Hmm…. something about this advertisement just doesn’t seem right?
Um, he’s going to Barcelona…
My best friend’s sister’s boyfriend’s brother’s girlfriend heard from this guy who knows this kid who’s going with the girl who saw Fabregas agree to a verbal contract with Barcelona last night. I guess it’s pretty serious. [The Spoiler]
Oh wait, no, no he’s not
In a stunning reversal, Barcelona have stated flatly that there is no verbal agreement or other agreement to take Cesc this Summer. Which means that a) this was yet another Spanish press fabrication and b) Barcelona covering their asses because Arsenal will sue the shit out of them for tapping up if they don’t deny the link.
When Cesc leaves (and make no mistake he will leave) it will be in a completely classy way and not in this sort of underhanded, back room deal sort of way. And Barca will pay through the nose because as much as Cesc loves Barcelona, he certainly loves the Arsenal and will want to repay us for all we’ve done for him. [ESPNSoccernet]
Mo Chamakh, mo money
According to reports, Chamakh has agreed to join Arsenal this Summer and will sign papers on Friday. I read in the comments here that he’s Europe’s leading goal scorer with his head. I don’t have any clue where to find that stat but if it’s true means that he would add a really different look to the Arsenal attack and a nice respite from the tippy-tappy we currently play.
Oh, and also, he reportedly turned down a bigger money offer from Liverpool for the chance to work with Arsene Wenger. HA!
Hey, maybe just like when Man U beat us to Smalling and then beat us on the pitch this means that since Arsenal beat Liverpool to Chamakh we’ll beat the 3-1 on the pitch? [Mirror Football]
Arsene Strikes Back
You’ve no doubt heard by now that yesterday’s pre-match presser was quite contentious. In fact, it was the most contentious and I would say downright disrespectful display that I have ever seen from the press toward Arsene Wenger and it’s the main reason why I penned the Get your limited edition Chipped Title Hopes pencil holder now! article yesterday.
There was a Scottish reporter who in my opinion basically saw this as an opportunity to treat Wenger like a hostile witness: grilling him, talking over him at times, disrespecting the answers that Wenger gave with childish sniggering and all sorts of huffs and puffs of disapproval.
The American press don’t treat anyone like that, sometimes to my dismay (imagine if they had been hard hitting in the build-up to the Iraq war?) and so I’m not used to the British press and their questions. But here’s the thing, Arsene Wenger doesn’t have to give these interviews or if he does he’s not obligated to give his opinion on everything. So, the press and especially that Scottish fellow should seriously consider calming the fuck down with the distortions and Arsenal bashing lest they find themselves with little to nothing to report.
What am I saying? We all know they’d just make stuff up.
Anyway, Wenger had a couple of bits today that made the papers and they look to have been a bit more respectful. The first is a piece where Wenger addresses the idea that Arsenal are “predictable” and the second is a piece about Arsenal’s finances and why it’s difficult to bring in a big name player. I’m using the dot com sources but rest assured that everyone else is covering the stories as well and doing their best to keep the school-boy sniggering to a minimum.
As for the Arsenal being predictable, Wenger refutes that idea quite nicely:
I believe you have to accept that we lost the games with defensive mistakes, not because of our predictability. Could they predict at the start of the game that the volley of Arshavin would hit the foot of Cech, that Nasri would make a bad control of the long ball when he was clean through, that Bendtner would be brought down? Could they predict all that?
What is predictable is that we try to pass the ball. Now if somebody can prove to me that the purpose in football is not to try to pass the ball, then OK I will believe it. I don’t. It is down to me to make the difference between where we lost the games and where we didn’t lose the games. I know as well that it’s down to me to live with the criticism of people. But the same people who said that we will not be in the top ten now slaughter us because we are in the top three.
For me the most predictable things in any Arsenal match are that a) people will get away with overly-physical play and b) the press will take Wenger’s post-match comments out of context, go to the opposition manager/players with them and try to get a retort.
As for the signings thing, Wenger unpredictable basically said Arsenal couldn’t afford a top striker in this transfer window. Now, I’ve already read a rebuttal which said that Wenger should have recruited any big body to come in and take pressure off the team, but that’s also simplistic. Sure, you and I can name 10 targets but are they available? How much will they want? Do they want to leave their clubs? Etc.
It’s easy to play Championship Manager from the comfort of your armchair but Wenger’s dealing in the real world. Until we see evidence to the contrary we fans should trust that Arsene and Arsenal’s board have the absolute best interests of the club and the future of this club at heart as evidenced by the fact that Wenger was working to bring someone in.
Is there a game today?
