If you want a difficult job, start a blog. call it Positively Arsenal, then sit back and wait to be beaten 6 0 by the team that is everything you detest in the game, and then do a write up.
I feel like taking to my bed, pulling the sheets over my head and whimpering until August.
Six nil, that’s SIX NIL, Jesus H Christ.
There can be no excuses for losing six nil. None. Yes we had half the first team missing, but so what? Every player fielded is a better player than most teams in the league can boast, and I don’t see them losing 6 3 ,5 1 and six bastard nil.
There is something wrong. There is!
But what?
How can the same eleven that defended so well at Spurs play like that? It almost beggars belief.
Its easy to say we should have started Flamini in tandem with Arteta and sat back a little more, with the fullbacks holding their positions, but to do that you need pace in the side to break away and score. Where is that coming from?
So we play a high line and get ripped to pieces. Why?
Well from what I can recall it was because we lost possession in midfield . AOC and Santi were most culpable, but even Tomas joined in when we conceded for what seemed like the eighteenth time.
It would be fair to ask why a 20 year old was asked to play in a game this big, in the centre of midfield, when he is still learning the game. Then again, were you asking that question before the game? If so what were the alternatives?
Mikel looks too slow to be playing the holding role if we are playing a high line, and Aaron is not there to compensate, but again, what were the alternatives?
Are the lack of alternatives down to injuries, or is it Arsene’s fault for not buying? Or both?
You can’t blame the manager for the players being nothing short of woeful.
However I can’t excuse Arsene either. He has to be held responsible to some degree, the buck stop there, as they say.
Forget that the wrong player was sent off , for a non-red card offence , the damage was done. At least the chance of getting anything from the game had already gone.
That display was totally unacceptable and everyone concerned should be admonished.
Hang on though, let’s not throw the baby out with the bathwater.
Let’s not forget what has been good until this point. Let’s remember what wonderful football this team and these players have given us.
We must think things could and would be very different with Theo, Jack, Aaron and Ozil in the side.
All is not lost. Top 4 and the FA cup is still a distinct possibility.
As we keep getting told, there is money to spend in the summer.
All we can do is carry on supporting, there is no alternative.
Positively Arsenal 
I’m here Frank
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Interesting, ZP. You don’t think playing Bayern came with the same level of pressure/hype?
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Aah thank goodness
Actually we messed up the Bayern home game too did we not, Paul-N?. I have say the squad seem to be very, very tense these days.
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Excellent points ZimPaul – I think you managed to put into words what I was trying to get at about the pressure of the 100th game. This is a talented team, so it’s not about ability; therefore the psychological issue has some validity.
Paul N, I think the victory in Munich last year meant that we went into that game feeling quite confident. However, the missed penalty certainly knocked Ozil’s confidence and then the loss of the goalkeeper made it almost impossible to get anything out of the game.
I agree Frank, there is definitely a tenseness about the team lately. It’s like they are trying too hard to prove themselves and it’s having a negative effect. The attacking game is not flowing freely, which is hardly surprising when you have the media’s non-stop criticism of the team and certain individuals. Clearly the players are aware of the negative noises around them, but they need to ignore it and focus on what they can control. It would help if supporters just closed ranks around the team and didn’t feel the need to be even more critical than the enemies of the club who do not have the players best interests at heart.
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We have tried and failed to explain to the Expert Groaners all managers make mistakes probably in every game. If any by Arsene, whatever they were, have been as bad as Brendan’s obvious three at the back blunders I’m not so sure.
That 1-1 at Newcastle last season and the run to proceed it were tense but this squad got through the squeaky encounter to hold on and win 0-1.
My feeling is that the pelanty miss against Bayern multiplied by the Away loss at Liverpool scuttled some of that ineffable momentum and confidence (of the group, AKA the team) and that’s just how it goes. Ignoring injuries and other disruptions, which you can’t really do. Whatever it was it was not enough to disrupt a top performance against Everton, I think that’s where the ineffable bit comes into play! That’s my best guess. Which is just a guess.
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dear frank, arsene owes us nothing, we owe him. cant say the same for some of our players. about a month ago mou said something about our manager. if our players had personality they would have made him eat his words.
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True, Frank and Passenal. We did shoot ourself in the foot in the first leg but I still think we gave a good account of ourselves overall. I am still very proud of what the team did, even though we are out of the CL. And, we were a bit more cautious, especially away from home. If I am not mistaken, the 3 matches against Pool, City and Chelsea were also away from home?
Passenal, didn’t we beat City last season? I think.
ZP, regarding our style of play. We have taken a more cautious approach on occasion. My idea is not for us to change overall, but I think we have to be able to see what is happening and act accordingly, that is a must in my view. Against Barcelona was a great example of us waiting for our moments and getting it done, the 2-1 win that is.
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laysite @6:44 is correct.
Good debate folk.
