Arsenal FC Team Talk/Gossip/Rumours Thread

Paleface

Van Persie!!

Green made a mess of the cross.

gosplan

Thought we could be in with a shout for the league this year but no hope.

Same ****, different day.

OPENROAD

gosplan wrote: »

Thought we could be in with a shout for the league this year but no hope.

Same ****, different day.

ah here come on, win our game in hand we are two points behind Chelsea.

Royale with Cheese

OPENROAD wrote: »

ah here come on, win our game in hand we are two points behind Chelsea.

He is spot on. Same old shite.

leninbenjamin

gosplan wrote: »

Thought we could be in with a shout for the league this year but no hope.

Same ****, different day.

OPENROAD wrote: »

ah here come on, win our game in hand we are two points behind Chelsea.

you're both not wrong. I'd agree with more gosplan though, 3 games we've thrown away this season, as opposed to actually being bettered by another team. That to me suggests this squad doesn't have the mentality it takes to go on and win the thing. Hope I'm wrong, but i can't see anything other than another barren year from this current shower.

Paleface

I'm as gutted as everyone else but its a bit of a knee jerk reaction to say we'll win nothing.

Its the first bad result against a team we'd expect to beat this year in the league.

Its the timing of it thats killing me after United losing earlier.

Pepe LeFrits

Twice in less than a week. Wasters.

L'prof

Paleface wrote: »

I'm as gutted as everyone else but its a bit of a knee jerk reaction to say we'll win nothing.

Its the first bad result against a team we'd expect to beat this year in the league.

Its the timing of it thats killing me after United losing earlier.

Nothing seems to have changed, we will show flashes of brilliance as always, but when you can't keep a clean sheet, what hope do you have???

Paleface

jasonorr wrote: »

Nothing seems to have changed, we will show flashes of brilliance as always, but when you can't keep a clean sheet, what hope do you have???

The clean sheet thing is worrying but none of the sides who you'd expect to be up there at the end are keeping clean sheets regularly so far this season.

Its the closing out of games more so than clean sheets that is the real worry.

L'prof

Paleface wrote: »

The clean sheet thing is worrying but none of the sides who you'd expect to be up there at the end are keeping clean sheets regularly so far this season.

Its the closing out of games more so than clean sheets that is the real worry.

The main reason we aren't closing out games is because we're leaking goals!

cson

Rob Green, Scott Parker and Carlton Cole in Janurary and we're sorted. :pac:

gosplan

We concede cheap goals in EVERY. SINGLE. GAME.

Just to repeat, that's EVERY. SINGLE. GAME, and I'm not exaggerating.

By my reckoning, if we didn't we'd be level with Chelsea with a game in hand (3 extra points vrs Man U and two extra vrs Hammers). That's league winning form.

You can't give away goals like we do and win the league, it just can't happen.

Edit: THIS IS NOT AN ISOLATED RESULT!!! This is just one of the days that giving away cheap goals cost us points, like in the champions league and like against Manchester United. Even last week could have been the same but we scored the third before we let Birmingham equalise.

Edited again: I still love the boys though. if we can sort this mess out we'll be unstoppable.

Redzer7

gosplan wrote: »

We concede cheap goals in EVERY. SINGLE. GAME.

Just to repeat, that's EVERY. SINGLE. GAME,

Fulham .

L'prof

Redzer7 wrote: »

Fulham .

Pedantic much? We have In most games though!

cashback

Why is it that whenever we're two up and the opposition pull one back, that there's a sense of inevitability about the equaliser.
I texted a friend at half time that so far it was smooth but if West Ham get one, we'll get nervy. There's no way Chelsea would have conceded two goals in the same situation.
A win over Spurs on Saturday is going to be needed.

Redzer7

jasonorr wrote: »

Pedantic much? We have In most games though!

Thats still not "EVERY SINGLE GAME".
West Brom, Wigan, Celtic and Olimpiacos.

