Arsenal Thread

by azania Wed 05 Sep 2012, 3:56 pm

First topic message reminder :

Surprised the isn't one yet.

In

Carzola
Giroud
Podolski

Out

Deadwood (exept Squilacchi and Chamakh)
RvP/Berba clone hopefully

I actually believe that Arsenal are stronger than last year. Carzola is a great buy for us. Giroud, although he hasn't scored yet makes terrific runs and in time will score 15+ per year.

Our defense has been tightened by Bould's astute style.

My prediction? Arsenal will end up 2nd behind City. UCL semi and win something (CO-Cup).

Discuss.

by nasisillmatic Wed 31 Oct 2012, 9:12 am

All the fans that left early should be ashamed of themselves.

by Smirnoffpriest Wed 31 Oct 2012, 9:46 am

A midly interesting game I'd say - nice to see Walcott get a hattrick...

by lorus59 Wed 31 Oct 2012, 2:09 pm

I believe Arshavin played well. He still has a future at Arsenal?

by azania Wed 31 Oct 2012, 2:20 pm

lorus59 wrote:I believe Arshavin played well. He still has a future at Arsenal?

I hope so. His best position is behind the front man. Wonderful player when played in position. Not so effective when played wide left although he did set up a couple yesterday.

by Smirnoffpriest Wed 31 Oct 2012, 2:27 pm

I agree Azania - which is why I find it so funny that everyone was slating him continually (and IMO mostly unfairly) but now suddenly I've heard a few fans start praising Arshavin and using that to slate Gervinho in much the same way they'd previously slated Arshavin!

I don't think Arshavin can play every game and have an impact but I do think he's a very handy player to have in the squad and gives an interesting option in attack.

by GG Wed 31 Oct 2012, 2:33 pm

Epic https://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=u7d7qsRk04I#!

by **Good Golly I'm Olly** Wed 31 Oct 2012, 2:35 pm

nasisillmatic wrote:All the fans that left early should be ashamed of themselves.

I've never understood why people pay good money and leave early. If I have paid to go watch a match, I am going to watch it all no matter how bad it gets. And watching Norwich over the years it has got pretty bad at points (see 7-1 against Colchester, 6-1 against Man City and 5-0 against Fulham as examples)

by nasisillmatic Wed 31 Oct 2012, 2:38 pm

I agree Olly, why bother going. You're meant to support your team through the highs & lows, not when it suits.

I've got no time for them.

by azania Wed 31 Oct 2012, 3:07 pm

They're plastics.

by TopHat24/7 Wed 31 Oct 2012, 3:24 pm

Smirnoffpriest wrote:I agree Azania - which is why I find it so funny that everyone was slating him continually (and IMO mostly unfairly) but now suddenly I've heard a few fans start praising Arshavin and using that to slate Gervinho in much the same way they'd previously slated Arshavin!

I don't think Arshavin can play every game and have an impact but I do think he's a very handy player to have in the squad and gives an interesting option in attack.

I thought Arshavin was only ever 'slated' for being lazy/wantaway whereas Gervinho gets stick for being a bit crap (by Arsenal/top4 standards).

The Russian is a fantastic footaller, a superb talent.

by Smirnoffpriest Wed 31 Oct 2012, 3:26 pm

No I've heard fans slanting him for being poor and making no impact on games/having no end product as well

by Smirnoffpriest Wed 31 Oct 2012, 3:28 pm

It is amusing though as Gervinho is **** but isn't he our top scorer? And a player many have slated is suddenly much better after 1 League Cup game.

(note I do really like Arshavin though, and am glad we never sold him)

by TopHat24/7 Wed 31 Oct 2012, 3:44 pm

Smirnoffpriest wrote:It is amusing though as Gervinho is **** but isn't he our top scorer? And a player many have slated is suddenly much better after 1 League Cup game.

(note I do really like Arshavin though, and am glad we never sold him)

Not sold on Gervinho at all, certainly not for a club the size stature and ambition of Arsenal. Too inconsistent and his touch has been awful whenever I've seen him. That said I'm sure Arsenal fans might say similar of Welbeck at United.

To me he's just always looked like a Fulham level of player, reckon he'd do good at a club like that.

I think his top scorer status speaks greater volumes of Arsenal's other forwards than it does his individual potency. Has Podolski been out injured or something? He's looked a v good signing from what I've seen and more of an Arsenal calibre player.

by **Good Golly I'm Olly** Wed 31 Oct 2012, 3:46 pm

Gervinho when played through the middle looks half decent, but out wide he is useless for Arsenal.

