Barclays Premier League 13/14 Thread

[Good Golly I'm Olly]

First topic message reminder :

Swansea 3-2 Stoke

What has happened to Stoke's defence

[Dolphin Ziggler]

I wouldnt hold up cricket as some paragon of virtue. They're nasty swines.

To be fair, if my work involved me sprinting around constantly watched by thousands of people and judged on every single decision I made as to whether I would be allowed to come to work the next day then I would probably swear even more than I do now.

We used to swear in the bookies when I worked there, and I swear when I play football with my work colleagues.

I presume you all understand context too. I think telling a ref to f off actually isnt that bad cos its really not a big deal. It would depend on context, and also I would imagine using swearing as an insult rather than a proclamation of frustration would differ the punishment.

[Good Golly I'm Olly]

Jonny Howson anytime today would be me nodge tipr

[Dolphin Ziggler]

Ravel dropped today. Rumours he would be dropped last week after refusing to sign with Allardyce's agent. Good to see Momo back, not sure if Maiga will ever score again though.

Villa 2 - 1 Sunderland
Cardiff 0 - 2 Arsenal
Everton 2 - 0 Stoke
Norwich 2 - 1 Palace
West Ham 0 - 2 Fulham
Newcastle 2 - 1 WBA

[mystiroakey]

Why would he have to sign with allardyces agent?

[Dolphin Ziggler]

He wouldn't, but a lot of our players have done since he took over, especially the young ones. Little worrying in some ways

[Dolphin Ziggler]

Who needs the wolf? #Hooper

[Guest]

glad that barcelona kid has scored for everton, he's a great talent, just needs time to adjust & be given a chance. reckon he'll turn into a real player in a few years. 1-0 everton. EPL pretty quiet elsewhere, reflection of the quality I suppose with the like of sunderland, fulham & Palace etc

[Guest]

Leighton who?

Oviedo 3-0.....running riot now Everton!

[Dolphin Ziggler]

Not a day for the neutral in the premier league.

Fulham are awful. Worse than Norwich were in the first half and worse than we were in the second half of that game. Jol got to go, whether they turn this around or not

[Guest]

Arsenal could be 7 points clear tonight, if they can hang on. Think Jol will be gone tonight.

[Champagne_Socialist]

Where are all those losers who questioned Arsenal??

[Dolphin Ziggler]

CARLTON!!!!

[Guest]

Gone missing. Look, even I was one of them, however, it's quite clear Arsenal are in for the long haul now. They've proved the doubters wrong certainly. They still have issues, like many of their rivals but they will be contesting this title without doubt now.

West Ham 2-0 Fulham

[Dolphin Ziggler]

Where are all those losers who questioned Arsenal??

Where we always were, questioning them on the big teams.

[Dolphin Ziggler]

Ravel comes on and instigates the wrap up. Joey scores for 3-0

[Guest]

Where are all those losers who questioned Arsenal??

Where we always were, questioning them on the big teams.

I'd agree against the big teams, particularly away from home. However, all the other big sides & Arsenal's rivals are slipping up against small sides & that's allowed Arsenal to get a 7 point lead.

[Champagne_Socialist]

Where are all those losers who questioned Arsenal??

Where we always were, questioning them on the big teams.

Sorrry I didn't realise Tottenham, Liverpool, Napoli and Dortmund are not big teams....

[Champagne_Socialist]

Where are all those losers who questioned Arsenal??

Where we always were, questioning them on the big teams.

Considering Arsenal are not considered a big team can you please inform me of all these big teams Manchester United have beaten this year.....

[Guest]

Spurs were a mess at that point, still are. Napoli (h), Liverpool (h) & Dortmund was a smash n grab n could easily have been a bad result for Arsenal. If you read what I said, I think your contenders for sure. I still think you will struggle away from home against the top, top sides, as United proved. Away is where you find it difficult to provide for Giroud because of less possession. Giroud 1 goal at Sunderland, the rest at Emirates. He's the only weaker link I can really see at the moment. Your there, 7 points clear, just be happy. Arsenal fans just want to create arguments for the sake of it i feel sometimes.

[Champagne_Socialist]

Spurs were a mess at that point, still are. Napoli (h), Liverpool (h) & Dortmund was a smash n grab n could easily have been a bad result for Arsenal. If you read what I said, I think your contenders for sure. I still think you will struggle away from home against the top, top sides, as United proved. Away is where you find it difficult to provide for Giroud because of less possession. Giroud 1 goal at Sunderland, the rest at Emirates. He's the only weaker link I can really see at the moment. Your there, 7 points clear, just be happy. Arsenal fans just want to create arguments for the sake of it i feel sometimes.

