The FA Cup history of Arsenal vs Manchester United

March 9, 2015

I havespent many hours researching the history of the games played between the two clubs and different sites had different records. Based on my research I believe that the results that I’m using are reliable however the records go back 121 years so it is still possible that there may be some minor discrepancies.   ………………………………………………………………………………………………….

The first game between the two world famous clubs took place away at North Road, Manchester. It was played on Saturday October 13th 1894 and the game ended in a 3-3 draw. Both teams were in League Division 2 and at the time – United were known as Newton Heath and Arsenal as Woolwich Arsenal.

During our years in Division 2 we played United on 20 occasions with a winning record of W10 L7 D3, both teams had dominant home records.

3a

Arsenal finished 2nd in 1903/4 with 49 points and gained promotion to Division 1 beating out United who finished 3rd with 48 points. United gained promotion the following season and our first game in Division 1 took place away on Nov 10th, 1906 we lost 0-1 and won our home game 4-0.

We were relegated back to Division 2 in 1912/13 but due to some back room shenanigans by Sir Henry Norris we “popped” back up 1919/20 and have remained in the top flight of English football to this day – much to the dismay of those who remain in our everlasting shadow.

Our overall Division 1 record was incredibly close with United coming out on top by 2 games out of 126 played with a record of W50 L48 D 28.

2

 

The Premier League was formed in 1992/3 and there have been many classic encounters between the two teams but for a variety of reasons that have been (repeatedly) debated over the years we have invariably come out second best. United have dominated the Premier League winning 13 championships and only finishing outside of the top 3 on 1 occasion in 22 seasons.

Like most clubs we have a poor PL record against United with a record of W11 L21 D13 we have an awful record at Old Trafford with a record of W3 L14 D5 our home record is more positive at W8 L7 D8.

4

 Here is our complete record.

5

 

Although I have not researched other teams records against United our overall record may well be the best with only a 13 game difference in 212 total games played over our 121 year history.

Finally let’s take a look at our FA Cup record, but first here are brief reports on some of the more memorable clashes –

Manchester United 2-0 Arsenal 2011 FA Cup – Quarter-Final

Neither side came into this clash high on confidence with Sir Alex Ferguson’s Manchester United having lost their previous two matches against Chelsea and Liverpool, while Arsene Wenger’s Arsenal had recently lost a League Cup final to Birmingham and been dumped out of the Champions League by Barcelona. Despite Ferguson naming an extraordinarily defensive side on paper, with seven defenders and Darron Gibson accompanying Wayne Rooney and Javier Hernandez, it was United who ran out 2-0 winners. Fabio da Silva opened the scoring and Rooney sealed it with a second soon after the break. The joy was short-lived however as United were beaten by rivals Manchester City in their Wembley semi-final.

Arsenal 0-0 (5-4 pens) Manchester United 2005 FA Cup – Final

History was made in Cardiff when the FA Cup final was decided on penalties for the first time with Arsenal beating Manchester United 5-4 on spot-kicks after a goalless draw. United had enjoyed by far the better of the game itself with Wayne Rooney and Ruud van Nistelrooy each hitting the woodwork and when Jose Antonio Reyes was sent off in the final moments of extra-time their dominance was confirmed in numbers as well as chances. But the Gunners showed extraordinary resilience and were blemish-free from 12 yards, while Paul Scholes saw his penalty saved by Jens Lehmann. The winning kick was taken by Captain Patrick Vieira in what was to prove his final game for the club.

Manchester United 1-0 Arsenal 2004 FA Cup – Semi-Final

Arsenal had won the FA Cup in each of the previous two seasons and the Invincibles were en route to going unbeaten throughout an entire Premier League season when the sides met at Villa Park in April 2004. However, it was Manchester United who progressed to the final against lower-league Millwall thanks to a 1-0 win. Edu and Patrick Vieira both hit the woodwork for the Gunners but with Thierry Henry omitted from the starting line-up and Ruud van Nistelrooy injured for the Red Devils, it was left to Paul Scholes to provide the incision, firing home from close range just after the half-hour mark. United held on to end Arsenal’s 18-game unbeaten run in the competition and claimed the trophy when they defeated Millwall 3-0 the following month.

