Still basking in the glory of a wonderful Saturday afternoon? Me too, but time to move on.
3 points tonight and the CL Group stage is almost put to bed, which would allow Mr Wenger to rest some of his players for the remaining fixtures. We all know the damage done when AW has not closed out group qualification, and we must hope he has learned from last season’s mistakes.
Marseilles arrive having started to turn their Ligue 1 season around, unbeaten in their last 6 games and fresh from a 2-3 away win at Dijon.
Let’s be honest, our win in Marseilles was surprising. Marseilles were shockingly defensive and hardly attacked for the whole second half; considering they have some fine forwards it was a puzzling tactic.
rai o’r eich bod yn anghyfreithlon Ffrengig
(Welsh for Have some of that Frenchie ….)
I fullt expect Marseilles to attack tonight, though it would be understandable if they played for a draw which would be a very good result for them. For details of their major players please refer back to the away OM pre-match.
As to our lads – would it be unthinkable to start with Park and bring on RvP at 60 minutes? A frontline of Gerv, Park and Theo should be enough to dent the OM defence.
Thinking of Boy Wonder, GIE gave some fine stats (which I can’t find!!) when writing of the supposed Arsenal reliance upon Van Persie. He pointed out how much Barca rely upon Messi – this season he has played 16 times scoring 19 with 11 assists (phenomenal), does this make Barca a one man team? Or Real Madrid – Ronaldo; 15 apps 12 goals. Yes, RvP is in the form of his life and yes, without him we may not score as many BUT RVP is paid to be our main striker and he is performing his job. He doesn’t score the goals in isolation, it is a team effort. and we have seen with the loss of Cesc that it is the team not the individual which creates success. He is no more than a very important cog in a machine which is starting to purr.
I would like to see CJ return if fit, JD improved second half at the Bridge but he will never be a right back. CJ had a good game in Marseilles until forced off with injury and has the makings of a fine player (get well soon Bacary).
My team
I cannot see TV lasting a whole game but it would be great to see him start tonight, particularly as OM rely on pace upfront which is certainly not the BFG’s strong point.
Ideally we will attack from the whistle and get to halftime with a decent lead at which time Mr Wenger can ring the changes and rest players ahead of the weekend.
Been searching for an inventor from Marseilles and have found Bertrand Gascogne Duchoux who is said to have invented the famous seafood soup Bouillabaisse, recently perfected by our very own Mickydidit89.
It would be wonderful to win tonight and continue this excellent run.
I see no reason to expect anything less.
COYRRG
Big Raddy
Arsenal News 24/7
arsenalarsenal.net 
Morning Evonne, Tea please! Would be great to meet up at your place again, thanks!
I liked the article in The Indepedent you posted earlier, especially the description of our maestro: ‘the Premier League’s longest-serving aesthete’ – you can just imagine Pulis’ or Allardyce’s fuming with jealousy when reading just that! It also looks like THE word of the nineties ‘quality’ is making a revival in football this season.
Back later to read BR’s culinary starter 🙂
My guess at the team tonight:
————–No1
Jenks, Kos, Verm, Santos
–Rosicky,Song, Arteta
Walcott,Gervinho,Arshavin
Everyone is looking over their shoulder as to who would replace RvP when it is right under our noses.
I also think that Wenger is going to keep playing Arteta until he falls over which will probably be around the time that Jack returns.
I like the way in which Wenger alternates Rosicky and Ramsey, it keeps them both fresh.
Ramsey and RvP can come on late and save the day if necessary.
Raddy – thank you for the pre-match, very good. I also was surprised that Marseilles did not exploit our weakened defence, odd. I’d say they will try harder tonight, but with TV back their job is going to be a lot harder.
It would be sooooo good to finish top of the group for once; it cost us dearly dropping points in CL last season; we would have avoided that bloody Barca. I cannot even think about playing them with our Cesc in midfield, please God – no!
Morning TA – tea it is then
Nice one BR,
Wenger has admitted he made a mistake in fielding a weakened team in the CL last season, “I did it away from home, at Donetsk, and got punished” “We paid a heavy price” (see this morning’s Telegraph). I hope he is going to field the strongest possible side tonight.
I think I would prefer van Persie to start, with Park replacing him at half time if we are doing well.
Got to go, time to get the bus to Norwich.
Have a good day everybody.
Hey all, somehow I’ve managed to get on during the day.
Thanks for the preview Radders and just who gets ot have tea at Evonne’s then ?
Can I pop in for a cuppa tonight ? 🙂
Morning AAer’s….
A fine day to be a gooner, as always……..
A great pre-match Raddy………
It is the line up that will be the talking point today………
Personally I would play RVP tonight from the start, as we all keep saying, we mucked around last season and we ended up 2nd, so strongest team out tonight makes a hell of lot more sense.
Surely build on the confidence saturday gave them………?
Weekend is WBA, although we lost last season, I think we are a different animal now and I feel that Park will be great against WBA at Home, so start him in that one……..
Also in defence, play the best 4 available………..
In midfield, the only thing I would consider is rosicky for ramsey, but it is not a big issue either way………Stick with Ramsey and the side that took Chelsea down a peg, my only thing is getting TV on, so Djoruou drops down and Kozzer to RB.
So I would go for…..
No1 ITW
Kozzer BFG TV Santos
Song Arteta
Walcott Ramsey Gervinho
RVP
Bench:
Park, Arshavin, Chamberlain, Rosicky, Jenkinson,Benayoun and Fab.
Fancy 4-1 to us tonight………
Not sure I will make it to the Pub, I have to leave London to get home, pick my little gooners up and get back again……..Hopefully I will get there for a beer………….