We have played 2 big teams away from home in Man U and Dortmund and we lost to man u 1-0 ( we had 63% possession) and we beat dortmund 1-0. Don't know where you are getting this theory we are rubbish away from home.

[Dolphin Ziggler]

Where are all those losers who questioned Arsenal??

Where we always were, questioning them on the big teams.

Considering Arsenal are not considered a big team can you please inform me of all these big teams Manchester United have beaten this year.....

Jesus, grow up. I think anyone who doesnt have doubts about Arsenal is a staggering fool. This is a team that scraped to 4th last year. Of course they can win the league, but they could also lose this lead as the bigger games come in floods.

I also never said Arsenal werent a big team. They are one of those bigger teams.

And Spurs have NEVER been a big team  

[Champagne_Socialist]

Where are all those losers who questioned Arsenal??

Where we always were, questioning them on the big teams.

Considering Arsenal are not considered a big team can you please inform me of all these big teams Manchester United have beaten this year.....

Jesus, grow up. I think anyone who doesnt have doubts about Arsenal is a staggering fool. This is a team that scraped to 4th last year. Of course they can win the league, but they could also lose this lead as the bigger games come in floods.

I also never said Arsenal werent a big team. They are one of those bigger teams.

And Spurs have NEVER been a big team  

One word: OZIL..

He has made us one of the best teams in the world. He is top of the assists chart in the epl and has given us so much confidence.

15 appearances- 3 goals 8 assists

[Guest]

Your not rubbish away from home at all, just stating that Arsenal still have a ? against the top, top teams away from home. I was the one defending Arsenal, saying you contenders & your playing great football. At the end of the day, it doesn't matter if you come up short against City or Chelsea or United away because they are losing points to lower ranked teams, whereas this year, Arsenal are not.

The Giroud thing is quite evident. Away from home 1 goal, at home he's got the rest. You can dominate the game n possession at home but away against the best sides you struggle to get him into the game because he lacks movement n quality as a finisher. that's my only issue with arsenal away from home. stats even back me up. Look, your a great side this year & I'm enjoying watching you play, ozil has been brilliant & ramsey is the player of the year.

[Dolphin Ziggler]

So I cant doubt them because they have Ozil? I have no problem with you saying that they can win the league and that they are doing very well, but its still fair to have doubts based on big matches. If they lose to City and Chelsea, take one point or even two, well theres time for the others to catch up. I dont think Liverpool will finish second either, yet they should be only 4 points off Arsenal come tomorrow. From losing one big game against them really.

[Guest]

I think the Man City away game and Chelsea home match will tell us more about this Arsenal side.

So far so good mind. Good luck to em.

[Champagne_Socialist]

I think the Man City away game and Chelsea home match will tell us more about this Arsenal side.

So far so good mind. Good luck to em.

So can we judge Man u on those 2 games as well? they lost 4-1 to city away and drew 0-0 with chelsea at home.

[Guest]

I think the Man City away game and Chelsea home match will tell us more about this Arsenal side.

So far so good mind. Good luck to em.

So can we judge Man u on those 2 games as well? they lost 4-1 to city away and drew 0-0 with chelsea at home.

Well I don't think United have a shot at the title myself but you can judge them by that, yes.

If you can get 4 points off them two matches then it's all systems go. Mourinho has Wengers number and I'd fancy Chelsea to bag something at the Emirates.

Arsenal have hit the ground running before and dropped off and it could happen again. As John says it's a marathon.

[Champagne_Socialist]

So I cant doubt them because they have Ozil? I have no problem with you saying that they can win the league and that they are doing very well, but its still fair to have doubts based on big matches. If they lose to City and Chelsea, take one point or even two, well theres time for the others to catch up. I dont think Liverpool will finish second either, yet they should be only 4 points off Arsenal come tomorrow. From losing one big game against them really.

You said your doubts stem from their final position in the epl last year (4th). But this year we have 2 of the best buys in the EPL in Ozil and Flamini who have both performed amazing.

We are a very different team to last year.

