Yet another tedious International break which thankfully ends today. Once again we suffered injuries., just how costly remains to be seen However, today’s excitement has nothing to do with national teams and all to do with our shiny new toy.
Father Wenger and his reindeer have been all the way to Spain and brought us back an early Xmas gift. It has been delivered, unwrapped and now we get to play with him (easy…). And not just any toy. No, we must have been very, very good to be given a toy like this because this toy comes from the luxury section of the most expensive toyshop in the world.
But, a word of caution. Should we start playing with him without reading all the instructions and making sure he fits with our other toys? Perhaps, we should wait until after lunch.
Just kidding! How can we possibly wait to see the most costly item we have ever had. Sadly, my guess is that Father W will bench our new fellow and only give him a cameo appearance – unless our other chaps are too crocked to play.
Sunderland. Be honest, without looking, how many of their players can you name? We all know the manager who totally overshadows his players. If the team mimicks their manager then we are in for a trying afternoon because he is an irritating little sod.
Sunderland have struggled to score and rely heavily on Fletcher and Johnson. Adam Johnson is a decent player who was out of his depth at City but remains a threat.
We know what to expect from a team who struggle; extraordinary hard work, in your face, counter-attacking, dull dull dull dull.
Arsenal: We have only scored more than one goal once in our last 7 visits to Sunderland, we must hope for more today. Will Walcott start after being on the receiving end of a most vicious tackle perpetrated by a son of Beelzebub ? Will JW be ready for a third game in a 8 days? Same for many of our players.
But whatever I write we all know that today is all about Özil. I could have left out the other 700 odd words and written just the one. How will he fit into the team? How long will it take for him to adapt to the PL? Where will Mr Wenger ask him to play? Is he a Bergkamp or a Pires? How will he respond to the kicking he is sure to get? Ooooh, it is so exciting!!
My team:
I would start the Flamster. He is perfect for the midfield battle which we are sure to have today – I believe his signing will have a major effect upon our season and am delighted he has returned.
Jack needs a rest, though it would be true to say he also needs a run of games to get back to fitness, but with the news that Ozil is ill but has traveled with the squad, I expect Jack to start and be replaced by the new boy at some point. Mozart is crocked.
I am excited to see how we perform with such a team, especially given how Ramsey is playing. Have you seen the vid from his Wales games? The man is on fire and playing with a confidence it is hard to credit. If there were to be a PL player of the last month Ramsey would win easily.
The defense has recovered from the AV blip. One goal conceded in four games is an excellent response. Unfortunately Mertesacker is unavailable due to a bug so we are likely to see Sagna at CB, a position in which he has looked rock solid and the energetic Corporal Jenkinson at RB …. no problem there.
I don’t know if any of you have been to Sunderland (look away now all Mackems) but if you haven’t – keep it that way. I went up to watch a Kanu game and left in awe of the local population – how could they remain positive in such an awful environment? FairPlay to the locals – to have to live in a town like that is not for the weak-hearted. That they retain a sense of humour is a testament to the human spirit!
And I guess that is why they are so fervent about their team. The Stadium of Light (what a ridiculous name) can rock when the team is doing well. The Arsenal (inspired by €42+m of Özil) need to give the Mackems no reason to get excited.
Di Canio is no Wenger, he is not going to be concerned with artistry and weaving patterns of beauty around the pitch, he will be instructing (?) his players to “make their presence felt”. So, we need a strong referee. Who have we got? Martin Atkinson, UEFA Elite referee, we could have got worse.
Apart from the opening day blip Arsenal have had a fine start to the season. Two away wins, two home wins. Can we make it three or is a draw a reasonable return? Of course not, let’s start Mesut’s Arsenal career with a win.
Written by Big Raddy
Arsenal News 24/7
arsenalarsenal.net 
Good morning to you all.
It looks as though the International hoodoo has struck again, Mertesacker and Ozil have returned suffering from “sickness”. Mertes is too sick to travel to Sunderland and Mesut didn’t train yesterday but has made the trip. I can’t see our new signing starting the match, he’ll probably come on for a late thirty minute cameo. Sagna in at centre back with Jenkinson at full back.
I wouldn’t be surprised to see Flamini start instead of Wilshere, four games in a short time could be pushing Jack a bit.
I still expect Arsenal to be good enough to roll Sunderland over, three points are there for the taking.