And to be honest on this whole finish 2nd and face Barca, just doesnt bother me, we nearly put them out last season, barring the elephant touch from Bendtner, and we will face them this season, just know it, football fate always plays the old club trick, so at some stage we will play fabregas, in the final with us winning would be a dream.
Chary – yes.
Harry – you are a braved man than me, you can face Cesc in the opposition? I couldn’t, would break my heart
Great write up Raddy. That soup looks amazing!!
GM – if you like fish….yuk
Agree with you on RvP Harry – best to get a good start then take him off if all looks good for a victory rather than send him on to retrieve a bad situation.
What it be owrth playing a 4-4-2 to share the striking role between 2 people initialy then if all goes well take Robin off and put on the Arsh later as a support striker/false number 9 ?
BR,
Mrs DidIt89 would like a word at some point over who produces the best Bouillabaisse in this house! Great pre-match as always. For me:
……Sz
CJ Kos Verm Santo
.Ros Song Arteta,
Theo Park AA
.
Bench to include RvP, Gerv and Ramsey.
Actually, thinknig about the defence I’m torn between bringing in the Verminator to break up the Kozzer/Merts pairing or putting him out at left back.
I don’t especially want Djourou at right back and feel more comfortable with Jenko there.
Except for the GK the team does not pick itself anymore.
Evonne – thanks for the kind offer and I’ll remember that for my next day time kick off, tonight as I’ll be travelling in from the Shires I’ll be gasping for a Peroni by the time I get to the ground by 6.30; do you live close to the Grove ?
Good post and content Big Raddy.
If I were Wenger I would chance my arm a little tonight and make four changes. I’m up here for a slating but I feel one or two players could do with a rest, mostly Ramsey/Van Persie.. He has been superb lately and what a mouth watering prospect of having Wilshere and Sagna to come back into this side that is showing huge character.
My side for this evening would be =
Worlds number one.
Jenkinson Koscielney Vermaelen Santos
Rosicky Frimpong Arteta
Walcott Park Arshavin.
Morning Peeps, and especially you CharyB, 🙂
Micky, I would go with your team prediction, except for Theo.
AW said yesterday that he might have to give him a rest, so tonight he will probably be on the bench.
Raddy, like everyone else, I look forward to reading your pre-match, and you have delivered as usual. Thanks! 🙂
CharyB, we have really missed you on AA, especially your acerbic views on Manu, and we have not had one of your Posts for ages, so get cracking my accountant friend!!! 🙂
Fine prematch BR
Bouillabaisse – yum.
But how do you pronounce it? I have heard many variations.
I guess if it French-style it would be boowee-a-bess… but I have had someone swear blind it should be bool-a-baze (which sounds like a bastardised English version to me). Anyone know?
I would go with your line-up from front to back BR – makes sense to me.
Hi Redders, yeah somehow I’ve managed to get on during the day but not sure how long the work boffins will allow me on for.
Have to admit the inspiartion ofr posts havs been lacking a tad lately since my views on FFP.
Of course we know how ridiculously the press fall over themselves to give the Old Toilet mob disprorpotinoate praise.
E.g. “ManU bounce back from derby day defeat”….by beating mighty Alderhot, LMFAO !
Great pre-match BR. The heavenly named ‘Bouillabaisse’ looks delicious 🙂
I am nervous about this game. It really suits Marseille to now be the underdog, and if we make too many changes from Saturday’s match, it could really cost us (as so often has been the case in the past). Marseille could have lulled us into a false sense of superiority: in the end they only need a point from the two games between us and them.
After 3.5 days rest, we should play the same 11 we started with against Chelsea – at least for the first 65 minutes. The exception could be TV for the BFG, but RvP will need to start today.
We really need a win, a draw (or worse 😦 ) would put significant pressure on the last two games, which we need to avoid at all cost. I really do not fancy having to get a result in the last game, against Olympiacos. Let’s finish the job today with a strongest possible team: COYRRG! 🙂 😛 🙂 🙂 😛
I am hoping for a win, but with so many 1’s in today’s date, it is very likely to finish at 1-1 (but don’t your £400 on in GLiC!!!! 🙂 )
Rocky,
As Marseille is down south, then local Provencale tongue would dictate the latter, the former would be as we say Queens French!
Hey guys great pre match Raddy – love the welsh “celebration” line there….
I think Vermaelen is key to a more confident, decisive and dynamic defense. I think he will be able to lift the performance back there because sometime during this season we will need to put in some good defensive display. I think all the parts are there – I think Vermaelen can help get it all ticking. As for resting guys / who will start – I admit to not being able to decide what I would do. If anything I would lean towards giving some of the guys that put in 90minutes on Sat a seat on the subs bench….
Bouillabaisse
My guess at the pronounciation is the two “L”s are pronounced like our “Y” in happy. The French word “Famille” is usually familiar.
One “S” in French make an English “Z” but there are two “S”s so that part sounds like the “S” in our “BaSement”.
Then we come back to the first letter “I” in French this is pronounced like the “E”s in “Lee”
So we have Bou-i-ll-a-baisse……Boo….ee…y…..a…..bass
And that is bass, as in the guitar, not the fish.
Now add Arsene Wenger’s accent and Pierre is your uncle.
It is just not eggs, ham and chips, is it! It seems a lot of palaver, but I am sure it is all worth it in the end!
This video might help with the pronounciation of ‘bouillabaisse’.
http://www.gourmandia.com/video-recipes-cooking-videos/royal-bouillabaisse
Don’t watch it Evonne; it is not for the fish-faint hearted!!! 😦
‘pronunciation’ before Sharkey is having a ‘field’ day again. 🙂
Fine pre-match, BR.
I presume Marseille won’t play in their orange European third kit as they did at home, so it’ll be back to blue or white.
One of the things I like about playing at Stamford Bridge is we’re forced to play in red socks as Chelsea’s are white. I much prefer the red socks.
