On Saturday morning this was a must win game, by the time Bale FC had finished it was a must must win game.
Redknapp it appeared had instructed the groundsman not to water the pitch it looked a bit bobbly to say the least.
Despite that we got off to a flying start, poor QPR defending gifted us possession, former Arsenal employee Traore who headed the ball inexplicably infield, Rosicky receiving Podolski’s knock down crossed to Ramsey who headed down to Arteta, Mikel found Theo in space he turned and finished past Green. 1-0 Arsenal nerves settled.
We had the ball for the next half hour but other than passing it around between players we didn’t try often enough to move after we had passed it. This is the difference between tika taka to win or tika taka to bore into submission. There has to be a centre forward to play off, and there has to be movement, preferably with pace. The only one trying to move for the return was Rosicky but more often than not the intended recipient was on a different wavelength.
We managed I think one more attempt on goal from Theo which Green managed to touch on to the post, it was a shame Rosicky had been blocked off after setting up the chance as the rebound waited to be touched home but he could not get close.
After the half hour mark QPR found their cojones and looked the better side up until half time and for half hour or so after it. We looked short of pace almost as if we had geared down when all was so comfortable and then couldn’t really pick it up again. That said QPR were restricted to long range pokes by the defence when they had too easily bypassed our midfield, but there was always a chance of one flying into the top corner and it created some nervy moments for the away fans and us watching at home.
For the last fifteen minutes it was mostly all us again, Cazorla made Green make a fine save but again no one had reacted in the box and the ball bounced harmlessly away.
There was still time for QPR to provide us one more scare the ball falling to Remy who tried to curl the ball into the far corner, Szczesny got a strong hand to it and pushed it wide, one of those that people think he should make regularly and thankfully for our CL qualification chances this time he did.
The pitch did not make the game easy, the players are limping over the line concerned with protecting the lead than going for the jugular but we have seen that kill us before chasing more goals when games are won and drawing or worse losing (Newcastle 4-4 anyone?). Some will call it a winning mentality when others do it, those that paid attention during the 2010-11 title run in will remember how we failed on too many occasions to get the job done.
The first point of football is to win, winning beautifully is a close second, losing beautifully third, losing ugly fourth.
I wondered yesterday as I watched whether there is a problem in the mindset of some of our players….ones I would call Big Time Charlie’s, players who believe they know where there better position is. Neither Walcott or Podolski can play centre forward for us in the PL currently, Theo is too small, Podolski doesn’t quite understand what is required of him in Wenger’s system. To me they are inside forwards from yesteryear, but maybe I’ll leave that for another post….at the moment lets just say their weaker foot does not allow them to be played on the best side of the pitch for the team.
Ratings:
Szczesny – 8 an important save to keep the clean sheet, struggled a bit under some high balls
Sagna – 6 solid at the back, although Park rarely threatened, not enough going forward
Monreal – 5.5 still adjusting to life in the PL, Loftus Road would have been a new experience for him.
Mertesacker – 7.5 reliable as ever, did what was necessary in his own way
Koscielny – 7.5 unflappable put another good performance in
Theo – 7 good finish
The Rest of the attack and midfield – 5 dull
Gooner in Exile
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Szczesny – 7… an important save to keep the clean sheet, distribution poor.
Sagna – 5… he’s as good as gone.
Monreal – 5… still adjusting to life in the PL.
Mertesacker – 7… did what was necessary in his own way.
Koscielny – 7.5… another good performance.
Arteta – 5.5… not his fault he’s surrounded by incompetence.
Ramsey – 5… his poorest game of the season.
Rosicky – 5.5… ran about a bit.
Walcott – 6… good finish and hit the post, that’s about it.
Cazorla – 5… he’s small, so he gets tired… has he got a bigger brother?
Podolski – 3… waste of space… if he’s injured or not fit, replace him!
NG
Seven minutes only, but it still means you’re a LOSER!
Good morning to you all,
Three points is three points! I couldn’t care less how we got them, the point is we did!!
I haven’t watched the game and doubt if I will do so, only MotD available so it’s probably not worth watching anyway.
The other point is that having scored after just twenty seconds, we held out for the rest of the game, something that just wouldn’t have happened earlier in the season.
Clean sheet!!!
Goes off singing…..One nil to the Arsenal….one nil to the Arsenal….
One day Big Al, one day.
NG
Maybe when hell freezes over…
Thiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiird
Do I get a prize for being forty-fith?
You’ve won the 4th place trophy LB. Congratulations
Nice summary GIE
Not as easy as some may think, I was wondering how I would write it as I was watching and past the idea that three points is three points all I had was moans and groans.