Victory Through Harmony!!
The indefatigable Raddy’s is Back and wetting our appetites for the day ahead. Very apt post because Christmas will be on us before we know it, lets hope we are top then and AW will spend his vouchers wisely in January.
In the meantime the side above looks good and the return of the Flamster will I am sure prove a godsend on days like today when we have to battle a bit.
Raddy, Sunderland’s Fletcher is one I rate as very dangerous and i would not mind if we were running the rule over him today for the January window. Sunderland people are a cheerful bunch and your new toy will know he is in a game from both players and spectators, lets hope he shines through and comes home happy with the squad he has joined and with some points in his pocket
Great pre-match, Raddy. And finally a game, hey ho!!!!!
I guess, the new toy will get a feel of the atmosphere up north even from the bench. I hope he likes it, and settles in quickly.
Rosicky injured as well. Unlike I think other AA-ers, I thought he was very good against Spurs. The team looks good, as usual, and the bench a bit thin, as usual. So let us bring out the usual pleasing game and comfortable but hard-earned win. 2-0 will make me happy.
Nice write-up Mr Raddy.
I googled the match two weeks ago and have been living under the impression that a 12.00am kick-off on Sunday 15/09 (Sydney time) meant that the match was on Sunday night. Checked the TV to see which rivals were playing tonight and lo and behold, I see Arsenal vs Sunderland. Was the match date changed? Did google get it wrong? So I went back to google and did another search. Same result. Back to gloom. Then I told my brother and he took a look at the google search and as he did, I realised the truth. The match is on tonight!
Does anyone know if Mertesacker is definitely out today? That is the only thing that makes me a bit nervous.
That really is a top drawer pre-match BR, I know a lot of work went into that and it is certainly appreciated by me.
I am a bit annoyed that you used the Christmas imagery though, I had written the first paragraph of the match report in my mind which included “shiny new toy” etc. Now I have got to think of something else 😉
Sav: I think Mert has not travelled with the team. But my impression is that Verms is back, and could be on the bench?
Jenks get another chance. He is a nice hard-working lad who I think will ultimately make the cut.
LB – don’t hold back, we’ll not get tired of the ‘shiny new toy’ analogy for a loooong time methinks. Are you offering to write the match report 😉
Thank you Raddy for a very entertaining pre-match.
Great prematch Mr BR
So how excited are you about OUR Mesut 🙂 I guess you wrote the post before it has been announced that MO won’t play.
I hope he will at least have 10-20mins on the pitch to disprove my conspiracy theory that we didn’t really buy Ozil, it is all our wishful thinking and club’s spin.
As usual I am more weary than you of the opposition. Didn’t Sunderland sign a whole brand new team, some 11 or 12 players this summer?
Raddy this is for you. I was there and I’m sure you were too.
As for today, if we come away with a point it won’t be too bad.
Thanks for the update Arnie.
Sav,
According to Arsenal.com Vermaelen is back in full training and is classed as “possible” for the squad. If he doesn’t make it today he could be back for the Marseille game in mid-week.
Lets keep up the strong defense, we can do it with sagna at cb and.jenks at rb. Tv not ready to start im sure. Good job as always Raddy
Reblogged this on deanomartins's Blog.
Cracking, BR.
Should be fun finding out how the afternoon unfolds. I’m looking forward to some hearty singing. 🙂
Danny. Thank you for the vid. You are right, I was there that night and will never forget the Cruyff turn which I spent the summer trying to repeat.
Great pre match big and dandy, wenger has just said ozil starts but santi is out.
Apparently Santi is injured, not even on the bench.
TEAM NEWS: Ozil makes Arsenal debut
Arsène Wenger has handed Mesut Ozil his Arsenal debut for today’s trip to Sunderland in the Premier League.
The German international starts behind Olivier Giroud, with Mathieu Flamini and stand-in captain Bacary Sagna also picked.
Elsewhere, Thomas Vermaelen returns to the squad and is named on the bench alongside youngsters Chuba Akpom and Serge Gnabry.
Team in full: Szczesny, Jenkinson, Sagna, Koscielny, Gibbs, Flamini, Ramsey, Wilshere, Ozil, Walcott, Giroud
Subs: Fabianski, Vermaelen, Monreal, Frimpong, Ryo, Gnabry, Akpom
Morning all…..well at least Vernaelen and Monreal are on the bench otherwise it looks bare bones.