Also I hope you start to use Giroud more efficiently. And by that I mean crossing the ball more often. I find you often get into a crossing position but end up going back and starting again. Whip him the ball in and he will score goals. His movement is very very good

by Smirnoffpriest Wed 31 Oct 2012, 4:05 pm

I ready to be corrected but I think Podolski has played every game for us this season - except the cup games

by Smirnoffpriest Wed 31 Oct 2012, 4:07 pm

Olly wrote:Gervinho when played through the middle looks half decent, but out wide he is useless for Arsenal.

Also I hope you start to use Giroud more efficiently. And by that I mean crossing the ball more often. I find you often get into a crossing position but end up going back and starting again. Whip him the ball in and he will score goals. His movement is very very good

Yup it's something that drives me to despair - we're in a good position to whip it in and have a chance of a header, but instead we stop look round, make sure the defence has set itself and then pass it back and around to the other side of the box. Arrgh!

I do really like Gervinho's movement through the middle and the fluidity of our front 3 no matter who we play there

by **Good Golly I'm Olly** Wed 31 Oct 2012, 4:11 pm

Smirnoffpriest wrote:
Olly wrote:Gervinho when played through the middle looks half decent, but out wide he is useless for Arsenal.

Also I hope you start to use Giroud more efficiently. And by that I mean crossing the ball more often. I find you often get into a crossing position but end up going back and starting again. Whip him the ball in and he will score goals. His movement is very very good

Yup it's something that drives me to despair - we're in a good position to whip it in and have a chance of a header, but instead we stop look round, make sure the defence has set itself and then pass it back and around to the other side of the box. Arrgh!

I do really like Gervinho's movement through the middle and the fluidity of our front 3 no matter who we play there

That is exactly what you did against us. In the middle ypu have Giroud who is what 6'4? And his movement is seriously brilliant but you wont cross it for him. No wonder he isnt scoring much in the Prem when you arent playing to his strengths!!!!

by Smirnoffpriest Wed 31 Oct 2012, 4:17 pm

Don't mention that game to me! it was diabolical, we had loads of possession but could have played til today and not scored, while you defended well and looked like you could score at any point.

Awful, awful by us - but well done to you lot

by socal1976 Wed 31 Oct 2012, 4:36 pm

Olly wrote:
Smirnoffpriest wrote:
Olly wrote:Gervinho when played through the middle looks half decent, but out wide he is useless for Arsenal.

Also I hope you start to use Giroud more efficiently. And by that I mean crossing the ball more often. I find you often get into a crossing position but end up going back and starting again. Whip him the ball in and he will score goals. His movement is very very good

Yup it's something that drives me to despair - we're in a good position to whip it in and have a chance of a header, but instead we stop look round, make sure the defence has set itself and then pass it back and around to the other side of the box. Arrgh!

I do really like Gervinho's movement through the middle and the fluidity of our front 3 no matter who we play there

That is exactly what you did against us. In the middle ypu have Giroud who is what 6'4? And his movement is seriously brilliant but you wont cross it for him. No wonder he isnt scoring much in the Prem when you arent playing to his strengths!!!!

I agree, I know Giroud hasn't produced goals yet but so far I like the way he fights for everything and how active he is for a forward of that side. He is constantly getting involved in the play. I know this young man is going to be a very good forward at the highest levels, I hope he can start that with Arsenal. I feel for the kid, you can see how much every half missed chance ticks him off, I want to tell him "don't worry son when they come they are going to come in bunch for ya".

But great post I totally agree where does this tendacity to hold up play for no reason where the early ball will do come from?

by socal1976 Wed 31 Oct 2012, 4:39 pm

Smirnoffpriest wrote:Don't mention that game to me! it was diabolical, we had loads of possession but could have played til today and not scored, while you defended well and looked like you could score at any point.

Awful, awful by us - but well done to you lot

Worst arsenal match I have seen well lets not talk about the oher candidates, but that was a poor match. And you are so right, we could have played 120 minutes in that match and not scored, hell probably could of gone 220 minutes that day without scoring. Arsenal never really even threatened to score much. I have never seen such anemic execution in the final third.

by azania Sun 04 Nov 2012, 4:01 pm

I want my Arsenal back!

by **Good Golly I'm Olly** Sun 04 Nov 2012, 4:09 pm

My god you were poor yesterday how Utd only won by one goal I will never know.

by Hemmingway Sun 04 Nov 2012, 7:30 pm

Big questions remain about Wenger's decision making/ judgement. When I heard Santos named at left back I immediately thought that Valencia would damage us down that side. To ask for VP's shirt at half time was a disgrace (even if he'd had a good game).

by TopHat24/7 Mon 05 Nov 2012, 9:36 am

Olly wrote:My god you were poor yesterday how Utd only won by one goal I will never know.

