I wait Nine years for a piece of silverware, and I’m buggered if two don’t come along at once !
Well ok, its not a real trophy, but its sure a lot better to be winning it than losing it.
We fans , and the club, have to listen as people tell us we cant beat the big team. Bollocks to them then, I’m counting that as a win.
At very least it should assure the players that they can indeed beat the top English teams. The importance of confidence cant be overstated.
When we had anything resembling a full squad we led the league., then when we got anything like a full squad back we won the FA Cup. Now this. The way I look at it is that if our players are fit we win shit.
More importantly the way we played in the first half speaks volumes. City players looked like sulking hound dogs after 10 minutes, as by that time they had realised that it was our ball and they were not going be allowed to play with it.
You all saw the game. Loads of positives. Sanogo, Chambers,Gibbs and Jack were all very good. Well, everyone was really, but they stood out.
However my man of the match would have been old “no legs”himself, our new club Captain, Mr “cant hack it in big games” Mikel Arteta. He never put a foot wrong.
Mikel is everything you would want in an Arsenal Captain and a lot more. The perfect professional and representative of the club.
So come on you Positistas, lets hear three cheers for Mikel…….hip-hip…………hip-hip………hip-hip
By pedantic george @Blackburngeorge.
Positively Arsenal 
Just imagine if we would’ve lost! The headlines would be a delirious mix of “Wenger needs to buy!” and “Arsenal not good enough, should Wenger go now?”. Now however it’s all that City didn’t care and weren’t full strength (neither were we…) and that those pre-season games just don’t matter. It’s funny how perceptions change if it doesn’t fit your agenda…
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I agree George,Arteta was fantastic,great goal from Giroud but I think Geoff Hurst must be chairmen of the strikers union (a contradiction in terms surely?) to have give him man of the match,what a goal though..really looking forward to this season.
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Hooray indeed! He was rather special. I don’t think there was even an average performance on the pitch. Is it just me or was Gibbs even faster. Perhaps it was city’s shocking fitness levels making him look that bit faster.
Loving Mikel though. He’s a clever fucker isn’t he. Knows when to pass, hold, trip someone. Loved yesterday.
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Two top top performances in the last two Wembley appearances for the new skipper, who really was the old skipper too. I guess he’s been the skipper since the minute he walked in the door. The Prince of the park. He was the best player on the pitch in the 2-0 against Liverpool last season, this has been edited out of the “no legs” narrative.
Certainly we (the fans) gave too much credit in the beginning to the Ego – he wanted to get shot of Ramsey, to dictate to the coaches who was good enough! Which is why we’d always called him the Ego. Because he is clearly an egomaniac. More so then the average clichéd footballer.
It was obviously Arteta and his friendly lieutenant (the BFG) who turned the atmosphere in the camp around after the F Word had spent the previous half a season trying to reduce his transfer fee whilst charming the rest of the dressing room (Denilson quotes). And we can all now enjoy the reward from their hard work (Ramsey quotes on dressing room spirit and “pashun”).
Vermaelan was a good captain for me. I had a great view of his run in the build up to his goal against Newcastle. Last season he played well when called upon. But these injuries that keep players out for long durations, we have seen the impact they can have, and to complete his ‘rehab’ he needs that longer run in a team, just like Ramsey and now Wilshere. Unfortunately he has timed his move at the worst time, just when it looks like the legend that is Koscielny might need a rest. But he was happy to sit on the bench last year, he doesn’t have so many left, and we understand. Very happy that Kozza didn’t play that much for France if he has had tendon issues. Eeeeeek!
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According to the pundits in the commercial media as well as assorted bloggers and tweeters. Arsenal will not win the title if they fail to bring in a “monster” defensive midfielder to sit in front of the back-four. Pointedly they claim Mikel Arteta is too old, slow and lightweight to do the job. As usual Wenger and Mikel failed to read the script. After a masterful performance vs City, dominating as the deepest lying central-midfielder, our handsome Spaniard was named team captain for the 2014-15 season. Did they learn anything from underestimating Wenger’s superior know-how or from their writing off Aaron Ramsey one year ago? Will they Shut The Fuck Up? Will they?
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Carrying on from what was said in yesterday’s blog about Chambers – he has been very impressive in his now three games. He is however a young player, still learning the system and his job, and he will make a few errors, as he did for Monaco’s goal and when Dzeko shook him off yesterday. He reacts in the right way though, recovers his mistakes where he can, has a good sense of where players are around him and is quick and clean in taking the ball.
We need to be a little bit patient and allow him to develop, accepting that he may well not be a first choice and that his present good form might not last through every game.
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A_or_B
I thought Chambers was coming in to be a midfielder too at first. But if Koscielny needs some rest, which might be the case, then he’ll be playing at CB for a bit, at least this season which is what the player said.
Something in the tone of the comments from both the manager and the player made me think that maybe they see his future at CB? I don’t know, it’ll be interesting to see how he goes!
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Even Michael Owen had to praise the almost flawless Gibbo. He is a magnificent player.
Hodgson’s choice in not picking the best LB in the league was an odd one. And probably in no way related to the vastly inflated transfer fee Utd played for Shaw. Nope! What am I thinking? Crazy talk, eh?
