What could be better than a chance to see our new players added to a sprinkling of youth play a decent footballing side from a lower division in a Cup game? Ok, you are right, lots of things ….. but such a spectacle is interesting, isn’t it? I know that if I had the opportunity I would be meeting up with the splendid AA possee prior to cheering my team to victory. And yet, I expect a low attendance, possibly the lowest ever at the Grove; after all, the vibe around the club is very negative, the season ticket holders have to buy their tickets, and some fans think paying to see the B team is unacceptable (however cheap the seats).
I expect a very entertaining game. There is the opportunity to see the first appearance at the Grove of Park Young and the Ox and Ryo, the chance to see some goals, and hopefully the wonder of our other Pole in Goal.
You will not be surprised to read that I know next to nothing about Shrewsbury. They play in Div 2, they have won 6 out of their last 8 games, they will be without their CB pairing and possibly their captain, Ian Sharps, and “Marvellous” Marvin Morgan is the main striker. They are managed by Graham Turner and their home ground used to be Gay Meadows (titter you not) but is now Greenhous Meadow.
Our team:
Fabianski
Jenkinson Mertesacker Koscielny Santos
Frimpong Coquelin Benayoun
Ox Chamakh Park
I would not be surprised to see Park play out left and Chamakh start upfront, he needs games and this could be ideal for him, in which case, Ryo will come on at 60 mins. I would like to see the CB’s who played at Ewood get another game – they really need as much playing time as possible what with the loss of TV for a couple of months.
Shrewsbury is the birthplace of Charles Darwin (1809-1882), author of Origin of the Species in which he espoused the then revolutionary theory of natural selection, an ideology he later applied to human evolution. Such theory is fitting to the development of this Arsenal team (I think)
For many seasons the CC was a fun diversion from the serious business of the PL and CL and I look forward to a return to this attitude tonight. Like many I maintain the debacle of losing to relegation fodder at Wembley had a hugely damaging effect upon the remainder of our campaigns, I know others disagree but in my opinion the CC is best left to our reserves – thankfully our reserves are very good.
COYRRG
Big Raddy
Arsenal News 24/7
arsenalarsenal.net 
Was well chuffed to wake up this morning and see that Arsene is pretty mugged off with his teams defensive efforts at the weekend, and so he should be. Season starts now, he says. Well it’s about bloody time. I’m so pleased that he hasn’t used his press time to talk about mental strength and togetherness. It’s about time he gave them a public bollocking, let’s just hope it has the right effect. This change in attitude with the chance to see some new players tonight makes me excited again!
Great post BR.
Would like to see that line up but I don’t think AW can risk another CB injury so we could see Miquel in there tonight. Also, if Rosicky is fit then we may only get one of Frimpong and Coquelin.
Looking forward to it once again.
Cracking write up Mr Radders.
I’m with the burly auburn haired Arsenal fan ion this one. Miquel simply has to [lay tonmight amd I’ll be pretty stunned if he doesn’t.
Maybe its Djourou (Squill) and Miquel at CB, flanked by Gibbs and Jenks.
But I do think the front six almost picks itself…bar the Rosicky issue.
Oh and Morning All
Hiya Raddy – the matches can be disappointing, your pre-matches – never! Raddy the Pre-Match King! Lovely stuff, thanks
The difference is that Darwin talked about the survival of the fittest.
At Arsenal, the weakest seem to have an amazing ability to survive too.
🙂 aj
Great post BR. Good to see you found an ‘inventor’ again. Who would have thought that Shrewsbury would beat Dortmund hands down in this aspect?? 😛
I like your line-up and agree with you that the back four should have another game to get to know each other better – even if it is just for 60 minutes.
Good post BR.
I agree with you that the CC cup should be left to the reserves.
I will be keeping a close eye on the OX tonight. My feeling is that in six months time we will be talking about him and Jack as the two most exciting youngsters in Europe. I dont share the negativity of others and may be a bit crazy but i still maintain that with a bit of tinkering we could still chalange for the title this season.
TMHT – that is the spirit! More of it please 😛
TMHT,
You hit the nail on the head,….. your…CRAZY! 🙂
TMHT,
I`m puzzled, how do you manage this stuff, being restrained in a straightjacket ? 🙂
TA,
My (maybe mad) theory is this.
-We have the best manager
-We have the most talented squad
-We have had a bad pre season, which we will recover from.
-Our luck will change
-Most importantly of all, we have a style of play that no other team can match.
Cornwall,
They only let me out once a week so i only have a short time to spread the Arsenal gospel. I do believe what i say so i guess i must be mad.
Nice one Raddy,
I agree that the CC should be a testing ground for the young guns. I have always enjoyed watching the next ‘batch’ coming thru and they often play beautifully in thses type of games.
I suspect Arsene will put two or three older heads in there too tonight, because he will want a win and the lift it brings to the fans and the players.
Nice comments too from Terry and the auburn haired goliath from Leeds! 🙂
Morning all
Thanks for the pre-match Raddy. I still think that AW’s hands were tied last season in this first fixture because we drew the spuds and once he’d played a strong team he got carried away with bloody winning the thing 🙄
Well done BR.
After failing to find a Dortmunder inventor you have shown a lot of mental strength to bounce back with the father of evolutionary theory no less 🙂
Oh, and an excellent write-up.
Very much looking forward to The OC and (hopefully) His Name Is Ryo…
TMHT…You ever come across a big time Gooner called Frothing Inarticulate Loon on your travels around the sanitariums and secure facilities of the UK…??
He used to blog on here from time to time….
Sharkey,
No, but he sounds like a charming individual, and i am sure it would be a most pleasurable experience to meet him.
Naughty boy, Sharkey! 🙂
Although, I seem to recall he used to appear around lunchtime-you never know he might pop up, especially as Peaches is around. 🙂
I’m going to be In Japan from Thursday with little if any internet access. When I get back we will have played the spuds. I’m almost glad I’m away for that one. Hopefully I’ll come back to a team firing on all cylinders.
TMHT,
I`m thinking the MH stands for mad hatter.
Your theory :
Best Manager, SAF.
Best squad?, The 2 mancs.
Bad pre-season = Bad last season, no end in sight.
Bad luck = Bad management.( although, if it`s injuries your talking about, I agree)
Style of play, I think we`ve been found out.
Maybe your not as mad as I think you are, You failed to say we have a great defence!
Saying all that ,I do love your optimism and the crazier the comments, the better the reading, 🙂
Sharkey @12:24,
Frothing Inarticulate Loon, I`ve had to change my underwear, hilarious 🙂
Nice pre-match livener, BR.
Alternatively the man from Shrewsbury might see it differently.
In the middle of this clip there’s some early footage of Micky smoking a cigarette.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SVB1tWFzw7A
Cornwall,
Of course i respect your views, but i can not agree. We are only 5 games in. If we can be about 10 points behind the leaders around the new year i believe we could go close.
i was going to post after the Blackburn game to say i was quite pleased with the performance but i bottled it because emotions were running high and feared the men in white coats would come for me again. Let me explain, our style of play is very scientific and needs fine tuning, and when there are flaws it can go horribly wrong. I cite the Old Trafford loss of 6-1 in 2001 as an example, the following year we went unbeaten away and won the league.
There were some excellent ingredients from the Blackburn game and as Arsene said, ‘This team is ready to take off’.
chas,
Add those two, to the future Managers job canidates!.
Is there a link between the bananas and our back 4 ?.
Is it the “Adidas Banana skin sole boot” ?
I`m with you TMHT.
If you cant beat them, join them!
Hello, is that the Samaritans.
Next county after Devon,
Sitting on the side of A30.
A room next to TMHT will do.
Don`t be long.
🙂
Our defence needs to learn to play as a unit, therefore I would hope that Wenger would give them the opportunity to do so this evening, if Sagna is not fit, then Jenkinson should come in and that should be it.
Szceszny, Sagna/Jenkinson, Meretesacker, Koscielny, Santos.
