At last. A chance to concentrate upon what matters – the 90+ minutes of pitch time. This has been a long and frustrating summer for many Arsenal fans but in the words of Mr Wenger “what is important is the quality of what you do on the pitch, so let’s not create a crisis from nothing,”
He is right. The three points on offer today are vitally important because I fear the wave of negativity should we not win and win handsomely.
Trouble is Aston Villa will be no pushovers. They are a team in transition but with a lethal striker and a manager who is determined to become to succeed. So let’s have a little look at Aston Villa…..
Much has been stated about how they have signed 7 players through summer. Slightly misleading as the most expensive is the Nord Sjælland Danish star Okore who has cost all of €4m. Of more interest is the Aalborg striker Helenius who is a big young bruiser and could do very well in the PL. However, it will be the players who gave us trouble last season who will threaten today; Benteke, Weimann and a rejuvenated (?) Agbonlahor are sure to be dangerous on the break.
I am not expecting a bus-parking exercise from AV but they will attempt to close of the supply lines to Theo and OG by stifling Wilshire and Cazorla. A packed and aggressive midfield battle will be the order of the day for Villa.
Hoping not to put a bok on the lads, I expect a win. We looked very good against City and have the weapons all over the pitch to damage Villa. Podolski and Theo will need to be aware of the free running and dangerous fullbacks – Lowton has justifiable confidence in his long distance shooting.
Arsenal: Concerns rest around Arteta’s long term(ish) absence and I have to agree. Although I believe the team will cope with his loss but miss his midfield leadership. Starting 2 babies, Mozart and Cazorla, who despite being a genius is not a leader; we lack someone to organise the shield in front of the back 4. That Arteta was the league’s leading passer tells a story – we must hope his absence isn’t too costly.
Conversely, this is a chance to see the future midfield of Arsenal. Wouldn’t it be great to see Ox, JW, Ramsey and Santi start – but the risk is too great. Could Ramsey play the Arteta role or would Wilshire who sits deep? However, Rosicky will start (if fit), if Rosicky, AR and JW can gain a deep understanding perhaps we will do away with the traditional DM .
Defensively we are sound. The same back 5 which did so well at the end of last season.
My team:
The bench may be lacking experience but hopefully only the Ox will be required as Podolski never plays 90 minutes!
Should Villa score first we can expect the underlying frustrations to rain down upon the beautifully coiffured head of Mr. Wenger. How that helps the team is beyond me but I am an old fashioned fellow who doesn’t understand much of the attitudes of the modern generation! (e.g. what is the point of graffiti??)
This is the space left for my non-football ramblings but a summer of sloth and excessive drinking has resulted in my musings achieving nothing …. I have no idea of the theme for the season. Any suggestions are welcome or perhaps we are better off without .
This fixture usually produces goals and I expect the same today. Benteke has proved he likes to score at The Emirates, nonetheless the Raddy gut-feeling is that after a few thrills and spills, we will pick up 3 points. Why? Because our lads play better in summer!
COYRRG
Written by Big Raddy
Arsenal News 24/7
arsenalarsenal.net 
Footballs back baby!!!!!!
Woo hoo…..a Raddy PM too, I share your woes on the negative.
I was thinking back to my first visit to the Em’s after nuch time away from THOF…we conceded, can’t remember who against the response was Arsenal, Arsenal, Arsenal almost in defiance, “so what, you scored, do you seriously think you will win?”
Wow stat from the BBC:
Theo Walcott scored with one in four of his attempts on goal last season, compared to one in six for the average forward.
The wife has asked me why am I up so early have I pissed the bed.
No love I told her
Football season is back on
⚽⚽⚽⚽⚽⚽⚽
Sheep hagger™
GIE. Micky and I discussed how disastrous an injury to Theo would be. He has become our most important player …. who would have thought it!
As you rightly say, the response from the fans to an opposition goal used to be vociferous … it was WE ARE ARSENAL not “oh, here we go again, I told you so”.
its about time ,and where is cazorla u didnt put ,m on the bench and he is not on ur team?by the way jack is creative not destroyer maybe he would play ramsey as DM we never now.
Rotterdam
In which country did Cazorla play in the week?
How many goals has Jack Wilshere scored for Arsenal?
How many goals has Ramsey scored for Arsenal?
Find the answers to these questions and you will understand today’s headline post.
I forgot to say Yippeeeeeeee
Happy, happy, happy.
LB. Thanks 😀
Good morning to you all.
Yes it’s back, the Premiership in all it’s glory and we kick off with a home game at 3 o’clock on a Saturday. There’s tradition for you!
A snippet of info, It is twenty years since Arsenal were beaten at home on the opening day of the season, we lost to Coventry.
Providing we start as we left off last season I can see no problem with today’s match.
I just hope the crowd show some loyalty to the team whatever the result.
nutters 🙂
Thank you Raddy for the PM, I am not going to pretend that I am not disappointed that there is no theme this season 😦
Mind you, having a theme wasn’t always lucky for us, so perhaps not having a theme would bring us all the luck?? Surely you can see logic in that 🙂
Glad to have footy and BR’s PMs. Back to normal at long last, yeepeeeeeee
Hello Raddy,
Great to be able to read your pre – game posts again because it means two things, we get to read your fantastic posts and it’s “game on”
One theme that always springs to my mind is to profile a great pub each week, for away games an away pub location and local pubs for the Arsenal (maybe one showing a group of Peroni drinkers) – but you need to do it before they all close down.
Personally my biggest fear today is the crowd, I just wish that they understood that they can make or break the team.
Thank Dennis Bergkamp – football is back 😀
GN5,
Great pubs for away games! Brilliant idea, I’m going outside, to start researching the subject ready for 19th September, I may be some time! 😀
Thanks Raddy, great PM. Villa are unlikely to be pushovers and they do have players who can damage us.
I expect us to win with anything from a close 2:1 to a 6 nil thrashing but I must say I am uncomfortable that some are preparing the ground to scapegoat the supporters if things don’t go our way.
Of course the supporters should see it as their responsibility to lift the team, they definitely can make a difference – but they are not solely responsible or even the main culprits if we don’t get the result we want.
Great stuff pre match King.
I am in a hurry. Going to the game but my OCD means at least another 90 minutes of house cleaning before i can leave the house.
I will leave you with this:
“The Ghosts of the thirties are Stirring”
Is Walcott ok? Heard he picked up a knock midweek
Rasp,
It’s opening day, so I will let your comment sit for now – but just to let you know – I’m very uncomfortable with your statement and I will be back at a later time with my rebuttal.
Rasp said —
“I must say I am uncomfortable that some are preparing the ground to scapegoat the supporters if things don’t go our way.”
“Of course the supporters should see it as their responsibility to lift the team, but they are not solely responsible or even the main culprits if we don’t get the result we want.”
A very good Post, Raddish, 🙂
After a very long summer with all the speculative froth that entails, it seems as if someone has thrown a switch and we are back into a well grooved blog world, with your pre-match the cuckoo of the autumn heralding the new footie season.
I am with you in your positive outlook, seasoned with a little caution.
As for themes, how about matching opposition teams or their location with an appropriate musical theme choosing from; composer, musician, instrument, singer, song?
Today you could have waxed lyrical about Ozzy Osbourne, born in Aston and a big cheese, budgy eating singer with Black Sabbath, your heavy metal man!! 🙂
Rasp I am not saying it is the supporters fault…..I am saying that if they changed their attitude it might change the outcome of the game.
To put this in context:
2010-11 Midweek game Everton home, ball over the top Saha scores…..clearly offside…..the crowd reaction….disgust at the decision, get behind the team…boo the ref….boo Arteta for play acting/time wasting…boo Howard for taking 5 minutes for every goal kick. Sing plenty of renditions of By Far The Greatest Team….result win 2-1.
2012-13 Swansea at home playing out for a damp squid nil nil. Sitting amongst silence, moans and groans, result lost 2-0.
The fans attitude transfers to the pitch, whether or not they are wholly to blame, they are without doubt a factor.
A damp squib obviously because squids are normally damp 😳
Finally we’re back. Great pre match as always Raddy. No Explorers? Although the squad is a bit thin I think we have a great first eleven. I’m confident today.
GM and Irish blogging again, blimey this must be serious 🙂
Irish – I haven’t heard anything about TW’s injury
Morning all
A little apprehensive and will be intersting to see the line up as AW will not as usual be taking one game at a time as he will surely have the CL game on his mind.
As always thanks Raddy for the write up. I hope those attending will give us a detailed account of the atmosphere around the ground.
GIE,
A squib is a small firework, so a damp one would not go off, so you were right all along! 😀
I’m back for the season now evonne 🙂
Sorry GIE, I now realize what you meant, by going back and checking the original comment, altho a damp squid would not go off either! 😀
Peroni fuelled mayhem, Kelsey? 🙂
Evonne – start of the season, The Arsenal are back – nothing more serious 🙂
Few people at work saying he picked up a knock – but they might be just winding me ….