As you say, neither Walcott nor Podlski are the answer up front and Giroud was certainly missed but I still suspect that the amount he was missed had more to do with the lack of quality in Walcott and Podolski rather than the amount that the Frenchman really has to offer.
Interesting player ratings Big Al
I thought Sagna really put in a shift yesterday, maybe he is playing for a big final contract else where I don’t know but I was impressed with his performance.
Ramsey did have a poor game but I put that down to fatigue, it was crying out for Wilshere to come on and take up his natural position.
It’s funny when you think that not so long ago Spaniards had the reputation of being lazy bastards (mañana etc), I generalise of course, but I reckon that Spanish footballers have single handidly turned this idea on its head. Cazorla worked like a trojan, yes he got tired but not before he had given every thing he had.
Can’t argue with that final para, LB.
Difficult Post to write GIE, so well done. Nerves obviously affect these sort of games.
No nerves for QPR, they are already gone. Nerves for our guys because Spurs had won.
That said, our performance looked like a poor impersonation of a poor Barca playing ineffectual tippy tappy passes and getting no where.
As some have said, 3 points is 3 points, even against the relegated bottom club in the Premiership, but there has to be more to it than that — doesn’t there?
GIE. Pretty much as I saw it.
I thought Arteta had a good game.
RA. It seems strange that we have players who can shoot accurately and yet do not do so, proffering to pass back or sideways. We needed Ox to come on earlier and provide some thrust.
It was clear the ball was moving in the air from the number of times the GK’s chose to block rather than catch, so why not continue to shoot from distance?
Can we have a League projection update?
It baffles me too, BR.
We should shoot when anywhere near goal. A strike at goal with the ball moving the way it does has always got a chance, even from a rebound or a push out from the keeper.
If you don’t take a shot – you do not score.
It’s like the guy who says he has never won the lottery —— because he never buys a ticket!
Yesterday owed a lot to nerves, of course, but we do seem to have a deserved reputation for trying to walk the ball into the net, only to lose it, and allow the opposition to break away and threaten our goal.
we’re not after Bale, are we?
I’ll get me coat…
Walcott was our stand out player he reminds me of Garrincha and Ramsey has come of age, a new Zidane in the making.
Arsene has cloned himself into George: one-nil, clean sheet, steely resolve, character, never-say-die – whatever happened to beautiful football?
Hmmmm, that is a very interesting comment Englandsbest which raises a thought provoking question in my mind: are Arsenal supporters happier with a George Graham “one-nil, clean sheet, steely resolve, character, never-say-die” win or a beautiful loss. Personally, I would take the win every day but maybe others feel differently?
Stealing Bale would be hilarious.
Afternoon all – just popped in to say “hello”
Busy with college assignments and stupid work so don’t get to post often – remember when I was here all the time cos I’d nothing to do … those were the days 🙂
Anyone know if Emirates Cup is on this year? I might make the trip.
We should have killed off yesterday’s game – that was too nerve wrecking for my liking but a win is a win. Hopefully Van Pr1ck an his buddies will do a job for us today.
We need a cull at the Club starting with the Manager
The man is starving us of success.
Really
Anyone know what has happened to Raheem Sterling? I thought he was meant to be the next England superstar
Having too many babies BR
Afternoon all, interesting comments today. Think we can all agree 3 points is the key
Like LB I have been amazed by Santis work rate, especially during the cold winter months….anyone remember him wearing gloves? Was he born at the top of the Pyrenees or something?
GiE – no, but I noticed he had his socks up very high yesterday. I thought that he is either cold or too short for the socks 🙂
Excellent report, more exciting than the game itself
Nice report GiE
Can’t argue about the fact that it’s the points that count at this stage of the season.
I, too, thought Arteta had a very good game and was the pick of the MF and forwards. Rosicky had quite an off day (as did Ramsey to a lesser degree) but both are players who do not hide so they kept trying their best.
Why Szcz kept booting long goal kicks up to Podolski, who never looked like keeping possession from a single one, mystified me. He also made a couple of silly throw-outs down the middle, giving he intended receiver a hospital ball. I would have thought GKs were told that when throwing out you should generally go down the flanks.
