Here’s a video of a man granting an interview while balancing a football on his head, all your arguments are now moot.
BREAKING NEWS! Arsenal have sound finances. [Soccer Lens]
Arsenal 25/1 to win all 4 of the next 4 matches. I might put a few bob on that. [Paddy Power]
To the Victor goes the Moses. [ImScouting]
Arsenal has switched the warning light to Red Currant Alert: Buffon wants to leave Juventus. [Daily Fail]
Welcome back! Eboue’s C’dI crash out of ACN and Song’s Cameroon are booted out by Egypt after some questionable calls by the ref. The good news for Arsenal is that the team’s Tinkerbell and hard man are both back and could feature as soon as Wednesday against Villa. The bad news is that Dogface is back for Chelsea as well.
Robinho is about to end his long nightmare and play for a real team, Santos. [L'Equipe]
The papers got it wrong, it was van Nistilrooy who was to sign for Hamburger. Meh, the Dutch, their names all sound alike. Anyway, this means that the Klaas jaaan Huntelaaaar to Arsenal rumors will continue.
Glad Song’s headed back, I watched the match and was sad for the fella, but… we need him. I doubt he’ll play Wednesday seeing as the game went into extra time, but I can see him making the weekend.
I agree with Shobo. We need to give him a GOOD rest, as Song once explained that the climate, the weather, the preparation are all different when he went to the ACN. So we need him take a good rest this week and battle the Manures on Sunday. Aston Villa should not be too big a problem.Now, what is my target? 7 points are good result. 2 wins against Villa and Pool plus a draw against the Chavs and Manures will send us on the road to league domination. Anything more than 7 points will be great delight for me. I will accept 6 too, One win of either Aston Villa or Pool, plus three draws. The main target must be drawing with Chelsea and Manure, meaning, they wont gain any ground on us. Next best thing is to beat Chelsea, so as to gain ground on them. But I can’t really see that happening. Let us talk about target and strategy…
One more question: should we play Ramsay on Wed?
Team projections for Sunday anyone?
Almunia
Sagna Vermaelan Gallas Clichy
Song Denilson
Fabregas
Eduardo Arshavin Rosicky
Shobo, I agree, rest him until the ManU match. They’ll have had an entire week’s rest so it’ll be good to have him refreshed for that.
Man U play Man City in the Carling Cup Semi-Final second leg on Wednesday so they will not be resting all week
Tim Reply:
January 25th, 2010 at 12:45 pm
@oskar, whoa… that’s odd, I checked their schedule on ESPN just before the post and there was no match. Which I jumped on, but then I checked their schedule just now and… yep the match is there.
My bad.
Lucky for us they do have a game Tim
and also good that it is a game they can’t afford to rest players in!
Do we know anything new about Nicklas? Last time I heard there was something about him recovering from injury for a Villa game, wasn’t it?
Shobo Reply:
January 25th, 2010 at 1:18 pm
@Miko_Gooner, That’s what I heard too, Villa game.
I have a feeling if Denilson isn’t careful he might lose his place to Ramsey, who I feel is better in the tackle, and much better in terms of passing.
DeViL-H4x0R Reply:
January 25th, 2010 at 5:46 pm
Yeap , i heard that too … But it seems to me that he won’t make it for the game (Villa) … I think we can see him on Sunday … And Wenger needs to make a move for a striker to replace Eduardo that are rumors that he will be leaving Arsenal this summer for Werder Bremen …
Tiki Reply:
January 25th, 2010 at 7:32 pm
@DeViL-H4×0R, lol bollox Dudu isn’t going anywhere.
Just watched the ManU-Hull highlights, and Marooney scored his second goal while a Hull player was laying down on the ground, right in front of the goalkeeper. That goal made it 2:0, so you couldn’t say it wasn’t important, but funny how nobody spoke about that after the game.
ArseChicago Reply:
January 25th, 2010 at 1:36 pm
I saw that, too, and had the same thought. Where’s all the talk about that? Then yesterday’s match happened and I forgot about it. I’m surprised Rooney didn’t step on the downed player’s back whilst running to celebrate.
Patrick Reply:
January 25th, 2010 at 2:00 pm
Referees are instructed to only stop play for an injury if it’s a serious head injury or if it’s a foul obviously. Otherwise the ref lets the play go on until it’s reasonable to stop. In the case of the Hull player on the ground, he clashed with his own keeper. He just looked winded to me. No big deal. Nothing to see here.