Missed two sitters and a penalty. Think Arsenal's goal in the 95th minute and their earlier hit of the post were their only two chances all game. Really poor from Arsenal, not attacking flair, no directness and poor at the back (never good to concede a goal to Evra, the fact it was a header is just shameful). Only thing worse was some of United's finishing, painful to watch. And Evra. He's had a terrible 12 months.

by Stella Mon 05 Nov 2012, 10:08 am

Will Utd have an easier game this season?

I thought Utd played as well as I've seen them for a while, finishing apart, but Arsenal were slow to the ball, lacked bite if they did get there and had no pace.

by TopHat24/7 Mon 05 Nov 2012, 10:16 am

Thought Valencia was poor, Santos should've been made for him and he should've eaten him for breakfast but was pretty lacklustre. Really lacking invention, wasn't surprised that he was sub'd off.

by Stella Mon 05 Nov 2012, 10:20 am

Valencia is a Football by numbers sort of player, to me. He's strong and quick but is too easy to suss out.

A cross between him and Nani would be awesome!

by TopHat24/7 Mon 05 Nov 2012, 10:40 am

Stella wrote:Valencia is a Football by numbers sort of player, to me. He's strong and quick but is too easy to suss out.

A cross between him and Nani would be awesome!

100%

With Valencia you know what you're going to get. Very fast, will generally try to just get to the byline and whip in a cross (which is normally pretty decent) and he'll rarely come inside to get a goal scoring position. Nani is the opposite, quick and tricky with genuine flair and unpredictability meaning he's less easy to suss out than Valencia. He's also more greedy and likely to try get on the scoresheet.

A cross between those two, and a brilliant header of the ball, would probably be Ronaldo!! D'oh!

What did people think of the Wilshere sending off? I didn't have time to catch the post-match analysis but expected it to be a little controversial, with Wenger probably having a whinge about Cleverly?

by Stella Mon 05 Nov 2012, 10:44 am

I thought a second yellow was right. Not malicious but a tad clumsy.

by TopHat24/7 Mon 05 Nov 2012, 11:05 am

Yeh, I thought it was the correct decision but thought Wenger might kick-off as Clev didn't get booked for his previous rash challenge.

Think Wilshere's lay-off just showed, not malicious as you say just half a second off the pace with his timing. Could see it all match.

by John Cregan Mon 05 Nov 2012, 12:21 pm

Stella wrote:I thought a second yellow was right. Not malicious but a tad clumsy.

Looked pretty malicious to me.............just like his nasty 2010 challenge on Zigic of Birmingham.
Not sure is he nasty or just one of these ball players who can't tackle.............having said that, that's 2 sendings off now in a very short career so far, he needs to cut this stuff out...........

by TopHat24/7 Mon 05 Nov 2012, 12:49 pm

Paul Scholes' career didn't work out too bad...

by John Cregan Mon 05 Nov 2012, 12:56 pm

TopHat24/7 wrote:Paul Scholes' career didn't work out too bad...

He does tackle like Scholes all right!! Still though, Scholes used to get away with nasty stuff that Witshire mightn't if he gets a bad rep very young............

by davidl1061 Mon 05 Nov 2012, 2:20 pm

I dont buy the train of thought that Paul Scholes cant tackle, no football player can be that good and be so poor in another area. I think he just plays up to it sometimes as he knows he can get away with it more than most because, 'thats the way he tackles'

by Hemmingway Sun 11 Nov 2012, 11:01 pm

Dreadful defending yet again from the gooners. Vermalen and Arteta particularly poor. What on earth is going on? On the plus side, Giroud is improving with each game. That's about it!

by **Good Golly I'm Olly** Sun 11 Nov 2012, 11:04 pm

Why was Sczezny (spelling) on the bench? I know he aint played recently but if he is fit enough for the bench he can play

by socal1976 Mon 12 Nov 2012, 4:18 am

Olly wrote:Gervinho when played through the middle looks half decent, but out wide he is useless for Arsenal.

Also I hope you start to use Giroud more efficiently. And by that I mean crossing the ball more often. I find you often get into a crossing position but end up going back and starting again. Whip him the ball in and he will score goals. His movement is very very good

Olly you are spot on, I keep feeling that the wide and midfield players at Arsenal are just not giving Giroud the early ball that he needs to get more goals. His movement, power in the air, and work rate are going to produce loads of goals if the wide guys in particular stop holding up possession for no reason. We saw that in the CL when podolski whipped in an early ball what Giroud can do.