Oh hey, look at that, Arsenal host a little upstart team called Liverpool today at 11:45am (PST). The match is on Setanta and I’ll be down at Doyle’s (surrounded by Scouse) in Tacoma for the live showing.
Predictably, Rafa Benitez is saying that they will try to “smother” Arsenal and hit us on the counter. Which means that Liverpool is set to become a long ball team! What’s interesting about this tactic is that I’ve noticed that it’s not just used against Arsenal, but it’s actually used against pretty much EVERY home team by pretty much EVERY away team I’ve ever seen.
Steven Gerrard has called Arsenal a “wounded animal” prior to the match and well, Steven, shut up. Half that team is lucky to be available for this match after the horrific display in the Merseyside battle. And while you may be riding high after that glorious 1-0 win you have a long way to go before your side can claim that they are legitimate challengers for a top four finish, much less a top three.
Howard “fucking” Webb is in charge of the match and I fully expect he will make an utter hash of this now that he’s been selected to represent England at the World Cup. I have noticed in the last few games that he has changed up his refereeing style a bit and is a bit more “continental,” if you like. Thus, Mascherano and Lucas will need to keep both feet on the pitch if they are to finish the game as I suspect Webb will not put up with the sort of challenges that I saw them make against Everton.
What he will be susceptible to is the guile and cunning of England’s greatest hope for a diving medal in the Summer Olympics; Steven Gerrard. The Arsenal defense will need to keep their toes in if they are to escape without conceding a penalty.
As for the health of the Arsenal side, it’s actually pretty good news. The only short term injury that I know of is Eduardo. Gibbs, van Persie, and Djourou are the only other injuries in the team and they are all basically out for the season. The boss is saying that Bendtner is a bit short and so I don’t expect him to start up front but having a midfield of Diaby, Song, and Cesc all healthy is a huge boost, despite the fact that Arsenal will be playing Arshavin in his favorite role as center forward.
I don’t know what Arsene’s going to do in defense. He’s talked about defense basically non-stop since the Chelsea loss and how it was defense that cost us. Could we see Sol Campbell come in? Fabianski? Could Arsene play both Eboue and Sagna as fullbacks? I don’t know, but I’d like to see what he does. Clichy has been having a nightmare month and Wenger needs to do something about the fact that every team is targeting our left back’s defensive vulnerabilities.
You know what would be refreshing? Clichy plays and on the inevitable fast break he takes a yellow card for the team with a massive tackle on Gerrard. I mean just takes Gerrard OUT.
When’s the last time we saw that?
Right, Liverpool’s going to park the bus, pull out the kiddie pool, and see if they can get chronic cheat Steven Gerrard to dupe Howard Webb into believing that his triple gainer is actually a foul. Arsenal are going to pass the ball, patiently probing for a chance and try not to get caught on the counter.
It’s all very predictable, but given the importance of the contest for both teams should be a good match irregardless. I know I’ll be watching!
Arsenal News 24/7
Two things….One, we’ve found that as always, if the press has absolutely nothing to report, they seem to have everything in the world to report, and I’m not keen on that idea.
Two, epltalk is reporting that ESPN is picking up another match to televise next season…more HD yay!!!
We need a win today, very badly. I’m not above groveling, seriously, come on football gods!!
February 10th, 2010 at 8:00 am
FOX is now officially HD.
I simply think it’s about time Arsene does a SAF on the English press. And Ashavin should concentrate on football, not the press.
The Scousers are ripe for the picking with four of their more dynamic players in Torres, benayoun, Johnson and Aquilani and it’s a home game. However, I thought the same before we got trounced by Manu.
Win or lose today, our performance will definitely tell us a lot about the character of this squad. Will we play with the zest and urgency of an elite, experienced team or will we fold like meek lambs to the slaughter.
Either way, I am looking forward to see Almunia or the bench or in civvies.
I’m going to the Pub early so I will be in a sobering mood for the kickoff. :d
lol.. holy diver.. is that a ronnie james dio reference? some of us are actually old enough to remember him.
i certainly hope we see some shuffle in the back line. i wouldn’t mind seeing big sol come in to partner gallas with the verminator pushed at left back. he’s played that role before and hell, he’s not gonna be as bad as clichy has been recently. eboue should probably get a start as well. he can give us some penetration going fwd and sagna has looked a bit tired recently. lastly, i would like to see fabianski given a run. i know its not ideal but i cant bear the sight on almunia on goal anymore!
glad you mentioned that reporter, i had to listen to the interview twice because i thought it was my imagination (twat)
if arsene had the money im prety sure he would spend it. you could see after the manure game that he was just as embaressed as the rest of us.i think he cares about the club more than people think. if he wanted he could have spent loads of money on “big name” players won the champions league a few times then fucked off to barca/real and left the club in dissaray. just look at twitchy portsmouth, southhampton and west ham all suffered because of his lack of interest of securing the future of the club(cross your fingers the same happens to the scum)
Arsenal till i die
Once again, is a mistery if my local FSC will show the match. Espn and Espn+ will show Utd and Chelski matches. Isn’t Gallas the european nipple score leader? How can Bendtner be “short”? Anyway, I want to see Clichy scoring from a long distance bomb, for all the mare he had last sunday, he actually had a pretty decent shot. 3-1 today. Cesc, Diaby and Song with his TM slalom through defence. 1 from a misgiven pen. Up the ARSE!