Are we the unluckiest team with injuries?
Arteta
Podolski
Oxlade-Chamberlain
BFG
Santi
Rosicky
6 would be first teamers missing!
Up to the lads picked to win this one today.
Are we winning yet? I need updates people!!
Nice prematch, Raddy.
Disappointing to see Santi and the BFG are unable to play today, but it still looks like a side that should win.
Weird lineup for Sunderland: Larsson, Borini and Wickham on the bench.
Apparently Wilshere’s on the left today.
1-0 Ozil sets up Giroud!!!!!
Ozil assist to Giroud, GOAL…….
Lovely jubbly what’s that for our “not a 30 goal a season” striker now?
omg OMG OMG how beautiful that was???!!!!!!!!
10 minutes 1 assist!
Höpe he keeps that ratiö up!
Exile, in PL and CL Giroud now has five goals in six games. And he’s scored in each PL game.
But Sunderland have skimmed the crossbar already and apparently Szczesny just made a decent save from a long range shot.
Oh God, nooooooooooooo
Two bloody weeks for me to prepare for this. Zoom home and .5meg download speed. No watching for me.
Where’s my wretched Daughter and that device of hers?
Grrrrrr
Told you all so many times Ollie would get 30 this season 🙂
Is it on the radio?
Yup micky, main game on Radio 5.
yes, I am listening on BBCR5Live
Walcott almost scores for the second time, but Spuds have just scored their first goal from open play against Norwich.
Cheers 26 and Arnie
Half time 0 – 1, should be 0 – 3 or 4.
Afternoon all. Over the moon with Ozil and all the others so far. Just need Theo to finish off his chances. Could have had a hat trick already.
We still have quality like Mert, Verm, Podolski and Cazorla to come into this side !!!
Off to read Randy’s PM….
Micky,
I get a measly 3 meg and I’m streaming it on ronaldo7 website.
Some lovely link up between Özil and JW so far. Just need Theo to finish his chances. An early 2nd half goal would be perfect.
Özil just floats around the pitch popping up exactly where he’s needed. The lad hasn’t sprinted yet! He öözes class.
Penalty to Sunderland….1 – 1.
Poor poor poor from Koscielny. No need to slide in there.
Also poor from Walcott who put no pressure on the player heading the ball back into the box.
Not good at the moment
Arsenal under intense pressure! We’ll be lucky to get away with a point at this rate.
Ramsey scores… 1 – 2
Rambo………..
What a goal!
Great response after weathering a bit of a storm.
Ref just saved us!
The storm hasn’t passed yet.
Just got back to the radio what are they saying about Sagna should have been red carded?
We might need another to get the points today.
GiE,
Not sure who was fouling who, but their striker went on and scored but ref already blew. So we got very lucky.
Some of the officiating has been awful.
We just had a clear corner and goal kick given.
Ramsey scores his second!!! !1C’mon you Gunners!!!
Great ball by Giroud!
Another silly move.
Rambo on fire!
It wasn’t silly at all, it was silky though! 🙂
Vermaelen coming on for Ozil, great to see him back.
Just a quick thing after checking the Beeb Website
Say We Are Top of The League, Say We Are Top of the League 😀
Walcott subbed, Monreal on.
Two minutes to go!!
Giroud taken off injured
Shite!
Full time 1 – 3, Lucky, lucky Arsenal.
Just for once we can thank a referee for a dodgy decision. Bless you Mr. Atkinson. 😀
Great result.
Not seen much of Sunderland but looking at their results I can’t imagine they’ve played any better than that this season. Their attacking players caused us problems, espescially Altidore who is an absolute beast of a man!
Fortunately for us we had far too much for them going forward, although it took 3 very good goals for us to get the points. Ramsey’s finishes were excellent, and some of the link up around the box was great.
Just hope Giroud hasn’t done anything too serious to his knee at the end.
Oh, nearly forgot……we are top of the league, say we are top of the league! 🙂
Whatever the media say about the Sunderland disallowed goal – and they will be focussing exclusively on it – we had 70% possession and totally bossed the game.
We had a dodgy 10 minutes after Kos’s stupidity but fully deserved the win.
