This is what I said following the reverse against Spurs on the Fourth of March,Two months ago
”
There are thirty points still to play for.
All is not lost by any means. But even if it was, nothing is to be gained by withdrawing our support for the team. Every week I see a team of huge potential. We simply must give them to time to fulfill that potential. I honestly don’t see why people can’t relish the challenge. Rather than throw their arms up and ask for change. “
Since then we have played 8, won 6 and drawn 2.
That’s 20 points and undefeated.
Three of them came yesterday. And a fully deserved 3 points it was.
Were we at our irresistible best? No.
Do I care? Yes, I do if I am totally honest. I would have liked to see a Champagne performance. However yesterday I predicted a poor game, the pitch is a disgrace. You can not play one touch intricate stuff, as we do,with the ball bobbling all over the place .
Am I upset ? Hell no
The points are the main thing.Its not like we played badly.But after scoring within 20 seconds ,I think all of us thought we would have a more comfortable afternoon than that which was forthcoming.
As Arsene might say: “We played with the handbreak on”
In fact if you ask me its stuck on at present.Arsene might have to visit the nearest Pound Shop and get a can of WD40 if we are to take the last six points.We will have to create more chances if we are to see off Wigan at home and The Barcodes away.
Dont worry though, I am sure we will.
It was all a bit dreary yesterday. Of course the importance of collecting the points made it nail biting dreariness.
We dominated, without managing to dominate. If that makes any kind of sense ?
We are constantly told that title winning sides are built on a sound defence. Well no matter how often the dimwitted pundits and match commentators say “Arsenals back four are suspect” The statistics and evidence ,since the Per and Laurent partnership was formed,tell a very different story.Those two boys are consistently excellent.Conceding an average of a goal every other game,that wont lose many for us.
Nacho,despite getting skinned a couple of times by the Spurs player on loan(who’s name escapes me ,and as he is a Spurs player I wont give him the respect of looking it up) showed enough to convince me he is going to be a great asset.
Bac, the butt of endless abuse last week, showed class is indeed permanent. So can I just say to his abusers: Go fuck yourselves.
Arteta again displayed everything you want in a Captain.
I feel Aaron is hesitant with his through balls.Again its a handbrake thing.He seems to be more intent on retaining possession than taking a punt.And who can blame him with thousands of fans waiting for the next ball he loses so they can vent their anger towards him.The abuse he has had this season must make him think twice before he releases the ball.And that moment is the difference.
Tomas was good again.He always is.But not so much magic as efficient conjuring.
And Wojo, another much criticised young man, pulled off a magnificent save towards the death.
Once again the amount of negativity on Twitter and other Blogs,following and during the game,is quite sickening.I really wish these miserable bastards would STFU, at very least for the next two games.
This post is not intended to tell you lot what happened,most of you know better than I do. It is just a vehicle to get us to the comments section. That is what Positively Arsenal is really for.
So please do your bit by commenting.
Thanks for reading.
Positively Arsenal 
I think you hit type nail on the head when you said we dominated without really dominating. Since your original post the defence has really gelled. Per has been pretty consistent all season, but the introduction of Kos has made a huge difference.
Good to see Bac performing well, really hope he stays.
Great to see Aaron getting his pre injury form back as well. Given what he has been through from both the injury and the dormers he has done really well. I think their is a danger that the current rave reviews are based on his dramatic improvementf from a long period of relatively poor form. I think he will be an a arsenal great, but he has a way to go yet.
Great save by Szs yesterday, I do think he needs to work on his distribution a little though
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Bob, When Aaron was getting dogs abuse for losing the balll to often for our 55000 expert fans(not all I know) he tightened up and every week his pass completion was around 93%.
I think now he just needs the confidence to release and risk giving away the ball and shoot immediately the opportunity arrives.
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That told it as I saw it PG Thanks. You’re right that the knockers will be out in force but who gives a continental about them. Playing on a badly moth eaten carpet covering a corrugated iron pitch never suits us so our first win in ?how long? at Loftus was very gratifying if not overly pleasing on the eye. Two more ‘cup finals’ and hopefully relative happiness! A Chel$ki loss plus a draw on Wednesday will suit us…as long as we don’t play silly buggers against the escapologists and the bar codes.
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Agree 100%. Stop moaning. We need results not performances. We need points not showy football. How many times have we played amazing stuff but dropped points? Haters: DO ONE !!!
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Nice one George.
QPR looked like a side happy enough to simply avoid a thrashing. They look to me like a poor man’s Man City, a collection of largely disinterested individuals led by a manager some way past his sell-by date.
Two or three years ago many of us thought Aaron and Jack were our two brightest prospects and nothing has changed that view, for me, at least. The impact on the club of their injuries could easily be worth two league places, but we will get there, there is clearly so very much more to come from both. Unfashionable, I know but I still rate Aaron slightly more highly than I do Jack which makes the continued criticism of the youngster hard to tolerate when it seems in the eyes of many that Jack can do no wrong.
