Tag Archives: Champions League

United: overriding disappointment, but it could be a valuable point

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At the beginning of this season if you’d have run your finger down the fixture list and tapped lightly on the weekend of 27/28 April, I probably would have said to you I’d settle for a draw that week. Manchester United coming to town is always a tough fixture, especially for The Arsenal and our really poor recent run against them, but it’s one of those that you’d hope we could get something from the game.

Indeed, as the fixture approached and it looked like they might win the league on our home turf, the possibility of a draw didn’t seem so unappealing. When coupled with the draw that the Spuds got away to Wigan at the weekend, a draw on the face of it seems an ok result, as we still have a two point cushion over that lot and the hope that three wins out of three should see us into the Champions League spots.

So why is it that I feel a bit dejected this morning? Why do I feel like yesterday we saw two points dropped?

Probably because we did.

Before the game all the talk was about THAT person returning and a guard of honour. I couldn’t really give a monkeys about either and so my hope was that all of the distraction in the build up would allow us to catch our newly crowned opponents off guard. And I think it’s fair to say we did. The first 40 minutes was all Arsenal and within the first five we were one up. Theo got in behind Evra to slot the ball beyond De Gea and send my section of the crowd into delirium. It was exactly what we needed. In the media hyperbole that had been whipped up before the game most pundits and journos alike seemed to have forgotten there was a game to play. The team reminded them of that instantly.

The first half was Arsenal’s. Cazorla forced a good save, Gibbs had a shot over the bar and we were rarely troubled in defence, save for Szczesny’s face taking a knock from a header from that guy. We controlled and bossed the game for the most of that first half.

But Bacary, oh Bacary, what hath become of thee? As Arsenal fans we never underestimate the ability of this team to press the self destruct button. But on this occasion it wasn’t the collective switching off that cost us – just one – Sagna. I have no idea what his pass to that person was about, nor do I have any idea why he felt it necessary to lunge at the player whilst inside the box, but he did and it cost us. I think it’s fair to say that Sagna is no longer that consistent player he made his name on in seasons past. Yesterday he stunk the place out so bad it made my eyes water. And unfortunately it’s not the first time this season that he’s gifted goals to opponents through some comedy defending. At the beginning of the season he made comments about players leaving and that he wasn’t sure about a new deal. Well son, you’ve done a bang tidy job of increasing apathy levels amongst Arsenal fans this season with some of your performances, so don’t expect an uproar if you don’t get your new deal and are moved on. We often said that Arsene knows when a player has hit their peek and has historically been good at moving them on at the right time, so it wouldn’t surprise me if the failure to offer a new deal is of no coincidence at all. With Jenkinson waiting in the wings for his chance, Bacary’s number might just be up at the club, perhaps even having to settle for a squad position if he’s not moved on in the summer. I know this sounds very reactionist after a poor game, but his stock has declined after a series of poor games – just like Vermaelen – whilst Jenkinson’s has increased, so to me this doesn’t sound too extreme an opinion to share.

The second half was a little bit cagier from Arsenal and we failed to assert the same dominance as the first. We looked like we could get caught on the counter on a couple of occasions but you have to say that – right back apart – the defence by and large coped very well. THAT player didn’t really have much of a sniff and Rooney was also kept marshalled for most of the match.

Up the other end Rosicky went close and Santi forced a smart save from De Gea, but we were unable to breach the United defence. Without the benefit of any replays I can only give you my real-time view that Gibbs should had had a penalty, but when you’ve got big-fat-Phil-Dowd officiating, don’t expect any favours. Supposedly he personally went to Rio Ferdinand to apologise about the Walcott goal when it was shown that he was slightly offside. I wonder if the same personal touch was afforded to Arsene Wenger two seasons ago when he gave a second penalty up at St James’ Park for an invisible foul on Mike Williamson? I suspect not.

Many will see this as a point gained, and hopefully in hindsight I will too come the end of the season, but right now I can only see it as two points dropped. From what I saw yesterday, this wasn’t a United team at 100%, but probably at more like 70%. You could see that they were playing within themselves and were there for the taking, yet we could not muster enough composure – both offensively and defensively – to get those vital three points that could have provided a massive platform to complete the job before the last game of the season. That’s why I’m frustrated. That’s why I’m a little dejected. Because it shows me how far we’ve fallen that getting a draw against a half-trying United team is seen as a good result.

But we must carry on. We play a relegated QPR on Saturday and we simply must pick up three points. Our rivals for Champions League places probably won’t drop many more, so nothing except three wins from our next three games can be considered acceptable.