Manchester United 2-1 Arsenal 1999 FA Cup – Semi Final

This famous FA Cup meeting between the two clubs had enough drama for five classics. David Beckham opened the scoring by curling into the far corner – the first goal Arsenal had conceded in over seven hours. But Dennis Bergkamp equalised midway through the second half with a great turn and shot and the Gunners could’ve gone ahead when Nicolas Anelka had a goal disallowed for offside. When Roy Keane was sent off shortly afterwards, Arsenal were in the ascendancy and looked set to win it when Phil Neville conceded a last-minute penalty by bringing down Ray Parlour. But Peter Schmeichel saved brilliantly from Bergkamp and when Patrick Vieira surrendered possession to substitute Ryan Giggs, the Welshman scored one of the great solo goals. “The luckiest team won” said Arsene Wenger

Manchester United 2-1 Arsenal 1983 FA Cup – Semi Final

The 1983 FA Cup semi-final was the second domestic cup competition in which the two teams had faced off that season, with Ron Atkinson’s United already 6-3 aggregate winners over two legs of the League Cup. England international Tony Woodcock gave the Gunners the lead at Villa Park but Bryan Robson came up with an equaliser just before half-time. A 17-year-old Norman Whiteside was the hero for United when he thumped in the winner. “It was a great moment,” Robson told the official Manchester United website recently. “To have won the semi-final and be on the way to Wembley was fantastic.” It was to get better for Atkinson’s team when they beat Brighton at the second attempt to lift the trophy with both Robson and Whiteside among the scorers.

Arsenal 3-2 Manchester United 1979 FA Cup – Final

The old cliché about never being more vulnerable than when you’ve scored a goal ought to have been written for this game as Alan Sunderland ensured United’s comeback counted for nothing. The Gunners had gone ahead through Brian Talbot before Frank Stapleton doubled the lead just before half-time with Liam Brady once again the architect. But Gordon McQueen pulled one back from a set-piece with just five minutes remaining and a late equaliser by Sammy McIlroy, wriggling free from his markers, seemed to complete the comeback. However, just as the momentum seemed to be with Dave Sexton’s side, Sunderland popped up at the far post to turn in Graham Rix’s cross and win it for Arsenal. No wonder it was dubbed the ‘Five Minute Final’.

Our FA Cup record against United is very close with the exception of games played at Old Trafford where we have a record of W2 L4 D0. Our complete record is-

1

I acknowledge that stats don’t count for anything on game day but they show that it takes a brave person to be confident of a win at Old Trafford – the writer is one of the brave but I once read that a coward dies a thousand deaths while a brave man only dies once, oh boy – am I prepared to die for the cause……………??

GunnerN5

 

 

 

186 Comments | Uncategorized | Tagged: , , , , | Permalink
Posted by Rasp

Away at QPR ….. a good 3 points

March 5, 2015
Our game against QPR away, turned out an ok 2.1 to the good guys. Many of us saw this as an easy 3 points but we also realised that quite often what looks easy is far from it. The game started where both teams were feeling one another out, we usually have a half hour like that before one or other gets in their stride. QPR i feel did get the initial boost of confidence and we were under a bit of pressure as the half ended.
 .
We came out second half with a little more motivation. Whether the manager had said his two pennyworth  or not, all I know is that we started to string a few passes together and looked like we were starting to work together. We had a few chances but shots at goal seemed like pass backs and did little to worry QPR goalkeeper Green. Ozil I felt had an influence he was moving quite well and also a few nice passes as well, Le Coq with his white Phantom of the opera mask on was as enthralling as ever and with the mask, didnt let that interfere with his task at hand. Present stats say he has made more tackles than any other DM and he certainly wasn’t going to let up.
 .
Both sides had their chances, but the first goal came by a combination of passes and real doggedness from the Arsenal attack, a nice pass inside by Gibbs rebounds to Giroud who quickly found the back of the net …..  1.0 to the Arsenal. It has to be said that the referee looked a homer from the start but as the game wore on he just seemed card happy. QPR were anything but gentle and many times an Arsenal player was bowled over. This arsenal side seem to have come through the bullying stage this season players like Cazorla now seems to stand toe to toe with many of the tough guys, his trickery has them at two and eights and the way we pass so quickly seems to alleviate a lot of the physicalities.
 .
Sanchex again was like a Duracel battery. Where he gets his stamina is anyones guess, but he was all over the place – defence wing attack and bitting at legs, he is certainly an all rounder. Bellerin was up and down. Many complain that he ventures up to much but he also runs back another who is only getting better with time. The ageless Rosicky also had a good spell he also puts a lot in and certainly helped the cause. Ospina still holds the starting shirt, he did nothing to suggest that will change.
 .
Another attack and a nifty inside pass from Gibbs again to the ever willing Sanchez and a bit of wizardry saw the ball as quick as a flash whip past the flailing Green 2.1 to the good guys.
01 03
QPR had been shaken, but the complacency of our side started to give Rangers a boost. A was ball passed into our box to Austin who had his back against our goal. It looked for a minute to be safe, only for Gibbs and Koscielney to take steps backwards to give their striker time to turn and hit a venomous shot passed the helpless Ospina.
.
I have seen our defence do this many times and many’s the time we have been punished, that definitely needs sorting. But when the final whistle came the best team won. Ramsey came on as a sub looked a little lost but should soon be back to his best. A good 3 points not many points dropped by any of the teams above us so more importantly none dropped by us either.
Written by Steve Palmer
.
We are spoilt today … here are RockyLives’ thoughts on the game
.

