Arsenal Team Talk/Gossip/Rumours Thread

L'prof · 30-04-2009 10:10AM

tred wrote: »

Lads, reading the posts. Are ye mental. Fantastic result. this isnt a league game, this is a 2 match knockout. were well in it.

It is a much better result than it could have been on the night, although I was very disappointed with the goal we gave away! Of course we are still in it, but I honestly can't see us keeping a clean sheet in the Emirates so we'll realistically have to score at least 3 and win by 2!

Anybody more optimistic than this???

Royale with Cheese · 30-04-2009 10:14AM

jasonorr wrote: »

It is a much better result than it could have been on the night, although I was very disappointed with the goal we gave away! Of course we are still in it, but I honestly can't see us keeping a clean sheet in the Emirates so we'll realistically have to score at least 3 and win by 2!

Anybody more optimistic than this???

Well you never know. Clichy could be back, Arsenal have how many clean sheets in a row at home in the league? Have they conceded a goal at home in the Champions League all season?

Keeping a clean sheet is unlikely, about as likely as only conceding once last night based on the performance they gave. But that happened, so I wouldn't 100% rule out a clean sheet in the home leg.

Going forward, van Persie is really needed back. Back to 4-4-2 and things could click. Arshavin is a big big loss though.

Arsenal are definitely outsiders but they've nothing else to play for this season, I'd like to think they're capable of raising their game in the way that Liverpool do for these kinds of ties, I have my doubts though.

L'prof · 30-04-2009 10:31AM

Royale with Cheese wrote: »

Well you never know. Clichy could be back, Arsenal have how many clean sheets in a row at home in the league? Have they conceded a goal at home in the Champions League all season?

Keeping a clean sheet is unlikely, about as likely as only conceding once last night based on the performance they gave. But that happened, so I wouldn't 100% rule out a clean sheet in the home leg.

Going forward, van Persie is really needed back. Back to 4-4-2 and things could click. Arshavin is a big big loss though.

Arsenal are definitely outsiders but they've nothing else to play for this season, I'd like to think they're capable of raising their game in the way that Liverpool do for these kinds of ties, I have my doubts though.

Just checked it there, we haven't conceded a home goal in the champions league since Liverpool last season! While it's a good record, we haven't exactly been playing any of the best teams in Europe since then and United are certainly that!

I just feel United will be all out for that away goal knowing that we'll have to score 3 then leaving it virtually impossible for us to claw our way back into the tie!

Quazzie · 30-04-2009 10:35AM

Royale with Cheese wrote: »

Clichy could be back,

I've seen a few people say this, but to be honest I can't see how thats going to affect next weeks performance, as from what I have seen from last nights game Gibbs was one of our better players. He fought hard, concentrated and stuck to his task with great pleasure. He might have been the only player out there with such traits in fact. Bringing Clichy back won't be the saviour many hope it will be. He will do the same competent job that Gibbs done last night. I'll have a quick run through of the team and see will many agree with me.

AlmuniaGreat game and he kept us in it in the first half with some vital saves when required.
Sagna was too ineffective both offensively and defensively.
Silvestre Dire for the goal and didn't improve throughout the game. Got lucky with a header that went over the bar but could've just as easily ended in the back of the net. Worst player on the night.
TourePlayed OK. Was good at times and stuck to his task but lapsed concentration at time.
GibbsMy MOTM simply because he done the easy things right and put in 100% throughout. Great prospect for the future.
DiabyNever looked to get into the game and gave away the ball far too often. Did very little defensively.
SongI thought personally he was very bad. He look tired from the start. He lacked drive and commitment and muscled out of nearly every 50/50. Looked slow and uninterested.
NasriStruggled to get into the game and looked weak compared to the UTD midfield. His best attributes are offensive and he never got to show them.
WalcottDid he even play. Was lost for most of the match and done nothing of note.
FabregasVery poor showing from the captain, and one he will want to forget. He really needs a good performance next week to show what he is capable of. He was played out of position and it showed in a drastic way.
Adebayour Lost up front on his own, again like Song looked tired from the start and seemed to be pacing himself for a long game. Very ineffective as a lone striker and drifted to the wings far too often. For a lone striker he was often behind Fabregas, whereas tit should've been vice-versa.