Come on Arsenal, one final push to get us over the line.

Reading between their lines – a tight game expected

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So here we finally are people. For some reason it feels like more of a schlep to get to this weekends Arsenal action than ever before. I don’t know if that is because we had a couple of good results before the international break banged on our door, therefore this interjection was at the wrong time in terms of building some momentum, but I for one am glad we are back to some normality.

It’s Reading today that visit the Emirates and with new boss Nigel Adkins due to take the reins for the first time, it’s fair to say that it makes Reading a little bit of an unknown quantity today. Will we see a side that is buoyed by ‘new manager syndrome’? Quite possibly, especially with the fact that they are fighting for their Premier League lives and now with a new manager there will be players who will be wanting to show that they deserve a place in the starting eleven.

We’ve played them twice at the Madjeski Stadium this season and both times have come away with victories and plenty of goals, but on both occasions we’ve also conceded a few. Reading played with an open and attacking style that, whilst admirable, was foolhardy from a team that was newly promoted and didn’t quite have the personnel to trade blows with some of the bigger boys in the league. However, since the turn of the year Reading started picking up points, became a little more solid at the back and have looked like a team that at one stage could pick up enough results to get them out of the bottom three. You only need to look at the game at Old Trafford to know that they will not come at Arsenal like they did at the Madjeski. Reading will try to be more compact at the back, will probably play with a five man midfield like they did at Old Trafford, and will hope to frustrate Arsenal like so many teams have done this season. They welcome back Pogrebnyak and his physical presence up top will give our two central defenders something to think about.

As for The Arsenal, there looks to be a few players that seem to have found a smidgen of form, which means that as a fan, I’m not 100% sure which side Le Boss will field. I have a rough idea, but nothing is concrete with Arsene, as he’s just as likely to swap things around as he is to go for consistency. I suspect Fabianski Mark.2 (the upgraded version Arsene has used since he came back from injury) will still get the chance to build on his confidence boosting performances against Bayern and Swansea to stay in between the sticks and will go for a similar look back four to those that played at the Liberty Stadium. Monreal, Koscienly and Mertesacker will surely start, but what of that right back slot? Sagna’s form has hardly been impeccable this season whilst Jenkinson is looking ever the part at right back every time we see him. I think Le Boss will go with his French compatriot, which is a harsh situation for Corporal Carl, but I think Arsene still has his favourite in that position and so Bacary will get his chance to recapture his spot quicker than Vermaelen and Szczseny have done.

Midfield will most likely include Arteta and Ramsey, given Arsene’s seeming reluctance to use the Little Mozart Rosicky at the moment, which I actually think is a bit of a shame. Rosicky is somebody who has the beating of a player a lot easier than Rambo, and his energetic style and ability to move the ball from back to front a little quicker is something that I think puts him a little more in the mould of the currently absent Wilshire. I think having Tomas in the side gives us a little more urgency in going forward and at home against a team towards the bottom of the table the impetus should always be on ensuring you have enough at the top end of the park rather than the back in defence. Aaron’s new found defensive stability is good and if Jack remains out against West Brom next week I think he’d be a more natural covering choice than Rosicky, but for this week I’d hope Le Boss goes for the more creative option.

Of course, Arsene could opt for both Rosicky in midfield and Cazorla out wide on the left of the attacking three, but with the return of Podolski I think he should be slotting straight into the side today so I hope that is Arsene’s thinking. Poldi brings a clinical finisher who’s directness and willingness to run his arse off for 70 minutes is something that we’ll need if we want to put this Reading team under serious pressure today. If he does play, he’ll be joined in attack by Giroud and possibly The Ox, who I think deserves that starting spot after a good performance against Swansea followed by a good performance and goal against San Marino that will surely have boosted his confidence. He deserves a run in the side now and with Theo ruled out for this weekends game, it’s a chance to shine for the youngster.

I think this will be a tough and frustrating game. When we played Reading earlier in the season there were still a lot of games to go and Reading thought that their open and attacking style could be something that catches teams out and gets them a few points. But now that we are in the business end of the season, that free-flowing attitude has been replaced by a bit more pragmatism when lining up against opponents. We saw that against Manchester United and I think we’ll see that today. Reading will be thinking that a draw is a great result, which can be achieved as a minimum with a clean sheet, so they will sit back and perhaps look to hit us on the counter at times. I am always worried before any Arsenal game that means something, but today my worry is that we see a game of sideways passing on the edge of the Reading box with little or no penetration through a wall of hooped blue and white shirts. We will need all of our crafty and creative players to be at their probing best today. Players like The Ox and Cazorla will need to be on form and I hope we see at least a first half goal for Arsenal to bring Reading out a little and open the game up. Otherwise we’ll see mounting frustration if there are no goals by half time.