I never thought I would want Stoke and that barsteward Hughes to win anything, but I want ‘Pool to lose 0:6. 🙂
Stoke just hit the post ….
BT Sport have a player reaction cam 😆
Now that Stoke chance was interesting, Mignolet flapping at the far stick, good keeper now under greater spotlight with higher demands. I will be intrigued.
I give Hughes a month in the job.
Weird seeing Kolo Toure playing for Liverpool – exciting enough game
Footy’s back, BR’s pre-match is back, and I’m back from Nova Scotia- hurrah!
I must admit it was an immense relief to not follow any transfer guff for a week. Have we signed anyone?
BR – notwithstanding Evonne’s reservations, I humbly implore you to come up with a theme for this year’s PMs. They are one of the things that make them so distinctive and such a joy to read. They really stand out in the Arsenal blog landscape.
Ideally the theme should be something that interests you, regardless of its relevance to footy. But off the top of my head:
In a season that finishes with a World Cup, how about WC heroes and villains; or greatest WC games?
Or do something about our opponents, like explaining their club crest (for the return fixture it could switch to the history of their strip or their ground or even their name).
Non footy related – and thinking of how inspirational last year’s explorers were – what about Victoria Cross winners? Or British Olympic gold medallists through history?
Anyway… I realize that any theme involves lots of work so it’s really up to you.
I’m nervous about today – as others have said, the mood coud be dark if things don’t go our way.
Is Suarez playing for ‘Pool?
Suspended RL – for getting hungry while playing Chelsea 😛
Szczesny, Sagna, Kos, Mertesacker, Gibbs; Ramsey Chamberlain; Wilshere; Rosicky, Giroud, Walcott
We need a strong start to the season. I dont care how we get it, but we need a win for confidence going into CL qualifiers.
So the monkey faced,knuckle dragging, spittle fuelled bottom feeding Welsh Orc is going to destroy another club. They suit each other
Hoping Stoke go down to be honest – just sad it wasn’t Pulis who dragged them down there.
Doh – he’s suspended, if course. Silly me.
Reblogged this on deanomartins's Blog.
On the other hand surely it’ll be the end to any future for Mark Hughes in football, I’m glad he has gone to Stoke, probably the most unlikeable manager in the PL, swiftly followed by Allardyce.
G’day AA. Hope your all well. 🙂
Hi BRaddy, thanking you for the pre-match sir….you da man 🙂
I sort of miss the mo’s and beards, not to mention the free education in history. 😉
If i can just say, that i like Rockstars idea of WC heroes and villians, maybe focussing only on ex Arsenal players……(my 2p)
have a great day all
COYRRG
TEAM NEWS: Rosicky starts Villa game
Tomas Rosicky has been included the the Arsenal team for the opening match of the season against Aston Villa.
With Mikel Arteta ruled out, Aaron Ramsey is expected to drop deeper alongside Jack Wilshere with the Czech midfielder in a more advanced role.
Elsewhere, Bacary Sagna is included at right back while Wojciech Szczesny has been selected in goal.
Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain is expected to line up on the left flank after pipping Lukas Podolski to a starting role.
Team in full: Szczesny, Sagna, Mertesacker, Koscielny, Gibbs, Wilshere, Ramsey, Rosicky, Walcott, Giroud, Oxlade-Chamberlain
Subs: Fabianski, Jenkinson, Frimpong, Cazorla, Gnabry, Podolski, Sanogo
Copyright 2013 The Arsenal Football Club plc.
That line up is more than capable of beating Villa.
The two big surprises for me are the OX starting ahead of Podolski and Frimpong on the bench – I thought he was still recovering from injury.
Prince 🙂 not ppp anymore? Welcome back!!!
GiE – I thought it was just Tony P you disliked, but you really have a grudge against Stoke
If nothing else got through to me, I would still know the game is on. A guy with registration ‘MI5 AFC’ is parked outside my house again!
Mmmm. Ox instead of Podolski. I like it
What is there not to like Raddy? Youth over experience, as always 🙂
It always tickles me that Rocky the Holidays King goes round the world, but always thinks about us here
What a save for Pool!! That’s what we need most – a great goalie
Hi Evonne, how are you sweetheart? 🙂
Prince to come off the bench and score a screamer which will be remembered at seasons end as ‘goal of the season’. When that happens i shall add the ‘pp’ back to my name.
Yaay. A BR Prematch.
Boo..No explorers. I want my money back 😀
Really excited about the football being back. We’re going to win today, because we have to.
Frimpong on the bench is a surprise. He’s not been involved in any pre season game. I would have expected someone like Eisfeld, Olsson or Zelalem to be on the bench ahead of Dench, but maybe it’s just to put the fear of being Frimponged in Villa’s minds.
Liverpool start with a win. They played better than I expected, but they are vulnerable when attacked. Begovic kept Stoke in the match with some brilliant saves, while Mignolet looked shaky. He did however save a penalty at the end and seemed to get his confidence back. That was such a crap penalty by Walters and I wonder why he’s even their penalty taker. The graphic showed 4 of his last 5 penalties all going in exactly the same spot (the 5th missed via the crossbar). To be fair 3 scored, but if goalkeepers study penalty takers then it was obvious that is where he was going to go. Pity. We’re going to hear a lot of happy scousers now, and that is not a good thing as far as I’m concerned.
I am fine Prince and even better the footy is back on. My life will have some structure again – game on – Evonne is at home watching, no games – chaos prevails. I can set a clock if you know about my ‘hobby’
getting a bit jittery ….
Hi Prince, 🙂
Long time no sea, as the cod said to the haddock!
I am not surprised the new season would draw you out!
OHHHHHH NOOOOOOOOOOOOO, did you see the BT Sport pundits???? Bloody hell, surely they could do better than GiE’s mates
Evonne. A fine penalty save no doubt poor pen tho bit of a bobbler and with a bit of homework it seems Waters is very easy to figure out as all last season his pens went to the right of the keeper. Wasn’t convinced with his control of the area though. I seem to remember another keeper who made a double penalty save at Anfield….oh yes it came to me it was Szczesny. 😉
And as for Stoke….what is there to like, watching them trying to control a ball is like letting George feed himself……it could go anywhere.
Right to stream or not to stream that is the question.
Hi Redders, 🙂
Im not surprised either. How have you been?
Aaah a Big Randy pre match.
The world is back on its axis again.
3pts please.
Back at half time
Oh and a long overdue ‘Hello’ to all my AA friends !!
Another great pre match reddy, great job.
The first eleven looks strong enough but I wouldn’t really trust the bench to pull off a win against AA fc. Good to see Mozart out there again tho and I personally prefer Ox to Prince Poldi.
*Raddy
Great support to start the game – good to hear.
5 minutes in Giroud!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
counter attacking arsenal…poetry in motion.
cheers raddish.
GET IN BIG MAN!!!! Lovely break
do we have a Fox in the Box??
hi SS!!
what a lovely move and goal,reminds me of the old days.
What a finish by Giroud! Great great 5 mins so far.
no fox evonne…a lion!
Theo injured, feck!! How did you know Irish??
Great pre match matched by a great goal by giroud…..
Hmmm dont like to see Theo limping…
Oz 🙂 🙂 It begins to feel like a family reunion here
and Harry too!!! wow, this is better than xmas 🙂
shit it’s harry!
hi evonne
Lol evonne season opener better than Xmas
I love our current captain. I bet he is one of the loyal few left
the back triangle Szczesny-Koscielny-Mert looks good, solid, great understanding
Oh, brilliant assist from Ox
Harry – of course! Do you prefer 3 points for starters or a few pairs of socks with a mistletoe motif ?
Is it just my dodgy Telly or is the ref’s strip about too similar to Villa’s?
Wouldn’t it be great if Ollie – our lion in the box – had a BIG year.
One thing hasn’t changed – ref giving everything to them and nothing to us.
just your old eyes rocky.
what the hell happened!!!
Can’t blame Szcz for the pen or the goal.
Referee making up the rules as he goes along, grade A pr1ck
very lucky rebound
BR on the Suarez saga: “I am very satisfied with the way everything has been resolved.” I wonder what he means.
Brilliant, Giroud, and the Ox, and Wilshere! OK, penalty, goal conceded, but game on!
Now its a foul if you header the ball… sheesh
These refs get their lisences from a coco pops cereal box
These soft frees ruin the game, ridiculous!
Arnie
I suspect it means Suarez is going nowhere.
This ref is an arse, everything for them….. Pathetic
Gibbs off , gets worse….
Booking wilshere is a joke
Has Szsney gone mad
Kin ‘ell.
This idiot ref is blowing up for nothing for them, then completely misses Sagna being booted in the ankle.
No Kelsey, our defence went to sleep and they were all ball watching as Abonglahor waltzed into the box
the honeymoon is well and truly over guys
I never imagined such a physical game from Villa
evonne:
its always like this in the 1st half though. Hopefully our boys will be teh last men standing!!!!
To be fair Kelsey, I reckon Lambert took one look at the bench, knows we face Fenerbache mid week, and asked his te to find out of we were up for the fight.