Szceszny may have back-ache from picking the ball out of the net, but needs the game to help his confidence.
Another mix-and-match defence could lead to more blunders, just what we don’t want right now.
Excellent Cornwall, it will be just like ‘one flew over the cuckoos nest’.
Afternoon all. Thanks as ever for the prematch Raddy. And AJ’s Darwinian follow-up was great!
With the squad that’s now been announced, the defence tonight is likey to be much younger than we might have expected: rather than Jenkinson, Mertesacker, Koscielny and Santos it looks like it’ll be Jenkinson, Djourou, Miquel and Gibbs. And the bench looks like it’ll be very young.
Looking forward to it, I just hope the team approaches the game as one they can enjoy, something to help rediscover our long-lost mojo.
What is it that Wenger doesn’t understand? The famous back four played together game after game, they played as a unit, they had an almost telepathic understanding and that was developed over time.
Wenger is going for another mix-and-match defence tonight, have the five players involved actually played together? I doubt it.
An opportunity to allow his best available defenders to coalesce is wasted, one serious error by the rookie defence and our interest in the Carling Cup could be over. Another nail in the managers coffin.
TMHT, still waiting on A30, hopefully I`ll see you soon.
Have the they got Arsenal player there?, as the full game is on a couple of minutes past 10pm tonight.
Oh,and can I bring my friend Arsene with me ?. he keeps mumbling, the spirit is good ???
🙂
Terry, you said:
‘My (maybe mad) theory is this.
-We have the best manager
-We have the most talented squad
-We have had a bad pre season, which we will recover from.
-Our luck will change
-Most importantly of all, we have a style of play that no other team can match.’
GLIC: it is because we play a style of football that no other team can match, that we have the best manager an the most talented squad. Soon we will be beating the Chelsea’s MU’s and Barca’s of this world again. Lady Luck is warming up around the corner, and she will be soon all over us 😆
I would be surprised if we have Mert/Koz at CBs. I expect 2 of Migual /Djourou/Squillaci.
According to Yahoo Ryo and Ox start, Park is in the squad.
I love the CC. It`s the only time I don`t get stressed watching a game, a bit like the Emirates Cup , I just like seeing the new players and younsters with the shackles off, no pressure or expectations( unless they reach the final).
Question.
Would anyone like to win CC but finish out of top 4 ?
I`d take CL every time.
I saw the winning goal again this morning from last year’s Mickey Mouse Cup Final. As I stormed off in a cat-kicking mood I’ve not really seen it too often since. The thing I noticed, other than the obvious, was Djourou jumping under the ball on the edge of the area, completely missing it. Boy, has he gone backwards in the last 6 months…
GLiC,
I think we would all prefer the CL to the Carling Cup, but do you still think we have a realistic chance of a top four finish?
TA…Top man.
Cornwall,
I like you, so of course you can bring Arsene with you, as long as he dosn’t mumble while were watching the game.
GLIC, ditto, CL every time. Do we stand a chance of getting it? With 99 points still to play for and being only 5 points off the CL places now (the league table really is meaningless right now, isn’t it?!), I’d say yes. We’ve sure made it hard for ourselves though.
Total,
I will reserve a room for you next to me and TMHT , Arsene shares with me( we will be discussing our new ” B ” defensive formation. B standing for Bananas , 1 banana,2 banana, 3 banana, 4, 4 bananas make a bunch and so do many more, la la la, la la la la, la la la, la la la la.)
Illy, hello,
Why do you think Johan has gone backwards so much? Remember those four games around Christmas and New Year? Back then he was phenomenal: against Chelsea and against Birmingham away especially. He was rested in between those games, against Wigan, and we really suffered from that. I hope he picks himself up again and does not become another Senderos. I still think he will come good.
http://www.skysports.com/story/0,,11670_7190492,00.html
journos are scum.
GLIC, just because you are not paranoia, does not mean they are not after you. I think I will join you and Terry and Arsene – together we can find a way to lift the Spuds-Curse 😉
What was the story GM – the link doesn’t work (for me anyway)?
Illy,
I think JD was trying the new prototype Addidas bananaskins.
LG and 26,
With all thats gone on since the CCF. I think a top 4 finish will be one of Arsene`s finest achievements.
I feel pain for him, God ,does he deserve some luck!
From Todays Times, it may interest one or two,
September 20 2011 12:06PM
It is not quite the dreaded vote of confidence but as an indicator as to how the pressure has increased on Arsène Wenger it was significant. The Arsenal chief executive, Ivan Gazidis, today insisted that sacking the manager is not an option.
Arsenal have suffered their worst start to a season since 1953, losing three of their first five Premier League matches including humiliating defeats by Manchester United and Blackburn Rovers. That record, coupled with the sales of key players such as Cesc Fabregas and Samir Nasri and unconvincing performances by new signings Per Mertesacker and Andre Santos have for the first time led to doubts being expressed about Wenger’s longevity in the role.
Wenger, who was at a loss to explain how his players capitulated 4-3 against Blackburn on Saturday, will at least be cheered by Gazidis’s backing. He said that sacking the Frenchman was “a route we are not going to go down”.
Speaking at the Sport Industry Breakfast Club in London, Gazidis said Wenger “is not broken … he did not suddenly become a bad manager or somebody who became out of touch with the game. It is complete nonsense.” He added that having critics and fans portray Wenger “as some kind of idiot” is damaging for football.
Wenger has been in charge of Arsenal since 1996 and has not won a trophy since the 2005 FA Cup. Their last Premier League title came in 2004.
“Arsène is frustrated, he shares the same frustrations that we all do,” Gazidis,said. “The potential is very high but we have found self-inflicted ways not to achieve that full potential and that is why he is deeply frustrated.
“If you look at the last six years when we haven’t quite got over the line for a trophy. That is something we need to correct because the potential is there.
“That is the frustration I think Arsène is wrestling with but he is absolutely not broken. He is as focused on delivering success to this football club as he has ever been.”
He added: “Thinking spending money solves issues [or] firing a manager solves issues — these are short term cures that actually have tremendous costs for football clubs that are not often played out in the short term. That’s a route we are not going to go down.”
Gazidis maintained that Arsenal are “fortunate” to have Wenger, whose transformation of the London club has been widely praised. “The amount of admiration for Arsenal, the way we play the game, the technical dexterity is extraordinary,” hje said. “That is something Arsene brought to the club.”
Gazidis also said that Stan Kroenke will speak publicly about his plans in the near future. “The ‘Silent Stan’ moniker is over-used,” he said. “He’s not silent, he’s very involved. He will speak when the time is right.
“Stan said he’ll speak to the fans when he’s next in UK and he will. He is not media adverse but not here for ego gratification.”
Arsenal meet Shrewsbury Town tonight in a Carling Cup third-round tie and many of Wenger’s players will take to the Emirates Stadium with a flea in their ears after he launched a strongly worded attack after the defeat at Ewood Park.
“We were guilty of a lack of concentration, a lack of communication, a lack of co-ordination and individual urgency,” he said.
Wenger has said that Arsenal’s season depends on beating Shrewsbury because of the need to show they can recover from such a disappointing loss. As a result he is expected to abandon his policy of using the competition as a glorified reserve-team competition.
Park Chu Young, Ryo Miyaichi and Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain will be given their debuts but Marouane Chamakh will start up front. Carl Jenkinson, the full-back, will return for the first time since his sending-off against Manchester United.
goonermichael,
Did that scum, everthink we would believe such crap. the boy loves us. I moved away from my loved ones in London, still love `em.
Interesting article dandan especially the bit about kroenke speaking publically about selling out.
Well BR a nice write up and i gave a clue yesterday with the listen to a CD.
As usual i have a slightly different opinion about tonight. I am looking forward to see the new young lads play (if i can find a stream) but in our current situation though i accept it is a good experience for the new boys i think it would be beneficial to the club to get out of the CC ASAP this season as it definately isn’t a priority.
