Arsenal Talk/Gossip/Rumours Thread 2013/14

gnfnrhead

cathalio11 wrote: »

No way. Play a strong team. Give us a chance of silverware like Wenger has done recently in the League Cup.

That team would let West Brom walk allover us in my opinion. I would prefer we get a run in the League Cup and keep the fans excited.

If we get knocked out with that side, there will be A LOT of backlash.

And if we lose Giroud/Ramsey/Ozil/Kosclieny to injury there won't be?

Personally, I'd go with the following, assuming fitness:

---

Fabianski
Jenkinson -- Vermaelen -- CB -- Monreal

---

Arteta

---

Flamini

---

Rosicky
Miyachi

---

Gnabry

---

ST

I was tempted to put Wilshere in, but figured that midfield should be enough. Keep him on the bench to replace Arteta who won't last the 90. Would play Chamberlain on the right if he were fit, but it's not likely. If Sanogo isn't fit either, ST is an issue. Giroud shouldn't even leave his house on the day. At CB, no need to risk either Mertesacker or Kosclieny. Wouldn't risk Sagna either.

tayto lover

I believe we can actually win the league this season and at least mount a meaningful challenge. We won't get a better chance as can be seen from the first 4 games with managerial changes and teams bringing in many new players. As such the CC is a bad distraction and we should play the reserves.

Galvasean

cathalio11 wrote: »

No way. Play a strong team. Give us a chance of silverware like Wenger has done recently in the League Cup.

Eff that in the A. Our squad is ravaged by injury and we have games coming in thick and fast. I don't want to see somebody like Giroud, Ozil or Ramsey get broke up in the Mickey Mouse Cup when we, as a team, should have bigger fish to fry.
Besides, last season we played strong sides in the CC and got beaten by a lower league outfit in any case because the first teamers lacked motivation, knowing they were playing for a cup nobody outside of lazy redtop journos thinks we should be placing priorities on.

AdamD

Should be a mix of back ups (Fabinski, Monreal, Vermaelen, Jenkinson), people back from injury (Arteta, Rosicky, Ox/Poldi if available) and young players (Gnabry, Ryo, Sanogo, Akpom, Frimpong, Bellerin) and maybe 1 or 2 1st XI players if gaps need to be filled. I'd still be confident of getting a win with that lot, especially with the strength in defence.

kevthegaff

What about bendtner, will he play?

Walcott scored a league goal yet? :pac:

bad2dabone

[Deleted User] wrote: »

Walcott scored a league goal yet? :pac:

Neither has suarez!

bad2dabone

bad2dabone wrote: »

Neither has suarez!

I don't see this ending well. :pac:

cathalio11

Deleted User wrote: »

I don't see this ending well. :pac:

Liverpool fans turning in their sleep everywhere right now.

cathalio11

cathalio11 wrote: »

Liverpool fans turning in their sleep everywhere right now.

I've never seen a Liverpool fan sleep so you can excuse me if I'm a little more on edge than you.

wandatowell

kevthegaff wrote: »

What about bendtner, will he play?

He's too busy eating Nando's to be worrying about a petty cup match

Awesomeness

Arteta back for the weekend maybe. Hopefully the start of an injury room clear out

Pepe LeFrits

Awesomeness wrote: »

Arteta back for the weekend maybe. Hopefully the start of an injury room clear out

Woot!

tayto lover

Awesomeness wrote: »

Arteta back for the weekend maybe. Hopefully the start of an injury room clear out

It will be good to have him back but I am of the opinion that our attacking build-up was a little faster when he was out than with him in the team. He is a great player but he slows up the play.
Good to have Flamini as cover and i'm sure Wenger has each of them earmarked for certain games.

greendom

tayto lover wrote: »

It will be good to have him back but I am of the opinion that our attacking build-up was a little faster when he was out than with him in the team. He is a great player but he slows up the play.
Good to have Flamini as cover and i'm sure Wenger has each of them earmarked for certain games.

