It is getting boring having to write that this is a must win game but let’s be honest a draw today is not exactly what the Doctor orders. (what does that expression come from?)
The continual repetition of “we have to beat one of Big Boys” has become as tiresome as “8 years” – or was it 9? But as with the silverware it is nonetheless true. Things have to change and today is a fine opportunity to get the monkey of our back (can I come up with any more cliches?)
What is good about the MU saga over the past two seasons is that it proves money is not all one needs to become successful. Last season they bought Fellaini, Mata, costing 65 mill. This summer it was …. well you know and I can’t be arsed to check but the total cost of these no-marks is almost 150 million of Her Majesty’s finest. and that is without Falcao! Where are they in the table? Behind a team who is according to many of their fans having a disastrous season with a manager who has outlived his usefulness.
Both teams have a lengthy injury list. Both have important players returning to the squad. One major difference is that one of those teams is not in Europe and that could have a telling effect come season’s end.
United remain a Big Club even if they had a dreadful 2013/14 and it should be highlighted that AFC have only beaten them once in 14 attempts (back in March 2011 when AR scored). They will be as difficult opponents as ever.
IMO the key MU player is Di Maria. We got mugged at Swansea because no-one re-acted to Chambers getting skinned time and time again in the first half. It cost us the game. LVG is sure to focus on this weakness and in Di Maria he has one of the world’s best players to exploit it. Our best bet is to Flamini him.
Rooney, the Dutch bloke, Janusaj, Mata, Di Maria, Fellaini. All can hurt us but they are struggling to find a rhythm just as we are.
Arsenal: Losing Theo before he even got going is a blow which even the return of OG does nothing to alleviate. Thankfully Ox is improving game on game.
Given the defensive frailties most pundits think this will be a high scoring game – I am not so sure. It is true both sides are top heavy but neither side has shown they can bag a hatful. Alexis is our key player – what a buy he is. Will he be 100% after travelling so far midweek? We shall find out today.
In many ways today’s game could define our season. Enjoy.
p.s. due to time restrictions this is not up to my admittedly low standards. Time restraints 😦
COYRRG
Written by Big Raddy
Arsenal News 24/7
arsenalarsenal.net 
Ooops forgot the pics, back in a while
We also have our recent undefeated home record to defend today. Let’s hope it’s not achieved with a draw.
Nice job BR……….Like you say, both defences are struggling this season.
It may be determined on who makes the least mistakes at the back.
Your spot on with the Di-Maria fact. He and that Dutch bloke will cause us problems. Let’s cause them as much problems with our Danny and Alexis.
Due to pride of manu, i hope they must get d point from arsenal; but 4 unknw surply arsenal may cn do d play but manu we win
Peaches is taking her time finding those photos 🙂
You can’t fool me Opbe, you are Read Arse in disguise 🙂
The defence picks itself and the only other option is Bellerin at RB,but Monreal and Mertesacker nor Chambers and Mertesacker fills me with you.
Today I am with micky, score more than we concede but as usual it will be squeaky bum time.
Kels
‘Fills me with you’ and ‘I’m with micky’ and ‘squeaky bum time’ shouldn’t really be in the same sentence 🙂
Cheers, BR, you’re right to be cautious.
We really have no idea what fare will be served up at tea-time. On the back of those two results before the interlull, we’re desperate for a positive result.
The players will know this; whether they can deliver is another matter.
Here’s one for the chart fiends….
It’s hard to argue with Raddy’s line up.
chas
Sign her up 🙂
Is Peaches still looking for those pictures?
A win would be bliss, a draw would be great, a loss…. who knows.
I’d like to believe but…..
Is Mourinho got a deal with the Spanish FA. Costa and Fabregas unavailable for international duty due to injuries but then included in the Chelsea side today. Something stinks
should have been Spanish and Brazillian FA’s
Nice time limited work Raddy. Not a disastrous season so far IMO but not a good one either Raddy. I mostly kept my solace after Anderlecht and Swansea so really haven’t put my thoughts out too much.