This summer is generally expected to see the arrival of anything up to four or more new players and doubtless there will be much excited speculation on this front.
For me though, the real excitement will be to learn which, if any, of our youngsters from the U21/U19s break into the senior squad. Bearing in mind we ‘make stars’ more often than we buy them, the stage – and timing – could well be set for some very interesting developments on this front.
One can never be certain but I’d like to think the next Aaron and Jack are just waiting in the wings for the next step up. An abundance of Arsene moulded riches awaits us, all schooled over several seasons and more, ready to storm the stage. The headlines and attention will most likely be focussed on any big names we may make.
But I for one will also be looking elsewhere.
Meanwhile, some interesting games on today …
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AA this goal by Eisfield was not bad!
http://m.youtube.com/#/watch?v=DS6F5TyLwHw&desktop_uri=%2Fwatch%3Fv%3DDS6F5TyLwHw
–
The Arsenal won. Yup, I am guilty of having a spring in my step upon this sunny Sunday in May.
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meh…. 3 points…. nothing else matters.
i saw something very interesting…..per and kons were on the pitch…and wenger put tommy v in as dm!!!! 😉
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dadgooner May 5, 2013 at 9:50 am
Haters: DO ONE !!!
only one? 🙂
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Not bad at all Fins!
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Three at the back? It’s happened before this season? To be honest whilst hiding behind the sofa with a bin bag over me head I couldn’t work out where Tommy was playing.
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The difference between really good (Aaron, Jack at the moment) & outstanding (Cesc, Tomas) is small but hugely difficult to achieve. I believe the key is, as Arsene would say, mental toughness. “Never be afraid to fail” is the only way to make that more difficult pass or take that half chance. Cesc was fortunate to be allowed to make mistakes without harsh criticism & gained confidence & self-belief to match his incredible vision & technique. Constant groans & criticism will make a player more likely to choose the ‘safe’ option & therefore the ‘killer pass’ will be less attempted & more difficult to achieve.
Similarly many are only now realising how much Giroud has brought to the team. Yes, he has missed chances but I can honestly say that I have watched Judas Van Pursestrings miss more chances over the years than he ever scored in his entire Arsenal career. Cesc also used to miss a lot but went on to score many vital goals for club & country.
Time for all supporters to unite behind the players wearing the Arsenal shirt & support them!
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he was playing in the petit role….mmmhmm
clearly 😉
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Only if we had changed to 4 4 2 Hunter.
Had we? Or do you jest?
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They’d have been off playing a hundred yards north on ‘the scrubs’ yesterday,what an absolute disgrace of a pitch,their best player was an on-loan spud who was lucky to be on the pitch after his studs went up on Arteta’s ankle,we are churning out the gritty wins that the doomers say we never do but guess what? now we don’t play Wengerball any more,proof once again that amongst gooner ranks we have some fucking idiots,the good news is that if Arsene extends his contract a load of em have said they won’t renew their season tickets,that can only be a good thing.
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Spot on,what gets to me about our 55000 ‘expert’ fans is that the just whine and whine about anything because they heard it on talkshite. The hypocrisy of it is.We used to accuse the team of not grinding out results, not capable of winning ugly, and when they win ugly we moan about the performance and talk about handbrake on,yes,they have to,once they get the lead under the circumstances.we are at the time of the season when losing is not an option for any team so once we get the lead,if we allow them to equalise its 2points dropped. From my observation,the team doesn’t go Gung ho like they used to anymore and they are not conceding but they are also not playing freely because we need 3 points not a 3-3 result.
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heyjude04
May 5, 2013 at 10:24 am
Absolutely spot on!
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Man u have won games and the league on below par performances like the one with QPR as much as we like the caviar dont make us bad to eat the bread and dripping now amd then record books never quote the performance just the result happy as a pig in shit me 3 points in the bag and hopefully keep the pressure more on $pur$
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Got the 3 points..scored maybe too early
Kos was a beast…Aaron almost defaulted back to his old self but NO..still improving
Poldi is definitely playing damaged
10 days before the next 3 points are up for grabs
10 days to rest the hurting
Spuds & Chavs should have decided on who’s not going to the party by then
Wigan & Newcastle too had better pick up some points by then beacause
The ARSENAL cannot lose or draw any game till next season.
Looks like a wrap to me.
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Eisfield’s goal was great but I was there and he had little impact on the game apart from that although he was started out wide.
there are several youngsters who do look like they are showing continuing improvement and could eventually find there way to the first team.
The win yesterday was all about the three points but my nerves were shot and knowing I’ve got to go through that again twice when were playing and probably when the chavs and spuds are playing is slightly worrying, I am relying on Stew to calm me down and get me through.
