Written by Gooner in Exile
A trip to the German Champions in their mighty fortress was always going to be a difficult game. We went with a team that is still getting to know each other’s first names so the writing was on the wall and every pundit pre match was predicting we would be lucky to escape with a draw.
Dortmund started brightly dominating possession and exploiting our high line and Per’s lack of pace, they were full of running and the little wizard Goetze was at the heart of most things good from them. Through poor finishing and committed defending we managed to keep them at bay and slowly get ourselves in to the match. The best chance during this spell came from a poor touch by Gibbs seized upon by Goetze who played a lovely reverse pass to Lewandowski who rounded Szczesny but Sagna had covered well and cleared off the line.
Arsenal were creating problems for themselves, the ball was sticking in the midfield when pressure needed to be relieved, a number of players (one of the main culprits Gibbs) were pushing the ball backwards and sideways rather than looking forward and Dortmund were swarming in numbers to win back possession in the defensive third. At times I would just like to see us punt the ball out of defence and into the other half of the pitch.
The period was not without its chances for Arsenal though, Gervinho denied by a last second tackle by Hummels whilst waiting for the ball to drop, after switching wings Gevinho released Theo but unfortunately his first touch took the ball too far and towards Hummels, a better first touch and he would have had options to play in Van Persie or play for the penalty with his second touch.
Benayoun looked to set Gervinho away, the ball was cleared straight back to the Israeli who reacted to push another pass to Van Persie who forced the keeper into a save at his near post.
Finally the deadlock was broken, Dortmund were guilty of slowly playing out from the back, Van Persie hassled for the ball and touched it to Theo, Theo seized on the opportunity to push forward and played a perfectly weighted pass into the path of Van Persie who composed himself picked his spot and put us one nil up with two or three minutes of the half remaining.
The second half started in much the same way as the first with Dortmund pressing with and without the ball but Arsenal seemed to withstand the pressure better, the ball was being played longer from midfield to attack and between Theo, Gervinho and Van Persie the ball was staying up the pitch for longer which meant the defence was given a much needed rest to regroup and reorganise.
During this spell we forced a couple of free kicks but unfortunately neither Arteta or Walcott could produce a telling strike.
Dortmund slowly got themselves back on the front foot and were mounting large periods of possession in the Arsenal defensive third. For the most part the team stood firm, Koscielny, Song, and Sagna all getting involved in good blocks or tackles, Mertesacker winning high balls and when the ball did break through the defence Szczesny was there to provide the final barrier.
During this period the two of the new signings, Arteta and Benayoun, provided good work-rate they covered runs made tackles and won free kicks when they could easily have lost possession. Their commitment to the harder parts of the game was good to see from players who some would possibly regard as flair players. Their energy meant that Song could stay more central and provide a screen to the centre backs.
Trying to steady the ship young Frimpong replaced Walcott and Benayoun went out to left midfield, soon after Benayoun was moved on to the right as Gervinho was replaced by Santos and Chamakh came on for the tiring Van Persie.
These changes restricted any forward movement so it was going to be backs to the wall for the last ten minutes or so. The Dortmund pressure was calmly dealt with by our defence and the clean sheet was looking good.
Unfortunately it couldn’t last from a passage of triangle passing between Benayoun, Arteta and Frimpong who had no forward outlet the ball was lost resulting in Song conceding a free kick to stop a breakway. Gibbs rose well to head away the firmly delivered set piece but the ball looped out to Perisic who struck an unstoppable volley into the top right corner. There was simply no legislating for that strike, the harshest critic will say that too many red shirts had got sucked into the area and the Dortmund players on the edge of the box were left unattended.
There was still time for Szczesny to be called into action once more as he spread himself at the feet of Lewandowski to prevent a Dortmund winner.
So a point away from home in the Champions League in the bag and some valuable lessons learned about our strengths and weaknesses.
For me the team still has some gelling to do, hopefully three days training together before the visit to Blackburn will give the players the chance to at least learn each others names and maybe even how each other likes to play, that presently is our weakness.
As for strength, well tonight there seemed to be something that I haven’t seen for a while certainly not in the latter stages of last season, players were taking responsibility, Szczesny was grabbing bodies at corners and telling them where to stand, Benayoun and Arteta were working hard tracking back to win the ball back and put themselves where it hurts. Spurred on by this Van Persie was tracking back deep into his own half. From the ashes I think a team is rising, a slightly different team, one with a different mentality, one prepared to fight, one prepared to do what it takes to win. The future is looking brighter every game.
Ratings:
I don’t normally like ratings but today I thought I would give some as I thought a few players deserved mention that I could not put fit in the report.
Szczesny – 8 Solid start to finish, calm and composed, confident claiming high balls and some important saves.
Gibbs – 6 For me our weakest player tonight, too often turning back inside with nowhere to go when in possession, and dereliction of defensive duties for most of the first half allowing runners to get away too easily
Sagna – 7 Mr Dependable, as ever, solid in the tackle careful with possession, but did not offer as much going forward as he normally does.
Koscielny – 8 Despite some wayward passing in the early stages I thought he stood firm against a very talented Dortmund attack, made many good interceptions and tackles, was strong in the air, took a mighty thump to the head from Sagna and Subotic combined but just gets on with little complaint.
Mertesacker – 6.5 His pace was exposed on occasion when they played around him on the floor, but when they resorted to high balls he came into his own, will suit the bigger teams in the Premier League but we will need Vermaelen and Koscielny when it comes to the trickier attackers of City and the like.
Song – 7.5 Provided the screen as needed (especially in the second half) also retained possession well in both halves, took time to settle in the first half alongside the two new lads.
Arteta – 7 For me he gets a 6 for his first half display and 8 for the second, felt the game passed him by in the first half, but when he started to get hold of the ball and pick the longer passes he provided a good outlet and used it well, second half he put himself on the line in defence and got a nice cut on the head for his trouble.
Benayoun – 7.5 Slightly out performed Arteta, with a better display first half going forward, but most impressed and surprised by his work rate defensively.
Gervinho – 6.5 Too many blind alleys run down, needs to get his head up and use his teammates more, had the chance to lay in Theo when one on one.
Walcott – 6.5 Up until he pushed the assist through he had hardly been in the game, and had been guilty of losing possession too easily. Second half was better but should have used his pace better when he had the opportunity to.
Van Persie – 7.5 The half point is for the goal, otherwise a quiet first half, again much better second half and upped his work rate, I’d prefer him to come off every match on 75 minutes shattered than conserve himself to get through ninety minutes.
Subs, Frimpong, Chamakh and Santos not enough time to rate.
Man of the Match – Koscielny
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I really enjoyed the game last night. It seems with cesc and na$$ri gone we’ve lost quality but gained some spirit. I was hoping he’d send on park but I think he wanted chamakh to hold the ball up a bit. I think chamakh is a good player but he clearly is in a terrible run of form. rooney was dogshit last year so it does happen.
Great match report but why the groupon pop ups? Is it just me or are they meant to be there? I hate groupon.
GIE. Super write up. As you say we played as a team which is highly encouraging especially when considering that two of our pitch leaders were missing.
GM. I think it is just you ….
Thanks GIE, a solid and battling match report.
When a team is low on confidence, players tend to be less keen to make themselves available for a pass which, in turn, means holding on to possession becomes much harder.
Confidence rises, everyone wants the ball.
GM, I’m not getting any groupon pop ups in Chrome.
Good write up GiE
Before the game i just wanted to build on the 1-0 win over Swansea and as Pat Rice said the dressing room was buzzing after the game, that’s good enough for me. A real gutsy performance that, especially second half, with notable mentions to Chesney, Sagna, Koscielny, Arteta and in particular Song whose performance was a cut above.
Next up Blackburn, as this team looks to bed in, and I’m more confident now than I was this time yesterday. Slowly slowly catchy monkey and all that….(whatever that means…..)