Man Utd are having a wobbly 18 months in their history and so should be vulnerable at present. Will their wobble and vulnerability carry on indefinitely? I doubt it which is why we should be turning the screw a bit and pushing on while we can.
We should have been entering this game some points clear of them. Does that make a difference? Yes IMO because with a greater points cushion we could have been less nervy about this game and it would have been more of a must win for them and extra squeeky bum time. There is a reason why Arsenal end up in so many “must win games” at the front end of seasons, and it is normally because we have squandered points elsewhere unnecessarily.
We have literally thrown away points this season and, this is not aimed at any particular bloggers, but I find no solace when we have done poorly in saying “but look at what Liverpool / Spurs / Utd / City have done this weekend, as if any poor performance from any of them makes ours more ok. I don’t care about what they do wrong or right only that we consolidate our position and secure the points without negligently surrendering them, which is obviously best done when those teams are faltering. As it is we have kept them all on our tails.
Sorry to say it but I feel Utd have a more valid excuse to be where they are, following the end of a great era and squad rebuilding, than we do who entered the season more settled and less in transition, and should have been kicking on more. As it is both teams will be a bit nervy.
It would be a nice time to get a big, and convincing, win up there. This would not only help us points wise but would put a dent in their confidence for the next games, so negative thoughts aside for now COYRRG’s.
Sorry “up there”….. I know we are at home. Anyway enjoy the game all who are there. Make some noise and lets hope the boys do us proud.
Who is going today BTW?
Been busy for a few days so missed the last few posts. Have to agree with Micky{?} that the singing at football games has gone doiwn. I was thinking of doing something on the 60s chants versus todays.. I just don’t think they match up. Greatest EPL side.. hmm No TH14? No Adams? Both of those are must picks in my mind.
Seaman, Cole,Adams,Campbell,Lauren Vieira,Cesc,Ljundberg, Pires, DB10, TH14.
Ok those are the posts I missed.. todays game.. I think we will lose. Rooney always plays well against us and our defence is crap. Sanchez even if playing will be tired. OG will only come on for 5 minute or so.
Oooops really did forget about the picks lol
See ya later, enjoy the game all.
Arsenal: Szczesny, Chambers, Mertesacker, Monreal, Gibbs, Arteta, Wilshere, Oxlade-Chamberlain, Ramsey, Alexis, Welbeck
Man Utd: De Gea, Smalling, McNair, Blackett, Valencia, Carrick, Fellaini, Shaw, Di Maria, Rooney, Van Persie
It is so so quiet on here .
Subs: Martinez, Bellerin, Flamini, Rosicky, Cazorla, Podolski, Giroud
Such a predictable line up and of course Chambers will be targeted
.
If needed surely Campbell should get a cameo if needed,
Giroud can’t be match fit, oh wait a minute, that’s par for the course.
If we need to make subs not in the 88th.minute please 🙂
buge up
thanks ray
letter afer c gone on this laptop. an caps.
hope we see englan eep jack
come on you gunnnnnnners
(ray is apparently bibg big raddy. ok d is back
you an me crystals
could be a oom fest if this goes wrong 🙂
lovely move
come on you reds
crowd in good voice
won’t be lng before Felliaini elbows someone
looking good so far
ok a miss, but we’re playing so well
im talking to myself aren’t I
come back at half time
good stuff, Raddy. Measured and right as well. 🙂
getting a bit nervous now. too many chances missed. 😦
COYG. 🙂
well done Jack, feck commentators……. 🙂 but careful now! 😛
Looks like Jacks got a bit of Keown blood in him today 🙂
a bit of pressure here…COYG’s
We are getting so fucking close….. come on
ah people
I was about to pop over nb’s gaff 🙂
great half, but still think we’ll need two to win
hmmm, yes, have to agree there Micky. 🙂
too much agreement. a breath of fresh air, Micky? 😛
is GiE OK?
micky
there’s no one there……… I thought I was sitting on me own here. A good half, some nice moves but still lacking that final little bit.