If Shaw is worth £30M then Gibbs with his past experience and performances and with five years at least left at the top top level is worth a fair bit more than that!
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A Captain needs a bit of niggle right? An appreciation of the darker arts? Especially an Arsenal captain?
That’d make Arteta the pick for me over the Big FRIENDLY German all day every day.
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Anicoll5 yeah we need to temper expectations. it is a matter of fact that he will make mistakes this season. He’ll learn from them and be better for it. However I think we could probably see how that’ll be taken by the twittersphere. Not good enough, flop, need a monster, should have signed x or y, why did we let tommy go…
That said, I like him, I like him a lot. I hope he makes it.
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Gibbs was like lightening yesterday. Had one of those games where the ball just stuck to his boot too.
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Talking of “monsters” Citeh’s Fernando looks a right head case. In any normal PL match he would have been sent off, with his second yellow card early in the second half, if not by half time.
Interesting to hear as a youngster he had a one year ban for whalloping a referee in Brazilian junior football.
I trust we shall be pushing his buttons at the Ems
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George is shooting from the hip per usual, the picture of Giroud shooting from outside is what I’ll remember though.
I love the post, just plain telling it like it is. The win yesterday was just what these guys need. They now know what it like winning trophies (meaningless my ass, I’ll take it). And its something that they like and want to come accustom to. Its great seeing the Boss with a spring in his step and even better seeing Arteta, Giroud and Jack sticking it to the naysayers.
I’m quietly confident going into this season. If I could choose Arsenal being in it for one title, its the PL.
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Fernando definitely seemed to lose a few screws after one or two Arsenal tackles, the yellow came after Giroud might have fouled a City player. Arteta, the Prince of Darkness will have taken notes.
Fernando was not happy that the ref who had a good game was competent enough to call that minor handball against him early on!
It is worth commentating that recent City -Arsenal games have been played with a competitive but respectful spirit, which is nice to see.
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Jack’s display was very encouraging.
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Agreed PG. Jack’s performance was very influential. Operating on the left of the 3-man midfield he caused havoc with his dribbling and passing as he combining very well with Gibbs and Santi. Navas had to do a lot of defending and at best only had two chances to run deep into our defensive third and make crosses.
The other player who caused havoc was Alexis. He showed what we missed most of last year, a forward coming off the right flanks and creating problems for defenders. With Debuchy overlapping and Chambers in support we created many chances. City tried to attack with Kolarov and Jovetic but it was a risky proposition with Alexis so aggressive on the counter-attack. One such turnover led to the 2nd goal when Alexis led the break, fed the ball to Sanogo who found Ramsey who himself had made that lung busting run from deep.
Not everything was perfect but teams who try to attack us down the flanks like Liverpool and Chelsea did to us so successfully last year will have to think twice this new season.
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Exactly like Suarez Alexis runs straight and fast at the goal with the ball at his feet. If you are the defender you time your challenge perfectly, or you end up with a card.
I expect Pullis’ boys to be the first on the receiving end of his talents this weekend.
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Nice write up George
A call to arms. When I think about the team possibilities at the moment it’s frigging frightening. Teams will be shitting in their pants when they see our team sheet this season. When Theo gets back that will be even more of a threat. I don’t see Palace offering any decent opposition to us on Saturday. Their defence will probably give us a few problems but it will just confirm what an awesome attack we now have when we rip them apart.
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Only George can go against the tide of Arteta haters and “not good enough” riot, well done.
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Good stuff George, say it as it is.
Gooners should be a very happy and genuinely optimistic lot this morning.
We are on an upwards trajectory and long may it continue.
Captain Arteta, what can I say? He is 100% the right man at the club to take on the role, and ably assisted by Sgt. Mertesacker.
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According to Stewart Robson, Chambers has no pace. He was referring to that play by the sideline where Chambers went in wrong on Dzeko and he ran around him. Never mind that Chambers still caught up to him after giving him that huge head start. Nope, Calum Chambers is a turtle and Arsenal have problems. I’ve seen no less than twenty different idiots on different comment sections regurgitate Robson’s line.
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Chambers has no pace according to the fountain of al footballing knowledge Stewart Robson eh Gains ?
Well its true his first name is Calum is not Dwayne Chambers but I wonder who he is comparing him to ?
John ‘Speedy” Terry ? Gary ‘Lightning’ Cahill ? Perhaps Martin ‘the Bolt’ De Michelis ?
I have long suspected that Robson says the first thing that comes into his largely empty head.
Never heard such a load of bollox on all my life
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Thanks George: top stuff. Delighted for Captain Arteta, the superhero tasked with leading the new invincibles. I’ve seen the game now and it made for pleasant watching with lots of positives. Sanogo did OK and causes problems: as he is not entirely sure where he is going it makes it hard for the defenders to stop him such is his size. But what a strike from Giroud and I hope it gives him the confidence to do more of that. I think it was his second game for us when he tried an audacious lob from miles out: it just went over and he was screamed at for not passing it. Since then he has hardly had a shot from outside the box, but he showed against Everton just before Christmas that it is within his power to do so. I’m looking forward to seeing a fresh Giroud silence a few doubters this time round. I am also looking forward to Sanogo scoring plenty in the games when he is given the responsibility.