L'prof

Premier League Record:

Reading               4   4   0   0  11   2   9  12 3.00
Watford               4   4   0   0   9   3   6  12 3.00
Barnsley              2   2   0   0   7   0   7   6 3.00
Wolves                2   2   0   0   6   1   5   6 3.00
Wigan                 9   8   1   0  21   6  15  25 2.78
Ipswich              10   8   2   0  23   4  19  26 2.60
Fulham               17  13   2   2  34   9  25  41 2.41
Man City             25  19   3   3  48  18  30  60 2.40
Charlton             16  12   2   2  36  12  24  38 2.38
West Brom             8   6   1   1  18   8  10  19 2.38
Derby                14  10   3   1  27  11  16  33 2.36
Leicester            16  10   5   1  38  13  25  35 2.19
Birmingham           11   7   3   1  22   6  16  24 2.18
Crystal Palace        8   5   2   1  16   5  11  17 2.13
Everton              35  22   8   5  73  28  45  74 2.11
Nottingham Forest    10   6   3   1  13   7   6  21 2.10
Portsmouth           13   7   6   0  24   7  17  27 2.08
Southampton          26  15   7   4  50  24  26  52 2.00
Sunderland           16   9   5   2  30  11  19  32 2.00
Oldham                4   2   2   0   4   1   3   8 2.00
Swindon               2   1   1   0   5   1   4   4 2.00
Middlesbrough        28  16   7   5  62  26  36  55 1.96
Coventry             18  10   5   3  25  13  12  35 1.94
Bolton               20  11   5   4  32  22  10  38 1.90
West Ham             29  16   7   6  42  19  23  55 1.90
Blackburn            31  17   7   7  57  28  29  58 1.87
Villa                34  16  12   6  53  30  23  60 1.76
Newcastle            32  16   8   8  46  27  19  56 1.75
Bradford              4   2   1   1   6   3   3   7 1.75
Chelsea              34  16  11   7  50  39  11  59 1.74
Leeds                24  12   4   8  43  25  18  40 1.67
Norwich               8   3   4   1  17   9   8  13 1.63
Spurs                34  13  16   5  51  36  15  55 1.62
MK Dons              16   7   4   5  30  16  14  25 1.56
Sheffield Wednesday  16   7   4   5  21  16   5  25 1.56
Sheffield United      6   2   3   1   9   4   5   9 1.50
Stoke                 2   1   0   1   5   3   2   3 1.50
Hull                  2   1   0   1   4   3   1   3 1.50
Man United           35  10  11  14  34  45 -11  41 1.17
Liverpool            34   9  11  14  36  48 -12  38 1.12
QPR                   8   1   5   2   7   8  -1   8 1.00

This Season v Previous Seasons:

P   W   D   L   F   A  GD Pts
2009-2010:   9   6   1   2  29  13  16  19
2008-2009:   9   6   1   2  18   6  12  19 ( 4th)
2007-2008:   9   8   1   0  21   6  15  25 ( 3rd)
2006-2007:   9   5   3   1  16   5  11  18 ( 4th)
2005-2006:   9   5   1   3  12   6   6  16 ( 4th)
2004-2005:   9   8   1   0  29   8  21  25 ( 2nd)
2003-2004:   9   7   2   0  18   7  11  23 ( 1st)
2002-2003:   9   7   2   0  24   9  15  23 ( 2nd)
2001-2002:   9   5   3   1  21   8  13  18 ( 1st)
2000-2001:   9   5   3   1  15   9   6  18 ( 2nd)
1999-2000:   9   6   1   2  12   7   5  19 ( 2nd)
1998-1999:   9   3   5   1  10   4   6  14 ( 2nd)
1997-1998:   9   5   4   0  22  10  12  19 ( 1st)
1996-1997:   9   6   2   1  19   8  11  20 ( 3rd)
1995-1996:   9   5   3   1  13   5   8  18 ( 5th)
1994-1995:   9   3   2   4  11  10   1  11 (12th)
1993-1994:   9   6   1   2  12   6   6  19 ( 4th)
1992-1993:   9   3   2   4  11  11   0  11 (10th)

Rolling Season:

P   W   D   L   F   A  GD Pts
2009-2010:  38  20  12   6  79  44  35  72

Current Run:

P   W   D   L   F   A  GD Pts
2009-2010:   5   4   1   0  16   5  11  13

I think the rolling season is most telling.

Paleface

This thread needs to be renamed to the gloom and doom thread.

We are doing much better than this time last season.

