Still warm and cuddly after Sunday but a midweek trip to a freezing Lancashire is not what was wanted, particularly to a Lancashire team who are in the process of turning their season around.
The recent beatings of both Liverpool teams is evidence of Bolton’s turnaround. Add in the Cup win over Swansea and we can see tonight’s game will be a challenge. Coyle is always heralded as the “coming” man and a manager who can make a team punch above it’s weight. If he keeps Bolton up he will have done a superb job. Kevin Davies always enjoys playing us and like many I hate to see him on the pitch (though I like him very much when playing anyone else!). We lost 1-2 at the Reebock last season, Bolton scoring in the 90th minute after Chesney had saved a Davies penalty.
After the brouhaha of the Cahill affair in summer (if it was true), relations between our two clubs have improved to the extent that we have loaned out Ryo to gain the same education received by Wilshire. Let us hope for the same results.
Arsenal’s form is difficult to assess, we have played superbly in patches over the last 2 games yet have conceded 4 times with the defence looking naive. I thought the overall performance on Sunday was very good with Ramsey running the show but two silly goals were conceded, and it could easily have been worse when AV missed an open goal header from a corner – Fabianski could and should have assisted his defence.
We will not see Fabianski tonight but we will see a return from two players who have been terribly missed: Arteta and Sagna. In a very short time, Arteta has become an integral part of the team, the loss of the Spaniard has been a major factor in our poor run (though he did play in the loss to Fulham).
A Vital Cog
Sagna has been a huge miss. It was no surprise that Theo played better having Coquelin play behind him instead of JD, and with Sagna he will improve further. Losing the best right back in the PL was always going to have an effect, missing Bacary’s defensive ability, particularly in the air has been immensely damaging to our season – perhaps more than any other player. It will be wonderful to see his lung busting runs in support of the attack.
TV is a fine back up LB, (though he was found wanting a couple of times on Sunday), we are finally close to having a first choice defence and midfield (bar Jack & Santos).
I expect Ivory Coast to get to the Final of the ACN; as such we will not be seeing the return of Gervinho until the end of Feb, so who plays on the left? Oxlade-Chamberlain was very good in patches on Sunday but 3 games in 10 days is a lot to ask of the lad. I expect to see Arshavin or Benayoun start – though it would be interesting to see Park – with O-C coming on at 60+ mins if needed. Another TH cameo goal would be good.
My Team:
With Chamakh returning next week it beggars the question ……………. Why was Park signed? It is highly unlikely our scouts just took a punt on him – it is not the Arsenal way. French football is not so different from ours, so the acclimatization must surely have taken place …. so why? Play the lad, I say, he cannot be worse than the Moroccan.
Which brings us to the inventor from Bolton – being the centre of the cotton industry which brought such wealth to Victorian England, it is no surprise that Bolton was home to Samuel Crompton, inventor of the Spinning Mule, but there has been an embarrassing lack of facial hair in recent weeks and for that reason we are going slightly off subject and I bring you one of Bolton’s finest – an Industrialist – William Lever, later to become Viscount Leverholme who founded the company Unilever.
Starting with Sunlight soap, he went on to manufacture both Lux and Lifebouy. Through a mixture of business acumen and worker’s exploitation (he used slave labour in Africa) Lever Bros became one of the biggest businesses in the UK and is now the 18th largest company quoted on the FTSE, employing 160,000+ people. However, both Crompton and Lever were clean shaven….
So here is a bloke who once visited Bolton …..
Bolton’s Winter Home Kit
If you are lucky enough to be going – Dress up Warm.
COYRRG
Written by Big Raddy
Arsenal News 24/7
arsenalarsenal.net 
Fine pre match as ever Raddy.
Wenger has said it may be too early for Sagna to start so I think we see Coq or the returning JD at right back (Yennaris has travelled with the reserves).
For me we start the Ox, another game where we need to be ruthless and get the job done early, we need to be quick out of the blocks and take our chances.
Come February when Gerv returns could we see a front four of Gerv, Ox, Theo with RvP up top? Will certainly help whilst we wait for reinforcements
On your Park question I think we have to know who signed him and how far down the list of targets he was in the summer?
Usual Quality BR,
We should have signed that man up, He looks a “Fox in the box” type player, another one Arsene missed out on !.
I`m shivvering already at the thought of e va va vonne going to Narnia, brrrrrr !
Big Raddy,
I hate to say this, but I have a strong feeling that you’ve missed a trick here. I believe another term for the “Spinning Jenny” was the “Ravelling Nancy”. A term I love to slip into conversation wherever possible.
Apart from that, an utterly top pre-match as ever.
GliC you just want that hat for your next trip to the Emirates 🙂
GiE,
He was behind me, but I wasn`t going to sell many shirts in cornwall !. 🙂
GiE,
I thought It looked very similar to Terry`s Meerkat Transplant ! 🙂
Jailhouse. You are right – TBH I am bored with Northern Wool/Cotton chaps.
May I apologize for the quality of my English in the post – no idea why I couldn’t find my fluency, perhaps due to being back in London where so few people can speak the Queen’s 🙂
Nope, I’ve tried, but I cannot let it lie. If Arsene once mentions that Robin is in a zone of any colour whatsoever, I’m coming to town with a Ravelling Nancy and I know exactly where its going!
Nice one, BR.
Bolton’s one of my favourite away trips because of one particular pub. Sadly I’m not going though.
https://www.facebook.com/people/Ravelling-Nancy/100002557208773?sk=photos
GIE. Prior to picking my team I considered Sagna’s fitness and decided I would rather start with him and give him 60 mins but appreciate this is not AW’s way. He prefers to bring on a returning player for the final 30. Wrong IMO.
As to O-C. The same applies, but I picked AA purely because I do not want him to leave with his final memory being booed onto the pitch at THOF, and often AW will help a player regain confidence away from the BooBoys at THOF – Eboue being a case in point.
BTW. It is expected to be -10C today , going down to -19C tonight, and my Viking insists on sleeping with all the bedroom windows open. If If do not post tomorrow, send St Bernards out ……
Rasp. You always find the connection 🙂
Chas,
That’s plain weird scary bad.
I just saw this elsewhere and it made me laugh..
“Shut the window Arsene its fuckin freezin”
Sorry Jailhouse. Enough garbage from me for one day.
Rasp and Raddy. The Bet?
Rasp,
The way you cunningly engineered your side of the terms, you win a drinking session whatever the outcome. So drinking on me it is.
Raddy,
Technically I win as we signed someone. However, I see it as Pyrrhic Victory and would not enjoy smelly fish on the back of such a hollow victory. Quits?
Jailhouse. Mmmmmm.
Is Eisfeld going to be in the squad? If not, I win. If so, some of Denmark’s finest is winging it’s way over the North Sea.
And you can rest assured it will be award-winning Herring
All this cold talk is making me shiver inside my gaff, whereas I look outside and It`s a balmy 25 degrees F in sub – tropical cornwall and Mrs glic is picking oranges off a tree ! 🙂
Glic, you have got to stop smoking that stuff!! 🙂
Ooooo Raddy,
A technicality…mmmmmmm indeed. Dunno. Naturally, I never read “The Terms and Conditions” 🙂
I thought it was a straight “we will sign someone in jan”. I still would feel bad winning as he is so far away from the type of signing I envisaged.
Off out for a while.
Chas,
Your vid stuff is superb (even tho you won’t let on who that is superbly singing the ‘crying game’) and now it is time for another Post. 🙂
Micky, I’ll have to read back but I’m pretty sure that my bet would would have included a massive caveat that precluded unheard of, sub 20, cheap as chips, injury prone, no PL experience last minute.com purchases 😕
Nice Pre-match report BR
I think the question most of us is asking is why Park? Why buy a striker last minute? If he identified he needed a striker, why wait and scrape the barrell?
I have no doubt that we have scouted him, decided that he can do a job for us, so I don’t want to judge him too harshly on a few minutes in the first team. I hope that he is climatising well and will show his worth sooner rather than later, because Chamakh looks so bereft of confidence he could be swatted off the ball by a fly.
WG
Raddy, Jail Legs,
AW has been quoted as saying, when asked about young Iceflow;
“We planned to get him at the end of the season but we got him a bit earlier because he was at the end of his contract.
We will use this period for adaptation.
He is a young prospect with good footballing talent. He has the good ingredients that could allow him to integrate into the quality of our team – the basics are technique, good movement and skill. We believe that he has a chance to develop well here.”
So looks like one for next season.
The Iceman talks:
“”I have a shot of Tomas Rosicky in my room and it is fantastic to play with him. I have never met him but in my opinion he is a great player and I focus on his game.”
Worrying for some…….
“I watched every game [he played] in Dortmund but I play a little bit differently.”
……Phew!
and heres daughter and I complaining about it being too hot today….well it is summer here down under. Liking the mid week (later) kick off – will be daughters first day back at school, will walk her there then sprint back home for the kick off – 9am NZT…
so Chamakh will be back this week – the .com says he had some stomach bug and ended up in hospital? Hope he is good and the bug has turned him into some sort of goal scoring machine…
RA, forget about banning the ‘c’ word, I’m thinking of banning the phrase ‘One for the future/next season’ and all its derivatiions …. 😦
Rasp 😀
Maybe we should put a ban on “Red Zone” too and any talk of Robin bucking his previous injury record.