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Current thinking in sports coaching is to concentrate on the process rather than the end result. In golf for example the putting stroke is grooved and you would see the player going through the same pre-shot routine every time. The idea being that you don’t end up suddenly saying “I’ve go this four-footer for the Masters” because then it becomes far too important: rather you go through the same process as you always do for those putts. Easier said than done, but you can see the thinking behind it. So when we play the big pressure matches you would hope that the players are simply concentrating on basics: winning the tackle, running into space, making the pass, striking the ball cleanly. Get those things right and more often than not the right outcome will follow.
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1.40 was my favourite
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Sometimes if you listen carefully you’ll overhear a gr*tty groaner moaning about those outside of the foot passes from Tomas. Bet they weren’t complaining at the goal last week!
Technique, whether it’s in tackling or other stuff, it can be too much for some. Especially certain refs (Joke. Joke. That is a hilarious joke. Sorry.). So they’ll slag it all off, all the while whilst more and more players have the technique and more and more managers will copy the top two or few (don’ have to tell you who they are) and play those that others would describe as creatives at CM and beyond. Because that is simply the way the game is going. That’s not my opinion, I’m just repeating what all the best managers say time and again. And it’s why they all copy each other.
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I had the same thoughts after the manure game earlier this year. In my opinion we were the better team and it was very disappointing when we didn’t come away with the good result. Past few years due to many reasons but first and foremost our frugality due to the new stadium and the general transition we suffered repeatedly at the hands of teams intent on buying the titles . These teams were loaded to the top with some of the best players money could buy. So much so that even now they can put forth two teams strong enough to challenge for titles. These losses have become imprinted in the psyche of the team so that even now that the team is strong enough to challenge the belief that we can succeed against the chelskis and the manures is not there.
In my opinion Bayern does not fall into this category of teams we have no confidence in beating since we do not play them regularly and at a rate of two or three times a year. Therefore there is no mental block and there is belief we can play well against them.
What is the solution??
The first few wins , when they come will start erasing the old memories and new imprints will have begun to take shape.
The use of a sports psychologists might be beneficial and the role AW will have to play becomes invaluable.
The belief will come in time and we will overcome even the mercenary teams. Take that to the bank….
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I agree with Frank.
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I really absolutely refuse to follow this ‘Arsenal haven’t won…Arsenal must win…Arsene Wenger isn’t or can’t ‘….agenda by press,media, pundits or fans. That is not how the world works. It is simple really I just support Arsenal, the squad and the manager and I just turn up on match days to watch and support. Sometimes I am pissed off with the result, sometimes I am happy, and I am often ecstatic. That is all I ask of football.and it suits me fine. .
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Wenger is saying “accidents happen” (anomalies); he’s also saying “there is a pattern” (away, early start, first 20 minutes, down to 10 men twice, obvious pressure encounters). Accidents don’t represent the trend. Factual and fair, but no excuses either; it’s good.
He’s not phased by such painful setbacks, they are part of a building process. Just part of what makes a team great in the end. He knows.
AW is aware of psychological factors, how it can affect younger people, fear of failure/success, he simply gets the team every time without excuses or compromise back to the “tipping point” (nice phrase, in our case the point at which the real level of the team overrides sense of tenseness and fear of failure, sloppy starts), and once again says “now go out there and play it our way”.
That consistency will always win the day. The next eureka moment will arrive when the team finds itself, overcomes its little demons. The last was Bayern away last year. It’s a fascinating story. I always pity those who don’t know or don’t “get it”. It’s how you build (rather than buy) a football team.
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A recent article by Michael Atherton argued that to always protect people from failure is a bad thing. He cited the renaissance of the Australian cricket team, who at the lowest point of their tour to England last summer, had already devised a plan – born out of a series of painful defeats – that would lead to outstanding success.
True resilience tempered in the white heat of battle. Mental toughness learnt through reverse. You don’t walk away: you regroup and learn.
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Or as AW might justifiably say to many of his critics: don’t you dare judge me by the shallowness of your own ambition.
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Quite right Frank – would I support them more if they won a trophy ? Do I support them less if they don’t ? And for many years I have gorged in the sweetshop of trophies, monumental matches, beautiful football and Zardok the Priest.
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Well thee is an interesting thing – past few weeks Citeh game immediately sold out and a handful of tickets on the Exchange, most in Club
Look on their today dozens on offer, lower tier, upper tier, Club
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Thanks for the heads up. Might have to get myself a ticket to the City game!
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Anicoll
Those tickets are all so expensive…….
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Swansea lost against Everton but I think they have less injuries then they did. A bit of a weird phase for Swansea after the sacking of the manager who perhaps was only interested in players signed to certain agents, that the Groaners wanted at Arsenal. But their players will be ‘well up fer it’ tonight, a the trip to the best stadium/ground in the country.
