Partly cloudy, 13°C, light showers, expected around kick off time. That is the extent of the useful factual information I can impart – and so to the pre match review.
Formidable hoopla in the media and Twitterworld this morning preceding our trip to Goodison. Barely a mention of the return of Ramsey. Ah well – you know how it is.
An important game certainly, and a game that both clubs will be looked forward to with a keen appetite.
A “season defining”, prove “a corner has been turned”, or “it will decide 4th place” kind of game ? I am assured by those much wiser than me, and who get up earlier on a grey Sunday morning to commit themselves digitally, it is in that rank. I think not.
Three points for us will provide a more comfortable margin for a CL place and keep us in touching distance of a higher PL finish than fourth. Three points for the home side and they will be right up on our shoulder, with their own bit of glory achievable and a chance to put right the shambles of 2005 when they crashed out in the qualifiers.
But this is just one game in six in the final phase of the season. Win five of the six and I would be very surprised if we were not in the CL draw in August irrespective of the outcome today. Win today but drop points in one or more of the other contests and we shall be in the soup.
Beyond a hoped for run out for Ramsey I have always reckoned Goodison a ground where Tommy V has enjoyed his football. Scored a couple on his debut and never had a poor game. I can see Tommy as an important player again today at both front and back. Bizarrely Sunderland the only club to win at Goodison this season so I predict a goal from an unexpected source.
Everton have enjoyed a good season, and some of that success has relied upon their borrowed players Lukaku, Barry and Deulofeu. To be fair to Everton their stand out player when I have watched them this season has been Barkley. What intrigues me is how Distin, 36 years old still manages to turn in decent performances week after week. Does the player not realise at that age he is past it ?
It will be for Everton to come out and take the win from us and I do not think my crystal ball will be required to predict a vigorous opening and test of our midfield and defensive credentials. In the two previous meetings this season they have not managed to overcome us despite creditable performances. The storms we have weathered and I have no doubt shall sail through today with no hint of panic.
Off to breakfast now and enjoy the game.
So at 3.25 today join with me;
“Was it a vision, or a waking dream?
Fled is that music:— do I wake or sleep?”
Today’s post is brought to you by @anicoll5
Positively Arsenal 
Well said Frank….
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Atkinson very poor this afternoon – Anthony Taylor grabbing the headlines at West Ham too
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FRANK @ 440
totally agree. The overachievement of first part of the season had all our expectations higher than before the campaign started. This year was always going to be the bridge. Next year all pieces ( or most ) will be in place.
Still have high hopes for the fa cup though, and of course top four is mandatory. ARSENAL!!!!!!!
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Yeah, Shotta, we are lacking pace, but that’s no excuse for how shit we were bringing the ball out of the back. We had Rosicky and Santi Cazorla right in front of our shambolic middle two. Naismith pushing up on Arteta shouldn’t have caused so many problems.
The Arteta, Flamini partnership worked just fine against City, so it’s kind of hard to criticize them. This being said, I had no idea what Flamini was doing on the pitch. Especially since Martinez lined up with McCarthy and Barry in the middle. I don’t even want to pretend that I’m a manager, but I thought this game was screaming for the Ox.
Also, I think it’s time Carl Jenkinson got a run in the team. I love Sagna, but he’s played a lot of games and we need a spark from the wing. It doesn’t hurt that Carl can whip a cross like few players can.
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This is a truly disappointing thing even to think, but if the Premier League Officials are going to continue to ignore the persistent fouling, then we might have to change the way we play, and rely less on the tight-space triangular passing, and perhaps rather more on longer runs into space.
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Naismith, didn’t we give him a trial one summer when he was still at Kilmarnock before he joined Rangers?
Anyway, I thought there best player was McCarthy who always impressed me when he played for Wigan.
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How the hell did Fat Sam manage to nick Armero from Udinese?
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GAINS
well I for one thought SAGNA was one of our brighter stars but you are right. With OG & SANOGO in the box we need some good quality crosses coming in.
As far as the ref goes I thought he could have issued a couple more yellows for the reckless sliding tackles flying in from Everton, specialy in the first half but overall Atkinson did a semi decent job.
Only dark spot being carding MIKEL for retaliation instead of sending Barkley off for that low class push in the back and the subsequent stamp on his ankle. And Baines a yellow for stocking the fire. Truly low class and absolutely no need when leading by three.
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I posted this on Twitter a little while ago. But it’ll be more fun to discuss with you guys. Here’s what I think: This group of fit players don’t believe in themselves anymore. They don’t think they can do it unless everything goes perfectly. When it doesn’t, heads drop. They’re tired and they don’t think they have it in them. Flamini tries to lift them, but then he forgets to worry about what he’s doing. We are desperate to have our positive players back. You could see that when Aaron took the pitch today. He thinks positive/forward, but no one reads it. They’ve forgotten how to play that way. Hopefully, Aaron being back will be the start of a positive team self-image, and it will kick on when Mesut returns. That’s my hope.