Cheers for that DD,
Love how the media say that Santos’ performances have been unconvincing! After one game!!!!!! Hilarious!
In response to people worried about Kozzer and Merts not playing tonight, imagine what the impact on the squad would be if one got injured. It would be disastrous and not worth risking. They will still be training together all week, getting to know each others game a bit more.
As for Djourou, I think his dip in form at the end of last season was just a result of the whole squads collapse. As for this season, well imagine if you were him, and the year before you had had the best season for the club since arriving. Then, you get thrown in against Man U with all the youngsters and get blamed for an 8-2 defeat. Then, the club decide to buy a new CB cos all of a sudden, 3 months after your best ever season, you are deemed not good enough. If that doesn’t knock the confidence then nothing will!!!!
dandan…
i must say reading the excuses from nazidis is nothing less than disgraceful…that *man?*has over achieved,he has done a perfect job of ruining The Arsenal….
wenger out….hiddink in…asap !
and while we’re at it send hilly woody up Kentish country where he should be more than happy growing tomatoes…
as for tonights adventure there is only one thing to say,i hope we win and i hope we dont make it an excuse for continuing support of wenger or nazidis and his lover kroenke..
Kelsey,
At what point does the article say anything about Kroenke selling out? Or is that you speaking from personal knowledge?
I must have misread the article 🙂
Kelsey…
this usually is a pretty good link to many games,havent looked today and im not sure if The Arsenal game is on..still hope you find the link useful..
Sorry for posting a link without permission BG…
http://www.firstrowsports.tv/
Thanks tomstoned,
do you have to download anything. I think it is harder than ever to get a decent stream,there is definately a stamp down on them as others will verify as liveonlibvefooty.com which is by far the best have got wise to people sharing links.
Kelsey you are being very naughty 🙂
Tomstoned,
Is there anyone we should keep at the club then!? Should we get rid of the cleaning lady while were at it? Let’s just sack everyone, I’m sure that will turn us into champions….
Kelsey mate
no download needed and i have used it to some extent,its safe and quite good..and usually very good streams…enjoy !
Fatgingergooner..
not at all the tea lay pam is very very safe ;
Gazidis is speaking perfect sense. We have only played five league games for Heavens sake. Let the dust settle and the team develop before we all rush to premature conclusions. Some of the abuse Wenger and the board are getting at the moment is simply unbelievable considering were still only in September.
Ahhh Hiddink, whose football is the ideal cure to insomnia, who won his large major title in 1988 (winning the Dutch league title and an FA cup with Chelsea is not major), who specialises in getting teams to quarter-final, and ocassionally a semi-final in a major tournement. Just what we need. Wenger, you have finally met your match mate. Au revoir.
Sharing live online footy,…lol.
Its only 10p a day !!
tom
You’re out of date mate.
Pam did her achilles while bending down to get the Rich Teas. She’s out for the season.
TMHT,
Nevermind the fact it’s only September, the manager and arguably some of the board, have been the best thing that has ever happened to this club. To get the abuse that is currently being dished out is utterly disgraceful. Even if people are unhappy with recent results, Arsene Wenger deserves respect
SS,
they have stopped all new accounts trying to register.
I don`t know if it is the same as Dandan`s @2:32pm ,but have just been listening to gazidas on Talksport via newsnow, it`s about 4 1/2 mins long. Easy on the ears, I`ll give him that.
If (big if for me, I still want our Alsatian boss to stay) there were any plans to kick Wenger out so he can coin it in at PSG de Qatar, Hiddink would be a good choice. But the currently unemployed Ancelotti would be better.
We should face it, no matter how good Wenger is (and he is bloody good, despite what the ungrates say), he can be replaced.
“Everything this club has created and represents,it has done it`s self and didn`t rely on anyone else. It stands on it`s own two feet as a responsible self-sustaining model that represents the future of football and were proud of that”
Have a listen,the man talks well.
FGG @3.17pm: Hear, hear! I feel embarrassed sometimes, talking about respect and gratitude, but Wenger deserves nothing but respect for sticking with us when we had zero cash, and while he had loads of chances to get more money and an easier footballing challenge. There is not a single manager who could (or would) have done what Wenger did for us from 2004 to 2010, and the “Sack him” crowd just show their own shitty characters in ignoring that.
But none of that takes away from the need always to assess whether the current manager is best placed to take us forward in the circumstances as they stand today. Now that the money is sorted, there are options. I want the fans to behave with some dignity but I also want the Board to be clear about what it takes to get us the best footballing performances we can. I don’t assume that means replacing Wenger, but that is not an option that can be ignored either.
Kelsey….I saw that. I’d be gutted to not get on LOF any longer. I guess too many new accounts brings too much attention.
Its a very slick looking site since the makeover, which is pretty impressive for a completely illegal service.
That and being invited to AA are two things that I am eternally grateful to Big Raddy for.
How mad is it that he emailed the blog owner of another site to ask for my email address, and then uses it to ‘tap me up’ to join this site.
26, the key thing though is that if he is replaced it is with somebody who can do better than Wenger. Hiddink? Na, cannot see it myself, and the football would be significantly less attractive. Ancelotti, maybe yes: but could he be successful at a club where he will only have third and fourth choice of new players to buy, and what is his track-record of developing young players into superstars?
Djourou got injured in the quarter finals of the FA Cup against Man.U last March and at the time Wenger said he was out for the rest of the season but he then suddenly returned a couple of weeks later but unfortunately has since been useless. Maybe that injury – dislocated shoulder – affected him a lot more than he’s prepared to admit coz he was an excellent replacement for Vermaelen. Shame.
FGG & 26May1989,
I agree with you both 100%. Arsene and the board will be vindicated when we start picking up the big prizes. But what do i know, apparantly ime insane.
TA; “if he is replaced it is with somebody who can do better than Wenger” – absolutely, agreed. Too many of the Wenger Out crowd say that the more patient among us are blind to the options. We’re not, I think we just take a more considered view of the problem.
In your Dutchness, you know Hiddink better than I do, but I have to say, I was impressed with the way he stabilised Chelsea when they were going through an ego-driven phase of instability. As for Ancelotti developing young players, I’ve always identified him with oldsters, but thinking about it, he played a pretty big role in bringing on players like Kaka, Pato and Pirlo, so he can’t be bad on that score.
We could all take a leaf from Notts Forest fans in they way they treated Clough when and after they got relegated. if Arsene took us down to Non League i still wouldn’t disrepect the great man. To be honest the whole berating of Arsene Wenger is comical, its akin to calling Einstein thick.
Of course the above scenario will never happen. If we can stay around 10 points behind the leaders come the New Year i fully expect us to chalange for the title.
Total,
Interesting point. In the current climate of our self sustainability. We cannot compete with the Megabuckboy`s. And Wenger is, as you rightly say, great at bringing the talent through and it would be hard for anyone else to do much better.
If FFP worked, they would have to compete with us, which would be great, if it works ?
But say we were as rich as Citeh. Would we then need to change the Manager ?. Would Arsene spend outrageous amounts, if money were no object ?. I wonder. What do you think ?
Phil Brown is free…
TMHT,
If were 10 points behind the top team in New Year , I`ll kiss your transplant!.
A word to Terry`s carer`s, put him back in the room! 🙂
SharkeySure well im sure you will never stoop to such a low ..
even being pessemistic shouldnt cancel my opinions..TMHT..you should also try to respect the fact that quite a few Gooners are fed up and wants the situation solved…
some questions Sir:
1.selling cesc on a sale ?do you think that was the right thing to do ?
2.are you more than happy with us being owned by an american,who doesnt have the tradition needed nor the interest
3.do you think The Arsenal have eveolved since 2005.