Morning,
Thanks for the perceptively analytical match GiE.
You make some very good points – particularly the bit about Gervinho getting his head up.
Overall Theo’s contribution was as poor as on Saturday but his pass for the goal was perfection and if he can do that just once in a game you have to see the virtue of having him on the pitch. I don’t know what it will take to get a bit more aggression into his game.
As many have said, the work rate was the most impressive and pleasing aspect of the performance. I commented earlier that PR should be credited for sending the team out in the 2nd half with the instruction to concentrate on the defending and that certainly gave us the Song of old that we missed a lot of last season.
I must have picked up some adware. I’ve got odd words underlined and showing up as links to groupon. I’ll run a check on my pc. It’s been running slow lately.
I’ll be back when I’ve cleansed this pc 🙂
‘I can’t agree FGG, he wasn’t putting in anywhere near enough effort. RvP had run his socks off for 75 minutes and Chamakh came on and made little effort, if he wants to score a goal he’ll need to work a lot harder.’
In response Rasp,
Chamakh came on with 15 minutes left when we were 1 up away from home, having switched to a 4-5-1 and playing 20 yards deeper than when RVP was on the field. Could he really be expected to chase around after 4 defenders? This is a player who is in desperate need of a goal, he should be thrown on when we are a few goals up against a poorer side ie Swansea.
Why wasn’t Park introduced instead? Surely that would have been a better option to get in the faces of the opposition. It isn’t really Chamakh’s game and he should’t be judged on this.
I wrote a couple of weeks ago or so that Gervinho is too selfish and a load of gooners here had a go at me. I believe it was very obvious last night just how selfish he is especially as GIE wrote about that pass he should have given to Teo. I reckon though that Wenger sitting high up in the stands must have seen his selfishness and will speak to him about it. I’m not sure that playing both Theo and Gervinho works though.
FGG, yes that’s exactly what Chamakh should have been expected to do.
Make a nuisance of himself in midfield, don’t allow them to settle on the ball and try to regain possession, harry and chase wherever he can. Then when he did get possession, he should have tried to keep hold of the ball by making simple passes, instead of that he gave it away cheaply or put his teammates under pressure with poor passes.
Mertesacker did not impress me. He was slow and I do not think he will make us stronger. Koscielny was excellent.
Arsene needs to get another centre back if we are to fight for a top four finish.
Rasp,
Should we get rid of him for that though? Replace him with Bendtner? I dont think so.
Bendtner has had years to prove himself at Arsenal and done very little, Chamakh has had 18 months, majority of which he was exhausted, and people are calling for him to be sold.
Give the lad a chance for goodness sake.
I ran an adware check and the groupons have gone now,
I agree totally with Rasp regarding Chamakh, he was put on with 15 minutes or so to play, he should have been closing down better, he should have been harrying them, trying to force mistakes. He didn’t, he seemed to quite happy to trot across the line in his usual lazy fashion.
Too often Chamakh makes poor passes and decisions, which then puts the team back under pressure. He fails in the basics of keeping the ball and often treats the ball as a hot potato. I think he has had his chances and its about time to try someone else. Lack of of confidence or not, we cannot afford passengers right now.
@Fatgingergooner
Chamakh came on in the 85th minute not the 75th minute. He didn’t help out at all defending. A very poor 5 mins. (+ 4 mins. injury time).
In the little time he was on I thought Santos looked good. I’m looking forward to Park getting a game.
Fgg,
I know he is a good footballer and the problem lies in his head, but at this particular stage of rebuilding we cannot afford to carry passengers.
Whatever it was that led to him needing that long break over Christmas is clearly still troubling him. I see him now as like Eduardo – in need of a change and a new start, so I’d let him go to another club, probably abroad where it would suit his style of play. He cost us nothing but maybe his wages elsewhere would be a problem.
Before he joined us he wasn’t an out and out striker (his stats were not that impressive) but we now have Gervinho, Park, Maiyachi and the Ox, do we really need Chamakh?
I’ve got a virus too.
Good write up GiE.
A couple of things have struck me over the last 2 games. The first is the partnership of Kos and Mertsacker. Kos seems to have taken the role of attacking the ball at every opportunity and Mert has hovered around him to pick up the loose ball if Kos dosent win it. I know we were exposed horribly in the first 20 minutes last night, but overall i like what i see with this fledgling partnership.
The second point revolves around the general style of play. I know Arsene believes that keeping possession is paramount but do we have the players to keep playing pure Wengerball? I would like to see a slight change of tactics were we play Song and Frimpong in the middle and try and get the ball forward more quickly, hopefully utiilising and getting the best out of Theo. I know this will result in giving up possession more frequently but as well as getting the best out of Theo it also gives the defence more time to regroup when needed. I hope ime not sounding like Fat Sam here, but could this be more a more effective tactic at this present time?
I understand what you’re saying, but i think he should be given the benefit of the doubt until xmas, after all, he aisn’t going anywhere until then.
Also, i don’t think we can really rely on Park, Ox and Ryo at this stage, as we know very little about them.
I’m with Danny on this one. Gervinho far too selfish. Worst thing is though he has no end product and constantly runs into players and dead ends. The only time he kept the ball in the second half was when he made a 50 yard run backwards.
If we paid 12m for a player who had 1 year left; then AW must rate him worth at least 20m. I don’t rate him worth more than 5m at the moment. Udinese was his one good game and Udinese are shit.
Morning all, thanks for the comments.
GM – i agree on Santos, one of the things I saw when he came on was pointing at Gibbs and telling him where his man was, again, good to see that the new boys are more vocal and seem keen to make sure people around them know their responsibilities.
And I agree with Rasp Patrice should definitely be complemented and nice to see his post match, Arsenal through and through and got to love the fella.
Chesser on Patrice – “He shouts a lot and he got us going”
😀
Even though I was critical of Gerv I do believe he has the attributes to do more.
Also he was double and triple teamed an awful lot last night, thats why it is so important that teammates get close to be used when he has nowhere to go, they should’ve been freed up to run into space such was the close attention Gerv was getting. But the way we set up second half was not condusive to that, and to be fair the chance3 he had to lay it off to Theo had come from great desire being knocked off balance and still making the ball, he just needed a bit more awareness at the final moment which will come.
Just regarding Chamakh,
If you look at his stats since joining Arsenal, for club and country, then they read as this:
29 starts
21 sub
13 goals
5 assists
he has not scored a goal in ANY game where he has come on with 20 minutes or less remaining. So if you take those games out then his stats would read:
29 starts
8 subs
13 goals
5 assists
Thats 1 in 2 goals or assists
My groupons are back. has anyone else (running IE on a pc) got random green words underlined. that are links to groupon?
In Gervinho’s defence, I don’t think he was given many options to pass when he lost the ball on several runs forward. He was surrounded by Dortmund players and left with no option but to try and hold on to the ball.
Even the possible pass to Theo wasn’t any easy one to spot, unless you were watching on television, of course.
Nothing like that on mine here at work goonermichael, although I am working behind a MOD Firewall as well.
Why the criticism of players who are just starting their AFC careers? Mertesacker and Gervinho have 5 games between them.
Totally bizarre.
Chas, agree with that comment and all too often either Gervinho or Theo would bomb up their respective wing with little or no support. As you also stated, they would both have three or four BD players around them, snuffing out any chance of breaking through.
Its always easier to spot an option or pass on the TV than it is when playing, but we really do need to support our front runners better.
@Big Raddy
Because we lost star players and Arsene was supposed to replace stay players with ready made replacements.
Gervinho is going to take at least 6 months before he’s capable and Mertesacker will provide good leadership but still take 4-6 months before he’s up to the pace of the game.
With our shit start; we can’t afford that time.
In a years time; I think that the Ox would be better than the Gerv. But that’s only if the Ox gets to play.
