Tag Archives: Cazorla

Massive victory in Wales

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Good morning from Hungoversville. Population: Me. But you know what? After a result like yesterday’s away to Swansea, there was no way I’d sack off blogging on a Sunday morning. Make no mistake about it, yesterday’s victory against the Welshmen was MASSIVE.

In the blog yesterday I spoke of my nerves. I spoke of the threat that Swansea provide, of how they will fancy their chances and how we will need to be back to our best in order to get a result. After all, most teams that go to the Liberty cross back over the Severn Bridge with very little to show for their work. So to go into an international break with a solid 2-0 away victory is most satisfying, I can tell thee.

As is customary from Le Boss from time-to-time, he threw a few curve balls with his starting line up selection, giving the nod to Monreal - which was expected, but also The Ox and Diaby - which was not. Rosicky and Rambo made way and Santi dropped back into midfield to assume the role that he has played more often than not this season of free roamer. Lukas and Laurent also retained their places, so the team had the look of a side that was big enough in squad depth to cope with the rigours of the English football season. As I said on Thursday in the wake of the Bayern game, one swallow doth not a summer make, but it was a really positive thing to see Arsene rotate his team and still manage to get a result. It’s something we’ve all wondered about this season when it comes to the ability of the whole squad to compete.

We knew what we would get from Swansea. They passed and passed and passed the ball and probed for their chance and of course it was inevitable Michu would get one or two, but to be honest Swansea didn’t spend that much of the first half banging down on the Arsenal defensive door. In fact, it was Arsenal that came closest through The Ox. Hit hit the post early on in the first half and right on the stroke of halftime.I thought the Ox had a good game yesterday and looked like more like the young and confident player that we saw at times last season.

I thought Diaby wasn’t at his best yesterday and his style leaves a lot to be frustrated about, so when he and the Ox were substituted for Ramsey and Gervhino, it was the right decision by Wenger. This was made all the more evident with the two substitutes combining to finish off the game on 90 minutes. It must have felt good for Ramsey, who gets roundly booed every time he comes to Swansea. The best way to silence home fans is by beating the home team and Rambo will have probably taken a little bit more pleasure from the result than anyone else.

The second half started off with The Arsenal in ascendency and for the first ten minutes or so and with Santi Cazorla skipping past players and looking like the fleet-footed player we saw at the start of the season, from this humble bloggers eyes it looked like we could get a result, despite having to listen to commentators purring over Swansea’s passing even when they don’t go anywhere. It’s funny, when Arsenal have lots of possession but no penetration, it is seen as ‘typical Arsenal’ and we’re chastised, but such is the love of an underdog in this country, that when Swansea had the same dilemma, they are seen as playing great football by the media.

It was good to see Monreal on the score sheet yesterday, albeit through a scruffy effort, and although Vorm probably should have saved the scuffed shot. Much like all of the back five, who managed a second clean sheet in a week, that I thought was also a really pleasing thing about the result. we’ve become so used to seeing Arsenal make rod for their own backs defensively, that it is just as good to see a ’0′ beside the opponents scoreline at the end of the game.

This was a dominating and thoroughly deserving result from a team that will take a lot of confidence going into the international break. It means we can enjoy the break without having to stew on the poor result for two weeks. I thought the intensity of the play was also a plus point. With the result won and time ticking away, you could be forgiven for thinking that the players would be happy to see the result off, but the attitude of the players from the first whistle to the last was epitomised with Aaron Ramsey forcing Vorm to kick the ball out for a thrown in despite being 2-0 up. This is the attitude that we want to see and this is the desire that will give us the best shot of finishing in the top four. I questioned Le Boss’ ability to motivate the players on a consistent basis between now and the end of the season, and after a result like that I am only happy to be proven wrong. All we need to do now is win the other nine and we’ll probably be fine!

Bayern at home: Redemption can be swift

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Football is a wonderfully forgiving world. You can be at rock bottom one day, then within a day or two gone by you have the opportunity to wash away your sins by that sweetest of things: victory. Football is a fast paced world and that can sometimes work to your advantage. Redemption can be a swift and wonderful thing in football. All you have to do is win.

That is certainly the mantra that I would be saying to each and every one of the players that are elected to play tonight. Each player has to know that they must put all of their previous transgressions to one side and focus purely on the opponents for tonight: Bayern Munich.

Arsenal rarely make it easy for themselves and tonight is testimony to that. Instead of finishing top of the group we slipped up to Schalke which meant a more difficult tie earlier on in the competition. Aside from Barcelona, I don’t think you could get more difficult than last year’s finalists, Bayern Munich. They have a plethora of attacking players that can carve open defences at will and probably should be the reigning  Champions of Europe, but for Roberto Di Matteo and his selling of soul to the Devil to win the FA Cup and Champions League last year. Unfortunately for the Italian he paid the price of being at Chelski, but the way that Bayern played in that final against the Chavs should serve as both a stark reminder of their quality, but also of their weaknesses. Look, I’m not suggesting that because Chelski won on penalties, it will be an opportunity for us to do over the Germans. But I think that despite the media savaging that seems to be happening at the moment, we can win tonight and then get a result away from home. I have to believe that. Hope is the last bastion of the desperate man, and after our desperate performances in the cup competitions this year I have to hold on to hope that this Arsenal team will come out swinging tonight.

