Arsenal thread

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Joystick said:
I love the way Sir Rouge tried to put this one at Arsenal's door. Especially after both Vieria and Wenger spoke out aginst the idea of both semis in Cardiff. Seems to be his favorite trick atm. Its like arseblogger said;

"He's quite happy to make stuff up about us but is nowhere to be seen when his team get turned over by a Norwich side propping up the league and who Arsenal beat at a canter the week before. It's a nice way of deflecting the heat from himself - get the fans who are pissed off at him for United's season (only 48 league goals) and his team selections and try and direct their ire at Arsenal."

Damn straight. What's next? I suppose it's also Wenger's fault that Chelski are now owned by a billionaire and have replaced Man Yoo as the richest club in the land. Oh, and remember all that stuff about WMD in Iraq? Well actually that was Arsenal too, and Wenger's personally responsible for MRSA + Turkey Twizzlers in schools. Hang those pesky Gooners!:P
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Great post mate :applause:
 
Guys do you lot notice we ain't been in the media that much now, it kind of puts pressure of us with people talking about us all the time and everything.
 
Great result for Liverpool last night, but it got me thinking.

Maybe I'm biased, but I think most people would agree that Arsenal's team is better than Liverpool's. After all we are the reigning Champions, currently second the Premiership and a massive 20 points ahead of Liverpool to add to the 30 points ahead that we finished above them last season.

Why then have we failed AGAIN in the Champions League? Why is it that Liverpool look a different team in Europe? Why is it that they look a BETTER team than us in Europe?

I have been mulling it around in my head and have come to only one conclusion. They are tactically more aware than us in Europe. It strikes me that we can only play one way, all out attack. We are incapable at present of going somewhere and grinding out a 0-0. Thats exactly what we needed to do in Munich in the first leg, but we played our normal game and got beat 3-1.

Liverpool played the perfect game last night. By playing Riise left midfield, they could go from 4-4-2 to 5-3-2 in an instant, by moving Traore inside as an extra centre-back and then letting Riise drop to left back. It worked a treat, Juve couldn't find a way through and Liverpool got the result they needed.

If Arsene has one weakness its that there is no plan B. Its just attack, attack and hope it will be enough. I am starting to feel that in Europe this is not enough. Wenger really does have to put his thinking cap on to work out something alternative. I am not knocking Wenger, after all he has done for us but nobody is perfect. I am sure he is as frustrated as the rest of us with our lack of progress in Europe.

Good luck to Liverpool in semi's and as much as I enjoyed them getting the right result last night, it was tinged with frustration that we have a better team but are unable to get results in Europe.
 
I think we missed Sol a lot, if he was fit for the season it would be different. Our defence were learning how to play together this season, we had no stability and it is only now (when Sol is fit) that they have found an understanding.

When Rio was out for Man U they were crap, wasn't until he came back into the team that they have come back to playing decent.

If Terry was out for most of the season for Chelsea, then I think it would be a different story.

I know its all "Ifs and Buts" but i'm trying to point out that we lost our 'rock' at the back and with insufficient back up we suffered.

If chelsea hadn't have spent millions upon millions, our points total is good enough and we would be top of the league!

Looking forward to next season already, can't wait to see who we buy. I think we will do well in Europe next season.
 
Butatista said:
Great result for Liverpool last night, but it got me thinking.

Maybe I'm biased, but I think most people would agree that Arsenal's team is better than Liverpool's. After all we are the reigning Champions, currently second the Premiership and a massive 20 points ahead of Liverpool to add to the 30 points ahead that we finished above them last season.

Why then have we failed AGAIN in the Champions League? Why is it that Liverpool look a different team in Europe? Why is it that they look a BETTER team than us in Europe?

I have been mulling it around in my head and have come to only one conclusion. They are tactically more aware than us in Europe. It strikes me that we can only play one way, all out attack. We are incapable at present of going somewhere and grinding out a 0-0. Thats exactly what we needed to do in Munich in the first leg, but we played our normal game and got beat 3-1.