4.do you seriously think we Gooners should accept what is going on,just sit back and be quiet
5.what about this summers last minute desperate transfers ?..was that an ideal situation for the players and Our Beloved Arsenal..
finally we have different opinions mate…thats fine..accept the fact that many Gooners disagree and please do so without being a p***k about it…
me personally wants Dein back…i’d choose Usmanov over Kroenke….i think The Arsenal needs a change..wenger out/Hiddink in…and what im most pi”ed about is the way we are slowly being turned into an americanized corporation….making money being the main objective..winning always secondary…in football there is no second best…
Cornwall,
I am in my room, but have to be quiet and elusive because they dont like me spending to much time on the internet. By the way, FFP is already having an impact and this will increase in the following years. I spent about six hours the other night (with just a torch for company) studying Man Citys future strategy r.e. FFP. Fascinating stuff.
SS. Tapped up? I might have to seek advice from 26 as to whether your statment is libellous 🙂
I understand why some bloggers would prefer a CB pairing of JD and Miquel.
It would have to be an up and coming manager. Didn’t Wenger praise some guy who used to play for him in Japan who is now a manager? I think was from Montenegro or sumet. He said that he had similar footballing ideas and was good at spotting youngsters. Anyway, I think someone like Martinez at Wigan could be a good shout in a few years time. Didn’t someone say Remi Garde was highly thought of? I would prefer a young upcoming manager rather than one of these older guys. If AW stays at the club in another role then we should still have the scouting system and ability to bring in young players for a long time to come.
tomstoned, you’re absolutely right, we’re all entitled to our views. But I did think it was funny for you to write that “what im most pi”ed about is the way we are slowly being turned into an americanized corporation” – using “pissed” rather than “pissed off” being an Americanism itself.
But then ignore me, I’m a pedant. And a lawyer. Which usually prompts an insult or two – happy with those too!
FGG: I reckon Garde (who was one of the attendees at the UEFA Elite Coaches seminar last month, with Ferguson, Wenger et al) would be Wenger’s preferred successor. Just a guess, obviously.
Tom,
i respect your views, and in my darkest moments have even shared them. Of course there have been tactical mistakes, that happens at all clubs. The question for me is the clubs strategy the correct one? I still believe it is. This will never be an exact science and only the future will give us answers as to whether the Club is going in the right direction or not and even then the end results will still be subjective.
TMHT,
I would love to know what Man City`s strategy is. Even more than that, I would like to know( in plain English) what are UEFA going to do with the likes of Man City.
Allegedly £400m sponsor.
Allegedly that sponsor has not made a profit.
UEFA hit them hard, show them you mean business and don`t let them take the piss.
Oh and by the way, has your torch got a name? 🙂
Ian Holloway is your man with a surname like that. Don’t know if he would improve us but he does make interesting viewing when interviewed 🙂
My question is what prompted Gazidis to say that Wenger’s job is safe. I am sure it wasn’t from one of the I hate f****** Wenger sites.
It’s a serious question.
26may1989
pardon my English mate,not my forte,im Norwegian mate..and a travelling Gooner from the cold and grim country up north ;..
TMHT
i have no problems with your opinon,and we could agree ine *small*thing,we all love Our Beloved Arsenal…there is no doubt about that…:
Gooner LIC If you are really interested in Man City the Times Today has a big spread and outline plans of the set up they have proposed to the city council. It looks impressive will cater for 400 players from kids to first team and create employment for 240 staff
Tomstoned,
You said in that last comment that you want ‘the situation solved’, what makes you think that sacking the manager will do that? What brings you to that conclusion?
If fans are in support of AW, it’s not that they don’t see any of the problems at the club, we have all sat through 6 trophyless years and we have all seen recent poor performances, it’s just that we realise that we already have one of the worlds best managers. If he left, clubs would be fighting over him, so why the urgency to get him out? What do you see in Hiddink that you don’t see in Wenger?
Cornwall,
I just call torch…torch.
To sumarise Citys strategy, what they are trying to do is use there political and economic influence around the world to drum up as many ‘small’ sponsers as possible. At the present time they have more organisations sponsering them than any other club in world football, at levels that fall within the remit of FFP, and with the muscle they have this will keep increasing.In addition to this they will use FFP rules themselves to their advantage, i.e. the clause that shows debt is decreasing, using losses to plough back into youth development the community etc. Finaly, they expect there commercial turnover (plastic supporters) and football turnover(playing in the champions league etc) to swell.
As for there 400m sponsership, this is with a related party and UEFA will look at it closely. The financial press has reported that it is closer to 300m i.e. 30m per year over a ten year period. I beleive they will argue market vaule based on the fact that during this 10 year period they will grow to be one of the biggest football brands in the world. As i said Cornwall, fascinating stuff.
Kelsey is it not obvious that the press and morons like Cascarino are calling for AW’s head, look on this site we are not immune from such emotive thinking,
Arsenal whether we like it or not is a business and as the man says the board is proud of their model and what they have achieved ,in my opinion, rightly so
Wenger has to retire/leave at some point. The last 6 months have been the worst for the club since 1984 or 1975 or 1966 so therefore after 15 years in the job maybe it’s time to let somebody else have a go. No one guarantees things will be better with another manager but can they really get any worse? I think this is the question.
dandan
Gazidis could have ignored it if your assumption is correct or he is showing that Wenger is here to stay for good or it is a kissof death quote.
By the way BR that picture of Darwin looks fairly familiar.is he related to either of Zee Zee Top 😉
Danny the retirement age in this country is being raised to 68, I believe AW is 62 so why should he retire if he does not want to.
As for can it get worse ask Leeds I suspect they would change places tomorrow.
Bad news. Match not on LOF tonight, they have the MU …
Fatgingergooner..
to me its quite easy mate,we are going backwards and wenger seems unable to correct the situation,agreed he built his team around cesc…that could have worked all he had to do was add some experience(maybe alonso when the opportunity was there)but he didnt…and now we are in shambles(some call it transition,i dont agree we are in deep crisis)allowing wenger to rebuild could very well have been the solution,but then he goes out and buys ox,joel,jenks,etc.when the team had obvious problems that needed fixing…poor decision..
if we hadnt been trashed at OT i doubt very much that wenger would have bought anyone else,in my opinion wenger is not capable of correcting the mistakes he clearly does(CB situation buying squid,silvestre,senderos,etc…goalie situation,..how many points did we loose….almunia…????…
where is the cesc nasri replacements ???..diaby ?
wenger is doing the same mistakes Ajax did back in the days…playing beautiful footy…bringing awesome players ..could have been the superior team for decades,but instead chosed to sell…i think Ajax proves that what wenger tries to do with Arsenal..just dont work…
Hiddink well i also could have mentioned Klopp..but Hiddink has the capability to keep us playing good football,has the experience,proven manager,and most of all could work with the players we have ,
Kelsey
IMHO AW will not leave the club when he retires but move upstairs. As for ignoring the cacophony on the Internet.
Speaking at the Sport Industry Breakfast Club in London, Gazidis said Wenger “is not broken … he did not suddenly become a bad manager or somebody who became out of touch with the game. It is complete nonsense.” He added that having critics and fans portray Wenger “as some kind of idiot” is damaging for football.
For me he has got it in one.
agreed dandan wenger lost it years ago….but he is a genius when it comes to guiding youg players…i would love for wenger to step down,and then take care of the young guns ..
dandan,
Went to Times online but they want paying. I`ll wait for my rich neighbour to come home, h`es bound to have it.
TMHT,
Thanks for some insight. I imagine the full UEFA scripture will be massive and have Einstein scratching his head, A working class lad from East London, no chance!
All I`m saying is, UEFA no loopholes, Police it properly, we`re relying on you.
Tomstoned it aint gonna happen.
He added: “Thinking spending money solves issues [or] firing a manager solves issues — these are short term cures that actually have tremendous costs for football clubs that are not often played out in the short term. That’s a route we are not going to go down.”
This is part of it GLIC and will give you a flavour.
From todays Times
1 of 1
September 19 2011 12:01AM
To the superannuated anorak, Hyde will always be a club of the past. As schoolboys, grubby of knee and occasionally mind, we learnt that Hyde had been the victims of the heaviest defeat in the history of first-class football in England: they lost 26-0 to Preston North End in the FA Cup in 1887. But it was at Hyde’s ground, Ewen Fields, on a sunlit evening last week that the future went on display.
