Arsenal Talk/Gossip/Rumours Thread 2014 - Mod Notes in OP 24/08

Mickeroo

Bob.Carcass wrote: »

Just because he's tall doesn't make him our best header of the ball, he is the target man, he receives more balls than anyone else, if he shoots 100 times and get 5 goals and Podolski shoots 10 times and gets 1 it means Podolski is better, quality is better than quantity and all that jazz.

I don't think he's great in the air attacking wise either but he is definitely our best header of the ball even if it is best of a bad bunch.

Fuzzy_Dunlop

Marty McFly wrote: »

Might want to read the posts back so.

No one has said he doesn't get his head on the ball in fact I stated he does, defensively yea good attacking wise not so good misses a lot fails to hit the target with more.

But the stats suggest he has scored as much as anyone else from headers, and it's not like we'd cross more than other teams. I think generally speaking there aren't really too many strikers that are exceptionally good at headers atm

Mickeroo

Fuzzy_Dunlop wrote: »

But the stats suggest he has scored as much as anyone else from headers, and it's not like we'd cross more than other teams. I think generally speaking there aren't really too many strikers that are exceptionally good at headers atm

Our crossing was pretty brutal last season tbh which makes the stat even more surprising.

Ken Shamrock

Fuzzy_Dunlop wrote: »

But the stats suggest he has scored as much as anyone else from headers, and it's not like we'd cross more than other teams. I think generally speaking there aren't really too many strikers that are exceptionally good at headers atm

http://www.squawka.com/comparison-matrix#premier_league/2013/2014/olivier_giroud/126/64/115/0/p|premier_league/2013/2014/edin_dzeko/126/64/558/0/p|premier_league/2013/2014/wilfried_bony/126/64/5574/0/p|premier_league/2013/2014/christian_benteke/126/64/3738/0/p#total_shots/shot_accuracy/goals_-_headed#total

Fuzzy_Dunlop

Bob.Carcass wrote: »

http://www.squawka.com/comparison-matrix#premier_league/2013/2014/olivier_giroud/126/64/115/0/p|premier_league/2013/2014/edin_dzeko/126/64/558/0/p|premier_league/2013/2014/wilfried_bony/126/64/5574/0/p|premier_league/2013/2014/christian_benteke/126/64/3738/0/p#total_shots/shot_accuracy/goals_-_headed#total

Doesn't include the goal at the weekend

Marty McFly

Fuzzy_Dunlop wrote: »

But the stats suggest he has scored as much as anyone else from headers, and it's not like we'd cross more than other teams. I think generally speaking there aren't really too many strikers that are exceptionally good at headers atm

Oh I agree there are very few CF exceptional at headers these days. All the worlds best like the ball at there feet. But that doesn't mean we can say Giroud is a great threat in the air either.

It's mental most Arsenal fans admit they would like a better CF.

But if you dare to even question one aspect of his game half those fans will get there knickers in a twist.

tayto lover

Bob.Carcass wrote: »

Just because he's tall doesn't make him our best header of the ball, he is the target man, he receives more balls than anyone else, if he shoots 100 times and get 5 goals and Podolski shoots 10 times and gets 1 it means Podolski is better, quality is better than quantity and all that jazz.

No. He has scored more headed goals than any of our other strikers and more than most in the league last season. It could prove he is a better reader of the game, his positional play is better, he is more determined to get on the end of balls, braver etc etc.

Mickeroo

Marty McFly wrote: »

But if you dare to even question one aspect of his game half those fans will get there knickers in a twist.

I think it's the hyperbole that set people off. I don't think he's particularly great in the air attacking wise, but "woeful" is an exaggeration imo.

Paj

Mickeroo wrote: »

I think it's the hyperbole that set people off. I don't think he's particularly great in the air attacking wise, but "woeful" is an exaggeration imo.

bingo.

poor Giroud, he's a bit marmite.

Fuzzy_Dunlop

Mickeroo wrote: »

I think it's the hyperbole that set people off. I don't think he's particularly great in the air attacking wise, but "woeful" is an exaggeration imo.

Agreed, I think people tend to overexaggerate either way with their opinions a lot of the time

Ken Shamrock

Fuzzy_Dunlop wrote: »

Doesn't include the goal at the weekend

It's last years stats so it wouldn't.