Wilshere had the best chance of that half. Could have done better by de Gea spread himself well
Just missing that clinical finish especially Jack and Jill.. Have to say Arteta and Chambers are playing very well and Sanchez must be on drugs.
Lime green is not my favorite colour, is it a Polish thing.
Podolski could finish this game if it’s still o-o with 10 minutes to go.
I would sincerely like Ramsey to score but he just isn’t at the races so he would be my choice to be subbed.
That felliani is a brute but a beast.
arnie
nice fresh air?
faces will reappear if we lose
well played welbz
bollo jack is down….
We’re not gonna lose this…. a goal will come soon. Ox is having a blinder and so is Welbz
Fuck fuck fuck
shit that Rooney wasn’t offside… we were fortunate there
Mertesacker on the wing… wtf,
Is there nobody around then……. can I do what I like on here!
hmmmmm. COYG,
i am around, NorthBank. 😦
Only we could f*** this up! Absolutely dominated the game and they’ve had zero shots on target, yet we are 1-0 down and lost Wilshere and Szscesny to injury!
Where’s the justice?
Not one person appears to have spotted the push by Fellaini on Gibbs to cause the f*** up.
Evening all btw.
COYG’s…
had to happen. 😦
Hey everyone just needs to take it easy plenty of time left in the game and season a loss here wont make that much of a difference. We are a lock to get in the top four. We got winter market to reinforce troubled areas hope sczezzer recovers. We are unlucky with injuries and spotty refereeing even so its a long season we already got a trophy this season we got 2 with the f.a. cup so nothing to get worried about. Wenger rules!!
Fuck this, we may have had the possession and the clever passing but that doesn’t win games. No excuses, we’ve got the wrong manager. We need someone who sets a team up to win a game by using tactics that work
Bugger……. we didn’t deserve that.
and I should say I’m one of Jacks biggest fans but he holds the key to why we haven’t won this game.
A simple sideways pass and Alexis taps in, but he tried to be hero….and there was a few too many trying that in the first half.
Piss poor. Should’ve been 3 up and instead 2 down. When did we last win a big game against a top side?
8 minutes
Says it all when you don’t really get affected by terrible results anymore and get more joy watching other sports. This Arsenal team is very disappointing right now.
GOOOAAALLLO
https://encrypted-tbn1.gstatic.com/images?q=tbn:ANd9GcQ8Agrn0uXUQZGHpWn2oKvv0pbXzjiw5k4_bNZZjkLKG4xAmJXB
I agree G.I.E. spotty refereeing as well as too many trying to do too much and that’s definitely not Arsene’s fault. @Rasp man utd got 2 goals from 1 shot on target wtf is Wenger supposed to do? The set up is such that man utd cant even get a shot on target but they still score off our defenders how’s that Arsene’s fault. Sometimes the players need to take one on the chin this is one of those times.
Gave, we over complicate the game, we try to be too clever and constantly lay ourselves open to being hit on the break
AgreeGabe…until players start taking a bit of the flak we will not move forward. Stop looking at the man at the top, ask if the players are actually performing, 7 shots on target, not one great save from De Gea. Take chances win game simples.
Dominate for an hour, fail to take one of numerous chances, concede a really sloppy goal, go chasing the game and concede again on the break.
How many times do we have to watch the same thing over and over again?
New players, same problems.
FGG clearly your talking league games because you’ve obviously forgotten the Charity Shield, or the FA Cup Quarter Final against Liverpool.
One of those games, things didn’t go well for us…. unlucky with the own goal. Then had to leave ourselves open at the back by trying to get back into the game. I’ll put this one down to bad luck.
good game but not the result we hoped for. but we live to fight on!
we missed too many chances. unfortunately, the crowning of Welbeck as the greatest Gooner since TH14 has to wait a bit as well.