I’ve just had a look and this implies we should be playing in 125 red socks this year. Does anyone know why we’ve been playing in white socks?
http://bit.ly/mFL178
Afternoon all, fine pre match BR, and maybe even slightly better than normal, but maybe I’m biased as I got name checked 😀
Wenger has hinted that he is thinking about playing the same side in his pre match press interview
http://www.arsenal.com/news/news-archive/wenger-tempted-to-stick-with-same-side
See SkySportsNews found Bully:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TL9e2cj6roY&feature=player_embedded
Might have to get an Arsenal cat bowl or two. 🙂
GiE
Can you post the link for that Bully clip – it won’t open for me…
Rocky,
click on Youtube bottom right after refreshing the page.
Off to London now.
Up the Arse.
Cheers Mr Radders…bouillabaisse !!!
Mentioned and then then discussed at length…only on AA…lol. I did once call Mrs Sharkey to read some of the culinary musings on AA, she was mightily impressed
Slightly off topic…..I think we might see Rosicky and Benny the Goon in for Ramsey and Theo respectively. Maybe the Ox.
TA Lol…..I ‘caught’ you once and even then it turned out I was wrong,
Your English puts mine to shame
Thanks Chas
Great stuff
Sharkey
We can’t be far off being able to compile the AA Cook Book… 🙂
Afternoon all- managed to sneak a peek at work for the first time since August! Another fine pre-match Raddy- wish I had time to discuss bouillabaisse and bisques and all good things that come from boiling crustaceans!
Will see the good folks at the Tavern around 6.30! I agree that RvP off the bench is probably the right tactic if required- Give Young (youth) his head! Otherwise, I’d be happy for the rest of the starting line up to be unchanged.
Come on you rip roaring Gunners!
having re-watched the game on the weekend, and getting a second opinion from the mrs dad (who studied history and knows a great deal on nazi germany), i am adamant that during RVP’s celebration he mocked Terry by doing the nazi salute. Nobody touches their shoulder extends, then does it again in the same motion during a celebration. Of course he has denied it (why wouldn’t you) because no-one wants to be linked to that, especially not a captain, but in the heat of the moment and to have a go at the racist terry i think he did. To suggest otherwise is naive. It’s clear to see
@ BR
great pre-match, tough to pick the starting line-up for today
i’ll go with
#1
Jenks Kozza Verm Santos
Arteta Coq Rosicky
Arshavin Park Gerv
@ Rocky
pleasure reading your write up as usual, no surprise AA’ers hang on your every word
@ Dandan
wow was that really you ‘Big Daddy’? if so that must of been amazing. Talking to you and RA together would be rather daunting, at 5’11 and 75kgs i’d feel very insignificant
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mCqbLVl6xeg
Hi Oz, you ought to trust RvP’s version of it. If what you suggest is true, it would become some issue, in Holland especially. I think RvP makes a gesture of brushing the dust of his shoulders, or brushing away the weight of his shoulders. I have seen a similar celebration before – it could well have been Robin’s – I just cannot remember exactly when it was and who it was.
@ TA
i know most think he is brushing the dust off his shoulders, but with a straight arm, highly unlikely. I love robin and if true i would not think any less of him, nor should any fan because i feel it undermines the scum racist Terry, because that bloke is lover than low and deserves everything that comes his way.
enjoy the game all, 3-1 to us i feel. Park to score another pearler.
Oz
Just stop and think a minute about the rumour you are spreading!
“RVP’s celebration he mocked Terry by doing the nazi salute.”
How old are you Oz, serious question, if you are fifteen then fair enough, I will let this go but if you are an adult, I promise you, I view this as someone trying to bring down the good name of the club I love and as such I will never let it go.
That clip infuriates me, it doesn’t show him touching both shoulders with both hands seconds then lifting them in celebration to our fans moments before this.
Hi LB,
Are you planning on joining the throng at the Tavern pre-match?
Has anyone volunteered to write a match report yet?
Hi Rasp, I think Harry might have made a ‘semi-commitment’ yesterday. However, if he cannot do it, I am happy to step in. Need to know though before the game.
London aka LB, I am with you on the sentiments re the RvP celebration. A Dutchman would never mean to make a Nazi-salute, unless he is a thoughtless idiot. Clearly RvP does not fall into that category. I believe Oz’ intentions are ok in this, but he does not seem to understand the ramifications/sensitivities of what he is saying. If I am right, Oz was born not long after the fall of the Berlin Wall, and maybe that explains a bit his lack of grasping the severity of what he is saying unintentionally.
Ok, guys heading off to the Big Smoke, see you lot down at thew Tavern in a coupla hours..COYRRG !
Hi Rasp
Unfortunately I am on children duty until 7 after which I make a mad dash to the ground.
But thanks for the invite.
Good afternoon everyone.
Great write up Raddy.
We will win tonight. No disrespect to Marseiles, but there is a big disparity between the English and French leagues.
Ime not going tonight. I have therefore decided i will relax in my armcahir complete with a fine cognac of my choosing, and fantasise how ime going to get to the Allianz Arena Munich on the 19th of May to watch us beat Barcelona in the final.
Wishful thinking i know, but it feels so nice i have no intention of stopping myself.
Total match repport is yours, I am up early in the morning now, so i have to get home and staright to bed, thanks……..
I am leaving soon, not sure will get to pub now, getting my liitle gooners ready, depends on which train i manage to get, need to find a pub the other side of ground!!
TA – please can you write us a match report xx
I thought Micky was going to do a tranny today and nag for the match report
Oi Micky!!!
Afternoon all.
Nice pre match write up Raddy, and you usually get the team selection spot on or 90% correct but tonight i am not so sure. Do you rest players like RVP and Walcott after that display on saturday. I think Jenkinson will play at RB but not sure .We can name 7 subs so for the first time for ages we have several options.