HazDanz

Giroud is out until New Years. I think we can shelve his debate until he is near available again.

tayto lover

Just as I said -- Giroud is the best in the air of all our strikers.
We will miss his defensive side though mark my words.

Ken Shamrock

tayto lover wrote: »

No. He has scored more headed goals than any of our other strikers and more than most in the league last season. It could prove he is a better reader of the game, his positional play is better, he is more determined to get on the end of balls, braver etc etc.

What other strikers.

Alfred Borden

tayto lover wrote: »

Just as I said -- Giroud is the best in the air of all our strikers.
We will miss his defensive side though mark my words.

Agreed with his defensive work. It was nearly always him who got his head to the ball on opposition set pieces. Defended the near post superbly.

gandalf

I assume we have been linked with Kalou as is customary during every transfer window?

tayto lover

Bob.Carcass wrote: »

What other strikers.

Well according to Arsene we still have four.
Now I know they didn't play a lot so the question still stands i.e. who will score a headed goal for us from a cross in the last minute like last Sat and which striker will defend corners like he does when he's out ?

fearrua

gandalf wrote: »

I assume we have been linked with Kalou as is customary during every transfer window?

Yup as ya would expect. I'm surprised there's been no link to Chris Samba considering our current search for a back-up CB though.

Ken Shamrock

tayto lover wrote: »

Well according to Arsene we still have four.
Now I know they didn't play a lot so the question still stands i.e. who will score a headed goal for us from a cross in the last minute like last Sat and which striker will defend corners like he does when he's out ?

We don't need to cross in the air, look at Ramsey's goal... we don't need a 6 foot plus striker, replace Giroud's 5 headed goals with the amount of chances he would have had with a bit of extra pace for me anyday.

Yes he is good at defending corners so are most tall players, it's not the there good it's that there tall. Koscienly is hands down the best header of a ball in my book. Height is important for set pieces, good football is important for every aspect of the game, Giroud will be missed but we have to play this year and if we do we are challenging for the title with or without Giroud.

Alfred Borden

If we get carvalho, the loss of girouds defensive work should be offset. May allow Sanchez up top too.

Marty McFly

Mickeroo wrote: »

I think it's the hyperbole that set people off. I don't think he's particularly great in the air attacking wise, but "woeful" is an exaggeration imo.

I don't think it is hyperbole he is not a massive threat offensively more often than not as I've said he fails to hit the target.

It's not hyperbole anytime anyone questions Giroud a lot Our own fans have a fit.

When most will agree we need better it's mental.

Strange the same doesn't happen when anyone questions any of our other players the mind boggles.

Ken Shamrock

Ireland Trends

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This is gas.

tayto lover

Bob.Carcass wrote: »

We don't need to cross in the air, look at Ramsey's goal... we don't need a 6 foot plus striker, replace Giroud's 5 headed goals with the amount of chances he would have had with a bit of extra pace for me anyday.

Yes he is good at defending corners so are most tall players, it's not the there good it's that there tall. Koscienly is hands down the best header of a ball in my book. Height is important for set pieces, good football is important for every aspect of the game, Giroud will be missed but we have to play this year and if we do we are challenging for the title with or without Giroud.

There is more to defending corners than being a good header and tall.
You have to have the desire to get to the ball, have positional sense and excellent peripheral vision ) I had all by the way ).

Believe me we will miss Giroud.

greendom

Marty McFly wrote: »

I don't think it is hyperbole he is not a massive threat offensively more often than not as I've said he fails to hit the target.

It's not hyperbole anytime anyone questions Giroud a lot Our own fans have a fit.

When most will agree we need better it's mental.

Strange the same doesn't happen when anyone questions any of our other players the mind boggles.

It's the exaggeration that sets people off, well that sets me off anyway. of course there are better finishers out there, but words like "woeful" will always set backs up

Ken Shamrock

tayto lover wrote: »

There is more to defending corners than being a good header and tall.
You have to have the desire to get to the ball, have positional sense and excellent peripheral vision ) I had all by the way ).

Believe me we will miss Giroud.

I'm aware, i had it all too :pac: i never said we wont?

Mickeroo

Marty McFly wrote: »

I don't think it is hyperbole he is not a massive threat offensively more often than not as I've said he fails to hit the target.