At least Gibbs will be back midweek (assuming it needed 2-3 stitches and hence why they just didnt do it on sideline).
quite nervy in the end …. quite a lot of fingernails gone!!!!
I don’t mind a physical game, just want an even playing field with the ref, he has been shocking….. Ruins watching football. After today we will be lucky to field a team in the champions league wed.
agreed harry
Not the best far half, decent in patches, but need to stamp our authority on the game.
Some top quality options on the bench 🙂
The referee ruined the entire flow of the game. And here was I hoping the referees wouldn’t be their usual selves with Arsenal.
But also worryingly, that was a very stupid goal to concede, with the defense just allowing Agbonlahor to run through. Szczesny isn’t filling me with confidence either. It seems like we still haven’t gotten used to maintaining our composure and concentration in the face of the referee spoiling our rhythm. This is not good. We can’t be goody two shoes about this and expect anything else.
A good thing that the crowd has been backing the team. And deservedly getting on the referee’s back. I bet the media reports the boos at half time as being aimed at Arsenal rather than the real target.
……………………………………………………..
(I deleted a word that put me into moderation. This is a repost.)
Walcott needs to get more involved. Santi will be on soon, I hope.
Actually, I enjoyed Arsenal’s play, with some of it, especially Oxo, Jack and Kozzer playing particularly well.
I hate the sneaky stamps and wild tackles that leave our guys limping. It seems only a matter of time before there is a serious injury because this ineffective ref just does not have control.
And yet I am nervous because these sort of games can suddenly turn around and bite Arsenal on the ass, especially as the defence has been unbalanced with Gibbs injury.
One half of play and injuries to Gibbs and the Ox???
Santi on 🙂
Oxo off? 😦 injured
If Arteta had been playing I suspect we would not have conceded the pen.
Bloody hell Arsene made a sub at half time……but that only leaves us one more ……
Yet again we are being out muscled by a pedestrian team.
Rosa……..we expect better 😦
Phew that was close
JET Bristol city leveller
Rosicky should have scored just before,Harry
we sure do prince
Don’t call this been out muscled, just kicked out….
Yes Kelsey, bad miss but he is doing well…
Why do they show the goal decision system? It’s not like it’ll go to review in ground, it’ll just alert ref on his watch (or device next to watch).
Referee is appalling!!!
Ramsey cynically scythed down…
fcuking ref!!!!!!!!!!
FUCKING ROBBED.
ITS CRIMINAL
Oh dear.
That is never a penalty!!!!!
Not good, where’s my quilt?
I’ll say it
The referee is a cheat, and the game is fixed. This is what Arsenal have faced for years. I’m sick of it, and it’s about time the fans decided to not stand for it.
And here I was excited about watching a game of football. I might as well watch the bloody WWF.
and what’s more. The players know it. See Koscielny’s reaction to the penalty decision.
Systematic fouling… Injuries mounting
Red card pathetic
Gets better!!!!!
well said shard, it’s robbery
and the commentator explains what it’s all about.
“This is the most captivating, dramatic league on the planet”
Who cares about the game?
Oh well the boo boys will be in voice tonite….
Time for media lockdown…..actually probably blog lockdown, I won’t be able to face blogging for the next week.
Rosicky cynically taken out… No card
No booking for that? This guy is a f’in joke!!!
So unlucky rosicky
pure fighter Rosicky. Unlucky there but you can’t fault his determination
Second that Oz
Every visiting keeper turns into superman at the Em’s. Over it…
Cazorla booked, joke compared to villa let offs #even playing field not…
Not a pen then? Fuck me….if we’d known we could just step across someone we would’ve been better off.
That 3rd Villa goal happened because the players gave up. I don’t blame them one bit.
Oh well that’s ripped it ……
oh dear….
11v11 we win this game, 11v12 made it tough, 10v12 were onto a hiding.
Thank God I am not doing the match report.
On a positive, the season get only get better?
Fking sob referee, way to go to kill a game. Pandemonium at the emirates now.
Wake up call to Wenger. He’s had many in the past. Heartache!
I turned off at 3-1 once the fans started chanting against Wenger. The ref cost us 3 points today.
It’s nothing to do with “spend some f-ing money”.
We’ve been completely stiffed by an incompetent/corrupt ref.
Sagna, nasty fall …. Could of snapped his neck… Not good
Does Arsene know? That’s what happens when you don’t spend to invest in additions to a club. My dear brethrens this will be normal.why spend the who summer chasing shadows(Suarez)
first game of the season, we’ve been waiting months and we have to see it ruined by a bald wanker! outrage
Sagan is up, thank Christ
Nicely put Oz
Ginger nuts
Do you really think that’s the story of this game?
You can’t be watching the same game I am.
I think Taylor ref’d in the Ems cup was pretty woeful then too!
Abonlawhores twelve foul and finally a card…
Ginger nuts, so wrong mate and I am not a wenger apologist…
gabby’s been doing that all game.
Taylor should be demoted to the championship after that. sick of these refs being above reproach
Ref was inept to the point where corruption is the only plausible cause.
Will the idiots see that..?? Nope. Bollox to em then
It’s enough. I’ve had to hold back sometimes over the past few years, and I’m no conspiracy theorist or paranoid. I’ve known for years that Arsenal have been purposely harmed by the referees, and this is also a big part of why Arsenal haven’t won a trophy.
I don’t know why. I can guess. But this has been happening, and seeing as how lies about Arsenal become accepted truth simply through repetition, I am not going to now hold back from saying the game is fixed when it quite clearly is.
The performance of the team doesn’t matter. The lack of signings doesn’t matter. The story of this game is that it was fixed and Arsenal were meant to lose.
Gives Villa two advantages on one passage of play, gives us none when we are in good positions.
Blows for foul with four Villains goal side, issues no card, play restarts with 11 Villa players goal side. Thanks ref !!
I bet twitter is in full meltdown…. Toys pram come to mind…
I reckon you’re right Shard, ref was truly scandalous today
Haha – some Gooner’s has been onto Taylor’s Wikipedia page pretty sharpish:
“Anthony Taylor (born 20 October 1978)[1][2] is an English professional referee from Wythenshawe, Greater Manchester. He supports non-league side Altrincham and Premier League side Aston Villa, also rumored to be secretly supporting North London side Tottenham Hotspurs.
His infamous excellent refereeing in the Arsenal – Aston Villa game has given manager Arsene Wenger the much needed pressure to spend more money to improve his squad.[3]”
Shard I find it hard not to fully agree, it’s been in my thoughts for years mate, just if we give it about the ref you get loads and you think it can’t be surely… But watching that today, has been surreal.. The bias was so blatant……
Leaving aside the funny “edits” to his Wiki page, here we have yet another North-West based ref shafting the Arsenal.
Whether it’s blatant corruption or some kind of cultural bias who knows, but it’s undeniable.
Reporter: Arsene this is not the start you anticipated?
Arsene: The players are a bit tired after a long preseason.
Reporter: Are you close to signing anyone to improve the team.
Arsene: You will be the first to know if we sign anyone who can improve the team.
Reporter: Is Dick Law negotiating any deals for you before the transfer window closes?
Arsene: I m afraid we will be without him until mid September as he is on a safari holiday.
Rocky
That last line. I often wonder if that’s actually what it’s about. Why else would it be Arsenal. The financial situation of not spending money we don’t have is the only thing that really sets us apart.
And because Wenger doesn’t buckle under that threat, (not to mention that he’s been close to proving you don’t need billions to win) he is vilified in the media.
Just a thought. I don’t know for sure obviously. But I’ve said it on and off before. Arsenal are cheated by referees. Nothing new in what happened today.
Who’s writing the match report?
Still 111 points to play for 🙂
The only thing that would be more disgraceful if the sob ref is getting paid for this absolutely fked up display of refereeing would be if he isn’t getting paid.
Absolutely inept at refereeing. He should be demoted back to League Two at the very least.
I’m angry with Wenger for one reason right now – we are so short at the back. We’re an injury prone squad anyway and he sends Miquel out on loan with no CB back up – that’s shocking.
I am expecting an FA investigation into Taylor’s obvious cheating today – bribed/hatred or else he has a stack on at the bookies against Arsenal. Either way, clear cheating.
@ Gingernuts
haha surely he is not. He’s pulling the piss there I hope
@ Shard
Agreed. Yet we copped it for the Eduardo dive for yonks. We are labelled divers and cheaters yet some players have made careers out of it. The advantage rule today was as one sided as I’ve ever seen!!!
ManU’s famed mental strength is the result of knowing that even when they struggle, they will inevitably be helped by the man in teh middle.
What effect will it have if you know the reverse is going to happen? Our players. All of them. Rosicky, Wilshere, Jenkinson, Cazorla, Koscielny, Mertesacker. All of them knew exactly what was going on. Some ofthem have faced it for years. And though he’s still a ****, I can’t really blame RVP for being tempted to turn his back on this.