Liverpool played the perfect game last night. By playing Riise left midfield, they could go from 4-4-2 to 5-3-2 in an instant, by moving Traore inside as an extra centre-back and then letting Riise drop to left back. It worked a treat, Juve couldn't find a way through and Liverpool got the result they needed.

If Arsene has one weakness its that there is no plan B. Its just attack, attack and hope it will be enough. I am starting to feel that in Europe this is not enough. Wenger really does have to put his thinking cap on to work out something alternative. I am not knocking Wenger, after all he has done for us but nobody is perfect. I am sure he is as frustrated as the rest of us with our lack of progress in Europe.

Good luck to Liverpool in semi's and as much as I enjoyed them getting the right result last night, it was tinged with frustration that we have a better team but are unable to get results in Europe.
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If the Arse are so good why arent they in the semi-finals of the Champions League. Benetiz has things worked out, he has figured that all Liverpool has to concentrate on is the Champions League sod all the other nonsense cups and leagues off. If Liverpool win the champions league they will achieve more than Aresnal will even if Arsenal finish second in the league.
 
smango said:
If the Arse are so good why arent they in the semi-finals of the Champions League. Benetiz has things worked out, he has figured that all Liverpool has to concentrate on is the Champions League sod all the other nonsense cups and leagues off. If Liverpool win the champions league they will achieve more than Aresnal will even if Arsenal finish second in the league.
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Good theory that, try to win the champions league but don't worry about getting back there next year!

You're so inconsistent in the prem I can't see you topping Everton and if you don't win the champions league you'll be in the UEFA cup next year!!!!
 
I agree with Buta. Lack of Plan B is exposing us as amateurs at European level.

Arsenal's domestic game is all about overwhelming the opposition with neat and rapid attacking play. This is backed up by solidity from our backline when things break down. Campbell and Kolo are the walls who win the ball back for Ralf and Ashley Cole (essentially midfield players rather than out and out defenders) who then distribute to the front line. In other words, we rely on the performance of our back 4 to get our game going.

This is fine against Norwich City or Crystal Palace, who are ill equipped defensively to deal with Henry/Pires/Ljungberg/Bergy etc, and usually lack the penetration to get past Campbell and Toure. But leaving the defending to just 4 people wont cut it in the latter stages of the Champions League. Arsenal dont know how to defend AS A TEAM and this is what I believe undoes us each year.

Look at the 1st team line up. There is a definite horizontal divide across the middle of the park. Pires, Ljungberg, Henry and Bergy are out and out attacking players with no real defensive sensibilities. Our supposed DMF is Vieria, but as the last couple of years has gone by he has drifted further and further forward and now fancies himself as more of a playmaker/OMF. Fabregas is a outstanding talent, especially when you consider his age, but he is not a hard tackler or a loose ball winner (he reminds me so much of Xavi from Barca). The bottom line is that this season we havent had an out and out defensive midfielder.

Gilberto's absence and subsequent return to the team speaks volumes. Arsenal fans have pined and eulogized a man who is essentially quite an average player technically, but his attitude and application is exactly what Arsenal need. Gilberto rarely ventures forward, he holds the midfield anchor and crucially allows the rest of the midfield/team to foray up the pitch, in other words play like Arsenal.

But even Gilberto's return wont be enough in my book. I dont really think its responsible to play both Ljungberg AND Pires in a CL tie. We need some more battling midfield players who arent afraid to run back, get stuck in and defend when necessary. Also the bog standard 4-4-2 needs to be more flexible. Opponents always know exactly whats coming because we play the same game every week. Liverpool last night were able to adapt their shape and accommodate Rise as a LMF. Some times you see Man Utd swap C Ronaldo and Giggs on the wings in open play to confuse the oppposition. Arsenal would never do something like this to really mix things up to gain an advantage.

Overall when Plan A works we are an excellent side. BUT to win in Europe Arsenal MUST be more flexible and be able to defend collectively.

Rant over.
 
Joystick said:
I agree with Buta. Lack of Plan B is exposing us as amateurs at European level.

