The Hammers cowardly capitulation at the hands of Liverpool has put a slight dampener on tonight’s challenge, but as Micky rightly points out, the Fat Lady has yet to sing.
I have never experienced the depression of relegation with Arsenal, neither have you. We have no idea what it must be like to feel like Sunderland fans and probably never will, for that we must be thankful. We must also be thankful that we do not live in Sunderland 🙂
We are on a fine run of wins, starting to play with a degree of confidence and have an almost fully-fit squad. A win tonight should be possible.
My Team:
Cech
Mustafi Koscielny Holding
Ox Ramsey Xhaka Monreal
Ozil Sanchez
Welbeck
In my opinion, this is our strongest team when playing at home (perhaps Santi for Ramsey) . It will be fascinating to see how AW (if he stays) will fit Iwobi and the new signings into this team.
Should we win our last two games we will finish with 75 points, loads more than we finished with last season yet be lower in the table. What does this signify? Much to discuss through the summer .
Can we win and win well? Of course we can.
Let it be So
COYRRG
Arsenal News 24/7
arsenalarsenal.net 
Thanks Erik
Certainly agree that with Santi that is our finest XI
Cheers, BR.
I think the Ox is still lame.
Danny starting, quick and mobile in true purist style.
Cmon you Gunners.
Thanks Raddy. There is still a chance, so all we can do at this stage is win tonight and at the weekend and hope the gods shine on us.
The recent formation switch has shown hope for next season. Should things have been changed quicker…the answer is highly likely yes. If we don’t get CL football then the microscope will be more on what happened earlier in the season. We just have to hope the fallout in the summer with retaining and recruiting key players is not too damaging.
That is our strongest line up at present. If we retain those we want to like Ozil, Sanchez and Ox, and then new recruits it shouldn’t be an issue, as long as Arsene is pragmatic enough on who he lets leave.
The new Sead fellow probably signifies the departure of either Gibbs or Monreal leaving us 2 options there still. We need an upgrade on Le Coq at holding midfielder but Le Coq is an able back up.
We don’t need all of Xhaka, Elneny, Ramsey, Cazorla, Wilshere, and I think we are top heavy in these positions by 2 players. Free up the squad space and wages.
Question marks hang over Walcott, Perez and Giroud and probably 2 out of these 3 can go with a top class striker arriving (if we still have the clout as a club to attract them). Add that player to Danny with Sanchez also able to cover the role and promote one of the youngsters as a 4th choice (maybe Akpom or Donyell Marlen or Nketiah) and we look a strong outfit that is more streamlined and balanced.
Till later
Nice one Big Rad Dad.
That team seems pretty useful on paper, as has the various teams put out during the season (injuries excepted) but that has not always translated to performances on the pitch.
GoonerB has gone off on a tangent but has a valid point that dovetails with your suggested team, in that any acquisitions will inevitably require ousters from the roster.
Of course, all of that transfer buying and squad balance is dependent on what happens to AW and his contract extension, or whether we have a new guy who I suspect will swing the axe.
Anyhoo — thanks for your Post, BR.
Our mid season loss of form is usually down to getting a drubbing from a quality CL team. If we are in the EL next season, then there is little chance of that happening, and therefore our league form should be much more consistent. The benefit of the EL is that if you have a bad domestic result you usually have a EL game just around the corner to help rebuild confidence and boost morale before the next game. That wasn’t the case this season where we played Bayern twice whilst also playing the likes of Chelsea and Liverpool in the league, all of which resulted in a group of poor results and the inevitable poor month or two to regain confidence.
If we do fail to get CL, it could be the boost our league form needs. We have a deeper squad than United so should cope better with the fixtures.
In
Wow, there appears to be a real buzz in the air
I know, I’ll go watch the Chas Pulp Fiction cat again, and again, and again because it is utterly brilliant
Thanks Chas
Kos Ox sick bay
Ollie in shop window before going to market 🙂
Oh alright, come on you incredibly gorgeous frenchie
All alone and listening to my metronome set on allegro to get me up to speed
Now on presto
How girl even missed that
Why Gibbs even bother trying to cross
Cheers Raddy
There interviewing John Hawley. He’s very humble and admitted he was shit. If he had been invited to that Totnumb celebration he wouldn’t have turned up.
