Well that was pretty poor, wasn’t it? A performance we can happily stuff down the back of the sofa, and hope no-one notices. Of course, we can (and will) wheel out the line about it being a dead rubber, and say that we’d won the group already, so no worries. But let’s be honest, it was pretty rubbish.
There are plenty of negatives to take from the game, but chief amongst them is the nigh-on disastrous news that our fourth and final senior fullback is injured and will be out “for some time”. There are going to be some interesting questions about whether Vermaelen or Miquel plays in place of Santos and Gibbs.
Olympiakos wanted to win tonight and they dictated the pace virtually from the first moment to the last. We were out-thought and out-fought. It was just a shame their thoroughly deserved victory didn’t earn them a place in the knock-out phase. But then I also have a lot of time for Marseille.
Our first half performance this evening was dreadful, pretty much the worst we’ve seen since the cataclysmic August-September period. The defence was carved open time and again, and we gave up possession with our failure to deal with Olympiakos’s high energy pressing game. Our players failed to adapt and lacked the guile to look for the space that the multiple pressing players vacated when they were ganging up on the Arsenal defenders and defensive midfielders. It was that failure more than anything that handed the initiative to our opponents.
To make matters worse, there was no cohesion amongst the four defenders and they were nervous in their dealings with each of the keepers behind them. Djourou was woeful throughout the game, Squillaci only marginally better and both Santos and Vermaelen well below the standards we know they can play at. But above all else, their coordination was absent, they played like ships in the night.
Matters were hardly better higher on the pitch. Coquelin and Frimpong created nothing but more problems for the defenders with misplaced passes and sacrificed possession. And the attacking three were generally starved of the ball, with Oxlade-Chamberlain and to a tiny extent Arshavin providing only rare attacking force in the first half. Chamakh was once again dreadful, and in the first half Benayoun was ineffectual.
I have to admit, when Fabianski, who had looked decidedly nervy, was injured, I was a little bit pleased. The first goal wasn’t entirely his fault, a pass having ricocheted off the hapless Squillaci and Djourou before breaking perfectly for Rafik Djebbour, who finished from a tight angle with cool authority. But Fabianski seemed to have sold himself, and made it just little bit easier for the striker than it needed to have been. So, being something of a fan of Vito Mannone, I wasn’t too upset to see the Joaquin Phoenix lookalike come on in the 20th minute. But bloody hell, how wrong was I, to have such faith?
Olympiakos’s second goal was one of the most embarrassing goals I can remember Arsenal conceding, ever. Mannone bravely and sensibly came and headed a ball that had broken after Frimpong was caught in possession (again). But unbelievably, Mannone failed to do the simplest thing and catch David Fuster’s soft mis-hit shot that came back from his header. In his panic, Mannone tried to scissor-kick the ball away, it apparently not having computed that he was now back in his penalty area and could safely use his hands. His attempted kick failed and failed miserably. The ball gently bounced past him and into
the net. An aberration, and that’s being kind.
The second half was a shade better than the first, with the defence discovering some poise and cohesion, especially after Miquel came on for Santos. Mannone made one or two reasonable saves, and Vermaelen seemed to remember what it takes to be a defensive leader. But Djourou’s game continued to be of the lowest standard, and he was constantly caught out of position, was ponderous without the ball and consistently poor with it. Likewise, Frimpong and Coquelin continued to play badly. Benayoun started to offer something, and that culminated in the only bright moment of the evening, his lovely volley for our consolation goal when he was played in by Chamakh (who appeared to be more interested in diving to earn a penalty, so missed the Israeli’s lovely hit). But that goal was completely against the run of play, we didn’t deserve it.
That said, Olympiakos began to run out of puff after the 70th minute, and finally we had space in midfield while they dropped off instead of pressing us. Not a lot was produced by way of openings, though Rosicky and Chamakh did combine well at one point, and had the Little Mozart lofted the ball over the Greek keeper, we could have drawn level. However, justice was served when Olympiakos scored a decisive third in the closing minutes, following two free-kicks given away in quick succession near the by-line by the already booked Frimpong. Olaf Mellberg, well known to us as the scorer of the first competitive goal
at the Grove, rose higher than the four Arsenal players around him and headed the ball onto the post, past the sprawling Mannone. François Modesto was perfectly placed to pick up the pieces and he slotted the ball to make the result safe for the Greeks.
The fact we lost tonight is no cause for concern in itself. But the way that pretty much the same side that outplayed Man City last week was utterly off the pace tonight is disappointing, I for one expected more. And now, with Santos’s injury, we’ll have to see if we pay a higher price.
Ratings:
Fabianski: 4
Djourou: 3
Squillaci: 4
Vermaelen: 5
Santos: 5
Frimpong: 4
Coquelin: 4
Oxlade-Chamberlain: 6
Benayoun: 6
Arshavin: 5
Chamakh: 4
Mannone: 4
Rosicky: 6
Miquel: 6
Written by 26may1989
Arsenal News 24/7
arsenalarsenal.net 
Thanks for the match report 26may – you’ve pretty much said it all.
I’m afraid I’d give the manager a 4 in the ratings for that one. The players did not take to the pitch with the right mindset and apparently no game plan. The failings ran throughout the whole team and dragged even great players like Vermaelen down a level. The team wasn’t balanced, cohesive or focused.
AW’s big mistake was in playing TV and Santos in the first place and as you say, we may pay a high price for that. I can see our stand-in fullbacks being given a torrid time against city in 10 days.
Morning all
Kelsey I just wanted to follow up on my criticism of Benayoun and to your disagreement this morning.
You said: at least Benayoun tried and did score a goal; you then went on to say that if Chamakh is supposed to be a striker then he is a failure.
It’s not that I particularly disagree with the last bit but I would say that in fairness the two should be judged by the same criteria: Chamakh certainly did try, he ran his heart out and set up the goal for Benayoun but did either of them do anything other than that. The distribution and link up play of the both of them was terrible. Benayoun deserves as much stick as Chamakh.
Does anyone know when Gibbs will be available again?