Arsenal's domestic game is all about overwhelming the opposition with neat and rapid attacking play. This is backed up by solidity from our backline when things break down. Campbell and Kolo are the walls who win the ball back for Ralf and Ashley Cole (essentially midfield players rather than out and out defenders) who then distribute to the front line. In other words, we rely on the performance of our back 4 to get our game going.

This is fine against Norwich City or Crystal Palace, who are ill equipped defensively to deal with Henry/Pires/Ljungberg/Bergy etc, and usually lack the penetration to get past Campbell and Toure. But leaving the defending to just 4 people wont cut it in the latter stages of the Champions League. Arsenal dont know how to defend AS A TEAM and this is what I believe undoes us each year.

Look at the 1st team line up. There is a definite horizontal divide across the middle of the park. Pires, Ljungberg, Henry and Bergy are out and out attacking players with no real defensive sensibilities. Our supposed DMF is Vieria, but as the last couple of years has gone by he has drifted further and further forward and now fancies himself as more of a playmaker/OMF. Fabregas is a outstanding talent, especially when you consider his age, but he is not a hard tackler or a loose ball winner (he reminds me so much of Xavi from Barca). The bottom line is that this season we havent had an out and out defensive midfielder.

Gilberto's absence and subsequent return to the team speaks volumes. Arsenal fans have pined and eulogized a man who is essentially quite an average player technically, but his attitude and application is exactly what Arsenal need. Gilberto rarely ventures forward, he holds the midfield anchor and crucially allows the rest of the midfield/team to foray up the pitch, in other words play like Arsenal.

But even Gilberto's return wont be enough in my book. I dont really think its responsible to play both Ljungberg AND Pires in a CL tie. We need some more battling midfield players who arent afraid to run back, get stuck in and defend when necessary. Also the bog standard 4-4-2 needs to be more flexible. Opponents always know exactly whats coming because we play the same game every week. Liverpool last night were able to adapt their shape and accommodate Rise as a LMF. Some times you see Man Utd swap C Ronaldo and Giggs on the wings in open play to confuse the oppposition. Arsenal would never do something like this to really mix things up to gain an advantage.

Overall when Plan A works we are an excellent side. BUT to win in Europe Arsenal MUST be more flexible and be able to defend collectively.

Rant over.
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Hat's off to you.. not a rant, but a brilliant piece of writing which lays bare our inept european tactics!
 
Response to Gerd:

Not debating that Liverpool have done extremely well.

My point was that when a teams major defender goes missing, then there is always going to be problems. And we have suffered a lot from bad defending due to a Lack of Sol.

Bad defending was the reason we got humped by Bayern in the first leg.

Also I would like to have seen how well Man U and Chelsea would have done this season without Rio and Terry in their teams?

This was my point. But I wholeheartedly agree, we continually are dissapointing in Europe and this has to be remedied.

I think with the acquisition of much needed quality back up in defence, which I hope we will get next season, we will be fantastic. Yee Ha!
 
Sir Red Nose, post 0-0 draw with Blackburn;

"You do not win league titles with performances like that. It is going to be very difficult for us now and second spot is the real priority for us now."

Sir Red Nose, post 0-2 loss to Norwich;

"We have no chance in the league because Chelsea are out of sight, and while we want to finish second, winning the FA Cup is far more important."

riiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiight :lol:
 
They'll cope

It will be a more interesting game now though...

Perfect opportunity to give Aliadiere a much needed start! Bring on JAR in second half for an injection of pace imo
 
Joystick said:
They'll cope

It will be a more interesting game now though...

Perfect opportunity to give Aliadiere a much needed start! Bring on JAR in second half for an injection of pace imo
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JAR is a definate starter now. Milanista, as for being screwed against Chelsea - thats bollacks. We beat them 3 times last season and he only got 1 goal!! We are NOT a one man team!
 
Last season Chelsea werent the team to beat, Arsenal were. This season Chelsea is the team to beat.