Though he would have been the best player there.
Were playing ok. Should do them 2nd half
Bit dull eh Fred
The lack of atmosphere doesn’t help
One thing this game proves is even relegated sides can put up a fight ie Boro at Pool
Shame our last two games aren’t away as the players would get more of a lift. Sadly
Anyway, come on, let’s win it
Yea even commentator talking how dull the atmosphere is
Boro putting up a fight lol that funny, only Arsenal make things hard
Granit Mesut Sanchez
Quality
Yesssssssss
Excellent
Blimey that Pickford has had a game
Granit really create space with those passes I’d brilliant
job done
Think recent games finally caught up with us tonight. We started well but looked tired as the first half wore on. Second half we started slowly but gradually took charge and the first goal was fantastic. Xhaka’s range of passing was a joy to watch. Always forward and always accurate. Good win and keeps the pressure on for last game.
Pickford looks a great young prospect.
Pickford good or we bloody horrible at finishing
Morning All,
Micky. Sorry to leave you on the sofa with just our Caribbean friend for company.
Managed to get through the night without seeing the result, up early to watch the game. As has been said, Pickford looks very, very good.
9.12. That is the rock combo The Mothers of Invention. Not my taste but many hail Zappa as a musical genius.
That pass from Xhaka is possibly my favourite of the season.
Erik
It was an honour and a privilege to serve with Fred. The man is a dedicated and loyal Gunner who keeps his social fixtures out of the way of serious armchairing.
Chas
The Xhaka left foot is a sweet ting indeed
6.54 🙂
Micky.I had to do some “social networking” which turned out to be another excuse for getting pissed with a bunch of strangers
Oh that’s alright then. Silly me, I thought it was a candlelit soiree with whinging self righteous lefties 🙂
Edddddieeeeeeee
I’d like to discuss the Mustafi short sleeves and hairy arms
Erik
Serious question. My Daughter is saving up for an SLR digital camera. I say she ought to go second hand to get better value albeit from a reputable shop
Did you go new and if so, what level of camera
ey? shkodran is hairy? brrrrrrr
I was very busy yesterday, had no time to worry about the game. I only watched second half of the first half and first half of the second. Nothing to write home about.
Why are we not absolutely madly in love with Sanchez? We should be
We are
oh, I am not. Not sure why.
I have knocked up a brief post. Shall I publish?
Micky. I always buy S/H, there are excellent cameras on Ebay,. The camera companies rely upon gimmicks to sell their new stuff but a camera which is a year old is just as good.
Is there a S/H camera shop near you? If so, go in and have a chat.
Jessops often have last years model at very good prices if you wish to buy new.
As your daughter is a precious little flower weight should be considered. An SLR with a long lens attached is a hefty beast.
Jessops. Good idea.
Agree, buying new seems nuts.
Publish, my dear, and be damned
whack it up, bruv
As to the camera …. an entry level Canon EOS Rebel is a cracker.
I sold my SLR because the new smaller cameras fit in a pocket and take wonderful photographs. If she goes in that direction make sure the camera has a manual facility. I use a Canon G7X and am in awe at it’s abilities.
But … if she is REALLY interested and wants to experiment with different lenses then the SLR is the way forward.
Exciting times ahead for Young Miss Didit (assuming it is not just a 3 month fad!)
Come on, chop chop. Every time Chas puts up a pic of the hideous Trump, it is encoded with a magnet, so each time I refresh up he comes
Did you know that it was the Duke of Wellington who said “publish and be damned”?
OK
There is a New Post but only on condition that we continue to talk bolleaux
Best she has the pain and sacrifice of saving, that way if it is a fad, she’ll learn
New Post (in case you didn’t read 8.21 🙂