What a fantastic game of football.
For the first 35 minutes, a shed load of goals apart,that was stunning play by a team trying everything to win 3 points against the newly crowned champions.
We ran rings around them.
Attacked them at such a pace that they had five players booked in the first half an hour.
Don’t give me any of that crap about them being hung over or complacent.They were being embarrassed and they didn’t like it.
We were in front within two minutes thanks to a beautifully worked on side goal by Theo. His torso was level and his leg from the knee down was off side.But if they had shown it when be ball was kicked, rather that when it appeared to leave Rosicky’s foot, he was on side. The benefit should go to the attacker. End of. On side.
We should have been two up when Theo was in space but Aaron chose the wrong option and passed to Podolski instead.
Aaron also made two errors when he passed the ball straight into touch within a minute.
I mention these lapses not to have a pop at Aaron, but because if it were not for them his performance would have been eleven out of ten. I thought he was staggeringly good. He was everywhere. He was everything you would want from a midfield player and more.
Rosicky started in front of Jack and oozed class. He purred his way around the pitch.Tackled,dribbled,burst and probed.He is the epitome of world class.
Arteta was ,well Arteta.The most under rated player in the league.
Then Bac,oh Bac what did you do?
He gave the ball to Judas in a schoolboy manner.But guess what,he redeemed himself and and made up the ground to put in a wonderful tackle that put the ball out for a corner.
Sadly the fat Referee failed to see the direction the ball took, which showed he clearly played it,and pointed to the spot.(click the link below) NO SURPRISES THERE THEN !
http://www.101greatgoals.com/gvideos/gif-bacary-sagnas-tackle-on-robin-van-persie-penalty-awarded/
He was not so quick to see a more obvious foul on Gibbs,with a few minutes to go. NO SURPRISES THERE EITHER.
The second half was real cut and thrust stuff. End to end as the pundits like to say again and again.
The pace slowed and both teams could have taken chances.
I cant finish without mentioning Laurent Koscielny. He had Judas on toast all day.I am not having it that there is a better defender in the league.Perhaps the world.
The way I look at it we mullered them first half ,and it was about even in the second half.So by my maths that’s half a mullering.
If that is not how the game should be played ,I don’t know what is.
We are in poll position now for a top four finish.
Carl,Jack,Aaron and AOC will be better again next year.
So might Giroud and Podolski.
The future is bright,The future is red and white.
Positively Arsenal 
Indeed.
The future is bright and RED&WHITE.
great showing by the crew. Just sorry we didn’t walk away with maximum points.
Three more games to go but I dare say I can’t wait for the next campaign. This group has done me proud .
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Think we missed Giroud up top, Pod had little service I think Giroud starting with Pod coming on has worked this season. Sagna was a mistake waiting to happen, he looked half the player he has been with only one season left on his contract I would be happy in a sad way to see him leave and get another right back in like they have with Monreal at left back.
A point is a point but Wenger needs to get the players to cut out the indervidual errors its costing Arsenal to many goals. Thought Ramsey had another great game but those around me were on his back from the first minute perhaps he should change his name to Jack, Santi or Mikel to be allowed a bit more freeway!!
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I would stick with Bac
He will move mountains to make up for that error between now and the end of the season
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Bang on george, just watching the game now & we put the shits up em, you’re also right about sagna a mistake yes but I thought a hell of a tackle, & he will work his bollocks off to rectify a mistake lets not be down on him. Great post great team great blog bring on next season.
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If we got rid of members of the back four on the basis on committing shocking inexplicable errors this season we would only have Per left, everyone else has cocked up big time, some of them more than once – stop whispering at the back Tommy and pay attention.
The fact of the matter is however, the relevant fact being goals conceded, we have improved considerably on last season and have a very decent defensive record. We look again, for the first time in a few years, like a team that can defend a one goal lead when under pressure, as we proved at Swansea, Sunlun and the Hawthorns and, at times, yesterday. Our defensive performance in the Allianz was text book, exemplary, of the highest quality.
So I see no reason for Bac to be discarded or to leave. He has at least one more season in him and probably more, by which time the greatly improved CJ should be more than ready to step in.
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Sagna wears his heart on the sleeve.
He might not be the best defender in the team anymore (which he was for a long time) but there isn’t a better right back in all of EPL.
Only a fool would get rid of him.
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Nice one George.
I think in the first half, we did indeed “put the shits up ’em”. Taggart was looking most aggrieved. Always a sight to warm the cockles. And Until Bac’s rush of blood to the head leading, inevitably, to the Dutch chuckle brother evening up the odds, we were eating ’em alive. Was a joy to watch for the first half hour.
Ramsey was fantastic. He’s coming on leaps. He’ll be even better next season. And he won’t be alone. I also think the defence has improved immeasurably in the last few months, I don’t feel (quite) as nervy as I used to, when hanging on to one goal advantages. We are getting there…..
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Sagna will want to make up for that. It happens to the best of players.
