cover.
Like with young Eastmond, I am now going into purdah regarding Diaby too. It’s pointless anyway, as Micky said, he is not open for debate on this. And that’s fair enough.
End of, as they say! 🙂
Micky might have a point about wires all being connected etc, because I laughed to read that Cesc considered dental surgery to cure his hamstring injury.
Forget head over heels etc, my overall physiognomy is seriously defunct! 🙂
Sorry RA, please don’t misunderstand me. It is only because I made my case so clearly on a previous day, that I really left myself nowhere to go in a discussion about him. Nothing has changed my mind. He is enormously talented, but I believe too much like my rugby playing chum I mentioned.
Rasp – we probably all agree that Diaby’s a bit a dense. I wonder which of our players would feature in an IQ-challenged list? My suggestions would include Eastmond (based on his Twitterings), Vela, Rosicky and Koscielny. And I have a bit of a doubt about Jack. But that could be grossly unfair on all of them.
RA,
The dental surgery thing does sound funny. However, maybe not so silly. I do eye exercises if I need to correct an old back injury. Seriously. All nerves are connected to be the thinking.
Rocky,
Do you think its possible to be a good footballer and not too sharp in the tool area?
By the way, I don’t think so.
Although hunger and drive can take a “slower” player as far as a “faster” player who lacks those qualities.
To be honest while it would be nice to win the CL I would go for the EPL every time if there was a choice. Winning it [CL] means sod all really.. are we a smaller club than Porto, Notts Forest , Villa, Celtic or some of the other small teams who won this trophy??
I think not!!!
Are we a smaller club than Ajax?? As far as being a big club is concerned I think a team that wins the EPL consistently has more standing than a team who wins a knock out competition.
I want us to win for the money, but apart from that.. Im indifferent.
Micky,
I am sure you are right. Certainly the Chinese practise sticking pins in various parts of the body to rectify problems elsewhere.
I laughed because I read the “tooth/hamstring” story hard on your “wires connected correctly” comment. Very apposite! 🙂
“Acupuncture” is missing between “practise” and “sticking”. Sorry! 🙂
Micky, I think footy skills are not necessarily related to IQ and there have been many gifted players who are thick as planks. The best players do what they do largely through instinct. I’m no neuro scientist but the bits of our brain that govern instinctive behaviour are, I believe, separate from the bits that govern reasoned behaviour. Or something like that.
Team news from Arse.com
“Van Persie steps in for Tomas Rosicky, Denilson replaces Jack Wilshere and Kieran Gibbs comes in for Gael Clichy.”
I don’t know why they don’t just list the full team !!!
Rocky,
The power to reason, as opposed to instinct, is what separates us from the jungle creatures and Rooneys of this world. Or something like that.
Sharkey,
Oh no. RvP in for Rosicky. Doesn’t that mean there’s still room for the Prince?
Pre-match level 4 and rising.
Will be watching ‘as live’ in a few hours time, so signing off now before Micky hits Defcon 5.
All those who are going/watching – here’s hoping for a six goal romp to an easy victory.
Come on you Reds!!!
…Fab
Sag Kos Squil Gibbs
…Den Song
……Nas
RvP…MC…AA
Level 5.
Come on you Gunners!
Poor performance on the night, and difficult to believe how much of a meal we made of an easy group, but Theo Walcott to the rescue.
Bring on Real Madrid!
The absolute flatness of our team for 10-15mins once the scores went to 1-1 has really scared me this evening.
Robin in that hole really seem to leave us short of something in my opinion. We’re used to having someone quick and nimble in there who darts forward and gets up to and/or beyond Chamakh.
Robin always seems to want to stop the ball dead before his first next move, and never seemed to run forwards without the ball, always wanting it with his back to goal, then taking a good while to lay it off
Overall job done, great game from Sagna who really took it to them, ably supported by Sammi and Song.
Strangely quiet night from Chamakh, but I think RVP staying behind him really doesn’t help our big Moroccan
Agreed Sharkey, and Nasri really needed to be in that position, in the centre, to be of greatest effect. Van Persie as the outside left would suit.
I think Chamakh has started a dip in form. I’m sure he’ll rediscover his mojo but he’s been playing at a lower level for a few games now.
I don’t even know why I go on Le-Grove anymore. The latest post is legendary.
I saw it too Rohan, a bit of a knee jerk reaction there methinks.
Well, there I was expecting a goal fest, lots of energy and fabulous football and boy was I disappointed.
How we can play so badly is really beyond me and what happens at half time?????? They returned to the pitch half asleep again – Arsene turn off the heating in the dressing-room!!!!!!!!!!
I’d better go have a look …………
If anyone feels tht they want to write a small match report for the morning and send it through we’re going to need one as kelsey has been unwell this evening and won’t be able to write one 😦
It was a bit of a flat performance and a little worrying when you consider our next game is the trip to Old Toilet. Oh well 4 days for Wenger to gather the troops and regroup.
chary – if it were 40 days it wouldn’t be enough 😦
So you’re not too confident about Monday either then, Peachy ?
Oh get a grip you lot. We’re almost always a bit rubbish when expected to win comfortably. We’ve seen that Chamakh/RvP doesn’t work (or at least doesn’t work as configured tonight) but we’ll be fine on Monday. Guaranteed win for the Arse on Monday by 2-0. Mark my words.
Just looked at Le Grove. What a pile of bollocks that post is.
Morning all,
Won’t be around until much later. Ok, that was not good, but a part of me thinks rather like Rocky. We are invariably flat and vulnerable when up against teams we are expected to roll over. Having said that, it was not the confidence booster we wanted ahead of monday, so lets hope it serves as the kick up the pants, not that anyone needs motivation going to Old Trafford. One other thing, RvP looked knackered coming off the pitch at half time. Keep the faith.
Morning all
Obvious knee jerk comments from me last night having sat in the freezing cold watching the game. Pathetically, I lke it best when we win with aplomb but if we have to win plainly and boringly then I’m happy with that too.
We’re through to the knock out stages and thats a good deal better than not being through to the knock out stages.Could we please not get Barcelona in the first round though 🙄
Morning Peachy, having watched the game on ITV4 I felt slightly underwhelmed by the performance, save for a few moments of brilliance and when the Serbs equalised I found myself contemplating not only getting a gloating text from my text-happy Spud acquaintance but dreading the prospect of Europa football.
Not a happy feeling; trying to be positive if we’d a cruised through this game our defensive frailties would have been glossed over and we may have gotten too relaxed about the trip to Old Toilet.
When the Partizan midfield kept possession I’m sure the commentators said “Stankovic, to Ivanovic to Sonofabitch”
It was another below par home performance, but we can play better, and are playing better away from home. Personally, I think the temperature is one of the factors affecting us at the moment. Monday’s going to be tough, but I feel confident about it.
As for the CL knock-out phase, we’ve knocked out the likes of Real Madrid, AC Milan and Juventus before when we were predicted to fail, so why not once more? True, we should have cruised to top spot in the group, but it’s no bad thing to have to play good sides, might bring the best out of the players.
I see your point there 26May. Before our great performances against Inter, AC and General Franco’s boys we had not exactly been pulling up trees in other games just beforehand.
In any case it’s a long time till the next game and who knows how we’ll be playing by then.
New post……
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