It's not hyperbole anytime anyone questions Giroud a lot Our own fans have a fit.

When most will agree we need better it's mental.

Strange the same doesn't happen when anyone questions any of our other players the mind boggles.

I agree with your criticisms for the most part but you said them in a pretty hyperbolic way. It's the same reason people get their backs up when folks praise Giroud too much after a decent performance.

Marty McFly

greendom wrote: »

It's the exaggeration that sets people off, well that sets me off anyway. of course there are better finishers out there, but words like "woeful" will always set backs up

Ok so take out the woeful and most will agree he's not a big offensive threat in the air?

That's a bit ridiculous to be honest shows how sensitive some have become over Giroud.

MaxPower89

Giroud is a very valuable Arsenal player, I wish him a speedy recovery. He will play a big role no doubt in where ever we finsih this year.

Time to move on really, more important things at hand.

The next week or so is just massive for us, season on the line almost.

Marty McFly

Mickeroo wrote: »

I agree with your criticisms for the most part but you said them in a pretty hyperbolic way. It's the same reason people get their backs up when folks praise Giroud too much after a decent performance.

I never get my back up when people praise or criticise Gioud he gets praise when he deserves it.

People playing tit for tat after a good performance or bad performance grates me

One good or bad game Wil not change people's opinions on him.

Ken Shamrock

Marty McFly wrote: »

Ok so take out the woeful and most will agree he's not a big offensive threat in the air?

That's a bit ridiculous to be honest shows how sensitive some have become over Giroud.

It's not just Giroud, criticism of the team just doesn't go down well in here, you either share the opinions of the masses (mostly being super positive) or your wrong. We all love Arsenal that is why we're here. No need to be so defensive and in some cases blind.

Fuzzy_Dunlop

Bob.Carcass wrote: »

It's not just Giroud, criticism of the team just doesn't go down well in here, you either share the opinions of the masses (mostly being super positive) or your wrong. We all love Arsenal that is why we're here. No need to be so defensive and in some cases blind.

This whole persecutions complex is getting really irritating. Man the **** up and express your opinion and stop moaning if not everyone agrees

omega man

Raf32 wrote: »

If we get carvalho, the loss of girouds defensive work should be offset. May allow Sanchez up top too.

Don't think we're signing him. If we are then why the delay?

I know Sanchez was a huge signing but he was effectively the only addition to our squad. We've also lost an experienced CB since and now with giroud out long term (it appears) I think as things currently stand we won't be title contenders. Such a pity as the optimism around Sanchez's arrival early in the summer was such a welcome change. It seemed the purse strings were finally open after 10 years of financial prudence. We were now ready to compete with the big boys. Alas it seems to me that wenger firmly believes he can still win the league without sacrificing his principles and that he can produce a title winning team form the current squad with some minor tweaks. I admire his resolve but it's naive as the landscape has changed drastically since we last won it in 2004. He's one stubborn man but we have no choice but to follow his lead.

kronsington

Nicola Zigic.... Is that a serious link?... We might as well go for Kalou as well...

Ken Shamrock

Fuzzy_Dunlop wrote: »

This whole persecutions complex is getting really irritating. Man the **** up and express your opinion and stop moaning if not everyone agrees

I'm sorry you're right. Well i guess our season is over now that we've lost the best striker in the premier league.

enfant terrible

kronsington wrote: »

Nicola Zigic.... Is that a serious link?... We might as well go for Kalou as well...

No

Mickeroo

Bob.Carcass wrote: »

It's not just Giroud, criticism of the team just doesn't go down well in here, you either share the opinions of the masses (mostly being super positive) or your wrong. We all love Arsenal that is why we're here. No need to be so defensive and in some cases blind.

Saying people aren't accepting of differing opinions and then describing people who disagree with you as being blind. :pac:

greendom

Marty McFly wrote: »

Ok so take out the woeful and most will agree he's not a big offensive threat in the air?

That's a bit ridiculous to be honest shows how sensitive some have become over Giroud.

Well he's hardly woeful if no one in the EPL has scored more headed goals than him. Especially, as has been said, we are hardly renowned for our crossing.

Fuzzy_Dunlop

Bob.Carcass wrote: »

I'm sorry you're right. Well i guess our season is over now that we've lost the best striker in the premier league.