I expect a rousing response from the fans and if anyone i might drop Pers. An expected win be it beautiful,,good ,bad ,or ugly and we secure qualification.
Thank you for the kind words.
kelsey. You are right and my instinct says we will start with the same team as at SB.
BTW I am surprised that all you Welsh speakers have failed to comment ……
Personally I would drop Kozzer to the bench tonight, for a rest point of view, try Verm and Pers together for a game. I think dropping Pers may be a bit of a confidence damager immediately after the Chelski game. Then play Verm and Kozzer together for West Brom at home.
My side for tonight is probably
……………..Worlds No 1………………
Jenks…..Per………..Verm….Santos
……………….Song………………………
……….Arteta…………Rosicky……….
Theo……………………………….Gerv
………………….RvP…………………….
Get the job done early then rest the big names after 60 minutes.
harry,
We’re getting off at Finsbury Park, grabbing a Pannini from Costa Coffee and then going to the Tavern, hope we get to see you.
Marseille looked awful at home though apparently they are better away. On that basis I still think we could get away with resting a couple and can’t see us starting with our strongest line up. For me:
Szczesny
Jenks Kozz Verm Santos
Rosicky Song Ramsey
Walcott Park Arshavin
Would be perfect chance to pair up Koz and Verm and also let’s Jenks and Verm get back from injury. Rosicky has been excellent and Arteta has played a lot so far so good chance to swap them round. Also RvP is vital right now and shouldn’t be needed against these.
police have started the investigation into JT’s racial abuse claim made by Anton
#afc: Szczesny; Jenkinson Mertesacker Vermaelen Santos; Arteta Song Ramsey; Walcott, Park, Gervinho.
#afc subs: Fabianski, Rosicky, Van Persie, Djourou, Arshavin, Benayoun, Koscielny.
Is it wise to rest best defender and best striker in the same game??
Every time I need to get home my wife takes ages finishing her last client. I’ll miss half an hour now
Glad to see Park start
Mmm My team was close …… jut Kos for BFG. Good call from AW.
GM – what does your wife do for a living??
GM. Mrs GM needs a lesson in priorities 🙂
We work together evonne. So she’s a hairdresser too. I’m just cashing up.
I’m off now should be home by 8 🙂 Enjoy it. See you all later.
Evening all,
Looking forward to seeing Park again tonight.
Peaches, I am on the case 🙂
Damnit out by two Ramsey and Park. Like the line up tho it has good balance and plenty of attacking delivery for Park to feed off.
GM – hurry up !!
Hiya Irish
Going downstairs to watch
Good to see Le Boss all smiles, he’s still buzzing after Sat
GM – “Glad to see Park start”
Thats not actually going to be the case for you though is it 😉
Evening Evonne – Enjoy 🙂
Tony Cascarino on Tv3 refusing to talk about Park because he knows nothing about him, the muppet.
Great shout GiE re not dropping/resting the BFG.
This’ll be my first proper look at Park. I’m still a bit disappointed that I never sorted myself out to go last week.
I think Fulham should be my next one….as its looking like it’ll be quite a gathering
Sharkey make it so. Late kick off means no excuses for not making the Tavern either 🙂
Enjoyed SKys little Wenger montage there and Souness sticking up for the club…wonders never cease.
Is it only me that finds it weird that in Movember Souness and Seaman are not sporting one yet Gullit is?
My top lip is growing as we speak, should be a nice beer soaker come Fulham home….if my Missus allows me to continue… 🙂
Cascarino isnt bright enough to be a muppet Irish
Nick of time.
GiE, loved the Bully clip.
Team works for me. Beauty of an ever strengthening squad.
Come on you Gunners.
😆 Dandan – too true
OM definitely not come to defend. They are all over us.
Come on midfield hold the ball,
Is Song really 1 of 28 children? O_O
IG Seemingly so. I read tha a few years ago
Some woman his mother is Raddy
@ LB
i couldn’t care less if you don’t let it go, thats your prerogative. It was merely an opinion. In the heat of the moment people do crazy things, and its a tad ironic he did it after terry slipped and all the things he was accussed of during the week. It’s just my opinion and i’ll stick to that, it won’t change.
I thought RvP did that for our 5th goal, his hat-trick, not the Terry slip?
Meh.
Accepting it’s Park’s first start but he sure is nervous……..
Jenkinson is the footballing equivalent of Andy Murray…he just keeps at it whether defending or attacking he doesn’t give an inch, love him.
Arteta been good, Ramsey lively, bit more quality in final 3rd required.
Unfortunately you can’t play 4-3-3 without a centre forward, I’ll wait til the 90’s up to give a final verdict on Park but at the moment he seems out of his depth. It may be his first game in the CL but it won’t be his first game against OM surely?
Gn5 Weird- I was just going to write that! After misplacing a few passes he has started to hide
Very enjoyable half of attacking football – hardly a tackle made.
Our midfield after a quiet start have been dominant both defensively and offensively.
Theo lively as is Gerv and I am enjoying the constant changes of wing.
too many changes in the side imo
Love Song.
Diference now is I still firmly believe we will win.
Park to score.
To many passes behind players, parks first touch is a trifle heavy and please Santos can we have some proper fullback type defending.
TV looks happy, Theo OK, Ramsey is just a player love the lad.
Shitzle, I forgot my job.
Who’s doing the match report?
Answers now please.
Err at the Ems will text me any minute. Come on lads help me out here.
Look here, I know you’re all there
Agreed Raddy, is it not worrying tho that they are both having to make runs down the middle too, as Parks movement isn’t quite there- and unfortunately it is not as a result of Park dragging a centre back away so it’s making it all a bit congested.
This is where TAs article about MC makes sense.