There’s no doubt that we have the ability to put on a show and prove the doubters wrong. There is no doubt that some of these players have something to prove to, well, just about everybody. but there is a doubt in their own confidence and their own belief right now. I haven’t met too many non-gooners that are giving us much chance over two legs. But we’ve seen the side grind out a result against Sunderland. We’ve seen them come back from the abyss against Liverpool after a shocking first half. So we have to believe that we can see them negate the attacking threat of Gomez, Ribery, Robben, Muller and Schweinsteiger.

I was told yesterday that Bayern have conceded just one goal away from home this year. well, I suspect we’ll have to double that tally if we want to take anything substantial to the Allianz Arena. That is a frightening statistic in its own right, but if it alleviates a little bit more pressure and provides an impetus for the players to play up to the ‘underdogs’ tag even more, then I won’t mind. We will need to see Podolski (rested on Saturday so you never know, he might actually make 90 minutes for us tonight!), Walcott and if playing, Giroud, to be on form tonight. We can ill afford profligacy in front of goal. We will need Jack to be his marauding self and Santi will need his vision and passing range to be at it’s best. I suspect we’ll see a back four of Sagna, Koscienly, Mertescaker and Vermaelen take to the field in defence, and it is my hope that the BFG can show his German international teammates a thing or two at the heart of our defence.

We will need to see an Arsenal that is quick off the blocks and up for this tonight. There are no opportunities in Champions League football for ‘second half Arsenal’ and if the same intensity is shown to Bayern as was shown to Blackburn, it will be a massacre. But here’s the thing; I don’t doubt for a second that the players won’t be infinitely better than the weekend. I think we’ll see a totally different Arsenal team that is pressing, chasing every ball and is giving the home fans something to scream about. Right now, that’s all I care about. Yes, we can assess why they can’t do that in every game should what I am predicting happen tonight, but that is a debate for another day. All we need to care about tonight is making the atmosphere amazing, the players are up for it, and we show the Germans what we’re made of.

A quick word on Arsene before I sign off for the day. I have to say I was a little embarrassed by his outburst in the presser yesterday. I’ve always admired Arsene for the dignity he has shown even in the face of some quite manipulative and spineless journalists. But yesterday had all of the hallmarks of a manager that is feeling the pressure and can potentially see the end in sight. It is a sad state of affairs. But I don’t really want to dwell on that too much right now, I want to make sure everyone with a stake in Arsenal Football Club, is behind the team and roaring them on to success tonight. I’ll leave my thoughts on Arsene for another day.

I’ll be there in all my Arsenal fineries cheering on the lads. If you are, or if you’re watching on TV, just make sure you’re screaming as much as me! Come on Arsenal!

Seaside travels, but let’s not get our noses bloodied Arsenal

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Good morning Goonerland! How’s your Saturday shaping up? I guess that really depends on what time you’re reading this blog really, doesn’t it? Read it come eight O’Clock GMT and it could be quite a dated blog, but it could still fill you with happiness if Arsenal are the victors and go marching into the Fifth Round of the FA Cup. Read it after a cup upset and more disappointment at the hands of Brighton, and you’ll probably want to throw whatever device you’re looking at towards a hard surface. I would recommend that you don’t however.

This weekend is FA Cup weekend. It’s the fourth round and thankfully for The Arsenal’s performance against Swansea a couple of weeks back, we have something to play for with a trip to the South Coast to play a Brighton Team that made the black and white French Province of Newcastle look like a team of slack-jawed Gallic nobodies. If there is a lesson to be known from Pardew’s Parisian’s (yes, I know that all of the players aren’t from Paris, but I like a bit of alliteration and it was the only ‘P’ word that I could think of that linked to France) it is that going to the Amex is fraught with danger and the opportunity to pick up a bloody nose. Arsenal will have to be on form and they will have to put in a performance that shows they mean business in what is most likely our best chance of silverware this season. Unless Arsene has done a Roberto Di Matteo style deal with the Devil and charmed our Champions League campaign with never-ending fortune. I suspect he hasn’t.

Brigthon will be up for this today, make no mistake about it. I watched the game against Newcastle and whilst the “Geordies” were poor, you have to say that Brighton were quite good. The two stand out players on the day were the defensive midfielder Bridcutt and the man who scored the first goal Lopez and I suspect both will start today. They also had some bald bloke in defence who spent the entire game being a general irritant and tugging shirts of Newcastle players inside the box whilst getting away with it, but I can’t remember his name and if you read this blog regularly you’ll know I am to research what Eddie The Eagle was to the Winter Olympics. Anyway, that’s what I suspect we’ll get from Brighton today, a ‘in your face’ and ‘they don’t like it up ‘em’ performance. So it will be important that we react to this and play our way and don’t let the Brighton players to dictate the possession or the play.

I’m not sure what Arsene has in mind for his starting eleven, but with Liverpool on Wednesday having just played West Ham in midweek, I suspect he’ll be looking for a little bit of rotation in the team. I hope it is not a lot of rotation and the side has a look of familiarity to it. I remember watching us get knocked out to Stoke a few years ago with a reserve side that screamed “the FA Cup is an inconvenience to us” from the players and the manager. Back then we had other fish to fry. Right now we only have one battered cod in the fridge to consume. I think we’ll see the back four shuffled slightly, with a change for Jenkinson (he deserves one at least) at right back and Vermaelen injured. It will give Koscienly another chance for game time to get back into the form that we know he’s capable of and exhibited last season. I’m not sure whether we’ll see Jack continue in the midfield, as Diaby is back and I think Le Boss might want to give him a little rest, perhaps having him on the bench. I suspect Ramsey will be given another shot in midfield. At least I hope he does. He had a really solid performance on Wednesday and my hope is that he can build on that and gain more confidence with back-to-back starts. He did the simple things well and showed great determination and constant running throughout against West Ham, so I hope we see the same from him if he’s favoured by Le Boss. I do wonder if Santi will be given a rest though, as he has played a lot of games and with the return of Tomas Rosicky to the squad after a calf injury. His last outing was in the Champions League I think and I thought he was the best player in the team at the time, so I’m not too worried if ‘Little Mozart’ comes in.