The manager buys the players, he trains the players, he picks the players he wants in the team. We have fantastic talented players and a team that cannot beat top opposition because we play a predictable ineffective game and everyone knows it.
yes, bad luck, but all to fight for!
But AW chooses the team!!!
How insulting is it to Rosicky, for example? Did anyone see him playing in the week? He is still Mozart.
He is 5th fastest in the team and runs 12 km per match.
But he plays Ramsey, totally out of form, and brings on Cazorla, also out of form.
AW makes the decisions, for heaven’s sake!!!!!!!!
He must take it on the chin and nobody else.
How do you sum up a game like that ?
The only shot that wasn’t direct at de Gea produced a goal. Actually I though we played pretty well, just can’t finish against a piss poor defence.
This time I Can’t blame Wenger, but moralw will be at an all time low for this season. Shame, a freak goal decided the game and of course yet another two injuries.
“The manager buys the players”
“We have fantastic talented players”
So he isn’t all bad then?
We’re frustrated. What do we do? Let’s blame the manager. That, and referees not giving things our way, is about the only thing predictable about us.
Wenger’s fault that Wilshere didn’t pass or score. Why? Because the maxim that he buys the players. Wenger’s fault that we don’t get a penalty. Or that we get two injuries in the game, one of which was caused during the play in which an offside player committed a foul to cause us to concede from a deflection, that was also Wenger’s fault for not controlling Gibbs’ boot.
I’m staying away from even reading the blogs because I know just what will follow. I know I should probably have stayed away rather than comment, but I need to vent too.
Absolutely, he has amazing qualities. The problem is he is a football romantic and envisages a beautiful game – the problem is that every team we play know this and it is so easy to counteract
That he will do, Jeanette. Wenger always does that.
No one says he is all bad, but he does not appear to be able to motivate these fantastic talented players any longer. This is nothing new, is it? It has been creeping up for several years.
Forgot about that big game against City’s 2nd string GiE!
What happened to that easy run of games we had coming up that would see us climb the league!? Guess it’s a fight for top 4, hope we do well in a cup, and knocked out to a decent side in CL knockout stage again. Groundhog season!
Just one of those freak games. still in the run for the 4th place “trophy”, but the real chances these year are in the FA Cup and CL.
Bring on Champions League.
heartbreaking 😦 the lads played very well, they didn’t deserve that. The only thing I am not happy about is the fact that nobody told the players that we have Sanchez, a fox in the box, pass the ball to him and he will score
Nothing like a loss to bring the site to life
Let the fur fly
And I’m off to watch a horror film with my children, and I hate horror films 😦
what, Micky? the replay of the Arsenal game! so soon? 😛
Aaron and Jack together and we lose defensive stability, and sacrifice offensive creativity. Just my thinking.
Nite all.
Arnie 🙂
pps Jeanette
I apologise for having a go a few weeks ago about your letter to AW
Right, really off. Where’s the chocolate?
I think we played well……… but new training agenda needed this week: Shooting,
Good to see Ollie back, and a goal as well 🙂
Well its still a long way to go our dominance shows we have the talent and potential to go far. With a little more adventure and mettle with a bit of a change in luck we will persevere. We will make top 4 united were lucky today and they got no champions league so easy for them. Their defense is still garbage on other day with better composure we would’ve been 2 or 3 goals up and victorious. I personally like what Wenger has assembled a fluid unit that needs minor tweaks on both sides of the goals other than that this team really has the goods to do well in any competition. With our finances in order and fffp in 3 or 4 years time we will be scary. Even now a few reinforcements in the winter and summer and we’re good. In Arsene we trust!
Thank you, Micky!
Enjoy your film!
Evening all, Arsenal commit suicide again.But what’s new. All show with no glow. not a clue, It could be 4 years without a win against them, pretty certain the away leg will be another loss. But its only a game, its not life and death.
Dortmund will kill us off though.