One more thing: This idea that they don’t fight or don’t care is bullshit. They care. So much so that it slipping from their grasp has rattled this group to the core. It was left with them to care take while injured players were out, and they haven’t done as well as they would have wanted. I can promise you they care. And our berating them for not caring isn’t helping. They must be devastated. It was left with them to hold the fort. And they haven’t been able to do it. Slagging them off is SO fucking helpful, isn’t it? It’s not that we don’t have quality, but you could see earlier in the season how much we believed. That seems to have gone now. I have no problem with pointing out where we go wrong. But this idea that they don’t fight, they don’t care…that’s so unfair. Nothing they try seems to work. But they do try. They need players like Aaron and Jack, who always believe the next thing they try WILL work. And they don’t stop believing that until the FT whistle goes. It’s a personality trait. And the other creatives on the pitch struggle to keep believing right now. Giroud is punch drunk. He’s been beaten down. Aaron, and Jack and Mesut too, haven’t been. Hopefully they’ll inject some belief back into the squad. It starts with Aaron. Let’s go.
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Quite right Kelly – some of the self pitying whining about today, some of which started before the referee even blew his whistle, particularly nauseating.
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Sadly Olivier Giroud was preoccupied with the fact that he could not keep his dick in his trousers at the very point in the season that we needed his concentration and focus most. Now he is preoccupied with the idea that the referee should have blown his whistle every time Olivier feels that he has been fouled. He has the ability to be a good CF but he is not a natural and his game depends upon total commitment and he is not giving that at the moment. He is a stop gap….
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Well PG, it’s really hard to put a positive spin on today’s game, excerpt there is no way Everyon are going to get maximum points out of all their remaining matches.
There are many questions as to what has gone wrong with the team in the last few months, I am buggered if I have any answers.
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…I also wonder whether the players know that AW is not going to be around for much longer because performances since January have been unexplainable . Something very strange is happening.
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Aaron’s return is very welcome, and it would be fantastic if Abou made it back in the next game or two. Whatever happens in the summer all is not lost yet.
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Santi Cazorla needs a rest
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This is what happens when there is no squad depth (all injured).
Pace in the team is missing.
I don’t blame OG anymore than the rest of them. Goal scoring in the team has really dried up.
There’s were our older, seasoned players today but they did not have the legs. (Or the brains). Too
Many games for many.
We have to learn to park the bus at difficult away games,
Oh, and the ref really had it in for Arteta.
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Operaton ‘drown sorrows’ is well under way. let’s give Wigan a shit kicking next weekend.
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We have to take out Wigan
Then West Ham
AW has to incorporate KimK, Abou, Jenks, Gnabry & Nik B into the mix.
Giroud, Per & Santi need rest badly
We don’t rotate early enough EVERY season
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Everything what Frank said really.
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…the channels between our FBs and CHs were the widest I have ever seen. You could have taken a bear for a walk wearing a frog man’s suit including flippers in the space between RB and CH in the first half and none of our players would have noticed.
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I didn’t watch the game, but I’m disappointed to hear the result especially after the city game, which I thought was a sign of a bit of a turn around. I’m still hopeful that the team can deliver the minimum targets for this season, but they are cutting it fine.
Frank, the players say they want Arsene to stay, well if they really mean that, they need to start trying a bit harder for him. He has sacrificed so much and protects them publicly even in the face of some truly abject performances this season. He deserves so much more. They need to stop talking and feeling sorry for themselves and start showing it on the pitch.
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Oh come on, you guys! Chins up. It’s like a funeral here. Aaron looked very good. Ox looked good. Kos hopefully back for Wigan. There’s still plenty to play for. Let’s all come back tomorrow. I know we’ll be in a better mood once we’ve had a night to sleep on it.
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I agree, Passenal. They are not fighting for him at all. In fact that has been the pattern in the 8/9 years that he kept the club’s head above water with the stadium build and the financial tsunamis of the Chavs and Oilers. So many players have ducked responsibility and many have left….usually claiming that AW has been like a father to them. If one more player reports that he calls AW whenever he needs advice I will do the fist mouth finger arsehole inside out number on them and thats a fact..
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PG, one game at a time.
I agree with Frank – bananas. Like old times?
The fat lady has still to put on her make-up.
The Arsenal, come what may!