Attacking-wise is where I can’t really see much rotation at all, which is entirely Arsene’s own fault. With Chamakh at West Ham and Arshavin about as useful as an ashtray on a motorbike, we have only four real options to choose from in the front three positions. I think The Ox will get a run out, but I don’t know who we’ll see up top or on the right/left. I suspect that Giroud will play at the top of the trio, after his goals in midweek plus his absence from the team at the beginning of January. Whether that means Podolski or Theo are rested I don’t know. But it does go back to that old chestnut of squad depth. I’ll not go into the details, why’s and wherefore’s over our lack of purchasing whilst seemingly delighted to send player after player out on loan, weakening the whole squad with every departure, but it does make you think that something needs to be done and soon. Another argument for another day – probably later on in the week sometime.

The form of both teams looks very similar. Brighton have lost one in six whilst drawing two, where we have lost two in six whilst drawing two. Both teams played in midweek so the argument over fatigue for Arsenal’s players really doesn’t wash I’m afraid. We need to be showing the gulf in class on the pitch at 3pm, not just on paper or on respective bank balances of both sets of players.

Sing up for The Arsenal.

Fanuary – another last one…..

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Morning all.

There’s not really a lot going on at the moment, as we count down to Sunday’s crucial game against Man City. Le Boss might poke his head around the door at the press centre in London Colney, but that’s probably it. He knows he’ll be asked about player availability, transfers and Theo, so nothing new at all I suspect.

With that in mind, I thought I’d re-post a blog on Fanuary that good olde Oaf12 did last week, but unfortunately we were poor in our communication and I posted something shortly thereafter. So let me hand him the floor and tell us who he wants to see with the remaining window days ticking down. Take it away Steve…

Hey party people oaf12 here!

So with all the excitement around the Fanuary series it seems mine was missed – queue the world’s smallest violin :(

The sad truth is that it was actually rejected the the evil bendtnersnettercousin who decided that it didn’t contain enough detail, which was fine. However, he also decided not to bother telling me…….pure evil I tell you!!

Anyway enough of him and back to me, you and the second final Fanuary :)

Enjoy.

Do you honestly think we are going to sign a number of players in January despite similar promises in previous seasons?

Really unsure about this one…..I’m usually very positive but I find it hard to see us signing a quantity of players after (by our standards) such a busy summer.

I know to us fans there are a few areas that obviously need strengthening / back up but what is so gloriously obvious to us isn’t always picked up by the boss – like the fact that Gervinho really isn’t a striker!

As usual we aren’t any the wiser with Wenger saying things like “Can I say we will be active? Yes. Can I say this will be concrete? No.” or statements about his main priority being getting Theo to sign before looking elsewhere – for all we know this night not happen until the end of the month, if at all.

I will remain hopeful though; let’s hope it pays off…..

Do you feel Wenger needs to buy a ‘big’ player in January in order to make a statement to the fans or just make the right acquisitions?

I don’t think it would hurt, yet I don’t think it is a necessity. I would have included Cazorla & Podolski as big players and I think that’s the level I would like to see us look at more – i.e. not Messi / Ronaldo level but still top class players. I would have definitely included Huntelaar within this level but he has signed a new deal at Schalke now :(

I know it’s not likely but a signing like Lewandowski or Cavani would be one hell of a statement and would be a great boost to the team. It would be a nice middle finger to players such as RvP and Nasri too.

The only negative would be that if they performed we would then need to worry about how long we keep them for, not a nice thought but unfortunately a reality at the moment!

Which position needs the most strengthening and which player would you sign to improve this area of the team?

I would say up top and cover out wide. Regardless of results and how we have been playing the stats are positive towards the number of goals we concede; we are just missing that clinical player up top to finish the job for us. Could this be Theo? Maybe – but should we put our eggs in a basket that may potentially be gone before too long, I’m not sure.

I’m also puzzled as to why Giroud seems to be playing fewer games since he looked like he had hit a bit of form….

I would have LOVED to see Huntelaar come in for two reasons 1) He is pretty damn clinical and is used to being the focal point up top 2) He doesn’t seen to like van Loser (as my son calls him).

With him out of the picture one of the two I mention above would be nice. I can’t see this happening though so let’s hope we pull another gem from somewhere…..hmmmm. We should have snapped up Ba.

Squad wise we need a keeper (I don’t even want to think about an injury to Szczesny right now some decent back up / competition like Butland, or us making it worse by him playing with one like last season), a left back (would love to see Baines come in but Shaw at Southampton has also impressed but the my hinder Meade) due to Gibbs’ fitness record and maybe some steel in midfield. I don’t have anyone in mind for this so can only point you in the direction of Ben’s post as he clearly has a preferred choice here.

I’d like to see Eisfeld get some game time too though.

Are we still in a situation of where we need to sell before we can buy?

I don’t think so but that’s probably not the view from the club. It would be good to get some of the players off the wage bull to make room for some of the above – unfortunately I would probably include Diaby is this.