He hasnt a chance scoring headers with our crosses. No doubt he will be sitting alongside Dzeko in front of me at the game tonight
‘…because as much as Cesc loves Barcelona, he certainly loves the Arsenal and will want to repay us for all we’ve done for him.’
Excellent point.
Tim you follow up the chipped title hope pencil holder with the body paint links and this excellent post. All Arsenal need to do is have a massive response to their critics today and this will have been an excellent start to the week.
UTA
A normal manager would shake up the back line following the defensive problems that begin with and end with Clichy. Wenger is not a ‘normal’ manager. His options are limited: Sylvestre (a non-starter) and Vermaelen who tried to play CB and LB at the same time on the 2nd Drogba goal.
February 10th, 2010 at 11:12 am
@ctpa, starters
Arsenal: Almunia, Eboue, Gallas, Vermaelen, Clichy, Fabregas, Song, Diaby, Nasri, Bendtner, Arshavin
That’s stirred, not shaken. Perfect.
This game can be ours for the taking.
February 10th, 2010 at 12:17 pm
@ctpa, Need someone who can score first
AV 1-1 ManU. Nani sent off with a straight red.
We are probing but not in the final 1/3.
Nasri off with an injury. Shit. Rosicky on, more pace?
Clichy yellow clipping the heels of Gerrard.
Maxi a yellow for raking Eboue’s leg.
god i fucking hate these people. one of the commentators said that we haven’t had any red cards in over a year and not to be left out, the other commentator jumped in with how we would have taken in some red cards if we could have had some trophies in exchange. AARRRGHH!!!
February 10th, 2010 at 12:38 pm
@nycgunner, I’m watching with Russian commentary so I’m spared that BS
Everton 1-1 Chelsea. That’s a surprise since Fallaini is out with a self-inflicted injury and Pienaar is suspended. Hope Everton can do what we couldn’t.
Based on the first half, this could be 0-0 at the end unless we can be more threatening in the final 1/3. Pool seem to be following the sit back and counter game plan that’s so en vogue against us.
oh come on rosicky
Gallas just saves our bacon on Ngog braekaway.
WTF was Rosicky thinking?
Ironic dive Mr. Bendtner. Deserved yellow.
Walcott on for Arshavin.
Bad CK. Song kept that ball in.
theo walcott.. my hero!
DIIIIAAAAAABBBYYYYYY!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Amazing!!!! Diaby actually gets his head on a cross (Rosicky) and puts it into the correct net. 1-0 Arsenal
whats more amazing is that he has headed the ball into the right net this time
in other news, cashley cole injured from a challenge by landon.
February 10th, 2010 at 2:02 pm
@nycgunner, He must be one of so called American ‘gangsters’. Bully for him.
Babel on for Lucas.
Gerrard tripped over the box line and looked for a PK. poor try.
Oh oh. We are trying to hang on as we bring on Sagna for Bendtner.
ok.. that was a pretty decent save from mooney but why was he so far off his line??
Babel gets away from Gallas and draws a finger tip save from Almunia. Whew!
Cheap FK and an even cheaper yellow on Fabregas.
We get the win. Yea. But honestly we are a shell of an attacking force right now. Granted Pool played 10 men behind the ball :0 We had 85-15% possession at one point.
Clichy certainly played better today but they did attack him with diagonal balls.
Overall our defence bent but did not break today.
Walcott held the ball up well for a Fabregas shot attempt. Walcott then gave away possession cheaply in the Pool corner at 92″. Wenger was not happy. We’ve been there and done that haven’t we.
Diaby MOTM. He just played a stand out game in addition to the goal.
Everton 2-1 Chelsea with 5″ left.
Oh oh. Senderos coming on to help Everton preserve their lead. Now that’s irony.
Man U 1-1 AV.
Wow. Arsenal have to rely on the kindness of ‘strangers’ to beat or draw the teams we can’t!