@ Rocky
Suppose I’ll have to settle for 107 points then…bloody ref!
The guys who say we won’t ever win again under Wenger might have a point. I can’t help but feel that the fix has a lot to do with him. Although I am not certain about this of course. I am certain that Arsenal are victims of systemic match fixing.
Really disappointing.
Cheating ref? Conspiracy against Arsenal?
No. Just sheer incompetence by the ref.
Oz
You think we’re gonna drop another four points?
Doomer!
Even worse Shard, today’s ref played a vital part in that run in:
“In March 2011, Taylor and his assistants came under scrutiny from Arsenal manager Arsène Wenger after his team was held to a 0–0 home draw by Sunderland. The officials elected not to award Arsenal’s Andrei Arshavin a late penalty after an apparent push by Sunderland captain Titus Bramble.[17] Wenger said afterwards that he was “too disgusted” to talk about the decision.[18]”
only watched the last few mins of the first half and one thing that stood out for me was the number of fouls being comitted by Villa and how many of them the ref was ignoring. What is the job of those blokes at the PGMOLif a ref with stats like these are officiating in “the worlds most dramatic league”
http://blog.emiratesstadium.info/archives/24266GMOL
Not the start we hoped for.
“During his first game as a referee for the new season on 17th August 2013 in the game which featured Arsenal vs Aston Villa. Whilst in this game Arsenal gained the lead but the ref then decided to change the game by giving all poor decisions and all in Aston Villa’s way, in the end the game finished 3-1 to Aston Villa with 2 penalties for Villa whilst Arsenal getting a red card “It was not you stupid ref” was one of the many sayings of Arsenal fans after this game. Later that day he is to be found covered in poo thrown by many Arsenal fans.”
This page was last modified on 17 August 2013 at 16:11.
RA
Really? And why are such incompetent refs allowed to stay at the top of the game? It’s not new. It’s happened for years. Why is the refs ‘incompetence’ always brushed under the carpet by the media and the PL themselves? What makes you so sure that it isn’t anything more than incompetence?
I respect you, and I love the way your brain works, your logic, your ability to make sense of things so beautifully. I very rarely say this so blatantly, but RA, you are wrong about this. Just completely wrong. There is a systemic propensity towards corruption in football. No transparency, tons of money, media obfuscating facts and conducting propaganda. The fact that most people are conditioned to beware of considering corruption makes it even easier for any corrupt bodies to pull off their crime right in front of everyone. Today was just the latest example, and no Arsenal aren’t the only victims. But they are heavy victims of both fixing and propaganda.
GIE
I remember that game, and what I remember most from it is not the not given penalty, but the fact that when we were starting to apply pressure on Sunderland, and got a throw in near their corner flag, Anthony Taylor blew for a foul throw against Arsenal for what was as by the book a throw you could ever hope to see.
Referees don’t affect games just through the big calls. They do it through affecting the flow of the game.
RA
You’re wrong. This has been going on for years.
Of course the EPL is fixed, rigged, criminal, whatever you wanna call it. I have seen teams been relegated because of dodgy calls (Blackpool) and today we were royally raped.
Still hard to find an exscuse when going into the season unprepaired…………….for the second season running.
Another thing, there were 10 yellows and a red, not to mention the goals and subs (mind you, the Poldi change was senseless) There was a total of 5 minutes 50 something seconds of extra time……ARE YOU KIDDING REF? How many minutes extra would manure have had if they were down? Stupid question….i know
And why I’m so upset is not because Arsenal lost or Arsenal don’t win trophies blah blah blah.. I don’t care about any of that. Not enough to lose my wool for any length of time.
I’m upset because all I want is to watch a football match. I don’t want to even know the referees name let alone worry about his decisions or where he comes from etc etc. All I want is to watch my team play a game of football. Win, lose or draw. What I saw today, and what I’ve seen numerous times over the years, is not football.
Cricket has been fixed, the NBA had a referee cheat the Sacramento Kings in the playoffs, nobody bats an eyelid when it is announced that the CHinese league is fixed, or the Italians. Or even the German. England though is special. WHy would this be? Especially when it is the most lucrative league in the world. The billions floating around in the league affect a lot of things people don’t think about. The money doesn’t stay in football. It goes out through agents and third party investors who operate through offshore bank accounts and anonymity. Is the game’s integrity likely to be their main concern, especially when they feel the paying public will swallow whatever excuses the media makes up. That;s leaving aside the gamblers and the like which is a different aspect and the only one that is even slightly considered by the public.
Top of the league this morning and bottom tonight 🙂
Ok. So the ref was glaringly biased and even that is an understatement.
Besides the ref, are we going to talk about some of our apparent weaknesses? Upfront Giroud. Wilshere losing the ball and hot head. Sczny and his costly antics.
Am all for lynching the ref. But, Villa were strong, quick going forward and took their chances well. Call me a boo boy, but lets get real.
Kgooner – I’m not denying Villa their win or being a bad loser but they kicked the ankles off our team today and got away with it. They backed into our players and got frees and feigned injuries on a number of occasions and got frees. Kozzer made a world class challenge and got booked and a penalty given against us which changed the game. Villa bent the rules heavily with the help of the referee today and that stinks – would never want to win like that.
Of course the ref was biased but we are seriously short of players now more than ever.Yet we started so well but the decisions that went against us rattled the whole side and we lost our composure but despite a few great saves we just lack that clinical finish yet again.
AW will need to get this team back up ASAP .
on players I thought Santi didn’t look understandably match fit, jack’s first full game was closely marked but he is on his way back,Sagna is not a LB, kos was unlucky to get sent off, rosicky had a good game but can’t convert, Giroud took his goal well but really should have added to his goal,Walcott wasn’t involved enough, not one of ramsey’s best games, Szsney needs competition, Gibbs was playing well until the eye injury.Mertesacker did his best and the OX was average.
To be honest feel gutted.
Irish_no doubt. Kozzer had the ball first. I dont think a red and a penalty were in order. A lot of fouls by villa went unchallenged by the ref. We were denied advantage numerous times.
Mancs and chelsea spend a tonn of money and alter the league dynamics. The world does not owe arsenal anything. Its never been fair.
All i’m saying is to change what we can, like working on our team. We could get riled up and engulfed by this ref madness. But what about jenks poor crosses? Did you see the stadium. A lot of empty seats before half time. Worse after.
ref definitely Villa’s MOM!
ArsenalAston Villa
15(4) Shots (on goal) 11(6)
15 Fouls 19
4 Corner kicks 3
3 Offsides 1
64% Time of Possession 36%
3 Yellow Cards 5
1 Red Cards 0
3 Saves 3
three of those Villa on target shots were the penalties remember, they were “good value for their win” according to the BBC hacks!
is there any point in appealing the red card (first yellow) to the FA(feckarsenal)?
Shard, GM,
Ok, you both disagree with my opinion, and that is OK – but that does not make it wrong – or your opinion right.
With the disappointment rankling everyone tonight, it would be best to discuss this in a cooler environment.
My ‘proof’ of incompetence is simply there for everyone to see, and form their own opinions.
Your opinion that (all?) the refs are cheats and engaged in systemic match fixing against Arsenal will be rather more difficult to ‘prove’ I suspect.
But I am open to being persuaded, so perhaps one of you (or both) will write a Post to substantiate your opinion with facts, then we can present them to the police to be investigated. Or not.
I don’t mind either way. 🙂
Damn. Van Persie is playing brilliantly, again. Barsteward!
Not impressed with our potential CB Williams. 😦
I went to the game but I haven’t had the benefit of watching the slow motion replays of the Villa penalties awards: were they valid?
RA
Proof. What counts as proof if the repeated performances of the referees, the narratives of the media, the reports of money laundering in football blah blah blah doesn’t? Give me police powers and I’ll find you courtroom proof. Without that, if you will consider nothing else, then I’m afraid the discussion is pointless.
LB,
The first penalty awarded against Chezzer was correct, and he could have been sent off by the letter of the law when he took Agbonlahor’s feet.
The second penalty was wrongly awarded as Kozzer got the ball and then Agbonlahor fell over his foot.
The referee was poor throughout.
LB, first one yes, second one no.
Which really is the nub of the matter and why I’m more angry at the ref than the players…..it gave Villa the lead it resulted in Koz getting his first booking.
The second booking was equally laughable compared to some of the stuff Villa had not been carded for….Taylor was conned by the player going over dramatically one step after contact.
But if that was his only mistake on Koz it would have been 1-1 and still 11 v 11.
LB
First pen was fair and square – Szcz perhaps a bit lucky not to be red carded (although that’s a really stupid rule).
Second pen was a travesty: Kozzer got the ball cleanly. It looked clean in real time and the replays confirmed it 100%. Absolute robbery. He also didn’t touch the Villa player for his second yellow. I’m skeptical about the corruption/conspiracy theories, but it does make you wonder.
To be honest – end of the day I’m just happy Bac walked away from this: http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7380/9529264159_f875e80bd8_o.gif
So Paul Lambert feels the second penalty was a “stonewall penalty”
In other news.. The dutch skank just scored 2 amazing goals in united’s first game.