I think it is a google toolbar problem. I may have solved it (using google)
Great write-up Exile – for those who haven’t done an overnight match report for a midweek game, it’s not easy!
I posted my general views on the game last night (impressed with our progress, not that impressed with Dortmund, who should have done much better but were largely fended off successfully by our defensive players). But on the strands of debate this morning:
Chamakh: He wasn’t great but I think way too much is being made of his performance. I wouldn’t object if we were to trade up on him in January, but I don’t think we should write him off yet.
Gervinho: I don’t think he was that selfish last night; whenever he received the ball, he (a) was faced with three or four defenders and (b) had little to no support (for which do criticise others). I consider him to be superior to Nasri, who I don’t think would have done as well in getting behind defenders etc.
Mertesacker: We’re going to be rotating Vermaelen, Koscielny and Mertesacker, which seems fine to me. I’ve never viewed Mertesacker as being one of the best but he’s still very good.
Walcott: I agree with Rasp, that Theo gives us moments of genius, and for that reason alone, he’s an important player for us. When he received the ball for the goal last night, he didn’t rush, he found a bit of space, waited for van Persie to make his run and then played a perfectly weighted through ball. And they say he hasn’t got a footballing brain, what a load of crap.
26 thanks, you’re right its not easy as you’re wife sits grumbling having spent an hour and a half without attention to then be told “I have a match report to do”.
I think the judgement of Gervinho is split, I commented that he needs to get his head up more, that for me is a skills issue not a mental issue (which labelling him as selfish is)
GiE, thank you for a very sharp and well-balanced match report. Reading through it made me relive the game which for me is a sign of a very good match report. I like your ratings as well, although I think Mertesacker deserves a 7, if not 7.5. He added something to the team in the 2nd half last night, which we have not had for a long time: calmness, composure and leadership.
I fully agree with you on Koz: what a warrior he was for us last night. Song was immense in the 2nd half: once he gets going there is no stopping him. Sagna was great too and I thought that Gibbs did well. Yossi and Arteta fought like lions which was great to see, but they did struggle to keep hold of the ball and regain control over the centre of midfield. As a result, we could not release the pressure and provide the three upfront with some decent service. Dortmund played well though: only against Barca have we been put under so much pressure in recent years.
Good write up GIE, my main thoughts are: an old fashioned backs to the wall, get a bit of body in front of the ball performance, something we have lacked for ages,both Arteta and Benny were barking orders and directing established players, the big man was guarding the airspace effectively, we should not lose so many set piece goals this year All in all given a bit of time an organised defence will undoubtedly emerge..TV will only improve that.
Up front needs the prompting of Jack. losing him really was a cruel blow. but never the less a real fighting performance, how many have been screaming for that post Newcastle and in last years run in.
As for the goal as I said last night it was the spuds Rose reincarnated.
Regarding Chamakh’s five minutes on the pitch. I feel it is getting way too much attention, and I am with FGG on this one. It is a little bit like complaining about a spot on Nigella’s left ankle…
What is it about Nigella Lawson?? So many better examples to lech over….
But good point Total!
26, she is quite the total woman for me. Just admit, if you were to go a world trip – and you had to choose anybody else but your wife – she would be a very good choice. Or do you have any better femme fatales in mind?
Oh so many others Total…. The Nigella appeal has always passed me by!
Just dropping in- work has completely taken over my life! Agree with the summary- great write up GiE. Koscielny a worthy man of the match. Wish we’d sign goetze! Dortmund were pretty tasty and it was good to see us fighting and mainly holding firm. Slightly sickening to cede possession so easily but if we can defend well there is hope!
So you wouldn’t like to get your mouth around her muffins, 26?
Chas Actually given a choice I bet you would rather have her wealth to play with, Grandfather owned Lyons corner house, Her kitchen ware company worth millions and married to Charles Satchi of Advertising fame, don’t think a 6% season ticket rise would bother you…. 🙂
Sorry Chas, that one’s blocked by the fascist firewall at my place. I guess there are plenty of others in my office who want those muffins…….
Chas, I think 26 is a bit scared of Princess Nigella – her anagram is after all: Nonlegal Wails! 😛
Nigella – oh yes please – mmmmmmm.
Nigella wtf. If I was on a world cruise I’d take a dirty old slapper like Victoria Beckam or an asian babe like Joan Chen
If your going on a world cruise then surely you should be leaving the baggage at home!!!!
Single is the way to travel.
goonermichael, I take it then that you are into very boney women?
At times during the game yesterday, I thought our team must feel, that if it was not for the differently coloured shirts, they were playing in front of a gigantic mirror. So similar were the team set-ups and style of play.
I just read a post with a great tactical analysis of the game. Really worth a read.
http://arsenalcolumn.co.uk/2011/09/14/borussia-dortmund-show-arsenal-a-taste-of-their-medicine/#comment-5862
I love dem bones
GM 🙂
Would anyone care to offer a view on how the game might have panned out had AW been in charge on the night?
I suspect that the 2nd half performance had a lot to do with Pat Rice’s take on the game.
I also wonder whether the substitutions had been preordained – in terms of who if not when.
BTW, I thought the treatment of AW by delegating 2 chaperone’s (in case he did a runner for the dugout 🙂 ) and parading him up a long flight of stairs for the cameras was disgraceful.
I suspect they intended to humiliate him a tad for daring to question their motives and yet he still carried himself with his usual dignity. You could see that half smile on his face that said ‘you guys are having a laugh’
http://www.google.co.uk/imgres?q=joan+chen&hl=en&sa=X&rlz=1I7GGLL_en-GB&tbm=isch&prmd=imvnso&tbnid=TRzasMfPJEJ1IM:&imgrefurl=http://www.listal.com/viewimage/124495&docid=URV3ky8SLO8keM&w=221&h=428&ei=3JtwTsfZN4OeOtqluZwJ&zoom=1&iact=hc&vpx=556&vpy=106&dur=3078&hovh=313&hovw=161&tx=100&ty=179&page=1&tbnh=135&tbnw=80&start=0&ndsp=16&ved=1t:429,r:11,s:0&biw=1280&bih=523
Age hasn’t been that kind to her but when she was young…
Oh dear, what does that say about me guys, I have done two world cruises and took my wife both times, and don’t mention baggage she does not do travelling light
Afternoon all.
Fine write up GiE.
After watching a recording of the match last night, my view is that one or two are being a bit harsh on Gervinho. Most of the time when he collected the ball he was either doubled or trebled up on. With a little bit more luck he would have added to the score sheet.
My continued anger is with Walcott, why oh why does he not watch a recording of his displays, he always does the same thing. Surely he can see if he pushes the ball past the lone defender and use his blistering pace this would be far more productive. I think he needs to get down the gym and beef up a little, just like that Goetze 18 year old last night, did you see his physique when he exchanged shirts.
Also, getting a bit worried with Gibbs, he seems to have been watching some Clichy vids = Lack of attention.
All in all though, considering we are a newly formed team I was pleased with the outcome. Lets hope we can build on that display at the week-end. Probably a good thing playing away to Blackburn next, perhaps we can play with little less fear of the supporters getting on our backs.
Rasp, my view is we would have done better tactically in 2nd half. Pat Rice’s skills are different from Arsene’s and I don’t think he would have any difficulties in admitting just that.
DanDan, I have said it before, you are the socrates of AA and a beacon of moral hope for the rest of us 🙂 (except Evonne of course, who simply is moral royalty on AA) 😆
That’s interesting TA. I think we defended much better in the 2nd half because PR is defense minded and would have impressed on them how important it was to do the basics well.
I think we started the game too offensively and they were just running through us at times.
I still get exasperated that we don’t seem to win enough second ball and usually lose possession from our own throw ins because not enough players show for the ball. Sagna got booked for timewasting from a throw in yesterday, but to me it looked like he simply couldn’t find anyone to throw to.