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“Time flies like an arrow. Fruit flies like a banana.” – Groucho Marx
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Thought it might cheer us up, me ducks
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I think Alabama has the psychology right. I have no doubt the players care but after giving so much for the 1st two-thirds of the season, with all the the setbacks especially the injuries to our best players they seem mentally drained. Attitude can carry you so far but you need that extra bit of talent at this point in the season to overcome the odds. Aaron has just come back but Mesut, Jack and Laurent are still mending. The problem is they need the supporters to lift them to the end. If not, we can kiss champions league goodbye. That is what all our enemies want. I hope we at Positively Arsenal don’t get dragged into the swamp.
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Come On Positively Arsenal! Lets be different from the lily-livered plastics. Caarmon!
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You’re right Kelly. I’m just a bit cross with the players at the moment because I feel like they are underperforming. They are better than they have been showing lately and I can’t understand what is wrong with them. But I haven’t given up hope and I’m still feeling optimistic for the rest of the season provided they can shake off whatever malaise is afflicting them right now.
A bit of mindless TV is what is needed right now I think. Catch you guys in the week.
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…or the quicksand, sg. Lets not get dragged into the quicksand. Actually does quicksand exist? All my heroes in the fifties and sixties seemed to encounter it but you never hear of it any more. .
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Perhaps todays game was pre-Wembley nerves. I fancy Aaron and Yaya for a brace each in that game.
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I have never seen quicksand Frank but I have seen a dark, ugly, depressing swamp.
The players are edging there and so are some my PA brethren. Sistren like Alabama and Pass are showing strength. Come on guys lets tell them to f*ck this shit. There’s a lot to play for!
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You’re right, Pass, they are under-performing. The question is why? And I think it’s a whole team version of what happened in the past with Aaron. The talent is there, the desire to do well – the confidence is shot. Now, will they do what Aaron did? Push forward, keep trying, play through it? Or will they withdraw further into their shells? And what will we do? Encourage them? Or give up on them? I’d like to think I know what this group will do.
I’m following your example, Shotta. Onward! And I’m with Frank – goals from Aaron and Yaya next week. I feel it coming.
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We have gotta start here on PA. This is not a time to feel sorry for ourselves. Reinforcements are coming in the form of Koscielny and Ozil.
Carmon PA. Carmon!
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Didn’t seen the game and frankly, I don’t think I want to but it is nice to read the comments on here especially from the ladies in the house. What we need right now is a positive mindset (tough as it may be) because this is what the world and his concubines want: for Arsenal and indeed Arsene to fail. Shame that some of the fans are actually driving the band wagon!
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We’ll be alright,win that cup & finish 4th and build for next season,Franks right about the stop gaps,it’s Ozil quality signings from now on especially up top,would be fantastic if AW signed his contract this week…
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it is weird cause this sequence of low confidence performances have come from the more mature players of the side…. per verm and arteta flam have failed massively to get a grip and hold the fort and santi with rosa have lots of ups and downs and wrong decissions, they are in a dark place for sure…the return of ramsey and ox can help invigorate the team ( gnabry?) and the elders to cool out for a bit and get their mojo back, wherever they left it…
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Having spent a little time on Twitter after the game it is hard not to come to the conclusion that for many of the AFC supporters the result was exactly what they were hoping for, such was their unbridled hate for all things Arsenal. I wish they wouldn’t be so unpleasantly negative, but I know how emotions run high, and I can understand why they are as they are. In fairness, if the players and the manager had set out beforehand to plan a result and a performance that was guaranteed to cause such a meltdown then they couldn’t have done it any better than what actually happened (or didn’t happen). You’d be a braver man than me to bet with any confidence on what came first: the tepid performances and agonising wait for a response or the hostility of sections of the fan base.
At times like these the manager is an easy target, and although to blame him for everything is too simplistic, again it is easy to see why some see him as the major cause for these reverses, although of course they would never recognise his part in any successes. But for just about the first time I can remember he publically called into question the attitude of his players after the game, and I think that will have a significant effect, not in the sense that they will suddenly care more, but because I think a few might not play many more times for the club. I hope that Ramsey and Ox will play a big part in the coming games, and I hope too that Gnabry will return quickly and play. From what I can see we might as well play Sanogo up front at the moment, because he seems to have more energy about him than Giroud who isn’t finding life at all easy it would seem. Having brought in Kallstrom it might well be that he could play a proper role (at least until Jack is back) and I can only hope that Gibbs will be back soon too, as he would definitely add pace to the mix. And yes, I would play Jenkinson over Sagna as well, because I sense that we need to revitalise just about everything, and somehow get the team to rediscover the joy of being young and paid to play the game they most love.
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What is of paramount importance is the reaction of the lads in the next few games that will finalize this years campaign. Everton away is never an easy game specialy considering a few of our top players that are out mending their wounds and the unfamiliar partnership that is our central defense presently. This means all available hands on board working doubly hard and triply smart. All the hard work ,blood and sweat this year comes down to this and as such the focus can’t falter and all else comes second. We cannot afford to show up flat as today in any of our remaining games. The challenge is there and we are the ARSENAL. we have dealt with challenges much tougher than this and we can take this one on with a gusto. As always our faith and belief in this team ,AW and the club in general remains positive, unshakeable, untouchable and invincible.