No team is looking like clear winners so far and all have their own problems. Lets just see how the season unfolds shall we.

L'prof

Paleface wrote: »

This thread needs to be renamed to the gloom and doom thread.

We are doing much better than this time last season.

No team is looking like clear winners so far and all have their own problems. Lets just see how the season unfolds shall we.

Same points, more goals scored and conceded.

Green Hornet

I'd like to see Almunia back in goal. He may not be a world beater but he's better than Mannone I think. I don't have any confidence in him.

Mannone might yet turn out to be a great keeper but Almunia had a good season last year and maybe the spell on the sidelines will give him the boot up the ass he needs.

gosplan

Paleface wrote: »

We are doing much better than this time last season.

It's not just about points on the board.

It's about fixing a very basic and annoying flaw that you a professional team shouldn't have.

Paleface wrote: »

No team is looking like clear winners so far and all have their own problems. Lets just see how the season unfolds shall we.

Fair enough, but I'm still annoyed we're not taking our chances. The fact that other teams aren't taking their doesn't really alleviate this.

SlickRic

so according to wenger you should have won every game this season.

he's a genius of a manager.

but sorry, him bleating every f*cking post-match interview about how they didn't get what they deserved is getting ridiculous now.

they play as good, if not better football than everyone else, but he needs to look at his team's faults and consider that the world is not against them; that maybe, they need to grow a bit of a backbone and hold out for what they 'deserve'.

cson

SlickRic wrote: »

so according to wenger you should have won every game this season.

To be fair to him, he's right. We should have but we haven't. Should have beaten West Ham today and AZ during the week. Should have beaten Man Utd at Old Trafford after playing them off the park. Perhaps the City game should have gotten a point would be more apt but still could have beaten them.

SlickRic wrote: »

he's a genius of a manager.

but sorry, him bleating every f*cking post-match interview about how they didn't get what they deserved is getting ridiculous now.

they play as good, if not better football than everyone else, but he needs to look at his team's faults and consider that the world is not against them; that maybe, they need to grow a bit of a backbone and hold out for what they 'deserve'.

They play the best football in the Premiership in my honest opinion. The thing with Arsenal is and I mentioned this in the match thread, even if they go 2-0 up you can never be 100% sure. Conversely with the likes of Man Utd, Chelsea even Liverpool; once they go 2-0 up that is game-set-match. I'd like to know when the last time one of those 3 didn't get all 3 points after being 2-0 up.

We have conceded far too many goals this season. The defence doesn't seem to be able to deal with high looping balls or long balls into the area. The just don't attack them. Personally, I think Gallas is in decline. Vermaelen had a fantastic game today but I don't think in the long run its sustainable to have two small-ish centre halves playing together. I think someone with a bigger presence than the two incumbent needs to come in and start alongside Vermaelen. The full backs are decent, though Clichy was very good today but as a unit the defence needs to work on what I'd term is a soft centre. the mindset that any goal scored against us must be earned is one worth adopting.

Secondly; while Mad Jens was unpredictable at times he had a presence. Almunia and lately Mannone whilst both good in their own rights are not good enough for Arsenal if the team wants to win things. I can only imagine what the club would have won had we had someone like Casillas in goal. We need to spend money on a goalkeeper end of.

Thirdly; how in the name of sweet st Dolores and all the Cranberries is Abou Diaby getting his game for us? His odd flashes of brilliance are vastly overshadowed by his anonymous, invisible passenger games where he contributes nothing but to arse around like a headless chicken. Hopefully Nasri will replace him next week.

To be honest, there isn't an awful lot wrong with Arsenal at the moment. The current squad has every chance of winning something and I think one or two additions (and no losses next summer!) would make us serious contenders. I joked above there about the 3 West Ham players but in all honesty we'd probably win the title if we got those 3.

Royale with Cheese

cson wrote: »

Secondly; while Mad Jens was unpredictable at times he had a presence. Almunia and lately Mannone whilst both good in their own rights are not good enough for Arsenal if the team wants to win things. I can only imagine what the club would have won had we had someone like Casillas in goal. We need to spend money on a goalkeeper end of.

Definitely, Jens got a bad rep but aside from all his nutjob moments, he was a great keeper. Would give anything to have somebody like him between the sticks right now. Not buying Given when the chance was there is looking like a huge mistake.