It looks likely that Chamakh, Squilacci and Djourou may be out which is good for both them and their careers but also for our wage bill.

With Diaby my main concern is his injury record. Every time he comes back seems to coincide with a transfer window and he is hailed as ‘a new signing’ he then plays one good/great game out of 5 but is worshiped for this before getting injured for a few months just as the transfer window shuts.

We cannot rely on this and must sign reliable players and see his (and possible Rosicky) fitness as a bonus as and when it happens.

Saying that, knowing our luck, should these players leave they will probably never have an injury again and go on to play consistently for another team.

Do we need to sign replacements for potential summer outgoings in this transfer window?

Yes, without a doubt! Theo has actually been a bright light so for this season. We’ll need to replace him should he go and the sooner that is done the better. I’m sure that if he stays one extra man in the squad won’t derail the whole team.

Squad players (Chamakh and co) always need replacing but hopefully with more quality so that we can actually use them. Bringing Gervinho on or rotating him as a starter is really hindering us at the moment. His form at Lille and some of his early form shows he is obviously capable but at the moment he can’t even kick a ball cleanly – kind of important for a footballer – and constantly just runs into defenders. A decent winger to replace him and having the Ox (to remove some pressure) as back up would make a real difference.

Sagna is still one of the best right backs about (despite recent strange form) so if he heads off young Jenks will need some help and ideally another potential mentor. The French right back Debuchy impressed at the Euros and if he was willing to go to Newcastle…..

Would you like to add anything?

It’s been such a frustrating season so far as I had such high hopes for this team as on paper we look very good.

I don’t think major surgery is required (I seem to find myself saying that every year) but wouldn’t say it will be a simple key-hole job either.

We need to stop putting blind faith in players such as Diaby and also need to be harsher when assessing ability / form. Gervinho gets 90 mins when he is less effective up front than Mertersaker would be – this needs to stop.

I know I have focussed on our attack more than the defence but for me a strong attack really does help the defence. They are out under less pressure and there is always a focal point, conceding a goal isn’t as soul destroying and actually if you look at our (1st choice) defenders individually there are plenty worse players out there but not piles of better ones.

We also need to stop paying the mid-tier of players so much money so that clubs aren’t put off by their wages. We seem to have this the wrong way round – our worst players can’t find new clubs as their wages are too high, yet our best players could go to Liverpool and get more money.

Seems odd to me…..

Thanks all, until next time.

oaf out

A mobile forward line can unlock Wigan

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Wellety, wellety, wellety. Welly, welly, welly……Wellington, Wellington, wellington…

A match preview of all things!

I’m sitting here on a train to see the old folks looking to be inspired. Inspired by the prospect of another Arsenal game. Inspired by the thought of a juicy, succulent festive three points. Inspired by the thought that despite our transgressions, digressions and abominations, us Arsenal fans will be in a jovial mood come the afternoon. It’s Wigan that stand between us and happiness and its Wigan that can determine how the weekend will evolve. And isn’t that something? I’m looking at the fixture this morning and wondering how Wigan will respond to their run of fixtures, that have been pretty dismal in defeat, rather than how Arsenal perform that will determine the match. Perhaps it’s a measure of the inconsistency that we’ve seen this season that I have that disposition, but it is this feeling I have nonetheless.

But it shouldn’t be like that. I should be looking at this fixture and wondering by how many we should win. Arsenal have the stronger squad. We have no new injury problems (as confirmed by Le Boss on Thursday). We are riding high off the back of a sumptuous performance against Reading. We have five talented young British players with freshly inked contracts that should all be buzzing on the slog up the M6 to pie country. Plus, Wigan have a host of injuries that make the Arsenal medical team salivate. By now I’d assume their all on hourly wages and overtime, hence the aforementioned salivation. Is salivation a word? iPhone recognises it, so I think I’ll just blindly accept that it is. I am a child of the smartphone generation after all.

Anyway, back to Arsenal, and back to worrying. Our Theo Walcott style ‘consistency in patches’ has been our downfall this season, but I’m going to go out on a limb and be a bit more buoyant. We can win this game today. The players have had plenty of time to prepare, the feelgood factor of Monday night must still be lingering in the air, and the desire to put right too many wrongs this season must remain fresh. A quick, slick, off the blocks start will be just what the doctor ordered. We need more of the same drive from Santi and Jack, backed up by the ever consistent and metronomic Mikael Arteta behind them, pulling the strings.

We need a once again composed Szczseny to marshal his defence; for he has been quite impressive of late. One underrated facet of his recent performances I’ve been impressed with has been his claiming of balls lumped into our box. It only takes a couple of ‘made-to-look-simple’ catches from an able keeper to stop the less technically gifted teams from continuing an aerial assault on the team, and Woj has done just that recently. In front of him we’ve seen Vermaelen, Gibbs, big Per and Bak look relatively solid (mindless random sideways passing to opposition attackers aside) against West Brom and Reading, and we’ve seen what a mobile front three can deliver when a striker like Walcott plays at the apex.

I’m a convert. I want to see Theo get another shot up-top. Not for his vanity, but for the value it adds to the rest of the team. His mobility preoccupies defenders along with The Ox and Poldi, which therefore in turn allows for the pockets of space in between defence and midfield to be exploited by Jack and Santi. I hope both players are given the freedom of Wigan to weave their magic today. If so, we can expect a similar performance to the one at the Madjeski.