Can't believe we give up three goals to fulham at home. We are really slumping. I hate this zonal marking on set pieces, all it does is give the attacker the ability to run unobstructed into the zone. I don't like it and again we show our inability to defend the set piece. Just go back to man marking and simplify things. With players like Mertesacker, Giroud, Vermalean, and Koscielny in the air we should be able to just mark their best headers and keep them from scoring. Manonne is still a bad goal keeper the second goal should have been saved.

by socal1976 Mon 12 Nov 2012, 4:35 am

Also as I have been saying all season we have to keep theo wide right and Giroud in the middle, Podolski wide. And if we want to go with two strikers you go Giroud and Walcott. Theo is not a good crosser from wide but one thing he does do better than a lot of the players at the club is that he isn't scared to deliver the early ball in the box, instead of just holding up the ball in the wide position for no reason. He does things fast and with a big guy like Giroud if they link up like they have been we are not going to have a problem scoring goals.

But for the love god can this horrific zonal marking nonsense.

by The genius of PBF Mon 12 Nov 2012, 9:51 am

What did I tell Arsenal fans that Vermaelen shouldn't be in the team let alone captain

by **Good Golly I'm Olly** Mon 12 Nov 2012, 6:58 pm

What do Arsenal fans think about Piers Morgan's views? I just heard his interview on Talksport and I personally think he talks a lot of sense, especially when he says, "We've become a club that thinks coming 4th is good enough". Personally I think Wenger's time is coming to an end as a manager, and it may be time for him to move to Director of Football role.

by socal1976 Mon 12 Nov 2012, 7:27 pm

Olly wrote:What do Arsenal fans think about Piers Morgan's views? I just heard his interview on Talksport and I personally think he talks a lot of sense, especially when he says, "We've become a club that thinks coming 4th is good enough". Personally I think Wenger's time is coming to an end as a manager, and it may be time for him to move to Director of Football role.

I agree, it seems that for whatever reasons we don't seem to have the financial resources, which seems odd to me with the global brand that ARsenal is and the support they have in london. Arsenal is a big club on the global and european scale and for our fans to have to pray for fourth place every year to me is a bit of an embarassment. The money hasn't been there in the past few years but we were told that was because of bad endorsement deals and the stadium. Next year we get new endorsement deals and the stadium is done and for the most part paid for so lets see.

I for one support Wenger staying because I do generally view football the same way he does. I like the brand of football we play. I for one call me crazy will not trade trophies for being horribly dull to watch. I hold arsenal to the highest of standards the brazil standard, I want them to win trophies and I want to be entertained with the most watchable side in europe. In general I think you do want to build through depth and young players but the club has to mix in a few big name signings to add that extra bit or the youngsters will just move on. Hazard is a player that I go green with envy every time I see him play because for a few million more pounds we could have had him. The club says Arsene has 35 million pounds to get a mid season transfer at striker personally I think the money would be better spent on some defenders and a good defensive midfielder.

by socal1976 Mon 12 Nov 2012, 7:38 pm

The genius of PBF wrote:What did I tell Arsenal fans that Vermaelen shouldn't be in the team let alone captain

I will admit that he has had a poor season so far vermalen that doesn't mean he isn't a class defender I think he is a very good defender when he actually sets his mind to just defending and stops wanting to play forward. Right now he is crucial as a leftback because Santos might be the worst fullback in the premiership. As bad as we looked against fulham with Santos playing at left back our defense would have been even worse. I think my mother could find some space and get in behind Santos.

by socal1976 Mon 12 Nov 2012, 8:13 pm

For the love of god end this terrible nightmare of zonal marking, I just don't like it at all and I don't care what the experts say. You tell me how standing still and waiting for the ball in a dangerous area is effective at an attacker who is running at full speed unimpeded who can either dart in front of you or with his added momentum can just go over and through you to the ball.

And if Scez is healthy for the love of god get Manonne out of goal. No way Czech, Hart, or Scez let that second goal go by them.

by Hemmingway Mon 12 Nov 2012, 10:06 pm

Olly wrote:What do Arsenal fans think about Piers Morgan's views? I just heard his interview on Talksport and I personally think he talks a lot of sense, especially when he says, "We've become a club that thinks coming 4th is good enough". Personally I think Wenger's time is coming to an end as a manager, and it may be time for him to move to Director of Football role.