I had a feeling we’d kick start United’s season.
It’s a shame, given that overall we played pretty well.
C’est la vie.
Well the best team didn’t win that game.
Dead on Shard!! I’m sick of that. Wenger sets up a team and system that has man utd have one shot on target but winning 2-0. He has the team fluid attacking on all cylinders but making idiotic decisions in the final third unable to finish. Is he supposed to coach on composure? He is magically supposed to do a spell so their finishing boots put the ball in the back of the net. Bottom line u can bring a thirsty horse to the well but u cant drink for him. Maybe that’s why the bloody water bottle always gets it. Anyway he has won 2 trophies in the last year the f.a. cup and community shield what has mourinho or klopp won in that time? Lets stop feeding media lies and tell the truth.Wenger rules and in him we trust. There’s only one and he is with us thank God!
Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger: “It was one-way traffic and we lost the game, we have to take it on the chin. I know we’ll be criticised for it but you have to respect the energy levels we put in.
“We paid for the slightest mistake and it’s very frustrating to come away with nothing.
“We had the best chances and we could have finished better. At 1-0 we should have been more cautious not to give the second goal away. There was plenty of time to come back and that’s where we made the mistake.
“In our job when you don’t win, you’re very concerned but there are a lot of positives in this team. If we can keep this going with the quality and the energy levels we have, we can bounce back very quickly.”
Always positive 🙂
Great comments from loads of peeps. Cheers, I was expecting to come on to read a load of negative rubbish.
Superb from Gabe.
We deserved to win but poor finishing and shocking bias from the footballing gods did for us today.
I don’t think Wenger could’ve set the team up much better with what’s available, and for an hour we played well, but the same old problems keep coming up.
We just can’t keep clean sheets and we look fragile defensively, mentally and physically. That was probably the worst United side we’ve played in 20 years, yet we still lost.
We all know how important the first goal is to this Arsenal side, and our failure today, and so many times this season, has been us having to chase the game.
No shock there then !…………one win in last 15 games ( all comps ) against Manshafter.
Last win in EPL against either them, Mansour City or Chavs was a 1-0 Vs Mansour city on 8th April 2012. Next game against one of the unbeatables is Jan 18th 2015 MC away !. Over two and a half years since we`ve tasted their blood !.
Even though there`s not much more you can do about it when you have 61% possession, 23 (9 on target ) shots and 11 corners other than outscore the bastards !…….there is something wrong, it must be a mental thing……. that’s why I put “mental strength” in the 101 room !. hahaha
Still above the Spuds though, even if they win, so North London is still Red !.
One pro point is that since we have become an average team, the losing is becoming less painful as I`ve got used to it and I`m saving a fortune not phoning The Samaritans !. hahaha
Next Up Borussia Dartford !.
Can I ask a question……do we think we are paying for pressing?
It was noticeable against Anderlecht, and Swansea and today that we pressed a lot higher than we have for a long time, in all three games we have hit awake around the 70 minute mark.
I think it’s the price you pay when you press like that but don’t capitalise on your efforts.
I felt we actually ran out of steam on the half hour mark in the first half and that allowed United to get a foothold in the game and for their defence to grow in confidence when in reality we should have had them not knowing which way the ball was going to go in next.
Maybe because a lot of our men had played a lot of football over the international break?
Safe to say injuries to Jack and more importantly Szczesny gave Arsene very little option to change the game.with subs.
Ollie had to come on, but I think we really could have benefitted from being able to take Aaron of earlier, and maybe even Ox or Welbeck’s who both seemed to be running on empty.
Jacks ankle knock would’ve taken most players out of the game whether there was a weakness or not, but the way he was challenged was worth a booking and free kick to me, because the player was not going to get the ball, but I guess it’s what’s known as a free one.