Perhaps he slows things down but I think he contributes so much in terms of organisation. He's very disciplined and as a result provides better protection to our defence than any other midfielder. For me he should be first choice for all the big matches.

Pepe LeFrits

I think we're more comfortable in midfield and just generally play better with him in the side, but to be fair Flamini has done well since coming in and has made Arteta's absence a less pressing concern.

Missing Cazorla, Chambo and particularly Podolski all at the same time is the big problem at the moment.

keano_afc

Pepe LeFrits wrote: »

I think we're more comfortable in midfield and just generally play better with him in the side, but to be fair Flamini has done well since coming in and has made Arteta's absence a less pressing concern.

Missing Cazorla, Chambo and particularly Podolski all at the same time is the big problem at the moment.

Indeed, our lack of option in the final third could really hurt us against the better teams. Taking into account the fact that Griroud is carrying an injury too.

bad2dabone

It’ll be a serious boost to the squad when we get the injury room cleared.
Would love to see Poldi and Santi in form for Nov 2nd when we face Liverpool – I’ve got a pub pass for that evening and going to watch the match with my Liverpool supporting brother.

gosplan

Flamini I reckon is a bit like Park was for united.

Very important I have such bite in a big game but leave Arteta in against the minnows as we have more of a chance of steamrolling them.

greendom

gosplan wrote: »

Flamini I reckon is a bit like Park was for united.

Very important I have such bite in a big game but leave Arteta in against the minnows as we have more of a chance of steamrolling them.

I think the reverse. Flamini would be better against the minnows as they may be tempted to intimidate some of our more creative players. Flamini would put them right on that score. And we need Arteta's nous for the better teams

Alfred Borden

out next thursday cant wait

jester77

Raf32 wrote: »

out next thursday cant wait

What a great title, sums him up perfectly.

wawaman

When you think about it, how lucky were we in the 90's and early 2000's to progess from Wright to Bergkamp to Henry

Jaafa

wawaman wrote: »

When you think about it, how lucky were we in the 90's and early 2000's to progess from Wright to Bergkamp to Henry

Not luck, just Wenger.

wawaman

Wenger only bought Henry though !

greendom

wawaman wrote: »

Wenger only bought Henry though !

Wonder how long Bergkamp would have stuck around if we hadn't been so successful ?

premierstone

wawaman wrote: »

Wenger only bought Henry though !

Wenger unquestionably made Bergkamp a better player though and revitalised he's career.

grenache

Hi Gooners, I have a couple of questions I'm hoping you chaps can answer.

An Arsenal friend of mine has got tickets for himself and me to the Napoli game at the Emirates next Tuesday week. He goes to watch them every season and normally stays with his girlfriend not far from the stadium. Unfortunately that's not an option this time as she is back home in Ireland while moving house in London. Can you nice folk recommend a hotel or b&b in the area near the stadium, Finchley Park for example or anywhere close?

I've had a look on Tripadvisor but some reviews are very mixed - i would rather get advice on accommodation from you guys on here. We're not looking for the Ritz, any place for the £50-60 mark will suffice.

Also, I'm a Napoli fan, so would it be advisable to cover up any sky blue colours? My Gooners friend says that I would be ok to wear a scarf, that you are a fairly placid bunch! Is he gonna get me killed?!

Thanks!

Pepe LeFrits

I'd suggest trying airbnb.

grenache

Pepe LeFrits wrote: »

I'd suggest trying airbnb.

Thanks, where is that in relation to the stadium?

Pepe LeFrits

heh heh, airbnb is a website

It's for people to offer b'n'b type services or full apartments for short stays.

gosplan

greendom wrote: »

I think the reverse. Flamini would be better against the minnows as they may be tempted to intimidate some of our more creative players. Flamini would put them right on that score. And we need Arteta's nous for the better teams

If we had Xabi Alonso, I'd agree but I don't think Arteta is quite at that level to be able to play his game against really good midfields.