On a rare visit to these shores I managed to blag a ticket to join our wonderful away support at Loftus Road.

It was also the first time I’ve been to that stadium, which is bizarre as I’m a born-and-bred Londoner and have been to all the other London grounds. Even Dulwich Hamlet.

The experience of attending games at the Emirates and at older grounds like QPR is now so stark that it’s almost like going to a different sport altogether. However, there is a charm to the old places that is distinctly lacking from the new super-stadia.

Anyway, on to the game.

It was a match that pleasingly fulfilled a host of footballing clichés: a game of two halves; we were forced to dig deep; Ollie scored a poacher’s goal and so on.

In the first half we started slowly and then put the handbrake on. The Rs were up for a battle and made the game very physical. We were unable to take control of the ball in midfield which meant we were soaking up a lot of pressure and our defenders looked nervous – hacking the ball away rather than playing it out.

During this period our defenders did well. Paulista won most of his challenges and headers before being forced off with a hamstring injury. The BFG was dominant in the air and marshaled the back line well and both Gibbs and Bellerin were dogged in their work.

As for Francis Coquelin – he turned up dressed for a Venetian masked ball and proceeded to patrol the area in front of our defence like a Renaissance duelist (younger readers, think Assassins Creed), never shirking a challenge. His composure on the ball is also something to behold.

It was something of a relief to get to half time 0-0. QPR had few clear cut chances but it felt like the sort of game where we would inevitably concede a goal if we couldn’t get off the back foot.

Fortunately we came out much more positively in the second half – attacking towards the noisy away support behind the goal. Beer had been consumed so the exact events are a bit of a blur, but Ozil and Rosicky really got in the game and began dictating play; Sanchez worked as tirelessly as ever and Giroud showed for everything.

With good wide support from Gibbs and Bellerin we began to properly threaten and the Rangers players started to tire.

The breakthrough game after some good work down our left from Gibbs, who got a low cross into the near post for Ollie to poke home. It wasn’t a spectacular goal, but you have to give credit to our French Stallion for being alert to the situation and getting there first.

Cue much relief among the Arsenal fans (we were already aware that scores elsewhere were not going our way).

And shortly after we felt even safer when Alexis picked up a ball from Gibbs and twisted and turned his way into the box before deceiving Green in the QPR goal with a low reverse shot just inside the near post. A lovely piece of skill and imagination.

Two-nil and we relaxed a little. In the ensuing 10 minutes or so we had two or three good opportunities – the best falling to Alexis who found himself in a one-on-one with Green. Alexis tried to slip it to Ozil on the right but Green read it and cleared up.

And then we came over all Arsenally. With the game looking safe we switched off and in a split second Rangers were back in the game at 1:2 from a well hit Charlie Adam shot after Gibbs and Koscielny backed away from him.

It made for a nervy last 10 minutes but we held on and we were able to bring home a very important three points.

Some thoughts on individual players: Ozil is an absolute joy to watch – he seems to think at a faster pace than the players around him; Santi – while not quite up to Man City away form – was always available to relieve pressure with his close control; Ospina is starting to look like our real Number One; Giroud’s strike rate is starting to nudge him towards “top, top striker” level – do we really need to look elsewhere in the summer?

RockyLives

84 Comments | Uncategorized | Tagged: , , , | Permalink
Posted by Rasp

An Arsenal home win. Was it good for you?

March 2, 2015

You saw the game. I saw the game. So I won’t cramp my post with details, rather thoughts and feelings.

Laboured win, but an extremely valuable three points is one of the things I observed. Another were empty seats and a very muted crowd for a perfectly timed 2pm Kick Off.

Everton arrived ever so slightly staler than us having Spurs Nighted on the Thursday. The turning point was a scuffed shot from Ollie, but low on confidence strikers whoever they are, need just such fortune.

01

You are probably sensing an impending note of doom in the air, and you’d be right. Earlier in the season we put a poor performance, but three points bagged, down to occasionally “winning ugly”, and I agree that’s a great quality. My problem is that we are only winning ugly, with just sporadic flurries into style.