Olly, in trying to picture a vision of an arsenal future without Wenger, I see arsenal without him completely. The type of manager we would hope to appoint would be mad to accept the job if wenger was still around. He's either the man to lead afc or he isn't.

by Hemmingway Mon 12 Nov 2012, 10:09 pm

socal1976 wrote:For the love of god end this terrible nightmare of zonal marking, I just don't like it at all and I don't care what the experts say. You tell me how standing still and waiting for the ball in a dangerous area is effective at an attacker who is running at full speed unimpeded who can either dart in front of you or with his added momentum can just go over and through you to the ball.

And if Scez is healthy for the love of god get Manonne out of goal. No way Czech, Hart, or Scez let that second goal go by them.

Social, I think you are spot on here regarding zonal marking. Think of the amount of goals afc have needlessly conceded due to this flawed set piece defensive system.

by **Good Golly I'm Olly** Mon 12 Nov 2012, 11:03 pm

Ok who would you like to see replace Wenger? I think Jurgen Klopp would be good for you guys personally

It still amazes me how a club of Arsenal's size hasnt won even a sodding league cup in what 7/8 years? Wenger is clearly living off past glories and I personally dont think he has it anymore

by socal1976 Tue 13 Nov 2012, 12:07 am

Hemmingway wrote:
socal1976 wrote:For the love of god end this terrible nightmare of zonal marking, I just don't like it at all and I don't care what the experts say. You tell me how standing still and waiting for the ball in a dangerous area is effective at an attacker who is running at full speed unimpeded who can either dart in front of you or with his added momentum can just go over and through you to the ball.

And if Scez is healthy for the love of god get Manonne out of goal. No way Czech, Hart, or Scez let that second goal go by them.
Social, I think you are spot on here regarding zonal marking. Think of the amount of goals afc have needlessly conceded due to this flawed set piece defensive system.

I don't know why these trends catch on in football but I don't buy this system of defending corners and set pieces at all. All the defenders standing stationary in different spots around the six yard box like a bunch of mannequins while the attackers flash unimpeded with all that momentum at the ball. Call me old school I like the days where you pointed to the guy you had on the corner and you did your damnedest to get up in his jersey without getting called. Not all this nonsense of standing there and letting people run at you. I don't care what any expert says to me it has never made sense and it makes even less sense after all the open header goals I have seen this year by teams that employ it.

What happens if the other team runs two guys into the zone at one defender? The poor bugger now has to mark two guys or beat two guys to the ball who have running leads on him, and when they do beat him everyone points the camera at him as if it is his fault. It isn't the center halves fault it is the socalled football genius who came up with this idiotic scheme.

by compelling and rich Tue 13 Nov 2012, 8:57 am

on the issue of zonal marking, i think the best is a mixture of both and being zonal doesnt mean the defender just stands still, city and arsenal have been showing recently how to do it poorly. the key attackers should clearly be man marked, touch tight as well. look at terrys goal v liverpool to show how if you dont man mark properly its even worse than zonal!

but you also need a couple of players marking zones, the most obvious and most accepted is the near post guy who's there to clear that poor cross that doesnt get enough height on it. one middle and back post is also a zone that may be needed depending on how many you want on the line. and if you are marking these zones then you should be attacking the ball and not just standing still.

the best defensive teams from set plays often use both, if we were purely just saying its either zonal or man mark then i would choose man mark. but purely zonal where the players just stood around is terrible! ive never been overly impressed with arsenals defence either way, but citys new defensive coach deserves a medal for turning one of the best defences into one of the worse from set plays!

by Hemmingway Tue 13 Nov 2012, 6:20 pm

Olly wrote:Ok who would you like to see replace Wenger? I think Jurgen Klopp would be good for you guys personally

It still amazes me how a club of Arsenal's size hasnt won even a sodding league cup in what 7/8 years? Wenger is clearly living off past glories and I personally dont think he has it anymore

I'm not yet at the stage where I'd get rid of Wenger. But the aresenal board should be looking 2 seasons ahead and consider a successor. I'm not convinced that there is a candidate out there who would achieve a top four finish every season with the budgetary constraints that aw has had to manage.

by azania Tue 13 Nov 2012, 9:19 pm

Grant Holt V2 wrote:What do Arsenal fans think about Piers Morgan's views? I just heard his interview on Talksport and I personally think he talks a lot of sense, especially when he says, "We've become a club that thinks coming 4th is good enough". Personally I think Wenger's time is coming to an end as a manager, and it may be time for him to move to Director of Football role.

Not a chance. Wenger is still Mr`Arsenal. Probably the best manager in the EPL.

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