An ice age ago Arsenal played their last game, would I be correct in thinking we beat WBA? And our last away fixture was …. remind me?
Before the Interlull
Very excited to see us back playing Norwich. Lovely town, good beer and pubs, beautiful countryside. They have been doing unexpectedly well under Paul Lambert – may their success continue after this afternoon’s drubbing (we can but hope) when Norwich go Man City in 2 weeks.
What can we expect today? The Arsenal team appear to have returned from their travels in one piece, they have had 5 days to relax and re-focus and they must be hungry to build upon their excellent run of form. We may not be the fluent Arsenal of old and we may have problems which will be exposed by better teams but for the moment this team is developing the handy habit of winning ( last 11 games: W9 D1 L1). Norwich, who were everyone’s bet to go straight back down have done well playing expansive attacking football, 9th spot is a fantastic start for them. It should be a good game.
Stat time. Norwich have scored 38% of their goals from headers, (PL highest). In the last 3 games v Norwich AFC have scored at least 4 times. AFC have lost only one of their last 20 games v Norwich. AFC have conceded the PL’s most goals on the road (17) and have scored in all but one of their last 15 away games. Norwich are the 3rd hardest working team in terms of yards run in the PL.
Injuries. We are down by 3 fullbacks, 2 MF’s and 2 forwards. Norwich have a full squad (BBC)
My team:
Mr Wenger has been hinting that Koscielny will start at RB, he would definitely be my choice. Chamakh is fit again and we have to find a way to get him back scoring, we know he has the talent and with just a bit of luck he could come good; I would like to see him on the hour. If Norwich persist in playing a high line Theo will fill his boots. Thinking about the first scorer? Santos is due a goal, as is Gervinho.
Fine article in The Independent by Lee Dixon talking about his arrival at THOF.
Sadly no inventors from Norwich, perhaps those windy flatlands prohibit such work but plenty of interesting notables. With today’s inditement of Tumbling John Terry, may I bring Mr. Pablo Fanque to your attention. Mr Fanque is mentioned on the Beatles song “For the benefit of Mr. Kite” and is known as the first black circus proprietor. He also sported a fine moustache
Another pioneering black man died today. Basil D’Oliveira was one of my childhood heroes. I dedicate this post to his memory.
Written by BigRaddy
Arsenal News 24/7
arsenalarsenal.net 
Rasp. Top work. Lovely start to the day
Morning Raddy, reading your post with Canned Heat in the background has got my football juices flowing, I wish the game was starting in 2 minutes.
Basil D’Oliveira was also a hero of mine, not only a great cricketer but he had immenase dignity in the way he conducted himself throughout what in hindsight seems the most ridiculous set of events.
BR,
Fabulous post and what a moustache. I even got the sound going all by myself. Great start to the day. Thank you.
Reading your stat about their headed goals, I have changed my mind about JD at RB, and think you will be right about the back four.
Love the black and white pic of our last game 🙂
I have to say that I really don’t like playing against “likeable” teams. I lack the “grrrr” factor. I must man up and take some angry pills.
Sunning it up by the pool in Fuertaventura. Arsenal shirt at the ready. Found a bar showing the game and getting that tingly feeling…come on boys, do your stuff
Excellent start to the day, cheers Raddy. We’re eye to eye on the line-up. Djourou would be ok at RB, and unlike Kos, has played there this season. But the defence just looks more balanced with Kos there and the BFG inside.
And thanks to Rasp and/or Raddy for the Canned Heat track, excellent stuff.
No inventors from Norwich…..psssh.
I give you Jeremiah Colman….of mustard. 🙂
Ok not really an invention but best I could do.
Norwich will be an interesting proposition today for sake of family honour ( father in law and brother in law) we better win!
Ok, now I have the anger.
The thought of Illy as well as Kelsey floating about in their rubber rings under the baking sun has set me up nicely.
Mickey…AND I have free wi-fi. Grrrrrrrrrrreat
GIE. Richard Hearn who found fame as Mr Pastry was also born in Norwich (before your time) and so was Bernard Matthews the inventor of the Turkey.
Wasn’t the Gregorian calendar invented in Norwich? Something to do with counting their 12 fingers…
GiE,
Great shout on Colman, and certainly an inventor. His cleverness was in working out what heat to make his mustard. He calculated that people would put too much on their plates, throw about a third in the bin, thus bringing them back to the shop faster.
Inventor of the Turkey 🙂
the perfect set up for a match…the BR preview, love the song while reading along.
Great mo, perfect being movember and all. Can’t wait to see the boys today, fitting that their best player (pilkington) will be lining up against us without our two starting right backs. He must be closed down.
@ Harry
cheers for the article,good read
Oz,
I was about to ask where their most potent threat comes from, and I think you have answered. Down the left eh. That surely means Kos at RB then.
Nice one Raddy………
For me the team picks itself, and I would also defo go for Kozzer at Right Back, Norwich have some pace, something Koz has in buckets.
More interesting today, will be who is on the bench…….
Diaby? He may not be everyones cuppa, very much an enigma, but for me he is a special talent that can dominate games with his power, he needs consistency and learn to pass at the right time, then he would be invaluable.
Arshavin to come on with 30 to go, either to seal the win or make the difference, either way so much to prove, so much more to give.
