Arsenal Talk/Gossip/Rumours Thread 2016/2017

wandatowell

L'prof wrote: »

That was 6 already!

We are doing even better than I thought.

It's a celebration!

KaiserGunner

gosplan wrote: »

We've five games in the next 2 1/2 weeks.

Xhaka can play in the 2 CL ones and the others aren't so difficult.

Really shouldn't affect us too much.

Must be winning the next 5 though, unforgivable not to.

So long as we win the two premier league games than I'll be happy. Don't really care for the EFL cup. Although as you say they are 5 winnable games, but if we have to drop points I'd rather it was in one of the games with Ludogorets.

smilerf

I hope Elneny get used more
He is a very good player
I'm not sure about Xhaka yet

Arne_Saknussem

smilerf wrote: »

I hope Elneny get used more
He is a very good player
I'm not sure about Xhaka yet

He has a bad habit of rushing in behind players to tackle and selling himself completely and being taken out of the game.

Like yesterday for the yellow card incident and just before he gave the ball away for the first Swansea goal.

Lots of promising signs but lots to work on too.

Ol' Donie

smilerf wrote: »

I hope Elneny get used more
He is a very good player
I'm not sure about Xhaka yet

Like Xhaka a lot, but we need to make sure Elneny gets enough time on he pitch. I think he's great, don't want him to get fed up on the bench.

Soups123

The fickleness in here

Xhaka has gone from the real deal to not so sure about him in one game

Internet has ruined football opinion for some

gosplan

Xhaka's the business.

Quazzie

I've seen nothing from Xhaka to suggest he is any better than Coq. For me, our starting mid is still Cazorla and Coq.

Ol' Donie

Quazzie wrote: »

I've seen nothing from Xhaka to suggest he is any better than Coq. For me, our starting mid is still Cazorla and Coq.

The belters into the top corner?

Quazzie

Ol' Donie wrote: »

The belters into the top corner?

Not really a required attribute in a holding midfield that is there to protect the backs.

I think its great that we suddenly have a dilemma between Elneny, Xhaka, and Coq tbh. We suddenly have a squad with a bit of serious competition in it and its no coincidence that all three are putting in serious shifts this season. And we have been crying out for a no nonsense more physical player in the middle with years. Now we have three

domrush

Quote from Arsene:

What’s good is that we win the games, but in the dressing room we feel like we can go up another level.

Can't say how good it is to have hunger like that in the team again. 6 league wins on the trot and the attitude in the team is they haven't reached their potential yet.

Skylinehead

Quazzie wrote: »

I've seen nothing from Xhaka to suggest he is any better than Coq. For me, our starting mid is still Cazorla and Coq.

Really? Not the hugely improved forward passing that we've been missing since Arteta effectively left? If you're watching our games, I can't really understand how you can't see the difference that makes. Coquelin is a better tackler, and I'm not sure on Xhaka-Cazorla as a partnership, but for me Xhaka-Ramsey/Elneny is the way forward.

Quazzie

Cazorla-Coq have been our best midfield partnership in quiet some time. And you want to drop both of them?

Skylinehead

Quazzie wrote: »

Cazorla-Coq have been our best midfield partnership in quiet some time. And you want to drop both of them?

Yes, I want to improve the team. It has weaknesses, Coquelin moving forward means we have no defensive midfield sometimes. Wouldn't be against trying Coquelin with Xhaka though.

JustTheOne

Poor elneny hasn't put a foot wrong since arriving.

Where will he fit into the team in the future?

Is there a place for him at all.

MEGA BRO WOLF 5000

JustTheOne wrote: »

Poor elneny hasn't put a foot wrong since arriving.

Where will he fit into the team in the future?

Is there a place for him at all.

I really hope so. Such a tidy player, positive, keeps the ball well, calm. He's excatly what we need. I'm willing to bet if he cost 30 million he would be in the first team too.

JustTheOne

That's ox and xhaka who have said wenger barely speaks to the players.

Got me thinking is it why sometimes the players don't seem to know their individual job as in keeping shape etc.

Although it's known he likes to let players just express themselves on the pitch in their own way. Kind of giving them freedom.

Just always thought he was a one to one manager with each player.

JustTheOne

Hugh Mungus wrote: »

I really hope so. Such a tidy player, positive, keeps the ball well, calm. He's excatly what we need. I'm willing to bet if he cost 30 million he would be in the first team too.

Yeah just can't see where he fits in with Ramsey to come back.

He looks a great talent but will he get the opportunity and will he remain patient.

extra gravy

JustTheOne wrote: »

Poor elneny hasn't put a foot wrong since arriving.

Where will he fit into the team in the future?

Is there a place for him at all.

There'll be a place for him when the injuries inevitably happen. Good to have such strength in depth for a change.

JustTheOne

extra gravy wrote: »

There'll be a place for him when the injuries inevitably happen. Good to have such strength in depth for a change.