Pat Rice would have loved playing in that second half, if any one would put his body on the line Pat in his heyday would have done so. I have a lasting memory of him putting a tricky dicky winger into the pitch side boards a couple of times. Then as the guy approached him cautiously the next time Pat showed him the line whilst making a very rude gesture with a pumping clenched fist. 🙂
I think we would have been battered in the second half, Rasp.
Had AW been in the dressing room, there would have been a five minute silence to give the players time to reflect on both their own individual performances and on the team performance as a whole, followed by eight minutes of chanting and Tai Chi, capped off by a rousing 2 minute rallying cry by AW pleading that the players stick to our philosophy of football at all costs. 🙂
dandan, you are correct. As you know, I sometimes chat to PR and I can assure you he would have loved that 2nd half and been very proud of the commitment of his players.
chas, I wouldn’t put it quite as strongly as that, but I do believe the first half tactics were more AW and the second half PR – and that makes sense as AW would have prepared the team for the game.
I have been calling for us to respect the basics a bit more for some time. Since we do not have the number of flair players that we have in the past it makes sense to focus a bit more on work rate and solidity as moments of individual brilliance are going to be more scarce.
Rasp,
That defensive throw-ins thing we do where the plan is simply to launch it as far up the line as possible virtually guaranteeing possession for the other side, winds me up every time.
If there’s no man in space, just throw it to the boot of one of our players and get it in the opposition half at least.
Afternoon,
Only just seen the highlights on Arsenal Player, before last night I would have bitten your hand off for a draw, so a great result considering the recent turmoil.
It also showed why I wanted Goetze brought in( I think RA wanted him aswell), him and Wilshere, the thought has me drooling! but as with hazard, we have pussyfooted around and they will be applying their trade elsewhere, probably at a bigger (richer ) club.
My biggest concern last night(from brief highlights) was the high line, it gives me kittens! Only very quick defenders wil do , if playing that high, I think Theo would have a field day , if all our opponents played that high!.
Totally agree with Raddy @ 11:19 am.
I don`t rate Chamakh , just glad we didn`t waste a fee on him.
Oxo, I do rate, wish he was on the bench last night, instead of playing for reserves last night, my gutted Saints ( he goes to all games home/away) mate,raves about him.
I know a few of you like me enjoy stats. The Telegraph stats widget for last night is very good, I think if you google “telegraph Dortmund Arsenal” it should be findable I’ll post a link later.
But it has a graphical representation in the Subboteo + Draughts style which gives info like average positions, attempted passing recepients, and normal percentages. I’m sure someone like TA could accumulate some stats over several games and make some telling observations with it.
One that stood out for me was Gibbs/Sagna comparison. Sagna tried to find about 6/7 teammates Gibbs about 4.
I was only joking, Rasp. 🙂
I thought it was interesting how Pat almost refused to take credit for his half time team talk, saying that all he could do is give support to AW who is far superior.
Hi chas, yes we did cede possession far too easily at times yesterday, maybe stonewall defending comes at the expense of possession to an extent, but not for the better teams.
GLIC,
Didn’t you see the bits from the AST meeting on Monday that said that Lille weren’t interested in selling Hazard?
Naff all to do with ‘pussyfooting around’.
Sorry chas, I should have realised 😳
Yes PR was almost apologising for his role in the interview. I’m sure AW would have slapped a big Pat on Pat’s back after the game.
Perhaps AW thought, hang on, perhaps I could learn something from the Irishman.
Still can’t see AW giving the hairdryer treatment though.
For those who like a good laugh then this book is an absolute winner, Parky before he became a chat show host was among other things a column writer in the Sunday times and his stories of Skinner normanton were legendary; closet wingers made me cry.
Parkinson eulogises closet wingers in an amusing paperback called Football Crazy which suggested, only semi-seriously, that England manager Sir Alf Ramsey conceived his hatred of wingers after being left on the turf by one and told by a supporter: “Alf Ramsey, thou art about as much use as a chocolate teapot.”
Closet wingers were wingers who on small local pitches used wall passes bouncing the ball off the closets that were set pitch side.
Skinners answer was to deposit them on the toilet seats without opening the door.
If you can get a copy do, it will fill your ride to work with uncontrollable laughter
Rasp, some great points there and I am sat in the same house as you regarding them. The 2nd half was far better defensively and we looked a far more compact unit than the 1st half.
As I posted earlier, my main concern was the lack of cohesion in midfield and even when we did win the ball back, we lost it almost straight away. Your comment regarding thrown-ins is spot on as well and I was amazed when the TV picture showed Sagna taking a throw and then within 15 seconds BD had the ball again! That is something the team must focus on once again – ball retention. Maybe they were caught between a rock and a hardplace last night, with AW saying one thing pre match and then PR saying differently?
All in all, a much better performance, if still not quite what we want from the team, but we have moved foward and it will have helped Mikel, Per and Benny Gooner bed in further.
GIE,
Had a quick look at the Telegraph thingy.
I think the stat you gave can be explained by the players average position page (see screen print).
http://twitpic.com/6krjdq
There is a marked skew to the right flank, perhaps explaining how Gibbs was left isolated?
chas,
Wenger wanted Smalling, who is an Arsenal supporter,he pussyfooted, Manure didn`t and got the man, going further back ,we did the same with Ronaldo and guess who got the man!.
As for Lille stating” they weren`t interested in selling”, well I seem to remember Wenger stating” he wasn`t interested in selling Cesc or Nasri” or did I dream that one!
Money talks.
Hi Rasper, I watched the game in the pub last night (like Evonne, I have BT vision on which you cannot get SKS4), and for once I became relaxed and sat back in 2nd half – so much confidence and calmness by our defence made this a natural body-response. So well done PR! But the way we gave away so much possession and were not able to escape the Dortmund clutches during the 2nd half, makes me think that Wenger would have made better tactical/personnel changes in the midfield, and this would not have happened. Something similar to what Wenger did against Udinese.
GLIC,
AW wasn’t interested in selling Cesc or Na$ri. I believe he’d promised Cesc he could go, Arsenal were just holding out for the best price. I don’t think he wanted to sell Na$ri either but wasn’t allowed to keep him and run his contract down, thereby getting nothing for him.
I’m surprised you didn’t mention Schwarzer and Jones, too! Best agree to differ.
GiE, thanks for the link 🙂
chas,
Cech, Ibrahimobitch, Yaya,Drogba just a few, probably more he let slip through but thats past can`t change it.
But the last transfer window( knowing the Cesc/Nasri situations) was the Mother of all Pussyfooters, what was it, something like upto £100m to spend? and not One “super quality” player(quote) in.
So disapointed in the lies.
I’m disappointed in so many lies, too.
Hi Cornwall
Some thoughts on pussyfooting:
Cech: He agreed to join us but he couldn’t get a work permit (Czech Republic weren’t in the EU then).
Yaya: Couldn’t get a work permit, went to Greece.
Drogba: Looked at him when Henry in his pomp.
Ibrahimovich: Didn’t know we went for him.
Ronaldo: Chose United over us because that Portuguese fella was Fergie’s number two.
Smalling: Don’t know but I thought, like Jones, he just preferred United to us.
Hazard: Why would Lille (who won the double last year and would want to retain as many of their important players as they can) sell Hazard, when they’d already sold us the other half of their attacking midfield? We can’t make everyone do what we want them to do.
How about Ramsey? Were United pussyfooting? Or did the player just make a choice?
Are there problems at Arsenal re transfer business? Yup. Do we know the truth behind specific examples, or even if the specific examples are accurate? Nope. Do we know who is to blame for what? Nope.
I’m still coming to terms with the fact you played for Senrab….. 🙂
chas,
I`m glad we agree on something then! 🙂
GiE
We never pussyfooted with ronaldo. The mancs offered double (after our bid had been accepted) we were gazumped.
glic,
We didn’t.