It’s also making me think LBs suggestion of Theo AA23 Gervinho combination could work better when resting RvP.
Long way to go but we really must get out of this slow start habit we will be made to pay sooner or later.
Match reports not my game mickey.
Micky,
It’s all taken care of it!! I am a genuine genius …… OK I’m not it;s TA to the rescue.
You will be shot for desertion by the Peach!! 🙂
Kelsey we’ve only changed three?
Jenks surely is a cert to replace JD, if you rest your skipper you probably have to play your Vice Skipper, so the only real change for the worse from Saturday is Park for RvP.
dandan,
You write epics, I write bollocks, so we are both off the hook. Just gone back through comments. Does TA’s 7:29 mean he’s on the case?
Micky. You are on your own …..
Very happy with Jenkinson, he is fitting in beautifully.
Santos is a bit of a marauder but you just gotta love his tackling, however on a missed tackle he almost gifted them a goal.
Park needs something positive to happen for him, he’s in a shell right now.
Song’s final pass is woeful.
0-0 is a just score.
Let’s hope we get a positively unjust result……..
Would not be suprised to see Benny on this half
RA,
Star, thank you. I’ll text our Leader, that way those sitting next to her won’t get nagged throughout Part 2.
GIE,
ONLY THREE,WELL I NEVER.
STRANGEST MOMENT WAS THE VERY FIRST MINUTE WHEN MERTESACKER DIDN’T EVEN JUMP FOR THE BALL COMING TO HIM,AGREE ABOUT sANTOS AND THE sKY PUNDITS CAN ALL F OFF.my capitals have gone mad,sorry
GIE Good point about central congestion. Hopefully sorted out this half.
It is important to the team that they score without RvP.
G5,
Did you see the Song track back. Love him for that. Lots of nearly deadly passes. One will come off and it will be to Park!
That free kich was a bit TA to Bould ! More of the same please
This really is a game of chess………….
Park has to come off – he’s anonymous.
they defend better than chelsea
Good substitute Ramsey has not been at his best – far from it………..
Gervinho works his socks off.
So they took him off……….
agree g5, i’d have taken walcott off instead of gerv.AA hasnt been able to get into it, but as we know he only needs one bit of magic to change a game.
Thought Rambo was showing effects of Saturday.
Gn5 think you got the game of chess right…..and agree about Jenks.
Would love to see us threaten more from corners given our size.
Very subdued in the 2nd half.
No big deal. 8 points. We looked a little hung over!
ah boulder dash!
Not a great game, but still, a clean sheet and another point.
Hard game tonight must give credit to marseilles.I thought Song and vermaelen were our best players.Still all to play for. Initially i thought we would play more or less the same team as at chelsea,but it obviously had its effects on the players,no real cutting edge.
We got what we deserved.
Created nothing 2nd half, OMdefended very well.
Major positive was TV who was almost perfect tonight and BFG also played v.well.
Santos is a worry. The man was blowing after 60 mins, thankfully Arteta was covering him.
Ramsey was knackered after 50 mins – needs a rest.
Pretty even contest.
Clean sheets are always good despite letting them have 11 shots only 1 was on target compared to our 9 from 12.
But we can laugh at Chelsea again who only managed a 1-1 with Genk away 🙂
Still anyone’s group to win, but fancy us to win it by beating Olympiakos away.
Why did Robin try and chip the keeper ?
Kelsey. As you say Song was good as were OM. Credit where credit is due.
Thought ramsey was very flat, but after the weekend its expected. For that reason i would of started with Rosicky.
Not quite the cameo we needed from AA.
Marseille came for a draw and with a bit of blockbuster fatigue from us they got it.
Jenks was a real positive, what an engine, and never gives up. He should of crossed it in with a few seconds left though.
Can someone please tell BFG hes a giant, not the size of walcott! With his size he should be dominating the box defensively and offensively, i’ve yet to see him get close to a ball yet.
We will beat BD
Nite all.
Still work to do ahead of my trip to The Ems tomorrow!
Ah just realised next game is Dortmund at home, oh well win that and we’re through or even a point and a Marseille win.
BR,Kelsey,
I like the tackling, toughness and energy of Song but his passing really lets him (and the team) down.
Oz. I saw BFG take at least half the balls knocked into our box! You are right offensively
What is Souness talking about?
Our midfield is too easy to play against.
Ask Chelsea how easy they are to play against? COCK!
It was Merts who headed on the one that Tommy V challenged for, but in all honesty I think thats only the second offensive header that I’ve seen him make. The other one was a pretty poor miss against Blackburn(?)
Sorry BR, just meant in general, he did much better defensively tonight, as he should. He’s a softie, needs to hang around verm and kozza a bit more so their toughness rubs off onto him.
That was entertaining … a lot of running around and energy, very open, but to parrot Arsene’s way of talking “we lacked a little sharpness.” It’s almost shocking to see RVP spurn such an opportunity. He’s set the bar so high for himself, one almost expects him to take every half-chance.
OM played well. We looked a little jaded. But 4 pts to us from the two OM games is fine by me.
If OM qualify they’ll cause problems for the likes of Chavski and ManUre.
Don’t think BFG is a softie Oz I think he is actually quite clever, he blocks, and I always remember a ref saying Crouch would always be called up for fouls when jumping because of the way he jumps and FIFA edicts. Sometimes wonder watching BFG if he is conscious of a similar problem. Take Kelsey’s example in the opening minute where he just stayed rooted and let the striker run into him.
That said he could be just like Niall Quinn who I will never forget being out jumped by Paul Parker for 90 minutes at Highbury despite at least a one foot height difference.
it seems that way to me too sharkey. When he lumbered on down to the offensive end against Blackburn i thought ‘beauty, we have a big offensive weapon now, he must be confident and why not look how tall he is’ oh how i was wrong. Further reinforces the point that height isnt everything i suppose, as verm is 100x more dangerous
Jenkinson…I love him. He has warrior spirit – although God only knows why he checked back on that last run.