Teampossible Reply:
January 25th, 2010 at 2:25 pm
@Patrick, Of course it wasn’t a big deal, but in my mind the situation wasn’t very different from the Bolton game. A player falls down, the ref doesn’t stop the game, the team with the ball continues playing, they score a goal. In one case, the integrity of our players is gang-raped, in the other, it doesn’t even get a mention in the game reports.
I am not the biggest fan of conspiracy theories, but sometimes the obvious ignoring of Shrek Rooney’s dive right after the Brazilian Celtic Incident really makes me believe that even professional journalist can be insultingly biased. Although, I guess this is hardly a conspiracy theory, it’s a plain fact.
chris Reply:
January 26th, 2010 at 3:45 am
How about ferdinands elbow being let go without any fuss as well
Patrick Reply:
January 26th, 2010 at 10:01 am
Ferdinand’s been charged.
http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/football/teams/m/man_utd/8481114.stm
Am happy song and eboue are out of the ACON they are welcome back to emirates we need them most…
WC Reply:
January 25th, 2010 at 3:56 pm
@Robinson Emmanuel, Unfortunately this also means Drogba is back
Ronnie is a shameless player who actually dives, and claimed that he is 100% against diving.
Just want to say I admire the work you put in for Arsenal and this blog that you run…although i dont always agree is fantastic.
Cheers.
Tim Reply:
January 25th, 2010 at 3:35 pm
@David, Thanks!
Keep reading, I’m bound to annoy/please everyone at least once!
SHAME! SHAME! SHAMEFUL GUNNERS!
See how the rejected stone has now become the PILLAR? Months ago many gunners on this blog were clamoring that Song is not good enough and should either be sold or dropped, now they are happy because Cameroon lost and want song back. Some even called for Wenger’s sack as if they know better. I hope this teaches us a lesson to never castigate our own players no more. Arsenal fans need to stop that stupid and idiotic act of booing our players when they perform badly. It’s time to get behind the team and support the Prof. WENGER KNOWS!
WC Reply:
January 25th, 2010 at 3:58 pm
@vp, Well though Song has been epic this season, really it boils down to the lesser of two evils. Denilson has been quite unconvincing so by default Song wins favor. Song’s getting good but there’s still CMs out there who are better.
piglicker Reply:
January 25th, 2010 at 4:00 pm
Fuck off wingnut. Big Al Song has been a cult hero ever since he joined. Now he’s world class, and we couldnt be happier.
WC Reply:
January 25th, 2010 at 4:02 pm
@piglicker, Somehow I can’t take someone named “piglicker” serious.
Caknucklehead Reply:
January 25th, 2010 at 5:45 pm
HAHAHAHAHA, it’s funny cos it’s true!
so I’ve been reading about the Army R&D developing some exoskeleton combat suits for soldiers. Is there any way we can get RVP into one of those? I mean at the very least can we get him liquid metal legs or something and call him then RVP 1000?
It is amazing, Tim, that some of your commenters here are even more inconsistent than the players they try to comment on. WC has sometimes praise the same players he now sudenly seem to criticise.
Well, I say if a fan is going to criticise, at least be more consistent than the player you criticise. He says here – “Well though Song has been epic this season, really it boils down to the lesser of two evils.” Well, Is Song good enough, world class, or just plain average in your opinion? Clarity and unequivocation is best at times like this. You can’t agree that he is good enough one week and equates him to a “lesser of two evils” the next. That simply does not sound sane.
Even though I have never met you, Tim. You know my view about your you and your efforts. Even if I may sometimes disagree with just a few infinitesimal points that you may make, I still applaude you. But quite a lot of times, some commenters have done my head in. They sing Hossanah one day, and Crucify him the next. It is baffling at best.
Is Song world class? No. He’s been having a hell of a season so far but that doesn’t make you an all star.
I cheer Song on because he’s Arsenal first and foremost. Secondly, who else am I supposed to support? I don’t sign the cheques for players otherwise Song would be second choice CM because as I’ve said there’s other CMs who are better than him and have been more consistent over the years.
Song could be world class one day but at 22 and half a season we’re not exactly retiring his jersey to the hall of fame just yet.