UP THE GUNNERS OF ARSENAL!!!!!!
to the last kick in the last game we remain as loyal as ever and as supportive. COYG
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Right people, I am away until Friday ,so unless Andrew posts anything it will be talk among yourselves time.
Never give up. never stop believing.
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And its not the result that is important. Win , lose or draw the attitude and the efforts must be one hundred percent for those wearing the red&white and representing this proud club.
If your not up to it kindly inform the caretakers and I’m sure someone full of energy and dedication will properly fill in for you until you are feeling up to it. You would have to be hungry and wanting it more than anything.
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I think what I really need is to be having a few beers with you guys rather than sitting here all on my own gently seething. The ref was shocking (and no, decisions don’t even out over the season), and the lucky breaks fell their way rather than ours. And it was another stupid lunchtime kick-off which never seems to help.
But it will be OK. If we come worse than fourth then we will have a different sort of season next year. It didn’t do Chelsea that much harm when they won the Europa League, and no Europe has hardly ruined Merseyside this year. And if we don’t win next weekend then we will have another go next year.
But we will win the cup, and we will be in the Champions League. So that’s sorted then. See you all tomorrow.
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“…somehow get the team to rediscover the joy of being young and paid to play the game they most love.” That’s it, FH. That’s exactly what they need. And to get back to believing in how good they actually are.
Enjoy your trip, George. We’ll hold down the fort until you get back. Goodnight you lovely people. (Unless you’re on my side of the Atlantic. In that case, I’m around, if you want to chat.)
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Sagna was our best performer yesterday.
The problem was Per. He’s clearly worn out and needs a good 2 match sit-out.
Bring on Jenks, move Bac to CB with Torral on the bench.
Kos should be back after Wigan
@Wembley
Start Gnabry (is he injured?) on LW
Flamini’s suspended so play Kim K alongside MA8
Keep Santi in CM, play Mozart for a half
Start Poldi as CF with the Ox on for TR @ the break.
2-0 to The Arse
On to the Hammers…the return of Koscielny
RASERS!
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Shim Shallstrom to start against Wigan. Has to surely?
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I don’t necessarily agree with those who think this is AWs last season. Of course he may decide to hang up his boots and who could blame him. But if we can win the FA Cup and put a string of results together he may well fancy a shot at acquiring some players in the summer and having a tilt at the EPL and whichever European competition we are in.
Personally I would like him to leave on a high and with real appreciation for what he has done for this club. I think he will want to see the youngsters come through…there are some real gems about to hit the big stage, it would be good if AW got to see them OK.
And he is the sort of manager who will want to introduce his successor although that may already have happened earlier in the season. Overmars/Bergkamp partnership anyone?
This latter half of his tenure has been comparable to Herbert Chapman and may well provide us with success in seasons to come. It will be ironic and a cruel twist of fate if the club goes on to enjoy that success without its architect.
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In spite of the blanket of gloom among supporters this morning I do not think there is a real chance of AW quitting in the Summer.
Up to five or six weeks ago he, and the same players who are being so vigorously abused by so many this morning, had driven this club forward to lead the PL on merit and playing the sort of high quality fast football that is our trademark. Fans were optimistic, satisfied, looking forward to the trophy monkey being unseated. Hard work and patience had brought us to the front, not absurd spending or inane manerial theatrics.
Now it is fair and sensible to reflect that our PL challenge faded and faded in a very disappointing way from early February. The spectacular defeats at the Bridge and Anfield were the games that many point to as the reason for the devastation but feeble performances at Stoke and at home to Swansea cost us five points, and goodness me are they five points it would have been great to have now. And to all the Groaners who assured me what a poor player Giroud was in the Autumm and over Xmas I would give a bar of gold to get the striker we had then back in that form this week.
If that phase of gloom however there have been good performances, our first double over Spuds for many years with a battling performance at the Lane, against Citeh at home and in our two home FA Cup ties where, lets be honest, we turned over the two Liverpool clubs easily. Despite what you might believe from some ‘experts’ this morning these games were played and the results stand.
Now if we can spend this week reflecting on what we do well, play fast attacking football, and how to put t into action then Saturday at Wembley will be what it should be, a celebration of our footballing quality.
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so play Kim K alongside MA8
nooooooooo…no more arteta please….lol..enough…… check all the games hes been involved this season…i wont say anything more…
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bring on the 17 and 18 year olds !!! theyll have more fight in them.. arsene be ruthless!!
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