Pat read that this morning Cham missed the second game due to it by all accounts. Hope it wasn’t weight loss inducing, there is bugger all of him anyway
Wilshere out for season, I am more depressed than Arshavin. Is this Eisfeld signing some kind of joke?
Raspers – I’d also ban “Likeanewsigning” also, this causes much rolling of eyes whenever I see it.
Tip top pre match Radders as ever. As it happens the whole of England is in a cold snap so even if we’d a played at home tonight it’d still be brass monkey weather.
It’s also going to be just as cold on Saturday when we meet up for a drink at the Tavern. might have to wear the silly wooly hat, against my better judgement I think. I’m just not a hat person.
There is no doubt in my mind why we signed Park and the good sense behind doing so.
It’s simple, finding someone who is prepared to play third fiddle behind RVP and Chamakh is no easy task, I know it could be argued that Chamakh is so poor that Park should be second fiddle but that is not the point.
Park will sit on the bench all season without complaint and without causing disruption; he has no pressure on him and because of that he can take his time to acclimatise and who knows he may just turn out to be a very good player.
Wenger certainly cannot lose on this one, Park either steps up and replaces Chamakh should he leave in the summer or he goes out on loan and then is sold for a higher fee than we paid for him with no harm done.
But that is the negative scenario, I much prefer the idea that he improves as the season goes on and starts to play a meaningful role at THOF.
Love the pre-match BR, sounds cold in CPH.
Is the Ox one for the future?
When Gibbs comes back will he be “likeanewsigning” ?
Fine pre match Raddy. we will give them a good beating tonight, which hopefuly will be the springboard for another unbeaten run.
Rasp, please dont ban “next season” or “one for the future”, otherwise i will have nothing left to say.
LB. An excellent response, thank you. A win-win situation.
That said, Park or someone else HAS to start showing enough form to allow RvP a rest. Our over-reliance on him could be costly.
I thought AW said the scare over JW’s set-back was exaggerated and it would be about another 6 weeks – though that does take us close to season-ending.
A pertinent comment from Emmanuel Petit: “With the departure of Cesc Fabregas and the absence of Jack Wilshere, this team becomes quite predictable,” Petit said. “Where’s Arsenal’s style of play gone? It’s reduced to nothing, all those years of hard work. It’s very frustrating.”
Whitewash?
http://uk.eurosport.yahoo.com/01022012/58/premier-league-terry-face-trial-euro-2012.html
Morning Chary
That is a bit of a moan for the sake of a moan by Petit, I mean, after all, how was anyone to guess that Wilshere would be out for the best part of a season?
True London, but I just found it a little odd that the news of Jack being out for the season coming hours after the transfer window shuts.
If I was the type for conspiracy theories that would have me up in arms.
And even if that question is answered with the name of Wenger, it could still be argued that he bought Arteta in anticipation of that scenario.
And on that subject, we all know that Wilshere will be a big success in the future but right now if I had a choice between the two as to who I would like to be fit and playing, it would be Arteta — his experience is vital.
I want to ban Arsene from saying, ” I have no problem paying £40M (or was It £50M ) for the right player “, It gives me false hope !. 😦
I also want a anti – booing system installed on the seats, they will be attached to an electrical current, there will be a Red and Green light on the big screens, so you will only be allowed to boo when the green light comes on. The away fans will also get a shock if they dont boo their own team. Spuds will have the extra luxury of a pop up dildo ,followed by excruciating death ! 🙂
.
Fuck
I didn’t know it was official.
Chary
Is Wilshere out for the season?
The twitterati are saying there is no fresh news on Jack. It’s all come for some Daily Mail article.
Ah, the Daily Mail, then it is official, actually, sarcasm aside is there anyone that really expects to see him playing before next season?
Well London, it’s not been confirmed by Arse.com just yet but it does seem to me that his season is finished – if I’ve jumped the gun on that then I’ll gladly eat humble pie.
JW is a minor loss compared to losing Robin through injury.
I don’t expect him to play, LB.
chary, it’s not just you.
Everybody’s been saying it’s typical of Arsenal to reveal this news just after the window has shut. The club is in such a poor state with its PR that everyone wants to believe the worst.
Chary
I doubt that the oven will even need to be turned on let alone the need for any pie to actually be consumed.
It was the second stress fracture that makes me feel that he’s a non playing member of the 2011-12 squad, London.
Chas
It is a sad state of affairs when so many Arsenal supporters seem to want to believe the worst.
That type of supporter has had a rough transfer window, gone are the stalwarts of a good moan — we need a new goal keeper, we need a new CB, they can’t even go on about the need for a new DM.
I wonder is it really the PR machine or the cold realisation to all those supporters who have only known the club under Wenger that it is not all strawberries and cream supporting Arsenal.
Did you notice the red and white connection between stawberries and cream — how sad am I lol.
Serious question here lads. Fixtures coming up over next 4 weeks:
Bolton PL
Rovers PL
Sunderland PL
Milan CL
FAC away
Spurs PL
Pool PL
Q: Do you start Robin in all of them? If not, which ones?
LB,
Season ticket holders have not complained before about the ticket including 7 home cup games (CL and FAC). If it comes to it, do you think they might, if it’s Europa matches they’re paying for?
It’s going to be a tricky summer for the club if there’s no CL next season.
of course he will be out for the rest of the season. Name a player in recent seasons that has come back early or even on time? My rule of thumb is:
return date + 2 months = actual return
i also call it ‘gibbs law’
(not to be confused with ‘Diaby’s law’ which involves a player disappearing for seasons on end, forcing one to think if he actually existed in the first place!)
perfect timing pat, i’ll be viewing the game live at 3.30am. Can’t complain though because straight after i’m off on holiday
@ Chas
comment of the year this morning:
“morning evonne” hahahaha
I’d imagine he’d start in all of them, Jailhouse.
How many times has he been rested so far this season?
Thanks, oz. I’ve already been told off about that one. 🙂
@ Malone
Bolton
Sunderland
Milan
Scum
Pool
Come on as a sub if needed against blackburn and in the FA
Ah ha Oz,
Going for 4th, the CL AND the FAC eh?
Oz,
Agree about the Chas comment. Comedy gold and utter filth as well 🙂
Did anyone REALLY expect us to buy anyone this window?
I don’t understand the feeling of disappointment on the blog today. We were never going to sign a top class forward in January, so why get the hopes up!?
As for RvP, he has been fit now for over 12 months, barely missing a game. Yes he’s had injury issues in the past, but he looks a totally different animal these days. He’s not injured, and until he is, then all this negativity towards our back up strikers is pointless.
If we win tonight, that puts us 3 points behind the top 4. No matter what you might say about how shit we have been at times, or how weak our squad is, we ARE in contention to finish top 4. Again, until that becomes impossible, the negativity towards the team is pointless.
Let’s save our assessments until the end of season, and let’s keep things FUCKING POSITIVE!!!!!
I`m really worried with this injury to Jack, Is It the same stress fracture or a new one ?. Is It going to be a reacurring one that ruins his career ? I dont like the vibes ! 😦
Jailhouse,
Trouble Is, because of the predicament were in, (not being in a safe CL spot ) they are all vital games we need to win, he has to play them all imo, maybe a rest in the FA cup.
haha i can’t choose, he’s just to bloody important. Why not i’ll grab all three, then Arsene can have the Nobel peace prize for bringing harmony to the supporters!
Agree, comedy at it’s best
Jailhouse,
I’ve been clearing out some Arsenal related stuff from various season ticket packs over the last few seasons. I was wondering if Oscar might be interested in them? If so, when do you think you might make another game?
There’s two carrier bags full, so quite heavy, but at least it’ll give you something chat over on the train back.
Well said, sgg.
Typical, I post a negative comment after Slim`s ” let`s keep thing`s FUCKING POSITIVE !!!!! ” 🙂
just what the doctor ordered SLIM!Funk gone. i actually did think so, but that’s just me being naive/optimistic, every morning i wake and check my laptop for new signings.
Haha, glic.
Chas,
Bloody hell, how kind. Naturally I’ll have to vet them first!
Not sure we can make this sat, but still up in the air. Next option is Spuds. I’ll keep you posted. Thank you very much.
Slim,
Mr Positive here, but he is crapping himself at the thought of an injury to Robin. We are not suitably prepared.
Oz, living in a sort of warmish climate, do you go somewhere cold for your holiday`s ?, a nice igloo with indoor skating area and cold tub ! 🙂
Slim,
Actually, I’m the only one who has been negative, which all in all, is not a bad return I would have thought!
By the way, I still 100% believe with our main man staying fit, we can definately overtake the Chavs and have a great chance of the FAC. I’m not all doom.
Work.
Hey Legsey, Wasn`t you supposed to be Dangled by your dangly bits from the dangly tree if we didn`t get a quality signing in ?.
I suppose you were half right, you wanted a teenage AM from Dortmund ! 😉
haha GLIC. Nope stick to the warm climates, going to Bali for 2 weeks. lounging at the pool all day, cheap booze, cheap food, Arsenal on at the sports bar and i’m set. I don’t handle the cold very well, i don’t know how you did it last weekend.
The plan is to move to London when the mrs and I are done with studying. I’ll have to develop some sort of sun weening off program to survive
As for Jack, I never really expected to see him this season anyway.
Even if we had big games like CL semis or FA Cup semis or Top 4 deciders, that would mean that our current crop would be playing great to get in these games. Therefore, you wouldn’t risk the recovery of Jack or the fluidity of the side to play him.