That said, his save from Remy gained us two points.
good Mersyside result. Come on Van Dick, give us a hat trick
I have a strong feeling that the Chavs will win today 😦
Sorry Chippy, I disagree with you. It wasn’t the managers fault. Yesterday it was the players. Time and time again I saw Walcott take up a great position and yet those who should have supplied him with the right ball failed. This team needs to sort out its attacking play. On a good note, the defence has improved beyond recognition.
oh Rocky, that’s a nasty thing to say
Look…..I know it’s not the greatest pun…..but not one comment on the headline 😦
Slowly slowly catchy monkey?? Like the Bale monkey? Oh I see, I didn’t get it 🙂 It is funny!!
Good news – Harold Webb is playing
That bastard fergie has fielded a weakened team, no Rooney, no Ferdinand and Lindegard in goal … I smell a conspiracy 😦
It made me smile GiE 😀
Rasp
So much for “honouring” the other teams. Scottish twunt.
30 minutes in, and Manure is playing like just that. Allowing Chelsea way too much room. Manure central defenders pretty weak; Vidic very rusty, playing like Squillaci; Johnny Evans playing like Johnny Evans…..Howard Webb so far is Manure’s best player.
And van P gets a one-on-one with the ‘keeper and looks as unbothered about trying to score as it’s possible to be.
Thinking about it, it probably suits him for us not to get CL as he can use it to post justify his decision to leave.
I bet he doesn’t score today.
How surprising that ManUre are playing like sh*t.
MU’s 12th man by far their best player.
BSR had at least four really good attempts on goal and fluffed every one.
Paranoid? Moi?
This has 1-0 to the Chavs writer all over it.
Rockadiddlee,
I have been chatting away to you so you would not feel ostracised, and bloody WordPress has seen fit to dump my words of wit and wisdom into deep limbo – if there is such a place. 🙂
Hooray — one has got through!! 🙂 Which is more than Manure have done.
Two have got through!!
Damn! At this rate I will be worse than Big Al — altho he can only type Firsssssst — maybe he is firssssty and needs a beer? 🙂
Writer all over it is write. 🙂
Hello Redders
ManUre are playing with the cutting edge of a donut.
Chavs by contrast are awesome 🙂
I am beginning to be sick and tired of watching terrible football
Bum
Bollocks!
fecking Webb, it was a clear foul on Shrek
All those that scream shoot should watch that goal though, because thats why you take one more pass.
As predicted,
Utd have played this game as if they’ve all had a bet on a Chav win.
Webb’s off his head!!! Red??
Shocking performance from United
I didn’t think it was a foul on Shrek – just a good tackle.
If Utd had given 50% of the effort and commitment they showed against us this would have been a different game.
Rasp called it.
Utterly disgraceful.
Now we need the Chavs to beat or draw with the Spuds.
A Spud win, and the nightmare scenario is possible.
If we’d have lost last Sunday, United would have fielded a stronger side today and maybe won, and we’d be in a better position, funny old game football.
Chary and GM must be spitting feathers to see MU roll over like that. Chelsea totally dominated.
I agree that Webb got both decisions right but what a shameless cheat Luiz is.
Not often I want Chelsea to win but midweek will be one of them. Or will a draw be better?
BR
At this stage I think a Chav win would be better. Fourth spot is our realistic target now.
I’ve just watched the Old Toilet game and I can’t help feeling glad that Chelsea won.
Much as I wanted Chelsea to lose I wanted Manure to lose even more.
I watched the game with my Spurs supporting wife and at the end she turned to me and expressed exactly the same feeling.
That said, United were terrible, they couldn’t care less and they played as though it was a pointless friendly. They should be docked 25 points for this season and the same for the next three seasons.
I’m afraid that Europa League football beckons.
It would also give Everton an outside chance of catching the Spuds, so hopefully they would give the Chavs a proper game, unlike today’s shower of shite.
I understand the sentiment NG, but it’s all about Arsenal for me.
The best result for us today was a Manure win, followed by a draw. The one result we didn’t want was a Chav win.
ManUre won’t care – people will just say “they’ve already won the title so you can understand them slacking off” but they didn’t do it against us.
Haven’t beaten a top six side all season, sums it up.
Ferguson quote in the build up to today’s game:
“There are three teams chasing those two positions, City are obviously going to be second. And I will play my strongest team out of respect for those two other teams. I said to Arsene Wenger after the game last week – don’t worry we’ll play our strongest team, we’ll play a team to win.”
So “strongest team” means dropping your first choice GK, your best centre back and the mighty Shrek.
Right, that’s enough obsessiveness for one day!
Talk tomorrow.
Rocky, I know it’s illogical but I really can’t bring myself to wish anything good for the Mancunian Miscreants.
Oh well! nearly time to go and watch the snooker, can Ronnie do it? I hope so.