Wenger desperately needs to play 4-4-2 next week in an effort to get back to the game we know and play so well. Attractive Attacking Football.

leninbenjamin · 30-04-2009 11:44AM

Quazzie wrote: »

I've seen a few people say this, but to be honest I can't see how thats going to affect next weeks performance, as from what I have seen from last nights game Gibbs was one of our better players. He fought hard, concentrated and stuck to his task with great pleasure. He might have been the only player out there with such traits in fact. Bringing Clichy back won't be the saviour many hope it will be. He will do the same competent job that Gibbs done last night. I'll have a quick run through of the team and see will many agree with me.

AlmuniaGreat game and he kept us in it in the first half with some vital saves when required.
Sagna was too ineffective both offensively and defensively.
Silvestre Dire for the goal and didn't improve throughout the game. Got lucky with a header that went over the bar but could've just as easily ended in the back of the net. Worst player on the night.
TourePlayed OK. Was good at times and stuck to his task but lapsed concentration at time.
GibbsMy MOTM simply because he done the easy things right and put in 100% throughout. Great prospect for the future.
DiabyNever looked to get into the game and gave away the ball far too often. Did very little defensively.
SongI thought personally he was very bad. He look tired from the start. He lacked drive and commitment and muscled out of nearly every 50/50. Looked slow and uninterested.
NasriStruggled to get into the game and looked weak compared to the UTD midfield. His best attributes are offensive and he never got to show them.
WalcottDid he even play. Was lost for most of the match and done nothing of note.
FabregasVery poor showing from the captain, and one he will want to forget. He really needs a good performance next week to show what he is capable of. He was played out of position and it showed in a drastic way.
Adebayour Lost up front on his own, again like Song looked tired from the start and seemed to be pacing himself for a long game. Very ineffective as a lone striker and drifted to the wings far too often. For a lone striker he was often behind Fabregas, whereas tit should've been vice-versa.

Wenger desperately needs to play 4-4-2 next week in an effort to get back to the game we know and play so well. Attractive Attacking Football.

you didn't watch the same match as me i'm guessing?

Song awful? he was the only presence in the midfield for large parts of the game when Ade, Cesc and Nasri went missing. He's still young and inexperienced, needs to learn when to drop deep to cover, but he was far from awful.

Gibbs MOTM? he played decent, but only really considering his lack of experience. his positional sense needs to develop a lot more, he was caught out a lot and lucky not to get punished more than he did.

Silvestre actually had a pretty decent game. He had to cover a lot for Gibbs which made his job all the more harder.

Toure was the best player on the park at times. You're right about his concentration lapses, but some of the sprints he made to cover the full backs were outstanding.

Walcott actually did alright, hardly got the ball going forward, but in terms of defence he was back a lot to support Sagna who had a torrid time against Rooney.

Considering United were targeting the wings for most of the game which messed the shape of the team the CB pairing actually held up very well. The midfield needs to be sorted though, they really failed to give the full backs the cover they needed.

As for Ade, he just got no support. He had no one to flick onto, no one to cross to in the box, nothing. All he could do was slow the game down in the hope of support. I like playing Ade up front on his own, but you need someone who can get into the positions to support him, Arsenal haven't had anyone who can do this since Hleb left. I actually think the loss of Hleb is the main reason why Ade hasn't looked great this season.

I'm most disappointed with Wenger though. Nasri starting behind Cesc was a daft move, considering the were playing in each others best position.

Frisbee · 30-04-2009 12:50PM

Indie18 wrote: »

Adebayor done nothing last night to make me think he deserves a place in the starting line up for the second leg. I do agree with Eduardo or Van Persie having to start though.