You started talking about Hazard, Gotze, Fabregas and Na$ri, got a reply, then moved the goalposts to include any player the blogosphere has deemed that we missed out on. Pointless.
I need to watch the game again, but I was not overly impressed with Gotze. I did not pay special attention to him though, but he did not stand out to me either. Maybe I have missed something. I really liked that CB Hummel though – what a beast!
Off for dinner with the grand kids and then watch city with my Manc born son. Hard work being a grandad 🙂
chas,
I was refering to you at@ 2:44 or maybe your suggesting I`m telling lies? brainless.
26,
I`ve seen the picture of Ibrahimvic in kit training, as for all the nope`s,we somehow allways get left in the starting blocks, I think we all wonder why?.
Senrab, what terms you struggling with? I was good, simples, still am (according to my 5 a-side mates, and the man in the mirror ) 🙂
I thought Goetze was excellent, also the japanese striker and Hommels stood out for me.
I am still worried about our attack, 7 games and just what … 7 goals?
We wont make top 4 that way.
glic,
I wasn’t suggesting you were telling lies, but maybe just believing ones told by others.
Neamman
surely we’ll get better when the players get used to each other. If we don’t we’re f*cked
chas,
I stand corrected, I did believe Wengers lies, I suppose supporting The Arsenal for 50 years means nothing to him.
Neamman, my old boss once said ‘you cannot play tennis whilst looking at the scoreboard all the time’. Whether we’ll make a top-4 spot or not totally remains to be seen. A: it is still so early (just thinks back about Chelsea’s flying start last year) and B: this team is gelling quickly C: There is strength of depth in this team and bit by bit we are getting our injured players back D: Arsene Wenger.
Let’s take it game by game 🙂
Cornwall: It’s my jealousy I can’t come to terms with – I was/am (have a knee problem, meaning no 5-a-side right now) crap, usually a full-back in 11-a-side who would’ve loved to have been a centre-back but am too short. Still love playing the game, even at my low level.
Re being left in the starting blocks/pussyfooting etc, I know where you’re coming from, but I just don’t see it that way. There are problems (especially this summer) but I don’t interpret Wenger’s public comments as being promises, so don’t see the end result as constituting lies. I still think the chances are that the problem lies elsewhere in the club, at least in large part, so we just can’t know how much Wenger himself is to blame for any failures.
Total: I agree that Gotze (and others for BD) did relatively little by way of final product (shots on goal, killer passes etc), as his team did generally, hence my criticisms of BD. I also felt Gibbs did a pretty good job on Gotze, but his quality with the ball was still clear. Would love him to be an Arsenal player, even if he does do Cesc-style eyebrow weaves.
GliC = Can you remember if you played against Ockendon Town?
Our record transfer as a club is around £15.8m (Nasri) depending on what u read, and Dortmund want upwards of £30m for Goetze, so it will never, and probably was never, going to happen. We have the squad that we have, and it is definitely strong enough to get top 4.
Transfer window is closed now, let’s concentrate on the football rather than raking up old targets and what couldve beens.
Good result against Dortmund, now it’s Blackburn away. Let’s hope we can continue the confidence building. Liverpool showed last year that confidence plays a HUGE part in football. Players don’t become poor overnight. If we can carry on unbeaten then that can only help.
Hear, hear, Rotund Redhead Arsenal-fan.
Great stuff FGG,
I imagine we will need a bit of the Arsenal of the 2nd half resilience against Blackburn and maybe we can at last let Park have some time on the pitch to see what effect he can have up front.
I’ve been brushing up on my “1 nil to the Arsenal”, I think I can remember the words.
Dandan – you are a real man and if I was to go on a cruise I would take you with me.
TA – thank you 🙂
26 and GLiC – we have also approached the likes of Torres and Aquillani, so…
I was upset when we bought Robin instead of Roben who went to Chelsea, silly old me
I couldn’t understand why we didn’t snap Van der Fart when RvP was singing his praises, now I understand
On the whole several extremely wise moves can be attributed to the AFC.
There is only one player who I regret we failed to sign and he is Xabi Alonso.
Had we paid the extra (or L’pool bid more for Barry in that transfer triangle) and signed him then not only would we have won the PL again but Cesc would have been happier.
Afternoon all.
evonne, dandan would eat you for breakfast, literally and what’s all this about me and G strings 😉
Rasp 4:30 That will do for me. Off to the bookies. 🙂
GIE,
nice post but as is the norm with me I couldn’t make Kos man of the match. he is a player I focus on a lot and he and Song invariably start a match poorly either by giving away cheap passes or asyesterday kos made two alarming errors in the first 5 minutes, which a more clinical team might have taken advantage of. .
Both players got better as the game went on.
Then my favourite culprit Theo.I was just thinking to myself if he was even playing and then suddenly he pops up with a through ball to RVP for the goal, and then disappears again as he usually does for us or England.
Having said that the side that we put out had never played together and it showed to an extent, and that is my biggest concern.only 2 shots on target yet again,too reliant on RVP. i am being a tad harsh because i think all of us would have taken a draw beforehand, but I am nowhere near convinced this team without a wilshere really has an engine, we stutter as if the choke was still out.
too late for experiments now we have to play with the players available but i will need to see a good few more games to be convinced that we are going in the right direction.
Kelsey – well, you know, with your keen interest in sex, g-strings would prpobably be more up your street than ties, oh, hold on, what type of ties have you designed??
BR – yes, yes, yes, Xabi was cut out for us. Why oh why did we not bring him in a couple of seasons ago, I will never understand.
Kelsey and G strings? Oh my god……….
Personally, I’m pissed off we didn’t sign Pele, Maradona, Paolo Rossi, Paolo Maldini, Johan Cruyff, George Weah, Michel Platini, Franco Baresi, George Best, Ronaldinho, Lionel Messi, Lev Yashin and WG Grace. (Spot the ones (pre-Wenger and otherwise) we were meant to have been linked with.)
keen interest in sex evonne, not me but i know one or two on here who fit the bill.
you forgot shaun wright philips at 24 million, 26th 😉
26,
Sorry about the Injuries, don`t know your age but with me since turning 50( 5 years ago) my injuries have become more frequent with slower healing times, comes with age i suppose but it`s hard for me as i have allways exercised, I still run 5 times a week,do weights 6 times a week, sit ups every day,and 1 night 5-aside and my Grand daughter makes me dance when im looking after her( not a pretty site), touch wood Im on a injury free run, but what I do know from experience is that, when Im coming back from injury ,the football is hard, the body cant do what the brain wants to do, but when im fit it can, pass and move, I love 2 touch football, it seperates the good from the average.
I spoke to an ex Plymouth trainee, His thoughts were that , the big differance was not so much the skill level but the fitness levels of some players/teams/divisions and I agree to some extent.
Can you imagine how good Arshavin would be,if he had say Tevez`s workrate!.
VCC,
Sorry, it was such a long time ago, I cant remember any of the teams I played against, just that I scored in every league and cup game, in a one season league and cup double.
In reading today’s post’s I thought I must have been watching a different game. So I have just finished replaying the first half.
My recollection was that we conceded possession far to often which in turn put us under constant pressure, so I concentrated on the amount of times we lost the ball.
Here is my layman’s analysis of the first half.
We lost possession or gave the ball away 50 times – yes 50 times.
By player.
LK – 12
AS – 9
GE – 7
BS – 5
KG – 5
MA – 4
PM – 4
YB – 2
VP- 1
TW -1
Three of LK’s giveaways could have resulted in goals against.
The vast majority of his defensive headers went to the opposition – and we know the end of that story.
One of KB’s could also have turned into a goal.
Incredibly I only counted TW and YB only touching the ball 6 times each.
LK looked as though he was in a panic and was just heading or kicking to safety.