He's still awesome mind but he's not a top top CMF/DMF.

grenache

Pepe LeFrits wrote: »

heh heh, airbnb is a website

It's for people to offer b'n'b type services or full apartments for short stays.

Ya I just realised that. It seems cheap, from as little as €30 per room.

Thanks for that.

greendom

gosplan wrote: »

If we had Xabi Alonso, I'd agree but I don't think Arteta is quite at that level to be able to play his game against really good midfields.

He's still awesome mind but he's not a top top CMF/DMF.

I'm looking back at the last 2 months of last season, where we barely conceded and where Kos and Merts worked so well together. So much of that was down to having Arteta's positioning and his organisational abilities in front of them. I don't think we've looked anything like as solid this season without him.

gosplan

greendom wrote: »

I'm looking back at the last 2 months of last season, where we barely conceded and where Kos and Merts worked so well together. So much of that was down to having Arteta's positioning and his organisational abilities in front of them. I don't think we've looked anything like as solid this season without him.

Yeah but I'm specifically talking about playing City, Chelsea, Spurs etc.

greendom

gosplan wrote: »

Yeah but I'm specifically talking about playing City, Chelsea, Spurs etc.

We played Bayern Munich away and Man Utd at home in that period with that combination.

We looked very vulnerable against Sunderland last week without him, far more so than we did against those vastly superior teams.

Just saw we have Mike Dean on Sunday :mad:

the untitled user

With our fullbacks bombing forward the whole time, it means our CBs have much more ground to cover than they would playing in most other teams. That means our CBs get isolated a lot, and that's when the majority of the individual mistakes happen, they have to gamble on winning it first time.

I like Flamini, but Arteta suits our system a lot better in this regard. Flamini covers a lot of ground but that means he tends to get sucked into the ball a bit too much. Arteta is much more likely to hold his ground and protect the space in front of the CBs, and even though he's not the traditional aggressive ball winner we've come to expect of most DMs, he's one of the best players at recovering possession in the premier league through both tackles and interceptions.

Arteta is probably the best DM in the league right now, but he's a victim of his own efficiency in this regard. Destroyers in the mould of Flamini/Tiote/Makelel etc. tend to make the highlight reels a lot more because they make much more last gasp tackles. Arteta has already won the ball back before it's gotten into the dangerous areas so there's nothing to talk about.

Roddy23

the untitled user wrote: »

With our fullbacks bombing forward the whole time, it means our CBs have much more ground to cover than they would playing in most other teams. That means our CBs get isolated a lot, and that's when the majority of the individual mistakes happen, they have to gamble on winning it first time.

I like Flamini, but Arteta suits our system a lot better in this regard. Flamini covers a lot of ground but that means he tends to get sucked into the ball a bit too much. Arteta is much more likely to hold his ground and protect the space in front of the CBs, and even though he's not the traditional aggressive ball winner we've come to expect of most DMs, he's one of the best players at recovering possession in the premier league through both tackles and interceptions.

Arteta is probably the best DM in the league right now, but he's a victim of his own efficiency in this regard. Destroyers in the mould of Flamini/Tiote/Makelel etc. tend to make the highlight reels a lot more because they make much more last gasp tackles. Arteta has already won the ball back before it's gotten into the dangerous areas so there's nothing to talk about.