Chamakh needs time as you said raddy, he has the ability thats for sure, but for now it remains in the locker room, when will he let it out?
Park, this fiesty lad is raring to go, needs a run of games at some time, the goal against Bolton in CC was better than credit given by many.
Coquelin – a diamond, a real battler with talent, peaches knows I have been speaking about him for 2 or 3 years now, waiting for him to get to the first team, he is here now and he wants to stay, will be a hard task, needs to be patient.
Frimpers – Gooner and all round warrior – needs time out there – loan move?
Benayoun – So far has played excellent when given pitch time, experienced and can unlock stubborn defences.
Rosicky – much maligned by many, one of my favourites, whereby I agree he hasnt got 90mins in his locker, he has 60mins of real graft, energy and drive, eye for a pass, just wished he unleash a rosicky rocket
The OX – a stella player bursting to develop – his time will come Wenger, just nurturing him nicely.
Djourou – struggling with confidence, suffering with clichyitis, will be on the bench, not a RB for me.
Well thats 10 for the bench, still with Wilshere, Gibbs, Sagna, Jenkinson, Ryo and Afobe to return…..!!
Who says we havent strength in depth???????
Norwich 1 Arsenal 4
No problems Oz 😀
Lovely post Raddy and great vid Rasp.
We have to be at our best today. Norwich remind me of Hull a couple of years ago, 100% effort, robust in the challange, and as Raddy said, good in the air. But of course we are “Arsenal”, and thus shall give them a damn fine thrashing.
On a side note, looking at that gentelmans fine tash has me wondering wether such hair could be transplanted to ones head? Off to investigate.
Fine afternoon ahead ….
Brunch with CG as he says farewell to this fine land. Then onto the pub for a stiffener and the game
Lovely.
Mr Transplant,
Wear the tash sideways on your head, and say hello to a Mohican.
My bet is on Gerviho , Walcot and Arteta to score. Norwich 1 Arsenal 3
Wow Harry,
Put like that, we really do have a fine squad. Question remains, when we do have the opportunity to give playing time to another striker, which one? Some might say that MC for the high ball option and Park for the low ball. Me? Low ball every time.
ha ha, cant do it Micky, people already think ime like that geezer from taxi driver.
I’m utterly convinced that Mr De Niro would be very flattered by the term “that geezer” 🙂
Micky, 100% agree, Low Ball is harder to defend, i get so frustrated when the ball continuallys gets crossed in high and goes for a throw, for me I coach my boys, that unless there is a definite space and a players standing there, get it in low and hard, much more results from playing it like that, the strikers zip in and glance the ball in or maybe a deflection……
And yes we do have a fine squad…….
James Dyson, born in Norfolk is probably the most important inventor from this region.
Great report BR, as always a joy to read! Your are on fine form again 🙂
I am going to put my neck out and say we’ll start with Chamakh upfront and for RvP to come on after 60 minutes. Hope not though. JD to start instead of Koz, but again, would prefer your option at RB.
Harry,
Not only do most defences have a numerical advantage in the height stakes, they also have the additional two feet of wing span owned by the nasty punchy keeper. Let’s do what we do best, and football our way through.
Total,
James Dyson is an utter bastard. His fucking hoovers are not clever at all. Let me ask any sane person what they most want out of one of those machines. I’ll tell you. Its not extra bloody suck, its some peace and bloody quiet. Have you heard the wretched noise those things make. To think he won a design award is staggering!
Micky but the way they work provides double whammy as whilst the important bit sucks there is also a part that blows and for our dog it never gets old standing there with the wind rushing through his hair 🙂
GiE 🙂
Also, so much damn suck means new rugs/carpets every three and half minutes!
Wasn’t incest invented in Norwich?
Top bombing, BR.
Is John Roberts’ ankle going over in that photo. I’ve convinced myself it is and keep wincing each time I see it.
At last our drug of choice has arrived, not long now.
Who on earth is that picture of above because that aint Dolly.
Micky, Micky, it is bloody marvelous to invent something that people want to spend two, three times more money on then needed. It is not the suck, it is the visibility of the acquired dirt that does the trick. It is the hoover equivalent of the belly-navel fluff 🙂
Naturally I have a ‘Henry’ – french pronunciation please. I love it and it loves me, especially when I call it TH14 it does an extra great job for me.
GiE, love the dog story 🙂
And then of course we have Dehlia – inventor of how to boil the perfect egg and pitch-based motivational speaking..
There’s a hoover called a “Henry”?
That’s it Dyson. Its all over red rover.
30 minutes to go!! Come on.
Any team news?
Arsenal Team:
Szczesny, Koscielny, Vermaelen, Mertesacker, Andre Santos, Song, Ramsey, Arteta, Walcott, Gervinho, Van Persie.
SUBS: Fabianski, Djourou, Rosicky, Coquelin, Benayoun, Arshavin, Chamakh.
Strongest side possible. Well done BR 11/11. Top notch.
Thanks TA,
Spot on BR.
No Park on the bench.
GM ..you’re a bad MF !!!
(Auto paste) Cracking write up Mr Radders. It does seem like ages since we played.
Kos at RB…get in !!!
Strong side today, strong bench as well.