Damn I was looking forward to the days when we would have a fit attack comprising Mesut, Ox, Theo, Alexis and Santi. They are going to terrorise defences with mesmerising football. It’s just not happening.

Even on this site, the majority are happy to bag the three points, and style and performance matter less. Are the Match Goers sending out a different message? We may get Top Four (something very important), and who knows maybe an extra £20M by coming second, and I would be delighted by that result.

My problem is that these players are capable of so much more. We have seen odd glimpses throughout the season, but they are rare sightings. I happen to believe we can win 3-0 in Monaco, but I have absolutely no idea which are the key players to have fit on the day to engineer a clicking performance.

Are my levels of expectation unreasonably high?

MickyDidIt89

80 Comments | Uncategorized | Tagged: , , , , , | Permalink
Posted by Rasp

The ‘should be’ Arsenal player that got away…..

February 23, 2015

Whenever I watch a football match I always look at the opposition players to see if there is one that could do a job for Arsenal. Obviously, players such as Suarez, Silva and even Harry Kane could well supply a steady stream of goals but what I really look for is someone who could have boosted our trophy count over a period of years.

Over time our (Arsenal’s) need has been most obvious in three positions, goalkeeper, centre-back and holding mid-fielder and it is in those positions that I have looked for my ideal players.

Since David Seaman left at the end of the 2002/3 season we have struggled with a succession of ‘keepers, some good, some not so good.

Mad Jens, a man who could pick a fight with his own shadow, always had us on the edge of euphoria, or despair, depending on the state of the tide, Almunia, Fabianski, Mannone, Szczesny and now Ospina have all been given a go with varying success, but the one ‘keeper, had we been able to sign him at the time of Seaman’s departure, who could have carried us forward in the long term is Petr Cech.

There is no doubt in my mind that the Chelsea stopper has been the best ‘keeper in the Premiership for years and what a difference he would have made.

At centre-back, again, we’ve struggled. Since Adams, Bould and Keown went it is only now that we have some pretty good cbs. Mertesacker and Koscielny have done well, while the recent signing of Gabriel looks promising but how about if we could have got our hands on John Terry when in 2002 he was sent out on loan to Nottingham Forest. Now Terry is not a person that I can admire but as a footballer he has been the rock that Chelsea’s success has been built on. Would our defence have been more solid for his presence? I think so.

Finally I come to the most important position for me. Holding mid-fielder, looking back we had Vieira and Petit who could play the role pretty well, and then along came Gilberto, The Invisible Wall. Since then we have been crying out for somebody to take up the baton, Arteta does a job there, but it’s not his ideal position. Flamini has done alright but only as a fill-in and Coquelin is showing promise but is lacking the physique.

The one player who could have filled the role, with his height, physique, skill, controlled aggression and sheer presence is Ya Ya Toure. There have been a number of opportunities to sign him, when he left Beveren in 2003, when he left Donetsk in 2005, when he left Olympiacos in 2006, when he left Monaco in 2007 and finally when Barca let him go in 2010. Missed chances all of them.

Petr Cech and John Terry have been together for a long time and have developed the kind of understanding so vital in a defensive unit, but their individual success may be a partial result of that interdependence, so for that reason I will pick Ya Ya Toure as the “One That Got Away”

OK AAers, over to you. Which of the three would you choose, or who else would you pick?

Written by Norfolk Gooner

64 Comments | Uncategorized | Tagged: , , , , , , | Permalink
Posted by Rasp

Rooney doesn’t dive, Gerard doesn’t dive ….. and Eduardo is a cheat

February 17, 2015

Rooney doesn’t dive … he’s an English bulldog

Gerard doesn’t dive …..  he’s a legend

Eduardo is a diving foreign cheat …..

Discuss …. and tell me again why on the spot video replays will ruin the game???

Rasp

92 Comments | Uncategorized | Tagged: , , , , | Permalink
Posted by Rasp

Boro Buried By Buoyant Arsenal

February 16, 2015

Here are a few AAers’ comments after the game …………………. 

LB said

I think I would describe that as the perfectly executed plan.

Who would have thought that Wenger would have started with a 4.2.4 line up? The idea was clearly to go at them, all guns blazing, get ahead and by doing so would force them onto us, before bringing Walcott on in the latter stages to run riot with his pace. And that is exactly what happened.

If Boro were hoping for a lift from Wenger opting to field a weaker team they were disappointed. 

Welbeck, Giroud, Ozil and Sanchez up front, wow that is some front line.