That Manchester City’s youth team — or Elite Development Squad — lost 2-1 to their Barcelona equivalents in their opening match of the admirable NextGen Series hardly mattered; to give the Barcelona kids an occasional fright is the best most opponents can hope for. And today it will be emphasised that the City side challenging for the Barclays Premier League title are but the tip of an iceberg that menaces Manchester United and any other European club bent on defining the state of the priceless art of youth development.
Priceless? Never more than now, with Uefa, under Michel Platini, having wisely exempted youth development from the terms of Financial Fair Play, the system designed to ensure that clubs spend on their playing staffs barely more than they earn from tickets, television, merchandising and so on.
Without the eyebrow-raising academy plans to be unveiled this morning, City, with their fabulously rich sugar daddy from Abu Dhabi, would be just the sort of club to have their sails trimmed.
Instead they are to go head to head with United, who, for much of Sir Alex Ferguson’s quarter-century at Old Trafford — since a tip-off led to the luring of a 14-year-old Ryan Wilson (later Giggs) from the City schoolboy ranks — have been the masters at identifying and developing young players.
On a derelict site of 80 acres overlooking the Etihad Stadium, City are to build Britain’s finest academy, with 15 pitches and a 7,000-capacity stadium.
The club’s plans, which include the recruitment of leading youth coaches and a holistic approach to education, have struck awe into FA scrutineers who look forward to eventual benefits for the England team, as the academy system becomes more elitist and less bound by geographical restrictions that are supposed to have favoured the recruitment of youngsters from overseas.
Although the majority of the City team who faced Barcelona were English, the star was Denis Suárez, a Spaniard brought from Celta Vigo and earning, at 17, some £350,000 a year — more than the entire Barcelona side, some of whom were only 16. These included Sergi Samper, who ran the midfield as if auditioning for the succession to Xavi Hernández, below, and Alejandro Grimaldo, an attacking left back whose every foray carried a threat.
In a few years, they and the cream of City’s youngsters may meet again in the Champions League. Preparing them to take the bold step into the limelight is what the NextGen Series is all about.
Devised by Mark Warburton, formerly manager of the acclaimed Watford academy, and Justin Andrews, a television producer, it involves 16 clubs including Aston Villa, Liverpool, Tottenham Hotspur, Celtic, Ajax, Inter Milan and Sporting, from Lisbon, with the most successful contesting a final tournament in January but everyone — not just players but coaching and technical staff — benefiting from the experience.
That City are glad to be among the pioneers was obvious from the presence of a strong contingent, led by Roberto Mancini, at Ewen Fields, where a magnificent pitch is used by the Premier League club’s reserves as well as Hyde in the Blue Square Bet North. There we watched the future — and it seems to work. If youth development is thriving, so is football. City are clearly determined to play their part.
•Platini, the Uefa president, has called the chairmen of all 53 member associations to Cyprus this week. A variety of matters will be discussed and they are bound to include the tensions between the international and club game that led Karl-Heinz Rummenigge, chairman of the European Club Association, to sabre-rattle last month. Yet I have a sense that England will be well represented. David Bernstein, who succeeded Lord Triesman as FA chairman in January, has already made a positive impact on morale and the introduction of two fellow “independents” on the board ought to buttress his quiet determination to reinvigorate the organisation. So far, so good — for only after the FA becomes powerful at home can it be influential abroad.
kelsey. I thought the same!! I went to see ZZ Top in Copenhagen a few months back supported by the Doobie Bros. They still rock ….
Danny.You ask can things get any worse?. Of course they can. We have a super squad of players, have got rid of the players most bloggers wanted out and have strengthened in all the positions we wanted the club to improve in and we are really missing our best MF and CB, our two best players.
The table confirms that AFC are struggling but we have time to turn things around.
tomstoned,
If and when Arsene goes, I too ,hope that it will be in the capacity of head of youth development and scouting or just anything, Ambassador, Head of UEFA and they may be trusted.
Tom,
I may be wrong, but the ‘get Arsene out’ agenda just sounds like the same ‘we need to buy a CB’ agenda, and the ‘we need a new keeper’ agenda, aswell as the ‘we need to sign a DM’ agenda that have all cropped up over the last few years. Fans were crying out for us to sign a DM…..1 year later we have Jack Wlishire as the first name on the England team sheet every week. Fans were crying out for us to buy a GK….year later we have Szscesny in goal (worlds number 1!). Fans were going nuts that we didn’t have a decent CB….then Vermaelen comes along and proves to be world class (even though experts said he was too short!).
I’m sick of this ‘we want success right now’ attitude that our fans have. And before you say that it’s been 6 years, these fans have been moaning since it was 2 years without a trophy. Arsenal haven’t fallen backwards, other teams have pulled away, and unfortunately, that’s something fans need to get in their heads. The quicker we realise this the happier the fans will be. We can pull back towards Man U, City and Chelsea but there’s no quick fix (ie getting a new boss) and it ain’t gonna happen overnight.
Like all of us I feel bad when Arsenal lose and again like all of us I always have done; the sense of hurt used to be made worse by having to face gloating supporters of other teams, that uncomfortable annoyance is still exists but is it nothing compared to the intense discomfort I feel of having to listen to other Arsenal supporters trying to find fault in the club that I love at every single opportunity that they possibly can.
Where is the fun, where is the enjoyment in interacting with people who are hell bent in only spreading negativity about our club, if they supported spuds I could understand but they claim to support Arsenal, actually when I think about it I realise I dislike those Arsenal supporters more than I dislike spuds.
Good pre-match BR you are a shinning light in a sea of ……….
I hope that when AW ceases to be manager that he leaves the club. A new manager needs to know he has full control and not be influenced by the huge shadow of AW.
I expect we will have a 2 season custodian (an older experienced manager like Ancelloti (who is 52)while we await the development of a younger chap (Remi Garde could fit the bill) who will mould the club over a longer period.
Head of UEFA would suit AW perfectly.
London;. Good Evening as usual I find myself in total agreement with you.
Right, I am off to support the club I love, are you going to support Arsenal tonight Tom?
London. Your first para —– very well said. If there is constructive criticism which is open to debate then I welcome it, but the people who just come on the site to gloat when we lose really upset me.
Fatgingergooner
well failing to correct obvious *holes*in the team must be the managers responsibility…and instead of always looking forward we should be able to compete when needed…
how many points have almunia cost us ? how many points have playing silvestre,squillaci,etc cost us.?
there will always be excuses..but is that good enough,in sport its all about being on top in the moment not 2 years down the road…
mate sport will always be about winning,nobody cares much for the second best…if players or managers are satisfied in less than winning they shouldnt be in the game…
what many Gooners myself included protest against is not only the failure to correct mistakes,bad tactics,but not being interested in winning,not keeping Our best players,not investing in the team,and maybe to me the final straw thinking fourth is an achievement…
i feel that many Gooners are more than satisfied just as long as we keep wenger,has he become more important than The Arsenal,is wenger more important than winning,are finances more important than playing football,according to nazidis he is :::::
London,
You are a gem! Well said sir.
I’ve had some great clients today
An Eastern European banker who I had a very interesting conversation about usmanov with.
A photographer who got back from a shoot with barca yesterday and showed me some great pictures of Jack and Theo on his phone.
A famous historian who is a manc fan but has a soft spot for Arsenal and always talks sense.
Very enjoyable day.
Tom,
When the club has the burden of moving stadium and then with other teams having billionaire bosses, then surely finishing 4th has to be seen as a success.
Tom. There is much you write about that is open to discussion.
How about this …… you are clearly a big Arsenal fan, why not take a deep breath, re-assess and get on with supporting the team and the manager.