Let him have the season off and hopefully the Euro’s aswell, and then he can come back next season as the world beater we know he is.
Tip top post Raddy.
Oz thats wicked formula.
Sounds tough going Oz, but someone has to do It ! 8)
When do you think you`ll be in London, how much more studying ?
Exactly, it’ll be a tough two weeks, but i’m up for the challenge.
A lot of variables (choosing post grad and stuff) but hopefully in 3/4 years time we will be living over there. Have to get closer to the action and experience this “Europe” everyone goes on about!
Forget about the “Europe” bit ( it is nice though), First port of call is , The Tavern, to meet them smashing AAers, then to THOF, the best site in Europe ! 🙂
I should change that to ” meet your AA family “! 🙂
Excellent pre match as usual Raddy. I’m confused about park. i think he is a great player. if you watch his you tube stuff for his country he’s obviously a good fifnsher.
The two stories i found on Jack from the national newspapers were from The Daily Star and The Daily Mail.
The Mail went for setback and out for season.
The Star went for the “Another stress fracture line”
It has now been picked up by all papers and websites claiming it to be their own story.
Judging by this timeline it appears the Star broke it first, surprised it hasn’t been attributed to PHW as that is normally his mouthpiece of choice.
Charybdis @11.40
Have you ever noticed how Petit only ever comments negatively towards Arsenal? So between Oct and Dec last year, not a sausage. It’s almost as if he has an axe to grind with Wenger since, having engineered a move to Barcelona, it transpired that he was one of the forerunners of the very long line of players who thought they were better than they actually were and were swiftly found out……
Bolton won’t ro;; over easily. What the gunners must do play like in the 2nd half against AV.If they can play like in every game from now,there is reason to be optimistic.
However I hope Wenger watched how Kuyt scored the winner and Modric goal against Wigan. If Modric had passed,I doubt Spurs could have got the 2nd goal
I hope to see the gunners reduce the number of passes to shoot and score otherwise it will be another frustrating season..
don’t worry GLIC the mighty gunners are the main reason i want to live there. The first thing i’ll be doing is organising tickets, putting on 4 layers of clothing, and then meeting the AA’ers for a few peronis
LB your 11:56 about Arteta vs Wilshere is spot on. I think we’d all like to see Arteta stay in the midfield. However I would have liked the alternative that Jack could give us, and adding him to the four of Song, Arteta, Ramsey, and Rosicky would give us a bit more flexibility for injuries/suspensions/minor competitions (whichever one we decide is the minor one)
However I don’t think I ever expected to see Jack have a massive contribution this year.
As SGG said I’m also not sure i ever expected a signing and as such am not disappointed, however I think we’re short up top, and however we dress it up an injury to RvP could be disastrous if Theo/Gerv/Cham can’t come up with goals to replace.
Just noticed the stress fracture news on sky sports.
Pretty common injury for someone who’s bones are still developing and who’s not been able to run for quite a while. Will probably get a muscle injury when he starts playing again aswell which is why Oz’s ‘plus 2 months’ formula is spot on.
He’ll be back better than ever next season and I can’t wait!
one player to watch tonight is the man united reject Eagles. He has been a great player for them this season and is good on the counter attack. Song has to track his runs.
Fighting talk from AA23’s agent (although its from Goal.com so who knows):
“Andrey doesn’t think it is time to go back yet. He still feels he has a lot to do at Arsenal. He wants to win something, fulfil his ambitions and recover his form both for Arsenal and ahead of the European Championships.
“The Russia window lasts until 24th February and a guy representing Anzhi has made a tentative approach. But Andrey is not going to talk to the Russians because he doesn’t want to leave and Arsenal don’t want him to go, either. A lot depends on the summer.”
ClockEnd, to be honest I’ve not really kept tabs on the general theme of Petit’s comments in the past so I don’t know if he compares to Wrighty who is always moaning about the club.
Suppose there’s less of a story for hacks to talk him about if they say during a good spell of results for Arsenal “So Emmanuel, things going ok at your old club?”; Petit “Er..yes”
GiE – if true I like the attitude shown by AA.
I’ll upset a lot of Arsenal fans by saying I still like the meerkat as a player and hope for him to return to his former glory.
Now if only he could play where he did in the FA Cup game, i.e. behind the striker in a playmaker position, I’m sure we’d see the best of him.
Expecting him to skin full backs for pace out on the wings at his age and with his style of play is pointless.
I can’t wait either slim, he will be chopping at the bit once he gets back onto the pitch again. So much so he will ‘be like a new signing’.
RVP + Jack will be a very mouth watering duo
Thanks for pr-match report BR. Quality as always.
Re RvP: play him in every game, as long as he is fit. Arsene/Arsenal cannot do calculated football. Just focusing on finishing fourth would not work for us. We end up with nothing. We need to play our strongest team every time between now and the end of the season, for all competitions, and based on who is fit enough to play.
if and when RvP would get injured, the REST of the team needs to step up. The real issue that needs addressing is the lack of goals from anybody other than Robin. This cannot be bought with an additional striker – however welcome that would have been. It needs to be developed in the next few months. Inadvertently, Robin holds back this development, and Arsene will face one of his greatest challenges, this year: wean us of our over-reliance on RvP, and establish a system that produces goals from all areas.
Obviously, I am hoping just as much as anybody else that Robin will not get injured. But if he does, we might see the ‘new’ team growing up quicker. In the long term, we have to break the over-reliance on Robin, it’s too risky, not sustainable, and not productive enough. In the short term this might be a painful process.
Those who want instant success might want to seek an additional hobby. 🙂
Chary, Chary, Chary, Quick…look over there down that dark and gloomy passage next to those reasonably menacing looking youths. I swear I saw something silver and glimmering!
Oh shit…come back Chary. Its not worth it just for another Trophy.
One quick look at that pic had me thinking…thats GiE !!!
Now had a really good look at it…..still think its GiE.
Cracking write up Radders.
I think Davies has one foot out of the door (Sunderland loan?) and if he hasn’t gone is unlikely to start…says Sharkey with fingers crossed.
Ok Jailhouse there’s quite enough of that – there’s nothing less attractive(especially to luscious russian women) than a sore loser ! 🙂
Anyone see there’s snow/sleet forecast for saturday in the south east ? Could make standing outside the Tavern a festive/Xmassy looking affair as well as the journey back.
And another thing, seen on twitter/fb the rumour about Hleb coming back to us as he is a free agent.
That would be funny.
Last Year TV5, this year Jack the football are so mean to our side
Alright Chary…
Regardless of where a player plays, I do expect them to put in some effort and do some of the basics well. Ie keep the ball, control your shooting, make simple passes. Both DJ and Tommy are not full backs, so I cut them a bit of slack for not bombing on to make the extra man, but they both put the effort in and try their hardest to be of benefit to the team.
Against Leeds recently was one of the few occasions when the Meerkat actually looked to be trying.
His general lack of effort is just unacceptable
I knew some would cuss me for liking AA Sharkey, but that’s cool, different strokes and all that.(What you talk about there Willis ?)
I’m lucky to not be around much today as I shall probably say things that would upset a few. As someone who had predicted we wouldn’t buy a player all along, I really shouldn’t be feeling as angry as I do – but it is just so stupid!!!
If we do sell AA in February, the only possible excuse that I would find acceptable for us not signing a back-up striker would be that no-one of the required quality was available. But even that is laughable because we signed Chamakh and he never will be the required quality.
I’m off now so can’t reply to your responses.
Nice one BR.
Nice song choice too.
Sorry I missed all the fun yesterday (congratulations Chary on being the 100,000th person to leave a thought-fart skiddy on AA 🙂
I’m at a work conference in Washington so don’t have much time. Will be able to chat more later in the week.
Big, big game tonight. There’s been a lot of talk about “must win” in recent weeks but if we aspire to the top 4 this year this one really is a must win.
Agreed Rocky, tonight and Blackburn on Saturday define our season more than any other game we have played so far.
Sharkey,
He`s been “unacceptable” for a long time now, which Is a shame for someone so talented . 😦
LB 12.20 Quality.
Put that as a full page ad in every Arsenal publication you can find. We need to spread the word and enlighten a few pew people
See the spud player who took DiSanto out of the Wigan game last night(he had to be stretchered off) is going to get away with it as the ref saw it and took no action.
Just watch the Arsenal haters saying it’s the same thing as Robin’s “elbow”
Agreed GLIC…thats why I cited the Lees game as one exception. It really should be the other way around for a man of his talent.
He no longer serves any real purpose in this squad….other than taking up a place/chances that a youth/reserve player would prob make a lot more of.
If he tried harder more oiften…I’d have an ounce of sympathy for him…but to waste that much talent…in my eyes its criminal.
Cuss you Chary…moi..??
I’m the epitome of friendliness and cuddliness.
Sharkey, as Higgins from Magnum would say “Note how the guilty party defends himself before being accused” LOL.(Season 1, Episode The Curse of the King Kamehameha Club”)
Anyone a Magnum PI fan here ?
CharyB,
No. But I know all about King Kamehameha and his big surf board! 🙂
Probert saw it? Then if he did he should be downgraded for not producing a red. Horrible challenge.
I think thats why Webb ducks out of the Balotelli decision. If he says he saw it it makes him look poor in light of the controversy, if he says he didn’t see it, the FA can act and he looks like he has done nothing wrong.