“Dominating without really dominating” is definitely a brilliant description of how we’ve been in several games, wigan and the barcodes will present us with completely different challenges which we should be capable of adapting to, with our squad offering a plethora of options.
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Nice one George
Is the myth of ‘Arry (Redknapp, not yours truly) the plundits favourite, finally put to rest? alas, probably not. If he spends the wonga and get’s them back up again, he’ll be hailed a genius. Arse.
What Mel said as well. Agree 100%. You’ll never please some of them now, they’ll always change the goalposts to suit their “arguments”. So f*ck ’em. I expect that season ticket “protest” is a load of bluster and hot air, and if not, well then….off you go. Ta ta.
It wasn’t pretty yesterday, but who really thought a few months back we’d be sitting in third place right now? (not me I have to admit). It’s a helluva run we are on, testament to the players, coaching staff and that beleaguered French bloke who I’ve been reliably informed is way past his sell by date.
Wigan will be a proper test though.
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Funny game, for long periods we had total control, then seemed to go into a trance for a little while before “3-2-1 you’re back in the room” – made for an interesting evening
Do like our defence these days, Per my player of the season
I do hope for their own sake the bin bag brigade do not renew their season tickets – having a season ticket is obviously making them miserable – much better to find something else to so on a Saturday – pulling the legs of a spider or creosoting next door’s cat maybe ?
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I wonder if this Doomer thing is age related? I am old enough to have gone through s number of barren periods. In each cycle we have built great sides and dominated for periods then rebuilt I’m pretty sure we are on the fringe of another great side and the pleasure of winning trophies is amplified. It’s going to happen just needs a little patience
Strange thing to say maybe, but I don’t think I would like to see Arsenal d ominating like Celtic (and previously Rangers). It must take something away from the excitement.
I count the Michael Thomas goal at Anfield as my greatest sporting moment. Sure it would be nice to win the league with 5games to go, but not every season
Much as it pains me an RVP hat trick would be welcome today
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Is QPR’s pitch always that bad or did they leave it unwatered for the last 2 weeks just for us?
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I agree with George, as usual.
How about the dooming of OG that he wasn’t good enough. 50,000 mugs happy OG was red carded and demanding that Poldi play CF. I love Poldi but the stats don’t lie: 3 shots in 150 mins as CF or 1 shot ever 50 mins. In coontrast OG has played 3194mins this season, and averages one shot every 21 minutes. Poldi Pod has played 2507mins this season, and averages one shot every 42 minutes. Just for comparison sake, Theo has played 2810mins this season, and averages one shot every 27 minutes. (Stats from Jonathan @goonerjon777)
And Wenger doesn’t know what he is doing.
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Nice to see Issac on here! Flowers-if they bugger off from the ground (the doomers) I might change my silver membership to a gold, I love my silver because it means if I’m sat next to one of them,I know where not to buy a ticket next time,to be fair they’re probably glad to see the back of me as well!
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Said on the commetry yesterday that the QPR pitch hasn’t been relayed for 17 years!
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442 601 .4351 and 6782 and tommy passed the test with flying colours..never seen anything like that since paulo de souza won it for borusia..:) the stormis on tv with clooney…what a shit movie…i think ill go to the beach..34 degrees…melting…… watching girls tanning and putting lotion..quality…yes we need 4th …important matters..priorities…tits bikinis… and volleyball….yep volleyball …ill watch.
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Man u have won games and the league on below par performances
right on! ….. the masters of the game…..the champions…the best of the best…..mesmerising football…galacticos put in shame….poetry in motion….absurdistan!
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Just some information for some of you that maybe interested, Aaron Ramsey has been top of the ball distribution table for European football a couple of times this season, ahead of the likes of Xavi and Iniesta. But we all know he’s pants right. Same for Arteta, but the experts won’t give this information the light of day. I wonder why that is?
And 0.5 goals conceded a game is getting close to champions material.
I do like this site.
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They don’t both watering the pitch at QPR – just keep painting the clods green.
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A bit weird that the Boss left the subs so late, but I think he was right as we couldn’t disrupt the patten of the team until the last few minutes.
Poldi must be carrying an ankle injury from what I hear.
TR7 has a couple of wayward passed that might have put Poldi and Theo in on goal, but otherwise his presence and experience (and energy!!) in midfield was vital.
Rambo was brilliant, but I think George is on to something, I’ve seen him take more ‘safety first’ passes the last few weeks. Hell even I grumbled about some of his longer range passing efforts, he is trying to please some fans now – unless the boss is asking him to adapt his style.
Great to see Bac still showing his a Top Gunner and good to see Verm get a run out, in DM! We can’t change Kos & Per at the back now.