We’ve got nothing else to concentrate on this season other than Champions League qualifications. Aside from the midweek game against Everton in mid April we have one-a-week matches until the end of the season so there can be no excuses for any slip ups. I know we’ve come off the back of an international break, but a) there was only a few players in our side that actually played the full 90 minutes midweek, and b) these players are all seasoned international professional footballers and so will know exactly how to prepare themselves physically. We just need to hope that mentally they are prepared too.

We need three points today to keep the momentum and pressure on those above. Up the Arsenal.

Wanted a mauling, but don’t lose sight of fact it’s job done

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In times of desperation you will accept anything positive. Let me tell you friends, yesterday’s three points most certainly fall within that category.

Effectively dumped out of two competitions within a week, it was imperative that The Arsenal didn’t effectively hammer another nail into the Champions League coffin by slipping up against what I can only describe as a young and bang average Aston Villa team. So much so that when the Aston Villa team was displayed on the scoreboard at kick off, there were two players I’ve never even heard of. Now, I’m not one that has an encyclopaedic knowledge of Premier League footballers, but I’m quite confident I could name a decent starting eleven of all of the Premier League teams. So to see some of the names on the Villa team sheet yesterday that I’ve never even know existed, it tells you quite a lot about the youthfulness and lack of squad depth in our opponents. And therefore by proxy, the expectation that we really should be tearing them a new one.

Unfortunately for a simple gooner for myself, that quite simply translates into a result that should in all fairness, be a foregone conclusion. Villa are struggling in the league and look like they could be going down. That they were within six or seven minutes of a draw at The Emirates tells you more about the limitations of our squad than it does of the ability of Lambert’s side.

It all started so well. Attacking intent from Arsenal in the first fifteen minutes was swiftly rewarded with a neat Cazorla finish. We looked like we were up for it at first and the players looked like they wanted to lay down a marker, taking out their aggression on a clearly vulnerable Villa team.

Unfortunately, as is so often the case with this Arsenal team, capitalising on the fragility of opponents is a commodity that is found in short supply at The Emirates these days. We went in 1-0 up at the break, but if we’re all honest to ourselves, we hardly laid down a confidence marker. Thankfully, Lambert’s Villa didn’t fancy seeing if this Arsenal team could be ‘got at’ and the first half ended with little trouble from the fluorescent green/yellow opponents.

The halftime pints were sunk with much debate over the reaction the team would give in the second half, and such was the joking nature of the modern day Arsenal fan, we spent most of the fifteen minute interlude thankful that we were ahead for a change.

I expected a better reaction from the players in the second half, and to be fair, at first it looked as though they were going to give it to us, with some neat build up play at times. But as is par for the course with this Arsenal side, the final end product was often found wanting, with an overriding desire to square the ball rather than ‘have a go’. So it was with no surprise that Villa equalised with their only real attack of the second half on around the 70 minute mark. As expected, it came from an Arsenal corner and as Weimann bore down on goal, we all knew what was coming. Szczseny hardly covered himself with glory with a limp wristed flap at the ball, but we all know Arsenal have it in their locker to fall apart at any moment, so it wasn’t any real surprise that we conceded.

Today’s blog has been rather negative up until this point; perhaps indicative of the nerves and worries I have of our ability to finish in the Champions League spots. But I, as I’m sure many of you need to remind ourselves of, need to appreciate the fact that three points were the requirement today and three points is exactly what the team delivered. So perhaps I need to cut them a little stack. Football has so many variables in it that it is impossible to assume that ‘a+b=c’ I.e. three points in this instance, against a team that will probably go down, means that it should be a walk in the park. So I need to remind myself that providing the team gets the results, the methodology behind it is largely irrelevant. You don’t get extra marks for showing your workings.

So today’s blog should be tinged with more happiness about it. Indeed, the happiness did come in the shape of a neat Cazorla finish with just a few minutes remaining on the clock. You have to say it was no more than the team deserved and thankfully it means we can look to the West Ham v Spuds game in the knowledge that we have at least done what is needed from our perspective. Let’s hope that Yossi can get himself on to the field and provide us with yet more happiness by spearheading a victory for the irons to mean the gap is closed to just one point ahead of next weeks crunch NLD.