Hi all
Just popping in to say ……. does anyone think they’ll be able to write a match report please? I’m not around this evening so unable to nag to my best abilities 😉
It’s my dream to go “on vacation” in Hawaii one day Redders.
Think it will stay a dream sadly. 😦
CharyB,
The world is so big and there are so many great places to visit, but if I was forced to choose one place to recommend, the Hawaian Islands would probably be it.
I have been fortunate enough to go there maybe 6 times in all. You must really try to rustle up the cash! 🙂
Altho everyone heads to Waikiki (Honolulu) on Oahu, and why not, but you would be well advised to visit the other main islands too, the Big Island, Molokai, Kaua’i while you are there. They are very different, both for the scenery and oddly for the climate changes too. Flights between the islands are very cheap.
Honestly? You and the family would love it. If you make it — have a mai tai for me!! 🙂
Damn, I might need to go back again now you have me blithering about it!!! 🙂
Le Grove.naff said.The place is buzzing with negative staff like:
calling Arsenal Asda fc,expecting Van Persie to be injured tonight,calling Wenger a Mad Arsenal driver.
sorry for spoiling your day.
Magnum PI showed the beauty of the Islands perfectly, add to that a red ferrari and numerous bikin clad girls and you have the ideal perogramme to capture the imagination of teenager growing up in rainy Essex in 1980’s England.
Redders, you’ve given me an addition to my “Kick the bucket” list.
Set your sights CharyB!
I did the ‘Brit’ thing a couple of years ago. 🙂
I flew first to Las Vegas for 4 days – I love shabby, ‘phoney, wonderful Vegas – and then onto Honolulu (my dubious reason for going was a Convention I had no interest in 🙂 ) I met a fantastic Aussie girl in Vegas who was ‘thumbing’ (?) the world, and jokingly told her to come with me to Hawaii.
Three days after I got to Hilo, it turned out she had altered her plans and joined me there. Wow – and wow again. Unfortunately she had to go to Fiji three days later to meet her boyfriend en route back to Sydney and ‘real life’. Sadly lost touch. Just as well as she was going back to get married to the guy. Oooer mrs!! 🙂
One last thing, CharyB. 🙂
Don’t get too despondent if it takes you a while to get used to the surf boards.
Some years ago, having had my usual lesson or two for a few bucks, (so that I can at least stand up on the board again – I am still useless), I set off in high spirits on my own.
Having cracked the rudiments I was feeling good and waiting for a wave, as you do, without too much success at judging the moment in my case, when this guy came flying past me on a stand up long paddle type board, and gave me a gentle Hawaiian greeting (micky take).
I could not believe he had his bloody dog standing up on the front of his board with consummate skill, and loving it. Bollix! 🙄 A skilled surf boarding dog!!!!
Actually there are quite a number of them — show off bloody dogs!! 🙂
RA
You naughty boy
That sounds like the experience/holiday of a life time Redders – and a sojourn with a soon to be married Sheila as well !
You’ve whet my appetite there Redders, but I don’t tihnk I’ll ever be a surfer dude, maybe 15 years ago, not now!
I’ll be like Rick, and surveying the beach from the cocktail bar. 😎
I’ve done the “Japanese” thing in Hawaii. Japanese food, Japanese wedding and Japanese speaking guide. I loved it there. $4000 for 5 nights hotel (excl breakfast 😦 ) and 17 hours travelling is a lot to go to a wedding though. Next time I’ll go from Japan.
Out of interest our January signing has been put on the Reserve players page of Arse.com, I saw him with a number 57 squad number top in a pic but there’s no oonfirmation that will be his squad number yet.
The picture earlier reminded me of a Japanese artist called Nagi Noda who died tragically young.
http://www.google.co.uk/imgres?imgurl=http://www.hemmy.net/images/arts/hairhat05.jpg&imgrefurl=http://www.hemmy.net/2008/06/11/nagi-noda-bizarre-animal-hair-hats/&h=636&w=500&sz=57&tbnid=qQLg-nGCrQ6UdM:&tbnh=90&tbnw=71&prev=/search%3Fq%3Dnagi%2Bnoda%2Bhair%2Bhats%26tbm%3Disch%26tbo%3Du&zoom=1&q=nagi+noda+hair+hats&docid=P2FPJdHw9_pXTM&hl=en&sa=X&ei=OmgpT6TkPIXsOdP_uP4F&ved=0CEUQ9QEwAw&dur=1672
Nothing to do with football though 🙂
Chary
He’s never played first team football apparently. He’s to replace some younger player.
Yeah GM, I was saying to GiE yesterday that although he’s got 6 goals in 12 games this season they were for the Dortmund stiffs, not the first team.
It was just the fact he trained with our first team yesterday that threw us.
I love surfy videos. Here’s a few…
Redknapp shouting at a detective in court: “Mr Manley, will you please stop staring at me. I know you are trying to cause me a problem, OK.” Cause him a problem by looking, he is going la la
The purchase of Eisfeld is irrelevant to this season. Park is the player who needs to be given some time on the pitch – no-one can judge him on hgis brief appearances so far. Had the FA banned RvP for the elbow, we would have to have played TH for 90 mins or used Park. Henry was preferred to Park as a sub in the Villa game, what will we do when Henry goes back to LA?
Hi GM, 🙂
I was not ‘invited’ to a Japanese wedding on the islands, but you will know that the ‘mass’ weddings of a whole bunch of fresh faced eager young couples is quite normal, and tend to take place in the grounds of some very nice hotels.
People like me are allowed to ‘gawk’ at the ceremony, while the couples studiously ignore us.
On one occasion I was exploring a pretty remote beach with beautiful white sand, one late morning, when I came across all these neatly lined up chairs and a large tent, right by the high tide line.
There was nobody around, and I thought it was weird but carried on walking.
A couple of hours later on my return, you’ve guessed it, there was a deliriously happy looking Japanese couple with all their guests, and with everyone taking ‘photos and looking very pleased.
The whole scene looked terrific — and very romantic, I must say.
Everyone was immaculately dressed, but I was invited to have a cup of sake, as I walked past, despite looking like a beach bum! 🙂
Maybe you were there? 🙂
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=d9GvOrSb0po
My brother in laws wedding was at a chapel that was linked to a resturant. It is a massive business. The wedding was arranged in Japan. Everyhthing was paid for in Japan in Yen. The dress and grooms clothes, hair (although my wife did the hair), make up, flowers, food and accommodation. After the cermony we went on a verandah with the pacific behind the couple. You can see surfers in the background of the pictures. I loved it there. The only problem was that it was pro-bowl week and it was packed.
Chas,
I think that was the bloody dog!!
Great vids — I think that looks like my Aussie friend too!! 🙂
Thanks Chas.
Once I am fully mended, you, me and CharyB should go together, That would be quite something!! 🙂
GM. Those hair weaves are hilarious. Damn clever but hilarious!
Afternoon all.
Haven’t read any posts so apologies for that.
Shame about jack but this iceman has been bought as a reserve/deputy or whatever and i reckon he wil play more than Park this season, even if only a cameo role.
BR,
your team selection is usually spot on but i am sure i read that sagna won’t play or he won’t start.
I want 3 goals tonight from 3 different players and not RVP just to show he can assist in 3 🙂
I don’t know what you base that on kelsey – if its inside knowledge I will have to give it credence. How can Eisfeld a 19yo reserve player from Dortmund who is new to the prem be in advance of Park who at 26 is a proven goalscorer at international level and has been with us since the summer?
Never been to Hawaii but at the top of the agenda.
I have been to Byron Bay in Aus. (one of chas’s vids) and liked it so much we enquired about property prices….. a short conversation 😦
kelsey. see above explanation 10.09
A lot of people are suggesting that Djourou will be starting at RB this evening. Its probably not true, we already know that Yennaris is better in that position so you’d hope it is just blog talk.
Cannot wait for Kick Off. It is a long time since I approached a game with as much anticipation as I do since The Ox was untethered.
Rasp,
no inside knowledge,given that up.just a hunch.
I am hoping Coquelin starts – he allows Theo to work further forward as JD offers nothing offensively
kelsey. Bet you DanDan’s house Eisfeld doesn’t start a single game.
Raddy,
Talking of which, who won our bet? Another ship sets sail tomorrow and I could be dockside with the clotted!
Legs. Difficult to say. I think we need a stewards enquiry.
We did make a signing but it wasn’t a first team signing.
Shame 26 isn’t around 🙂
As dandan’s house isn’t worth much, you are on 🙂
How about we do the gentlemanly thing and both pay out?
Email me your address. – mine is at the base of my last email to you.
hahahha
http://bit.ly/ysR5GI
Good pre match as always big Raddy.
I think he will start Arshavin. He might play well but and I understand he has to play sometimes but personally I would be happy if we never saw him again.
I understand though that overplaying the Ox could lead to a wilshere esque situation.
Think we will struggle tonight. The sooner TV5 and LK6 can pair up at centre back the better. We miss that. We lack invention without Gervinho.
Hoping for a narrow win. What’s everyone else predicting?
I think it will be a narrow win too Jamie. I think BFG and Kozzer are ok together. I think we miss Santos.
GM – Mertesacker is fine I just think Vermealen is a good left back but a leader when he plays centre back and can see the whole game. When he is there we just look balanced.
I’ve got a feeling this could be a walk in the park tonight. I think we are about ready to dispense a dose of medicine to some poor victim.