I think Le Boss would be crazy to change the team. Contract wranglings aside, we need to pick up points and I see Walcott as a central striker as a perfect way of doing so. Actually, scrap that generalism, because the beauty of having Walcott in that position is his mobility. He is interchangeable with Podolski, The Ox, Santi, and as a result can pull teams apart and create space, meaning there isn’t even a real out-and-out centre forward any more. And do you know what? I don’t even care as long as we win. Spain did it, so why can’t we?

Come on Arsenal, lets register three league wins on the trot today.

Arsenal vs Schalke review

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How do everybody?

Not the best of nights for the club, but lets get on with it.

We made one change to the debacle that was Saturday, with Francis Coquelin coming in for Olivier Giroud. The exciting starlet Serge Gnabry also made the bench for the second time this season. Arsene went for his ‘European’ formation with Ramsey on the right and Gervinho through the middle. Obviously having Schalke attacking threat in mind. Schalke play a very similar style to us with very dangerous attacking players in Klaas-Jan Huntelaar (who is on a free transfer in the summer) Or loan Barcelona attacking midfielder Ibrahim Afellay and the one that got away – Lewis Holtby. A huge test for Jenkinson and Santos. With players like Julian Draxler on the bench, no opportunities for our defence to rest on there Loral’s…

As expected we dominated the early minutes of the game possesion-wise. Lewis Holtby was bright for Schalke early on, closing down with a point to prove. Gervinho drifted to the flanks for the majority of the half looking for the ball – Adding even more question marks over his central striking role. Gervinho did get played in down the right hand side after some great work from Cazorla, for a crossing opportunity, but as expected he didn’t produce anything and an opportunity to find Podolski in the box was wasted. Our first clear cut opportunity wasn’t until 10 minutes in – Arteta burst from midfield, to find Cazorla who in turn released Podolski down the left, who with a first time ball Podolski found Gervinho, who was only able to flick the ball goal-wards. Wide. The first flash point of the game – A penalty shout for Schalke – A ball played across the box for Affelay, who goes down after the slightest of touches from Mannone. Mannone dithered to come and collect and the Dutchman took his opportunity. Mannone made contact BUT Affelay’s over theatrics cost him. *wipes Gervinho’s forehead*. Our usual dominance with no end product was looking like it could cost us again. Podolski created a opportunity with a nice bit of skill, fooled the defender and laid the ball off to Gervinho who was only 5 feet away from him. Gervinho with a nice cross but no one to aim at, only Ramsey struggling to get into the box. An opportunity wasted. Cazorla was bright, robbing the ball from Schalke and with a first time ball around the corner for Gervinho, a great chance, but a poor touch let Gervinho down. For the next few minutes we had to weather the storm. Mertesacker made 3-4 last-ditch blocks. Santos’ positioning was all over the place – as usual. Uchida the Schalke right back and Farfan where doubling up on Santos which lead to great success for Schalke. Around the 40th minute Schalke broke down our left with Uchida again finding Huntelaar in the middle – He should have scored. HT 0-0.

The second half begun with the same ‘dilly-dalling’ from Santos and our usual keep ball with no avail. Cazorla with a great piece of skill which leads to him beating three players. He played Santos in down the left. Santos with a good first time cross flicked on by Podolski. Coquelin at the back post, slides the ball back across the box finding Ramsey, who clicks wide. Schalke where finding a lot of joy down our left-hand side. As in the first half. A heart in mouth moment from a corner. Vermaelen clears but the ball drops to Farfan out wide. Santos dives in, Farfan rounds him drives into the box rolls the ball back to the penalty spot, but luckly Howdes smashes over. We had little to no joy with the front three but our midfield three tried to create. Cazorla came up with a moment of magic with a ridiculous through ball for Gervinho. His heavy touch wasted the opportunity. Another half chance went begging. In the 70th minute Gervinho booked for a dive in the box trying to fool the referee. A very bad dive from the Ivorian. No need to go down. On the 75th minute Steve Bould made the first change of the night – Giroud on for Gervhino ( a slight *cheer* from the fans). on the 76th minute the deadlock was broken unfortunately – It was in Schalke’s favour. Huntelaar with a tidy finish. It was coming. With the lack of our attacking prowess – Schalke took advantage. A double desperation substitution from Arsenal in the 80th minute – Arshavin on for Podolski / Gnabry on for Jenkinson. Gnabry instantly with a breath-taking piece of skill which boosts the crowd. The final nail in the coffin was smashed in slap bang on the 85th minute – A Gnabry miss placed pass releases Schalke, Farfan finds Affelay at the back post for an easy tap-in. Game, set, match. FT 2-0 Schalke. Boos ring round the Emirates.

I expected answers, but sadly we got even more questions. By hook or by crock we had to find a positive result. Schalke played very well, with and without the ball. They left us with not much space in and between the lines. Without having a speed demon to drag Schalke about to create space, we suffered. If Gibbs isn’t at left back (or someone willing to bomb on) it’s pointless attacking-wise playing Podolski on the left. Our usually fantastic left hand side lacked oomph. Similar to our right last night – Ramsey would drop deep, Jenkinson would bomb on only so far and then cut back not gaining any ground. More pressure on Cazorla to find the perfect pass. You could feel the crowd was on Gervinho’s back from the word go. He is a confidence player. At the moment, he is being selected, and needs to be backed not hindered. I am not a fan of his unpredictably but whilst he is in the team, you know the rest… Serge Gnabry was bright, exciting, but at the same time embarrassing he came on. We need something, so we bring on an unproven teenager. *stares into distance*. I’m very low. one shot on target in the 80th minute substitute Serge Gnabry sums it up. A bad night for the Arsenal.