Harry, great analysis of squad depth. I love Diaby ! On his day he’s completely unplayable. God (Arsene?) only knows where we’ll fit him in when he’s back
GM it’s more a Suffolk/Fenlands thing. Altho I always look for thumbs when first greeting people, and obviously always cautious of the man who introduces you to his wife and sister yet there is only one woman there.
cheers for the lineup TA.
@ Sharkespeare
he is unplayable but unfortunently for us his consistency is lacking (due to his persistant injuries). Hopefully he’ll come back stronger then ever because his box to box play is brilliant. I’m convinced with his striking abilities his best spot is just off the striker.
Enjoy the game everyone. 1-3. Glad kozzer is getting a gig at RB, especially when as raddy has pointed out they are number 1 in the league for headed goals. So three CBs will help
mertz what the bloody hell…..
BFG ??????
Just managed to get a stream working in time to see them score
We’re still going to win
definently, we are creating alot of chances so should be able to capitalise soon enough. Down the wings we are getting a bit of joy
this martin bloke is giving me the sh*ts
Gervinho is playing magic football.
walcott is on fire, whoever got it through to him to put it out in front and run should be given a pay rise. It’s been working a treat since he did it against cashley
Ramsey has been anonymous.
The F stands for Friendly today! Silly mistake after much good early work going forward.
Good spirit tho and there didn’t seem to be too much fear in the ranks after going a goal down, rolled there sleeves up and got on with it. Should be 3/4 up though…. Must be more ruthless!
in fairness to ramsey he has been getting in very good scoring positions. There was a couple of times he was there yet RVP took the shot on himself. It could have been game over by now, and should be early into the next half
Pre match Sky making mountains out of molehills regarding L’Equipes story?
Wenger has seen out every contract so far and renegotiated at the end of it. Why should we expect him to state his intentions before 2013 at best.
If he says this is his last contract with us, he will be a sitting duck if he says he wants to continue after and then changes his mind he will be a traitor.
He always answers questions put to him and he has given an honest answer.
Rosicky on for me.
1-3 oh yeah.
Ramsey is finding it hard work in there today (carrying a knock?), also think midfield could help out our defence when in possession. Often no short ball on.
I really like Arteta, Kozzer has looked comfortable at right back. We should probably half shift the back line to the left to give Santos more freedom to go forward and shift Arteta right to support Walcott.
We must make the most of the space we are finding through Theo and Gerv. Cannot believe the goals won’t come.
Good call for rosicky, his energy would do wonders. More through the flanks for me, because walcott and gerv are having a field day.
Quick 1st half summary.
Should be 1-3 – one of these days our chances will turn into goals and some unsuspecting team will suffer.
Other than the BFG moment our defence has looked sound.
Ramsey and Song have been AWOL.
Gervinho and Walcott are having their best games of the season.
Arteta is playing the Gilberto role and doing it well.
RVP is our Dutch treat……..lets hope it’s double dutch.
Gonna be nagging for a volunteer for the match report so have a think one and all
Lets hope that a dive does not end up as a goal…………..
gerv gerv gerv, did the hard stuff! he’s done everything but finish today
Oh dear; Gervinho needs to put some umph into his shots…
Ramsey is really having a shocker…
Double Dutch…………….
That’s how u finish Gerv! BOOM!
RVP shows em how its done, great composed finish
Ramsey not doing great, but I love the fact he doesn’t hide. He asks for the ball all game. Cannot wait to see him n Jack av a full season together
Why oh why does our defence go to sleep like that.?
Anyone else thinking even before we scored we are just looking a little lacklustre? Time for some energy from the bench.
rosicky for energy, creation, and chasing. Well said FGG, but just not ramseys day today
Poor pass by Ramsey and RVP could have been injured.
Ramsey off and Rosicky on.
Looking a little tired. Could do without Holt being on cos he’s a monster!
how weak was that?! the bloke went down before BFG touched him
What a huge difference it makes when TV plays.
Here we go yet another nervous twenty minutes……
agree G5, hes so bullish, attacks the ball well. If BFG had that same tenacity he’d be scoring offensive headers like theres no tomorrow
I take it back, Holt isn’t a monster, Vermaelen is!
Best defender in the PL by a mile right now
how are we not winning by 10?
Is this a re-run of an old movie?
the commentators are idiots:
“this will test arsenals ‘so-called’ maturity”
“vermaelen needs to stop getting forward, arsenal have no cover in midfield to do that!”
he obviously hasn’t seen much of song because there isn’t a DM in the league that is better than song at playing CB
yellow, put it all through walcott now!
That turn by TV then was immense!
Old team = me very worried right now
New team = me trusting the players to win the game
god i think i just lost about 10yrs off my life, first szcz then that diving wanker
FGG holt isn’t a monster, hes a blouse
5 wins in a row………………
Yeeeeeesss,
Even more three points
KEEPERS!!!
2 or 3 year ago I watched Walcott get the ball in the corner against Liverpool when we was 1-0 up with a minute left and cross it into an empty box.
Today he gallops into the corner and plays an easy ball back to Benayoun to run down the clock.
That my friends, is the difference between this side, and the team of the last 5 seasons.
Come on u Gooners!!!!