This is exactly what we're talking about, why does it have to be one extreme or the other all the time?

Ken Shamrock

Fuzzy_Dunlop wrote: »

This is exactly what we're talking about, why does it have to be one extreme or the other all the time?

I completely agree.

tayto lover

omega man wrote: »

Don't think we're signing him. If we are then why the delay?

I know Sanchez was a huge signing but he was effectively the only addition to our squad. We've also lost an experienced CB since and now with giroud out long term (it appears) I think as things currently stand we won't be title contenders. Such a pity as the optimism around Sanchez's arrival early in the summer was such a welcome change. It seemed the purse strings were finally open after 10 years of financial prudence. We were now ready to compete with the big boys. Alas it seems to me that wenger firmly believes he can still win the league without sacrificing his principles and that he can produce a title winning team form the current squad with some minor tweaks. I admire his resolve but it's naive as the landscape has changed drastically since we last won it in 2004. He's one stubborn man but we have no choice but to follow his lead.

No DM = no league challenge in my view.
Hope i'm wrong but I can't see Arteta and Flamini being fit and mobile enough for the full season. They are ok as replacements but we will need a big mobile hard-tackling DM i believe if we are to mount a challenge. The two we have didn't stand up in the big games last season.

HazDanz

What's the probable team for tonight?

If Alexis is playing up top will Wenger put Ozil behind him or do people think we'll keep Ozil out on the wing?

Wilshere has a great chance to show what he can do tonight with Ramsey out. Might give him the space to play with a little more freedom.

Fuzzy_Dunlop

Bob.Carcass wrote: »

I completely agree.

Well done

Ken Shamrock

Wenger Knows Best ‏@wengerknowsbest 8m

Podolski is a small late doubt tonight with a smile strain, but all 17 members of his social media team are available.

HazDanz

tayto lover wrote: »

No DM = no league challenge in my view.
Hope i'm wrong but I can't see Arteta and Flamini being fit and mobile enough for the full season. They are ok as replacements but we will need a big mobile hard-tackling DM i believe if we are to mount a challenge. The two we have didn't stand up in the big games last season.

I agree Tayto. I would go as far as to say without DM and replacement for Giroud we will be crocked come Christmas time. That view holds even while I am assuming Alexis produces in a striker role.

tayto lover

HazDanz wrote: »

What's the probable team for tonight?

If Alexis is playing up top will Wenger put Ozil behind him or do people think we'll keep Ozil out on the wing?

Wilshere has a great chance to show what he can do tonight with Ramsey out. Might give him the space to play with a little more freedom.

I'd like to see Wilshere and Ozil in the middle with Rosicky and Ox on the wings and Sanchez up front. However we might see Campbell up front and Sanchez on the RW. I think Santi will be on the bench as he's good when introduced.

I don't think we'll see Kos as he seems to be carrying a knock.

Ed Winchester

It'll never happen but i'd love to see a 4-3-1-2 with Campbell and Alexis up front and Ozil in behind.

Soups123

Ok I am banning myself of all transfer talk for the next 5 hrs, leaving work and heading home to enjoy what its all about, the game.

See you on the other side...........

HazDanz

tayto lover wrote: »

I'd like to see Wilshere and Ozil in the middle with Rosicky and Ox on the wings and Sanchez up front. However we might see Campbell up front and Sanchez on the RW. I think Santi will be on the bench as he's good when introduced.

I don't think we'll see Kos as he seems to be carrying a knock.

I think Wenger alluded to starting Alexis up top tonight already in yesterdays conference. I would prefer to see Campbell instead of Rosicky on the wing for this one. I'd like to see how he can handle a game like tonight.

We can always stick Rosicky on if things are a bit stale second half to add a bit of penetration if Campbell isn't producing.

Was Kos not training yesterday?

UnknownSpecies

Soups123 wrote: »

Ok I am banning myself of all transfer talk for the next 5 hrs, leaving work and heading home to enjoy what its all about, the game.

See you on the other side...........

How can you contain your excitement with these Zigic rumours flying around?!

Mickeroo

Would expect Alexis up top, doubt he was there on Saturday for ****s and giggles and it wouldn't be like Wenger to ditch something like that after one match. Hopefully he'll be more effective on home turf against these guys.