Akpom got the hat-trick last night but I don’t think he’ll be in the squad today. The seventeen/eighteen year old impressed in pre-season and during his cameo against West Brom. I’d take him in a squad over many other strikers. Because the truth is I have seen more of Akpom then other strikers both live and on the telly. That’s the joy of being a fan and not a professional scout. I think there’s been a change to the programme with the younger forward players, hardly a run of games over three or four for any of them in recent years including Chambo who was used in short bursts as an eighteen year old Experts calling for Chambo to replace Walcott at the time were simply ignoring the comments about wanting to take a young attacking player and coach him into playing an all round game. Walcott had also improved on that side but I wish he’d hobbled off after the stamp in the Tottenham game and left Sagna to ‘track back’. It’s the way the game is going and looking at the evidence such as midifield goals against Brazil etc. the much maligned coaching at Arsenal worked! I’d still like to see Akpom get some minutes as well as Gnabry.
I think that possibly playing Chambo in the centre over Rosicky, when the two could easily swap and will swap a little bit during a game, could be a choice that has been made with an eye to the future. A front line with players like Walcott, Chambo, Gnabry, Akpom, Campbell with variation coming from the Giroud’s and Sanogo’s in the squad and any other signings that may or will be made? Yup. That sounds like some kind of a plan to me.
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The Club tickets are bloody eye watering George £148 and the bastards have still got the cheek to charge an “administration fee” on top – yes Ivan I am referring to you
Love em as I do I will not pay £148 for a ticket – no – just no
I paid £81 for my upper tier last week but there were lower tier £68 on offer this morning – either way it is a shed load of money but that is on the right page at least
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Are we not to see Kallstrom tonight Fins ??
Just a little peep at the Swede please Arsene
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Possibly.
I had odds on some rotation today, minutes for Gnabry today off the bench or starting. The chunky swede could get his debut.
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Can’t experience the match live tonight due to other stuff going on. Are there any highlights on UK TV later?
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Frankly the amount of supporters on twitter who are scared we might get turned tonight simply pisses me off. Like every normal human being, after an accident I have the shakes but do I let that stop me from living. Hell no. I am ready to go on with my life. Why wouldn’t that apply to a professional footballer? I hope and expect our boys to go out and do a professional job, not handicapped by the nervous ninnies in the stadium.
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“Supporters” on Twitter shotta. In quotes.
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Isn’t Rogers a complete fool. Three up on olympiacos and he keeps van purse.ee bin the game to get injured. what a boob.
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inTernational can go do one. We are keeping SAGNA.
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WE LOVE YOU ARSENAL
WE DO
WE LOVE YOU ARSENAL
WE DO
WE LOVE YOU ARSENAL
WE DP
ARSENAL!!!!! WE LOVE YOU…..
C O Y G
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So…. Kieran was dismissed wrongly because of mistaken identity and his red card was passed to Oxo however the FA upheld Arsenal’s claim that the red card was the wrong decision for a handball with the not going into the net. So…..we get to play 3-0 down with ten men for most of the game. Give us a fucking break somebody please.
Horse hitched, wagon ready to roll and I am off to the game to catch a break.
Giddyup old girl. and stop farting Peter or you can stay in the paddock.
Bumpa deedy bumpa deedy bumpa deedy
Arsenal, Arsenal, Arsenal….Arsenal, Arsenal, Arsenaaaalllll
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If Sagna doesn’t sign, I have no problems with Jenko taking over at right back. Also, if Bacary is getting a huge offer from someone like City, I really can’t fault him for taking it. I mean, he’s not going to dethrone Zabaleta, and he’ll be on the bench for most of the season, but he’ll be that much richer.
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Oh, and if he goes, watch him become a crossing expert like Clichy did when he fucked off.
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Yeah, that decision left me a bit perplexed, Frankie.
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10.15 sky fh
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now that the team sheet is out, i wish the experts will tell us what would happen now. not after the game. as i see it, it the best we can offer and i expect the players to defend the shirt and restored the pride.
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COYG
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i prefare city to win the league than chelsea but the fact is that we can still win it. so i hope city drop some points today and lose against us on saturday. chelsea will drop points against defensive teams as usual.
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Anybody home?
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Our boys need to relax, take a deep breath and play the way they know to play.
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Two moments of quality to lift us up and a very unlucky own goal to deflate us. Damn.
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I can’t believe this blow wow!
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that is not good enough!
now city can go and win the league as long as it is not chelsea. no point beating them for chelsea. a draw will be good for me.
i cant stand liverpool as well as gerrard and rogers.
fa cup and a top four finish is all that matters now.
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It was never going to be easy.
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If it wasn’t for bad luck we’d have no luck at all. Somebody pleeeease give us a break!!!
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we were unlucky… reaction to today’s result is actually more of a fallout from Saturday… but for me, still a little too much backward passing and some players should release the ball faster otherwise a draw is obviously an improvement to a loss especially one as bad as Saturday was… seems after these heavy loses we draw then go on to win so here is to beating city!
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Arteta did not close down the guy who crossed the ball for the first goal and we took too long to get going. The own goal is terrible luck but we let them in the game when they had no right being in it.
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Faaaaaaarrrrrrrrrrrkkkkkkk. I liked what I saw of Kallstrom, though.
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I thought the change for Yaya was a bit errant. We needed to hold the ball and we didn’t have enough quality on the pitch to do so at the end there.
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