LU Arsenal Brigade II

[WireMan]

I assumed he meant Kos was one of the two quality CB's...IMO everyone fit he's the automatic starter and Per is on the bench.

Yeah Per isn't that good for you.

The problem is, he would be very good if you could bring on a special team like in America. That way when you have a free kick or corner on comes the big man.

His problem is you like to play a high line, offside trap type of game. This is not what Per is good at, and is always one ball over the top from looking a bit slow. For example, see Welbeck running past him last weekend. If you played a deeper defence then he could really be a rock to base your team around.

But you won't, so he isn't. More worrying most people knew this before you signed him, so i don't know what your scout put in his report. "International defender, going cheap" would be my guess.


CC: You cannot blame injuries for your predicament. Especially against a team with just as many as you. Its your overall squad management. Who decided to sell Nasri and Fab in the last min, who would not put up the cash for a decent CB last Jan? Its can't ALL be Wenger. He has been good for your club.

 

[WireMan]

I was planning on trolling, but you guys are being so rational in defeat, it would be no fun. Happy with the 3 points, and we bossed it in the first half. Arsene obviously put a rocket up you guys at half time, because it was much more even in the second. I too was surprised by AOC being subbed. He was the only player who seriously troubled us.

Not being Trolled by Jason. Surely that is the biggest sign yet Arsenal are a team in decline!! :lol:


Wenger will have this post printed out in the dressing room for the next game. "Jason didn't troll us. We will show him!!" :lol:

 

[boxhead]

I disagree.

The first team for Arsenal is better than Spurs but depth all over Spurs is better. Up front, no Adebayor, in comes Defoe. No RVP in comes Chamack or Park. Urgh.

In defence Arsenal have two quality centre backs, one alright fullback and after that a Djourou.

Well I don't know the Arsenal squad extensively, to me it just seems like they have way too many injuries. Spurs do have a few but not as dire as Arsenal's situation.
Still, I guess looking at our squad would make me agree.
CB - Kaboul, King, Dawson, Gallas, Bassong, and Caulker when he returns from loan.
FB - Walker, Assou-Ekotto, Corluka, Naughton when he returns from loan, and Rose. A few of our CB's and wingers can cover here too.
CM - Modric, Parker, Sandro, Huddlestone, Livermore, Kranjcar, some good kids and a loanee or two.
AM/SS - van der Vaart, Defoe, Modric
LW/RW - Bale, Lennon, Pienarr
ST - Adebayor, Defoe, Pavlyuchenko, van der Vaart

I'd still argue Spurs have the better midfield, but Arsenal have the better forwards and defenders. Still, a fully fit Kaboul and King wouldn't be that far off Vermaelan and Koscielny. Assou-Ekotto is the best left back of the two clubs. I'd take Bale over Gervinho, with Lennon to Walcott it is a coin toss really.
You look at Modric, Parker, van der Vaart and compare it to Song, Ramsey/Arteta, Wilshere and I think you can see where my original point comes from - not that Arsenal's is at all weak.

 

[Habitual Linestepper]

Well I don't know the Arsenal squad extensively, to me it just seems like they have way too many injuries. Spurs do have a few but not as dire as Arsenal's situation.
Still, I guess looking at our squad would make me agree.
CB - Kaboul, King, Dawson, Gallas, Bassong, and Caulker when he returns from loan.
FB - Walker, Assou-Ekotto, Corluka, Naughton when he returns from loan, and Rose. A few of our CB's and wingers can cover here too.
CM - Modric, Parker, Sandro, Huddlestone, Livermore, Kranjcar, some good kids and a loanee or two.
AM/SS - van der Vaart, Defoe, Modric
LW/RW - Bale, Lennon, Pienarr
ST - Adebayor, Defoe, Pavlyuchenko, van der Vaart

I'd still argue Spurs have the better midfield, but Arsenal have the better forwards and defenders. Still, a fully fit Kaboul and King wouldn't be that far off Vermaelan and Koscielny. Assou-Ekotto is the best left back of the two clubs. I'd take Bale over Gervinho, with Lennon to Walcott it is a coin toss really.
You look at Modric, Parker, van der Vaart and compare it to Song, Ramsey/Arteta, Wilshere and I think you can see where my original point comes from - not that Arsenal's is at all weak.

Nah Lennon shits all over Walcott. AOC is better than both though. He's already better than Theo and if he's not better than Lennon he's only 6 months off.

 

[WireMan]

Nah Lennon shits all over Walcott. AOC is better than both though. He's already better than Theo and if he's not better than Lennon he's only 6 months off.

Slow down!! He has had one alright match. He is not the new Messi yet.

He didn't do that much vs United, he left Evra alone to much in the first half (the thing Arshavin has been slammed for) and only created the goal when our fullback went sprinting down the pitch. Other than that, our defence was hardly at panic stations.

The rest of your team made him look a lot better than he really was.