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Now then Harry.Lets have no “tongue in cheek” stuff here.
Save that for the famous doomer site
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Good morning chaps!
Not a bad result. We are in a slighter stronger position than the spuds and the chavs. Just need to win our last three games and we are there….
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I have to say I am still a bit disappointed. I think against any other team the performande and a pont would have been enough for me, but against them… I really wanted us to win badly and especially since we were the better team, it pains a bit that we came short just taht tiny little bit.
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Triffic George. While some moan and try to belittle, it was a performance worth relishing and savouring. Nothing like the cautious, timorous performance at Old Trashford earlier in the season. This team has improved steadily and yesterday was confirmation. What impressed me most is the investment in a British core is also paying dividends. Trusted to see out a big-game and win it were Walcott, Gibbs, Wilshere and Oxlade-Chamberlain while Ramsey had to be subbed after an exhausting 70 minutes. Together with the quality signings from all over the world, there is a something special afoot. The good thing it is by design, not a matter of chance.
My only concern is that we still look a bit short in the final third. As Wenger said in an interview the structure is there, we know how we want to play. That should be good enough to get us over the line for top four. 3 wins from 3 won’t be easy but we can do it. After that I am sure the boss knows what pieces to add to take us to the next level.
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Tongue out of cheek now George (insert banned smiley etc etc).
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Spuds game aside by the the time we play at loftus road it will be over 3 months since this side conceded more than 1 goal in the premier league(Liverpool 2-2), we’ll be fine,I think the chavs might just beat us to 3rd, George we have to live with the fact that we have some miserable bastards and imposters supporting our team-it’s why this place is a breath of fresh air,fuck em!
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In late last night, so haven’t yet seen the match. Sounds as though we made Sir Rudolf pay for his disrespectful comments after the match at OT.
Who would have guessed that ManU would be saved by a penalty which wasn’t?
But does Dowd showing yellow cards to sacred ManU players mean that he’ll now be crossed off their list, along with Webb? Or perhaps it’s safe now they’ve won the EPL. Anyway, I’m not sure they can really afford to lose their strongest players. (Especially with Dean due to retire.)
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PS My prediction is that 6 points out of 9 will get us into the CL and 7 points out of 9 will get us 3rd place
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PPS . . . . . . . . . . based purely on the balance of probabilities, you understand.
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Merlot @ 11:27 am
95% probability if we win all our next 3 games. That other 5% is if the Spuds win all of theirs. Please confirm.
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@Shotta
No chance in hell Sp*rs will win all their games.
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Would it then come down to GD between us and the Chavs?
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Shotta, Evil
Not quite no chance in hell, Evil. After all, hell is where they spend most of their time.
But nearer 0.0005% than 5%.
(Just as well this is not an exact science.)
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Win the next 3 games and it is statistical certainty, you say? You are our resident statistician so we are hanging unto your every word.
I suspect one of the three will drop 4 points between now and the finish. Lets make damn sure it is not us.
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Point gained could be the difference come season’s end.
Little grief here. Kos was immense, Rambo might be on some of that Lance Armstrong. Mozart’s minutes are definitely being tightly controlled.
British core’s rolling on & will only get better.
With Theo ahead of him Sagna’s always had to overwork.
So Bac is one warrior I will always cut some slack.
Its QPR, Wigan, & Newcastle left to spank for 9 points.
We need to stay together to get this done
..before the summer madness.
On to the next one..
RASERS!
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OMG twitter is broken,I will have to go outside and have a stunted conversation with a random stranger
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Not yet your first port off call then Aman?
And all your mates gathered together too
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Hanging? People have been hanged for less, Shotta.
No such thing as a statistical certainty, I’m afraid. According to some who pontificate on our chances, it’s 50/50 whether the sun will rise tomorrow.
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or a random, no-subject conversation with a mentally-stunted stranger….
..same non ni*
*all the same
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I swing only 2-ways George…permit-a-RASER
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some of my best mates do too….Harry Flowers, LSG, anicoll5…all for the good cause, old chap.
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I was laughing throughout.
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On the subject of George’s no holds barred, pro-Arsenal match report; it is the proverbial oasis in a desert of droopy palm trees. Sometimes I wonder why many of these bloggers put Arsenal or Gooner/Gunner in their names. Might as well be reading the fawning pro-ManUtd/Slur Alex media. Maybe the result was not the maximum three points but the performance was outstanding. That is what holds so much promise not only for the next three games but for our long term goal which is to really challenge for the title.
George, you are a star.
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A great performance all round. Obviously the result wasn’t entirely satisfactory but I couldn’t believe the moaning on twitter. Other than Sagna’s error and Podolski’s struggles in a position he’s still being taught how to play by the Professor there wasn’t much to complain about. The defending was brave, the football fluid, great communication and organisation.