Same old failings whenever we believe the job has been done (all we have to do is turn up and we’ve won the game). The fact is, this team could have won the game if they applied the same passion and mindset they displayed against MCFC last week. This lackadaisical attitude has to stem from the manager. Where was the motivation. It should be inbred that winning is everything
Not much to add to that 26.
I’m not sure we should be panicking about Santos yet, he said on Twitter he thought he should be ok for Everton.
If he is not then I think we will go with TV left back, JD right back, Koz and Mert centre backs.
Rasp I have a problem with this comment:
“The failings ran throughout the whole team and dragged even great players like Vermaelen down a level.”
My problem is he was skipper, and should be dragging everyone up not vice versa. Everyone has a responsibility and TV should be looking at his own performance this morning as its too easy for us fans and players to look for other scapegoats in the team.
I cannot bring myself to give any player over a 5 in ratings, they were all that poor. The only player that can really come close to holding his head up is Miquel.
I notice Pong and Coq are coming in for equal amounts of criticism, I didn’t see Coquelin until he got injured and then he disappeared again until 60th minute. With Pong at least you can say he doesn’t hide.
Now I can read it.
Dando watching the game last night it was clear Wenger and Rice expected more from their players.
Thinking on about the difference between this week and last week I have a theory:
The CC is primarily used as a Reserve/Youth/Squad run out. It’s their competition and winning is likely to see them play more games going forward. The CL is a competition reserved for the first team, fielding the team last night the players know when they look around that its a dead rubber and played as such.
But as I said last night and earlier when experienced players cannot lead the team by example it is very hard to criticise the youngsters and less capable players.
Morning GiE,
Is your problem that you think my comment was wrong or that you believe TV was more culpable than most for the performance?
I can’t really see that anyone (management included) came out of that game with much credit. I did see TV trying to force the play and surging forward in his characteristic manner.
I do believe that team strength starts from the roots upwards. It starts with the goalkeeper and defence and after that the midfield need to work really hard – Arshavin didn’t. It seemed that one error led to another and for some reason the experienced players could not take control.
26
An extremely well crafted match report, I would have laid it on thick that the group was won before the start but I understand why you chose not to. A very enjoyable read in difficult circumstances.
Its a dead rubber for a reason.
1. It was DEAD awful
2. They give you a RUBBER so you can erase it from all memory!
It was 11 players who didn’t know each other and hadn’t played together, or so it seemed.
Thankfully we will have proper footballers back against an Everton side who are struggling.
Shame about Santos, but he needed the match fitness as far as I’m concerned and it’s just a shame he came a cropper.
Would love to see TV left back with Koz and Per in the middle,but if that means Djourou plays then I’m afraid it would have to be Miquel at left back and Kozzer right. Miquel done nothing wrong and deserves the nod over JD.
Wouldn’t surprise me tho if AW persisted with JD, we all know he has an inability to see when he should give up on a player. With the emergence of Miquel, it’s time for JD and SS to move on.
Let’s not forget though people that the biggest positive about last night was the fact that our big guns got rested.
That was always going to be the biggest plus from last night and it should give us an advantage at the weekend.
Also, if stats from last weeks CL games are correct then the fact we lost will give us a better chance of beating Everton!
Morning everyone.
On reflection, I think the three attacking midfielders should have dropped deep to help the defenders and central midfielders and help the team gain control. The fact they didn’t means they deserve criticism not reflected in my report and I’d knock one point off each of their ratings.
The result didn’t matter but the performance did. And the fact the younger players didn’t grab the opportunity to show what they can do and the more established players, starting with Vermaelen, didn’t use their experience to deal with the game is a cause of considerable disappointment.
Regardless of the wisdom of Wenger’s team selection, I hope the players feel they let their manager and their fans down, and that they learn from this. They could have played like their 1998 forebears did against Panathinaikos in another dead rubber. That team of fringe players grabbed the opportunity, enjoyed the game and swept to an eyebrow-raising 3-1 away win. Thisn lot fluffed their lines.
Rasp my problem is it seemed to forgive TV, but you have clarified that now.
Yes he was seen in the opposition half a couple of times, but I felt as skipper he should have been directing traffic a little more and helping those around him with some encouragement or bollockings as required.
Bravo, 26.
I enjoyed reading your match report even though the subject matter was of such an excruciatingly painful kind.
Morning 26m, 🙂
Well written, sir, and rather you than me.
Let’s all take a deep breath and try to be objective about last night’s shenanigans.
OK we were poor.
But let’s give credit to Olympiakos too.
They had obviously studied us and knew our reputation for folding when the oppo are ‘in our faces’, and set about doing just that from the get go. It generally does not work NOW against our first team, but it was a very good tactic that threw our inexperienced 2nd team crew into panic mode.
What can be said about our lads? Well it was a makey up team who have rarely if ever played together, or who were playing out of position, and not helped by either the goalkeeper or the left back substitutions.
There is not a lot of point in trying to second guess Le Boss, and it is invidious to pick on individual players, but in the case of AA and Chamakh, I am going to. AA looks like a once wonderful Mini Cooper which used to zoom around looking great and with great agility and balance, but which has suddenly run out of gas.
There are few things in life more sad than a once great sportsman who suddenly hits the wall and simply cannot do it anymore.
In the case of Chamakh, I really feel for the guy. He does try – whatever others may say – except he simply is not capable of producing the goods. He is slow of thought and slow of mind, and the harder he tries the worse he gets, to the point it is almost embarrassing to watch the poor guy suffering out there.
As for Le Boss, he must stop trying to flog a dead horse (or two in these cases) and make the most of a bad situation and let both of them go — the sooner the better — as much for their sakes as for us.
Am I bothered about last night? Disappointed – yes. Bothered – no.
As I indicated it was a scratch, inexperienced team with a couple of players who are not helping the team, and others who could not impose themselves, and remember, we had a lot of futile go-nowhere possession too, which on another night, with a better front line could have changed the scoreline considerably.