The difference in class among good players and world class players isn’t really that hard to spot sometimes..
Still some time left till the transfer window closes, let’s all hope that the only good thing that comes out from today’s match is some top quality signings asap.
Rocky, your spelling is terrible!
‘Skeptical’? You North Americans should know it is sceptical. 😀
I have nightmares sometimes with ‘s’ and ‘z’ in English UK v English US words like ‘realize’ v ‘realise’, and now you are setting me back, because as sure as eggs are bananas I will spell it that way next time! Grrrh.
Should say that although the first was a pen, it can’t be said that Ambonglahor tried to continue running or hurdle Szczesny.
If he was anywhere else on the pitch he would’ve and could’ve Szczesny’s hands are on the ground, Abonglahor knocks it wide and runs straight in to Szczesny’s body. But his legs don’t move after the touch, they stay together and he waits for the contact, fair enough I know I’m asking for a minor miracle and asking players to at least try to continue running before they are fouled but in a world where cricketers don’t walk with a thick outside edge how can I expect a footballer to be honest?
To be fair to the cricketers after Broad’s laughable non-dismissal players from both sides started to walk again.
I love Arsene Wenger.
http://www.arsenal.com/news/news-archive/wenger-on-villa-injuries-and-transfers
And to get back to the game, unfortunately Taylors inept display means no-one can really judge the performance.
We can judge the squad, it looks thin, thinner still after Gibbs had his head cracked open in a freak incident and looks like Ox also took a knock. And with Taylor’s assistance we are without Koz for 1 league game.
But at times we opened them up even with 10 men, Rodicky had two good chances to level, we missed Arteta, we knew we would having seen us try in the Ems Cup to play without him, whoever is chosen in that midfield role needs to be disciplined or work it out between them who goes and who stays, too often with 11 men on the park both Ramsey and Wilshere had gone from where they were needed if the move broke down.
GIE,
Watching the BT programme today, Strachan when talking generally about penalties, and more specifically about Drogba,in the Emirates Cup, said that if player A touches player B in the penalty area, then if B chooses to go down, however ridiculous the dying swan act, that that is part of football professionalism. [Not in those words admittedly].
Agbonlahor and others simply see those ‘opportunities’ to win penalties by falling over at the slightest excuse, even if just because of the opponents foul breath, is simply part of the game.
Shameful, but commonplace, and very infuriating!
aaaaaaaaaaaaaaarrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrgggggggggggggggggggghhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh!
How is it possible to referee a game soooooo bad?
As I said RA it’s football, I’ve done it, it’s been done to me, I’ve heard a coach sub a young player and give him a bollocking for not going down when he had the chance. And this is non league football where it’s not even about money.
Sometimes I think Rosicky, Cazorla and Rambo could take a leaf out of Arteta’s book, many times they get a couple of tugs on the shirt and continue to try and keep going only for a second player come in and nick the ball. Arteta just stops the second he is pulled back or tapped, wins the free kick and restarts.
did anyone hear what AW said after the game?
Redders
I have made a spektacle of myself with my spelling 😳
I shall blame my awful US-orientated spell check! (Which also turns my ‘realise’ to ‘realize’).
LB – first penalty was a joke. He didn’t stop the game, gave them advantage and only when they didn’t score he gave them penalty, so they did. Second was a joke altogether. Koscielny didn’t touch the player and got the ball
One fair criticism of AW is the lack of depth in the squad. Unless Vermalean is back next week how can we send Miguel and Djourou out on loan with only 3 CBs? Do we have a great CB in the reserve side?
Take no notice of me …………… it’s really Evonne, I’m cooking her supper so I’ll sort it out in a few minutes
Twitter is saying Ox Cruciate Ligament……luck? We have absolutely none!!!!
My only guess Neamann is we are lining someone up to come in.
Otherwise as you say why release Djourou and Miquel on loan?
Then there’s the left back position which I can’t hold anyone accountable for, Monreal is injured we have Gibbs, should we have three possible starters in every position? That would be extravagant to say the least. And no one wanted Santos anymore 😦
Although young Jernade Meade would have been helpful, but again part of the squad bloat that everyone complained about.
There was something else I meant to pick up on, there has been a lot of chatter that for the second season in a row we are unprepared waiting for Transfer Deadlime Day….well that’s one of those Internet truths that sticks but isn’t actually true.
Because last season our business was done way before the start of the season….Giroud, Santi, Pod all were available opening day.
I love Arsene Wenger even more
http://www.mirror.co.uk/sport/football/news/arsenal-1-3-aston-villa-reaction-2180072?
Evening all, I’ve been playing cricket so didn’t see the game and so can’t pass a judgement on the performance. I’ve read the comments and understand the ref had a shocker.
What I can comment on (and certainly not for the first time) is the fact that we have made ourselves vulnerable by failing to bring in sufficient cover for areas where we are short. The gamble hasn’t paid off and we have damaged our chances of qualifying for the CL which could cost the club in excess of £30m.
Striker apart, the purchase of the other players we need should not be last minute buys. In fact everyone will now know what players we need and probably raise the price as a result. Ashley Williams could have gone up £2m after today’s game
We may have been unlucky with the injuries and the red card but in reality it is not luck. These things happen. The management of the club have failed to legislate for the loss of players in key positions.
Rasp,
I’m entirely with Wenger on this when he says that the real question is whether we could have won the game with the players we had on the pitch. He says yes, and so do I. Transfers or lack thereof has virtually no bearing today.
I also agree with him when he says we can only look at ourselves to improve and deal with such things. And I want us to do that. My first comment during the game was that we gave up a stupid goal because we lost concentration once the ref started calling fouls unfairly in Villa’s favour. We need to start expecting the ref to be against us, and we need to learn little tricks and ways to make it harder for him to screw us over.
The performance from the referee however, deserves serious consideration. It wasn’t just incompetence. That shouldn’t balance itself so overwhelmingly in favour of one team. It was a disgrace to the game, and it makes me question whether the league is even worth watching, especially because so many people seem content with just passing it off as one of those things, almost preferring to ignore it for fear of being considered as excuse makers. I am completely and utterly disgusted by what I saw today, and although Arsenal winning would have made it better, it has very little to do with Arsenal losing.
Just back from the game. Long train journey back up north. I am not upset at the result as 10 minutes in to the match you could tell the way that the referee was performing, that this is exactly what was going to happen. The thing that saddens me is the booing, spend some money chants and people leaving on Villa’s third goal. Defiance would have been a better reaction. The referee needs to be investigated by the way – even my 8 year old said that the game was being fixed
Thanks Shard, I am not surprised you are entirely with Wenger, it is your consistent viewpoint. If you read my comment you will see that I made no reference to the ability of the team we put out to win the game – in fact I predicted an Arsenal win earlier in the day. I cannot comment on a game I haven’t seen, but I can comment on the management of the squad that sees us now without first choice players in several key positions
It is bad business to leave ourselves vulnerable to the effect of the almost inevitable injuries when the squad is so light. We should have at least some new players already integrated into the squad.
Rasp
I agree with that. We’re extremely light with the injuries we had today (which also had a lot to do with the way we were allowed to be kicked), and I’m quite close to panicking about the Fenerbahce game, especially because now I have been reminded that I don’t trust referees. Even in Europe. I still remember the ghost penalty we had to face against Udinese 2 years ago which Szcz saved by psyching out Di Natale. Something like that is bound to happen, and we don’t even have a proper first 11 to put out.
Why I brought up Wenger’s statement though, is that I don;t think our lack of signings had anything to do with the way the game went today.
You’re probably right Shard, but it could have everything to do with how we fare in the next 3 or 4 games assuming we bring in some new faces by the end of the window.
You don’t hear the end of Martin Atkinson’s ‘cheating’ of ManU against Chelsea. Even the media portrays that as fact. Atkinson does have a proven pro-Chelsea bias, but what happened to ManU in that game doesn’t even come close to the sort of refereeing performance that Arsenal have had more than a few times in the last few years, including today. And yet, our fans seem reluctant to ‘blame the referee.make excuses etc’ It shouldn’t be like that.
We can blame Arsenal for whatever flaws they have. But it needs to be said again and again that today’s referee put in what can only be a deliberate performance to hurt Arsenal’s chances of a positive result. That is just the truth. And because the media won’t repeat it, we must. Or this sort of thing will continue.
I’m going to be very boring and repetitive about this point from now on. Apologies in advance, but I am sick of the handicap we face with referees, and the propaganda we face in the media.
Rasp
3 or 4 games?? That’s too far ahead. One game is enough to scare me right now.
😆 Shard, I’m not in a position to check, but I believe both CL qualifiers take place before the window closes
Shard – what do you think will be gained by going on about how poor the ref was today? Do you not think any other factors played a part in how the game panned out?
Rasp,
I’m not sure but I think we can’t register any more players for the CL qualifiers. Certainly not for the first leg, and I think not for the second leg either.