Because one thing is certain, no matter how much you are frustrated it will make no difference to anyone who can change things. In Tom Waits speak – it is just pissing in the wind 😉
Thanks dandan,
So City will have their own La Masia, hoping that they will churn out players in the future and not have to buy many. Interesting times ahead then. We have had a great past tradition in youth terms, (correct me if i`m wrong) a lot of our 60`s FA youth cup winning team became our first double winners, as with the 89 winning lot.
So how do we stand now, as against City ? , are we on a similar level ? , or will we have to loophole millions into our youth system ?, can we afford it ?, whats to stop City raising the bar higher and paying, 8,9,10 year olds £1000`s a year( if they aren`t already doing it!). They will ruin our game. so sad.
GM. I am delighted for you. Let us hope it continues this evening.
London…that was well,im not going to comment on that…i have supported The Arsenal since my Dad brought me to a game in-71,i was eleven years old,and still remember great players like Charlie George,allthough my favourite player is John Radford,Liam Brady would have been but i never managed to forgive him for leaving(f’eckin pizza country 😉
i have spent quite some money supporting Our Beloved Arsenal,you should know that wanting changes does not mean that im not supporting The Arsenal..
you where quite rude…
and which team do you support London..???
For anyone not able to go to the match, or find a stream to watch, Arsenal Player is showing the game for the princely sum of £1.50
Tomstoned, you haven’t been abusive or insulting but your comments do not seem at all logical.
To say that Arsene does not care about winning, beggars belief.
Just one tiny look at his obvious pain, his evident stress when winnable games are inexplicably thrown away must tell you that you are totally wrong.
If the rest of your comments are as misguided as the above, you cannot possibly persuade anyone of their validity.
I know you are not alone in your views, but it is deeply disappointing none-the-less for the rest of us who find these views unacceptable and disrespectful.
Sorry.
GLIC. Surely the 90 mile rule applies. They cannot just hoover up promising youngsters from around the world or am I wrong?
RA. You have been relatively quiet of late. I hope it is because your health has improved
BR,
Thee 90 mile rule only applies in the UK. In any event, the Premier League (aka SAF’s minions) want this rule watered down or abolished, and it is being reviewed.
Raddy
We get to see some great new talent tonight so I’m sure it will.
Red arse
It isn’t live on AP it’s shown after 10 as far as I remember. I have a good link that I used at the weekend. When I get home if it works I’ll post a link.
goonermichael,
If you were a woman. having all those clients would sound quite seedy…. 🙂
Raddy,
Unfortunately, my delight at going to a game after such along time, and getting carried away with the ‘forbidden’ freebie champers etc did have an adverse effect. Alcohol has a very bad effect with the meds I am taking, but I learned the hard way not to take liberties.
Serves me right! 🙂
Raddy,
I`ve got a feeling that City will be a law unto themselves ! 😦
RedArse..
blind trust has never been a winning formula…and i must say that your blind faith in wenger are just as insulting….but we’ll see in the end…who knows..
all i know is that i care far too much about Our Beloved Arsenal than to accept that one man is more important than The Arsenal…and as wenger said..selling cesc and nazri would mean we could not be considered a big club anymore..still he sold them ? and even cesc at a far lower price than we could have gotten..that was NOT in The Arsenals best interest…
wenger thinks he is The Arsenal..oh my how wrong he is…
Tom. Why do you write your final sentence? What evidence do you have?
anyone got any live streams for tonights game?
Tom,
I had no intention of insulting you, and do not believe I did.
I also acknowledged that you had NOT been insulting and that you are NOT alone in your views. Please re-read my comment.
You are entitled to your opinion as much as anyone else. I presumed you are on here to debate those opinions, and why not.
As you are a Norwegian, I am in awe of your grasp of English, by the way.
What I did say, was that the views you espouse seem, to many of us on here, as disrespectful to a great manager and a decent human being.
If, hopefully, you come on here more frequently, you will soon see that I defer to no one in my loyalty to Arsenal, but I am not a zealot and therefore cannot, and will not, refrain from using my limited intellect to question and examine all aspects of everything important to me, and not to blindly accept anything — but I do that respectfully!
RA. Sorry to hear you had an adverse reaction to the box experience.
Strangely enough, I find the opposite – that I function better with a few units
Libel Mr Radders…moi…??
If I was to be charged it would/should have happened long ago…considering some of the scurrrilous and basesless statements I’ve made about knee fondlers, wb’s (shush) and kidnap victims (hope we’re allowed to talk about it now 26).
Right lets see if I can find tonights team on here in less than the 25mins it took me for the last game !
Tonights team.
.FABIANSKI
JENKINSON
MIQUEL
DJOUROU
GIBBS
OXLADE-CHAMBERLAIN
COQUELIN
FRIMPONG
BENAYOUN
YOUNG PARK
CHAMAKH
Substitutes
MARTINEZ
YENNARIS
BOATENG
OZYAKUP
RYO
ANEKE
WATT
DD. No real surprises there.
Anyone have a stream?
Nope only Arsenal player voice only
Attendance 45k Arsenal playing 4 4 2
DD. Thanks. I have the audio stream. We appear to have started well.
This is like the old days of listening to the transistor. Sadly, the commentator is no Jonathan Pearce
Oh dear.
This is only going to give the Wenger out calls more ammo, even though this match means very little. Sort it out young Gooners!
can it get any worse?
This match is important when we really need to restore some pride FGG.
Fatgingergooner…lets wait eh ? we’re not done yet…but not the brightest start…c’mon you gunners…
It’s a joke really
Anyone got a link?
The lack of a clean sheet and the chances the Shrews have already had make tonight a disaster…long before we get to 90mins.
Wining 9-1 won’t erase this start.
1 down 8 to go….??
Gibbs!! Wish I could watch.
gibbs..1-1..c’mon you gunners 🙂
Its not being shown anywhere in the world GM. Its 10pm on Arsenal player for highlights.
Any link you do follow will be a wild goose chase.
I’ll watch it later. I’m listening on AP. Sounds like we could be beaten.
Gotta laugh at Paul Merson.
I was watching Man U game n Giggs tried to play a ball over top to Park and scuffed it to a Leeds player, switched over to Soccer Special about 20 seconds later to hear Merson who goes on to say ‘we’ve played 36 minutes and Giggs hasnt given the ball away once…not once’! Brilliant!!!!
Audio link if anyone needs it
http://premier–streams.net/audioonly
We’ve really fallen behind the mancs.
He’s probably drunk FGG
we could make some extra money with a replay
mancsum 3 up
Sounds a little disjointed out there.
Expect us to get stronger in the final 15 mins
GM 🙂
The commentry on Ap is quite critical. they are reading out some dodgy emails too. They’ve just said there can’t be a replay.
Actually, the emails and texts they are reading are really critical
Want to read critical? Have a look at LG , it is hilarious. and these foul mouthed morons think they are Arsenal fans!
GM,
We are drawing with Shrewsbury! I get the feeling that the Wenger out brigade are in the majority these days, and even if they aren’t, the media can use it to make it look otherwise. Alan Macinally was saying that come January we need 4 new defenders! Paul Walsh tried to say that Santos had only played one game but Macinally shot him down and said that Santos looked poor against Blackburn!
He’s played one game ffs! These are the so called experts that feed Arsenal fans the shit they spout.
I looked and had to close it Raddy. Really nasty stuff. I don’t understand why they let it go on.
macinally is a retard.
I don’t watch sky apart from the actual games
Thankfully I cannot get Macinally. He is just a talking head who has an agenda
Haven’t heard much of Park, have we?
LG is always over the top BR ;.and getting worse by the minute..,still lets play the game first..me im willing to take a win.nomatter how its done…lets just get trough..we all know the team needs a couple of months to gel (im still of that opinion that this summers transfer was nothing less than disgraceful)but i have no satisfaction in banging on about it…
c’mon you gunners…
Sounds like Ox is having a game.
from what i understand we have started the second half very brightly…c’mon you gunners
Can’t wait to see it the commentator has just had an orgasm
Raddy/GM,
I wrote recently on AA how ashamed it makes me to share the name “Gooner” with these people.