Gabriel didn’t have that much to do but there were some very encouraging signs. His professional foul was a South American master class.

https://twitter.com/BBCSport/status/567228008227160064

stevepalmer1 said

I felt we gave a good account of ourselves, pretty on the eye, plenty of possession with some nice quick passing. I would like to see us making challenges earlier on forward running attackers as i feel we open up and give them chances but apart from that not bad at all. 

My MOTM would have been Gibbs the lad ran up and down all game and made his self a nuisance but also did his defensive work well. Very happy with that effort but have to say expected more goals but 2 goals is still blinding. Don’t want to leave Chambers out another fine days work son.

Boro2

Gooner In Exile said

Gibbs had a very positive game obviously showing he wants his shirt back.

But I think I loved watching the front three of Ozil, Santi and Alexis, they were walking into little spaces and making gorgeous passing. Past their way out of the press with ease.

Also has anyone noticed the skill Welly uses quite a lot, where he kind of allows the player to commit a sliding tackle before he touches the ball and he kind of picks it up with his trailing leg, it’s very effective and useful because he seems to break away more often than not using it.

Let’s not forget this was Boro and we are going to face better less gappy buses than this in the remainder of the league campaign.

Ratings

Szczesny 8 – Not much to do – Great having him as second choice keeper! 

Chambers 8 – Hungry and competent without being tested too much

Koscielny 9 – Needed a rest and got one by cruising through the game

Gabriel 8 – Fitted in straightaway. Took one for the team in the right area of the field

Gibbs 9 –  Excellent throughout  

Flamini 8 – Very effective against limited opposition

Cazorla 9 – His performance was as tall as his hair

Ozil 9 – A world class player able to show it against a disappointing ‘Boro

Welbeck 8 – Just finding his form again. Could have a great end of season

Sanchez 9 – Love the man almost as much as he loves playing

Giroud 9 – Two crackers. The first a team goal, the second opportunist 

Cobbled together by chas

 

 

139 Comments | Uncategorized | Tagged: , , , , | Permalink
Posted by Rasp

A disappointing 3 points …. an orchestra with 3 conductors

February 11, 2015

Before ….

I had a drink with 6 of the finest, most wholehearted Arsenal supporters you could hope to meet before arriving at The Emirates. Several had travelled great distance to attend the game. The good natured banter and camaraderie of kindred spirits is one of the great joys of being an Arsenal Supporter.

The game …..

After a disappointing performance in the NLD, we had high hopes that the team would bounce back and show its class. I will admit to being surprised at the team selection with Giroud and Welbeck consigned to the bench and a midfield 3 of Cazorla, Ozil and Rosicky.

The first half was a cautious affair with little quality on show from either side except for the finishes for the 2 goals which comprised an excellent striker’s finish from Koscielny from a corner and a trademark, reflex, low into the corner goal from Theo (how often do you see him blaze it over the bar?)

So at 2 goals up and the game seemingly secure, most were wondering how many we could add in the second half. Immediately it became obvious that the team had lapsed into that weird alternative Arsenal characterised by low energy, lack of penetration, pass it sideways rather than forward jaundiced football.

Leicester played with fight, pace on the counter and width. They looked determined and dangerous and were rewarded with a deserved goal after some typically poor defending by Arsenal. We could all see it coming. Would the team respond and up the tempo? ….. No. We held on for the rest of the game. Ospina once again made a couple of key saves that saved us points but all in all this was a tepid performance. The overwhelming feeling at the final whistle was relief, not joy at gaining 3 points.

Why …..

Before the game, GoonerB had been banging on about how we could not play 3 of our 5 or 6 attacking midfielders together at any one time. He argued that we needed pace and width and runners. The longer the game went on, the more I could see he had hit the nail on the head. I lost count of how many times one of our midfield 3 came out of defence with the ball only to stop once in the opponents half and pass backwards or sideways. Result … moment lost, opportunity wasted, the oppositions defence assembled to keep us out of the danger area.

The best team seldom comprises the best 11 players. If we call the attacking midfielders playmakers (last night that was Rosicky, Ozil and Cazorla) it becomes more obvious why we lose attacking edge. No orchestra plays to 3 conductors – that just causes confusion and yet we field 3 players all trying to do the same job and operate in the same area. This compresses our play in the centre of the pitch and means we are short of bodies and options when it comes to an attacking pass. We must hold the record for the number of times the ball is passed 5 yards and then straight back again.

GoonerB said before the game that he’d rather see players like The Ox, Welbeck or even Akpom who are direct and have pace, but more importantly make runs for a playmaker to exploit.