Our goal was a gem TW passing to VP with his left foot and VP scoring with his right – good for them.
…………………………………………………………….
Full game.
Sczczney was by far my man of the match, his positioning was letter perfect and by being in the right place he stopped multiple scoring opportunities.
Gervinho concerns me – he must be training with Walcott in his blind alleys.
Chamakh is a Cham – his best position is sitting on the bench looking pretty for the ladies.
Way better second half and I agree with those that feel Pat Rice gave them a zinger at half time – in particular LK.
Great point and hopefully a building block to better things.
Kelsey, had Shaun Wright Philips ignored his dad and joined us rather than Chelsea, I’m sure SWP’s career would have been much better. I’m hoping Oxbow-Lake shows SWP what could have been.
Thanks Cornwall. You’re older than me but more active. An example I should follow. At the moment I’m stuck with only my beloved cycling, as footy, squash, running and tennis are not on while my knee is knacked (dislocated it last year, not long after breaking my coccyx, and neither injury has fully recovered). Recovery times are now a complete nightmare. I’m pretty sure I’m going to have to have surgery on the knee, it’s just not getting better, but am waiting to see a consultant on that one. Oh well. I should still take a leaf out of your book and do more of the exercises that aren’t a problem for my knee (the back pain is manageable). I bloody hate gyms though, bore me to tears.
Now I know I probably shouldn’t be thinking like this we could get Goetze, if we got Klopp as manager.
There will be a time after Wenger and I liked the way he set his side out last night.
26th,
he had two trials at Arsenal and i hear that Wrighty senior and Wenger fell out over us not buying him.Wenger didn’t want to go to the price as he valued him much lower (sound familar)
For a guy who can’t spell very well I wish we would buy some guys with straight forward names preferably short surnames 🙂
Hi GN5 those are surprising stats indeed – are they proof that the figures can lie or that we are not as perceptive as we think when watching a game I wonder?
Theo only touching the ball 6 times comes as no surprise but my perception was that Benayoun was much more involved in the game although I did think he was chasing shadows a lot of the time.
To be fair Kelsey, do you think SWP was ever worth that money? Even at today’s prices, the SWP of 2005 wouldn’t be worth half of that. Sometimes you do just have to say “Pass” when the price is stupid.
Ian Wright is one of those guys (like David O’Leary and Paul Merson) who I ignore in their retirement from playing. Why bother with them when there are the likes of Lee Dixon, Martin Keown, Stewart Robson, Ray Parlour, Patrick Vieira and Nigel Winterburn to listen to?
GunnerN5 our three least wasteful players in terms of pass success.
A Treat 86%
Meatpacker 85%
Kozzer 84%
According to Telegraph anyway.
So if Kos’s pass completion rate was 84% but he gave the ball away 12 times, that must mean Kos had a hell of a lot of possession.
Or it’s the beginning of an O Level Maths paper………..
GIE
I have just had a chance to read your match report which is clearly written by someone who undersatnds football……top drawer.
Rasp,
I cannot guarantee a perfect analysis as my wife, and my visiting sister in law, were in and out of my office as I was watching.
However if the stats are wrong it will not be by a country mile.
I also felt that YB was more involved but our recollection must have been swayed by his second half performance, where he was far more involved.
If, as some think, the second half improvement was due to Pat Rice, then AW should either take note or let Pat conduct the half time review.
26M,
I was keeping track of the times they gave the ball away, including wayward defensive headers, which not be considered as a pass.
26M,
Also, I only studied the first half.
Cheers GN5 – the stats are interesting, I always appreciate someone taking the effort to get some numbers together. They can never tell the whole story but they can always tell you something.
GN5, you misunderstand, I was not suggesting the stats are wrong, I’m sure they are correct. I was asking whether you think they paint a true picture or whether our perception of a game is more accurate – it’s the old 64,000 dollar question.
If GiE’s figures for pass completion are correct it would indicate that kozzer was very busy and so his number of misdirected passes is more understandable.
I think you are correct in that his first instinct is to clear the ball at any cost. If he could try to find one of our players more often it would be an improvement, but I now know what Arsene meant when he described him as a warrior.
26 May. David O’Leary, I can’t stand that man.
Such a shame though isn’t VCC, I used to love Spider back in the day. Pity he turned out to be a dick.
Spot on 26. I paid to watch him on many occasions. Can’t understand why he used to make so many derogatory remarks towards Arsenal.
Can’t take it away from him though, he was a super player for us.
Rasp,
No sweat, I was just making the point that my stats are not 100% accurate.
I think Kos is a good CB but is prone to panic attacks which cause him to give the ball away unnecessarily. He and Gibbs both gave them clear goal scoring opportunities from their give aways, which could have put the game out of our reach.
I’m more concerned about our offence which has only produced 7 goals in our first 7 games, our defence, excluding the Man U game, has only given up 4.
Where are the goals going to come from is my biggest concern.,
Was listening to Talk sport and they where asking who was the best English un capped player?
My choices where George Armstrong and Peter Simpson.
Wish Wenger could reincarnate those guys.
Someone made the point earlier that why i picked on Walcott and not Gervinho.Easy, Walcott is now in his seventh year with us and gervinho hasn’t played a handflul of games. there is absolutely no doubt in my mind who will turn out to be the better player and investment.
Kelsey,
My hope was that Gervinho would be the man that scored 2 goals in his first 20 minutes as an Arsenal player, I`ve been very disappointed ever since – he seems to have turned into a powder puff.
I liken him to Walcott, however maybe they are both being played out of their preferred position.
Yes, scoring the goals is a bigger problem I agree, and even more critical if RvP gets injured that’s why I am so keen to see Park get his chance to spearhead the attack or at least partner the boy wonder.
Umm, that is the Gervinho who’s played 4 games, isn’t it?
VCC,
You just got me excited, I have said that for many years, George Armstrong and Peter Simpson, I will never agree more on anything than that in my life!.
Arshavin ,Walcott, if your reading , watch some footage on Geordie, he will put you to shame,such workrate!.
Peter Simpson, great skill,reading,timeing,tackling my unsung hero!, just happen to have a Mr Moore in front of him.
VCC,
Just out of interest, what players come out of the debate?, I cant think of a better two.
Hi G5,
When looking at an individual’s performance during a single game, you should also look at both the system we played and the service/support players get. Gervinho and Theo, and Robin were isolated yesterday, as a result of BD’s midfield – supported by their defence – overpowering our midfield. Our system did not work yersterday and this lead to a limited service to both our wingers. However, everytime our wingers got the ball, they were quickly isolated by 2, and very often 3 BD players, and again our central midfielders did not give them a way out. BD were very astute with their system yesterday. Being harsh of either Theo or Gervinho is of course your god given right, but I think you should look at the wider picture.
26M,
That’s correct, but he has displayed the same characteristics in each game.
1. Keeps possesion too long and loses the ball.
2. Runs up blind alley’s.
3. Passes go astray.
4. Plays break down due to him.
5. DOES NOT SCORE GOALS!
Other than that -????
GliC = Sorry Cornwall I turned it off as people were phoning in with stupid names.
I watched Gerv quite closely yesterday and I would say he’s still learning about the players he’s playing with. He doesn’t know who might be available for a pass when he goes on a run and so he just needs to look up and see what’s going on around him.
Don’t forget when he arrived we had Cesc and Na$ri in mid-field then he was banned for three matches and now we have Arteta and Yossi so I think he can be forgiven for his blind alley runs for this week.
I think we have a post in the archives on one or both of them, written by dandan.
TA,
I don’t agree with Gervinho, he had a lot of possession and plays definitely broke down because of him. We were playing down the left more than the right but even when they switched wings Walcott was still not involved.
Van Persie ran his nuts off and managed to get involved and rarely gave the ball away.