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Winston Smith seems to be working for the Sunday Times today:
” in 13 years Arsene Wenger hadn’t beaten a Harry Redknapp side and it was 22 years since Arsenal last won at Loftus road in the league” .
Wasn’t there a government inquiry into press standards?
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Giggs, Anderson, Cleverly & Lindergaard start, Rooney on bench.
Thanks Fergie, really thanks. You bollix.
On a positive, UEFA Cup spot is guaranteed now as worst case scenario.
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Yep old red nose has done his best to stitch us up.
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If the 55,000 expert fans want to know the impact Giroud has on the side, they can watch the first and second legs against Bayern again. When we played Theo up front, we got our asses handed to us. When Oli G was the spear of our attack, we handed Bayern their first loss of the CL campaign. The guy presses, wins most of the aerial duels he’s involved in and, even though we didn’t see him at his best this season, he can finish. He was an extremely good purchase regardless of what the fat arse football experts think. In fact, if they think he sucks, it reinforces how good he is.
It’s fun watching Jack and Aaron deciding where they play on the pitch all by themselves. Jackie is a Redondo style pivot who projects forward. Aaron is more of a traditional playmaker a la Baggio or Platini. When Jackie receives the ball he has a tendency to make a quick pass and open up space that way. When Aaron receives the ball he’s likely to move forward with it. When he doesn’t have the ball, he’s directing play and running into space. It will be interesting to watch what Wengerr does with these potential geniuses.
Of the youngsters on loan or in the academy who I am most eager to see in red and white is Joel Campbell. I’ve seen him quite a few times this season at Betis and the kid is a beast. He has pace, he eases past defenders when cutting in from the right and he has a hell of a shot on him. I would love to see him and Theo line up on opposing wings.
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Yikes, Fergie and yawnited are really not giving a shit today.
Even Coward Webb can’t help them get a goal.
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Gains – agree re Giroud (and your other points!); I think he’ll be largely unmanageable by opposition defences next season.
And yes, seems to be the rule that if the moaners are claiming one thing, generally the opposite appears to be true. Take the hilarious ‘Deadwood List’, for example. At different times in the last 18 months, the following have been on it:
Ramsey, Kos, Per, Theo, Giroud, Pod, Bac, Ches, Fab etc, etc.
I guess it’s a special brand of ‘insight’ they must have …
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0-0 at HT.
Robin, you’re a useless c.
And how the hell can Anderson and Valencia be in any EPL team?
Utter dross being served up at the Old Shatford. They really need Webb to throw them a bone.
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Manure are a really poor team and it’s a shame for the PL to have that as the representation of football in England. They won by default as their challengers shot themselves in the foot or were in transition. Ably assisted by manc friendly officiating of course. They have to be the worst team to win the PL since the last time they won it.
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@ ArsenalAndrew May 5, 2013 at 9:59 am
“QPR looked like a side happy enough to simply avoid a thrashing. They look to me like a poor man’s Man City, a collection of largely disinterested individuals led by a manager some way past his sell-by date.”
Perfect description, ArsenalAndrew! Just shows it’s not about how much you spend, it’s who you spend it on. And I have to say it is ridiculous that they shelled out so many millions on the squad but forgot to spend anything on improving their pitch.
And yeah, cheers for sending out a weakened team, Sir Red Nose. Could just as easily have done this last week. I suppose it’s a backhanded compliment to us.
@ Adam
Are you the same Adam who posts on Untold Arsenal?
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@ heyjude04 May 5, 2013 at 10:24 am
Top post, agree with all of that!
@ passenal May 5, 2013 at 5:25 pm
Agree.
Of course Chelsea scored. Damn.
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Howard Webb showing real steel now that Manure are free and clear.
Ruud Gullit’s illegitimate son just came on.
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With Aaron, I think that could be a very astute point about him playing safe, and also his desperation to score isn’t helping him. But he is building the foundations for his game, here. The creativity and goalscoring which is also natural to him will come later.
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Now we have to root for Chelski to beat Spurs, because a Spurs win on Wednesday is the nightmare scenario for us.
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Chelski can’t afford to lose against Spuds. They’ve got Everton and Villa away as their remainding fixtures. If they lose against Spuds and draw one of their remaining games they’re fooked.
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We would have beaten them if they had not been gifted a penalty.
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True. And if we had had ours v them.
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That David Louise is a despicable little piece of work.
Well suited to his Chavvy team mates.
Less than zero class.
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So why would Red Nose deliberately try to loose a game to help Chelski?
Maybe
-embarrass Abramobitch into keeping Rafa next season?(nah)
-Destabilise Spuds so that Bale will want to move to manure if he can’t play CL nests season? ( possible).
-fuck over Arsenal and Wenger? (Getting warm?).
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We’ve been shafted. Bastard.
I’ll calm down. Sigh.
I think Gains is right about Chelsea though, plus Rafa has ’em purring at the moment.
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