Santos starts blowing about 15mins in…but continues to get up and down the wing (too much?) for 90mins. There was one challenged where he dived in on the edge of their box with his winger already on the floor in front of him…and I thought..jeez we’ve got ourselves a right loon of a full back here. He left his wing open enough to drive an army down it.
Having said that I do like him, cos he’s skilful, tough and fully committed.
There’s nothing to say about Park, that GN5 hasn’t already quite rightly called.
Songs work rate and strength are a joy to behold.
Annoyance of the game: Marselle players throwing themselves to the ground. Valbuena was an absolute disgrace with some of his dives. Fair play the ref waved play on for most of them…until late in the 2nd half when he started to call a few more fouls. Overall I thought the ref did very well
Oz-G. David Speedie (before your time), and Tim Cahill, (you might have heard of him 😉 ) two of the best headers of a ball you’ll ever see. 5’7 and 5’8 I think.
Think of the Liverpool game and Tommy V’s assault and battery of the much taller and physically bigger Andy Carroll. A boxing ref would have stopped that at half time.
Winning headers (at either end) is all about desire and timing. I could add bravery, but if you desire something bad enough then I figure that you’ll be brave enough.
Sharkey
Great call on the ref.
Several times when OM players were faking injury he just waved at them to get up. Quite refreshing.
Whoever mentioned TA’s write up on Chamakh in reference to missing him tonight is spot on. With Park on we had no focal point for our attacks to work around.
I actually found myself wondering how well Bendtner might have received and held some balls into his feet or chest. Or how he might have moved the OM defenders around a bit and created a bit more room for Gerv and Theo.
I felt a bit sorry for Ramsey tonight, he really worked hard and some of his link ups with Gerv were fantastic.
As Rocky says 4pts from OM is not the end of the world
Enough from me…Night all
@ Sharkey
Valbuena was a disgrace, acting after he took a knock to the thigh (anyone would have thought he’d snapped his femur). Took great pleasure when santos flattened him in the first leg. Didn’t really like walcotts fall to the ground either, nothing more than a graze to the face from the keeper, and when we are trying to win no point slowing up the play.
Santos is very adventurous, and drives himself into the ground (needs the engine of jenks to get away with that). But who am i to judge, he knows his body and is experienced so maybe once he settles in he’ll be running out games no worries. Really like him as a player, love his one vs one tackling and his distribution. Evonnes stat yesterday just shows what an asset he will be offensively. When he first joined didn’t he have a scoring record of 1 in 5 games? i thought it was an error at first, but now i can see how
Song was my MOTM, good game by him.
@ Sharkey
haha good call cahill, a man who has on more than one occassion created problems for us. As for Verm, he is a beast, to destroy that thug like that was a joy to watch, just like in his first season against crouch, time and time again he won the ball. Some fans thought arsene was mad for buying another short CB (‘he can’t help us he’s too short’ they’d say), oh how they were wrong. The verminator could win a header against king kong, then beat him up just to show who really is the 8th wonder of the world!
Oz
Looking back I can see you are right: if you want to perpetuate rumours that Arsenal players celebrate with nazi salutes when they score it is your purogative and nothing to do with anyone else.
Although, I am curious, maybe other people are, what has a nazi salute got to do with John Terry?
Big Raddy 9:41 & Kelsey 9:40.
Thats why I would have made four changes.
Mertesacker worries me, I’ve been looking at his actions since joining us and he doesn’t seem to jump/get off the ground…..Strange. Have a look see if I’m right/you agree????
@ LB
player not players.
salute not salutes.
Exactly right my opinion, i never meant it to spread rumours.
Gee i don’t know maybe because the nazis believed that some races were better than others. Terry accussed of commiting a racial act against Ferdinand. I would of thought the link between the two could be made quite easily.
No i do not want some history lesson where you try and point out this and that, i’ve read how you’ve dealt with RA in the past an i can’t be bothered getting in some trivial meaningless debate. This is the last i will be speaking on the issue.
Not much of a match but the point keeps us in control.
Did well defensively.
On the other hand it was really good to meet Rasp, Peaches, Carlito and many more in a AA crash course pre match.
Roll on West brom.
Oz
I think what you are misunderstanding is that people used to give those salutes in recognition and respect of a political power: in this case we are talking the Nazis. To perpetuate the rumour that Van Persie gave such a salute is to suggest that he is a Nazi sympathiser, you may not like this history lesson and frankly I don’t care, John Terry’s comment albeit wrong did not kill anyone, the Nazis killed millions of people, so try and understand that there is a huge difference.
As for RA, he’s been round the block, it’s water off a ducks back to him, yet something else you have misunderstood.
@ LB
I never insinuated you antagonised RA, it’s just your overall demeanor and how you come across…very patronising. Water off a ducks back to me also, personally though i’d rather not deal with you because you are too literal.
Yes thank you for delivering information about a subject i already know alot on.
Nazi’s=racist
Terry=racist remark signifying that he may be in fact racist
Therefore in my opinion I felt RVP was mocking Terry by saying he was a Nazi.
Still with me? It couldn’t be more black and white than that so lets not read into things more than we should huh, it’d save you alot of time, and make you come over a little less pompous.
Oz
Perhaps it would be best if Van Persie had the last word on this:
“It has been brought to my attention of some ridiculous allegations concerning my celebration of one of my goals yesterday.
“It is totally ludicrous to suggest that my action of brushing my shoulder and pointing to my fans could be construed as anything else but of a showing of joy and celebration.