With Ramsey, santi, xhaka, Coq and Jack to return next season?

extra gravy

JustTheOne wrote: »

With Ramsey, santi, xhaka, Coq and Jack to return next season?

Guaranteed that at least two of those guys will be injured at the same time. There'll be plenty of games to go around.

12gauge dave

We are 8 games in to season and im not sure are we doing well or being lucky or wats the story and i dont know who are striker is where is giroud where is perez? Its a strange start to season for me but we are joint first and the win against chelsea was magic to watch so i guess im happy in all especially ozil scoring more goals and playing with more swag and confidence.

My concerns going forward are:
Walcott is doing well for now but i feel striker situation is not sorted
Injuries:all we can do is pray
Cech:i know it sounds wild to alot of you but i think he is on the decline and quickly too hes lost his presence and agilty. I feel we will see more of ospina this season.

Pepe LeFrits

Xhaka's forward passing is brilliant. It's fairly blindingly obvious that he offers that over Coquelin.

JustTheOne

Pepe LeFrits wrote: »

Xhaka's forward passing is brilliant. It's fairly blindingly obvious that he offers that over Coquelin.

7 games in and already people have made their minds up he isn't worth the money.

Look how long it has taken players to settle in the league.

And he has actually been good so far.

Look at ozil.

I dunno crazy times.

Quazzie

JustTheOne wrote: »

7 games in and already people have made their minds up he isn't worth the money.

Look how long it has taken players to settle in the league.

And he has actually been good so far.

Look at ozil.

I dunno crazy times.

Who said he isn't worth the money.?

I'm agreeing, he is good back up for Coq.

JustTheOne

Quazzie wrote: »

Who said he isn't worth the money.?

I'm agreeing, he is good back up for Coq.

Not you. Thought someone mentioned it a few pages back.

kellso81

People criticising xhaka for doing what he did baffles me. If he hadn't done what he did, Swansea were going 4 on 2 and could easily have scored. How many times have we called out for a player who's willing to do some of the dirty stuff. He did it, and took one for the team and prevented a goal that would have levelled things. He looks a quality player

Arne_Saknussem

Who said he's not worth the money?

Ken Shamrock

kellso81 wrote: »

People criticising xhaka for doing what he did baffles me. If he hadn't done what he did, Swansea were going 4 on 2 and could easily have scored. How many times have we called out for a player who's willing to do some of the dirty stuff. He did it, and took one for the team and prevented a goal that would have levelled things. He looks a quality player

In that situation you drag him down or get a low key foot in, take the booking and continue on. Xhaka let him get too far away and then committed a blatant foul and left the ref no choice really. I still don't think it's a red but it was preventable while still stopping the attack.

I like Xhaka so far, he made a mistake on the weekend but it's ok it worked out, had Swansea won 4-3 because we couldn't hold with 10 men your above argument is invalid but that didn't happen.

I don't know how anyone could feel really strongly one way or the other on the guy after only seeing play a handful of games, but so far the positives out weigh the negatives for me.

kellso81

Ken Shamrock wrote: »

had Swansea won 4-3 because we couldn't hold with 10 men your above argument is invalid but that didn't happen.

But they didn't win 4-3, so my argument's perfectly valid

Ken Shamrock

kellso81 wrote: »

But they didn't win 4-3, so my argument's perfectly valid

I know...

kellso81

Ken Shamrock wrote: »

I know...

'...so the statement you made post-fact was correct, but if there was an entirely different set of circumstances, leading to a completely different result in that we lost the match, and for some reason you made the same analysis, then that statement would have been completely wrong.'

Ken Shamrock

kellso81 wrote: »

'...so the statement you made post-fact was correct, but if there was an entirely different set of circumstances, leading to a completely different result in that we lost the match, and for some reason you made the same analysis, then that statement would have been completely wrong.'

... you alright mate?

Do you feel like I tried to diminish your post?

I was just making the point that in those situations you are faced with a choice, take him out, risk being sent off and hope your team can survive, or let him go and hope they don't score but still retain all 11 players for the remainder of the game.

Xhaka seemingly made the right choice, I had no issue with anything you said and I wasn't trying to refute anything, you seem a bit overly defensive?

kellso81

Ken Shamrock wrote: »

... you alright mate?

Do you feel like I tried to diminish your post?

I was just making the point that in those situations you are faced with a choice, take him out, risk being sent off and hope your team can survive, or let him go and hope they don't score but still retain all 11 players for the remainder of the game.

Xhaka seemingly made the right choice, I had no issue with anything you said and I wasn't trying to refute anything, you seem a bit overly defensive?

I am just confused over why you're arguing over something that didn't happen

Ken Shamrock

kellso81 wrote: »

I am just confused over why you're arguing over something that didn't happen

I didn't argue with anyone over anything, again I just made the point that getting yourself sent off isn't always the best option. You're the only one arguing.