Listened to some interesting journalists talking about Jack and the criticism he gets for being caught in possession, they say it’s the way he makes the most of his talents, runs with ball, draws players to him and plays the one two round them or a pass into the space they’ve vacated. There’s nothing wrong with the philosophy of that its just that in the PL he will get a lot more clouts than perhaps he would in La Liga.
As soon as I saw Mike Dean’s name down to referee, it was almost a foregone conclusion. However, we had so many chances to take it out of his hands and we failed to take them – Jack’s miss being particularly shocking. The offside and push by Fellaini should have been picked up in real time, and interesting to see that none of the media have picked up on it at all. And what is ‘marginally offside’ (Neville) if not offside?????
Not surprising in the least is it. It’s what we do, own the ball, give away a cheap goal, shambolic defending and lose another one.
To lose to such a crap team.
It’s typical Arsenal, too typical, too familiar.
Nothing will change until there is change.
Ian, I was surprised at Neville today, often when he has commentated I have found him to be neutral, but today not mentioning that push which no one seems to have picked up was unlike him because he spots the “cleverness” normally.
There was another offside in the first half (BSR) I think, Monreal headed the ball despite BSR being way offside because he is a defender and the first thing you do is defend he saw a red shirt behind him so struggled to deal with the ball, the ball went out for a United corner, the linesman mouthed clearly “he didn’t touch it” when Arsenal players appealed for the offside. That is ludicrous as if he wasn’t there Monreal wouldn’t try and play the ball, so he has interfered with play. The same with Fellaini, on their goal, even if you don’t spot the push Gibbs doesn’t go anywhere near it if Fellaini isn’t there, he is offside but again…didn’t touch it or attempt to play it and that is ridiculous.
Until of course it works in our favour 🙂
The other decision that wound me up was Santi’s booking, in truth is appeal for a booking all day long if it was against us, but in reality it never happens City hacked us down in more advanced positions repeatedly in the game at the Ems earlier this season and the cards didn’t start arriving until very late on.
PS am I the only one questioning Jacks decision to shoot? I think it set the tone for the ways others played, there was a lot of shooting when others were in better positions today and I don’t like it. If someone is in a better position to score you give it to them and play the percentages, Alexis wouldnt have missed.
People complain about a decision to shoot? Never gonna happen since the overriding narrative is of us being a team that never shoots and plays ‘tippy tappy’.
He probably worried about Sanchez being offside. Regardless, he should have scored. Wilshere frustrated me today. Holding on to the ball too long, or running with it out of control. When he got injured, that should have been a goal, but he overran it, misplaced the pass and got fouled (which obviously wasn’t called)
He should have won us a penalty though. That was a blatant block/push on him. Maybe we should learn to ‘sell’ those fouls more. Not from Rooney of course, whose execution of the dive is what the commentator seemed to have a problem with, rather than the fact that he did dive.
You actually got to see why Jack is usually so shot shy today.
Although, even I would say it is wrong to single him out, Ramsey has been just as ineffective, as has Cazorla.
We have a completely impotent midfield.
LB
My impression was that Ramsey did something today that he never does. He hid.
But I might be wrong about that. The only thing I can remember him doing is take a few decent shots. Nothing else. Maybe it was a function of what role he was asked to perform.
Arteta was very good though.
Hadn’t thought about Rambo hiding Shard, but you are right he certainly wasn’t popping up to pick up ball.
I saw some comments were made during the international break about Arsene expecting players to take responsibility but giving them little pointers as to what they could do better.
This places great emphasis on the players to be as sharp upstairs as they are with the ball and maybe his problem is that some of them aren’t.
Share re Jack should have scored that is true, he certainly took a similar chance against Hart much better, but I wouldstill have preferred him to pass, he was moving very quickly and straight at goal which means it’s difficult to create an angle to finish and De Gea is actually quite good at standing big.
Who, out of our first choice XI has played well for us so far this season? Sanchez, Gibbs, anyone else? It’s no wonder we are struggling. Some of the back up players have done ok like Chambers and Ox, but from our first team, only one or two have been good enough.