It's the system we're playing that's making him look crap.
How many flick on's did he win last night that just went straight to a Chelsea player because there was no-one on the overlap?

Put him up top with RVP and he'll look much more effective as he won't be completely isolated.

Also, for the love of God, STOP PLAYING CESC IN THAT STUPID MOTHERF***ING ADVANCED ROLE!!!

_blank_ · 30-04-2009 12:50PM

Frisbee wrote: »

It's the system we're playing that's making him look crap.
How many flick on's did he win last night that just went straight to a Chelsea player because there was no-one on the overlap?

What are you smoking Laura, and can I have some?

Frisbee · 30-04-2009 12:53PM

Des wrote: »

What are you smoking Laura, and can I have some?

If we play 4-5-1 someone has to be running on to support Adebayor when he does win the ball.

With Cesc playing in the hole it's not happening because:

(1) He has no pace whatsoever
(2) He kept dropping deep to try and get the ball which meant Ade was completely isolated and it was easy for Terry and Alex to deal with him.

premierstone · 30-04-2009 12:55PM

Frisbee wrote: »

It's the system we're playing that's making him look crap.
How many flick on's did he win last night that just went straight to a Chelsea player because there was no-one on the overlap?

Put him up top with RVP and he'll look much more effective as he won't be completely isolated.

Also, for the love of God, STOP PLAYING CESC IN THAT STUPID MOTHERF***ING ADVANCED ROLE!!!

That explains why none of the fcukers were playing in the nou camp they were trying to hijack the more glamorous semi final

_blank_ · 30-04-2009 12:55PM

Yeah, but last night's game was against ManYoo, not Chelsea

deisedevil · 30-04-2009 12:59PM

Des wrote: »

Yeah, but last night's game was against ManYoo, not Chelsea

Can't believe ya had to spell it out, lol.

SlickRic · 30-04-2009 01:01PM

Quazzie wrote: »

Silvestre Dire for the goal and didn't improve throughout the game. Got lucky with a header that went over the bar but could've just as easily ended in the back of the net. Worst player on the night.
DiabyNever looked to get into the game and gave away the ball far too often. Did very little defensively.
SongI thought personally he was very bad. He look tired from the start. He lacked drive and commitment and muscled out of nearly every 50/50. Looked slow and uninterested.

Wenger desperately needs to play 4-4-2 next week in an effort to get back to the game we know and play so well. Attractive Attacking Football.

i've just picked out these.

i think you're being very harsh on silvestre. he had a couple of great clearances and he was solid enough. and if that was toure/gallas heading that over the bar in front of berba you'd have been singing him praises; not calling him lucky that it wasn't an og.

diaby was very very not good. if you're asked to play left, and help gibbs out versus ronaldo, which i'm assuming would have been part of his instrustions, then STAY THERE! poor gibbs was cacking his pants that first half with the amount of 2 on 1s he had to deal with. gibbs looked like he was having a nightmare, but it was down to lack of protection that 1st half.

diaby didn't even make up for it by doing anything when he drifted inside.

a point linked to this; i hate when the excuse is given that 'so-and-so player is used to coming inside'. you're a professional footballer with a brain, do what you've been asked to do as a professional.

song, apart from almunia, was probably your best player on the night. he carried the fight on his own much of the time, and kept it simple. he made a couple of mistakes but he still impressed.

Arsenal, i agree, need to play as Arsenal have played for years. attacking football. wenger needs to trust in the philosophy he's had for years; 2 up front, and try to play utd off the park.

and yes, if he ever plays cesc in that position again, he needs to be hunted down and beat down quite frankly.

yahoo_moe · 30-04-2009 01:05PM

Des wrote: »

Yeah, but last night's game was against ManYoo, not Chelsea

Yes but Frisbee's talking about the Chelsea match methinks. Though it was pretty much the same story against a different team last night.

Quazzie wrote:

SongI thought personally he was very bad. He look tired from the start. He lacked drive and commitment and muscled out of nearly every 50/50. Looked slow and uninterested.