Roll on the next game with our first team on the pitch!! 🙂
Sh/be “slow of foot” not “slow of mind” which in the sentence is reprehensibly tautological! 🙂
I think you are being kind to the players. they should have thier wages docked for that performance. Can’t see how anyone can defend Chamakh. If it was a one off maybe but he plays every game like that. losing Santos is a blow.
26th. you have basically summed up everyone’s feelings and I had already written my thoughts prior to this new post.
LB, yes no one shone through for us but Chamakh has been consistently poor for the best partof a year regardless of the opposition but Benyahoun has only played a handful of games.
Well played 26.
Particularly useful for me as I didn’t see the game, although now I’m pretty keen to see the Mannone Scissor Kick 😦
I find it staggering that AW played TV and Santos in an utterly pointless game, and I’m afraid that I’m out on my own here in thinking a big “So what” to the whole thing. The only thing to be gained was injuries. My thoughts go out to the travelling fans.
Morning Micky, 🙂
If you read my brilliant piece at 10:39, which nobody seems to have done, then altho’ I use different terminology than “so what” I am basically in agreement with you.
So, not on your own out there after all – you have your very own stalker!! 🙂
26, thanks for a great match report. You are clearly very disappointed about almost all of our players and the way we played in general. Wenger will have learned a lot from it and the players will as well.
The game was about a battle between the Olympiacos first team that really needed to win, and Arsenal’s second team with nothing to fight for. Olympiacos played at home, they have a very decent first team and their tactics were spot on.
It would be nice if our second team would have had a result over there, but it was always highly unlikely. Individual performances need to be scrutinized and criticised, but should always be seen in the wider context of that particular game. Tactically though, Wenger did not cover himself in glory last night
http://football-talk.co.uk/51200/video-watch-vito-mannones-howler-versus-olympiacos/
mickey
some annoying ads though
Hiya 26 – I agree with you, simply because you reminded me the other day that I am entitled to have an option, as long as it’s not contradictory to yours. Yes, it was a terrible game.
I hardly watched the second half. After Raddy said that he was looking forward to the 2nd half I perked up a bit, but dozzed off soon after. Dismal performance.
Thank you for such great match report.
Thanks for the report 26, excellent stuff.
I dont believe its all doom and gloom from last night.The younger players got a run out (and a bit of a run around to) at a tough place against a good team, they will learn from the experience.
The senior players didn’t exactly cover themselves in glory but though Arshavin and Chamack have been disapointing this season, i think its fair to say final judgement should be reserved, if and when they get a sustained run of games in the “first team”.
As for Arsene and tactics, i generaly agreed with the way we approached the game. The reason i say this is that we must think long term not short. When these guys get a chance for the first team they will be expected to play the passing game and will invariably be pressed by the opossition all over the pitch.
Lets stick to our guns and maintain our philosophy. If we do, the Club has a great future.
Wow, our second string lose and criticism pouring down like a rain. Just imagine if our first team also lose in the near future!
Santos injury worst part of result since the actual score is meaningless but inability to keep hold of the ball was not nice viewing. Now we need to fill in the LB position for a couple of weeks at least….hope he isn’t missed too much / gets back quick.
Hi everybody,
I’m slightly annoyed at AW’s propensity to surrender these games so casually, and that our second-string isn’t of better quality.
As ’26’ said, there’s travelling fans paying good money, so at least put a decent shift in to show the fans their money wasn’t wasted!
Nice post 26,
I watched the first half of the pointless, injury gambling game, where Arsene has lost the gamble, It should have been a no lose game , but we`ve lost a player. I`d love to read Arsenes mind, to know why this great man is so naive at times, as Micky said, staggering!.
Second half, I watched The Vampire Diaries instead, I know, I`m a very naughty fan, but It was a crap dead rubber. I can always watch the second half on `player, does anyone recomend it! 🙂
Just spent the last hour on the exchange. I’ve so far managed to delete four tickets from the list and bought none. Bastard site. Am I alone?
RA, Thanks for your brilliant comment 🙂
GM, Wow, some clanger!
I’d like to emphasise what Herbie’s Army said, fully agree and may be not so much last night’s game but certainly the City game where we do seem to surrender games so easy. Just out of interest was there still £500.000 a point up for graps last night? If so then I can’t believe the performance if that was the case.
I left the following questions on the last thread:
For me the questions about last night are:
Does playing the second stringers and getting beat for the 2nd time in a week harm their confidence?
Do the strikers who come in and don’t score feel hard done by that they’ve had their chance with a second rate midfield behind them?
Does AW look at the team collectively or look at players individually?
know it’s nearly Christmas but the pantomime season doesn’t traditionally open untill Boxing Day except maybe in Greece.
Fabiansky and Manone are about as much use as a one legged man in an arse kicking contest, they even manage to make Almunia look useful.
We all know that Djourou is not a right back and he amply provided proof of that last night, Squillaci was …well Squillaci. I felt sorry for Vermaelen who, understandably, had a poor game as did Santos although with the panic going on behind them, and to their right, that was no surprise.
Coquelin and Frimpong are too inexperienced to start together at his level but at least stuck to their guns, Coquelin despite getting a painful knock.
This is too painfull, I have to stop there.
Yes RA, great comment, Even greater because I understood It ! 😆
Arsedave,
Your first point, I dont think the confidence was harmed after the stirring effort against City, we put Wigan to the sword.
The second point, Two of them “hard done by ” players make a lot of us feel “hard done by”, by their lack of effort and ability , in Arshavins case, the lack of work effort is unforgiveable for he certainly has the ability.
The third point, As in my 11:51 comment, I`d love to read Arsenes mind !. 🙂
GLIC
I was talking about the confidence for the second stringers not the club as a whole.
I do take onboard your point about us feeling hard done by by the likes of Arshavin though.
Another interesting question; who out of the top 6/7 have the best second string line up on paper, I’m off to have a think about that one.
26 – you are made of sterner stuff than me, I’ve only ever had to write a match report for a defeat once and I hated it, for that you deserve a mighty huzzah.