Pepe LeFrits

Shay can't command his area either so I don't see how he'd help us on set pieces which is one of the big areas of concern.

Disagree re Gallas also. He's been outstanding this season.

keano_afc

Still absolutley gutted at the result. I actually went out with 15 minutes to go thinking it was all in the bag. Typical Asrenal after that, concede one goal and suddenly its panic stations. 10 men didnt hinder them at all, sure we only had 10 men ourselves with Diaby on the pitch. Its time to change the team a bit, certainly in midfield. Song has been doing ok recently but thats 2 goals he's cost us in 2 games.

And yes, its time to stick Al back in nets, until we can buy somebody in January.

Souless

keano_afc wrote: »

Still absolutley gutted at the result.Typical Arsenal after that, concede one goal and suddenly its panic stations.

Couldn't agree more. Nothing more depressing than watching a match where you are two up an having in your mind that if they get one goal then we're probably gonna only manage a point.

With that said there was no way in hell that it was a peno. We deserved 3 points but like the Arsenal of last season we just crumbled under a bit of pressure.

We need a new goalie for sure, Mannone has filled in well for Almunia and while he was kind of at fault for the first goal overall he's played pretty well. We also definatly need a new center back even though I agree with a lot of whats been said in this thread already about Gallas playing well this season (which was a real shock as seemed he was all but on his way out the door over the summer) and Vermaelen has been playing some great football, the only problem I have is that they go forward so much you're a defender for a reason and the amount of times we've been caught out on the counter attack this season is unreal and unforgivable.

Hopefully we'll steady the boat against the pool on wednesday and then beat Spurs good and proper on saturday A couple of purchases in the january window and we'll be looking great. It's not all doom and gloom with the exception of the dropped points we've been looking pretty good overall and the league is wide open no one is running away with it yet.

Kirnsy

Pool will be interesting..... spurs.....i cannot wait.

the thought of 'arrys face after rvp and arsh (who apparently didn't turn up for the hammers match - didn't see it unfortunately) destroy them....well lets just say (again) i cannot wait

Royale with Cheese

Souless wrote: »

A couple of purchases in the january window and we'll be looking great.

Does anybody actually expect this to happen? Will be surprised if anybody is bought, extremely surprised if it's more than one.

cson

+1 to that.

I have belief in the squad etc etc.

keano_afc

cson wrote: »

+1 to that.

I have belief in the squad etc etc.

You forgot We are naive at times but we are learning...

Frisbee

I heard we were 2-0 up with 20 to go, got two texts in quick succession about the goals and I really wasn't even suprised.

Like against AZ during the week we have two modes:

6-0 thrashing
Nervy 2 goal leads

efb

Hey lads finally got round to requesting access to soccerball. Fellow gooner, DB10 ATH
off to Stander Liege in Nov.

Unwavering supporter of AW, always afforded GG same respect too.

Not a big soccer head, if Arsenal arn't involved, I pay little heed.

Yes we need a Viera type player to complete a total football team.

yahoo_moe

Not gonna respond to everything bit by bit... but:

(1) Defence: Gallas is still our best defender and scapegoating him is silly. Vermaelen's goals have been eye-catching, but he's definitely still learning the position/league. Gallas has bailed him out on numerous occasions and he's yet to become the Vidic-like dominator we all hoped for.
(2) Keepers: Mannone was poor for the first goal yesterday but all our keepers cost us goals so it's more generally a problem with Wenger-type keepers - good shot stoppers but not very commanding in the air and not perfect when it comes to coming off their lines.
(3) We can still win things this season. But even though other teams are dropping points, we won't win the league by letting these points slip all year. I thought last season's good finish had taught these players a bit of resolve but maybe we're not quite there yet.
(4) We got what we deserved yesterday. Two poor mistakes in your own box means you deserve to concede two goals. And it was a penalty by today's standards where any contact is enough - Song shouldn't have given the referee a decision to make.