I didn`t think I could hate the lying Bell end nose anymore than I already do, but he makes it so easy !.
chippy says:
May 5, 2013 at 6:20 pm
Haven’t beaten a top six side all season, sums it up.
Have Spurs been docked points?
I think it’s fair to say that Arsene is taking the same path as GG.
Boring boring Arsenal are truly back. Now all he needs to do is start taking the cups seriously again.
If we sacrifice some of the flair for a bit of bollocks back in the team I wouldn’t mind. If we take the Wenger reasoning that we can never win the league we must surely aspire to more than top 4. Top 4 AND a cup win must be the minimum achieved next year!
What about just a cup win Merse?
GIE,
I would take just a cup win. But we have so many fans who now think top 4 is the only thing worth aspiring too, I’m just trying to placate all parties!
I really think the bloated monster that the European cup is ruining domestic cup football in all countries. And the FA (complete mugs) are letting their most prized asset become devalued. The FA cup is the oldest cup competition in the world, it’s open to every team in the country it’s got a long, magical and storied history. They should be marketing it to the high heavens, but instead they let the Premier league ride roughshod over it. It beggars belief.
Ultimately football is about memories and a day out to Wemberley will create memories. If we fail to finish in the top 4 one season, it really won’t be the end of the world. Hate to use them as example for anything but Tottenham have managed to launch repeated assaults on it despite finishing outside it, and were it not for their spectacular bottling tendencies would have made it already, and they may still make it this season.
A lot of my best Arsenal memories are in the cups to be honest. The local geezer scoring the winner in ’71, Sunderland beating the Mancs in 79, Tone avenging 91 in 93, Freddie and Ray destroying the Chavs and my favourite: Rocky at White Hart Lane in 87 in the Milk (or whatever it was called) cup. I don’t think I’ve ever heard Arsenal fans be as loud as they were that day at the Lane.
I always want Arsenal to do well, but ultimately I want us to try and win. If we go back to boring one nil to the Arsenal merchants I couldn’t care less. It all goes in cycles anyways.
What about you GIE? Would you take just success (or just actually giving it a good go) in the cups? I reckon for fans of a certain generation and older that would be more than enough. Unfortunately those who have grown up in the excesses of the post sky era may not think so.
Have to cheer on Chelsea to take down Spuds on Wednesday. May think that a draw is more desirable, but not if you look at the maths:
Baseline: Arsenal maximum points is 73.
Chelsea win takes them to 71 with 2 fixtures left. Downside: they would then only need one win to pip Arsenal, and they are highly likely to do that. Even two draws might be enough for them, as they have current +3 gd on Gunners, which may be enough even if Arsenal win remaining two. But upside is that Spurs would stay at 65, with maximum of 71. This gives Arsenal chance to finish with a win and a draw, giving Arsenal 71 as well, and hold on to fourth based on current +13 gd vs. Spurs.
On the other hand, draw between Spurs and Chavs doesn’t buy much. Draw takes Chavs to 69, where they would only need win and a draw to tie Arsenal at 73, and they would likely maintain gd tie breaker. Spurs at 66 after the Chelsea draw means that Arsenal would still need to win both remaining fixtures to ensure staying ahead of Spurs at the end.
Most Shocking Decision of yesterday is Manure 12th Man Webb giving red card to rafeal. Manure have not got single red card in this season. May be Fegie might have told Webb to give a red card as he has come under lot of criticism from opposite manager that Manure always get advantage from reff.
Morning all.
Not sure if we will make it but we are currently the form team.
This so called change of tactics with a tightened defence and practically a non existent attack was forced on AW and something I didn’t think he would do.
Our season can be defined in several ways but inconsistency when it mattered may have cost us dear.
Failure to win a number of Home games, an inability to beat the top sides and a more than average amount of injuries hasn’t helped.
Bale has practically done what RVP did for us last season and Spurs can’t be dismissed.Chelsea have a massive programme and only because they have such a strong squad one can’t dismiss them.If we were in Chelsea’s position,I doubt we would cope.
it will literally go down to the wire and all we can do is hope we win our last two games and others falter.
Win to chavs yesterday means it will be very tough for us from now on. No doubt chavs will play for win against spurs but if spurs won we will be in terrible situation. We are playing Wigan next, who are fighting for their life if we will give same performance what we gave against QPR then we will lose. We need to work day in day out now to reach CL. Hope chavs win against spurs..
There are strong rumors about bayern munich approach for kozz. We really need him he is one of the best CB in PL. he has rejected barca last season. any thoughts??
Thanks for the match report, GIE.
It was definitely a case of grind out the 3 points.