Before I sign off, some positive and negative individual performances to talk of. Firstly, the negative, lets get that out of the way. I thought Diaby was generally woeful yesterday and his injury, whilst of no surprise to any of us, was the icing on a pretty horrible cake if I’m honest. I also think Giroud failed to really show his true capabilities and I hope that was just a one off game as we head into a crucial period of the season. However, some real positives were the excellent performance (yet again) of Jenkinson, and I thought Cazorla also did well, cropping up with two vital goals.

All in all, it was yet more of the same from Arsenal as they frustrated us at times, but ultimately they did the job, and we can ask no more than that.

Roll on the spuds. Lets all hope we see the best from the team then.

Finally, just a quick signing off from me. I’m heading off to Thailand for two weeks and so won’t be blogging as I try to sizzle myself in the hope of improving my skin tone. I’ll leave you in the capable hands of Ben and maybe Steve (oaf12), and lets hope that by the time I’m next spilling my thoughts onto the virtual blog page, it’s to the sound of an Arsenal team having beaten our rivals and marching towards a top four finish.

Until then.

C

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!

Festive rest might be good, but we’re already playing catch up

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Hi-diddly-hi goonerino’s! Hope the festive period finds you in fine fettle. The weather certainly isn’t, eh? Feels like rain of biblical proportions in the UK at the moment, with flooding left, right and centre. But where biblical times had Noah and his penchant for vast wooden vessels, we have Noel and his penchant for empty red boxes with numbers in them. Oh well. I’ve been offline for quite a few days actually, taking in the Christmas cheer, but more importantly Christmas beer. I won’t even go into detail over my eating habits – it would make Mike Myer’s Scottish character ‘Fat Bastard’ blush.

This has been a very strange Christmas holiday for you and I, hasn’t it? We’ve had the phrase ‘busy Christmas football schedule’ so far embedded into our culture in the UK, that any kind of prolonged time without football feels a little alien. But it was probably made worse by the fact that every other team played yesterday, so we all had to watch like the little boy who Santa Claus forgot, goodness knows we didn’t want a lot – just three points.

Of course, it was far too much to ask that any of the teams around us dropped points whilst we were not watching, so the footballing gods transpired against us as best they could, offering success and merriment to the Spuds, Everton, Chelski and West Brom – the net result being that where we found ourselves in the Champions League positions on Christmas Day, by the end of Boxing Day we had slid down to seventh. It’s frustrating because you hope that having a game in hand can be seen as the potential bonus that means you could go points clear of your rivals when you do actually play it, but as we find ourselves three points away from all of our nearest rivals at the moment, the extra game in hand has become rather quite redundant. In fact, its put more pressure on the team because it means that anything other than victory on Saturday would put us even further behind the pack – a pack which had seemed to have been stumbling over the last few weeks. But now it appears as if they’ve all found their feet and so we will need to ensure that we don’t lose ours if we want to ensure we are in that pot for European riches next season.

But whilst we now have the pressure on the team, I’m actually trying to look at the lack of action yesterday as a positive. Firstly, selfishly I might add, I actually couldn’t go to the game yesterday because of family commitments and Christmas related activities. So with the game postponed until a later date, I can actually now make the West Ham game when it does eventually get played. Secondly, this idea of a ‘hectic Christmas schedule’ for the Arsenal players should have pretty much been thrown out of the window. What it means is that the players themselves will have had three solid weeks of just playing once a week and therefore there can be no excuses when they take to the field against Newcastle or Southampton on New Year’s Day. All of the other teams in the league have all had to play a series of games over that period – including Newcastle who were involved in a thrilling 4-3 defeat, but Arsenal players rested their bones ready for Saturday. Therefore, I expect, no - demand – that a performance is put on in front over the home fans on Saturday. Our players will be fresher, they will be on the back of a good run, plus the team has an injury list which is far shorter than the Magpies. It all should point to a vastly improved performance to the one away to Wigan. It’s time for the team to set down a marker and show that we mean business to the rest of the league.

I’ll do more of a match preview on Saturday morning I think, but just wanted to put those thoughts out there for now.

Because it’s Christmas there’s not really a lot more happening at the moment. There’s some stuff on the Arsenal website from Jack saying that the break last season that he had might do him good in the long run, but I’m not sure I buy that to be honest. I understand that the season before he played plenty of games, but to then lose over a year of your career (hey, that rhymes!) through injury only to then start-up where you left off, doesn’t really make me think that it is good for you. Footballers careers are so short that any kind of prolonged absence can’t really be seen to be good for you. However, if it means he’s far from burnt out this season and we start to see the best of him – which is undoubtedly happening right now – then that’s good in my book. Jack’s drive, desire and motivation to yank the team forward with his passing and forward movement is becoming a joy to watch again, and we can only hope that it proves as the catalyst for some success in the very near future for the team.