With Chelsea's good form, it would be much harder without your star player.
 
do i smell battle of the pizza part 3 in cardiff????? //// congrats some silverware shud ease of a poor season(same for united if they get there as well)
 
He got bitch slapped at the end, but I have to say I dont think it was meant, the guy had his eyes on the goals all the way, and he didnt even know he hit him untill he did, hence his reaction.

Wasnt the best match I have seen, but a win is a win.
 
pk9 said:
do i smell battle of the pizza part 3 in cardiff????? //// congrats some silverware shud ease of a poor season(same for united if they get there as well)
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We've not had a poor season, Chelski have just had an outstanding season and make the rest of us look bad. Apart from the CL, which has been pretty poor for Arsenal, as per.

Very happy for Van Persie, he's clearly very talented I just hope he can tame his occasional bad temprament. Who knows maybe he will develop into the perfect Bergy replacement?
 
Well, his "bad" temperament is not really a problem considering his age. But now and then the boy loses his head and he does what he always did on the streets of Rotterdam...fighting... Hope Wenger can teach him a few things about being a real pro! I even heard Van Persie became a muslim? Don't know whether that's a good development, but maybe he can relax a little bit ;).
 
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Great display by the young RVP. This kid, to me, should be a starter and become the established partner of Thierry Henry. He is simply magic, and seems to harness his rebeliousness into a manic drive to score a goal. Froget about Reyes, if he wants to leave, let him. IMO, he has been given enough games to regain the form he displayed in flashes earlier in the season. RVP, on the other hand, inspite of his disciplinary lapses has been incredible in most of his games, note he comes in as a sub as well.
 
kingpug said:
He got bitch slapped at the end, but I have to say I dont think it was meant, the guy had his eyes on the goals all the way, and he didnt even know he hit him untill he did, hence his reaction.

Wasnt the best match I have seen, but a win is a win.
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Well he had plenty of time to get his raised "arm" out of the way but the more I see it the more it looks deliberate. This picture to me shows that there was some intent there:

toddvanp.jpg


As for Jimmy Hill saying that RVP dived - isn't it about time the big chinned twat retired. How can he say that?
 
lucasetor said:
Great display by the young RVP. This kid, to me, should be a starter and become the established partner of Thierry Henry. He is simply magic, and seems to harness his rebeliousness into a manic drive to score a goal. Froget about Reyes, if he wants to leave, let him. IMO, he has been given enough games to regain the form he displayed in flashes earlier in the season. RVP, on the other hand, inspite of his disciplinary lapses has been incredible in most of his games, note he comes in as a sub as well.
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I don't really agree with you, why should Reyes leave just because suddenly RVP is playing well. Reyes is still a good player IMO, be paitent he'll soon come back to form, his only 21.
 
JAR will be fine, if he stays of course. I still feel he is better suited to a wide role. He doesn't look comfortable up front IMO.

Can't wait for the Cup Final, after all, they have beaten 3 times already this season so they are due a defeat. Should be great final though, good to see a strong ref has been put in charge, Rob Styles. Hopefully he can clamp down on the Mancs butchery early doors so the game can flow.
 
Butatista said:
Hopefully he can clamp down on the Mancs butchery early doors so the game can flow.
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still clinging on to the myth ey, the only butchery I saw in the last game was us ripping your defense too pieces, for the:

1st goal

2ng goal

3rd goal

ESPECIALLY THE....

4TH GOAL!!!!
 
Took me a minute to work out who JAR was. Whats wrong with calling him Reyes?
I seriously think Reyes doesnt have a future at Arsenal.
I think you should sell him and buy someone else who actually is 100% loyal.
 
RuneEdge said:
Took me a minute to work out who JAR was. Whats wrong with calling him Reyes?
I seriously think Reyes doesnt have a future at Arsenal.
I think you should sell him and buy someone else who actually is 100% loyal.
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Reyes is a fantastic prospect and IMHO arsenal should push to keep him, you have to remember that he's from a small village in spain and settling into london can be difficult even if your from another big city so IMO its abit harsh to question the lads loyalty which is a contradictory term when talking football anyway.

But if was talking re: ashley cole then it'd be a different story....
 
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