3 points in the bag that’ll do…..altho a little fraught at times there, not sure the commentators help my sanity ……. still occasional issues regarding resoonsibilty at times…like Song trying to hold off two players rather than just move it.
walcott was amazing today. rvp is scoring for fun, and it helps when walcott and gerv are playing so well letting him get tap ins. We should of smashed them but 3 points, i’ll take them anyway we can
I think a few people said yday that they were worried about Phil Dowd being the ref, but I’m so glad he was!
Others would have given a pen for that ridiculous dive into Mertersacker that Holt just performed.
If that was given it was 2 points lost, yet because it went our way it’s just a booking.
Diving in the box should be a straight red. A punishment equal to the cost of the team who concede a penalty when someone dives.
Well done Phil
RVP scored 31 in 29 this year, yet he says he needs to work on his finishing!!!!!
Classic!
@ FGG
it was well played but he still owes us after that diabolical toon game
Vermaelen, Theo, RvP and Arteta were excellent today. Kozzer and Gervinho backed up well n Ramsey had a great last 15 minutes.
Szscesny was solid but all the others were average.
I think commentators have made a lot of Mertersackers mistake. Though it wasn’t the best.
Gervinho needs to learn to finish, but my god he goes past people like they ain’t there!
Great result against a team who have given tough games to Liverpool and Man U.
OG,
Fair point!
But he played advantage for our second aswell.
He had a good game today
Arteta is fast becoming a gilberto-like wall. Consistent and mops up well.
Verm back is a major plus, he really is the complete player, you can’t fault him!
come on toon!
Said we’d win. All I saw was the Norwich goal.
Great result considering we gave them a goal and missed some sitters. Theo, TV, kozzer and RvP outstanding.
I don’t want to be negative, but Ramsey must release the ball earlier and what the hell was Song doing playing so high up the pitch in the last few minutes?
Brilliant result.
We don’t like making it easy though, do we?
I was screaming at Song for not releasing the ball to Gervinho for Rvp’s second. What the f*ck do I know? 🙂
Grant Holt was an absolute disgrace on two occasions.
I’ve sent a few screen prints to Arsenal nuts, Rasp, just in case you can use them.
Great result.
Not a great performance, but a solid one with some great attacking moments. We would have scored five but for some bad luck/great defending and some poor finishing.
I thought Ramsey had a really good game in terms of energy, commitment, mopping up and keeping us moving. The down side was that he slightly misplaced too many short passes.
We had a spell shortly after going 2-1 up when Norwich were going at us and we just couldn’t keep the ball. I was doing my nut at the likes of Song and Kozzer trying Hollywood passes and losing possession when simple balls were on. Fair enough if you’re chasing the game – bonkers if you’re ahead. Fortunately we settled down after that and kept the ball well.
Well done Dowd for spotting that shameful dive in the penalty area. However, if the exact same incident had happened in the second half at Newcastle last year he would have given a pen. In that game he got so carried away with Toon’s revival that he actually wanted them to win. He had a good game today but I haven’t forgiven him for the 4-4.
Theo was magnificent and Gerv was also excellent except for his finishing. When you roundthe ‘keeper and still can’t pass the ball three yards into an empty net you know it’s not your day.
Nothing to be said about the Prince except that he’s the best the Prem.
Oh – and nice pre-match BR – I have been missing them almost as much as the footy. Great job with the music vid Rasp.
For once I concentrated on the game and have only just read the comments……….ummmmm different game comes to mind?
1. GN5, are you sending Ramsey a Christmas Card?
2. 3 points, good defensively, only 1 mistake, which gave them the goal but apart from that, no real worries.
3. Some great attacking play
4. Some weak finishing – should have been 6 by half time
5. Kozzer was outstanding at RB
6. TV was dominant and imperious
7. Theo was electric and a handful.
8. RVP is the MVP – agreed….
9. Gervinho was a handful, but needs to be more clinical
10. Arteta is genuine class, I agree with Oz, he is like a classy gilberto, no offence to Gilberto, but he does what gilberto did and also has the ability to split teams apart.
11. Every player did his job out there today, some better than others, all made the odd mistake, lose pass etc.
12. Ramsey, doesnt hide, works his socks, recovers his errors and drives forward, maintains possession and had a better game than some of you have given him credit for. And he was in a goalscoring position so many times and not given the chance to score from any of them.
Anyway, who cares, 3 points, whooaaaaah yeahhhhhhhhh, come one Arsenal……………..
Oh 2 be Oh 2 Be a Gooner………
Rasp,
It is a common fault with Ramseys game. He does hold the ball too long on occasion, but only because he wants to find the killer ball all the time. He played one or two brilliant passes in the last 10, espescially the flick over the top to Gervinho.
I’m Hoping that as he gets older he will Learn when to play easy and when to look for the killer pass.
It wasn’t his best day, but he robbed the ball for our second and still wanted the ball to the end.
I thought Arteta was exceptional today. His experience over Song was there to see as he often had to mop up in midfield and was very professional with his positioning. Choosing to stay back whilst the others bombed forward.
He may not have the impact that Cesc had but he makes a huge difference to our side defensively.
Oh and I agree with anyone who thinks that Holt is a cheating disgraceful poor excuse for a footballer………..