That’s it from me today, I’m off to find the nearest scrapping of Christmas Ham and Turkey and make an almighty sandwich.

Have a good one folks.

Reading Preview: new week, new Arsenal (we hope)

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In the footballing world days seem to stretch out like weeks, weeks like months and months like years. Look at teams in August and by May you could be witnessing totally different entities take to the field. Last season was just that for Arsenal, with some dreadful performances and start to the season, followed by a resuscitation of dwindling Champions League qualification hopes, then a nervy stumble over the line.

Of all people who know how quickly football evolves, Arsene Wenger will be more than aware, as he bids to restore our beleaguered players’ confidence levels and prepare them for yet another ‘must win’ against Reading tonight. A week is a long time in football and since the defeat to Bradford it’s been even more painfully slow. I don’t know how you have coped with it, but my response was to try to go into a media lockdown with football, only coming out of stasis yesterday afternoon for a twenty minute window to watch the Spuds game whilst I couldn’t find anything else on. I don’t want to see former Arsenal players telling me how they can’t see the team qualifying for the Champions League, I am avoiding the media hacks drive the knife in to Arsene Wenger’s legacy, I just wanted to keep my head down, get through the week and hope that London Colney has been a place for reflection, review and an unwavering desire to right what was clearly a grievous wrong against Bradford City on Tuesday last week.

Yes folks, it’s a new week and it’s another chance for some of the players that under-performed last week to come out fight against a Reading team that is now bottom of the league. Don’t let anyone tell you, however, that this will be an easy game. We’ve already seen how this Arsenal side can make supposed superiority in class a redundant factor when there is eleven versus eleven. Reading will know that we are wounded and will know that there is a fragility about Arsenal that could steer them off the bottom spot with three points.

But sometimes the wounded animal is the most dangerous. Capable of lashing out and causing mortal damage. That is what we have to hope for from the players that play tonight. There has been plenty of talk about who will be joining the ranks in January, but whoever it may or may not be that we sign, they cannot help us now. The players that can are the ones that got us into this mess, so we had better hope they have the cajones to get us out of it.

I don’t think there will be much change from the side that played against Bradford, but that may be a good thing, as it gives the players that played the opportunity to justify their wage packets. The back four will remain the same I think, as will the midfield trio, but it will be interesting to see how the front three shapes up. Prayers are being offered up to the footballing gods today to request that Gervhino does not make the starting eleven. A player that has gradually descended into farcical touches and dribbling into no-mans land, even the staunchest of supporters will be breathing a collective sigh of relief if his name isn’t read out come quarter past seven this evening. He’s had opportunities and he’s blown them, exhibit A being his inexcusable miss of an open goal from four yards last week.

So I expect the front three to line up as Podolski (again somebody who needs to turn in a performance), Giroud and Oxlade-Chamberlain. I hope that The Ox is afforded a bit of time tonight and I hope he takes his chances. I thought his performance coming on as a sub on Tuesday lacked the drive and end product that he showed last season, but he’s seen a bit more game time with Walcott’s injury and I hope that brings more consistency too.

We know the threat that Reading will pose will come from the brute strength of Jason Roberts, who loves playing against Arsenal, and Pavel Pogrebnyak, who also has a goal to his name this season. I expect Reading to look to get the ball to those players as directly and quickly as possible tonight, possibly through some high balls forward, as they’ll have seen how uncomfortable we looked against Bradford. That result will have given them hope and it might be tinged with a bit of demand for revenge too, following the 7-5 victory over the Royals in the Capital One Cup last month. That victory however, an also provide our team with confidence, for the real Achilles heel in the Reading ranks remains its defence. Even at 4-0 up they were not home and dry (sound familiar?) and so providing the attitude of the players is right tonight, victory is always possible.

I genuinely have no idea what Arsenal side will be turning up tonight. We could potentially get a swashbuckling one, but that has happened rarely in 2012 that I can recall, so I’ll just settle for the opportunity to have a victorious one. December was seen as an opportunity to start climbing the table, which is not something you can do with draws or defeats, so it’s time for the players to step up and begin that winning run that we’re all so desperate for.

Come on Arsenal!

Internatzzz and Champions League confusion

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Morning fellow gooners.

Why can’t my body be built to withstand a nights sleep of interruptions? I feel like Gordon Ramsey looks – crevicey and haggered.