Well I don't know the Arsenal squad extensively, to me it just seems like they have way too many injuries. Spurs do have a few but not as dire as Arsenal's situation.
Still, I guess looking at our squad would make me agree.
CB - Kaboul, King, Dawson, Gallas, Bassong, and Caulker when he returns from loan.
FB - Walker, Assou-Ekotto, Corluka, Naughton when he returns from loan, and Rose. A few of our CB's and wingers can cover here too.
CM - Modric, Parker, Sandro, Huddlestone, Livermore, Kranjcar, some good kids and a loanee or two.
AM/SS - van der Vaart, Defoe, Modric
LW/RW - Bale, Lennon, Pienarr
ST - Adebayor, Defoe, Pavlyuchenko, van der Vaart

I'd still argue Spurs have the better midfield, but Arsenal have the better forwards and defenders. Still, a fully fit Kaboul and King wouldn't be that far off Vermaelan and Koscielny. Assou-Ekotto is the best left back of the two clubs. I'd take Bale over Gervinho, with Lennon to Walcott it is a coin toss really.
You look at Modric, Parker, van der Vaart and compare it to Song, Ramsey/Arteta, Wilshere and I think you can see where my original point comes from - not that Arsenal's is at all weak.

I'd say first choice Arsenal have a better striker, a very even mid, better CBs and a right back. The key position in that being RVP is banging them in. If Spurs had those goals in there team, then this debate would not be happening.

However if you go below that, Arsenal have very little. They have one good CB and a few alright midfielders. They have zero attacking options after RVP (except Henry for a few weeks) and the first choice wingers are not the best so below them is average and one young player who may or may not be able to perform consistently.

Overall Redknapp has assembled a much better squad than Arsenal.

Its one of the top squads in the prem now. It still lacks that bit of world class quality needed to go up to the next level but it would be a massive suprise if they didn't make the top 4. But then its Spurs.

Arsenals team has battling for 5th with Liverpool written all over it. Without new investment (or if RVP leaves) then it will be a long road back.

IMO of course.

 

[Habitual Linestepper]

Slow down!! He has had one alright match. He is not the new Messi yet.

He didn't do that much vs United, he left Evra alone to much in the first half (the thing Arshavin has been slammed for) and only created the goal when our fullback went sprinting down the pitch. Other than that, our defence was hardly at panic stations.

The rest of your team made him look a lot better than he really was.

Wtf does Messi have to do with anything? I said he was better than Theo Walcott...

It's not one game is it though. I've seen pretty much every second he has played for Arsenal and the majority of Walcott's games in the last six years. The only thing Theo has over him is pace, and even then Theo's got no idea how to use it.

Haha didn't do that much..pfft. Finished with one assist. Should've finished with two if Ramsey didn't blast it over from pretty much the penalty spot. And was what, 4 inches away from a goal himself.

Throw in dicking Evra down in the corner then laying it off for Theo to hit it 4 metres wide and 5 metres high. And the counter attack in the first 5-10 min after the tackle on Jones where he almost got an assist.

Name another player who has a performance close to his. Other than Valencia obviously. Evra got player of the game cause he was up against Theo, Djourou and Yennaris. Even then i can't remember him doing anything.

No one is saying he's World Class or even close to that yet. But for someone who was 17 when the season started, in his first start in the league and to do that against the reigning champs is obviously something reasonably special. Especially in the eyes of an Arsenal fan haha.

 

[WireMan]

Wtf does Messi have to do with anything? I said he was better than Theo Walcott...

It's not one game is it though. I've seen pretty much every second he has played for Arsenal and the majority of Walcott's games in the last six years. The only thing Theo has over him is pace, and even then Theo's got no idea how to use it.

Haha didn't do that much..pfft. Finished with one assist. Should've finished with two if Ramsey didn't blast it over from pretty much the penalty spot. And was what, 4 inches away from a goal himself.

Throw in dicking Evra down in the corner then laying it off for Theo to hit it 4 metres wide and 5 metres high. And the counter attack in the first 5-10 min after the tackle on Jones where he almost got an assist.

Name another player who has a performance close to his. Other than Valencia obviously. Evra got player of the game cause he was up against Theo, Djourou and Yennaris. Even then i can't remember him doing anything.

No one is saying he's World Class or even close to that yet. But for someone who was 17 when the season started, in his first start in the league and to do that against the reigning champs is obviously something reasonably special. Especially in the eyes of an Arsenal fan haha.

Relax on the Messi thing, its a throw away line.

He didn't do much. He got one assist. He beat Evra with a bit of skill.

I thought on the day, Nani was a lot more dangerous than Valencia, but that was maybe due to who he was up against. So AOC was the third best winger on the pitch.

AOC has a lot to learn yet, being a winger is not all about tricky step overs. Theo has had games where he has been much more effective than AOC was against United. As has Lennon.

Like you, I also think he will go on to be better than both, you can already see he puts his head up and thinks about things. but expectations need to be lowered. It will take more than 6 months. It will be years yet before he learns how to cope with the rigours of the prem, special attention from defenders etc. If patience isn't shown he will be under to much pressure to perform. What happens after his first bad game? etc.

Look what happened to Theo, he was of to a world cup early in his career, and his game never caught up with his hype.