FGG
You’re right about Arteta.
I wonder if our future MF might end up with Mikel playing the DM role with Ramsey and Wilshire in front…
An interesting idea RL,
I believe Song is our future box to box midfielder, not a DM. His form has dipped since this contract business began but he is still a class player and capable of being world class. His lapses in concentration scare me and you could see the difference that experience makes with Arteta playing next to him. He oozes class in everything he does (except free kicks!) and it’s no coincidence that Evertons form has dropped since he left.
He is quiet with his contribution but his whisper is bigger than Songs bark!
Harry, I see Ramsey very differently.
In my view he is indecisive and slows the play down. Far too many of his passes end up going backwards because he has taken too long to make a decision.
Yes, he makes the occasional great pass, but they are few are far between.
Yes, he shows great energy, but much of that energy is used in running backwards and in circles.
I also believe that his sub standard performances are excused as we so desperatly want him to be a huge success.
Raddy – nice prematch, witty and educational. Didn’t know till today who the Basil O’ was.
Watching Shitty on polish TV. Fat gready French troublemaker is having a bad game 🙂
GiE and Micky – I have 5 Dyson hoovers, only the hand held is rubbish, the big machines are awesome.
GN5 I expect Chas is doing a chalkboard as we speak 😉
Haha GIE, anyone would think I sit around all day in front of a computer!
Passes
All Successful Unsuccessful Assists %misplaced
Song 55 43 11 1 20%
Rambo 78 62 16 20.5%
Arteta 77 64 13 16.8%
4 of Arteta’s unsuccessful were corners.
Chas – I wish you didn’t mention unsuccessful corners, that will get Micky going
Evonne, we don’t have many successful ones, do we? 🙂
Chas – that’s the point. When we sat in your Father’s seats at the Ems Micky buried his head every time we got a corner. The rest of us were hopefull, but not our Micky, oh no, he knew nothing would come of it
3:1, Gossling got a late goal for Magpies
G5
I’m going to stick up for u a little here, not on your opinion of Ramsey, because I think he is going to be a class player, but on how you have come to the decision that he is indecisive and slows the play down.
At times he is very frustrating with the way he turns away from play rather than just keeping the move going. He also has a tendency to misplace very easy passes when under very little pressure, something he was guilty of today.
However, the vision and quality of pass is something that he definately possesses, and something that will develop in the next couple of seasons. His sheer quality makes people disregard the horrific injury he suffered a couple of years ago. Before that injury he looked like the next big thing, and that shouldnt be forgotten. Not everyone can fully recover from these injuries, but those that do don’t manage it in a couple of seasons.
Give him time, he deserves it due to that shocking injury.
Evonne, Micky’s crystal ball was dark and cloudy, haha.
That’s a great image of Micky putting his head in his hands every time we win a corner.
RVP, only two today, tut tut. I have thought of a way to make him more dangerous and add a bit more bite to his game. We inject him with some of Robert Pires Blood/DNA. Then we will have Robin Vanpires, only available for night games. 👿
Gn5, I appreciate your opinion and I understand some of what you say, but cannot agree in full.
Yes he misplaced the odd pass here and there, so did others.
But to say sub standard performances, that is so harsh, honestly watch again and appreciate what he is doing, he has been involved in a lot of our goals this season, he might not make the final assist everytime, but he is involved in the build up play so often.
For me anyway we should look at how our midfield 3 of Song, Ramsey and Arteta have blended and compliment each other.
Lovely three points.
Rambo looked a bit tired to me although one day a fair proportion of those amazing passes he tried are going to come off. I always forgave Cesc for trying them – well after I’d sworn at him first – so I have to give Aaron the same slack.
Theo, Theo, Theo – really loving how he’s playing at the moment. He’s tenacious, clever and so strong. He had a great game today.
Any volunteers for the match report please, don’t be shy …….
Peaches, My other love is Garden design/landscaping, any chance of seeing photo`s of your work?
I know how to get the most from RvP,
Play him in midfield like Man U do with Rooney!!!!!!!!!
SAF has lost the plot if he thinks Giggs n Rooney is the Answer!
What a great captain – just found this on twitter
Robin van Persie
Persie_Official Robin van Persie
Thanks theo, thanks alex great assists! Good performance should have scored more goals today but great to have the 3 points! Enjoy your eve!
Glic – I guessed you were a plant man from some of your earlier comments. Need to upload some pics to my photobucket – I’ll post the link when they’re there.
Thanks peaches.
Very happy with the result and performance.
Ramsey. How does he learn without playing? I thought he had a good but not a great game.
From the first minute when Theo broke free I knew we would win – Norwich couldn’t handle our speed.
We have a wonderful front 3 and a developing MF and defence. When Sagna, Kos, TV and Santos get a run of games together we will have an excellent back 5.
No yellow cards for Arsenal today. Can’t remember when that last happened
Wenger … “I must say I was upset with the referee at the time but I will have to check that on the television. I thought that Morison brought him down with his left hand.
But I told Per that when you are in England facing goal, maybe in many countries you are safe but not here. That’s what he has learned today.
I’ll be delighted that we win 1-2 than 0-2 if that means BFG learn his lesson from today match.