FearDark

We all know what kind of a team we will put out for the Carling Cup but what about Liverpool, will they put out a full strength team? I think maybe we should put out a half and half team for the game, some experienced players and some kids too, it is Liverpool afterall and they would like to get a winning run going given how they have been going lately.

cson

FearDark wrote: »

We all know what kind of a team we will put out for the Carling Cup but what about Liverpool, will they put out a full strength team? I think maybe we should put out a half and half team for the game, some experienced players and some kids too, it is Liverpool afterall and they would like to get a winning run going given how they have been going lately.

I hope Liverpool do put out a full strength team. Vela vs Carragher :pac:

Frisbee

---

Mannone

---

Eboue

---

Senderos----Silvestre

---

Gibbs

Wilshere

---

Coquelin

---

Ramsey

---

Traore/Merida

---

Watt

---

Vela

---

Would be my preferred line up...

Redzer7

Frisbee wrote: »

---

Mannone

---

Eboue

---

Senderos----Silvestre

---

Gibbs

Wilshere

---

Coquelin

---

Ramsey

---

Traore/Merida

---

Watt

---

Vela

---

Would be my preferred line up...

+1, Spot on.

Paleface

Frisbee wrote: »

---

Mannone

---

Eboue

---

Senderos----Silvestre

---

Gibbs

Wilshere

---

Coquelin

---

Ramsey

---

Traore/Merida

---

Watt

---

Vela

---

Would be my preferred line up...

I think Nasri will start. He needs the game time. Probably instead of Traore/Merida in your line up but could be used centrally either.

Also Wenger could keep the 4-3-3 formation. Everyone needs to get used to the new system.

Green Hornet

Frisbee wrote: »

---

Mannone

---

Eboue

---

Senderos----Silvestre

---

Gibbs

Wilshere

---

Coquelin

---

Ramsey

---

Traore/Merida

---

Watt

---

Vela

---

Would be my preferred line up...

I'd imagine if he starts with Mannone it means Almunia will be in goal for the Spurs game?

Frisbee

Paleface wrote: »

Also Wenger could keep the 4-3-3 formation. Everyone needs to get used to the new system.

I was thinking that but they went 4-4-2 in the last CC Game so I'm just assuming he'll do the same again.

Paleface

Frisbee wrote: »

I was thinking that but they went 4-4-2 in the last CC Game so I'm just assuming he'll do the same again.

Yeah your probably right about the formation.

Will be interesting to see what strength team Liverpool put out considering they've got a tough away game at Fulham on Saturday.

Pepe LeFrits

heh, dunno if anyone reads the site but Young Guns reckons Barca are after our England youth prodigy Benik Afobe. That'd be an interesting role reversal if they could nab him, though I'm not sure how the Spanish contract rules would allow it.

Souless

Paleface wrote: »

I think Nasri will start. He needs the game time. Probably instead of Traore/Merida in your line up but could be used centrally either.

I agree line up is probably pretty bang on other Nasri I'd say. Hopefully Nasri gets his game its been to long since he last played for us, boy is there some amount of competition out on that left hand side

Redzer7

Souless wrote: »

I agree line up is probably pretty bang on other Nasri I'd say. Hopefully Nasri gets his game its been to long since he last played for us, boy is there some amount of competition out on that left hand side

Well Wilshere and Traore are out, Nasri starting tonight .

Roaster

No Vela :eek:


Wojciech Szczesny
Lukasz Fabianski
Philippe Senderos
Kyle Bartley
Mikael Silvestre
Kieran Gibbs
Kerrea Gilbert
Fran Merida
Francis Coquelin
Craig Eastmond
Emmanuel Frimpong
Aaron Ramsey
Mark Randall
Samir Nasri
Eduardo
Gilles Sunu
Nicklas Bendtner
Sanchez Watt

cson

He has to be injured?!

What is AW's aversion to playing him? He's been sensational anytime I've seen him.

leninbenjamin

cson wrote: »

What is AW's aversion to playing him? He's been sensational anytime I've seen him.

I think Vela's just Arsene pissed off with his lack of commitment to the club. But it is still baffling.

S.T.D Ste

I'd like to see young kyle bartly get a run out watched him last season in the youth cup games and was very impressed with him when on the ball and he is a very competent defender

Roddy23

Meant to say did anybody else see Henri Lansbury for Watford against Sheffield United last week. Scored two goals, one was a lovely jinking run and finish.

How's JET getting on this season? Where's he on loan at the moment?