It’s been said before, we have too many identikit players trying to play in the same area. I thought Coquelin was our best player. He reminded me of Sol when he came back, trying to rouse those around him seemingly unable to understand why there was so little fight in them. You could see his frustration growing in the second half to the point where it was he (our DM) who was actually driving play forward.

What’s to do? ….

Arsene Wenger obviously doesn’t see it this way. He repeatedly puts out teams that lack balance and his options are restricted due to the type of player he signs and the inevitable injuries. Ozil was poor last night. Despite declaring that he had come back stronger, he was knocked off the ball too easily because he was looking for a pass, but the lack of runners meant he ended up in blind alleys. I love his talent and ability but in our current set up he is just not cutting the mustard.

Nothing will change whilst Arsene is manager …. so there’s nothing we can do.

Hats off to Leicester. They’d never complain after getting 3 points. I can and do complain, the guys I met before the game deserve better than this.  We have consistently underperformed. Our team is less than the sum of its parts and that is the opposite of what we should expect.

Rasp

25 Comments | Uncategorized | Tagged: , , , | Permalink
Posted by Rasp

Arsenal to play “…and Leicester”

February 10, 2015

Apologies to regular readers of this site, but our usual PM’er is a Hippy and today is incapable of doing his duty because he’s semi conscious on a remote Island off Sweden.

It will be brief for a number of reasons, one being that for the first time in my life, I don’t know what I’m talking about. We are playing Leicester tonight, and I’ve never heard of them other from the words of The North Bank Special number “We all follow The Arsenal” that ends “…..and Leicester”

Also, as I’ve never heard of any of their players, it will be a walk over, so should be an enjoyable evening for Gunners everywhere.

Happily the three points will come in very handy, because it’s getting a bit tense at the top of the table, although if other results go our way, we could end up third this evening assuming we score enough.

That brings me nicely on to exactly that, scoring goals. I don’t care who starts in goal, or who plays in defence. I’ve no idea how our injured superstars Sanchez and The Ox are feeling today, but either would bring welcome skill, thrust and entertainment to the side.

I’m sorry I can’t be more helpful, but I’ve been dragged off the subs bench at the last minute to get something written, and I expect a torrent of abuse towards The Hippy when he bothers to return.

What I do know about Leicester is that somewhere around there is the home of Pork Pies. Those I like.

mickydidit89

118 Comments | Uncategorized | Tagged: , , | Permalink
Posted by Rasp

“Oi, Arsenal East Stand. Yes, You Lot”

February 6, 2015

Ok, it’s Rant Friday, and as usual when I pause to think for a moment beneath the happy veneer of my Arsenal World, I seethe. I’m vexed and the blood boils. I can keep the upper lip stiff no longer, and come Rant Friday, I crack.

So let me kick the day off.

East Standers. You make me sick. You’re an embarrassment to yourselves and The Club. The reason I’m picking on you lot is that I watch nearly all games on the telly and the camera points East, so tough luck.

Two games this season I did bother to rock up to were Palace and Southampton. You lot bugger off on 42 mins, then bugger off again on 85. You annoy me when I’m there, and you make me sick when I watch on telly.

What the hell is so ‘effing important that you have to leave so early. Please, just one of you come out and tell me. I know Holloway Road stays closed for an hour after the game, and there’s a short wait outside Arsenal Tube, but it’s a pleasant twelve minute stroll to Finsbury Park you fat bastards. What’s more, when you get there, you also have the choice of the faster Victoria Line.  Jeepers.

And half time, what’s all that about. You can’t all have weak bladders, so I’m guessing it’s the delicious food and beer you’re after. Well, fill yourselves up with more fat and booze before the game why don’t you.

While I’m at it “Hey you skinhead over in Block 107, Row 2. Remember me from the Palace game, and the little chat we had”. No? Well, let me jog your memory. You looked a right tit leaving on 42 mins, and then rushing back to celebrate when we scored on 45. Then, you ‘effing tool, you did the same thing on 88 and guess what, we scored the winner on 90 and back you wobbled. Pathetic. What the ‘ucking hell is wrong with your sort?

Oh, and now my memory has been jogged, Southampton, and again I was in The East Stand. Cleared off is what many of you had done when Alexis pops up and scores the only goal on 90. You utter cretins had cleared off again. Unbelievable.

Anything any of you would like to get off your chest?