[Guest]

It just gets petty all this comparing n judging. Arsenal are there n deservedly at the top. If they lose to City or Chelsea well it doesnt really matter because Arsenal's rivals are floundering to even beat teams like Cardiff or Sunderland away. Look, I still think Arsenal have an issue up front, however the midfield is just ridiculous at the minute and it's good enough to be 7 pts clear. It's November, lets see if they can keep it up n go into the new year, as strong, as they are now. then we can applaud them. im off to watch Newcastle.

[Champagne_Socialist]

It just gets petty all this comparing n judging. Arsenal are there n deservedly at the top. If they lose to City or Chelsea well it doesnt really matter because Arsenal's rivals are floundering to even beat teams like Cardiff or Sunderland away. Look, I still think Arsenal have an issue up front, however the midfield is just ridiculous at the minute and it's good enough to be 7 pts clear. It's November, lets see if they can keep it up n go into the new year, as strong, as they are now. then we can applaud them. im off to watch Newcastle.

yeh are midfield is pretty amazing, what is scary is that we still have podolski to come back from injury to add even more quality to the midfield.

[Dolphin Ziggler]

I wasnt judging only on that, but its fair to remember their position in the league last year. I'm not a fan of any of these sides, I don't really care who wins the league, but I dont have any blinkers on either.

[socal1976]

Gone missing. Look, even I was one of them, however, it's quite clear Arsenal are in for the long haul now. They've proved the doubters wrong certainly. They still have issues, like many of their rivals but they will be contesting this title without doubt now.

West Ham 2-0 Fulham

Good on you John, we all make mistakes you are man enough to admit it. Does not mean they are a heavy favorite Arsenal as so much is left to be decided but they have as good a chance as anyone else or maybe better.  Ozil looked majestic today, Flamini of all people getting the second goal, and as for Aaron Ramsey he was a delight again today. In terms of touch, intelligence, engine, and all around footballing technique few players in the world are at his level right now. If Ramsey had pace, which he lacks unfortunately he could World footballer of the year. I loved his header goal which was just a brilliant tough header on a perfectly weighted ball from 13 yards out right in the far corner.

On a dark note Ollie G-man didn't made one of the bonehead plays of the year by calling offsides on himself. Unfortunately, our players are not schooled on cheating and getting away with it like some, as he was too honest for his  own good. Still a stinker of a performance. I love Giroud and he deserves a spot in the team absolutely and is a good premier league striker. But he either has to improve on his wastefullness or a club with Arsenal's ambitions needs a different type of striker in there of a little bit more quality than Giroud. Hernandez from the hated ones or Alexi Sanchez although I doubt Barca would let him go. Super Mario might be worth the gamble as well.

[mystiroakey]

well done Norwich,

sounds like we played all right but no cigar.

[socal1976]

So I cant doubt them because they have Ozil? I have no problem with you saying that they can win the league and that they are doing very well, but its still fair to have doubts based on big matches. If they lose to City and Chelsea, take one point or even two, well theres time for the others to catch up. I dont think Liverpool will finish second either, yet they should be only 4 points off Arsenal come tomorrow. From losing one big game against them really.

You said your doubts stem from their final position in the epl last year (4th). But this year we have 2 of the best buys in the EPL in Ozil and Flamini who have both performed amazing.

We are a very different team to last year.

Absolutely C.Socialist, Flamini was the bargain of the transfer market and Ozil at 42 million was also bargain and a wonderful buy. Not only have our new transfers performed but they have blended in perfectly with the fabric of the team. Also we have to say that number of Arsenal players from before are all improving at the same time. Ramsey and Wilshere are better this year than last when we finished 4th and Scezney with the save of the season so far was an unsung hero in this match and season. He has been as solid as any keeper in the premier league this season and that is a huge difference in itself.

[J.Benson II]

Where are all those losers who questioned Arsenal??

Where we always were, questioning them on the big teams.

Considering Arsenal are not considered a big team can you please inform me of all these big teams Manchester United have beaten this year.....

Yeah, but there will always be more question marks surrounding Arsenal then there will be with teams like United, Chelsea and City because, unlike Arsenal, they have all won the PL in recent years. Swap Arsenal for Liverpool and the question marks remain.

Arsenal's midfield and defence are excellent. No one can doubt that. However, I agree with John regarding the forwards. Its a weak link that even all Arsenal fans I know acknowledge. City for instance have four forwards who are all better than Arsenal's best forward. Heck, even some mid table teams have better striking options.

Giroud has done well but is to limited. He is the only decent forward they have yet would only have been a squad player in previous Arsenal sides.