Put Santi into this team and we are totally awesome
Can’t believe just how much Ramsey has improved, both his goals were world class. He’s like a brand new player.
Good debut by Ozil too, take into consideration also that he’s only had one training session with the team and that he apparently wasn’t feeling well today !
Hope giroud’s injury isn’t anything serious, it doesn’t seem as bad as it looked as he looked pretty okay walking on to the pitch after the final whistle.
Oh ansd as I said in the post, Ramsey is head and shoulders the player of the season so far. Another superb performance.
Say We are TOTL, we are TOTL 🙂
Arsenes faith in his young core is beggining to pay dividends, and the exciting thing its only the start. Theo and Aaron have goals in them, but i am convinced Jack and Ox have to.
Ozil was superb by the way, wonderful player.
The key is, has, and will always be under Arsene, keeping the squad together and allowing them to mature.
This is only the beggining.
The Ghosts of the Thirties are Stirring
Terrofoc performance, Ramsey MotM, some of Ozil’s passing was superb, maybe because of his age he is being compared to Bergkamp but he was more like Cesc today.
So its 1 assist to Ozil, one to Giroud – who got the other for Ramsey’s first goal?
Phew
Have just watched the game on a time delay.
Bit of a rollercoaster but we should have had it wrapped up at half time.
Ozil looked quality. When he really gets going and gets to undertsand his team mates and the EPL he is going to be special.
And Ramsey… superlatives are running out.
Great pre-match BR.
Will read the comments now…
Rasp
It was The Corporal. Great cross back from the right.
We are top of the league I said we are top of the league 🙂
I see a couple of people get there before me with “we are top of the league” 😳
Thanks Rocky 😛
Rocky I was there with 10 minutes to go 🙂 would have blamed myself if Spuds had scores or we’d conceded one.
jenkinson
that was @rasp
A few additional thoughts:
Bac mostly did well but we missed the organisation and height of the BFG.
Kozzer defended very well overall but he has got to stop those terrible lunging tackles in the box. He was unlucky to give away the pen against Villa, but he made it easy for the ref to give it; today’s tackle for the pen was nowhere near the ball and there was cover behind him. He was lucky not to be booked. Two pens in four EPL games is not good. I love Kozzer and hopefully this is something that can be worked on with him in training.
Theo: he could have had a hat trick but didn’t have his shooting boots on. All strikers get games like that and I hope people don’t go overboard with the criticism.
Giroud: top quality performance again. Non-stop running, brilliantly taken goal and always there to help in our own box for set pieces. Unselfish, tireless and talented. He is turning into something special.
We rode our luck for a while and got a let-off with Atkinson not playing on for the foul by Bac. But the ref cost us points against Villa so we were due a rub of the green. I also thought we responded very well to that brief period of adversity.
With our attacking midfield options I think we should be prepared for more games this season where we occasionally look exposed at the back but seek to outscore the opposition.
Rocky and Exile
You’re both clever sorts, so could one of you kindly let me know where we stand in the league? Thanks so much.
Off to read the Raddy. I will use hindsight wherever possible in my critique 🙂
Only seen the goals….all of them beautiful.
Kos was a little rash in the challenge…..I know he has always been liable due to the way he plays but that one and Villa were unnecessary challenges, he just needs to be told he doesn’t have to win every ball!
Ramseys volley was beautiful….wonder what Souness has to say now…..twat.
Beautiful is my word of the day 😳
http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=F8HP0f2_M7w
Rocky,
Giroud looks like Alan Smith, doesnt he?
Rocky, spot on.
We are just at the beggining of the stage were we can add the odd player of quality and keep our exsisting core together.
Hopefully soon the silly questions about why we do not buy or why we sell our players will be put to bed.
What is coming though is the fundamental question about Arsene Wengers Blue print
It is begginng to look that Arsenes strategy going forward is one of excepting certain defensive defencies and physical attributes by creating a squad with mass depth of underlying quality, in essence saying, ok we have flaws, but overall we will still beat you.
At this stage, though its a bit early, i feel that Arsenal fans should ponder wether they have belief in this blueprint or not.
Hahaha some Arsenal supporters getting their own back on some of the less than complimentary fans retweeting stuff from a year and a half ago:
https://twitter.com/darrenarsenal1/status/198752482099343360
Stick to doing what you do best Piers
What is it Piers does best?