Now you’re making me think of that game, and apparently we have Koscielny and Cazorla both suspended. Assuming only one of Gibbs and Sagna (phew. Thank God he walked away from that fall) are alright, we have only one CB, and no substitute full backs. We don’t have a replacement for Arteta, and we don’t have another striker. At this point I’m not worried about our strikers, but the defense is a real worry, while one more midfielder remains a real need.
Szczesny
Jenkinson (someone) Per Gibbs
Ramsey Wilshere Rosicky
Walcott Giroud Podolski
Fabianski, Frimpong, Aneke, Gnabry, Akpom, Sanogo, Olsson/Zelalem
That is the best I can figure out, and considering tha we’re playing in Istanbul, which is a cauldron, against a good team, that is super scary. Add in any bad ‘luck’ with referees, and we’re probably done for. We need a miracle.
Has anyone offered to write something for tomorrow pease?
peaches
Because it needs to be repeated till it is generally deemed acceptable to say it without appearing like a paranoid tin foil hat wearing excuse maker. Most people on this site, to be fair, don’t react that way. But I am too disgusted by the standard of refereeing and the meek acceptance of it to pass it off. It shouldn’t happen because it is not what the game should be. Arsenal winning/losing/not buying players is all part of the game. A referee performance like that, isn’t. Or rather, shouldn’t be, and shouldn’t be accepted.
Other factors pale in significance. It’s like if we don’t buy any players in the transfer window, and I then scrutinise the performances of Gnabry, Zelalem, Eisfeld etc and focus on their faults as the reason for our problems. That won’t be reasonable because it would ignore the major cause (although no doubt if those players performed brilliantly, it wouldn’t matter), which is what ignoring the referee’s contribution is.
Why has my comment been deleted?
Shearer on MOTD sums up exactly why nothing will be done about the poor refereeing in this country. Total joke!!!!
Are you sure it was deleted Shard? None of the administrators would take your comment off, but there are some banned words that you might not expect which are there to remove a certain ‘nuisance’ .
Peaches as I said earlier before Villa’s second goal the match was in the balance, a non penalty resulting in the first yellow for Kozzer was shocking and changed the game totally, because ten minutes later he saw red for a second yellow wholly incorrect. So as Shard says even with a bigger squad what would we have done better with ten men?
The three positions the squad probably needs cover in are defensive midfield (Arteta), centre back (as you need 4) and probably another centre forward, but seeing the way we lined up today….Ox left, Theo right in guessing Arsene might see the front man job interchangeable between Pod and Giroud.
Because Monreal is injured should we have bought another left back? That would seem to tick the box marked “waste of wages” when all three are fit.
Meade would have been useful, but of course the fans didnt want to continue paying big money to youth team players who never played, neither did Gazidis he wanted to change the structure. That’s what we appear to bed doing, well at least reducing the number of squad players…..smart move so far.
Shard, I found your comment in spam and have released it – read back @ 10:56
Shard somehow it ended up in Spam, I’ve released it
Yes Rasp, I am quite sure. I had responded to peaches’ question to me and it showed up on the site. Not awaiting moderation or anything, and this comment didn’t contain any ‘naughty’ words. Even if it contained some unexpected banned words, does the filter remove those comments after posting them?
Why does the beeb employ shearer ? O yer that’s right he goes right along with them by joining in with the beebs anti arsenal rhetoric.
Ok. Thanks guys. Two people claim to have released my comment from spam. I’m touched 🙂
It’s late for me now – night all 😀
Night all
I’m off too. Goodnight.
I have not commented on anything over the tw and have tried to ignore all of the links to potential signings because year after year the same thing happens. Whether it is just agents trying to sell their players or journalists filling lines I am always roped in and get excited about this player or that player only to be disappointed. Stupidly this year I genuinely thought we would get things done early, get players bedded in prior to the season kickoff and be challenging. Sadly no. No signings apart from a freebie french starlet. Probably there will be 1 or 2 desparate last ditch attemps to appease the fans which will no doubt need 5-6 weeks to get used to the pace of the premiership before playing by which time we will be playing for our usual trophy. Somebody needs to lose their job over this continual incompetance, who that somebody is can only be answered by the club. Unfortunately we have very little pulling power to attract top quality players. We have had the same manager for a long time, this same manager used to play attractive winning football, for nearly a decade this same manager has failed to win anything and the stylish football isn’t even there anymore. His favourite players have given up hope of him ever being successful again and left for pastures new. If you were an ambitious worldclass footballer would you choose Arsene Wengers Arsenal ??
I do like and have faith in the players we have but I must confess to having little to no faith in Wenger or the board at the moment.
Joke referee, joke pundits on MOTD. Same old same old.
Ref was without a doubt a joke, but the bigger joke was ending the game with Jenkinson-Ramsey-Mertersacker-Podolski as our defence.
If we don’t start winning in the next couple of games, things will turn sour very quickly. Yesterday was already the first showing of the amount of fans who are displeased (to put it lightly) with Wenger.
Wenger, you know what to do.
Morrning all
I know the focus is primarily on the ref and I am sue that debate will roll on for days but having now watched the game twice there a few points I would like to add.
The first goal was a sheer masterclass of passing and a well executed goal by Giroud and I am sure though many of us were still anxious to get a quick second,none of us expected what was to follow.
We started with nearly a full first choice team but Arteta missing made a huge difference and the combination of a not fully fit Wilshere and Ramsey just didn’t work. Then Gibbs who had had a pretty decent game got inured and Sagna being switched to LB didn’t help our cause and Jenkinson as he did pre season,looked extremely nervous and uncomfortable on the ball.
Not for the first time Szsney gave away a penalty either because of inexperience,being rash but most probably because our defence was split wide open.
Villa gained momentum from scoring where yet again when Szsney saved the initial penalty it went up in the air and there wasn’t a single player in our defence anywhere near Benteke who had scuffed his shot.
This is a Villa side who only just avoided relegation yet they grew in stature and were unlucky not to score again when hitting the post with again our defence nowhere to be seen.
With the OX also injured with crucial leg injuries our frailities showed up that we don’t have numbers in depth and Cazorla who has hardly played pre season added next to nothing bar one shot.
Even though Kos was wrongly dismissed,as he takes chances with his tackling, we had at least three more chances from Rosicky and Giroud where they should have scored,hence the need for a clinical striker.Walcott could have been the man,but again he went missing.
Now we have a real struggle to assemble a team for Wednesday and because of the injury list,various suspensions and morale must be at a low point we face the possibility of being knocked out of the CL which just might be a good thing, though realistically we might have got through the group stages, though of course not many would agree,but it might really be a wake up call to the board and wenger.
We are plagued with one injury after another various suspensions and a very small squad. You can’t keep playing certain players out of their natural position because one hasn’t got sufficent cover.
AW is one of the highest paid managers in the world and ultimately must take a fair share of the responsibility yet his post match comments were interesting as he inferred the backroom work as a team and he is not entirely responsible for transfers and the money available, which to me is a shift in words from what we are led to believe.
Doing something for the match report.
Best of luck GIE 🙂
By the wa TMHT you are living in cuckoo land and that is meant in the nicest possible way.:)
The worst case scenario as of today any club will raise it’s price as we appear desperate to strengthen or at least should be and I am absolutely convinced regardless how this season pans out Kroenke won’t do anything and if we fail miserably one or two of the few excellent players we have will also leave.
This is totally bad preperation for this Summer as there is absolutely no exuse not to have strengthened by now,but I keep asking myself why don’t players want to join us .
https://twitter.com/lindajoelle/status/368942111745249280
Morning all,
Sorry to say this, but a bent Ref will.always find it easier to alter the outcome of a finely balanced game.
There is less opportunity if one side are dominant.
I simply can’t help thinking that a quality dedicated DM and wide left boy would have helped us. Enormously
In short, my thinking remains the same.
Really.hope the pressure doesn’t get to the players as they as much as the fans appear to welcome New. Blood.
Sorry, on mobile telephone and it’s predictor is even worse than my spelling 😮
This video pretty much summed up the violent and emotional reactions of the people sat around me yesterday. Being sat on the terraces was a pretty shocking place to be.
Morning all
Just seeing how the dust has settled 😦
I feel very sad this morning, sad for supporters who will want to hide themselves away and sad for the team who stepped onto the pitch at 3pm to hopefully win a football match.
kelsey – I would be very sad indeed if I thought that players really didn’t want to come and play for Arsenal per se, I do think it’s all about the money.
There are so many questions that we’ll never know the answers to but who on earth within the walls of power at Arsenal agreed that we should start the season with such a small squad. Every other team buys players ……….. buy why don’t we buy players?
We could have not lost yesterday, not had players injured and rolled onto the next game worrying that our squad was too thin to survive injuries, suspensions and a flaky biased referee.
shard – I think you’re absolutely right about the refereeing by the way, but the FA needs to open it’s eyes and open the door to using foreign referees before they can stamp on the bias.