As we plod our way head first into the next International bore-fest this weekend, the one question all Arsenal fans are asking is: so who’s your money on the latest Arsenal player to take up “The Dutchman’s” mantle and shatter into a million pieces when on international duty? If there was an open betting book on the subject (I’m sure there must be somewhere) I doubt you’d get very favourable odds on Abou Diaby, or perhaps even Theo Walcott, but perhaps now that we’ve found ourselves a midfield maestro in Santi Cazorla it might even be him that the footballing gods smite with their curses. We wait with baited breath.

Because the Interlull is fully upon us now, there is the inevitable ‘hosepipe ban’ equivalent on news stories, but we have been able to find a couple of drippings of news with which to feed our requirements. The Arsenal Champions League team was announced yesterday and there was some confusion over two groups/lists ‘A’ and ‘B’ of the squad. As somebody said on Twitter yesterday, I don’t really concern myself too much with the details of the two groups and prefer to leave that to lawyers and better bloggers than I out there, but what I do know is that Serge Gnarby was ‘in’ and I think we might see a little more of the young German in the competition this year than some of us expected. It’s quite a statement actually, showing that Le Boss sees a bright future for the lad and perhaps he’ll get more game time in other competitions as well, and not just the Capital One Cup (which still seems a little awkward to say at the moment). In my blog yesterday I spoke of ‘unsung heroes’ that could end up playing a vital role for us this season, but perhaps I missed out a sub-group within that section called ‘unknown and unsung’. It’s not like we haven’t seen breakthrough seasons from a young age either – just ask Jack Wilshire and Cesc Fabregas.

Big Per has also been ‘bigging up’ the squad confidence and team morale at the moment, and whilst it’s all gravy to hear comments like that, it is a shame that we can’t build any momentum by taking this wave of optimism into our next game at the weekend. Some players will go away with their country and lose, some will draw and some won’t even play. The problem that brings is that it means when the squad get back together they’ll have to try to quickly rebuild their collective confidence and regroup ready for Southampton. It’s frustrating for us as fans to have these pockets of international abyss, but imagine what it’s like for some of the players like Arteta, who is kicking his heels at moment. Mind you, at least it gives him a much deserved rest at the heart of our midfield and will ensure he is fresh for the Southampton game.

Unfortunately that’s pretty much it from me today. I’ve got some more extensive thoughts on a blog for tomorrow but I don’t want to shoot my load too quickly, so I’ll leave you with that vulgar thought before I depart.

Adios for today!

Judgement Day: The Arsenal Way

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And now, the end is here

And so we face the final curtain

My friends, I’ll say it clear

I’ll state our case, of which Champions League is not certain,

We’ve lived a season that’s full

we’ve traveled each and ev’ry stadium

And more, much more than this, we did it The Arsenal way

Regrets, Arsene’s had a few

But then again, too few to mention (except Almunia)

He did what he had to do and saw it through without exemption,

he planned each charted course, each careful step along the byway

 And more, much more than this, he did it The Arsenal way

Yes, there were times, I’m sure you knew

When we bit off  more than we could chew

But through it all, when there was doubt

the North Bank sang, and shouted out,

We faced it all and stood tall and did it The Arsenal way

We’ve loved (the goals), we’ve laughed (at Harry) and cried (in Manchester)

I’ve had my fill, my share of losing

And now, as fears subside, with West Brom left, it is amusing,

To think we did all that

And may I say, not in a shy way, “Oh, no, oh, no, not me, we did it The Arsenal way”

For what is a Gooner, what has he got? If not other Gooners, then he has naught

To sing the songs he truly feels and not the words of one who kneels

The record shows we took the transfer blows and did it The Arsenal way!

Yes, it was The Arsenal way.

Today is Judgement Day people. No more false dawns. No more waiting on others. Destiny is in the hands of the Arsenal players that play today, and whilst I cannot be at The Hawthorns shouting myself horse, you can be damn sure I will be doing the same from within the Emirates watching on the big screen. A big performance is needed. The acrobatics of Szczesny will be needed. The good form of Koscienly is needed. The strength and determination of the Verminator is needed. The power of Song, coupled with concentration on the defensive duties is needed. The direct running of Gervhino is needed. The trickery of Benayoun is needed. And the goals from Robin Van Persie is needed. Once more into the breach el Captain. One final push to secure Champions League football next season please.

Arsene’s job should have been done already. He has had a week to focus the players minds, to make them battle-ready for today’s game and to instil enough desire for victory that the players are positively salivating for the taste of success in today’s match. Will we get it though? That is a different question entirely. In terms of league points, West Brom cannpt catch Fulham in the place above them. But what they will want is to see Roy’s final game before moving in to the England post as a success. They will be up for it tomorrow. They will not lie down and go quietly into the night, and the Arsenal players need to be ready for it.