GM,
Have you been doing any high level “leading” since qualification?
It’s my day off today. I’m parting the red sea tomorrow then it’s off to Poland on Friday
Another pre match gem Raddy, enjoyable as ever.
Gentlemen my two up, two down on a Fenland council estate might not mean much to Kelsey, but to me it’s my castle. So please don’t gamble it away to lightly.
Rasp to buy or not to buy the forever question every January. Do we take the Arry route and trawl the premier league for short term loans, or do a Kenny and blow a fortune on nearly men? When waiting for the summer, will assuredly release a torrent of talent because of the forthcoming fair play legislation and the rich clubs undertaking a last clear out and grab in order to get their squads updated ready for the hard years ahead.
Park was surely purchased on a two year contract as a foothold to launch like Ryo a marketing initiative into the big untapped markets of the Far East. Whether he plays or not is inconsequential to that, the occasional sub appearance will satisfy the criteria and allow for the banks of following paparazzi to get the pictures that will sell the shirts. Our Moroccan is a different problem, he has patently failed to deliver on promise a not unusual happening with a percentage of players, you cannot in any walk of life win them all
Whereas this new young German is I guess one for the future and cover for Jack as an attacking midfielder.
So disappointed we didn’t buy, in some ways yes, Kelsey’s suggestion that we were after Dempsey would have been a handy acquisition had it happened, but then again the logic of waiting for the summer and running down contracts also makes sense as a new fully fit Arsenal will probably rise Phoenix like from a mixture of current first team, out on loan squad, and newly purchased players.
However I unlike Rasp feel no anger for our current position, apart from the blatant lack of effort on the part of our mystic Russian enigma and a speedy goodbye to AA in the next fortnight would suit me down to the ground.
Invading it?
I’m saving up to do a twin stop holiday next year of Las Vegas and Hawaii. Was hoping to do it for the honeymoon but finances have been stretched too far!
Hawaii looks AMAZING!
3-1 to the Arsenal tonight. I can see a big performance from the boys. Fingers crossed!
I am finding it very difficult to express myself properly on here as I am not the greatest of writers and my spelling is awful.
I just want to make it clear that wherever we finish this season I will always support the club, the manager and the players.
Personally I still think we don’t have the righ balance or depth to challenge for even forth this season and we may have to wait a couple of seasons to reap the benefit of the Fair Play Rule.
I only have/had three connections in Football.Fiszman you know about, Fulham through Dempsey and my close friensd a director of Bwin who have recently amalgamated with Party Poker.my friend is retiring this year from Bwin but still represents all the leading on line betting firms with regular meetings with Platini as there is more and more irregular betting on low profile matches in Europe,but he has told me that UEFA are definetly going to come down hard on all PL clubs who do not abide by the rules and there is a meeting next week.
So maybe as the transfer window has shown only a quarter of last year’s transfer fees was attained this year.
Will that benefit us, I sincerely hope so but I still get the feeling that the BoD are being over cautious for the time being until they can off load several players who no longer feature regularly and are a strain on our wage bill.Patience is the answer but we may still have several more disappointments this season.
I just support the club,don’t run it. No question that Lady luck has again not been on our side and we just cannot afford any more long term injuries.
Here’s a little light relief to ease the pre-match tension.
Is the game on TV tonight?
Kelsey and Dandan,
Great points both.
With regards to the Board being over cautious, while I agree, I think they were more arrogant than anything. I simply don’t believe they saw the challenge from Spurs coming and saw Top Four as a divine right. I hope its not a costly error of judgement.
Bolton: Bogdan, Steinsson, Knight, Wheater, Ricketts, Eagles, Muamba, Reo-Coker, M Davies, Petrov, Ngog. Subs: Jaaskelainen, Boyata, Riley, Klasnic, Kevin Davies, Pratley, Tuncay.
Arsenal: Szczesny, Sagna, Mertesacker, Vermaelen, Koscielny, Arteta, Oxlade-Chamberlain, Ramsey, Song, Van Persie, Walcott. Subs: Fabianski, Rosicky, Ju-Young, Henry, Arshavin, Benayoun, Coquelin.
Referee: Chris Foy !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Chas,
You do brighten my days 🙂
Kelsey,
Very good post sir, and i concur with you sentiments about the board been over cautious.This been said, the effects of the economic downturn and ffp and the fact that we as a club are in a very strong position to move forward in these difficult times all bodes well for the future. In a couple of years we will be right back to were we belong, the top.
Look at our team. Now look at theirs. What a load of rubbish. Come on, easy win (this is my new tactic. I show zero respect towards the opposition).
Chas, hahahaha. First thing tomorrow ime going to the pet shop.
Micky, were gona thump them out of sight, 4-1 Arsenal.
Not a bad start for Mr Ice Field. 🙂
Just a little snippet from a Swansea blog.
“– the home side (Swansea) looked to lose their rhythm in the opening ten minutes as Arsenal created the game’s first two chances as both Kyle Ebecillio and Oguzhan Ozyakup shot wide.
However, the Swans began to settle into their usual fluid best but it wasn’t long before Arsenal took the lead after 22 minutes.
After a wonderful move that involved three players, Ozyakup fed Thomas Eisfeld inside the box and after his shot was palmed away by Jose Moreira, Zak Ansah was on hand to tap home from six yards.
Go Icewell!! 🙂
Terry,
You honestly think that load of old dross will score against us. The Mighty Gunners. No chance whatsoever. Never heard of any of them. Ever.
In fact, I have absolutely no idea where Bolton is. Never heard of it.
Micky, 🙂
What about Muamba? He played for a team who wear red and white didn’t he? — can’t think of their name!! 🙂
Your right Micky, 4-0 Arsenal.
COYRRG
RA,
Who?
very depressing place Bolton, Redders. Mickys using a classic self defence mechanisim of erasing all memories.
Micky, 🙂 — again!!
My God they’re bad, and they haven’t even started yet. Utterly pathetic.
Right.
Come on you Gunners.
Join you all at half time for a wee celebration.
Kelsey
For me every refs name is followed by !!!!!!!!!!
Have never been there Terry, have you? They have always done well against us up there — wherever that is. 😦
kelsey,
After listening to Talksport the other day, I`m very excited for the future of FFP. I think It`s starting to have some sort of effect now, with all the money City have they have borrowed a player In the TW, Is this a sign of thing`s to come ?. “The future looks bright, The future looks Red and White” (did I just make that up or has It been said before ?).
4-1 to us tonight COME ON ARSENAL
I’m going to be optimistic and go for a conservative 8 nil (it was pasrt of the Miyaichi deal)
I would be happy with 1:0 to the Arsenal, off Theo’s arse! 🙂
http://www.firstrow.tv/watch/105274/5/watch-bolton-wanderers-vs-arsenal.html
russian commentary. Anyone got an English one?
GM – on Polish TV in HD
Shame we can’t finish 😦 could be 3 up already
should be 2 up
YoungGunsBlog Jamie Sanderson
Tommy Eisfeld off at HT for Reserves. Lots of nice touches and passes, plus made the opening goal. Great start to #AFC career.
They’ve all been half chances.
At least we’re playing well.
Oxo looks quality.
Verm just not comfortable at LB.
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-middle-east-16845841
Know the game is on but fuck sake, 73 dead! Pity politics couldn’t stay the fuck away from sport.
The best chances have fallen to Bolton
We’re playing like the home team and slowing play down, they’re trying to hit us on the break at pace….
The Ox good, Theo wastes another chance
my stream is shit
Not any more Rasp!
The trouble is that top strikers cost the most money so we just try to create strikers and we’ve failed of late.
The ox is the main player who tries to keep the momentum of attacks up, so many of the other midfielders slow it down.
Song needs to wake up.
great ball by OX, very poor attempt at a finish by theo.
Kozza has got the taste of marauding forward. He was a touch sloppy with both of ngogs chances
Don’t like how this is going.
We should be at least 2 up
That’s terrible Irish, 73 dead so far, I had no idea football support in Egypt was so volatile.
Don’t worry Rasp afobe and campbell will break that run
Rasp – think they are politically motivated, some of the ultras very much leaning to one party.
That Sessegnon is looking a good player, can we let Sunderland keep Bendtner for him?
i hope ox changes his squad number because seeing 15 still gives me nightmares from previous seasons. The number should be retired and then burned!
I see potential in Campbell oz, I hope the training staff don’t remove his killer instinct as well. I see Afobe more as an attacking midfielder.
Theo seems so physically weak.
he is isn’t he Irish. A lot of clubs will be sniffing around both he and Dyer (swansea).
I was hoping bendtner would go to koln to swap with a certain other international striker
Ridiculous booking. Should have been a yellow for diving.
Foy living up to his reputation as trhe worst ref in the prem, TV 50/50 to get a 2nd yellow I’d say. AW should sub him if we’re lucky enough to be 2 nil up with 20 mins to go.
A yellow for that foy?! you have got to be kidding, no wonder why verm is livid!
I don’t see it so much as Theo being weak Rocky, more that he is a bit cowardly and doesn’t put his body on the line.
Spot on Rasp. Verm could now easily get a second yellow. Foy is a disgrace.
anyone got a stream that’s not shit like this one?
we don’t look a top 4 team ATM
Arteta’s having a good game as usual.
I don’t know what has happened to Sz’s confidence but he’s lost some of the presence he had at the start of the season.