Morning Micky
That’s all well and good. But why should we have to put up with a bent ref and a performance like that? Regardless of whatever weaknesses Arsenal have in their squad, and showed in the game, the referee affecting the game that way, is not, and should not be accepted, as part of the game.
No manager in the world, no matter what team is responsible for deciding the club’s transfer budget. They are mere employees and as such information like that is handed down to them.
Club in crisis? Yes.
Thanks peaches. But what incentive does the FA have for changing status quo when the paying public is willing to accept it?
As for players being reluctant to join us. Do you think any player watching us being kicked all over the park yesterday would think to himself, “I’d like some of that”
I’m not saying that is the only reason, and quite clearly a lot of players would be willing to join us as long as the money’s right. But I am certain that things like that also play a role.
Apparently the linesman who was up with play didn’t give the second penalty.
Morning LB, we have money. The general acceptance is that it is the manager’s job to identify realistic targets and then if the money is available, there is a team of negotiators etc who will try to make the transfer happen.
I don’t know if you’re suggesting that Gazidis is a blatant liar, but even the accountants on here acknowledge we have a budget and the chief executive has said it is available to spend on players.
Chas @7:38 – that is really is a great vid. That is exactly how I feel, desperate.
What was going on on the terraces?
As far as the ref goes, IanRealGunner was spot on when he said you could see, as early as 10 minutes in, that he was the opposite of a being biased in favour of the home team.
Us losing and getting lots more injuries before the Fenerbahce game with an already thin squad was, in some ways, a script that was already written. The whole atmosphere around the club is one of vile negativity for whatever reason. That negativity creates its own reality.
Would anyone like to challenge me on any of the points i raised,especially the post match comments by AW
I know the ref was very poor yesterday, it was the same in the 4:4 draw against toon. I’d bet supporters of every club could name a game where they thought the ref was incompetent to the point of corruption.
If we continue to only focus on the referee we will look like whingers (a reputation we already hold) and importantly we will be avoiding addressing other issues which are under our control.
Apparently not 😉
So who is this mythical character that’s to blame? Kroenke because he doesn’t understand how the system works?
Can the club survive just by selling shirts and tv rights in Asia?
Are we going to be the last Arsenal supporters to have sat amongst 60,000 at a rocking Emirates watching the team we love beat a team like Barcelona? People will stop coming, I was shocked at the way the stadium emptied when Villa scored their third yesterday. We built that stadium to compete but we’re not competing 😦
3 days – Fenerbahce
7 days – Fulham
10 days – Fenerbahce
2 weeks – Spurs
Are we ready for that? I want to cut off my own head with a pair of blunt scissors
evonne, most of the conversations I heard could have been lifted straight from LG or Arsenal Truth.
Before the game I heard someone say that Giroud will probably score a hat trick and Wenger will use it to suggest that we don’t need another striker. If that isn’t wishing you fail before you start, then I don’t know what is.
As the 2nd half debacle progressed, there was a build up of venom and hatred against the shocking referee. The third goal suddenly turned this pent-up aggression full force into anti-Wenger tirades.
The “what the f*ck are club and manager doing” sentiments seem to be bubbling just below the surface all the time and even a hideous refereeing performance can’t stop them from exploding when we go behind.
Things are bad.
I hope everyone – (especially Arsene Wenger 🙄 ) , watches chas’ clip @ 7:38
kelsey – I think LB’s comment at 7.43 answers your question
We have moaned ….. no sorry, I have moaned that Arsene doesn’t like spending the money but he can’t want the team to fail, he can’t deliberately want to walk into the training ground and look at those little faces and not have any news for them.
kelsey – I think there’s something wrong at the club.
Rasp lets look at something……it pains me to say this but until two weeks time Spuds are a better destination:
Lets imagine you’re a centre defensive midfielder looking at the landscape of offers around you, Liverpool, Spuds and Arsenal have made offers, all equal money.
So now you have to look at the competitions each are guaranteed to play in, all equal? No because Spuds guarantee Europa, Liverpool and Arsenal can’t.
That’s a plus one in the Spuds column for anyone not in the CL.
Look at managers, well they’re transient by nature, but all three are respected in the game.
And then finally he looks at the atmosphere around the club.
Rasp,
Every Arsenal blog has been full of whinging for years. It’s a reputation we rightly hold.
chas – that guy is amazing in that video, but more amazing is that it’s set in the USA 😉
Giroud, Podolski and Cazorla came last season …… I don’t think the atmosphere was too different then ……..
Ok , talking to myself, time to make some porridge ………………
Thank you GiE for offering to write something for today, you all wouldn’t have enjoyed my moaning 😆
Sorry guys, I don’t know what it’s going to take for you all to see what’s right under your noses. How can you all keep trying to prove that the overwhelming majority view is wrong and that our supporters are ignorant and unworthy? its so obvious where the problem lies.
That video clip is not an uneducated string of vile abuse, it was the emotional outpouring from a real supporter displaying his frustration at the way the administration is running our club – I feel the same.
peaches said
“kelsey – I think there’s something wrong at the club.”
I said that two seasons ago,didn’t I 🙂
even IF they bought some players now (WHOM??), it is not going to help us in the next few weeks.
Well spotted Peaches, I was wondering why he interviewed only foreigners 🙂
peaches,
I think you’re right.
There has been a poisonous undercurrent at the club for several seasons. This just seems to be the cap blowing off the volcano.
Peaches:
Are we going to be the last Arsenal supporters to have sat amongst 60,000 at a rocking Emirates watching the team we love beat a team like Barcelona? People will stop coming, I was shocked at the way the stadium emptied when Villa scored their third yesterday.
You were shocked? I mean 5 minutes to go and winning a CL match the ground empties, so losing 3-1 surely it’s no shock? Beating Wigan last home game of the season I sat amongst 10 empty seats applauding the team off.
The result is what I feared, if (I know it’s a big if) we had spent and the result was the same would the reaction be any different? We were a club in crisis starting last season with two draws having spent in the summer, albeit having lost RvP.
Rasp,
I think ignorant and unworthy supporters have been adding to that poisonous undercurrent for several years now.
That’s where we’d disagree.
Your “right under your noses” comment is unworthy of you. Just because some don’t see everything in your jaundiced way, doesn’t mean they are wrong.
For that reason, I’m out.
That wasn’t my point GiE. I’m sure you realise that there’s a difference between supporters leaving early because that’s what they do and a rush for the exits, which is what happened yesterday during a vile echoing of ‘spend some f***ing money’
Kelsey – but you were wrong for 2 seasons, third time lucky I guess 🙂
The point I was making was that if Kroenke is happy to see his investment grow by new income streams in the Far East, the club as we know it, will disappear and the way we’ve supported it all these years will be a thing of the past 😦
Btw only Cazorla and Giroud came to the club last summer from CL clubs….we were already in the CL proper……spot the difference!!!!
Morning
Mr Wenger trying to say we can draw a positive from a defeat ,I think he’s gone time time for me to section him under the mental health act .
Ps that was awfull yesterday and to make sheets day worse RVP scored against Swansea
Sheep
I don’t see how I can be accused of being unworthy when I express my concerns with respect for all parties concerned – the club, its employees, players and supporters.
chas
I don’t think Rasp explained fully what he meant.
It’s sheer frustration by many that the comments coming from the club at the beginning of the season was that there was more money available to strengthen the squad, what that amount actually was is open to conjecture.
We now are in a position were our injury list is longer than for many a year and we don’t have sufficent bodies of a reaasonable quality to cover at this crucial time.
Someone cares enough to write to Ivan …….
http://www.blackscarfafc.co.uk/bsm-write-to-gazidis.html
kelsey – actually I think we had discussions about something being wrong even further back than that 😉
Peaches, so why did they leave early? Because the atmosphere in the ground did not represent their view? Which is where I’d probably be as I would not want to be associated with it. Or because of the result?
Our fans have been manipulated into feeling that there is something seriously wrong with the club. There has been such a huge level of propaganda surrounding Arsenal in the past 4 years or so (and it’s not like the coverage was favourable before that) I know that reads like a ‘superior’ view, but it isn’t how I mean it. The discourse about Arsenal has been completely distorted for years. It starts with trophies being the sole raison d’etre for a club’s existence. Even those that don’t believe it, have had the supposed ‘frustration’ of it repeated so often that it affects them. There have been so many lies and half truths printed about Arsenal that so many of those have just become accepted truths. Axioms even.
This is really the first season that Arsenal have had major cash to spend. Part of the reason that this is possible even now, and not another year later, is because we’ve saved up cash through the years. But if spending cash is all you want, then consider whether spending 40m is better or spending 15m. The answer? Neither. It depends on what you get for it.
When Arsenal could get Cazorla for 15m, he did. When we had the choice to make because of not being able to afford a quality target, between buying inferior players within our budget, or not buying anyone and saving the cash for later, we opted for both, as we felt the need. Gervinho is an example of the first, and all so called missed targets examples of the second.