Tim Reply:
January 26th, 2010 at 5:09 am
@WC, I think Song’s world class and more than that, one of the best DM in world. Look at Cana, he should change his name to Ca’not because he Ca’not pass, he Ca’not run, he ca’not make a tackle without giving away a foul, and he Ca’not play center back.
Song can do all of that.
I think you were also a huge supporter of Felipe Melo and claimed he was world class. He was voted the Itai flop of the season and Juve’s resulting poor form is disrupting the team’s stability: Buffon wants to leave!
Are there CM who are better? Yes. Are there DM who are better? Maybe, one or two. But face it, he’s been immense this season because he’s world class this season.
And no, we’re not going to retire his shirt just yet, but then we’re not retiring Cesc’s shirt just yet either. Both need to win something, a lot of things in fact, before we do that.
Enjoy what we’ve got. It’s a competitive team who play the best brand of football in the EPL and who are pushing for the title (just as I predicted to start the season) and that’s all you can ask for. Trophies are the icing on the cake.
Anyway, you know that I like your comments. You have a naturally pessimistic side that doesn’t tend to get too nasty and I always read your comments because I’m 100% the opposite. Your comments always leave me something to think about.
Tiki Reply:
January 26th, 2010 at 7:30 am
@Tim, Pity Buffon is a Nazi, otherwise I’m sure Wenger would pounce.
This could be our lineup for United:
Almunia
Sagna, Gallas, Vermaelen, Clichy
Song, Diaby
Cesc
Rosicky, Eduardo, Arshavin
Besides van Persie, that’s pretty much our first choice team. Very interesting…
ArseChicago Reply:
January 25th, 2010 at 6:00 pm
Agree. It’d be nice to have Nasri, though. He who smote Man U with the brace last year. Anyway, the way things have gone this year, look for someone unexpected to be the hero for us over the next few games. Theo, I’m looking in your direction.
Tiki Reply:
January 25th, 2010 at 7:37 pm
@brice, Should be enough to beat united. As long as Mooney doesn’t have any of his mad moments.
Patrick Reply:
January 26th, 2010 at 8:16 am
Is Diaby fit? I do like that lineup.
Aston Villa’s last 2 home games, total score 9-6.
Leaky defence anyone?
Plus I don’t see them scoring a bunch against Gallas and Vermaelan.
So apparently United isn’t out of money as some suggest. How do we get beat out by them for a 7MM pound defender? I don’t care if it’s Amaury Bischoff, I hate losing out on players to the other big clubs. United probably never even heard of Smalling, but the fact Wenger seemed to be tracking him must’ve been good enough for them.
Tiki Reply:
January 26th, 2010 at 8:30 am
@ArseChicago, Smalling signs for United. Not much we could do about it. Even if we matched United’s bid the lad was set on going to them. Here’s to hoping his career goes down the shitter and he rots in their reserves, and they waste 7million
ArseChicago Reply:
January 26th, 2010 at 8:33 am
How anyone would prefer to live in Manchester over London is beyond me. Especially a 20-year old. Oh well, at least we got Ramsey.
Tiki Reply:
January 26th, 2010 at 8:38 am
@ArseChicago, Especially when you consider that United have a pretty stable back four with decent back-ups. You’d think he’d realise he’d have more playing time with us.
In short idjit, who went for money over football. Obviously not pedigree enough for us.
ArseChicago Reply:
January 26th, 2010 at 8:41 am
Well, Rio probably doesn’t have much left, and Vidic will likely be sold in the summer, so maybe it is a better situation for him. I’m confident Wenger will sign Gallas’ replacement between now and September, with Gallas playing another year or two for us. Then again, he might deem Djourou to be good enough.
Lets hope Diaby can redeem himself against ManU (if he makes it to the game that is).
Game against Villa is absolutely crucial. A win there (away from home against Villa) would be absolutely huge and set the tone for the next three games.
Here’s wishing a 4- 4 – 0 – 0 (read as P – W – D – L) result. God, I will be a good boy for the next 2 weeks. Please!!
@ Tim, Agreed Song has had an amazing season, he’s been a beast.
@ WC, Song can definitely learn to shoot. Maybe he can pick that up from the greater evil he’s being compared to (Denilson).