Walcott and GHervinho were, in my estimation, both weak links yesterday. I hope I’m wrong about Gervinho but Walcott has had more than enough opportunity and he seldom shines.
Sorry GN5, I reckon we’ve got a way to go before we can pass judgment. How long did it take Bergkamp to score that first goal?
Come on Benfica and Napoli, you can do it!
Anyway, quite often, no-one was showing for the ball when either Gerv or Theo were in possession so I’m not sure how they’re supposed to find a pass ………..
GiE, forgot to say: a brilliant title today. A Perisickening End. It could easily have been the title – and maybe it is… – of an Ancient Greek Myth 🙂
Btw, I don’t think it has been mentioned today, but Marseilles away win in Greece is a real bummer for us. It looks like it will be a three-horse race this time round.
Here’s dandan’s article on Peter Simpson
I can’t find the Armstrong one, maybe dandan can remind me
Does anyone fancy writing a post for tomorrow?
G5, I despair sometimes. Walcott’s assist yesterday was the best bit of football of the whole evening (ok, other than that heavenly equaliser). He played snooker with a ball and his foot at that moment. Because his through-ball was so perfect, RvP could score with his weaker right foot. Cesc would have been proud of that one.
Hi Peaches, can’t do a post for tomorrow, but if you have not got anybody yet to do a match report for the Blackburn game on Saturday, than I am your man.
26may – you are in great form today! How very patriotic of you wishing on Napoli and Benfica to win 🙂 I am afraid I am not the one to wish the Mancs any luck, no sir
26, agreed: ‘Come on Napoli’ especially!
TA – you are definitely my man for the Blackburn match report thank you 🙂
Hi evonne – are you a three black dog owner tonight?
http://youtu.be/P9GGPqqJykE
Is this your local Mountie Rocky?
Total: Agree with you re Walcott. If “all” he can do is set up or score one goal per game, that’d be pretty darn good. And yes, it is Napoli I’m especially hoping for!
Hi evonne: I haver to admit, patriotism has never been a strong point for me. Don’t get me wrong, I always want English/British teams to succeed, but when it comes to club vs country in a football context, club prejudices usually win out for me.
I would like to wish all the english clubs playing tonight, luck except those from Manchester.
26may – my sentiments precisely. How could I ever wish for Scum to win? I am only patriotic when Poles play WELL for Arsenal, then I am proud as punch and take all the credit 🙂
Peaches – yes, I am a fed up and tired 3 black dogs owner 😦
I cannot bloody believe it!!! THEY are showing tonight’s games on ITV and SS2, so how bloody come our game was on some obscure SS4?? Conspiracy – well, that’s the proof
evonne…I would sooner watch paint dry than watch the Mancs.
evonne, I’ve yet to meet an unpatriotic Pole, seems programmed into you lot! Even the ones born here, whose parents left Poland in the years after WW2, seem to bleed red-and-white.
Peaches,
Never being one to agree for the sake of agreeing, most of the time Gervinho was not surrounded by four defenders – he ran amongst them and then got surrounded.
PROSTATE CHECK-UP
A man goes to his doctor for his physical and gets sent to the Urologist as a precaution. When he gets there, he discovers the urologist is a very pretty female doctor.
The female doctor says, ‘I’m going to check your prostate today, but this new procedure is a little different from what you are probably used to. I want you to lie on your right side, bend your knees, then while I check your prostate, take a deep breath and say, 99.
The guy obeys and says, 99! The doctor says, ‘Great. Now turn over on your left side and again, while I repeat the check, take a deep breath and say, 99.
Again, the guy says, ’99.
The doctor said, ‘Very good. Now then, I want you to lie on your back with your knees raised slightly. I’m going to check your prostate with this hand, and with the other hand I’m going to hold on to your penis.
Now take a deep breath and say, 99
The guy begins, ‘One … Two … Three … ‘
While the Mancs are on , time for some jokes.
Hi GIE et all, Great match report mate, read it this morning, just so busy at work, didnt have time to respond…..
I am glad you gave ratings, as i feel this always gives an indication of what you really think of the performance……
Overall it was a great point and if we are going to let one in, its just about palatable if it comes as a strike like that……rather than a melee of legs and our defenders fluffing it in…….
I do feel like we played much better in the 2nd half, old rice must have got right stuck, i can actually imagine him clipping gibbsy round the head and saying “Oi are you going to wake up”, he was shocking but fair play he improved in the 2nd half.
For me Kozzer was immense in the 2nd half and personally for me, just pipped by the Alexander the Great, he was just everywhere and anywhere, he foiled countless attacks and set up breaks.
I was perplexed by the subs, thought we played into their hands and forced ourselves deeper……..
I am still trying to analyse benayoun contribution last night, for me he did little, but has had much praise, will watch again……..
Plenty of fight in the team, so good to see.
Next up Blackburn, a draw is not good enough in that match, a win, nothing less………
After five days in the hospital I took a turn for the nurse.
Money doesn’t buy you friends – just a better class of enemy.
Peaches,
Thanks for the Peter Simpson article,you have made my day.
dandan,
I know I`m a year late, but that was the best post i have read on here, loved it, thank you. 🙂
What would you rather have – the boring truth or an exciting lie?
OK, am signing off shortly, but just checked Bayern Munich’s record so far. City, United, Real and Barca have been impressive, but Bayern’s record in all competitions of P8, W7, D0, L1, F22, A1 (plus they’re one up already tonight) looks pretty awesome.
Laters.
Many people die of thirst but the Irish are born with one.
Benfica 1 Man U 0 after 24 mins.
Life is good………….
VCC 🙂
I have to smile as i have had that check up, alas it wasn`t a pretty girl doctor, and was well relieved when laying on my side,that I didn`t hear the sound of a zip , unzippening ! 🙂
gunnern5 ..looks like were the only ones on here who likes jokes. lol.
http://youtu.be/muaAZE0M3LU
hope peaches don’t tell us off.
That’s ok VCC.
We have no plan so nothing can go wrong!
United 1-1 bah…………..
cods wallop. come on Benfica
How Smart Is Your Right Foot? Try This. It’s Pretty Neat !
Just try this…………..It is from an orthopedic surgeon……………………….
This will boggle your mind and you will keep trying over and over again to see if you can outsmart your right foot, but you can’t. It’s preprogrammed in your brain!!
1. While sitting where you are , at your desk, in front of your computer, lift your right foot off the floor and make clockwise circles.
2. Now, while doing this, draw the number ‘6’ in the air with your right hand. Your foot will change direction!
I told you so!!!! And there’s nothing you can do about it.
Some proof that acting early in the Transfer Window doesn’t mean you always make the right decisions, or is De Gea on the bench because he is tired?
😀 Love it when SAF f*cks up, and in reality he has had as many as Wenger over the years, especially with goalkeepers.
Rasp is the model and peaches is the student.
Too much wine, I think I’m going to get banned.
I told my wife that I’d swallowed a bottle of pills.
She suggested that I have a few drinks and go to bed.
VCC:
I cook with wine and sometimes I put it in the food!
GIE
Or is De Gea on the bench because he is tired. LMAO
Top comment again.
By the way cheers to London and Harry for the late plaudits.
To answer your question on Benny I think it was the fact that he was prepared to put himself about for the cause which surprised many of us and is earning him praise.
Goes to prove opinions shouldn’t be formed on players we only see in fleeting MotD highlights or playing against us twice a season. (I don’t watch enough other football to comment on a lot of players)
I used to work in a pet store.
The customers kept asking how big I’d get!
Two Irishmen were standing at the base of a flagpole, looking up.
A blonde walks by and asked them what they were doing.
Paddy replied, ‘We’re supposed to be finding the fook’n height of this flagpole, but we don’t have a fook’n ladder.’
The blonde took out an adjustable spanner from her bag, loosened a few bolts and laid the flagpole down.