Peaches, Sorry cannot do this weekend, so much to do, was meant to have a long weekend but had my leave cancelled!! I have a presentation to the MD to do Monday Morning!!, worst still I have friends arriving tomorrow, we havent seen for 6 or 7 years and were planning to get smashed, so absolutely no spare time……..
@Big raddy, he did not exactly have a great game, but Ramsey had a good game……….
Don’t worry Harry, I’m sure someone will offer in the end 😉
Are you coming to the Dortmund game?
I like everybody else hope that Ramsey becomes a great success and it’s obvious that he will not improve without game time – but why leave him on for the full game when we had capable subs on the bench?
He was not a liability but for me he was no better than ordinary today – but then again I can only see what they show on TV.
That was a very mature performance today. We were so in control and turned an unfortunate situation totally round in our favour. Compare this to the Blackburn away game two months ago and you know how happy we should be tonight. Theo, RvP, Gervinho simply unplayable at the moment. Happy Gooner times 🙂
Oh ok Peaches….go on then…..put me down for it, might be a late entry tho (ie early morning)
The last four PL-games we played – all wins – also happen to be the last four games of the season, so every chance for a strong finish to the season.
G5
Would u not say though that Ramseys best 10 minutes were the last!?
I just knew I’d flush you out GiE, move swiftly to the top of my list of Favourite Bloggers 😆
If you’re sending as a wordoc can you also copy and paste into an email as I sometimes have trouble opening yours. Also if you want to include your own pics can you send them separately too.
I don’t ask for much do I 😳 Gonna add you to the admin and then you’ll be able to write directly into drafts in future 😉
‘I also believe that his sub standard performances are excused as we so desperatly want him to be a huge success.’
Why oh why do fans feel such a need to pick on individual players after a (successful) game? It totally baffles me. Ramsey had a great, great game against Chelsea and today he did ok. That is football/live. What matters is how the team performed, and it did really well. Is it really that hard to be happy G5?
live = life
Watching the second half of the ManUre game. They’re winning 0-1 at Swansea but they look so average.
If Swans had any real quality up front they’d be in front by now.
Like the Spuds, they keep winning while playing crap. The luck is going to turn for both of them soon.
Dortmund are very close to an impressive away-win against Bayern Munich. Not good as this will boost their confidence for our game on Wednesday.
Let’s hope so Rocky. It is typical Manure though to follow a drumming with two away wins with clean sheets as well 😦
Yes Peaches, I shall be there…………..Dont miss CL matches……….
Um, not top of your list anymore………… 😥
TA.
Of course I’m happy with the result but that does make me blind to average performances.
Fair enough G5 🙂
Wow, just read the comments, I think I saw a very different game to most, well apart from Harry. I started writing about Ramsey and couldn’t stop.
Szezcney: clearly fed up with the lack of a more senior player taking control of the defence the young Pole has taken it on himself to organise them. I love the way he shouts at the outfield players to stand here or stand there during a free kick or a corner. Commanding as ever throughout the game, to criticise his distribution would be churlish. 8
Koscielny: Knowing that he was playing out of position Norwich targeted him from the outset with some joy it must be said getting in behind on a couple of occasions but it didn’t take long for Kozzer to adjust himself and close that particular avenue. A few wayward Hollywood passes as RL put it but all in all good stuff.7
BFG: The thing that really, really, pisses me off is that we know, we are absolutely certain that had he been wearing a the German National shirt he would not have made that schoolboy error, the solution is that he has to wear one under his Arsenal shirt, it’s got to be done. 5
Vermaelen: I am going to have to try and hold myself back from exposing you to a torrent of gushing man love, he is just so, so good but as hard as I try I cannot put it better than Harry: when Vermaelen plays he adds 10% extra to everyone else’s game. 8
Santos: he really does come across as an accident waiting to happen but as nervous as he makes us all feel he is getting better, that’s to say he is looking more and more solid every week and today was no exception, I’m happy. 7
Arteta: our Basque friend has clearly found his place in the team, like Bergkamp who to be able to continue playing 90 minutes late in his career dropped deeper where brains rather than brawn could be more usefully applied, Arteta has done the same thing; that said, I thought he was a bit quiet today, no defence splitting passes, all a bit pedestrian but good pedestrain.7
Ramsey: I was really impressed with the young Welshman today, I loved the way he was angry with his team mates when he had bust a gut to get himself in a goal scoring position but others failed to find him. He started doing this a few games ago and I remember thinking: you really should get your own game in order before you start showing your frustration at others but I think he has got his own game in order; he was in the right place at the right time all the way through and had others been more aware our Welsh Wizard could have got a hat trick. I don’t agree that he slows the game down, he is very decisive on the break and calm when the team need to show the opposition who is boss; he is obviously not Fabregas but I would prefer Ramsey playing that role than Nasri which was, if you think about it, the position money bags thought he had a divine right to play. 7.5
Song: magnificent, just how much more control of a midfield is it possible for one player to have, gone were the misplaced short passes and in was a new found maturity. 8
Walcott: Theo was excellent, I may have to revise my view here and start being more respectful to Dandan, well maybe not just yet but if he can do what he did today against a proper defence I can see I am going to have to start thinking he is a footballer and not a golfer, his swing looked quite good. My Man of the Match. 9
Van Persie: I have always been a fan of the Boy Wonder but I have never thought of him as world class, I mean, after all, he has constantly been criticised for not quite being a proper number 9 and if a player is not able to play in any one position properly how can he be classed as World Class? We all know that has gone out of the window now and so has my view about him not being World Class. RvP is our go too guy, he was Johnny on the spot again, would have got MOTM but fluffed a couple although that doesn’t stop even more man love from this writer. 8.5
Gerinvho: now I was impressed today; his running with the ball was noticeably better; obviously not as confident as we would like but he was a darn sight more confident than against WBA, still have a lot more to come from our Ivorian friend so onwards and upwards. 7
Great player reviews LB and bang on the money.