Until we can regularly get most of our first choice XI fit and on the field, with more than 2 playing well, then I begin to worry that it will be too late for our season to recover. It already looks like top 4 is the best we can do and it’s not even Xmas.
Debuchy and Koscielny both started the season well I thought.
Gibbs? Gibbs has played well? Pfffffffffffffffft.
Supporters always look for something or someone to blame, The ref, the defence, the attack, or injuries.
Looking at this game today, suggested to me that we had met Manchester United just at the right time, They have been struggling since Ferguson left, many thought that he had a hold over Wenger, Mental or tactical really doesn’t matter, because it is always the same result.
Louis Van Gaul now in charge of United, it has to be said that since his arrival they have played no better, one or two signings but the spirit is not in the team.
Listening to Rooney after the match where he said we played five across the back to handle Arsenals attack, we know they are Vulnerable on the counter and our tactics were to exploit this.
It has to be said, that a Manchester United team has never had to rely mistakes from the opposition for them to win games in the past, they used to dominate games, and use their attacking flair to intimidate.
United’s confidence is not the same today, Ferguson was a tough task master, he demanded victory, he instilled in everybody at his club what was expected of them, and should they not give a 100% the boots or hair-dryers were thrown around, Ferguson ruled by fear, but it did pay off for a lot of years.
Arsene Wenger on the other hand, has the players backs, whether they play good or bad, he supports them and covers for them. We have weaknesses in the squad that seem to go on and on without answers, and while Wenger is still here they will continue to halt the teams progress.
Wenger as we all know has had purple patches that most teams have, but it also has to be said that those purple patches seem a long way off now, an FA cup and a Communality shield are very commendable, but are a far cry from our Invincible year.
Ferguson got old, he gave his all but time waits for no man, and Ferguson had to go for his own sake. Of course United have struggled since he left, new Managers with different idea’s has not been very successful, Missing out on Champions League last season was a massive blow for a club used to being involved, but that’s one of the shortcomings of new Managers.
Arsenal under Wenger have been struggling for many years, the lack of finances was partly to blame, but now the finances are in place, the results are no better. Not winning games that we had controlled, showed that tactically we are lacking.
Arsene struggles to close out games, allowing central defenders to venture up the field when he knows they cannot get back, is almost suicidal, but he continues to allow these tactics which have proved detrimental, but he feels he knows best.
Arsene i am afraid, seems stuck in a time warp. While he allow’s games to be overturned, and giving new contracts to players that have not deserved them, is a recipe for disaster,
To keep players like Campbell Podolski Gnabry without playing them is a mystery to me, but as we all know Arsene knows best.
Being a Rolling Stone has to be a good way of being 70 odd years old.
I know from the beginning they saw themselves as an American band, but blimey Mick’s pushing the weird shit accent a bit strong in that one
Loved the medals story.
Still hoping you can dig out some old photos.
Best single word from yesterdays post match was LB’s “Impotent”
LB’s mistake was limiting it to the midfield, but bang on nonetheless.
Still, what do you expect when you don’t play a dedicated creative midfielder/No10, and expect your left sided attacker to do everything, thus clogging the midfield because you’ve put Aaron and Jack in which always mean Aaron’s crap, and and and…..
Marvellous, me post match done 🙂 .
My solution is simple.
Stan: “What the ‘king hell are you going to do about it, because we’re going down the table and you need to take charge and stop the rot. Buck stops with you Hank”
Chas
I probably spoke about 100 words in my life to my father, and I reckon about 50% of those were about the effing medals 🙂
The finishing was terrible.
I just watched the MOTD highlights. How can you legislate for their first goal.
Fellaini offside.
Fellaini shoves Gibbs into Szczesny causing injury.
Gibbs hits the deck and the ball ricochets off him into the net when it was going wide.
Shit happens, but more to us. 🙂
Gorra go.