Raddy
Absolutely superb, thank you.
Gutted is what I am. Two week wait and I had the whole day planned. Back in time to read and savour the BR PM, then the game.
I can’t even watch the Rob Lucci vid clip of the Ramsey goal.
“Mannschaft” must mean “Team”
Cool
That was Arsenal goal of the season Micky, (Ramsey second against Sunderland)
Rob
I agree – Ollie definitely has some of the elements that made Smudger Smith such a good player.
Ian Wright was much more exciting to watch than Smudge, but when Wrighty came in to the team and Smith went out we stopped winning titles. Wrighty did not get his Champions medal until much later, when Arsene arrived.
Santi out for 4-6 weeks 😦
Not great news on the injury front with Santi out for a month and Giroud limping off. Hope we have enough depth to see us through.
Starting to see why the Ross Barkley hype has gone up a notch.
Didn’t see the ManUre game but it sounds like they were pretty poor and needed a dodgy penalty (Ashley Young diving) and a red card for Palace to get them over the line.
The BBC website says: “on the whole, United struggled to break down their stubborn visitors – even when Palace were down to 10 men – in an unconvincing performance watched by former manager Sir Alex Ferguson. The Eagles will be left aggrieved by a dubious penalty decision by referee Jon Moss which had such a big bearing on the match.”
Seems like the refs’ old habits are still there when it comes to giving a home team advantage at Old Toilet.
With Citeh held by Stoke, the Chavs currently losing to Everton… it just shows this could be an interesting season.
“Aaron Ramsey touched the ball 111 times, over double the number of any Sunderland player”
“Aaron Ramsey completed 92% of his passes, more than any other starting non-defensive player”
“Aaron Ramsey made 7 successful tackles, the game’s most”
Everton showing how hard this league is going to be to win this year. Top 4 have dropped back to the rest of the pack a bit. Going to be a very exciting season.
Chelsea lost! haha
Rocky,
“And scored two superb goals”!!!!!!!!!!!
Ian
whoops 😳
yo ho ho!!!!! fantastic!!!!! we needed the luck, though. got out of jail
What a pleasant change to be the beneficiary of a referee decision. Can’t say I’m happy about it, but I’ll take it. Especially after Villa
The injuries are mounting though, and that is a real worry with the games coming thick and fast for the next few weeks. Cazorla out for around 3 weeks. No Poldi or Ox till around Christmas. Giroud seems like he’s carrying a knock now, and Sanogo is injured and Bendtner isn’t fit yet. A tough CL group, lots of reserve players let go, so league cup will also be a bit of a burden on the squad. I’m feeling less optimistic than I should after a great victory.
But what a goal from Ramsey. Brilliant volley. I thought we played very well today, and responded well to the pressure. Proud of the team’s efforts today, even if it took some luck.
ManU though, get ‘lucky’ so often that it can’t be luck. A penalty given for a dubious foul outside the box, which also resulted in a red card, in the first half. And yet, they scored their second only very late via a Rooney free kick.
Chelsea got lucky against Villa (who had their freebie 3 points taken away and given to Chelsea) but no such luck for them today. A good performance from Everton against a Chelsea squad that on paper, looks like it should breeze through the league. I think their only problem might be that Mourinho doesn’t know how to use the likes of Oscar and Mata and fit them into his plan. Maybe he’ll figure it out, or they’ll go out and buy more. But as of now, we seem like we have a chance at the title. If only those pesky injuries would abate.
Özil made 58 successful passes in the opposition half today – that’s more than any player in any single PL game this season
sorry guys, but do you all think that it was a penalty for sunderland?
I meant – I know that the ref gave the penalty, but was he right? It didn’t look like a pen to me
Testing
FGG – Olly tweeted about an hour ago that his knee was ok.
Olivier Giroud @_OlivierGiroud_ 36m
My knee is ok don’t worry! Thanks for your support! 😉
Details
thats a huge relief. such a scare!!!!
Think he’ll be rested for the Baggies game though arnie.
Peaches/Rasp
There is a report and ratings in drafts.
Cazorla out for 4 to 6 weeks, what happened?
Thanks LB, you’re march reports are the best – especially when we win in style 🙂
Hang on, there are no credible quotes that Cazorla is out for a period.
its on Arsenal.com LB
Rob
Can you help, I can’t find it there.