Good luck at the AGM this morning Arsenal…

Cheers for reading,

Be happy,

Ben

The quest to lose ‘supporters’

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Hey party people @oaf12 here!!

It’s been too long since I have blogged on suburbangooners, despite bendtnersbettercousin moaning (he is a proper whine bag btw) at me on every possible occasion which, being as we work together, is quite a lot.

Truth be told I have been waiting for Mr Right in terms of content, unfortunately this time round it has been Mr Wrong rearing his ugly head that has forced me to finally pen (should I say key nowadays?) my thoughts…

Before I get into full flow I feel I should point something out – the word supporter is in inverted commas within the title above. This is because in reality it is near impossible (I say near as if the club changed all of its name, country, colours, etc I’m sure a few would consider their options) to lose a true fan in my eyes. A club is for life, not just for Christmas :) but there have been a few events recently that will have lost us a few of the fair weather fans no doubt. Maybe that’s the master plan?

I must also point out that while I initially started writing this the day after the Sunderland game, I was also doing so from the patio of a beach front apartment in a hotel in Lanzarote with the sun beaming and the breeze cooling with no wifi access (hence you reading this around two weeks later) meaning I am away from the undoubted twitter frenzy, so I was certainly not in a bad mood lol. However, being as deadline day was yesterday some serious editing was needed today before publishing.

I did feel that there was a huge AFC conspiracy against me to ruin my holiday, the club sold van P£r$i€ the day I flew out and then I read in the paper (my only means on keeping up with the EPL) and saw that we had agreed to sell our ‘one Song’ to that Catalan lot. Where were they when we wanted RvP abroad????

I must say I am disappointed at how easy they turned Song’s head, even Cesc who is a Barce boy took two or three years and a full out campaign by Pepe Reina and the Barcelona squad (yes that’s right Reina you need to remember you don’t play for them anymore……..even though IMO you are better than Valdes) to convince him, yet Song was on the plane as soon as he realised they even knew his name…..and before all the Fabregas haters give me all that “Cesc went on strike!” crap please make sure you have a reliable source before you spit all your accusations ITK style. So, anyway, Mr Song I hope you rot on the bench behind Busquets and Mascherano and when you do play I hope it’s in you less favoured CB position, I hope that when Barce with trophies you haven’t made enough appearances to get a medal…….so there (blows raspberry).

I also read in the currant bun while I was away that Song wanted to stay for life and that he had been trying to negotiate a new contract for months, if this is true then it’s rather annoying…..do we purposefully let players run into their final year? Then in the same interview AS also stated that the Barcelona train only comes round once in a lifetime and you have to take it…..hmm slightly hypercritical then – I want to stay for life, until Barce want me!

Now for you Mr ‘scores when he wants except in the Euros’ or Mr ‘scores when he wants even when a girl says no’ (oh yeah I went there) its a “I’m not angry I’m just disappointed” for you. No words can justify how I feel giving the fact that you could do this to the fans but also that the club would sanction it. I have never been in the Wenger out club (the crazies as I like to call them) and have always been a realist – understanding that the club can only do what is within their current financial means, we have no sugar daddy and cannot afford to pay stupid wages etc etc. I like the way the club is run and I have no intention of joining the crazies anytime soon, this doesn’t however mean I am happy, far from it.

The deal for Batman’s sidekick aside I have kind of understood the rationale when considering each transfer in isolation, I haven’t been happy that we have let players like Na$ri get into the last year if their contract but when the time comes there is no point dwelling. Then when you look at all of them together you realise it becomes a bit of a joke, worse than Torres winning the Euro 2012 Golden Boot. I can no longer honestly deny when my friends who support other clubs taunt me about us being a selling club. I will refrain from wishing him injury (although I wouldn’t shed a tear if it happens) but just hope he flops and I mean FLOPS.

It’s a real shame as it was looking like a great summer having signed Cazora, Giroud & Podolski (the later being one of the first players I would have chosen if asked who I wanted us to sign) but a lot of it comes down to timing. We have gone from a high to a low rather than vice versa – if we had sold RvP then signed Giroud & Podolski, then sold Song but signed Cazorla & (for instance) Sahin I am sure less would complain, it would have been an answer to the negativity.

If Sahin or another decent CM came in I would have been happy with the squads ability to compete. Had you asked me months ago whether I would swap RvP & Song for Giroud, Podolski, Cazorla & Sahin I would have said yes. However if this included RvP going to Utd I may have had a different answer. I will never be able to understand selling one of your main assets to a rival, yes it’s a business but you are making the competition stronger!! Surely abroad for less money or no sale would have been the better option??

Unfortunately this sale all but confirms our fall from grace in many eyes which is painful. Last night was painful too, i think we all wanted one or two more at least but as the minutes ticked away there was no mention of us. Until the window closed and we were shown that while we were the 5th highest spenders we brought in the LEAST amount of players in the league – 3, yet the players out covered 3 rotations of the Sky Sports News side bar.

While I believe our first 11 and even some of the fringe players are good enough to compete with anyone on their day I just hope our current squad is good enough (not even mentioning injuries) and that we finally win something so that Wenger can stick it to the doubters and the fans get what we crave – showing these mercenaries and the crazies that you can still do it without spending beyond your means.

Heres hoping my fellow Gooners!!