Arsedave – the answer to that must be that team managed by Roberto Mankini.
Mdi89 – that “clanger” was replayed on the big screens at the Chavs stadium at half time last night for cheap laughs.
Further proof that money doesn’t buy you class, would Arsenal start showing goals against local rivals at half time ?
I think not.
Chary, Arsenal do show the goals/highlights at half-time from all other CL games being played on the night, so that would be a yes then. Saying that, they (Chelsea) still have no class at all!
Oh right Brigham, but I don’t remember seeing them at the Marseille game I went to, they showed the scores though.
“Crap fans, shit club no history”(to the tune of “1 nil to the Arsenal) as we say about Chavski.
26. Very entertaining read and a fine summation. As with others, my disappointment rests with the experienced players. The 2 young MF’s had no forward outball which points at AA and Benayoun’s lack of graft.
I thought that Chamberlain should have been given much more of the ball. He scared their FB and caused them to at least double up on him, thereby creating space elsewhere.
But playing any National Champions away with 9 men was always going to be a difficult task.
Chary. Are you surprised the Chavs lack class? Look at what they have on the pitch …..
It’s funny Radders, but someone tweeted that AvB said about the result at the Chav game last night “It was a win for human values” – as in the values of race hate, greed and impatience.
I’d add drug dealing, adultery, theft and corruption(e.g. Cashley poaching) to that.
Chary. Unbelievable! Are those the values being spoken of at The Old Bailey?
It’s called having one hell of a brass neck, Radders.
Rob, i don’t think its the loss by a second string that is hurting us but instead the performance put in. We would not have a problem (I guess) if we lost that 2-0 but had left it all out on the pitch. It never felt like the team started the game.
Those going to the game on Saturday will hopefully be taking pics of the new statues, Tony Adams, Thierry Henry and Herbert Chapman.
http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/16065375.stm
Very true GIE.
I notice among the various blogs that there is concern that we don’t have a ready made replacement for Santos at LB.
Well, I think we do have someone. Among the creaking reputations last night, two bucked the trend. The Ox and Miguel.
Miguel would be my pick to be the left back, until injuries allow Gibbs or Santos to return. Why? Because last night he chased and ran his socks off and also created the cross to allow Chamakh/Benny to score our goal.
He is a callow youth at 18, but where do you get experience except on the pitch? I can already hear the chorus of dissent, but that bothers me not at all — probably the same guys who pooh poohed youngs Jenks when he came in as right back and proved them wrong.
Let me see — Sagna injured, who would I prefer at right back? Djourou or Jenks – Jenks or Djourou? Well until he got that stress fracture it was a no brainer for me, and Djourou proved last night that as a RB he makes a good CB. [and before someone says it – Kozzer should play at CB with TV]
Give the LB place to Miguel and watch him grow! 🙂
RA. I agree but expect AW to play TV there – .Kos /JD /BFG / TV
I am still unhappy about AW’s decision. I wrote this in the post yesterday ….
“I am surprised to see Santos travel with the squad – he is surely in “the red.” I know we are short at LB but Miquel did well against the Oil Slickers so why not give him another go?”
If I can see it why couldn’t Mr Wenger?
RA,
You make him sound like a plant!
Bed him in all that. Afternoon Raddy, GiE and Chary
Raddy,
Or:
Kos Song BFG Verm
You had Nostradamus like foresight there Radders – I was a bit peplexed by the decsion to take Santos also.
Oh well, look ahead to Saturday – if you get there early you can get yourself in a high resolution pic the club are taking of the crowd before kick off.
The trouble is that it will cut into Peroni time.
Cripes Raddy,
Imagine how he would be feeling had Verm taken a battering. Taking both was utterly pointless, which is of course, what we came home with.
Hi MDi89 – will we see you at the Tavern on Saturday ?
You both may have a point with your different suggestions, but yet more make do and mend seems to be the order of the day.
Miguel, TV, Kozzer, JD means the only change is Big M.
He could be a plant needing nourishment, Micky, in which case he will do well in the manure that the LB position is becoming. 🙂
Chary,
I feel you do Big Raddy a disservice as I’m not entirely sure Nostradamus ever got anything right.
or Yennaris Kos BFG TV
or because Everton play just one upfront.
Kos BFG TV
Micky. Being right is not one of BR’s strong points. Apart from blogging on here!
RA,
Tempting, but way too easy to take that to the next level 🙂
Actually 3-5-3 is not so silly. I will consider it before the pre-match
Woah, slow down Raddy. Don’t come over all total footbally nonsense with your 3 at the back.
Just as long as Squillaci doesn’t feature 😦
LOL, Radders, Mdi89 was casting aspersions on the medieval seer.
Three at the back eh, back to the days of Adams, Linighan/O’leary and Bould. Very retro.
Rasp,
There you go Dooming again 🙂
Micky, Raddy,
I am tickled by your astute manouvering around the Miguel/Jenks comparison to stop me from including you both in the ‘pooh poohing’ classes, but I have got my eye on you two!! 🙂
That’s me being optimistic micky 🙄
Bloody Cyclop
You are correct Micky, that ol’ Rasper is trying to ignore the fact that the Squid is a fine totem pole. A rubbish CB mayhap, but a fine, French totem pole! 🙂
He’s related to our Evonne?
A cyclop, Rasp? Cyclops had only one eye – a cyclop presumably therefore has no eye? Or is this a Raspy diversionary tactic to throw Micky off the scent? 🙂
That’d be right RA, people run round totem poles.
Oh no! It was not Rasper who mentioned Cyclop – it was tricky Micky!! 🙂 I am doomed – doomed, I say.
No, Micky, totem pole is no relation to Evonne — you are thinking of the North Pole. 🙂
RA,
Eh? You’re the bloody cyclop with your eye on myself and the good Raddy.
Wow, City away saturday week. We will learn them a thing or two.