After a shaky period after his return from injury Sagna has been a rock for the past couple of months, the calls to sell him on the basis he’s been poor all season are complete madness. I don’t think he’s the same Bac he used to be, a little burst of speed and quickness of feet seems to have been lost, but he has learned to cope with that very quickly and he’s been close to his best. If he avoids injury he should have at least another couple of years in him, I really hope we keep a hold of him.
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Even if Jenks is good enough to overtake Sagna next season, why would you not want to keep a hold of the best right back in the country for the past half decade as fabulous back-up and mentor to young Carl?
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I want Sagna to say, pure and simple. I can’t be mad at a player being disloyal to the club and then next week do the same to one of our players. Sagna has been a fantastic servant who has always given 100% of us and never ever made any kind of fuss. Even if his form has dropped this season (and as rightly mentioned, suffering two broken legs surely played it’s part) he deserves loyalty from our side. If he wants to stay, offer him a new contract and all that!
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I agree with George!
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I am not sure how Sagna was a misake waiting to happen, Swales? Apart from that bad pass the man played well and made some great tackles. I hope he finishes his career as an Arsenal player.
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Bac and Zabaleta are the two best RBs in the league. They make Azpilicueta, Rafael and Walker look like right wastes of money, those two.
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The signing of Laurent Koscielny was highway robbery by Arsene. And so was Per. We are stacked at centre back and I don’t see too many top four teams having much joy finding better players than we have in that position. Ditto for the center of the midfield.
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Amen to that Gains. Koscielny comprehensively dominated the Judas with the little boy inside him. What a player. Not bad for a manager who doesn’t know a good defender when he sees one!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hyx9hEgVchA
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@Gains
Still remember the good old times? When people were moaning about us signing some unknown French bloke who played Ligue 2 just a short while ago and that we should’ve opted instead for a “proper” CB to add “steel” at the back like Samba, Cahill et al.
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If Bac stays he could even end up as another ridiculously good CB! It’s tempting to try it already, Sunderland was not enough! Weng, sort it out. But who to drop for Sagna at CB? Per? *runs for cover*
–
I had the pleasure of meeting “Bully” from ArsenalFansTV* after the recent Norwich game whilst hoovering up the last of the pies at a pie stall (served straight from the bakers oven, as the stall was empty), very nice he was too. So were the pies. And the baker! Don’t agree with all he has to say above (he’ll survive. Some of those ‘screamers’ he mentions like the goal at Watford didn’t have eight mancy defenders dragging their knuckles behind the ball, too terrified to step out, later on happy to play against the tiring and eager Gunners on the counter*), but he is not dis-ingenious and repeating the weird and simply spiteful accusations about Arsene not spending this or that. Honestly I have no time for people who repeat that guff, pardon my French. For those who claim to follow the club and to repeat such, for years,, it is perfectly fair and reasonable to question their honesty. I know some have found that to be impolite, asking for people not to lie about our club, but you have to have some standards!
*Klopp’s legendary comment from the CL group stage on Maureen Yo and Slurgus’ favourite tactic gave me a chuckle: “Give/leave them the ball” – easier to do in a knockout game then a league game where the opponent don’t want to lose face.
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<Easier in a european game then a league game…
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Great match report, PG
“Don’t give me any of that crap about them being hung over or complacent.They were being embarrassed and they didn’t like it.”
Oh, yes indeed! I’m a bit down, like evilfiek, not because of the performance but because we had them on the hook and they wriggled free.
And I agree with Evil about Sagna. I think the best possible resolution would be if Sagna stayed and became a RB/CB and the experienced voice to guide Jenks and perhaps Bellerin. The man has been a titan over the years, RB position has been locked down, AW will not have lost a moment of sleep over his commitment and professionalism. Until this season, Bacary was the most consistent player of the last six years of Arsenal squads. You could literally count on the fingers of one hand the games in which he produced a less than stellar performance. I expect he wants a longer extension, I hope some sort of compromise can be found – assuming he and Arsene would ideally like to continue working together.
@ ZimPaul
(from yesterday’s post) You are right – JvC does look bulkier through the chest and shoulder area. He always used to be quite wiry. Hmmm….
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And Bacary deserves a lot more love than he is getting currently.
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Keep faith with BACARY by all means. He is one of the top three spiritual leaders of this team if not the top man. I love his attitude and I think him a fantastic vice captain.
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I believe we are set for the upcoming campaign. This TEAM has really come together and we will see their very best in the next year. We just need to keep it together.
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Remember this season isn’t over yet.
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@FG
And I dread the moment it is! Though compared to the last couple of years I hope this one won’t be filled with transfer speculation about players wanting to leave us.
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Kos is the best defender in the world. The man is so poised, his touch and control is like that of a midfielder and his ability to intercept a pass is second to none.
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@Paul
Ssshhh! You can’t say that out loud. Vidic is the best in the world. Or Kompany. Or whatshisface at Barca. But surely not someone playing for Arsenal. After all, none of our players are good enough to even make the PFA team of the year!
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