So why has there been a poisonous atmosphere around the club for years? What was so bad with the club? Two things, repeated ad infinitum. We haven’t won a trophy in x years, and we don’t spend any money (even when that is not true) Everything about Arsenal which is painted as bad stems from those, now established, axioms. Add in cliches like highest ticket prices in the world, Arsene having too much power, Arsene being reluctant to spend, too proud to change, Board and Arsene being at loggerheads, Arsene and Steve Buld not getting along. None of these have any proof, or indeed are false. Yet, it is these incessant rumours that have through repetition, based on a narrow world view of what a club is supposed to do, regardles of circumstance, not to mention the victimisation of the club by referees and the reluctance of the fans to see it for fear of looking like whingers simply because the media won’t support the truth, that has led to the poisonous atmosphere.
The club can do very little to combat the level of propaganda that has gone into this, and it is completely the fans fault if they let themselves be manipulated into feeling like it’s justified to rail against a club that has on the whole managed the single biggest transition in its history so smoothly, even in the face of extraordinary challenges.
Morning Everyone, 🙂
All this will pass the next time we whop some other team.
chas, we’ve spent a lot of time together. I like and respect you. I have no wish to create an atmosphere where you feel you don’t want to be a part of this site. It is clear that your view is more in line with the majority. I was just expressing my frustrations not mounting a witch hunt or personal attack.
I would prefer it if you remain on the site and I fade into the background … seriously
I believe you are right peaches.
I think there is a divide amongst supporters if Wenger has complete overall charge of all transfers and everything that goes with it including wages in or out, or if he is answerable to Gazidis.
chas – you don’t have to agree that there’s something wrong at the club, no-one is forcing you to. I understand that the negativity amongst supporters does spoil the fun but it’s there for a reason, it’s how people feel. There was always negativity about something it’s just that now there are more voices joining in 😦 😦 😦
Rosicky went on a couple of fantastic runs yesterday, picking the ball up and powering his way through the middle of the pitch, he was unlucky not to score. I’d much rather be able to take those thoughts away from the game than the vile chanting I had to listen to.
Shard
you can what you like but the evidence is on the pitch. Do we win when it really matters. how many points have we taken off the others in the top 5 last season ? Yes we put a run together at the end of last season to scrape into forth but generally we are not a motivated team that remains consistent regardless of our results.
we keep making the same mistakes whoever is on the pitch and give away really bad goals to teams usually on the counter attack.
The figures are misleading that we had a very good defensive record,it’s games won that matters after 38 ,especially at home.
GiE – when Villa scored the third goal there was an explosion of emotion and it was directed at whoever is responsible for spending the money. Up until then all those around me had ooohed and aaahed at special things, sang their hearts out and supported the team. There was little undercurrent of negativity, we were there to support the team and doing a bloody good job too. Obviously I can only comment on where I was sitting.
Hi Rasper, 🙂
I kind of agree with you.
The language and the vitriol some fans use is unfortunate.
That is not to say they should not criticise the club or individuals like Arsene Wenger, if they think they are getting it wrong..
However, you are absolutely right, in that Arsenal are in the entertainment business and from listening to the comments on AA and elsewhere they are clearly failing to satisfy their customers which is the core business.
I have not been to the ground for a long time, but many of you go regularly and report much the same thing happening there, and if on the blogs, and in the stadium and undoubtedly worldwide the same thing is happening, then the management are getting it seriously wrong and the business will eventually fail.
That said, I am still very hopeful we will win the next game, and the one after that and then things won’t look so bad in the immediate future — but the BoD must take a long hard look to see where they are going wrong.
By the way …………. Villa were always going to score yesterday, their breakaway attacks were mouth watering, the ref gave them 2 penalties but they had much better fire power than us.
Chas,
Please do not go!
Peaches,
You have got right to the core of the game yesterday, in my opinion.
Villa’s attack was swift and incisive, unlike ours, and it caused our defense problems whenever they came forward.
That was not helped by Gibbs’ injury, but is never the less true.
kelsey
And yet we’re better on the pitch than the likes of Spurs and Liverpool who’s fans seem to be much happier with their lot.
But yes. The sameness is the problem. I still maintain that if Arsenal had fallen out of the top 4 in say 2008, and struggled to get back into it, maybe been like Spurs, getting in for one year. We’d be much worse off as a club, but the fans would be much more satisfied with the club.
“the BoD must take a long hard look to see where they are going wrong”
RA – I think the first step would be for them to see that THEY ARE GOING WRONG. I have a feeling that the BoD does not see a problem. What problem? Arsene has it under control and the coffers are full. What problem?
Poor Wenger, I am sure he is doing his best
Rasp,
Of course I’m not leaving site. As for you slipping into the background. Don’t be so ridiculous. 🙂
I simply objected to your ‘I told you so ‘ comment. That was all. Last thing I needed to hear this morning.
Everyone blogs for different reasons. I like the banter and camaraderie. Others like exchanging opinions. I realise the blog wouldn’t be popular if it was just full of back-slapping and jocularity.
OK, Evonne, fair point.
Mind you, if the Directors are unaware of the ill feeling that seems to be evident at the ground, as so many are saying, let alone the blogs, — then there is an even more serious problem.
Perhaps they have spent so much time getting the club’s financials right, that they have taken their eyes off what the fans expect from the team on the pitch?
It seems such a long time since Arsenal and its fans were ‘happy’.
Chas, Rasp,
Forgive me for making a personal comment — but I cannot help myself.
You are in many ways like chalk and cheese, but I cannot think of two people I enjoy blogging with more than the pair of you — because you are so different — and yet you are both united in your love of Arsenal. 🙂
Shearer does make a few good points about our play (not the ref)it was sloppy at times.
vcazoerla was ultimately responsible for being totally not under pressure he gave the ball away which led to the build up of the penalty for the second goal.
GIE I strongly disagree with you about Szsney’s mad minute.What the hell was he trying to do ? not once but three times in a minute he made terrible mistakes,not what one expects.
Pre season wasn’t about results but about fitness and bonding, well we didn’t bond very well for a good proportion of the game despite starting so well and that was disappointing.
No problem kelsey, i know saying that i live in”Cuckoo land” is not said in a nasty way
Cuckoos also seem to have nice gaffs, i dont. I would compare myself more to a piegeon. hahaha
Anyway, ime tired of having to defend our future. I went to the game yesterday and spent half the time arguing with the people i went with. i think at one stage they were contemplating beating me up. hahaha
Then i wake up this morning and a good friend of mine is all over the papers holding a silly sign of spend spend spend.
Think i will give it a rest for a while, so will see you all when were top of the league and heading for the title.
i might be gone some time. hahaha
In that case RA our engagement is over 🙂
Don’t take any notice, Terry Pigeon, 🙂
Many people think your enthusiasm is like a whiff of fresh air — well Glic says you definitely whiff! 😀
I will come and find you if you disappear for any length of time — and tickle you into submission!!
Hi Kelsey, 🙂
You have decided to break our engagement and that is after promising to make me an honest man!! 😦
Seems like I am wearing everyone out, so …….. hey, Terry …… Terry …………… wait for me ……………
Rasp you have asked some of us this morning to see what is under our noses, I have made several comments on the facts as I see them, so I am going to ask you why you ignore what’s under your nose?
2010-11 Finish 4th
TW : Buy Gervinho early, sell Cesc, Nasri, but BFG, Arteta, loan in Yossi, buy Park and Santos once CL football guaranteed. (Books balanced as budgeted)
2011-12 Finish 3rd
TW : sign Pod (pre agreed in January from non CL club), sign Cazorla and Giroud from CL clubs sell RvP and Song (Books balanced as budgeted)
2012-13 Finish 4th
TW : Sell no one important, buy no one yet.
If you can’t see the difference then it is you who is not accepting what we can all see.
And then onto the question of the squad, you have been one of the chief critics of Arsene’s strategy regarding equity of pay, and the salary of squad players. Ivan told the AST he shared that view and that Arsenal recognised the need to change to attract star players.
Can you see what has happened? We have hardly any players, now we need to add the squad again, but of course the club have now adopted a new strategy, we want star names, can we attract the star names? Well I guess that’ll depend on the wages we are prepared to pay and whether we have CL football.
I would have preferred us to keep a lot of the squad and supported the strategy many times over te last couple of seasons, others didn’t including (at least he would have us believe Ivan) so we are where we are now where many wanted us to be.
I’m mortified. It’s funny how football can suddenly cheer you up though. Watching highlights of Norwich vs Everton …… Wolfswinckle 🙂
new post……….
Thanks GiE, I was driving to work and so wasn’t able to respond sooner.
Without being facetious, my response would be “and your point is?”
I could re-categorise it as :
2011 TW ….sell 2 top quality players, buy 1 good player, loan 1 good player and buy 2 pups …. make a profit on sales
2012 TW …. sign 3 very good players, sell the premier league title to man utd ….. scrape 4th by a whisker but balance the books
2013 TW …. announce we have arrived and are no going to have to make a profit on player sales. Build a huge expectation amongst supporters and then do nothing except publicly fail to land any of our targets.