The other two spawning One-Nils as well makes the last few games even more interesting.
Does it really matter if we miss out on a 4th place trophy?
Merse, you are right cup final wins are more memorable than league wins. When I was a young kid I probably thought it was more important to win the FA Cup than the League. But that was because it was one of the only live games to watch. It would be on TV all day, the television crews at the teams hotels, interviews held on the team bus on route to Wembley….chance of that happening today.
Winning the league at Anfield was probably the changing point for me understanding the League was more important.
The reason I asked the question is because I think the two targets are mutually exclusive. If you believe silverware to be most important then CL qualification is irrelevant, I have asked on quite a few occasions what is the point of qualifying for the CL….I know the answer is money etc.
I would take a serious run at Europa League over another 1st knockout round exit from CL.
Top 4 finishes will become increasingly difficult, there are in reality now 6 teams who fancy themselves to be worthy of CL football and there is not room for all of them. That in itself is a good thing for football in England but it might not be good for us.
For me, winning a cup would be a good memory to have. But sadly it is unimportant to the Board, the manager and the players (and not just Arsenal), CL is more important to them, for two simple reasons….money and ego. The money that being a CL club generates, the money a player generates through sponsorship etc, and the ego, to test themselves against the best in Europe, to play against truly great players like Messi, Ronaldo etc and say “I play at the very top of the club game”.
I personally would take a few seasons off from CL I would like to see us really rebuild and restart and bring through youngsters, rather than the patch up job Arsene is forced to do each summer as the club decide a players transfer price is too tempting especially when they look at his wage demands.
Long answer to a simple question, but I think it’s a difficult one for all fans to answer especially of you understand the financial implications of being out of the CL.
Chas see my answer to Merse above re 4th spot.
Kelsey do you think the players or manager are deciding to take this grind it out mentality? They cut to Wenger and Bould at one point in the second half on Saturday and they were not happy bunnies.
Manthan I think Kos signed a new contract yesterday, Arsene plucked him from the French Leagues whilst he was relatively untried and is evidence in my opinion that Arsene can still pick up a bargain, thankfully he signed a long term (assume 5 years) at the start if this season so lets hope that we just say its £70m or you can jog on.
Is that a ‘yes’, GIE? 🙂
Chavs v Spuds Wednesday is a perfect time for them to play as both need to play win, if it had been the penultimate game of the season I would be much more concerned.
Benitez needs to ensure CL qualification as early as possible to allow for him to rest players before Europa, a win on Wednesday puts them on 71 points, and safe as it would be unlikely there would be a 15+ goal swing to Spuds.
We will then need 4 points to qualify and avoid a 13+ goal swing to the Spuds. A win for Spuds and we will all be squeaking in last two games.
We play two relegation threatened teams, Spuds play one (but by then they may be safe), Chavs none.
Morning All,
Bayonne. Thanks for the explanation. It will be exciting whatever happens.
It must be admitted we had the luck with us at the end of last season – The chances of another “Fulop” are slim.
Let’s hope for the Chelsea win.
Firssssssst!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
After Kelsey, Manthan, GIE, Chas and BR. 😀 😀 😀
Totally missed Bayonne’s comment which perfectly sums up what I said at 7:03am only 8 hours later, I plead baby brain/bleary eyes etc etc.
Walcott finishing is improved no doubt. But still his build up play on wings is inconsistent. .
One thing is proved from last two games is without OG we cannot open opposition attack too much. . .
Chas I don’t know 🙂
I know one thing, we can’t keep making three or four changes a summer, not if we want to retain or rediscover beautiful football.
Chelsea will go for win because if they loose against spurs they will also have hard run. They have europa final followed Villa and everton and Bentiez will be looking to wrap up as soon as quickly. Spurs form is not that good they are reliant on Bale.. against Soton they were lucky to win but against chesky it will be tough. But we cannot write them off as they already showed thier class against citeh. .
GIE. Of the 11 starters at WBA last season 4 have left and Coquelin hasn’t played. Almost half the team replaced.
It takes time to gel a team and if we can keep all our important players plus buy a couple we could do well next season. A good start will be vital.
Manthan. As you say we miss OG and we must buy a Plan B.
If the gods smile on us and we make top 4, the pressure will be on AW as never before over the summer transfer window. We have to strengthen the squad and bring in players of top quality. There is no hiding behind ‘financial excuses’ any more.
Morning all, we have an offering from Rocky today that is likely to spark some controversy. I’m at work today, so help in the moderation would be appreciated if it becomes necessary …..
…… New post ……