Everton 2-1 Chelsea.
postives today:
1. arsenal win
2. chelsea lose
3. mancs draw
4. cashley is injured
5. spuds lose
let’s hope we can go on a run from here on out and hopefully the mancs and chavs lose a whole lotta points.
February 10th, 2010 at 8:02 pm
@nycgunner, Can a gooner have a better day?!?
Well, what would a game against Liverpool be without multiple Gerrard dives? What a fucking asshole. Thank God Cesc stuck his hand up to block it. They can cry about it, but they didn’t deserve the freebie in the first place. So happy we’re back on the board with 3 pts. We could’ve had a few more goals (thinking Bendtner should’ve buried his early open chance), but no complaining here. Arsenal clearly the better side today. They had their share of players out, including Torres, but we’re without Van Persie to name a few.
Not a bad day; way to get the job done on a cold night. 3 pts plus Utd draw plus Chelsea lose. Oh the cherry on the sundae would be Spurs going down. 6 pts back from the top. Still, beware City. 8 pts behind us, but 2 games in hand. So there’s a caveat to our 8 pt cushion above 4th.
February 10th, 2010 at 2:06 pm
@ArseChicago, Webb gave that FK for push in the back on Kuyt and not a Fabregas foul on Gerrard since there was no foul there.
February 10th, 2010 at 2:13 pm
Oh, thanks. Gerrard’s still a cunt for diving there though. How was the push on the back? That definitely doesn’t seem to be the kind of foul that’s called in that area at that point in the match.
While we’re talking about dives, can’t say I’m happy about Bendy’s dive earlier in the match. The more you do that, the less you get it called when there’s a legitimate beef. Just saying.
February 10th, 2010 at 2:09 pm
@ArseChicago, Adebayor scored a stunning volley off a Vieira lofted pass. Vieira just may put them back into the equation.
February 10th, 2010 at 9:09 pm
@ArseChicago, yeah but city has a much tougher schedule ahead of them. we should be okay.. but i guess you just never know
By the way, United’s goal today was another Own Goal. How fucking lucky do these guys get? Ridiculous. So next match we have at home. United goes to Everton next, Chelsky goes to Wolves. Maybe we can chip away at the lead again. City’s at Stoke next, then home to Liverpool. We have to go on a run!
Well that’s just what we needed. A hard-fought win and the rivals (and Sp*ds) slipping up. We only have Man City and Sp*ds left to play who pose any threat, so here’s to a good run in.
February 10th, 2010 at 2:15 pm
Any away match is a real threat, whether it’s Burnley or Chelsea. If we’re at home against the likes of Stoke and Sunderland, you expect 3 pts. On the road, you expect the calls and the bounces to go against you.
February 10th, 2010 at 2:20 pm
i think the away games to Stoke and Birmingham will be tricky, hopefully no dropped points there.
February 10th, 2010 at 3:17 pm
@Simon Says, Birmingham haven’t been that great since the turn of the new year. A few too many pies no doubt. And Stoke, we won’t be playing with Sly at the back.
February 10th, 2010 at 4:19 pm
@XTG, http://www.football365.com/story/0,17033,13320_5935522,00.html
This article was doing ok until that last sentence. Hey Stoke, rack it up.
The wolf is truly at Pompey’s door now. They’ve got 7 days to show that should go into administration.
Arsenal win the FA cup and manage to build a stadium. Portsmouth win the FA cup and may wind up going out of business. Shades of Leeds United.
February 10th, 2010 at 2:16 pm
@ctpa, correction:…7 days to show why they should not go into administration.
February 10th, 2010 at 4:29 pm
@ctpa, http://www.independent.co.uk/sport/football/news-and-comment/the-andy-cole-column-dont-blame-the-players-for-accepting-pompeys-champions-league-wages-1895606.html
One last thought, Diaby is looking terrific right now. He’ll be 24 in May and should be an absolute midfield force in the EPL over the next 4 years. The strength work he put in in the offseason seems to be paying off. Can’t see how Denilson gets involved with Song, Diaby, Fabregas in mid.
Speaking of predictable. Benitez’ post-match comments:
“Clear penalty.” & “We should have had a penalty”
Here’s a hint buddy, spend less time trying to get free-kicks and penalties. Spend more time standing-up. Spend more time actually playing football rather than your unimpressive long-ball game.
February 10th, 2010 at 3:29 pm
i didn’t see the post match interview but i can totally see him saying that.. huffing and pufffing, and with sweat dripping from his head..
The report of our death has been exaggerated.
It was a crappy performance and a pretty boring game for an hour or so but we got 3 points. The ugly run is done but there’s still obvious gaping holes in the team that needs to be addressed.
I like the ad for the World Cup. Do you know where I can order a poster?