We’re just lacking in the final third. A bit too tippy tappy, a bit too predictable
in regards to Arteta, I’ve never been so wrong about a player. From watching him at Everton i thought he was an attacking midfielder, and too light on the ball (more like a silva role). But he could easily play DM in any team such is his diversity. He really is an important cog in our lineup
HT 0-0.
Good first 25 then we let them get back into it.
We’re making chances – it’s time to start taking them. Most were half chances except Theo’s one on one, which should have been buried.
This could be a good game for TH to get half an hour.
We’re 7th as it stands. we should be able to win this though
Some of our passing has been poor. Losing momentum and allowing Bolton to regroup.
Shooting even worse. We have had chances but apart from Theo’s lame effort Bogdan hasn’t been troubled.
More pace, faster passing, better finishing and the points are ours.
Oz
I reckon Arteta gives us the possibility of dropping Song and replacing him with TR7 (or in an ideal world, JW).
We haven’t looked a top for team for 11 months.
If they can’t score against us in the first half, they never will.
Ox for No10
Agree with that Rocky.
Legs. Shut the F Up. Our defence is capable of anything.
Well said JLM
Or Song off. AR deeper next to Arteta. Ox to AM and anyone you like out left.
Raddy,
Positive Micky here
Another lack lustre first half, we have to hope for a second half as good as against Villa – have a word Thierry 🙄
Saw a Spud colleague today.
He was going on about how important Man City’s defeat was.
They really think they might win the league. Idiots.
I promised him that Spuds would still finish below us this season and I could see his lip quiver because, deep down, he knows it might be true.
Rocky,
I said a while back that Ox would become one of the worlds’ great AM’s. Nothing has changed my mind.
Sorry Rasp but credit where it’s due – we were very dangerous for the first 20 and should be at least one up.
Better than lackluster.
Come on you Gunners.
2-0 Easy.
http://www.vipbox.tv/watch/31162/1/bolton-wanderers-vs-arsenal-live-stream-online.html
brilliant stream now
JLM
if I were you I would ignore that fellow Nothing and stick to your guns 🙂
Simple rules for Arsene’s team talk.
1) No stupid mistakes.
2) be more positive with the ball up front.
3) more players running from deep, it is Ramsey’s responsibility and Artetas sometimes to get in the box. When one of our wide player has it the other needs to become a second striker In the box.
4) be first.
Overall though, a lot more tempo.
Just a quicky, Arse.com says Wilshere has had another stress fracture (different part of leg) but will play before season is out. 😦
Come on Arsenal! Come on Arsenal!
Sounds like Arteta injured? Listening on radio. (Which means Stan Collymore), BBC Text says we are all over them in terms of possession and shots.
Haha Rocky, its lacklustre as far as I’m concerned if we don’t convert gold plated chances. Its what the game is all about – putting the ball in the back of the net
So Verm booked for literally not touching a player and Davies gets away with that filthy foul on Arteta.
That was aperfect example of an instance when Theo should have been more brave chasing that ball into the box, Rooney would have stood on the goalie’s face.
Rasp
To me lackluster is when we are NOT creating chances.
But it’s just a question of definitions.
You say to-may-to I say to-mah-to 🙂
Agree Rocky, against teams that aren’t really a threat Arteta could play the deep role. Perhaps will be done when young jack comes back with a ‘W-A-R’ forming in our midfield.
Rasp
I thought exactly the same as you about that Theo run.
I think song off for rosicky. He gives us more drive, or perhaps bring on henry and move ox centrally
Its increasingly looking like this game is going to be decided by the odd goal.
That pass/shot by Ramsey was a typical example of the way our training techiques have neutered the attacking instincts of our players.
It should have been Theo off, not Oxo.
I hate listening on the radio, sounds like Bolton are starting to believe a bit?
We need a goal and NOW! For the good of my heart!
Bolton are looking the most likely to score GiE. Much as I love TH12, its pretty pathetic that we have to bring him on.
Need a win come on!!
I agree Rasp.
glad he’s off because he’s been the most likely to score. Davies is nothing against BFG and Koz, we showed it last time
This is painful viewing. Bogdan is totally untroubled
Relax
We’ll score
agreed BR,he’s been untroubled since the first 25mins, especially this half.only 2 clean sheets all season and we are struggling to score against them
holy shit that would of been a great goal
walcott is useless.
Rosicky on, please remind us why we signed you Tomas, forget all the brainwashing in training and play without fear.
GM
And cowardly
Song’s been poor
he has rocky, that’s why he should of been taken off instead of ramsey
god thank you szcz
And well played Foy
Super save from Chesney – never a penalty. He got the ball first
Song needs a rest more than AR. And why TR not Park???
My god we’ve been reduced to a mediocre side. No excuses after this one.
Bad subs again by AW
We miss Ramsey’s drive
Second best all over the park. We don’t win second ball and we are outworked by the opposition once again.
I couldn’t listen to Sam Prattaface anymore are we closer?
Rasp
Second half, lackluster is the word.
not good enough
we’re 7th now
Bolton- worst defence in the legit and we can’t score. Team are a joke.
Where do we go from here Rocky? We have no new injection of energy or attacking threat into the side. Its like our late season collapse has come 2 months early this year. One point taken out of the last twelve.
no excuses for that one, very poor performance. Bolton have 2 clean sheets so how the hell do we not trouble them? Walcott NEEDS to improve, you can’t afford to miss those chances.
Only positive: sagna is back! and he played well
Please sell the number 14 he’s useless. I’m not going to be swayed again he should be playing for sunderland. 12 points behind the scum this really is a nightmare. Apart from RVP’s chip we looked predictable.
We really needed to sign a finisher. Tonight’s performance demonstrated that perfecly. If only we could get the ball and attacking players into the opposition’s box at pace instead of trying to play like Barca without Barca’s quality.
walcott needs to go oz he’s a fucking joke. can’t stand him in an Arsenal shirt. They seriously better not give him 85k a week
Very disappointing . Our passing was poor and some of the decision taking terrible.
That said, we were unlucky. Hitting the woodwork twice and just missing good chances.
The Doomers will have a lovely evening 🙂
For the first time ALL season…. I’m now officially worried about 4th place…
Why oh why can’t we take our chances when we get them. we must have realised by now that we no longer seem to maintain our tempo and chance creation deep into the 2nd half
Even our 3 vs Villa were early 2nd half and then the game almost evened out.
Catch you all tomoz…I froze myself at footie training and rushed home for that.
Last point…why are Song Verm and Arteta swapping passes in our half in the 89th minute..??
Didn’t watch so can’t comment on us, but Kelsey posted some stats earlier about Boltons recent improvement, they only beat Liverpool 3-0 at the Reebok two weeks ago.
But we needed that win, I am prepared to write off CL qualification now, and just ride out the season.
Don’t think a decent finisher would’ve changed a great deal there.
When RvP had space he had created it for himself.
We have a great finisher, one of the best in the world. What we lack is creativity in and around the box.
Theo offers little in creativity, as do Song and Arteta. We are relying on Ramsey and a young teenager in Ox to create great opportunities. When that doesn’t happen we get a lack of goals, just like tonight.
I cannot agree we were 2nd best. We were easily the better side in both halves.
That Bolton had more energy in the final 10 mins is no surprise, they hardly attacked for the first 80 mins.
There were positives. – all of them defensive.
i agree GM he doesn’t deserve that sort of money. I’m at the end of my tether with him also. Excuses of injuries and youth can’t be used anymore.
I’m wholly unconvinced by TH12’s return. I have no clue where he even comes on to play….
It always did my head in watching him pick and choose which high balls he’d compete for.
He plays as if he thinks he has come back to the 2004 side not this one thats struggling and which has to fight for the right to play.
We were poor second half but let’s keep perspective.
RvP hit the post and crossbar, they cleared one off the line.
We’re well short of being a team who can compete for the EPL but we’re not dead yet.
No offence Jamie…but comments like the ‘team are a joke’ are not very constructive or informative…and thats what we aspire to on this blog
I could not understand the TR for Theo sub. We were desperate for a goal and when did Mozart last score one? Why not bring on Park and play to win?
i agree sharkespeare. He can’t come back and act like he’s the henry of old. If he’s to put in he needs to lift his work rate and not rest on his laurels. Otherwise we might as well bring on AA
Raddy,
I am most certainly not a Doomer, but I am stunned by what I have just been watching.
SS. What is the point of a long ball up to TH – it’s not his game. A clever slide pass and he can create, but asking him to run or jump is pointless.
So was taking off both wingers.
theo wasn’t subbed unfortunately Raddy
Even I’m worried about 4th now 😦
@ BR
i think his drive is positive and yeah he hasn’t scored but he can set them up. I think it was designed to push us forward and create opportunities for henry and RVP. Walcott was doing nothing so no loss really
Oxo was fantastic in his approach and understanding. His willingness and movement was an absolute joy to behold, and should have really inspired his team mates to similar levels.
Look how many passes went from midfield into his feet because he made space for himself.
I feel like I’d hate to play in that MF 3 of ours (lol) cos sometimes the movement ahead of the ball is non existent.
If you show Song and Arteta some good movement…they will find you…no doubt about that.
GM Seemed like it 😀
How could we not take any of those chances?
Not impressed by the subs again. Seemed to be as Alex Fynn suggested i.e. decided before the game depending on certain scenarios.