Rasp, — touche! 🙂
I thought I was leading you into that one nicely, but by confusing you with Micky — well you do look alike — has ruined my dastardly plans!! 🙂
This was me after last nights game
I should imagine I’m alone on this one, but whenever I think of Man City, I always conjur an image of Sir Les Patterson in his powder blue safari suit.
There we go.
Rasp, 🙂
Micky, that’s not too bad. For myself, whenever I think of Chas, I imagine a gorgeous woman with big muffins! Confusing or what? 🙂
Sorry back shortly
I once sat opposite Sir Les on a train from Glasgow to Euston (We were both refugees from Glasgow Airport where a fire in the kitchen had closed the airport.
Do you know he never once farted, burped or made sleazy comments during the journey. (He and his two colleagues/family?) were really quite posh and v. friendly!)
I told him I was a visiting American professor emeritus, masquerading as an accountant, and trying to break into comedy — pretending not to know him 🙂
Disappointingly, he seemed not at all impressed, but grinned and just asked me for advice on his make believe American tax affairs. Bastard!! 🙂
Love that Sir Les vid. Took me back to those great days of Dame Edna at The Strand Theatre – he/she picked on my-ex because she was wearing shiny earrings. Hilarious.
Hi Raddy, I’d like to have seen Sir Les being interviewed by Mrs Merton, I love the way she sums up Debbie McGee with one question in this ….
Rasp. Who can forget? – I still use that line today
Rasp, That is one of my favourite “one liners” and used the same sort of one when I first moved to Cornwall in 1991. I noticed that a lot of very good looking girls seemed to end up with some quite strange looking inbred farmers, I dont know any poor farmers !.
My Wife`s niece (very pretty) married a farmer. One day I said to her, “Sarah, what a lovely 200 acre farm Tony has, 5 lovely Holiday homes, new cars, wealthy, so what first attracted you to the ugly bugger !.
Disclaimer: No Inbreds or ugly bastards were harmed in the making of this post.
Snap Big Raddy 🙂
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Y9gY653SGj0
So, do we want both Manc clubs to qualify for the next round of the CL or do we want them both playing on Spursdays?
chas,
I have paused the clip at 00:20, purely for scientific/ artistic/ technical, allright any effing reason I like. 😯
Is your avatar in 3D ?, If It aint, why the F**k not ?. 🙂
“However, justice was served when Olympiakos scored a decisive third in the closing minutes,”
That says absolutely everything that you need to know about the quality and honesty of the authors and participants of this blog. Absolutely everything.
I salute you 7^2-23, sterling work.
😆 Manc fan comes up to me at work: “AHAHAHAHAHA what happened Arsenal last night, shocking, did ye even qualify?”
Me: “Pre-qualified, in your face, enjoy tonight” *snaps fingers and walks away*
However…I personally felt that Arshavin was the single biggest cause of our failure yesterday. His complete and total failure to support CoqPong at any point yesterday was our undoing.
Getting into the space beyond the press (as you rightly explain) is down to the MF 3 being prepared to move, support, and rotate around each other. If we could have done that for any ten min spell in the first half, doubt would have entered Greek minds and we may have seen a different result.
Absolute madness play Santos and Tommy. Even more so when you look at how well Miquel acquitted (in the footballing sense!!) himself.
Is he also the answer for Everton. Its yes from me…although I’d have preferred to see him eased in, not thrown in.
Surprised most are putting JD in the middle of their proposed back 4 for the game against Everton.
For me it’s very simple:
JD Mert Koz Verm
But I wouldn’t be opposed to seeing Miquel at left back and Kos right back with TV and Mert in middle.
Sorry to tell you this chas, but not everyone likes Nigella, she has her Knockers !
Realistically we have no chance of winning the EPL, more chance of me standing between Nigella and her Knockers and keeping them apart !. 🙄
I hate to say this but I rather the two Mancs win It, because I`m getting a bit nervous that the Spuds might win It and I cant think of anything worse, so yes, the two Mancs to play on Spursdays, to stop the Spuds playing on Tuesday`s and wednesday`s so the rest of us can carry on playing Tuesday`s and Wednesday`s and the spuds hopefukly carry on playing on Spursdays, what the F**k am I going on about ! :confused:
Irish,
I haven’t met you sadly, but I’m getting a pretty damn good idea of what to expect. Great reply 🙂
I’m afraid I want them both out. Just for fun.
Ha ha Midi – someday at the Tavern we’ll meet. 🙂
If they both get knocked out will it effect the EPL’s co-efficient in Europe?
Good point Irish. Maybe we need them to Qualify ,we dont want to be down to 2 or 3 teams in CL !.
Seeing as we dont have Sagna, Jenkinson, Gibbs, Santos, Rice and McNab. I wonder where Everton will target us on Saturday ?
Do Everton have anyone that’s a threat out wide?
Coleman I suppose would be one.
Irish,
Are you serious, they are going to play, 2 goalies, 8 wide men and 1 centre forward !
Irish,
Get real. There’s so much more fun to be had from gloating than can ever be had from coefficients, and on that note, its bye from me.
GLIC – 😆
MIDI – That is the best argument ever and one I surrender too.
Hahahahahaha
😆 Chamone Basle
I think if United go out tonight the Norwich scarfs will start to grow more prevalent at OT again.
Never know someone might actually say United are in crisis. Only they Liverpool and Spids have avoided that moniker from the tabloids.
What about Abu Dhabi?
United won’t lose now you’ve cursed it. 🙂
Rooney just missed a sitter . won’t see that in the press. Smalling likes a dive, he must be learning from Nani
Arsenes_Eyes Arsene’s Eyes
Texting Mr Sir Alex Sir: “Hey friend. Would you like my Mr Chamakh to give Mr Rooney some finishing coaching?” #AFC
😆
Rooney fancies Nani’s granny.
Oh my God, the side that thrashed us is losing to Basel – the shame of it! 🙂
Cmon I ciucciarelli
Is there something to laugh at, rats I’m missing it.
Actually this is a sobering lesson for us….this is Uniteds best team (minus Hernandez) and they are losing to Basel. Our weak team were taking pelters from us for the same scoreline last night.