There are no words to describe my feelings about such ‘fans’.
I better stick with — Yeuk!
ox 2-1..thank God..lets just continue…
What a contrast. On AP the commentator described the Oxo Kid’s goal as fantastic.
Sky said it was a ‘skiddy’ little shot that the keeper should have got.
A) Great; B) Iffy. dear oh dear!
Get in Oxo.
Just read a couple of comments on LG where someone asked if Oxo had done anything and someone replied saying another £12m wasted by Wenger! I actually had to laugh out loud. That website is bloody awful!
Tom,
Are you in Norway?
The crowd are getting excited every time the Ox gets the ball. This is just what the club needs.
Yes Red Arse a lonely Arsenal Viking mate ;
Tom. I feel like an adopted Viking!
BR i dont think many Gooners doesnt get excited by the ox…some are just not patient…and not willing to wait for young talent to come trough anymore…its a shame but understandable…if The Arsenal had been playing like we used to(the new Brazil:)nobody would care…
it makes me upset…why didnt wenger just fix the rather small problems..im sure he could have..i honestly think he is just a tad to postive regarding our young guns ;..
c’mon you gunners..
ox is buzzing…
Oxo will be in the first team sooner rather than later!
A lot of Arsenal fans got some humble pie to eat. Likewise the press boys
@MattLawExpress
Matt Law Fair play to cesc – interview was false are we were all duped by sport and their rogue freelance #holdhandsup
Ox is a write off, to use the words of the LG faithful! I’m shocked that this dribble actually exists.
Hope we can get the result, glad MC is playing well. I reckon he will be a key player this year if he gets the confidence back.
:)BR..great… at least i dont have to raid the OT alone mate
Sky are total canutes
You’d think they’d learn to pronounce Ryo’s name correctly
BR have to agree with your earlier post..seems like we have run them to the ground…lets just stay focused…and i must admit i kind of love the gritty wins of yesterday..
this will be a boost..c’mon you gunners
Tom,
Gazidis said today that money is available for transfers in January, if AW wants it.
You could get a ‘hole’ in the team filled then. Trouble is no one on the blogs, as far as I can see, can agree who that player should be.
Come on Ryo!! I went to watch him when he was here on trial and he was brilliant!!!
I daren’t Radders !!
I had a quick chat with Pedro outside the Tavern prior to the Swansea game. It was a completely amicable and pleasant chat,,,but I did chastise him for the monster he’d helped create. He didn’t exactly offer the strongest defence. He seems like a decent enough bloke.
Manny Frimpong? sounds Jewish
Benny the goon.
Red Arse..
honestly i cant find a player who could fill the *hole*either,its sad that Jack isnt playing..he could be the solution…personally i do watch quite abit German footy and that lad Goetze is brilliant,but would he be the missing link..?
benny :)3-1
If they are going to call him Rio we should use the duran duran tune for his song.
SS. I like Pedro as well.
Good for you, chastising him 🙂
GM. You are on fire today – must have been the good day at work.
well off work..nightshift…great win..and finally some true grit..
have a splendid Evening GM,BR,Fatgingergooner,SharkeySure,Red Arse and all Gooners ..
c’mon you Gunners…
Tom, I would have Gotze too. But the ‘Big Money’ clubs will be tearing into each other to get him. 😦
Millwall are losing 4 nil. Shame they are such a nice bunch of chaps.
see you later Tom
I’ve been on Norwegian TV a few times
GM. Porn Channel?
Burly auburn Gunner, the current chants of One Arsene Wenger tell you all you need to know about the balance of Arsene ins vs Arsene outs.
Don’t let the big mouthed morons lead you to think otherwise.
Aneke has just come on for the last 4 mins.
He is my nomination to outshine even Jack when he gets more game time. Watched him coming thru the jnr ranks and he has always been special!! Mark my words, Guys! 🙂
Raddy
How very dare you! 🙂
Good call re His name is Ryo….
And its the Specials – You’ve done too much, much Chu Young for Park
Not my call, only passing it on, so the credit goes elsewhere
GM,
How do you balance on those skinny LCD TVs? 🙂
RA. If Aneke is going to be better than JW, we will be contenders in a few seasons
~Offence taken but no denial GM..??
You wouldn’t want to see me in a porno. I had a sex change ex hooker in today as well as the clients I mentioned earlier. No more for 2 1/2 weeks now though. Holiday time.
RA
They were the big black and white ones
Looking forward to 10 now for the game on AP
has everyone gone?
Happy with that. A confidence boost to Gibbs & CJ , a very good intro for Ox and the kids.
Sounded like Chamakh led the line well and Benny became more influential as the game went on.
Looking forward to seeing the vids.
Night All
Night Raddy. See you later
GM,
You are a lucky guy. With Japanese in laws I bet the trip is subsidised accomodation wise.
I used to stay at the Mandarin Oriental in Tokyo, but that was when the company picked up the tab. Can’t afford it now – no excuse to go to Japan. Loved the place! 🙂
Night, Raddy.
GM, 🙂
Don’t want to keep commenting about LG, but someone just wrote the comment:
‘are we winning? Bollocks’
These are our clubs so-called fans!? Makes me fucking sick.
It sounded god second half 😆 AOC sounds amazing.
Can’t believe it was not shown live anywhere 🙄
*good
I’m staying at the in laws so I don’t have accommodation costs RA. I’m going on that mental new rollercoaster that’s just opened near Mount Fuji. My Sister in law and her husband will be coming to the Stoke game with me. I’m looking forward to seeing my 2 year old niece too.
Don’t go there FGG. It does your health no good to read that ****.
They all seem like dirty little boys who revel in anal humour and disgusting language with others of their ilk!
Being fans does not come into it!!
Someone said they hoped Wenger died in his sleep the other day on there.
Sounds like you got it made GM!
As I said you are a lucky bugger, with a great sounding family. 🙂
If I miss you before you go, enjoy yourself!!
I’m off too. More tablets to take. Yippee. 😦
Evening all – well that was a bit of a painful experience !
I’ll watch the game on A Player soon and see if Djourou was as awful as it seems, from text commentaries/twitter.
2 seconds on that side has brought me to a similar conclusion RA!
I can’t believe we have to share the term Gooners with those people. It’s a poor effort
See you later RA.
the callers on AP are not all Londoners
Forgot to say thanks RA
Hi CharyB, long time no see! 🙂
Just saying good night, but before I go, listening to the commentary, the first 25 mins or so sounded difficult, but especially in the second half it sounded great.
Hope to see you again soon.
Nite.
Here we go on AP
Hi there RedA – I’ll be at the game on Saturday and well lubricated at the Tavern beforehand naturellement. 🙂
Sign of the times..only 46000 plus. A few years ago this game would have gotten a full house. Hopefully those who came cheered the boys on!
Arsenal player Rubbish, like watching through the peephole on an old what the butler saw machine. turned the damn thing off
Neaman it sounded very well supported by both sides. the commentators remarked on the good atmosphere
dandan,
put it on full screen using the arrow symbol
That’s taken Stuart Robson(on Arsenal Player) 14 minutes to say “Arsenal’s high line” – what restraint.
Spuds have gone out deliberately!
LOL, Spuds go out on pennos – we’ve got to get our larfs somewhere.
Spuds’ season is over.
Hey Guys, the arsenal machine rolls on…
In the age of the internet etc – I can imagine that the negative comments must filter through to the players. Very disappointing to hear “fans” on other “arsenal” sites attacking our players and coach. Our support is going to be critical in getting them through this tough time.
I am with others here that would not want to see Arsene step down. I want to see him lift a trophy or 3 with the boys.
Ox performance sounds promising – hopefully he will keep pushing to get a first team start. I’ll be counting down until we get Vermalean returning (and Jack) IMO those 2 are the missing pieces of the arsenal jigsaw at the moment….