“To suggest this meant anything to the contrary is insulting and absolutely absurd as nothing else came into my mind.”
Morning Oz
Look, you know that i like you and we are getting on fine, don’t we?
But I have to admit that when I read your comments and had seen the clip, I was angry. For me such suggestion is not only completely ridiculous, but also EXTREMELY serious and insulting to our captain.
I started to type some harsh comments in response, but stopped and reminded myself that you are a young man and I don’t want to upset you. So don’t take anybody else’s comments the wrong way, i think in this instance you were wrong.
I hope we are still mates ? 🙂
@ LB
i’ve read RVP’s comments, and of course only he knows what he trully meant. But he is going to say that because if he didn’t he would be chastised and his image tarnished. As a leader of our great team the manager, his agent, and himself would not allow this to happen.
However do you know anyone who points with 5 fingers at a time? i’ve seen players brushing their shoulder and it is not done with one sweep followed by extension at the elbow immediately after. Surely as an intellectual individual you are not that short-sighted?
@ Evonne
haha of course, and don’t feel a need to hold back, i am merely backing up my opinion on the matter (something i’ll always do) and i welcome other people’s opinion.
It’s not a witch hunt or an attempt to tarnish RVP’s great name. He is my favourite arsenal player and has been for many years.
It just depends on how the person takes it i guess. For me when i saw it i instantly thought ‘take that terry you racist so and so’, while others may have been offended or thought nothing of it.
Oz morning mate.
RvP said in the post match that he didn’t realise Terry had slipped, until he got close to Cech.
I’m going with RvPs own version of events.
He was going nuts when he scored and he often celebrates with arms outstretched forward and hands flat. He tried to add a brush off but it didn’t really come off. As LB says he wipes both shoulders.
If he’d pulled a white peaked hood out of his sock and stuck it on his head then I’d think he was taking the piss out of Terry.
Anyway didn’t we have a game last night to focus on?
Oz – I’d say it was an impulsive celebration and RvP didn’t mean anything by it, simples. The media love to pick anything like that, that’s their fuel.
You see, I have been to Oz and think that your country’s take on history is somehow different to the Europeans’ views. I actually envy Australians for their freedom, whereas we in Europe (especially the older generation) will carry the resentments towards the Nazis to our graves. My own grandfather was a political prisoner at Auschwitz, escaped, killed in front of my grandmother during the war. So the subject is very close to heart and I cannot accept ANY LINK between BW and the murderous Nazi bastards
@ GiE
fair call, thank you for your respectful response to my opinion
GiE – rubbish game 🙂 It was a bit flat, don’t you think?
Morning all,
I don’t know who is doing the match report but here are a few of my observations.
The euphoria of beating Chelsea was fantastic but maybe many thought we would suddely brush everyone aside.
The manager picks the team and there is a very good arguement that regardless of form RVP cannot play 50+ matches in a season and the suggestion is that we are very much a one man team when it comes to scoring goals,but then others have to step up to the plate to show we are ot.
This marseilles team were much improved since we last played them and I do not agree that they came for a draw.
We certainly still are in a transition period and though I don’t like the word “experiment” is something that is happening at the moment.We have had countless permutations in our back four,and in the first ten minutes we could have been one or two down, a similar start to the game at Chelsea.
It is fairly obvious that some players are fitter than others and in AW’s own words several players were exhausted from saturday, which to a degree I find a little disturbing.
Playing Park was a gamble and for what ever reason he was hardly noticeable.
Ramsey gave his all and it wasn’t to be his night and again he tired and one could see that he was annoyed with himself when he came off.
gerviho has bundles of energy and given time will be a big asset.
vermaelen considering how little he has played had an excellent game and Song not far behind him.I noted it was said Song’s passing wasn’t great but the same could be said of many players.
I am not impressed with mertesacker asyet but on the other hand though still learning the young Jenkinson did his best.
Theo yet again flattered to deceive, Arshavin did absolutely nothing when he came on though i liked the determination and guts from Rosicky.
Santos seemed the focal attention on TV that he bombs forward too much and then can hardly raise a breath to get back and marseilles targeted him from the off.
TWNO needs to watch coming out of his area and playing a dangerous game,maybe a tad too confident or even cocky and he should be picked up on that.
All in all not the best or the worst result but CL group games are usually cagey as chelsea,city,and united have already found out.
I hope one thought enters the manager’s mind that we need a second quality striker,not an easy task if it is to be in january.
Final word on Graeme Souness who was employed by Sky on the night and tore into everythng about our club from the first minute of the broadcast.Seaman looked embarrassed but seemed to be to shy to respond.
oh the ref had a good game and this week so far has been two steps forward,one step back.
Yes a little Evonne especially after the half time.
Still think there were a few valuable lessons learned:
Jenkinson – capable
Park – not ready (based on that game)
Merts – needs rest
Arteta – MrDependaable
Oz,
i have stayed out of this obsession you have to link RVP’s salute and Terry being a racist and we will not allow this to be discussed on here anymore.You are most welcome to discuss anything that is Arsenal football related and of course a bit of banter as we all do. Thanks.
GiE – yes, Jenks is becoming my hot favourite
Santos – reckless, trying to show off
Theo – maturing nicely
Kelsey agree about most of that especially Souness!
He started every attack with:
“I love the way Arsenal do things, but…..”
“we’re heard to support Arsenal, but…..”
I have never once thought he likes Arsenal or Wenger.
Interesting on Seaman’s thoughts, he was saying how a lot of the positional problems should be addressed by those on the pitch. For example he felt Verm should be telling Santos to stop committing forward etc.
@ Evonne
My sincere condolences, and i apoligise if i offended you. I did not intend to offend anyone, and although i know alot of what they did, i do not have the emotional ties that most had to suffer. As you said we do see history a little different down here, hence why i took it as a light hearted mock to a scum of an individual. Once again it was just my opinion, im sorry if it upset you. As GiE said, end of discussion. Lets get back to that team we all know and love.