Until next time,

Oaf out

Not amazing, but don’t break the cannon just yet

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Good morning gooners, I hope you are fairing well on what is a very hot Sunday morning. I’m actually writing this blog on the Central Line on the way back from the game on what feels like one of the inner rings of hell – such is the heat and humidity of the London Underground, coupled with the close proximity of many other disgruntled Arsenal fans piling onto London’s premier peoples choice of travel.

All in all it’s not exactly a happy Chris that is bringing you this blog today: why should I be? I’ve just spent the hottest day of the year being frustrated by my football team for not putting an uninspiring Sunderland side to the sword.

Let’s get the platitudes dispensed with quickly first; Sunderland had a game plan that they executed perfectly: spoil the party, show no ambition, do not under any circumstances concede. In the first half McClean had a good effort saved by Scz, and a daisy-cutter of a drive from Colback was well held by the Pole. Apparently Lee Cattermole also played, but as there was no yellow cards to be seen I can neither confirm nor deny that particular rumour.

From an Arsenal perspective it seemed as though normal service had been resumed: we pressed, created most of the chances and never really allowed a pretty average Sunderland side the opportunity to cause us any problems. However, from an attacking point of view we we’d pretty blunt, as probably guessed by the 0-0 scoreline. Cazorla forced a good save from Mignolet and was also unlike to drag one shot wide from inside the box, but apart from that the first half saw chances at a premium.

If the first half was slightly disappointing, the second half was certainly a damp squib. Upon my exit from Block 5 I likened the whole day to one of those massive fireworks you get that you think will light up the sky, when in fact all they do is make a pointless ‘phutt’ at the end. In that respect we had plenty of build up, excitement and expectation, but pretty blunt at the sharp end of the pitch.

The second half saw Giroud come on for Podolski, and really should have seen the Frenchman open his account whilst put through by the excellent Cazorla. Unfortunately for us, the man blazed wide. Cue the noises from the media corner of the grounds that a certain Dutchman would have drilled the ball home. Of that I’m not so sure, as it was on Giroud’s right hand side which would have been the chocolate leg of said overseas player who no longer plies his trade at The Emirates.

All of this blogging sounds mighty doom and gloom at the moment, for that I am sorry, but such was the expectation that we thought we would be dispatching teams like Sunderland at home. The reality is that in the Premier League you can never count your chickens – just ask Liverpool and QPR – both nursing more serious wounds from this weekends actions than we are.

The reality is that this is the first game in the Premier League for a few players who have been put under pressure to perform. What I saw today was a couple of good performances from players that gives me hope for the upcoming season. Arteta was his usual lego-hair impeccable self, working from left to right, front to back, and always swirling consistent self. His almost instant on-field with Cazorla is great to see, and I can imagine those two Spaniard will be essential to success in the coming weeks and months.

Cazorla looks to be the stand out signing. Jinking past players with ease, linking the play between defence to midfield, midfield to attack and from left to right, he popped up everywhere. You could tell he was a little tired towards the end, but it’s nothing a couple more weeks will do to bring him up to the rigours of the Premier League.

Of course, this little oasis of positivity does not belie the fact that the result was very disappointing. You just have to look at the completely ineffective cameo of Arshavin as an example of how we have a long and sometimes dissappointing road to travel. But as I write I am also imagining the complete negativity that will emanate from the broadsheets and tabloids – broken cannons littering the gutter press like an episode of Sharpe. The media will tell us that a certain player would have dragged us to victory – the reality is that we will take a little bit more time for some of the new sightings to gather their stride.

But therein lies the problem with today’s Premier League, and fans and media alike, unfortunately. You simply aren’t afforded the luxury of ‘bedding in’. You’re either a success or a failure. No room for a middle ground. The reality is somewhere in between, but the trollers of the online and paper world will have you believe otherwise.

This is the first of 38 games. It is not the result we wanted, but equally, is not the end of the world. Strap yourself in gooners, we’re going for one hell of a ride.

Purring about The Arsenal

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Happy post Olympics morning to you great people. The Closing ceremony yesterday was distinctly average for the first hour I watched it, but thankfully there was an Arsenal game on yesterday, so I can talk all day about that! Woo hoo!

Yesterday’s game against a recently relegated FC Koln was our last chance for some semi competitive football to watch before the real thing kicks off next Saturday. It was also our opportunity to see some of our new signings in action for the first time.

As seems to be par for the course these days, I inevitably got the starting line up completely wrong on who would play. Yesterday I talked about how Le Boss would want to see as close to his first team as possible starting yesterday so when the team lined up with Mannone, Yennaris and Mertesacker, I chortled to myself save in the knowledge that now not only do I get transfer announcements wrong (“I don’t think Podolski will sign this week” – signs the next day), I also get formations and team selection incorrect too!

The match itself was a mouthwatering display from the kick off. New signings Giroud, Podolski and Cazorla began and all three looked assured, composed and ready to embrace the Premier League with open arms. It was the latter of the trio that impressed the most by all accounts. Cazorla looked like he’d been playing for Arsenal for years and jinked past opposition midfielders, proved to be pivotal in the build of of attacks and was getting his head up looking to spray the ball around to one of the front three. Whisper it quietly to yourself, but it was almost Cesc-like.

Giroud looked good too. He held the ball up at times, looked to have some really good movement, plus he even carved himself a few chances in front of goal. The only thing missing from his afternoons work was the goal he so richly deserved.