Vidic looks like a bad one. And no matter how good that is for others no one likes to see a player get injured badly in a nothing challenge.
At least our flappys are home grown. Uniteds cost them £25m 😀
Reckon the Basle groundsman has been on strike, either that or they let some farmers graze cattle on it this week.
Villarreal are really giving it 100%.
Get in!
hahaaaaa Napoli have scored
Oooh this is exciting 🙂
GIE you are right, it is a dreadful pitch so MU are going the aerial route.
Ajax are out???
2-0 Napoli
😆 I’m loving this
Great innit, Irish.
I know I am in the minority but I am proud that the PL is the best league and the Man clubs going out is IMO not great for AFC or the PL.
Would be funny though
Lyon have overturned one hell of a goal difference O_O
Just got the TV on.
Ha ha ha ha
Come on now coefficient fans, you know you are loving this 🙂
Have Zagreb got their second string out?
Chas – Lovin it 😆
BR – If one of the Manchester clubs when the Europa League then England will have both European trophies, us as CL winners and the Manc I or II as Europa League 🙂
@Irishgunner, Yes, very exciting, much more than last night. MU losing & Napoli winning with10+ minutes remaining. Come on Basel & Napoli. Lyon thrashing the host Dinamo Zagreb 1-7.
Chas – Apparently Ajax had two good goals ruled out as well which would have seen them through and they are fuming. Only going by twitter on that one.
Berbatov made a good move going to MU. He is now at best 4th choice strikee.
Raddy,
Not good for AFC!
Try telling that to Gunners who run into Manc fans tomorrow. I know I’ll find one somewhere.
Nike, is that Ray Parlour on your avatar picture?
HAHAHAHAHHAHAHAHAHAHHAHAHHA
Yesssssss
Hahhahahahhahahahahahhahahahhahahaahah
Yeeees!!
hahahahahahahahaaaaaaaa
Basle 2, I can’t agree Rady, this is justice……….
Keep your bloody Chris Smalling is what I say!
Goodnight MU. Dreadful defending
There was I cursing the bloke for not keeping the ball in the corner. God its good to be wrong.
Where are Chary and GM?
Nike – a great night of football. Although if Man Ure get one back now
Very strange, I wanted MU to win but I cheered when Basle just scored. Schizophrenia?
Napoli and Basel, I love you!
For now at least….!
Benfica, Basel and Otelul Galati, that’s the group United are failing to qualify from. Just about the easiest group ever. Has there ever been a greater European failure by an English team than that.
Bugger, got one back. Come on you Swissies.
There it is 😦
Squeaky bum time
Sorry, what? You wanted United to win Raddy?? Did I miss something??!
Come on Basel! Defence… Defence… Defence…
Micky – I am here 🙂
What are you lot so happy about? I’ve been watching the Frozen Planet
are the Mancs in trouble?
YESSSSSSSSSSSSSS
I’ve nearly tears in my eyes I’m so happy 😆
Yes, brilliant, all over for all Mancs, plastic and otherwise! London rules!!!
HAHAHAHAHAHAHA
Irish, please tell us how the conversation with that tool at your work goes, can’t wait to hear what he’s got to say!
Had to be shared
KeithTheGooner on Twitter:
What’s the matter @SamNasri19?
The referee is a gooner and he’s pointing towards Europa league with Sp*rs! http://twitter.com/KeithTheGooner/status/144530891648147456/photo/1
Can’t you believe it!!! Manure play in europa league!
The football God has punish the bad boys. Thanks God. Good night all.
It’ s lovely day today!!!!!!!
Welcome to the Europa League – to all of MANCHESTER
Nite nite nike.
Just another memorable night of European Football!
How funny is that. Thurs night ITV4.
The mancs, spuds and manchavs all in the nohoper league…… poetry 😆
Piss myself laughing.
Why Szczesny stays at Arsenal (from his twitter)
“I would NOT like to be in ManUtd dressing room right now…”
Manchester Thusdays
Gareth Spithgate giving it the “team in transition” excuse.
What an absolutely corking night. Love it.
Schadenfreude
How on earth did Germany get to coin this emotion surely it was made for us.
Roy Keane: “United got what they deserved” – hated him on the pitch, love him since he left it.
Wonder if SAF knows where PAOK play?
Team in transition
Hahahahahahahahah, it gets better
OMG – no, can’t be, I am all emotional….I am so happy 🙂
LB, we’re just Germans who were made to speak French for a while.
Go on 26,
Just for a laugh, list the teams in that tough group of Utd’s again 🙂
WOW, who would have thought that. Nothing to do on Tuesday and Wednesday nights in Manchester for a long while.
Man City to play Chelsea on Monday: what a battle that will be. If MC lose that one and we win our match against Everton – by no means easy btw – we can start dreaming of winning the PL again. Early days I know… 🙂
Modric or Schnejder to MU in Jan? They were terrible in midfield created nothing and a 38 y.o. geriatric was their best player.
Avec plaisir, micky:
Benfica
Basel
Otelul Galati
🙂 🙂 🙂 🙂
Truth be told, I’m more pleased about the Abu Dhabi Government getting knocked out. Pretentious, undeserving, cheating scum that they are.
Start…………………..I have that dream every night.
Raddy, it’s staggering that United haven’t signed a creative midfielder. Long may that continue.
From twitter
“ManCH5ster”
Anyone know who we could draw in the next round?
So Napoli and Milan look like the two to avoid in the next round. Would quite fancy an away trip to St Petersburg (yes, I know, we’re bad east of Warsaw, I just like the place).
Na$ri prefers playing on a Spursday.
http://twitpic.com/7pybjz/full
26,
Even funnier the second time 🙂 🙂
Full list of potential draws for the next round: Napoli, CSKA Moscow, Basel, Lyon, Bayer Leverkusen, Zenit St Pete and Milan.
Raddy why would the board give Fergie money to spend in January….they might want him gone by May, and without CL guaranteed or CL to compete in will they want to spend just in case. Afterall he has just wasted over £20m on a keeper, plus how much on Young, Smalling and Jones? Yes they need a midfielder but they already have a rather large wage bill.