RANT AWAY

MickyDiIt89

170 Comments | Uncategorized | Tagged: , , , | Permalink
Posted by Rasp

Theo Walcott Drives A Wedge Between Supporters

February 5, 2015

It appears that opinion on Theo Walcott divides supporters more than any other player – so much so that we’ve received 2 posts on Theo today giving opposing views on his worth to Arsenal. So should he stay or should he go? … have a read through both sets of arguments and cast your vote at the end. Ed

Arsenal’s biggest problem – Theo Walcott

After both the Brighton and Aston Villa games I was vocal in criticising Theo, I promised a post to explain why he was driving me to distraction so here it is.

Alan Hansen once claimed Theo didn’t have a football brain, this was along time ago and has since been proven wrong, however there is definitely a case to argue that he plays better on instinct than when he has to think about it. Take a look at the best goals he scores, when he is reacting under pressure he is far better than others, his quick feet and good shot come to the fore. When he has time to pick a spot in acres of space he can be wasteful.

But this isn’t his problem right now. I don’t think it’s a question of footballing brain but more one of footballing ego, there’s nothing wrong with a bit of arrogance on the pitch and belief in one’s own ability, but there is if it leads you to play in a way that is detrimental to the team.

In my view against both Brighton and Villa he was guilty of the latter, after his early goal against Brighton and the teams early goal against Villa he seemed to be appearing in the centre of the pitch far more than he should and it was forcing others to shift position. Against Villa this caused is to have a very poor hour in front of their goal. Having just watched the MOTD highlights this was confirmed by all our efforts on goal coming when Theo was staying wide, I remember several moments in the first half and one spell in particular where Theo was taking a more central position and our attacks lacked the cutting edge, not only that that but it caused us issues in the other direction. I don’t have a problem with our attack being fluid, but if the wrong players play in the wrong position I do.

Can’t play with back to goal

Theo is simply not physically suited to playing with his back to goal, he is always better running at goal, when he plays central he has to be able to receive the ball to feet under pressure from a centre back and quickly play a pass to an advancing midfielder or wide man.

I don’t think Theo has the best attributes to do this.

Making unselfish runs

When he has done the back to goal thing he has to be prepared to drag his marker away from goal and create space for others.

Against Brighton and Villa he did the first bit, but his next move was towards goal, which in turn made the area more congested as midfielders were trying to run into the space.

I think Theo’s presence centrally is mainly a selfish one to be amongst more goals so I don’t think he will prepared to run away from the goal as both Giroud and Welbeck do when they have played there.

One way to score

When Giroud plays as holdup man his next movement as well as dragging defenders out also presents a concern for defenders, his aerial ability means he can drift to the back post be on hand for a lofted ball or make an angle to be played into feet (especially if he is left side of goal) to score from a cut back. Theo can only really offer the latter. Which again makes us easy to defend against.

Effecting the opponents defensive line

By playing up top Theo’s biggest threat to opposition is a ball over the top, clever centre backs will drop off ten to twenty yard to nullify this, which in turn makes it more difficult to get the midfield and wide men bursting past the line, it also means if playing one of our wide men is Giroud who doesn’t have the burst of pace to offer a threat in the channels.

When Giroud is up top defenders have to mark him higher up the pitch to try and win the ball back earlier. And it means we have pace on the flanks.

Opponents full backs are released

One of the biggest problems is what it does to our balance defensively. With Giroud forced to play wide left or right by Theo’s change of position the opposition full backs are less worried about pushing on and leaving space behind them. Once Giroud has dropped in the full back knows he doesn’t have to be too wary, so can commit fully to his teams attack, which on Sunday afternoon resulted in balls into our box from two angles. If Theo sits wide then he can win the game of chicken with the full back as very few will back themselves in a foot race against our whippet.

The solution

As you can hopefully now see I manor criticising Theo for rustiness or skill set he has many good attributes that if used to the full can result in the goal he scored against Villa or Ozil’s goal our second against Villa.

Picking up the ball deep he had got past the midfield line in a flash and was laying the ball onto Giroud before the Villa defence knew what was happening.

His goal came from receiving the ball from Ospina on the left, and motoring at pace playing the ball to Santi and then intercepting the through ball destined for Giroud who had himself pulled wide creating a gaping hole for Theo to run into.

If Theo plays wide and stays wide until the gaps open up he can be lethal, particularly if working in tandem with Alexis on the other flank.

Writing this post I started to ask myself whether in fact it was Giroud and not Theo that was the problem, but after more consideration I decided not, I think the same would be true if Welbeck, Akpom or Sanogo were available to play up top. And I think what Olivier gives us is a plan A and B on the pitch from the start, take away some of his effectiveness by changing his position and we start to become one dimensional and dare I say it tippy tally again as defences drop deep scared of pace in behind.