Morning
Shall I or shall I not 🙂
Yes please
You might be surprised, but as opposed to NB it will be a short one
.No heat maps and technical bolloxs from me.
Morning
Kelsey, I don’t think anyone will be surprised that it’s a short one. 🙂
Chas
Agree about the finishing.
Kelsey
Why not? I doubt anyone else is going to volunteer 🙂
I don’t think you mean NB… must be a freudian slip mate. I never mess about with heat maps and technical bollix. 🙂
I’m still looking on the bright side. We are still only two points from 4th place, the boys can turn this season around. They played some excellent football yesterday and no single player can be blamed for the result. It was just one of those days.
We’ll still finish above United.
if Jack was a couple of inches taller Falleini would need a plastic surgery. I hope LB didn’t see the incident from his seat
NB
For the first time in years, I’m now really doubting that 4th spot, because as is often the case, we played some good football and had loads of possession, but we are simply dropping too many points and not only against the supposed big boys.
For me, the opposition yesterday is irrelevant.
I’m not going to get miserable or stroppy over football, never have never will, but I think I’d change things if I was in charge, and that’s what pub football banter is.
what time was the medal story posted, cannot find it
Micky,
For all the dropped points, we are still only 2 points off top 4, and Southampton are still in there which may be a false position (who knows, they may continue to be top 4 the way this seasons going).
Although we are as many points off relegation as we are off 3rd!
we will finish in top 4.
GiE,
I meant over a prolonged period. I agree Debuchy and Kos have been badly missed.
It’s the same old story but injuries are a real problem again this season. I wonder what the news is on Jack and Szscesny?
It’s no excuse for our last few defeats though as we had the better players against Swansea and United.
Arsenal v Dortmund could be a real battle with them struggling too.
Tell you what has really rattled my cage and that is Theo.
Out since Jan. Just back to sitting on the bench for Arsenal, and off he goes with England.
I think NB mentioned Chavs not letting the unfit pair of Cesc and Costa travel (and bingo they play yesterday), then remember the mysterious knocks at Utd when SAF was in charge.
I’m all for players representing their countries, but really Theo?
Micky – sending Theo on international duties was to give him game time. He has recovered now, but is not match fit. Some clubs were actually unhappy that Hodgson gives Arsenal players preferential treatment and chose Theo over fully fit players
FGG Southamptons position is dictated by games played rather than an upsurge in form, let’s see where everyone sits after 19 games.
That was what most people were asking Arsenal fans dreaming of winning the league last season to do. So I suppose it’s what Arsenal fans predicted the downfall should do too.
I’d guess City are in a slightly better position than they were this time last season and they won the league. Chelsea have started the season well, as we did last season but came 4th.
Mourning has started 16 players in the PL. Courtois, Cahill, Terry, Ivanovic, Matic, Cesc, Hazard have been ever present in starting XIs, Azpuliceta started 10as have Oscar and Costa, Willian 7, Schurle 4, Ramires 3, Filipe 2, Drogba and Remy 1 each. 4 others have only made sub appearances, so 20 players in total.
In contrast we have one player with 10 starts (the keeper), have given starts to 18 different players, and used 23 in total. 14 players have more than 5 starts which shows how often we have changed the line up mainly through injury.
Is it any wonder we haven’t found form yet?
Post is ready,press the button whenever you want.
Wow……… got through a morning on AA without smut. Is that a first micky and chas?
NB
A morning without smut on AA is almost as depressing as….., well, the ref, the bad luck, the injuries, everybody hates us ……… 🙂
micky
I thought you weren’t going to get stroppy 🙂
In there anyone in authority on here, if not I will push the button, spelling mistakes and all, at 9.30 🙂
Quick…. micky and chas, twenty minutes of smut 🙂 before the resident doomer presses the button. 🙂
That was nearly the title of today’s post.
or the long and windind road
winding
What? A Morning Without Smut On AA?
Or Help
Perhaps, “Crying, waiting, hoping” would have been better 🙂
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