The only thing I can see on Arsenal.com is the Cazorla was out today because of an ankle injury — no mention of a time.
No I am not having this I am going back to being happy.
LB
Wenger on Cazorla
Cazorla has an ankle problem. He will be out for a few weeks as well. I don’t think he will play before the next international break.
http://www.arsenal.com/news/news-archive/wenger-on-victory-ozil-ramsey-giroud
Damn.
It reads Santi is out until atleast october 6 when the next international break kicks in.
We did good today and could easily have scored much more. Considering our long injury scroll, we pulled up our socks and saw the win through. If anyone cares to recall, our 1st game against sunderland @home last season ended in a 0-0 draw! Look how far we’ve come.
Cant wait for marseille
Cheers BR.
Days like today make you realise and appreciate how great it is supporting Arsenal. Absolutely buzzing from that showing, what a player Aaron Ramsey is becoming.
Comment of the day for me came from Garth Crooks – :”Mesut Ozil looks like he’s played his whole career at Arsenal…”
If he brings some of what Dennis Bergkamp gave us good times may not be that far away.
And we’re top of the table until at least Monday night! 😀
I do hope we start tightening up defensively though, we do leak goals.
Someone onthe radio last night said we have the look of that Newcastle side Keegan managed with a “we’ll score one more than you attitude”. Found it a bit insulting but can’t disagree.
Two years ago Sunderlands equaliser could have seen us crumble, but we got the job done, most importantly we did it without three key men from last season. (Arteta, BFG and Santi).
And I was thinking about our glut of midfielders but it really is necessary due to the way we play to have lots of them, they will be the ones suffering most fatigue along with the full backs. Having the ability to rotate (when all are fit) will make life easier.
The purring over Rambo’s strike is overshadowing Oli’s the way he took it was evidence of a player who is now relaxing in front of goal, passed it in to the net whereas last season he would have tried to break the net.
Morning Exile
Just watched the game on Iplayer. I kind of agree about Ollie’s goal, although the ball to him was perfect. Many times last season he was digging out a slightly short ball, or stretching hither and thither.
As to the defence, I still think we look solid enough with Mert in the middle, although your reference to “we’ll score one more than you” sits very comfortably with me 🙂
If they say the referee had to send Sagna off because it was a clear goalscoring opportunity since Altidore scored, then where is the ‘denying of a goalscoring opportunity’ which is the justification for a red card.
Sagna’s foul did not deny Altidore anything.
Great day yesterday. I thought we were as poor in the second half as we were good in the first (apart from Rambo’s two pearlers, of course). Sunderland came out after half time with a rocket up their collective arse. We looked like we’d been on the gange.
Atkinson seemed poor all game to me. Thank Dennis the refereeing football gods decreed it was our turn for a little blessing. 🙂
Micky I just watched first half on FootballForst or whatever Sky call it. Better than the goal was the moment just before half time where Oli first time outside of left boot plays a little chip/dink pass to Theo.
Big Mans on fire.
Got to love the mediots.
Metro headline : Mathieu Flamini warns Arsenal he wants to finish career at Marseille
He has only been here five minutes and was a panic buy three weeks ago.
But more ludicrous is he has signed a 2 year deal with us, if he wants to go back to Marseille I doubt we will be tearing our hair out. He would have served his purpose.
Agree. As you know, I’ve always believed in him, and more importantly thought we would see the best of him in his second season.
I do get the transfer window calls for an alternative type of goalscorer, but was never really too bothered. Certainly I could never understand the justification in splashing out on a Michu or a Higuain.
Ollie’s team play is superb, and his control and finishing from the ball to feet is very underrated.
Chas
You “away boys” were in good voice as usual.
I do understand your “respected” status, as the site’s leading attendee, as well as leading “miles covered” in the line of duty.
Exile
Never heard of “footballforst” but then I don’t have Sky.
I’m on satellite broadband with a monthly gig download allowance. Was so looking forward to yesterday. Out of the waves and back to find my Daughter had soaked it all up!!
Happily, the 15th is monthly re-boost, so could watch the game earlier today.
Özil got Sol’s song it would appear, and Ramsey has a new one which when I hear I remember but when I don’t hear I forget the tune.
But the current good songs have one thing in common, less words, more naa naa and doo doo 🙂
that spud Erikson looks good.