Thanks for the ‘screen prints’ chas – you’ll have to tell me how you do that next time we meet.
Hi LB,
Isn’t that a match report you’ve just put up? GiE has been trapped into writing one for tomorrow but I may just nick some of your last comment and reproduce it tomorrow ….. unless you threaten to sue me that is!
Take what you want Rasp, take it all down and use it if you want.
I really don’t understand these attacks on Ramsey. It was a solid and successful performance from the team today, and to my eye, other than the obvious issue of Mertesacker’s goal-losing error, not one of the players merits serious criticism. So why even try to pick one out for a bit of negativity? An odd habit much loved by some Arsenal fans appears to be to find a player to pick on.
I remember having to check myself half a dozen games ago, I realised at the end of games I couldn’t think of a single good thing to say about Ramsey, I asked myself why and the only answer I could come up with is that he ain’t Fabregas. I think I am starting to get over it, other people may take longer.
LB, spot on mate, very nice summation of Aaron…..Couldnt have put it better myself, well ok maybe I could of, only joking…….
With the rest of your comments and ratings……most agreed…
Although BFG was at fault for the goal, I would have give him a 6.
Arteta for me is and was classy, he really is quietly improving our midfield and see him as the lubrication to our engine room, so would have got a 7.5…….
gervinho let himself down with weak finishing but had a great game…
And agreed Walcott was MoTM for me……deserved a goal for his efforts and was close at the end…….very selfless performance today……
LB,
I have to totally disagree with your midfield review.
For me,
Ramsey, had a poor first half, misplaced many a 10 yard pass, but definately improved in the second half. Was energetic, but not in the right areas. Just before we scored our second, the team misplaced about 10 passes in the space of 5 minutes and he was to blame for a few. He looked tired. However, in the last 15 he came into his own and controlled the game. For this I give him a 7.
Song, was often out of position and saved on many occasion by Arteta’s brilliant positional display. Song was as guilty as Ramsey at giving away short passes time after time and didn’t have his best game either. However, his pass to RvP was fantastic for our second and he has proved to me once again that he is a box to box midfielder and not the DM that he occupies at the moment.
Arteta was a class act, he was caught out on many occasion for his lack of pace, but his dicapline and sweeping of the midfield area was exceptional. He often cleaned up Songs mess and also held the midfield together in the last 15 when others would have loved to bomb on. Without RvP and TV, he was MOTM.
LB – I think you may have hit the nail on the head there, we saw so many amazing things from Cesc very early on in his career that it was easy to forgive stray passes or trying something just too clever for everyone around him when they didn’t come off.
A little patience is required.
There was a lovely tweet to Aaron from Robin after the game which basically said you’ll get the goals you deserve on Wednesday against Dortmund because you’ve worked so hard.
amazing story of an Arsenal fan
http://www.thesun.co.uk/sol/homepage/news/3945474/Brave-Ellie-plays-football-with-no-legs.html
FGG
I will try and write fewer comments
Some stats re passing success rates today:
Gerv 38% (10 incomplete passes from 26 attempts)
Theo 34% (13 from 38)
Benayoun 30% (3 from 10)
Santos 25% (20 from 80)
Kos 25% (13 from 53)
RvP 23% (8 from 35)
Ramsey 21% (16 from 78)
Song 20% (11 from 55)
Arteta 17% (13 from 77)
TV 13% (6 from 47)
Mert 9% (5 from 53)
Most completed passes? Arteta (64), followed by Ramsey (62) and Santos (60).
Not exactly figures that support the Ramsey critics are they?
Just spotted another stat: Santos made the most successful tackles for us today (6, though he did lose quite a few too), and next up on the list? Kos and, yes, Ramsey, with 4 each. More than our CBs, our DM and Ramsey’s CM partner, Arteta.
Lots of fun watching Stoke getting mullered by QPR isn’t it? And entertaining to see them concede two aerial goals.
i agree with FGG in regards to aarons first half, however LB was bang on the money. Ramsey busted a gut time and time again to get into good scoring positions (something that has lacked from our midfield in the past), but was let down because he either wasn’t spotted or RVP took on the shot himself. Personally i would have subbed him off at 70mins for rosicky, but in the last 10mins he played great.
One thing i love about the players now is no-one hides. Nasri and walcott used to disappear out of game to easy. Now look at gerv (missed a few opportunities but kept going and getting into good positions), Ramsey (a few passes went astray but he kept trying), walcott (keeps attacking and running at the defence. He is starting to live up to the hype and its very exciting!