Still friends?
@ GiE
what did you think of jenks’ game? on some sights they suggested he had a shocker and doesnt cut the mustard. However i think he was one of our better performers, i love his grit and determination. I can only fault him on not sending in a cross in the last few seconds
Evonne for me Santos just takes Wengers “play without fear” methodology to a whole new level!
He is the most calm and composed player on the pitch always try’s to find feet no matter how many players are on the recipient or if it means playing the ball across our area.
Oz – course 🙂
@ Kelsey
noted. thank you for the fond trip down memory lane of what it feels like to be in a principals office
Oz I can’t see how Jenks had a shocker….I think some sites bloggers would love for him to fail because he represents what Wenger does so well, pick up young players with raw ability and hone it to make them stars. Those bloggers would prefer that we had spent £20m on a full back because for them price is the key measure of how good a player is.
Fact is he defends doggedly he attacks willingly has a fine cross and never gives up. I’ll take that from a young player….most importantly he is now playing for the club he supports and you can tell he doesn’t want to let us down.
@ GiE
completely agree, you can see it in his mannerisms that he gives everything and cares a great deal (great to see a players who look like tey give it all for the team not just the pay check).
Yes we have only see a limited amount of him, but besides experience (and dancing abilities) i think he offers alot more than eboue did.
the new lee dixon perhaps
oz gunner says:
November 2, 2011 at 7:39 am (Edit)
@ Kelsey
noted. thank you for the fond trip down memory lane of what it feels like to be in a principals office
——————————————————————————
Would you kindly like to expand on the above,or was it sarcastic ?
@ Kelsey
it was just a joke, as in it felt very familar to when i would get called into the principals office and given a stern word. ‘your not in trouble but pull your head in’ sort of thing. To which it was dearly noted
Morning all. Shite game last night.
Not worth the six and a half hours I spent in the car to watch it.
But at least we’re still top of the group with our destiny in our own hands.
Dortmund turns into a big game.
http://p.twimg.com/AdCSPF6CEAAmNGE.jpg:large
After all the discussions about the readiness of Park for the first team it would appear that the lone voice of LB was correct. He isn’t ready.
Let us hope it was nerves and not lack of ability
@ Chas
haha good pic
chas. Cannot agree though sitting in my warm living room with a glass of sumptious Chablis it is much easier to be less critical.
I thought the first half was very good. 15 shots on goal (both teams) and a fine display of attacking football. Lots of defensive errors to discuss, some sublime skills and plenty of pace in an open game.
True, the second half was more cagey but even so there were chances at both ends.
IMO it was one of the more entertaining 0-0’s.
Morning BR
It is one of those odd situations in which you don’t want to be right. Far better he scored a hat trick, but that said it still makes sense to me as to why Wenger selected him: we all know that provision needs to be made for a possible RVP injury and the only way to do that is to start warming the understudies up.
The part of the team selection I thought Wenger got wrong was starting with Gervinho and Ramsey, both were tired and it showed even more frustrating when both Rosicky and Arshavin were twiddling their fingers, fresh as daisies on the bench.
I though Gerv was our best attacking player last night. I would of rested walcott and Ramsey, their fatigue showed. Rosicky brought good energy, energy that would of been greatly welcome at the start of the match (wrongly yellow carded aswel).
Morning,
I was at the game and I can’t agree that park should be singled out as ‘not ready’. Most players underperformed yesterday. Park’s work rate and positional play was good, Gervinho fluffed his lines more when in the box and Ramsey simply shunned a perfect shooting chance by taking too many touches. I thought Arteta and TV were our best players.
Good morning,
Were still in the driving seat, cant expect to win every game, Dortmund looks like being a huge game,needs to be our 1st choice starting eleven for that one.
Only watched the highlights, so cant make much of a comment, apart from the acres of space Santos leaves behind him when jogging back, he comes across as a very confident skillfull lad, just one ingredient missing, fitness !, so get working hard and leave the pies alone, can you imagine him and Arshavin playing a full game together down the left side, arms around each other staggering back. 🙂
BR,
I honestly thought the second half was abysmal. The substitutions resulted in us playing worse not better. Rosicky couldn’t help us hold on to the ball. A shattered Rambo was doing a better job. Gervinho miscontrolled 4 or 5 times in great positions. The best players were all defenders. That tells a tale.
I see no pies!
http://yfrog.com/kl1mdoj
Morning Rasp I agree we shouldn’t single out Park but the counter to your point about Gervs fluffed lines is at least he was there. Cham is often criticised for not attacking the box and goal I don’t think Park threatened the box either. On top of this Cham creates space for others by moving defenders away which as I commented at half time Park stayed central which left the area more congested.
That said I felt we created some good chances to score but a bit of mental fatigue led to an extra touch or wrong option.
Hi GiE, I was defending Park rather than criticising Gerv. Park and Chamakh are completely different types of player. I like it that Park plays more centrally because he is focused at creating a scoring opportunity.
I think the players were definitely jaded and we should be pleased with a draw yesterday as Marseilles were the better team,.
Rasp. It wasn’t just his movement, it was also his inability to find a man in a red shirt allied to trying to do the complex when the simple was the better option. No question he worked hard but to me that is a pre-requisite.
I am convinced he will be an asset but he was disappointing.
Please carry on the discussion after clicking ‘home’ as we have a …..
….. New post
Oz Just to give you an idea of how sensitive that subject is, My Wife has no living relations beyond, her sisters, All her family were wiped out by the Nazi’s only her Dad fleeing to the UK as a young man survived.
So support the arse and enjoy that Beautiful country of yours, which city do you live in by the way.
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