Last season at the Hawthorns was the proverbial straw that broke the goalkeeping camels back, as Almunia went crazy and, coupled with his partner in crime Squillaci, contrived to set us two goals down within the first thirty minutes. That day we managed to claw ourselves back into the game, finishing with a 2-2 draw. I fear that a repeat result of that scoreline will not be enough, and will mean another week waiting to see if Champions League footbll will be at the Emirates as we all become Bayern fans for one night only.

West Brom have Brunt out and Odemwingie doubtful, but in Shane Long they have a great forward that will run all day and is bound to fashion some chances. Coupled with the unpredictable duo of Fortune and Scharner in the side, we will not find this an easy trip. There will be ‘heart in the mouth’ moments and there will be deep breaths as chances go begging at either side, but we need to see that this Arsenal team is burning with desire to prove this season is not a complete white-wash.

I’ve already listed the players that I think need to be standing up to be counted today this week. But every player in the starting eleven knows exactly what is at stake and we need each one to play as if it was their last game. Ever. Securing Champions League football will have an inevitable bearing on our summer transfer activity, so this game is, quite simply, a must-win.

Sing your heart out for The Arsenal. Wherever you are.

Back Our Boys!….Yes Arsene as well!

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To describe Wednesday in one word……dire !!

The expletives coming out of my household were very impressive….

A quite big statement to make, but that game was one my worst Arsenal experiences EVER….AND We have a lot recently… but it really hurt. I was slapped across the face with the reality of our ‘crapness’ (yes several slaps). We had nothing to offer…. No Leadership, No organisation, No attacking flair, No desire, No Nothing….Nada. Simply not good enough.

We have gone backwards massively this season….Last season we were two to three players off winning something…Anything. But this year, Six maybe Seven players :/

This is going to sound silly but BUT FOR F^%K SAKE ARSENAL SORT IT OUT !!

We are just going round and round in circles… But for a laugh let’s go over it again !!

  • Average squad who are over paid
  • A very stubborn manager
  • A board not willing to give Arsene any money?
  • Two billionaires fighting to own the club – for their egos.

oh and SOME fans who boo their own players when things aren’t going our way….. All adds up to a club spiralling down the drain.

The last six years have been nothing but a struggle for us as fans. The pain and anguish. The ridicule… BLAH! Arsenal why do you hurt us so. We Love you!!

One thing for sure – I am absolutely sick of people saying “Wenger needs to go”. Why?! Seriously what else could he have done ON WEDNESDAY NIGHT? Please let me know your opinions but with our current situation I think we need him to stabilise the ship….Yes you could say the ship he has helped sink, but Imagine if he goes go at the end of the season, we’d probably see:

  • RVP would go
  • Theo would go (personally I would pack his bags…BUT if we aren’t going to sign BETTER players we can’t afford *no pun intended* to lose any of the current bunch)
  • Real Madrid style youth transfers would disappear….
  • We would be left with a manager having to use Arsene’s players with no money ‘available’ for new additions…

Arsene DOES CARE about Arsenal F.C. Did you see him after the game? He looked like he was going to jump off a bridge. The man looked so despondent it was beyond belief. It was very refreshing, which sounds silly me saying this, but finally criticising his players and not passing the buck, he seems to be finally taking some ownership. Better late than never I suppose.

Maybe he/Arsenal needed this spanking to learn. I know it’s a silly way to do it but as long as we learn from this I think we can all agree it will be a good thing.

I think one of his major problems is that he isn’t questioned and is left up to his own devices. He must be questioned to keep him on his toes. The man isn’t untouchable he just needs some help. For whatever reason he has been given to much responsibility and it’s clearly effecting him now.

I think there is going to be some major changes at the club in the summer on both fronts. Only time will tell but lets hope we can finally move ‘FORWARD’.

Listening to some plonkers on TalkSport the morning after did cheer me up a little… saying Wenger has to go BLAH BLAH BLAH – they just don’t seem to think past the knee jerk reaction. Of corse we where a shambles and have been for a very long time BUT he has got us into the Champions League for the last 15 years on a shoe string budget PLAYING stylish football. Not many can hold their hands up to doing that. Who else would you have in charge of our club?? Please come forward and let The Suburban Gooner’s team know! My Vote is Arsene all day long.

All im saying is don’t push him out because he deserves so much more than that and you’d regret it….

Lets cheer up this morbid blog and talk about something we all love… TRANSFERS…. hooorarrrrrh I hear you cry.