She got a tape measure out of her pocket, took a few measurements, and announced that it was 18 feet 6 inches.
Then, she walked off.
Mick said to Paddy, ‘Isn’t that just like a blonde! We need the fook’n height and she gives us the fook’n length.’
shall I get my coat ?
When my wife was five months pregnant she told her Doctor that she was often moody and irrational.
he said – “So what’s your question”
My wife held a whine and cheese party last night.
Marriage puts a ring on a woman’s finger and two under a mans eyes.
Man C 0 Napoli 1 at 70 mins
Was so depressed last night that I rang the Samaritans.
Got through to a call centre in Pakistan.
Told them I was suicidal, they got all excited and asked if I could fly a plane……
I said to the wife, ‘I thought I saw your name on a loaf of bread today, but when I looked again it said ‘Thick Cut’ ‘
VCC – That one flies with me – gave me a big lift
A man is in a queue at Tesco and sees this busty blonde staring at him, he can’t believe she is staring at him, then she starts waving.
‘Excuse me do I know you?’ he asks. ‘Yes I think you are the father of one of my kids’ she says.
The man thinks back and remembers his one act of infidelity and says ‘Fucking hell are you the bird I shagged on me stag do, whilst your mate whipped me and your other mate stuck a brush up my arse?’
‘No’ she replies ‘I’m your son’s English teacher!’
I enjoyed the read GIE, just I had to prepare for a meeting with my Ops Director (who is a gooner) and just didnt have time…….
I actually was calling for Benny to be taken off at the half time, I rang wenger to tell him, but got a message from UEFA, “The person you are calling is not available for comments on this match…..”
I would have taken gibbs off as well, he was truly shocking in the first half……But he improved in the 2nd, when the missus goes to bed I’ll rewatch it……..
Why do women have breasts?
So that men will talk to them.
Have to go now………………..
A bride on her wedding night says to her husband ‘I must confess darling, I was a hooker!’.
He says ‘That’s alright, dear. Your past is your past, but I must admit that I find it quite erotic. Tell me about it’.
She replies ‘Well, my name was Nigel, and I played for Wigan!’.
A man says to his wife ‘tell me something that will make me happy and sad at the same time’.
His wife replies ‘You’ve got a bigger dick than your brother’
OK, football is finished now, back to the bloggs. Sorry if I offended anyone.
Just a bit of light entertainment.
Some great jokes there
Cheers Raddy, as I said earlier I would sooner watch paint dry than watch the mancs so I had a little fun on here.
“its not easy as you’re wife sits grumbling having spent an hour and a half without attention to then be told “I have a match report to do”.”
Lol.
Best regards to Mrs GiE
BBCsport
“When Nasri gave the ball away cheaply, defender Christian Maggio surged forward and slipped Cavani clear to slot the ball under Hart.”
So nice to read.
I had an argument with the Mrs. and I told her that when she dies I going to get her a headstone that reads
” Here lies my wife cold as ever”
She said when you die your headstone will read
“Here lies my husband stiff at last”
A man was sitting alone in a bar when he heard a voice which said “You look great” He turned around but the bar was indeed empty.
He heard the voice again “Really, you look terrific”.
He looked around again but still saw nobody.
Then he heard the voice again “Is that a new shirt you are wearing because it makes you look fantastic”
Suddenly he realised that the voice was coming from a bowl of nuts on the bar.
“Hey”, the man called to the barman “Whats with the nuts”?
“Oh don’t worry” the barman replied “They’re complimentary”
I was asked my date of birth.
I replied Nov 25th.
“What year”?
“Every year”
When I woke up this morning I said to my wife
“Good morning Susan”
She slapped my face – her name is Cathy.
Lawyer questioning a Doctor in court.
Doctor,
Q. Before you performed the autopsy, did you check for a pulse?
A. No.
Q. Did you check for blood pressure?
A. No.
Q. Did you check for breathing?
A. No.
Q. So is it possible the patient was alive when you started the autopsy?
A. No.
Q. How can you be so sure?
A. His brain was in a jar on my desk.
Q. Could the patient have been alive, nevertheless?
A. Yes, it is possible he could have been alive and practicing law somewhere.
Ok I’ve found my coat, goodnight.
GiE,
Excellent report, sorry I wasn’t around to join in.
Morning Kelsey,
All well? My version of a pre-emptive strike 🙂
Just going through my work diary and slotting in meetings to tie in with AFC fixtures, as you do, and stumbled on the CC next week.
I feel there may be conflicting thoughts on priorities for this season. Me, I can’t wait to see Park and The Ox.
Morning Micky, My feeling is the squad is too small for a full frontal assault on all four competitions.
As well as Ox and Ryo, and Park we also have some of last seasons loanees (Watt, Afobe) in the reserves, and we have the likes of Aneke, Coquelin and Miquel all in need of first team experience. I would be happy to see him field a team of younger players as I think as well as giving the first team a rest it will also give us something to enjoy as fans.
That said…home to Shrewsbury could be a good opportunity for the first team to get some goals and get to work out the kinks in a competitive environment.
Morning all
Hmmmm, yes, the CC draw has been very kind to us, it doesn’t get too much better than home to Shrewsbury. I can’t see Mertz or Arteta playing but I expect to see Santos, Park and probably Benayoun of the bigger names; Oxo is a cert, Chamakh needs pitch time a couple of goals could only help. Fabinaski is a cert, Miguel, Jenkinson……………..yeah it should be good I must buy a ticket.
Gie, the squad is more than big enough to cope, the players we have it shouldnt be an issue. The only question for wenger is does he want his players to get some more understanding and know each other’s names in a less pressurised game?
Gutted, I was going to go, but up north on tuesday…..
Team:
Fabianski
Jenkinson Djourou Miquel Santos
Coquelin Benayoun
Miyiachi Park Chamberlain
Chamakh
Subs: Afobe, Ozyakup, Watt, Aneke, Frimpong, Mannone and ebecilio
Maybe throw another experienced player on the bench, but I would be happy with that lot……….
Anyway Blackburn first…….
Harry. Good team though I would expect AW to play another midfielder and not Ryo – either Chuks or Frimpong..
Morning all
I am doing a Chas today :
http://www.talksport.co.uk/magazine/big-picture/2011-09-14/spectacular-pictures-arsenal-proving-they-have-heart-and-defensive-resolve-champions-league
Morning Micky and all,
nice of you to prempt that i had signed on 😉
GIE,
I think we wil struggle to have a full frontal assault on 2 fronts.
i know it would be good to get game time for those mentioned but quite honestly do we need the CC this year.
I watched blackburn at fulham last week and we can expect a physical game as per is the norm.
I was pretty impressed with benfica last night.
my daughter is going into hospital today to have her tonsils out, not a pleasant operation at the age of 23,so will pop in when possible.
We might have to get vela back from loan,just for the CC which seems to bring the best out of him.
Is Ryo now available to play? His visa and work permit all sorted?
It’s an interesting question about nwhether we should go for the CC or the FA cup.
Arteta has made it clear he’s come to Arsenal to help us win things. In all honesty it is unlikely that we will win the prem or the CL so we should not be frightened of going for the cups just because of the Brum experience last year.
I think our 2nd string (made up with bench players from the first 11) should be good enough to go all the way in the CC, we won’t lose another final.
Evonne, thanks for ‘the Chas’. Whilst looking at the shirt sponsor of BD, I wondered whether you and ‘super’Nik have set up a company together: if so, what is it about? 🙂
I am now seriously looking at my diary and thinking maybe I would rather go to The CC game than Bolton. Simply the thought of seeing the new boys could swing it.
TA – no, nothing to do with me, not very fond of dem krautz, wouldn’t sponsor them.
They are not the greatest of photos, Chas can do much better than that while asleep, but one interesting thing is the enormous physical strain showing on players bodies and faces. Sometimes we forget how very demanding a game football really is.
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