Have to disagree, on basically every count. Looking slow and disinterested isn't the same as actually being that way, and I thought Song put himself about pretty well. And not just in a 'best of a bad bunch' kind of way either. Plus he won a good few 50/50s from what I noticed (although he put Toure in shocking trouble at one point).

Problem for us with that system compared to Liverpool, who I think it's modelled on, is that when Liverpool play Gerrard up behind Torres, they still have their best (long) passer of a ball playing in a deep CM position. We put someone up top who can play lovely slide balls, etc. but we f*ck up the whole shape of the team by simultaneously removing the player who used to get the ball up there for us in the first place.

Frisbee · 30-04-2009 01:31PM

Sorry don't know where I got Chelski from there, meant to say Man Utd.

Second brainfart on this thread in 12 hours

leninbenjamin · 30-04-2009 01:54PM

Frisbee wrote: »

Sorry don't know where I got Chelski from there, meant to say Man Utd.

616th brainfart on this thread in 9 and a half months

:P

gosplan · 30-04-2009 02:39PM

Seriously, next week just has to be:

Sagna - Toure - Djourou - Gibbs/Clichy
Walcott - Song - Fabregas - Nasri

RVP/Eduardo---Ade

premierstone · 30-04-2009 02:47PM

Quazzie wrote: »

Silvestre Dire for the goal and didn't improve throughout the game. Got lucky with a header that went over the bar but could've just as easily ended in the back of the net. Worst player on the night.
TourePlayed OK. Was good at times and stuck to his task but lapsed concentration at time.
GibbsMy MOTM simply because he done the easy things right and put in 100% throughout. Great prospect for the future.
SongI thought personally he was very bad. He look tired from the start. He lacked drive and commitment and muscled out of nearly every 50/50. Looked slow and uninterested.

Im truely lost for words with the above seriously you could be a pundit on RTE with gems like these Silvestre was excellent, Toure was extremely good and beat united front players for speed regularly, Song was very good and broke up mumerous attacks and as for naming Gibbs MOTM there were at least 7 united players ahead of him and also Almunia, Toure, Song, Silvestre and about 4 others at least on a par with him. FFS he was making John O'Shea look like Messi :rolleyes:

premierstone · 30-04-2009 02:48PM

gosplan wrote: »

Seriously, next week just has to be:

Sagna - Toure - Djourou - Gibbs/Clichy
Walcott - Song - Fabregas - Nasri
RVP/Eduardo---Ade

We'll probably play a goalkeeper aswell

leninbenjamin · 30-04-2009 03:08PM

premierstone wrote: »

We'll probably play a goalkeeper aswell

nah, seems Wenger likes a challenge these days.

or is on meth.

Fuzzy_Dunlop · 30-04-2009 04:24PM

Well Clichy's out for next week anyway. Also Eduardo and Silvestre both picked up groin injuries so will definitely miss Saturday at least, 'kin hell.

Basically it looks like its gonna be the same **** for next week unless RvP manages to sort himself out in time,ugh.

yahoo_moe · 30-04-2009 04:53PM

playa3 wrote: »

Also Eduardo and Silvestre both picked up groin injuries

Is that Eduardo's third niggly injury in 3 comebacks? :eek: Think a bit of a rest and some serious tuning up pre-season will be needed before next year. At the moment, we just can't count him as part of our plans for anything...

And we need Silvestre for cover at the very least, although as others have said, things went nowhere near as badly last night as I feared they might for him.

Anyone else think we might be given a break from Rooney next week as he's on a yellow?

I think it's a real possibility, and obviously one I'd very much welcome. Part of me thinks Fergie might try to get a goal and then take him off but I think it'd make more sense to leave him off in case he needs to let him loose for extra time. Fergie has to think they're favourites and he'll most certainly want Rooney for the final... am I just dreaming?