AdamD

I know somebody will disagree because of the outcome but for me he didn't risk getting sent off, by everyday refereeing standards anyway. That's a bog standard yellow. Not his fault the ref got it wrong.

Ken Shamrock

AdamD wrote: »

I know somebody will disagree because of the outcome but for me he didn't risk getting sent off, by everyday refereeing standards anyway. That's a bog standard yellow. Not his fault the ref got it wrong.

I agree to an extent, i think the ref was swayed by the manner in which he took him down, it seemed as cynical as they come where as a simple shirt tug would be a yellow no questions.

The Ox was saying he knew it would be red as the ref warned them before the game about what constitutes a red. That's his eight red card for club and country in the past 2 years encase anyone didn't know (I didn't).

Anyone who watched him previously know if he's generally so cynical?

Bobby Baccala

Ken Shamrock wrote: »

I agree to an extent, i think the ref was swayed by the manner in which he took him down, it seemed as cynical as they come where as a simple shirt tug would be a yellow no questions.

The Ox was saying he knew it would be red as the ref warned them before the game about what constitutes a red. That's his eight red card for club and country in the past 2 years encase anyone didn't know (I didn't).

Anyone who watched him previously know if he's generally so cynical?

From what I've seen of him, I wouldn't exactly call him cynical, a lot of his sending offs have just been clumsy tackles or him generally losing the head.

Xhakas sending off reminded me of Coquelins sending off against the spuds last season except Xhaka wasnt on a 2nd yellow.

jester77

In fairness, he hacked him down more than tripped him. For me it is a red. He prevented what could have been a dangerous situation, but luckily we held out. But it's great to see that we now have such great depth that we can cover him without too much worrying.

Walcott is still as frustrating as ever, even if he is scoring goals. He is not clinical enough for me. If we hadn't won, I would be singling him out along with Monreal.

Pepe LeFrits

Xhaka should have just rugby tackled him. Have never seen anyone get sent off for that.

Roddy23

Pepe LeFrits wrote: »

Xhaka should have just rugby tackled him. Have never seen anyone get sent off for that.

Ah you mean the "Charlie Adam" :

https://youtu.be/z8_ziffsmZc

Bobby Baccala

jester77 wrote: »

Walcott is still as frustrating as ever, even if he is scoring goals. He is not clinical enough for me. If we hadn't won, I would be singling him out along with Monreal.

As long as Theo is scoring goals and tracking back he can do no wrong imo. Hes one of the last players i'd be singling out, along with Monreal who is being hung out to dry by Iwobi at times.

greendom

P4DDY2K11 wrote: »

As long as Theo is scoring goals and tracking back he can do no wrong imo. Hes one of the last players i'd be singling out, along with Monreal who is being hung out to dry by Iwobi at times.

Agree on both counts. So good to see Theo playing with verve and confidence. I'll excuse him those misses as long as he keeps using space so well and attacks defenders like he means it.

FixitFelix

greendom wrote: »

Agree on both counts. So good to see Theo playing with verve and confidence. I'll excuse him those misses as long as he keeps using space so well and attacks defenders like he means it.

Honestly can't remember him taking on a defender(maybe I was too drunk at the match).Walcott works better off 1 and 2 touches or running into through balls with 1 touch finishes i.e his 2 goals on Saturday, it's when he has time on the ball he seems to over think and gets dispossessed. Needs to be finishing his latter 2 chances, he got away with it on Saturday but another day we could have been punished.


And I still maintain it was never a red

JustTheOne

Pepe LeFrits wrote: »

Xhaka should have just rugby tackled him. Have never seen anyone get sent off for that.

Its a new rule brought in this season.

They said it on goals on Sunday, a deliberate trip is now a straight red.

Ref was 100% correct.

JustTheOne

AdamD wrote: »

I know somebody will disagree because of the outcome but for me he didn't risk getting sent off, by everyday refereeing standards anyway. That's a bog standard yellow. Not his fault the ref got it wrong.

See above post.

FixitFelix

JustTheOne wrote: »

Its a new rule brought in this season.

They said it on goals on Sunday, a deliberate trip is now a straight red.

Ref was 100% correct.

Don't see that in any rules, when the bring that in? Saturday before kick off?

Skylinehead

JustTheOne wrote: »

Its a new rule brought in this season.

They said it on goals on Sunday, a deliberate trip is now a straight red.

Ref was 100% correct.

http://arsenalist.com/f/2016-17/arsenal-vs-chelsea/ivanovic-yellow-card-after-beautiful-arsenal-play.html

So this should be red?

Pepe LeFrits

JustTheOne wrote: »

Its a new rule brought in this season.

They said it on goals on Sunday, a deliberate trip is now a straight red.

Ref was 100% correct.

hmm, if that's true why has it taken 80 matches for this rule change to emerge? Where are all the red cards for all the other deliberate fouls happening every week?