Considering the quick, athletic forwards (Henry, Wright, Anelka, even Adebayor) and pure technicians (Bergkamp, RVP) that we've seen under Wenger, I really can't say I understand Wenger's recent obsession with immobile target-men like Giroud, Chamakh and Bendtner. There was also talk last season of Arsenal getting Kiessling. Its all a bit strange. Maybe he is looking to emulate what Munich have done tactically in recent years? Who knows?

There is talk of Arsenal signing a new forward during Winter. Benzema and Pato has been mentioned. As has Suarez obviously. Getting Julian Draxler and converting him into a forward is another option.
Any of this would greatly improve Arsenal's striking options.

[socal1976]

J. Benson I think on this team Theo can thrive up top. Don't get me wrong I would love to sign another striker better than Giroud. That being said Podolski and Walcott's injuries have been a big reason why we have had to play Giroud in almost every match. I think along with his international schedule he is a bit jaded as well. Theo last year gave us 20 plus goals and with Ozil sparking the counter now that he is getting healthy, he could be more dangerous, it might pay to give him a couple of starts or more as the out and out striker. Injury has been a big reason why Arsenal have over-relied on Giroud.

[J.Benson II]

J. Benson I think on this team Theo can thrive up top. Don't get me wrong I would love to sign another striker better than Giroud. That being said Podolski and Walcott's injuries have been a big reason why we have had to play Giroud in almost every match. I think along with his international schedule he is a bit jaded as well. Theo last year gave us 20 plus goals and with Ozil sparking the counter now that he is getting healthy, he could be more dangerous, it might pay to give him a couple of starts or more as the out and out striker. Injury has been a big reason why Arsenal have over-relied on Giroud.

Its a good point. Walcott was Arsenal's top scorer last season while Podolski can strike a ball as good as anyone. It will be interesting to see what changes Wenger makes (if any) when both these two are fully fit and AOC returns too.

[socal1976]

I like Giroud's contribution but I think Podolski and Walcott's return will lessen his value and also give him time to rest and spur him on with real competition. Giroud I like as well as I think that he gives us a great deal but he can't be our only striker. I really do feel like Theo is chomping on the bit took a good run of games and health to show what he can do. He really broke out last year when they played him up top as the lone striker.

[Guest]

Brunt got some boot on that!

[Dolphin Ziggler]

SCREAMER

[Guest]

Wow that was even better!

[NickisBHAFC]

Norwich 1-0 Palace (Scum) 

[Guest]

4 ON THE BOUNCE!  

Sissoko......take a bow son! Basically 12 months of nothing & then you pop up with a screamer! We weren't great but then again we weren't great against Norwich but we picked up the win. Currently sitting fifth, ahead of both Manchester clubs & Tottenham. Pardew has his critics but what's been achieved upto now deserves credit. Surely manager of the month? We've still got issues all over the pitch, however, as a team unit we are playing together & full of confidence. Few beers tonight  

[Good Golly I'm Olly]

How are we not on last on MOTD today Jesus

That was a Championship standard game second half. Becchio seems to have become a martyr for speaking out, the reason youre on the bench i cos you're Poopie as shown today

Still 3 points is 3 points. Bring on the suarez thumping midweek!

(If anyone thinks Pulis is saving that Palace side then they're deluded)

[Guest]

Bring on the suarez thumping midweek!

 

[mystiroakey]

How are we not on last on MOTD today Jesus

That was a Championship standard game second half. Becchio seems to have become a martyr for speaking out, the reason youre on the bench i cos you're Poopie as shown today

Still 3 points is 3 points. Bring on the suarez thumping midweek!

(If anyone thinks Pulis is saving that Palace side then they're deluded)

TBH mate I cant see you staying up either

[Good Golly I'm Olly]

If we play like we did second half then we're cooked mysti. Abysmal

But got the win and up to 14th. Liverpool and wba away next though. Would be happy with a point from them two

[mystiroakey]

Looking at it 13 games or so in.

Palace and hull look doomed,

I think westham have to much quality to keep up the bad form.

Its all about beating sunderlands and cardiffs results for you. And tbh i think you are marginally better

[Good Golly I'm Olly]

Was impressed by Hooper today. Certainly better as part of a two man strikeforce. Can't wait to see him and RVW together, just need them to both get fit at the same time!!!

King Leroy was poor today. Luckily Jonny H was his usual self. Redmond is such a threat, gonna be special that kid

[mystiroakey]

how was the palace players- any one play ok?

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