Royale with Cheese · 30-04-2009 05:00PM

Well you can see why Wenger's been so reluctant to play Eduardo lately. Couldn't last 10 minutes without picking up an injury.

leninbenjamin · 30-04-2009 05:12PM

yahoo_moe wrote: »

Anyone else think we might be given a break from Rooney next week as he's on a yellow?

I think it's a real possibility, and obviously one I'd very much welcome. Part of me thinks Fergie might try to get a goal and then take him off but I think it'd make more sense to leave him off in case he needs to let him loose for extra time. Fergie has to think they're favourites and he'll most certainly want Rooney for the final... am I just dreaming?

not a hope in hell. Rooney's workrate upfront is what made it so difficult for Arsenal to impose themselves on the game at all, he put so much pressure on Sagna and Toure that it became difficult for Arsenal to pass to the midfield and play it forward. If Rooney doesn't play it'll be much easier for Arsenal to control the match.

Kirnsy · 30-04-2009 06:57PM

Royale with Cheese wrote: »

Well you can see why Wenger's been so reluctant to play Eduardo lately. Couldn't last 10 minutes without picking up an injury.

yeah but in fairness anything from eduardo this season would have been a bonus.next season he'll be ready with a pre season and decent run of matches under his belt.

Green Hornet · 30-04-2009 08:06PM

Heh heh

http://arsenalshorts.co.uk/2009/apr09/20090430_01.html

yahoo_moe · 30-04-2009 10:14PM

leninbenjamin wrote: »

not a hope in hell. Rooney's workrate upfront is what made it so difficult for Arsenal to impose themselves on the game at all, he put so much pressure on Sagna and Toure that it became difficult for Arsenal to pass to the midfield and play it forward. If Rooney doesn't play it'll be much easier for Arsenal to control the match.

I'm plenty aware of what Rooney does to make it horrible for the opposition and what he did last night - that's why I'm hoping he won't be playing... I'm just wondering whether Utd's advantage might tempt Fergie to think ahead and just have Tevez (who does it bloody well too) doing that instead. Bear in mind the team he put out against Everton, partly because of pitch concerns - he likes to cut it pretty fine when it comes to protecting his stars.

Maybe I was being a bit hopeful to say that it's a "real possibility" but maybe if got a campaign going to ask Fergie really nicely, that might work?

itsjaybud · 01-05-2009 02:40PM

Eduardo's latest injury puts him out for 3 weeks according to skysports :mad:

Jesus hopefully RVP makes it through the fitness test tuesday morning but i wouldnt hold my breath on it.

And then the complete opposite for utd with getting positive news regards Rio's knock fcuking typical :mad:

keane2097 · 01-05-2009 02:43PM

itsjaybud wrote: »

Eduardo's latest injury puts him out for 3 weeks according to skysports :mad:

Jesus hopefully RVP makes it through the fitness test tuesday morning but i wouldnt hold my breath on it.

And then the complete opposite for utd with getting positive news regards Rio's knock fcuking typical :mad:

IT'S A MEDICAL CONSPIRACY - ALL THE DOCTOR'S ARE IN FERGIE'S POCKET1!!11!!!:pac:

gosplan · 01-05-2009 03:32PM

gosplan wrote: »

Seriously, next week just has to be:

Sagna - Toure - Djourou - Gibbs/Clichy
Walcott - Song - Fabregas - Nasri
RVP/Eduardo---Ade

Seriously, next week just has to be:

Sagna - Toure - Djourou - Gibbs
Walcott - Song - Fabregas - Nasri

RVP(pleasepleaseplease)---Ade

We're another injury and a fitness test away from being totally f*ucked.

Frisbee · 01-05-2009 03:45PM

gosplan wrote: »

Seriously, next week just has to be:

Sagna - Toure - Djourou - Gibbs
Walcott - Song - Fabregas - Nasri
RVP(pleasepleaseplease)---Ade

We're another injury and a fitness test away from being totally f*ucked.

Sagna - Toure - Djourou - Gibbs
Walcott - Song - Fabregas - Nasri

Mexican Pelé---Ade

He'd bag at least a double hat trick

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