Podolski started the game a little quietly for the first fifteen minutes or so, but after the second goal was scored (the first coming from a Bould/Adams reenactment from Mertesacker and Vermaelen) from the penalty spot he grew more and more in influence first on the left, and then in the second half up top. His finish for goal number three was deadly: hammered home with precision from a Kieran Gibbs cut back inside the penalty box.

It’s always great to see new signings perform from the first game, and whilst we must be mindful not to use this performance as a barometer on which all other matches are played, I think it’s fair to say that it left many of us salivating for what may come over the next nine months. We are hopeful of a trophy at the end, but let’s just see how we go for now.

For me, what is just as satisfying to see is not just the new signings, but the established players as well. There were some really assured performances for players like Oxlade-Chamberlain, Theo Walcott, Kieran Gibbs, but most notably Gervhino. The Ivorian was without doubt my man of the match. He might have only played a half, but he was easily the most influential player on the pitch in the second half and his performance got a well taken goal added to it as well, slotting in at the keepers near post after driving inside along the by-line. This could be a big year for the lad. Of he adds a more prolific finishing side to his game he could easily become one of our stars. He did have a couple of times where he didn’t quite choose the right option yesterday, but he looks like a different player to the one that finished the season in May. I remember many fans seeing him last year and saying the same during pre season, so we should of course be careful not to expect too much, but he’s had his year to acclimatise so let’s hope this season is a big one for him.

I could go on purring all day about the performance and how good we look at the moment, but we all know that friendlies essentially count for nothing, it’s the real thing we care about. But as a sneak preview of how some of our players might perform goes – it was pretty juicy stuff. But do you know what the best part about this blog has been? I’ve managed to go the whole time without mentioning a Dutchman. He got 20 minutes. That’s all I need to say really.

Until tomorrow.

Arsenal Boo’s and Woo Hoo’s

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In my short time on this here earth, i’ve come to realise that life as an Arsenal fan is a series of ‘Boo’s and ‘Woo Hoo’s.

Boo: Robin van Persie wants to leave.
Woo Hoo: Laurent Koscienly signs a new contract.
Boo: Transfer rumour, Twitter tittle tattle.
Woo Hoo: Pre season friendlies.
Boo: Robin still wants to leave.
Woo Hoo: We won and collected a trophy and saw some good young performances from some of the up and coming players.
Boo: Theo’s contract issues still rumble on.
Woo Hoo: sounds like Cazorla deal is edging along nicely.

Yes, it’s been done to death but there is still no further news on RvP. Moving on faster than you can say ‘woosh’.

Some great ‘Woo Hoo’ news that came out yesterday was that Laurent Koscienly has signed a new deal at the club. I don’t have to tell you how important this is. For one thing it means that we have at least one more player that we have a minimum of three years without them threatening to leave by running down their contract. But mainly it’s that we have secured the signature of one of last seasons top performers and ensured that he can continue to improve at The Arsenal. He’s a classic example of media idiocy. He had a mixed bag of a first season, was labelled a Wenger flop, then last season was also called poor by some sections of the media (yes, I’ve seen it) because he was in the team for the 4-3 and 8-2 defeats in Lancashire at the beginning of the year. Lazy journos who don’t do their homework or watch enough of certain players are a particular bug bear of mine. I’m not always 100% right on this blog, but I don’t do it for a living. And if I did I’d make damn sure I formed a decent view on players based on actually watching them rather than Sunday Supplement.

Still no new news on what the situation is with M’Villa. I know Arsene ruled that out in his press conference, but part of me was hoping we’d see a little more coming out following his decision to pour cold water on the rumour. Boo.

But hey, some football is back! Woo Hoo! I won’t go into a detailed match analysis on the game, mainly because a) I haven’t had the chance to watch it yet, b) it’s a pre season friendly and so players will be rusty, c) the whole squad wasn’t there and so it’s difficult to judge how we’re shaping up, and d) the opposition weren’t exactly the best in the world. Nevertheless, it sounds like by all accounts we had some good performances. Goals from Eisfeld and Aneke are certainly welcome and it’s good to see that the desire to keep pushing until the final whistle and come up with last-gasp goals is being bread through the youth and reserves as well. Certainly liking the feedback on Eisfeld. Let’s hope another Arsene gem has been unearthed. New captain Thomas Vermaelen also got to lift a trophy, so let’s hope he gets that winning feeling more often this season when the real competitions kick in.

Theo’s contract is still rumbling on: Boo. There isn’t really any more to say on this except he’s made positive noises about signing a new one. But of course so did Flamini, and we all know where that got us. So if it’s not really anything new, why am I including it in today’s blog? Symmetry. Gotta have a ‘Boo’ after a ‘Woo Hoo’. But I think I’ll finish on a ‘Woo Hoo’.

Sounds to me like we’re close on a Cazorla deal. Arsene was asked about it after the game yesterday and, whilst some people reported the ‘not close’ part of the conversation, it was the wider context that should really be looked at. Arsene said that we were not close, but when asked specifically about Cazorla he said that we are still working on that. Now to me, if we’re even at the stage where Arsene is effectively admitting an interest, it shows we’re pretty far down the line. Let’s hope it’s done soon but I suspect Arsenal are waiting to find out if Malaga pay their debts by the 31st July deadline. If they do, we may just miss out if the club want to hold Cazorla to his contract. Remember, he signed a deal last year and so Malaga could force him to stay if they cough up the Euros for their debts.

Anyway, one way or another we should know by next Tuesday, which is good to hear, let’s just hope it’s not another Mata situation.