@ LB
agree with the man love comment, the mrs thought it was weird when Vermaelen came on against chelsea and i had a excited little grin on my face. Can’t help it the bloke lifts everyone, and the way he goes about it is truly a joy to watch!
ooh I have an edit button
GiE with his newly gained admin pass:
Lol, I am going to watch the next match with my eyes closed………
LB,
Please don’t write fewer comments, many have agreed with your analysis of the game and will think my argument is bollocks…..but that’s the beauty of opinion!
Having watched the second half again on Football First, I have seen that my original view of Arteta’s defensive performance was correct, as he spent 90% of the half playing behind Song. He was great today, and all my man love goes to him and TV!
Life is just like a toilet roll.
The closer it gets to the end.
The faster it goes……….
26m;
Since when do completed passes equal that a player had a good game?
Frankly Ramsey completing 62 of 78 passes only tells us that 16 that went astray, how many went back, how many caused Norwich a problem, how many were positive, how many created opportunities for us?
Passing stats are only meaningful when carefully and fully analyzed.
Did you know that when your little grandchild grabs hold of your finger – that you are hooked for life?
Morning all,
Just had a look at Rambo’s first half versus second half performance stats-wise.
His incomplete pass rate dropped from 32% (12 of 37) in the first half to a mere 10% (4 of 41) in the second.
I know, lies, damned lies and statistics. In a way I think it proves everyone right and everyone wrong, too! 🙂
http://twitpic.com/7grn3y/full
Morning all, Excellent performance throughout the team. Alright the BFG had a nightmare moment but other than that he did ok. LBs individual reviews are imo spot-on. I love the midfield trio, not so much flair as na$ri and Fab but the workrate and trust in one-another more than makes up for it. When you think we have Gibbs, Sagna and Jack all missing the future is looking bright.
GN5
Some of the specific comments made about Ramsey related to incomplete passes, so showing that he was better than the team average on the day, and that he had the second largest number of successful passes in the team, addresses that specific point.
If you want, you can do the work that Chas and I started and use facilities like the Guardian’s chalkboards to look at whether your opinions are supported by data at all. I look forward to seeing your careful and comprehensive analysis of the passing stats.
Most of your criticisms of Ramsey are more generalised (“substandard”, “shocker”, “anonymous” etc), so there’s not much one can say, other than I, like others, disagree with you. Ramsey had a decent game, not as good as Theo, Gervinho, Arteta, van Persie, Vermaelen and Santos, but decent nonetheless.
Morning 26 – even if I didn’t know your profession, last comment would be a dead give away – you won the case!
Morning all
Does anybody else hate the rehearsed celebrations??? Grrrhhh, don’t the players realise they look so silly, dear dear dear. Even our boys golfing looked so fake, why do they do it??
Trust me to find something to moan about, sorry
I really dont understand the criticism aimed at Ramsey, he is a young player with massive talent who is still re-building his game after what could easily have been a career ending injury. He’s not a like-for-like swap for Fabregas nor is he a holding midfielder, I see him as a Frank Lampard type box-to-box midfielder and yes he did make quite a few minor errors yesterday but always looked committed and full of effort. Compare that to a certain gangly lumbering fool in the background and I know who I would rather have.
Hear hear, Barum.
@evonne: Good morning to you too! I know what you mean about rehearsed celebrations, they do look a bit naff (esp those involving swinging baby actions or sucking thumbs), but they must come from players’ training ground relations. We only get to see the players for intense moments at match-time, but they have to work all the time, day in day out, on building a sense of camaraderie. Naff as they are, the rehearsed celebrations have a role to play in that process.
Reluctantly, I have to agree with all of those who said that Phil Dowd had a good game. In fact, he was exemplary, exactly what a referee should be. But then he does owe us quite a lot, so I’m not going to put my voodoo doll of him in the bin just yet.
A song for TommyV (tune of Waltzing Matilda) from Twitter and some of the away fans.
“Tom Vermaelen, Tom Vermaelen, Tom Vermaeeeeelen number five, f*** yer Rooneys, f*** yer Drogbas, he will eat those c****s alive!”
Morning all.
morning GiE
Love it Exile, hope it catches on.
You been lording it over your in-laws since yesterday? You know I have a lot of East Anglian family; that didn’t stop me muttering “fuck off worzel” at various points during the game yesterday!
Haha 26m
I have gone for the slow build, I know they’re waiting for it, but I am keeping my peace for now.
Especially as some recently told me how boring we are to watch, and claim Holt as the new Messiah 😀
Well, I guess Holt did rise up again, time and again in fact.
26 😀
It is such a pleasure to be a part of this site. There are so many intelligent bloggers with different viewpoints and the ability to fight their corner.
And good humour abounds
26. Can I ask you a legal question?. Some little illiterate shit has sprayed graffiti all over the side wall of my house.
I I find the miscreant can I dismember him without recourse?
Morning all
We have a New Post ………….
Next time I might let him publish it himself 😉
Sorry Raddy 😳
Hi Raddy.
Of course you can: the Obnoxious Bastards (Vengeance) Act of 1952 still applies. You just need to make sure he/she signs the necessary health and safety disclaimer first (make sure that’s done in the presence of a notary public), and then it’s all yours, dismember away……