The Ox and Rambo were the players most likely to create a goalscoring chance, ffs. Why not try Henry for Song or something like that to give us an extra threat in attack? We needed a fuckin goal. Like for like subs are bollocks if we are desperate for 3 points.
When will it end?
Did Walcott go off? I missed it when I went to the loo
I agree we need a playmeaker in midfield, but when you can’t pierce a resolute defence, you need someone who can create something from outside the box, the Ox looked like the only player with the ability to do that and he was taken off.
Another positive.
It was a point more than we took from the Reebock last season.
@ all
enjoy the next two weeks. All the best Dandan. Heres hoping arsenal turn it around.
Arsenal Arsenal and it’s people will be missed.
Why didn’t he take walcott off? Is he his lovechild?
Radders..I don’t mean long passes up to TH12, I mean not letting defenders head the ball unchallenged, whether its from a GK or hoof up the field. A challenge from him may lead to a mistake. It kills me watching no challenge at all being made.
He’s always avoided the dirty work like that. RVP always makes a nuisance of himself under high balls
Walcott didn’t go off it was
15 Oxlade-Chamberlain (Henry – 69′ )
16 Ramsey (Rosicky – 80′ )
I think talk of doomers is daft. We all saw the same game, giving an honest opinion shouldn’t lead to anyone being pigeonholed.
Anyway, bollocks to it.
I am off to read a good book.
Happy holidays Oz…Bali wasn;t it..?? Lucky b&stard !!
As it stands we don’t have a post for tomorrow.
Ironically the only post we have in store was from a month ago and was a tongue in cheek piece about how we’d reached 40 points and avoided relegation – trouble is we still can’t use it 😦
C’mon Rasp we all know who the doomers are…especially the sort that Radders is referring to.
I don’t think Raddy meant anyone on here. night night Raddy. I’m off to find the triforce in legend of zelda
Before I go …..
SS. As you say TH always avoided the dirty work, so why expect him to start now? Why not play the ball to his feet?
GM. My bad . It was a wishful fantasy that TW was subbed.
Rasp. I was referring to the LG chaps not you. The vast majority on there want us to lose because it fits their anti-AW agenda.
Oz. Have a wonderful holiday.
Sharkey point taken but Its an honest opinion. We have 13 good players that’s constructive. The rest of the players at this club wouldn’t be out of place in the championship. That’s not.
We have our best centre half playing left back, Sagna had to play 90minutes because the alternative is to grim to contemplate. Ramsey and Walcott were woeful again.
We have been unfortunate with injuries but it is bad squad planning not to be able to deal with it.
I love this club, but it has been in a downward spiral for 7 years. I have been pro Wenger/ pro current regime for a long while but I’m starting to think I was wrong.
Board are running a nice little boutique for the big clubs, the manager has lost his way and we have so many players who aren’t fit to wear the shirt.
There isn’t much constructive to say. We are a club going backwards and a team with wholes in.
Yes I do sharkey and its not on this site. Somehow peaches and I have to try to keep this blog going when our hearts are being ripped out.
RedA – “I am most certainly not a Doomer, but I am stunned by what I have just been watching.”
Same here…..flat flat flat.
Started well got ourselves into a rut, and just couldn’t raise ourselves out of it. Worst of all …it looked like we were barely trying to.
Pedestrian barely describes our play in the last 20mins. The only energy we had was for chasing back after Bolton players.
No worries Raddy, I know there was no malice in your comment. As always, we must try not to vent our frustration on one another.
Its a real shame that Oxo was subbed, but maybe a little understandable. This morning Radders posited that he might not even start a third game in a week…
Gervinho sorely missed.
Is TW14 in serious trouble when the Gerv returns..I think/hope so.
BR wasn’t referring to any AA-ers.
My biggest beef tonight is with Arsene.
The only two players with the drive and unpredictability to have made something happen from MF/wide were Oxo and Ramsey. He took them both off and left on the increasingly useless Walcott and the clearly-off-song Song.
Subs have never been AW’s strong suit but his recent decisions have been piss poor. It’s almost like he made a plan before the game started and is not actually watching the play…
I’m off to bed – there will be better days ahead starting on Saturday.
I thought we had a strong enough team out there tonight considering what was available … just don’t know!
Redders
Why are you stunned?
I think the confusion is that the TV graphic said Rosicky for Walcott…when it was actually Ramsey who was hooked.
Jamie
I’m sorry to say this because I don’t often use strong words on here, but if you thought Ramsey was useless you truly know nothing about football.
Quick response Radders. I’m not so much talking about passes up to TH12.
My point is that if a ball ricochets up in the air, and a Bolton CB steps forwrd to go for it..I don;t want Thierry to stand back and watch him clear it. That happened a couple of times tonight.
Anyway – what book you gonna tear into..(deft change of subject). I read Dracula a few months back – absolutely brilliant. Just finished Frankenstein – truly awful (imho)
Hey, at least we’ve ended our losing streak in the league 🙂
Sharkey
Are you moving on to Jekyll and Hyde?
If you’re 19th Century Gothic, have you tried Edgar Allen Poe?
cheers for the farewell’s sharkespeare and BR. heres hoping ivory coast get the flick sooner rather than later.
Edgar Allen Poe = awesome
I have acquired and must read the “Turn of the Screw” by Henry James soon, a book I’ve wanted to read for ages. As it is I must finish my current light reading about Josef Mengele, Hitler’s Angel of Death.
Rocky – I know plenty about football thanks and Ramsey is a fine you player, I thought he did as well as Walcott tonight.
There was no need for that comment.
Ramsey was great against Villa. His job is to create and score goals, provide inspiration, he didn’t do that today.
Sharkey- I’m not a doomed but I am getting there.
Not intending to wind anyone up. Speaking my mind.
Oz
I’ve been out of the loop lately. Where are you off to?
Disappointing result, but not totally unexpected. Did not see the game so cannot comment. Luckily Chelsea dropped two points as well yesterday, so nothing lost yet. We just have to keep going and pick up some form again. Best is to prepare for a stormy few months ahead. 😦
Oz, have a great holiday mate! 🙂
Fair do’s Jamie..now you’re explaining yourself, I’m happier (not that its all about me….lol)
Bad squad planning..?? Plan for injuries to up to six FBs…ie four plus two decent stand ins – Coq and Verm
Downward spiral for 7 years..? Thats more than a bit glib. Ie that encompasses the CL final, us going close to PL titles, staying in the CL. Think about where 7 years of going backwards would really leave you..??
Where do you go after the Invincibles..upwards..?? That moment in time was like the perfect alignment of *stars moon other celestial matter* in terms of players, their ages and time spent together.
Its now used mainly as a stick to beat every Arsenal team since with.
Its like looking at Gazza and asking if he would have made the England 66 side.
There is no question that we are having a bad season, been seventh in the league in Febuary is something we havent seen for more than 15 years. Todays result and performance however has no bearing on our medium to long term future. i apologise for harping on about the same topic but we have to keep things in perspective. The arrival of city and there outrageous splurges has hurt us more than Abramhovichs chelsea. The climate is changing. internaly Arsenal will generate vast amounts of money from new sponserhips whilst our loan repayments will be eroded by inflation. Externaly, the hugh outlays by suger daddies is over and all our rivals, with the exception of Utd have hugh strategic hurdles in front of them.
Call it tortoise and the hair, he who laughs last laughs longest, or what ever you like, but you can not argue with reality, and that reality indicates that Arsenal will join Utd as the 2 powerhouses of English football. lets hope the tortoise gets a move on, but it will come.
Jamie its not a wind up if you express yourself properly. One liners come across as digs at the team. Longer passages detail your concerns.
I think we’re all concerned, some more than most, and some for a lot longer than others, but thats to be expected.
No offence taken by me Jamie.
i think we did quite well considering,we will never be a top club again as long as kroenke & co…runs the club,ive already accepted that fact,we are going to produce top talent like the Ox,but we are going to sell them,…
i think AW have done well so far this season, considering he gave away 5-6 matches at the start of the season and that he saved us alot of money not replacing our backs…
and im eager to see how park-chamakh will do when RvP is sold this summer..
what im upset about is the fact that some Gooners just can accept the fact that we have been built down,the fact that we no longer aspire to be a top team,lets be honest…we are no longer a top club,our objective is no longer to be the best,and making money have become our goal..
That my friends are the reason we moved from Highbury…making money…not to be up there with the rest of Europes elite..
well done tonight Arsena…we understand Your point..run the club as a kindergarten..hooraay
Rocky…I bought a cheap re-issue box set of 10 classics for £5.
Dracula was truly impressive. Prior to that a Moldovan colleague had loaned me ‘Vlad – the last confession’ about the Impaler. Cracking read that was…pretty gruesome to boot, but really well written and informative
Jamie
Fair dos. I should have heeded Rasp’s 10.22
But I disagree with you 100% about Ramsey tonight. Two players were able to pick up the ball and drive at the Bolton defence – Oxo and Ramsey.
Ramsey ran and fought and fought and ran and I feel, frankly, saddened to see his performance described as woeful.
Lots didn’t come off for him but there were lots of positive outcomes of his contributions too and without his refusal to be out-muscled in MF we might well be dissecting a defeat tonight.
There’s a certain niche of the online community that appears to have Ramsey in its sights. I am truly mystified as to why they can’t see what he brings to the team.
Irish…if you haven’t seen ‘Downfall’ then its a must. Its about Hitlers last days in the bunker.