 

[CC_Eagle]

Brilliant comeback this morning. I wasn't able to watch he game as I had an early rise for work, but from all reports it sounds as if 'something' was said/thrown at HT which worked.

 

[Habitual Linestepper]

Big game tomorrow.

We win and we are within three of Chelsea and with them hosting United on Sunday with us at home against Blackburn we should be able to close the gap.

 

[CC_Eagle]

Massive, massive game.

The comeback against Villa has surely spawned some much needed enthusiasm and momentum. Especially after the past few games anyway.

Would love to see Arshavin on the left, and AOC on the right. I feel the Russian is warming up to what could be a nice patch of form. He simply needs game-time. Not 75th minute substitutions. Chamakh is back (if it matters), but I can't imagine he'll play just yet.

Rosicky has been one of most consistent and better players over the past few games, surely he'll start alongside Song and Ramsey.

Sagna to start maybe?

 

[greeny12]

Starting XI should be.

Szczęsny

Verm Mert Kos Sagna

Arteta Song

Ox Ramsey Walcott

RVP


I'd love to see Rosicky in for Ramsey though. He's been playing really well lately and I think Ramsey has been a little off as of late. Don't think it'll happen though. I feel so much better knowing that Sagna is back though. Massive relief. Just praying for a win and everyone stays fit!

Come on Gooooners!!!

 

[Habitual Linestepper]

Massive, massive game.

The comeback against Villa has surely spawned some much needed enthusiasm and momentum. Especially after the past few games anyway.

Would love to see Arshavin on the left, and AOC on the right. I feel the Russian is warming up to what could be a nice patch of form. He simply needs game-time. Not 75th minute substitutions. Chamakh is back (if it matters), but I can't imagine he'll play just yet.

Rosicky has been one of most consistent and better players over the past few games, surely he'll start alongside Song and Ramsey.

Sagna to start maybe?

There's no way we won't go without Arteta. Wenger has said he is fit to play and he's arguably been our most important player this year. Song has been shocking without Arteta next to him.

I wouldn't mind going for a midfield three of Song, Arteta and Rosicky though. Although Ramsey's second half against Villa was pretty impressive. I can't see whoever starts the Bolton game, out of Ramsey and Rosicky, starting the game Blackburn game on the weekend.

I don't think Sagna is quite ready yet. Probably come off the bench again. He's only been back training with the team for a week so he's still not match fit. I imagine he should be starting on the weekend though.

The rest of the team kinda picks itself:

Szczesny
Coquelin Mertesacker Bosscielny Vermaelen
Song Arteta
AOC Rosicky Arshavin
RvP

Obvious weak spot is Arshavin but Walcott has been so shit the last couple of weeks/months/years so it's about time he gets dropped.

 

[CC_Eagle]

Forgot about Arteta being fit, but it didn't make too much of a difference.

Walcott is utter garbage. Once Gervinho returns, I'd much, much prefer to have Gervinho and AOC on the flanks until we sign a proper winger.

Song was sh*thouse. Didn't even look slightly interested.

It's still unbelievable that we didn't score though. Watching Arsenal has almost become more painful than what it's worth.

 

[greeny12]

... well what do you know. Standard February football for Arsenal. Walcott has been playing horribly. Song had a shocker. Ramsey wasn't much better. We had 3 opportunities one on one with the keeper and butchered them all.

Then to top it all off, we were lucky not to lose as they should've had a penalty at the end there. What happened to this f**king club?

 

[CC_Eagle]

I wasted my first sleep in during my first day off in weeks on that rubbish...

Gah. Time to order Setanta and follow Bayern more seriously methinks.

 

[BunniesMan]

FFS. Oh well think of the positives. If we don't get top 4 at least 6th/7th will be better than 5th.

 

[CC_Eagle]

FFS. Oh well think of the positives. If we don't get top 4 at least 6th/7th will be better than 5th.

After a few hours of stewing on the result, we were incredibly unlucky to not be 2-3 up by half-time.

Just "one of those games".

 

[cb4]

How do you figure that one out?

 

[greeny12]

After a few hours of stewing on the result, we were incredibly unlucky to not be 2-3 up by half-time.

Just "one of those games".

Isn't that the case with every game?? "One of those games" is becoming far too frequent.

 

[Spanner in the works]

We need some serious changes at Arsenal. And the first person that comes to mind is Wenger. We hear "In Wenger We Trust" all the time. The thing is, I don't trust him any more to get us out of this mess we are in. He sells Fabregas and Nasri which was a horrible decision. Everyone knew we needed to buy. But he doesn't. And we get thumped 8-2 by Man Utd putting the rest of the season in jeopardy. RVP runs into amazing form and we recover. Come December, we are struggling with injury. We don't have a left back in sight and EVERYONE knew we needed to buy or at least loan. What does Wenger do? Nothing. Does not even make the slightest attempt at fixing a massive, massive problem. What a joke.

He better win the FA Cup and Champions League this season otherwise I can't see us having a period of success for a long, long time. Who would want to join us now, let alone in the future when we just don't compete?