Raddy,
Neither Manchester Club..
Tee hee hee
26 May – Will I just give a little giggle as I walk past or will I go right up into his face and say “CHANNEL 5 CHANNEL 5 CHANNEL” ?
I think a little giggle will be the classiest option …
26, Citeh stopped MU from buying Nasri and now they are both out of the CL! But, you are right, Abu Dhabi going out is the absolute highlight, although MU going out is the biggest shocker in a long time.
Looking at that picture of Nasri, grinning and hugging a Bayern player as he leaves the field, couldn’t that piss you off if (perish the thought) you were a City fan? I’d want to see shame, misery and embarrassment from my overpaid players when they failed.
But then it is Nasri.
Chas that pic shows what money does to a player.
Irish, I know you go for class, but me, I’d be fugging rubbing his nose right in it! Got it coming to him, after all!!
Possible opponents:
Napoli, CSKA, Basel, Lyon, Bayer Leverkusen, Zenit, Milan
Think I’d go for a wry smile….and silence. Let him start making excuses.
Turns out Arry was right Spuds are competing with City and United in Europe.
GiE 🙂
A new song (courtesy of ArsenalGent)
United are red, City are blue
they both outspent us
but The Arsenal go through.
😆 May 26 – as you wish, full out gloating it is.
Well done Irish, you know it makes sense!!!
Twitter :
New Manchester based fragrance to be launched Channel No. 5
😆
Irish, ask him if he knows what a Spursday is.
They did beat Otelul Galati twice after all.
Irish,
26 is a bright lad. Listen to him 🙂
A very good night to you all.
Giggle giggle smirk 🙂
GIE 🙂
On Danish TV they are saying MU’s exit is the biggest shock in CL history because their group was so easy (in dansk)
No interview from Red Nose – Coward.
Or did he just give one???
This will be a new experience for me, driving all the way to Orcland listening to Talksport and they wont be slagging Arsenal off, cant wait. 🙂
Which is true I guess Raddy and why United fans I know are full of recriminations about their young keeper.
Not that I rate him much.
Biggest problem for United is loss of Vidic. Ferdinand has lost pace and now he will be paired with Smalling, Jones or Evans. When do we get payback?
Apparently IG ITv didn’t have time to show it.
Ooh those poor Manc bloggers who have to write a match report tonight…. 🙂
Struggling?
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=j7PkwApZncs
Chas: 😆
This night has been too good.
Last night forgotten, tonight my sides are splitting and the laughter is loud. although the silence in Manchester is deafening!!
Love the song GIE, twitter is in overdrive, some of the one liners out there are hilarious……….
GIE – they would have found time if it was Wenger 🙄 Sod them
Another Twitter:
A tip for any Manchester United fans wanting to make a nice pasta sauce, most herbs are nice but you cant beat basil!
“I’m not, we’re not struggling”
Jesus: dad you`ve wet yourself !
God : I know son, I`m pissing myself with laughter with them AAers.! 😆
Honestly folks, we can win the Champions league this season. We have nothing to fear.
😆 I might just actually laugh in my sleep tonight
Hahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahaha!!!!!!
The image of Fergie slumped in his chair at 2-0 will come with me to the grave!!!!
Struggling? Where not struggling!
What a prick!!!!!!
I can’t wait to watch City and United on channel 5 on a Thursday!
Man U out of all competitions by January? I hope so! Ha!
ColU_GoonerMark Mark Hoskin
UNITED AND CITY FANS! You’re still in the Champions League. Just go onto ITV+1 now!
Terry, just to dampen down that optimism a tinsy bit:
Real Madrid P6 W6 D0 L0 F19 A2 GD+17 Pts18
Barcelona P6 W5 D1 L0 F20 A4 GD+16 Pts16
Very easy groups 26!
Have just seen the Ajax disallowed goals: they must feel gutted, two perfectly good goals disallowed.
26, we are better than last season, and by February will be the best team in England. It will require a hell of an effort but we can do it.
Ooo, TA, surely not: Milan, Ajax and Lyon are in those groups!
Terry, I’d love it, obviously, but I just can’t see one of the Spanish sides not winning it. You never know though, you never know.
Where’s the final this season? Munich?
Remember how ManUre said they’d 8-2 be an Arsenal fan?! Well, jokes on you, I bet you 1-2 be one now!!!
26, Munich it is, i have already planned the trip.
26, Ajax is a shadow of its former self (already 8 points behind AZ in Dutch league) and the same goes for Lyon. But I am only teasing of course, both Barca and RM are the teams to beat this season.
Excellent Terry – whoever’s playing, the CL Final in Munich has the makings of a top football weekend.
2 fantastic sides TA,…it will be a pleasure to beat them.
TA, Ajax seem not to have recovered since the move to the new stadium. But that must be almost ten years ago now, so not too many excuses for them.
Sunday Monday Tuesday Wednesday Manchester Friday Saturday
Indeed 26. For selfish reasons i wanted Utd through so we could knock them out, i would have realy enjoyed that.
Terry, if we can play our strongest side (or there about), like you, I do not fear anybody on the night. Our midfield is becoming absolute world class and with Boy Wonder anything is possible.
26, true Ajax never recovered from the effects of the Bosman ruling and the build of the new stadium. But they also let Van Gaal go far too easily/quickly. If he had stayed at Ajax as long as Wenger at Arsenal, they would have won a lot more. The Ajax Board have been in a mess for a long time and have made very bad decisions re strategy and man management, etc. A real shame for Dutch football and (total) football in general.
Can I just add a big fat Lol. In fact can I add a big fat trololololo…
Chas/Chozzer has copyright on this, used with permission, respectfully.
Spot on TA, and we will keep improving.
Off to have recurrent dream of beating Barca in the final. Night all.
He’s happy cos he hasn’t got Sky, but does have Channel 5 and ITV6
Sharkey that is a mad video, but oh so appropriate!