When discussing both Ramsey and Coquelin in interviews this season Arsene has talked around the subject of best for the team or best for the player, Ramsey’s desire to get on the scoresheet was creating issues with the rest of the midfield, Coquelin he said had been signed as a ball winner but had begun to believe he was more a box to box player, he is beginning to play like a ball winner again and the team benefits. It’s what I believe makes Alexis such a huge asset and why he has been so instrumental this season, he is prepared to do what’s best for the team and knows how to get the best out of himself.

On Sunday our attack stagnated after our first goal primarily for me due to the positions Theo was taking up centrally, second half he stayed wider longer and was rarely seen waiting for the ball centrally, and suddenly we started scoring again. Time for Theo to use his attributes in the best way for the team, let’s face it we have plenty of options and if he wants the shirt regularly he will have to be a bit more like Alexis and a little bit less like Thierry in his last season.

Gooner in Exile

Theo Walcott – Sell him in the summer

What has changed over the past couple of months which has led to Arsenal fans being positive; something highly unlikely just 12 games ago? In my opinion even if the forces of evil fluke a win in the NLD we will still have a strong finish to our campaign.

The most obvious reason is the return to fitness of many of the most important members of the squad. We have been missing automatic starters in our first 11 – Ramsey, Ozil, Koscielny, Giroud and Walcott; their return inevitably improves our performances. We have seen the surprise arrivals of Bellerin and Coquelin and  although I do not see Coq as a long term solution I would love to be proved wrong.

Ospina seems to be an admirable keeper and made couple of fine saves last weekend. Having kept 3 clean sheets he could be a key improvement in the defence. We have also seen a massive improvement in Monreal  – that he keeps England’s best LB out of the team is evidence of his fine form.

Unknown

Not Happy

Many say the reason for our upswing in form is a return to sensible defending but in my humble opinion the biggest difference is in the way we attack and in particular the return of Ozil. Ozil is world class, not Rooney world class but proper world class – Iniesta world class. Who else in the PL could have conceived and executed the flick pass to OG on Sunday? The answer is nobody.

Alexis is an automatic starter in any Arsenal team, as is Giroud who has become (very surprisingly) a quality CF – maybe the best in the PL. You may scoff but look at the assists he makes (sunday for Ozil, the flick for Wilshire’s goal of the season etc etc), OG is not a battering ram he is an intelligent striker.

And then there is Welbeck and Oxlade-Chamberlain both of whom deserve consideration thanks to their excellence this season.

And what about Theo?

The man is due to enter contract negotiations this summer. Last time he had us over a barrel as we had just lost Cesc, this time it will be different. I love Theo, he is a wonderful chap and a vastly improved player. He has developed his tactical awareness and makes superb off-the-ball runs. He has toughened up and is able to ride the vicious tackling his pace attracts. He scores goals. But is he good enough to keep either Ox or Welbz out the team, and even if he is the front 6 is surely Coquelin, Ramsey, Cazorla, Alexis, Ozil and Giroud.

Should Arsenal pay over €100k a week for someone who is effectively a super-sub?

Of course we should. It is madness to suggest Walcott should leave. Arsenal have invested many millions and almost a decade into the lad. He has to stay. Furthermore, Walcott is, at present, our best right side attacker. If the Ox is to force his way into the team it has to be at the expense of someone else and we are entering a period where there will be no established first 11.

We have yet to see the magic of the Ozil/Walcott combination but we saw glimpses of it on Sunday and it looked lethal, Add in the astonishing power and vision of Sanchez and the mouth waters.

Another reason to spend a pile of Wallmart dollars to keep Walcott is tied to our squad depth and why we need such a squad. The next decade will see Arsenal dominate the PL, Europe and the World. We will need quality throughout the squad to the point where  no-one will have a guaranteed starting place. Just look at the squad AW is building, in every position we have a quality back-up and what is more they are almost all young men under 25.

TPIG, Bellerin, Gabriel, Chambers, Gibbs, Ramsey, Wilshire, Coq, Welbz, Akpom, Ox, Gnabry, Biedel, Jenks, Sanogo, Campbell are all under 25. Theo and Alexis are just 26!! World domination is around the corner IF Mr Wenger can keep this large squad happy and at Arsenal.

Walcott is an important member of our squad and must be persuaded of his value to The Arsenal. He has been at Arsenal for 9 years, let’s have another 3.

n.b. Post inspired after listening to Tim Stillman assuring us Theo will be sold in summer.

written by Big Raddy

87 Comments | Uncategorized | Tagged: , , | Permalink
Posted by Rasp

« Previous Entries
Next Entries »