Truly brilliant film, which is the meme(?) for all those youtube vids of Hitler ranting about monopoly, burnt toast etc etc.
Offski – night all on this very disappointing night !
Looking at stats etc there are 45 points left to play for, I think the minimum we need for CL qualification is 70 (I believe that’ll get us above Chavs and Dippers but am worried I haven’t looked at Newcastle and hope they fall away) that means we need at least 33 points from now, and we have to play Spuds, Chelsea at home, Liverpool away, and unfortunately a few tricky games away against teams where we don’t traditionally do well.
We either have to dispense with trophy ambitions (FA Cup and CL) or accept that we cant win either and go all out for Top 4 starting Saturday.
If we beat Blackburn we will actually have gained 3 points on last seasons tally over the two games. Problem is we are already 8 points down.
Long haul til end of season but we need to rediscover the form and exuberance that fired us up the table in October and November. That means injecting some life into tired legs and I’m not sure it’s possible. Praying Gerv doesn’t suffer normal post ACN blues that seen to affect so many.
Someone mentioned Hleb, any takers?
Sharkey – glib? Yeah I am a bit glib at the moment.
Your right you can only go down from the invincibles fair point.
You can’t plan for four full backs being out, I agree.
But we knew players were leaving and only got new ones in on deadline day.
Listen, I’ll right a post next week and put my comments into a reasoned argument. I’m not sure I’m at my best on my 6th VAT.
Sharkey
Sorry to be an anorak, but what were the other 8 in your box of 10 classics?
SS – I have it on DVD, one of my favourite films, absolutely excellent. And the casting is first class, when Bruno Ganz appeared first I was actually taken aback, it was like watching stock footage of Hitler.
Jamie
I think a post would be a great idea.
You’re clearly a passionate Arsenal man and you will find plenty of receptive ears (eyes?) for a critique of where we’re at now.
Ramsey is a good player, he does suffer a bit. It is hard on him that he has taken Cesc position. The team lacks a genius and that is not his fault.
Rasp,
I sent you a blog for tomorrow if you need one.
Jamie
If you see AR as someone who’s meant to be the new Cesc than I can see where your frustration is coming from.
Ramsey is not as gifted a player as Cesc was. But if Cesc had worked 75% as much as AR we might have actually won something during the Spaniard’s time with us.
I’ve never seen AR as a Cesc replacement (surely it’s JW who will fill that role). Instead I’ve always felt he can do a similar role for us to the one Gerrard did for ‘Pool when he was at his peak.
By the way Jamie, I have no argument with your assessment of Walcott.
“Woeful” will do for me just fine.
I don’t see Ramsey as that but Wenger keeps playing him behind the striker. That was Cecs position.
Wilshere plays a lot deeper.
Since Fabregas left arsenal are an orchestra without a conductor.
woeful is very kind
Wilshere played deep last season because we still had Cesc (and Nasri had aspirations to play the Cesc role when Cesc was out). AW went on record as saying that playing JW deep was part of his education, but the implication was clearly that he would end up playing in a more progressive position which is exactly what he’ll do when he comes back from injury.
I would like to see AR’s tackling and positional stats from tonight. With Song away with the fairies for large parts of the game it was vital that Aaron had a defensive aspect to his game.
Do you think we had a conductor in the second half against Villa? If so, you’d have to agree it was AR (and I recognise that you praised him earlier for his Villa performance).
I would say he’s less a conductor than a setter-of-tempo. Tonight he was helped in that role by Oxo, but hindered by Theo.
GM
I have supported Theo but I’m beginning to lose faith.
Forgot to say – congrats on your Distinction!
Ramsey did that job against Villa say that earlier. I think he finds it hard.
I agree I think that I would like to see wilshere in that role and Ramsey a bit deeper.
I would let him and Arteta swap ocassionally in the meantime.
Walcott was woeful I agree. Ox played well, I would play him and Gervinho wide and use Walcott through the middle when we need to rest RVP
Thanks Jamie
I suddenly got excited about the thought of Gerv and Oxo wide, with Theo through the middle. The speed would scare the crap out of most defences (although our defence/midfield would have to re-learn the art of the quick break).
Evening all
I had to be a groupie mummy tonight so I missed all of the game although Rasp and Iwona kept me updated by text. Sounds like it was dire stuff although we missed some chances as usual.
A huge thank you to slimginger who has sent a post for tomorrow 😉
See you in the morning x
Nothing more than we could have expected tonight.
How sad was that?
For those that care about statistics, how about this —
The team with the most points from their last 6 games — wait for it— SUNDERLAND with 13.
The team with the least = Wigan with 1 point.
Next up WBA with 3 points,
And then we have Wolves, Wigan and Arsenal with 5 – I ask ya!!!
When you bring on an old age pensioner as a sub – you know you are in trouble!
Rocky why would they scare anybody — which one would be capable of — scoring???
I think when Gerv returns that Theo will find it very hard to keep his place. Stan Collymore said on the radio tonight that whilst he believes he maybe could do a job down the middle, he is playing wide and commented how in the second half he was marking himself out of the game by standing on Ricketts, rather than getting chalk on his boots.
It’s this kind of positioning that shows his lack of a football brain. He appears to have little concept of how he could create space for himself.
Earlier in the season we saw how Gerv can switch wings and still have an influence and get plenty of touches. Theo doesn’t, Ox by the sounds of it tonight did, and got touches again. Theo doesn’t work without a genius pass who could put the ball where he needed Theo needed it.
The United midfield is woeful but the width their wingers give them makes them dangerous and spreads the defence apart. Our fullbacks provide our width (especially Sagna on right) and that means their defence is more condensed.
As good as the comeback was on Sunday I would have swapped it for three points tonight.
Kos was sloppy in this game, reminds me of Song of last season, charging into the final third and neglecting his defensive duty. With Mert at the back, it’s utterly imperative Kos understands his position along side the big German. Mert isn’t comfortable at all being the last man at the back.
And talking about Song, what gets into his head ? Does he thinks he’s Iniesta ? Please wake up, do the simple thing and pass the ball a bit quicker and don’t try to dribble put 2 opposing players.
Moning all.
I am not totally surprised by the result. If i pick out Walcott it won’t be the first time. One on one for the second time in a month and he loses his composure. Ramsey is the same.We create so many chances yet no one apart from RVP seems to be able to shoot straight and score. The players have the ability but maybe they are feeling the pressure and their decision making is too rushed.
One thing I just can’t understand is why RVP takes corners when he is the most likely to score when in the penalty area.
There is not much wrong with our play but the goal chances created against actually scoring just doen’t improve.
Have to feel disappointed especially in the first 35 minutes when we completely dominated and yet again couldn’t capitalise on the chances that were at our mercy.
It’s like a favourite film that one watches time and time again.one knows what will happen.
Two further points. the Ox will be a star and it is visibly clear that Henry understandably, is a shadow of the player he was and it actually upsets me to see him play.His work is off the field with the players and club he obviously loves,for the short period he is here.
Just looked on Twitter god knows what happens if we lose but yet again Aaron Ramsey is target of all abuse, sad and upsetting.
Is it any wonder players don’t want to stay given some sections of our cyber support?
Kelsey its so hard to accept as it used to be what made it easy watching, blitz a team for 30 get two goals, coast. Our current squad don’t seem to be ruthless enough which then leads to going into shell as we get stuck between attacking and not giving one away.
Have seen Koscielny being criticised for bringing the ball out from the back too much, and trying to add extra body to the attack….some of our fans will criticise anyone and everything.
GIE,
They aren’t real supporters in the sense of the word, just pot hunters that strung along in our successful period. Liverpool haven’t won a trophy for 6 years but their crowd is the twelfth man.
if we fail to qualify for the CL firstly the corporate boxes will take a hit and then those fickle fans will disappear.
I know a few people who have between 2 and 4 season tickets and chose which matches they go to.No doubt gate receipts will suffer but I doubt it will affect the atmosphere for those who will wander away are not very vocal in supporting the lads.
‘Cyber support’ is a bit of an oxymoron.
That one’s for The Shark. 🙂
I thought Rambo was one of our goal threats and don’t understand why he was taken off. Everyone sees different games.
Btw, what happened to that theory about our players being trained to be super fit so that they could score goals in the last section of matches when the opposition tire?
I am not surprised by the result as I said in the post it would a tough game given Bolton’s revival. What I am is hugely disappointed.
We had out close to our strongest team, Sagna back, Arteta back, O-C starting and yet we were toothless and lacking in creativity. As Kelsey said, Theo’s lack of composure on the one on ones gives no evidence he can be a central striker, had the chances fallen to RvP it was game over.
Ramsey had a good game and to blame him for the fact that there was little forward movement is crass.
Theo is a luxury player, he can be superb (AV 2nd half) or anonymous (most of the time).
The biggest disappointment is Song. What has happened to the player who ran the midfield single-handedly? Gone are the clever turns and touches, gone are the powerful runs through the heart of the defence, and gone are the perceptive passes. He either needs a rest or a good talking to.
chas. Good point re:fitness
Raddy,
it’s not only Song as i said before the players are ill at ease, no fluidity that we were seeing excatly a year ago until the CC Final. it shows what a miss Cesc and to an extent an in form Nasri are.
kelsey. that is true but needs must and after half a season on the training ground these players should be able to find that fluidity. They have the talent, apart from Theo who has other attributes.
Morning all…….
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