Lets be positive for a second. IF we manage to get into the top four we could see a positive summer. Who would you like us to sign Ben? ahhh you guys!! My wish list…

Ben’s Wish List

  • Mario Gotze – 18-year-old Attacking midfielder plays for Dortmund
  • Siem De Jong – 23-year attacking midfielder plays for AJAX
  • Yann M’Villa – 21-year-old Defensive midfielder plays for Rennes
  • Jan Vortongen – 24-year-old Centre back plays for Ajax

A very unrealistic list but we need to show some intent. In my opinion these players could do it for us.

Cheers People apologies for the Rant just needed to vent. Get involved,let me know your feelings on the manager, the club and the players you want in and out. Cheers.

Be Happy
BEN

Please follow the Suburban Gooners team @BenLeeder , @chrishoward982 and @oaf12

Milan review: Thierry’s last stand

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Morning all,

This evening we reap the benefits of doing the business earlier in the season overseas and at home in the Champions League as we take on Italian table-topping Milan. Drink it in people, because United and City fans can only watch with envy at the moment. Let’s face it, we can’t match them in the league but we’ve shown them our European pedigree.

Tonight is also the last chapter in a certain legendary strikers second spell at The Arsenal. Yup, Thierry Henry makes his final appearance this season as an Arsenal player, packing up his things tomorrow to head back to New York to don the captains armband for the Red Bulls. It may not be his final appearance, as the big man said so himself, but personally I think it might be. There is also part of me that hopes it is. Purely and simply because if it isn’t his last appearance, then it means he’ll be back in January next year, which means we’ve once again failed to address our striking issues and are having to call him into battle once more.

Anyway, let’s park that bit of negativity, because tonight we all need to be positive and hope that all of the Arsenal players, not just Titi, put a shift in once more. It might be General Henry’s last stand, but there are enough soldiers around to make it a good one. He’ll play some part in the game, of that I’m sure, but we’ll just have to wait and see if he can make the same impact as he did at the Stadium of Light last weekend.

For me the ‘Great Unexpectations’ continues in earnest. Being an ex-spud, I have no love for Kelvin Pink-Boner, but his comments about Arsenal being either great or poor are quite accurate. We’ve seen both hand how woeful Arsenal can be, but equally we’ve seen signs of this ‘spirit’ you hear the manager extolling the virtues of.

The key for tonight is that come 10pm, Arsenal are still in the tie and in with a chance in the second leg. We’ve generally been able to do that in years past when we’ve been away first; the only exception being the terrible game against Bayern Munich when we were 3-0 down before Kolo Toure snatched us back some hope. So for tonight, a win (preferable), a draw (agreeable) or a loss by one goal with us scoring at least one (acceptable) has got to be key.

The manager has said he will attack AC Milan, and providing we have played with their shooting boots on (Theo certainly being one) then we stand every chance. Whilst this AC Milan side do sit top of their league at the moment, it is no secret that Serie A is not quite to dominant league it was in the 90s and Arsenal are certainly capable of upsetting the fervent home support.

Milan have also had very ‘Arsenal-like’ injury and suspension problems. At the weekend they were missing 13 players for their league game against Udinese. Some of which are coming back from suspension – the most notable being Zlatan Ibrahimovich (sent off against Napoli), who was the chief protagonist in Arsenal’s defeat at the hands of Barca two seasons ago. Flamini, Boateng and Pato are all expected to shrug off their recent injury concerns and feature in what will be a tough night for us against all that attacking talent, which will also include another mercurial Brazilian in the shape of Robinho.

For Le Boss I think the team sheet will certainly have a familiar look about it. With Mertesacker’s ankle resembling more like a rainbow of pain, he will be replaced by Vermaelen in his preferred position of centre back. The only question will be who takes the left back spot. Johan Djourou has failed to impress as a covering full back and Miquel is not quite ready for the first team. Gibbs could be thrown into the mix, but with his injury record and the intensity of the game, I’d be staggered if Wenger risks it. So I think that Francis Coquelin will be given the nod to take up that position. He certainly deserves it after some of his performances this year and I hope he has a good game.

As I mentioned above, I’m very much taking a ‘no expectations’ stance to the games as they come. That does mean that scoreline predictions and a general summing up of how I think the game will pan out becomes quite a challenge. But we all know the challenge that lies before the team. We all know what our ideal outcome would be, so les just cheer the boys on – whether you’re at home in your armchair with a cup of tea, or your singing up for The Arsenal inside the San Siro, give Arsenal the support and passion you always do.

Until tomorrow.