I'd agree 100% with that, but as things stand for Sunday, start flamini and then introduce Arteta as a sub. Arteta needs to regain some fitness and as a comeback game needs to be brought on from the bench. Looking forward though, ye, you're right arteta is more suited to our style but flamini will prove to be a valuable acquisition over the course if the season.

emergingstar

[Deleted User] wrote: »

Just saw we have Mike Dean on Sunday :mad:

Them stats are just unbelievable

batistuta9

emergingstar wrote: »

Them stats are just unbelievable

that doesn't include the wigan game at the end of last season

up to a staggering 12.5% when it's counted :pac:

newman10

Quote from todays Guardian. Not great reading

Wenger was coy when asked if he might renew interest in Wayne Rooney if the Manchester United forward does not extend his contract at Old Trafford. "I will wait now until December to see what we need in the squad," Wenger said. "We spoke about Bendtner, Yaya Sanogo, Giroud. If the three do well, I am in no need to buy any striker."

http://www.theguardian.com/football/2013/sep/21/arsenal-mesut-ozil-arsene-wenger

batistuta9

newman10 wrote: »

Quote from todays Guardian. Not great reading

wouldn't pay too much attention to it

around the time of the willian transfer i think it was, mourinho said something like 'every coach always says they're happy with what the have, but we are lying, we are always looking to improve'

most people know that but it's not that often a manager comes out and states it
that's all wengers' doing & at the same time giving an incentive to those at the club to do well

greendom

newman10 wrote: »

Quote from todays Guardian. Not great reading

Wenger was coy when asked if he might renew interest in Wayne Rooney if the Manchester United forward does not extend his contract at Old Trafford. "I will wait now until December to see what we need in the squad," Wenger said. "We spoke about Bendtner, Yaya Sanogo, Giroud. If the three do well, I am in no need to buy any striker."

http://www.theguardian.com/football/2013/sep/21/arsenal-mesut-ozil-arsene-wenger

Why not good reading ? He's giving them an opportunity to prove themselves, giving them a challenge.

batistuta9

for anyone who has sky:

can you see/do you have on demand content from the sports pack?

Galvasean

newman10 wrote: »

Quote from todays Guardian. Not great reading

Wenger was coy when asked if he might renew interest in Wayne Rooney if the Manchester United forward does not extend his contract at Old Trafford. "I will wait now until December to see what we need in the squad," Wenger said. "We spoke about Bendtner, Yaya Sanogo, Giroud. If the three do well, I am in no need to buy any striker."

http://www.theguardian.com/football/2013/sep/21/arsenal-mesut-ozil-arsene-wenger

He's hardly gonna turn around and say, "Yes, we must sign Rooney in January!".
It'd be a kick in the teeth to Giroud who has been playing well for us and it'd mean virtually no game time for Sanogo.
If he does want to sign a new striker in January then he is best keeping quiet about it IMO.

the untitled user

Roddy23 wrote: »

I'd agree 100% with that, but as things stand for Sunday, start flamini and then introduce Arteta as a sub. Arteta needs to regain some fitness and as a comeback game needs to be brought on from the bench. Looking forward though, ye, you're right arteta is more suited to our style but flamini will prove to be a valuable acquisition over the course if the season.

And I agree completely with you Roddy, I'm not calling for him to start, it's just many fans don't seem to fully appreciate how good a DM he is, and how important he is to our system (for example we would have won against Villa, quite easily I suspect, if Arteta was in the side). Just trying to spread the Arteta love now he is back.

As an aside, from reading my post last night it sounds like I'm quite critical of Flamini. I'm not at all, and there are some things he does a lot better than Arteta. For example, dropping into the defensive line when it gets stretched, and telling the full backs when they can and can't get forward. He's a brilliant asset to have, and it'll be great to have the competition between the two of them for the spot this season.

newman10

greendom wrote: »

Why not good reading ? He's giving them an opportunity to prove themselves, giving them a challenge.

Happy with Bendtner

greendom

newman10 wrote: »

Happy with Bendtner

If he scores say 6+ goals between now and Jan he'll be delighted with him. If he performs badly I'm sure he'll be looking to bring someone in.

AdamD

newman10 wrote: »

Happy with Bendtner

Relevance of this? Its September, there is no benefit whatsoever in saying we're lacking a striker. It doesn't help us in the transfer market and it doesn't help the confidence of our current squad.