There is voting on BBC who will finish higher – Arsenal or Spurs, but even Lineker said that it will be difficult for THFC to finish in top 4.
I missed our game on MotD 😦
GiE – you are a nice boy and will help me out with this – why was it a penalty for Sunderland? Koscielny hardly touched the S player, he got the ball. Is there a rule that says you are not allowed to go to the ground in the box? I had only seen it yesterday on a tiny screen, so I might have missed something
ManU had a very similar pen awarded against Norwich (and Judas scored), but there was definite contact
@ GiE
good stuff. The torch really needs to be put on those who hounded Ramsey non-stop. I get if you don’t rate him but if he wasn’t so thick skinned I think it could have destroyed him.
@ Shard
the injuries are very much a worry. The thought of relying on Giroud so much scares the bejabbers out of me.
you’re better than Bale, you’re better than Bale
Aaron Ramsey you’re better than Bale 🙂 🙂 Absolutely
http://www.101greatgoals.com/blog/aaron-ramsey-laughs-as-arsenal-fan-tells-him-hes-better-than-gareth-bale/?
@ Evonne
I don’t think it was a penalty whatsoever. He barely touched him an Johnson made a meal of it (don’t they all). I think Kozzer was wrong in sliding because it wasn’t needed but given the impact it was a ridiculous call.
Also annoying when Altidore shrugs off Sagna with strength but other times he fell over at the drop of a hat. Flamini barely touched him yet he earnt a yellow card. These big strong forwards and their ‘drogba-syndrome’
thank you Oz, I thought it was my ignorance
So have to have you back, are you working now?
OMG, I have just seen the other results – Chavs lost and Shitty drew!!! oooh la la la la 🙂 Raddy said that getting Ozil was like Christmas; team that is top of the table at Christmas wins the League. We are top of the league and we WILL win it 🙂
**so good to have you back!!!
Cheers Evonne. Yep my uni is paying me to study hydration and thermal strain on fire fighters. Just scouring Australia for a PhD supervisor. Could be working with a guy who has just come from England and worked with a few England gold medalists so that’d be good (anything to get closer to Arsenal 🙂 )
How have you been?
The other results were very good to see. I’m hoping the manager swaps will unsettle our competitors. A few injuries to even the odds would be nice as well!
you are evil Oz, wishing injuries on those nice Mancs and lesser Londoners 🙂
PhD, wow!! Well done kiddo, congrats! And a worthy subject, Australia has more than a fair share of fires to combat
I am ok, thanks. Always better after a winning game, it sort of gives me wings; if not for a ample backside I would fly with joy 🙂
61% think that AFC will finish above Spurs. the remaining 39% of votes came from deluded spuds.
cheers Evonne, appreciate it.
Nothing sinister. A hammy here and a calf injury there. I’d enjoy another John Terry round house. Perhaps Suarez can bite another person so he can serve another suspension til January. Then we can pick him up on the cheap.
Agreed, the weekend is always better after a victory. Nothing wrong with that, it’d help with the landing 🙂 We’ll ship you off to Detroit, I hear they like ‘ghetto booty’ 🙂
I think he made contact, it was a covering tackle (ie to cut the potential cross) wasn’t really needed as Oli was alongside him. But Johnson does what anyone else in that position does moves his body between ball and defender to get contact.
It wasn’t the worst case of seeking contact for me those are the ones where the player leaves his leg in (or sticks it out to) an unnatural position to get a touch of an already committed tackle (player gone to ground already).
Would we say it was a penalty had it happened to Ozil or Santi, most definitely yes.
too impartial GiE
Arsenal = penalty
Opposition = dive!!! + expletives
Morning top of the leaguers 🙂
My builders have introduced me to a really great radio station only available on DAB called The Arrow ………. It’s rocking in my kitchen 🙂
Thank you GiE, I didn’t know covering tackle implications; goes to show I didn’t play much footy 🙂
The covering tace was more to demonstrate he wasn’t going for the ball, and why it doesn’t look like a standard penalty. It has no bearing onthe decision.
Just sorting the post, back in a bit …
There’s one welsh gunner that’s very happy today.
Top of the leauge and chelski lost
Splendid 👍👍
What’s the truth about Giroud, on twitter he says it was his ankle but is OK, on Arsenal.com Wenger says “it’s knee problem”.
New Post ………………….