I miss those City fans that were on here after the CC game….they were a nice bunch.
I wonder what there upto tonight?
TA, I think pretty much any football romantic has a corner of their heart marked “Ajax” (ok, perhaps not those from Rotterdam, but everyone else). So, yes, it is a shame to see them off the pace. And you can see that Bosman plus the economics of being in a small country of people who have travel hard-wired into them means the days of European supremacy won’t be repeated. But there can be no excuse for falling behind the likes of AZ and Twente.
But for the gift of total football, thank you Nederlands and thank you Ajax.
Well said 26, thanks.
FGG, I imagine they’re breaking out their atlases to find where Vaslui, Kharkiv and Haifa are.
Sharkers, no-one on here gives a monkey’s who I was in in former incarnation. chas, it is. 🙂
Thought it was Muffin?
muffin was undignified.
I thought it was funny 🙂
Where were you last night, peaches?
Did you indulge in a little schadenfreude? (as LB would say)
Did anyone see the Million Pound Drop last night? – into the Europa League
Whoops, you posted 30 minutes ago, so you’ve probably shifted a couple of tons of top soil since then. 🙂
Haha, RsDave.
There is something very undignified about knocking the afflicted.
So, where were we? Oh yes, hahahahaha
Chas,
Are you at the Tavern saturday?
Enjoyed mocking a city fanboy today – asked him how it felt getting into the Europa league felt…
Enjoyed mocking a city fanboy today – asked him how it felt getting into the Europa league…
I am, Micky. Are you?
Chas,
Yes. Look forward to seeing you again.
Must go. Utd fans to track down!
Top of the morning Arsenal supporters 🙂
Looking at the Seasons Compared widget, I keep wondering why we’re still in November ( I have seen the solid line for this season, Rasp 🙂 )
It turns out that last season we had 5 games in November and this season only 3.
To make up for that, this season we have 6 games in December, last season only 4 !
Do you think AW asked for less games in November because it’s been a dodgy month for us in the past? 🙂
I was watching the Frozen Planet instead of intense Footballing Heat and missed out on the fun. Can someone tell me how come the Scum and Mancs are out?
Morning Evonne.
The Scum?
Hiya Chas – yeah, some AAers were raving about Scum last night, is it because the Mancs will play alongside them?
Chas – BTW, I only mentioned the ‘undignified’ after you were Chas again; I hope I didn’t offend you?
Of course you didn’t offend me. 🙂
The spuds are still clinging on to their Europa place but I don’t think they’ll get through.
and the Mancs – I watched first half of shitty game, what about manure?
This was Harry’s reasoning behind wanting the chavs and Abu Dhabi FC to come 3rd in their groups….
Teams who make it through to the Champions League knockout rounds have to play only two games in a five week spell after Christmas, while teams that drop down to the Europa League must play four games in this time. Added to that, there is often a greater amount of travelling and Thursday football makes the Premier League weekend game more taxing.
Redknapp is well aware of the demands of the Europa League, with Spurs playing in the group stage this season, and he hopes the added fixtures which come in the latter stages will be a disadvantage for any Premier League sides still in the competition.
There is still the chance Spurs could make it into the second round, but they would need to win away to Shamrock Rovers by a big margin and hope Rubin Kazan lose to PAOK.
Redknapp was quoted as saying in The Sun: “I don’t like to say it, but it wouldn’t do us any harm to see Chelsea and City in the Europa League. It’s harder than playing in the Champions League because of that Thursday night-Sunday afternoon schedule you get.
“You know most of the teams in the Champions League and you’re not travelling to the far-flung corners of Europe. In the Europa League you’re schlepping all over the place.
The red mancs had lots of pressure but couldn’t put the ball in the net. Injuries up front and Rooney off form were big contributors.
Their last throw of the dice attacking substitutions were Danny Welbeck and Macheda!
Oh, and Vidic was injured.
I was watching Villareal v Napoli as I thought Abu Dhabi FC would beat the second string Bayern. I also had Basle v United on the tv at the same time.
Morning all – this continual victimisation of the suffering must stop.
Oh ok then…
Hahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahah ! 🙂 🙂
So where is this power shift in English football away from the capital to the north west that the Feerige/northern loving football media told us about ?
Mick Hucknall,Eammonn Holmes, Angus Deayton, Zoe Ball, Mike Atherton, plastics and glory hunters from every corner of the south east and Xhing-Jiang – your boys took one hell of a beating.
Enjoy battling it our with the Spuds for channel 5 airtime you northern monkey mugs.
Thank you Chas, I have just checked the papers – they lost to Basel!! It gets better and better 🙂
Now I understand why the Scum were mentioned here last night! Can they end up in the same group us either of the mancs?
Chary!!! you are terrible 🙂
I am scanning the web for mancunian blogs to join in in their discussions as they do to us, that will learn them
Oh happy day!
Let freedom ring!
Me and GM are known for our legendary hatred of ManUre Evonne, but it would put a smile on my face if you called me “a beast” as well as terrible ha ha. 🙂
Fegries mob got beaten by Basel- that’s not even a football team, it’s a herb ! Headline “ManU brushed aside by Basil”
I wonder if ole Bacon face will apologise to that journo who suggested at a previous champions leaguepress conference that “The manchester clubs are struggling in Europe” and he marched out of the press conference in a hissy fit ?
Name a top band from Manchester…
OK, the Happy Thursdays…
Monday’s child is fair of face
Tuesday’s child is full of grace,
Wednesday’s child is full of woe,
Thursday’s child has far to go (outer Kazakhstan, with a bit of luck)
We hope the ArabFC fans have still got their Chelsea shirts from a few seasons ago…..
Chary 🙂 If you really want to live it up then come over to Oakwood. There is a Greek kebab shop where the owners are mad Manure supporters. The wife (an accountant) has a Manure tatoo on her arm and she proudly shows it off. I had fallen out with them big time because of football; they kept on telling me that football is all about winning! Tonight I am going there to make amends 🙂
Morning you bunch of shameless gloaters 😆
….New post…….
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