Twitchy must be up for the chop now
Sorry but I have all I can take from Stuart Robson… (and just about all other commentators – would rather hear it in a totally different language)
I really like the look of Coquelin.
I know it’s heresy, but I think he might turn out to be better than Pingpong…
Ladies and gentleman
Be in no doubt, we have another star in the wings, Oxo was excitement personified. Not ready for a starting place in the first team but will be making more and more cameo performances as the season progresses. Theo can learn a lot from this young man, yes that is right. The Ox’s ability to operate in tight corners and create chances for others is second to no one in the UK that I can think of right now, there is an Argentinean dwarf overseas but we will cross that bridge when we come to it.
Other thoughts: Park is nowhere near ready for first team duty neither is Ryo but we probably all knew that one already.
Chamakh got better as the game went on but he was pants to begin with; nevertheless, I still say he has a role to play at the end of a game when we need to change to 4.4.2 in order to add more aerial threat in an attempt to get a winner or such like.
Benayoun: will someone give that man a decent meal, his mother’s chicken soup is just not doing the trick, feed the poor boy. Still, he did just fine tonight, I like the way he puts serious pressure on Ramsey for a first team place.
Gibbs was good, Jenkinson is getting better although just how far he can go, I am not so sure. Frimpong was calmer which I liked.
Djourou arrived on a horse wearing a ten gallon hat and proceeded to give a cowboy performance at defending.
By contrast Miguel was as slick as a cat on Vaseline.
Oh well, that was the best £20 I have spent in a while, naturally I joined in whole heartedly in singing:
One Arsene Wenger, there’s only one Arsene Wenger.
Trolls be gone lol
Hi Rocky
I forgot about Coquelin, he did very well tonight, I don’t think it is heresy to say that he might turn out better than Frimpong, it could happen, there is not that much in it at the moment.
Evening London
How many were singing “One AW” at the end…?
1st half not as bad a s i thought it may have been.
GM
Absolutely.
Given how much moaning and groaning there was, we were OK without being brilliant.
Rocky
The vast majority were heartily singing his name and although you know where I stand on the matter I believe this is as unbiased as I can be.
There was no moaning and groaning, remember this was a very different set of supporters, far more appreciative if you ask me.
Silly me …… has anyone offered to write a match report?
London – it looks like you might be ready to write a small match report ………….. pretty please xx
See, I knew it, you all run away as soon as I mention ‘match report’
chary – I’ve missed you, look forward to catching up on Saturday xx
I’ve missed you too Peachy – big hug at the Tavern pre match. 😉
Great to sit with you and Evonne Peaches and to see 26 also.
London,
Where were you? I nearly bought you a plate of Squid Rings. You are right about The Ox and I go along with your other comments. Although I was alot less impressed by MC than you were. When will he create something for himself?
Let’s not get carried away, it was Shrewsbury who are in League 2 (Div.4), and we still conceded!
Chary,
I said to P and E during the match how we must do something about Chary’s employers. This blog ban must end.
For anyone interested, the giant “we want our Arsenal back” billboard has gone up on Armoury Sq.
Herb,
Our defending was shocking. Personally I cannot believe we did not start with Mert and Kos. They need every available minute together.
i’ve just had the biggest fright of my life. I was having a wee and a fucking rat came up tha toilet. I’m still shaking
Did it have a snorkel on, GM?
A win is a win Micky, and I’ll take that all day, but we shouldn’t be conceding to such lowly opposition.
Nice to see so many youngsters like AOC, Miquel and Coquelin put a good shift in though.
chas 🙂
Herb,
Both Miquel and Coquelin are great prospects.
Right, turning in.
Nite all.
Sweet dreams GM!
Night Micky.
I sent you an e-mail Peaches, hope it was ok.
see you all later. i’ve just found a little trap door device I can buy on the net to stop it happening again.
Is anyone doing a match report? I can knock one out now but need to know!
Nice write-up 26. Do you think AOC should replace Walcott?
Hi HA.
Nope, not yet anyway. For one thing, they are different types of player. I’m a (relative) fan of Walcott but if OC shows this sort of ability and desire against more capable opponents, the first team can’t be far off. And that might cost Theo some first team appearances.
At least we have plenty of attacking options, just the defence to work on then! I think Senderos is better than Djourou, and we got rid of him. I can see a good partnership forming between Mertesacker and Vermaelen (when he’s fit), with Koscielny and Miquel as back-ups. Koscielny needs to up his game somewhat.
Thanks for the insight. We’ll have to agree to differ on Walcott, but he’s still young and whilst wearing our shirt he deserves the encouragement and support of all the Arsenal faithful.
Take it easy 26, goodnight.
26may – did you really think I was still going to be up at 1.30 🙂
Morning all, as anyone who follows me on Twitter knows I am without Broadband at home as the power supply on my Router has gone and I have to await a new one from sky, they do not let anyone use their own router so in short I’m unable to blog unless on my phone and via GPRS (at home).
So even though I have read everything commenting is a long task.
Will probably be in only fleetingly until I get it up and running again.
Have seen the goals from last night was good to see Ox’s strike from distance. Better to hear a stirring bit of support for our put upon Manager…there really is an incredible split between fans, as London says maybe it has something to do with the different fans in the Ems last night.
Am starting to think I am the curse, I did not watch Swansea or game last night and we won, so I apologise now for the weekend.
If anyone knows how I can get a non Sky Router to work with Sky BB I’d love to hear from them.
Morning All
Very interesting interview with Gazidis on the Arsenal site, particularly the final few minutes.
Morning all
I am in love. Little Ox is my main man now and I am already scared he will go to Barca, like my previous darlings. He was awesome, what a star!
Chamakh – I didn’t realise he was on the pitch!! I don’t think he touched the ball in the first half. What a lazy so and so
Fabianski was still as nervous as ever
GiE – not everyone was singing, but I followed your orders. Some of us did not and I had to tell ‘them’ that i will report them to you.
Morning all.
Evonne, when I read that you were in love, I assumed it was with Micky!
The supporter schism continues….
Raddy – I thought that his appearance on TV was odd. Sad days for Arsenal if first DD and now Gazidis have to defend AW publically.
What did you find interesting? For me it was the fact that he did not acknowledge that there is a problem
Hi Chas – ha ha ha. Micky is a great guy, but little Ox is the dog’s genitals
AW, on whether he will bring in a defensive coach…
“I just completed 32 years of coaching. I do not want to answer these types of questions.”
http://www.arsenal.com/news/news-archive/wenger-oxlade-chamberlain-grew-in-stature-
Evonne,
just for you, the dog’s doo-dahs
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=keZi_wIg7X8
evonne. I think it is a good sign that Gazidis is talking to the fans through the media. It shows they acknowledge they have a problem and that is the obvious rift between the club and it’s supporters.
We ask for the club to be more transparent and make statements about intent, then when they do the fans are still not happy!
Thank you Chas. We sat above the right side of the goal, had perfect view of the masterstroke, what a whopper, yeeah
Raddy – hm…he didn’t say much though, did he?
Morning all.
Well for the first time since it rained over here I couldn’t listen or see the game but have just watched an eleven minutes highlight.
The Ox is far more advanced than The Walcott and it was great to see him a and others (Frimpong I believe) have a shot from outside the box and a nicely struck goal.The Coq seemed to have a good game.
Will this build some confidence into the A team.?
Downside Flappy and Djourou need a long rest away from club, it was comical watching the Pole, scrambling across his goal
Chamakh, you attending tell me is he really a striker.Should have scored with his head in the opening 5 minutes but directed straight at the keeper and his shot a few minutes later barely reached the keeper.
Anyway a win is a win is a win.
Kelsey – Chamakh is a lazy so and so. I cannot stand him anymore
The man of the match for me was Yossi, worked his socks off and scored a good goal, top man
New Post ……………
I think the Gazidis interview has come out of the Sporting Breakfast (or some similarly named event) which is organised and free access for the press. So to see it as coming out in defence rather than simply answering questions put to him by the Media vultures.