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Love the Arteta, Mertesacker Captain, Vice-Captain combination. Great leaders of our team. Real men. Real leaders.
Gains, if “Chambers has no pace”, is the best they could come up with, it is laughable. It is entertaining watching the spin being put on our win, ranging from “Rusty City” by the BBC to the “Under Strength city beaten by close to full Strength Arsenal” by some rag.
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They told me it was a deflection.
It weren’t:
http://www.gfycat.com/UncomfortableRealBuck
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Anicoll@ 2:59 pm – Interesting you should reference Pulis Andrew. He was a featured pundit on MOTD last night and he identified Sanchez coming off the right flank and attacking the central defenders as a specific strength of this year’s team. He grumbled that this was a threat he had to work on. Given the lack of quality in their squad I expect them to deep with 2 banks of four with the back line tucked in narrowly to protect the central defenders. They will hope to hit us on the break with their best athletes like Bolassie and Dwight Gayle or new boy Frasier Campbell. They did that to great effect vs Liverpool last year when that 3-3 draw did the grave damage to the Scouser’s title challenge, next to Gerrard’s slip. What could also be helpful to them is if the ref gives them early license to rotational fouling to slow down our game. We should all know by now the formula to stop Arsenal.
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“According to Stewart Robson, Chambers has no pace. He was referring to that play by the sideline where Chambers went in wrong on Dzeko and he ran around him. Never mind that Chambers still caught up to him after giving him that huge head start.”
I had that exact same thought, Gains. How do you claim he has “no pace” when you just watched him chase Dzeko down? Maybe Robson was looking at his notes readying some erudite comment and only looked up to see the end of the play. Either that, or he’s an idiot. Those are the only two explanations I can come up with…
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Bama, Silva must be slow as well because Chambers kept up with his twisty runs.
The best part about Giroud’s goal is seeing all those who criticize him have to eat a bowl of cold poo. That’s right, not only did Giroud mean to lob the keeper, the ball didn’t take a deflection. Suckers!!!
I love the stuff about City not being at full strength. It’s as if they played us with academy players and not players who may have to come in at any time during the season. After the sale of Lescott, it leaves Nastasic and Boyata as the back up CB pair in case Kompany and Demichelis are out injured.
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Robson had to eat his words on Giroud’s strike as well.
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Shotta
Bingo! We’ve seen the tactics that Palace will try out a few times before!
Poolis correctly identifies from his radio commentary the the basic system for the Arsenal is the same as it has been for a long time*, give or take the tweaks we see in every game, the importance the selections have on the tactics (“it’s the players stupid!”).
So, they’ll be hoping to hit the runs in behind the FBs. The full Slurgussian template as you described. I like some of their players, Bolasie will be a real threat.
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As much as I hated Pulis when he was at Stoke, I had to give him credit for his achievement at Palace last season. That game vs the scousers being one of many great games. Games in which I didnt notice any over the top cloggish behaviour.
Nope, I think, especially given how fucking horrible Mark Hughes’ Stoker were last season, it has to be said that it’s all about Stoke and not Pulis.
I dob’t see his Palace side being dirty on Saturday… No sirreee Bob.
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*it was identifying this template for the squad that allowed a know nothing numbnut like me to see “The Plan”. The template we saw in ’08 was:
Eduardo – Podolski
Ade – Giroud
Egomaniac – my favourite player in the whole wide world
And the rest of the squad Etc.
If I could see it, I have to ask again, why could not the experts who write about the club every day? We know the answer: they were desperate for the end of an era. There was a change, simply in income, alas not the change that they had chosen to believe in.
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Does anyone know anything about the ref for Saturday?
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Dex,
AW gave him plenty of praise last season, and this week too. TP has made very personal comments previously, so his own recent comments mark a positve change I hope.
Not sure that he’ll be capable of accepting that it was modern surgery that saved Aaron’s career after the hack, and not his Welsh genes lol!
I was impressed by some of their footy, it’ll be a tough game.
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FH
Someone on Untold will know, or put it up I guess.
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Jon Moss is known to be one of the most anti Arsenal referees on the PL list. The Arsenal win ratio in games that Moss has the whistle makes Mike Dean like a fanatical Gooner fan. Extraordinary I know but I also know the smell – it reeks of conspiracy.
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Admittedly the previous posting is fiction, and if you google jon moss and Arsenal the result is an image of manly love and hugs exchanged between Poldi and Moss in April this year.
I would not however like to fan the flame of giving a referee the benefit of the doubt.
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From Gord at Untold:
17:30 Arsenal v Crystal Palace Jonathan Moss(W Yorkshire) L.Betts(Norfolk) M.Scholes(Buckinghamshire) R.Madley(W Yorkshire)
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That Moss isnt half as bad as that Kevin Algae though…
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Have Untold got anything about the hugs between Moss and Poldi following the German’s goal at the KC ?
Hull were furious that the goal stood, Jelavic having been flattened by Arteta at the start of the move.
Swings and roundabouts Brucey, get over it.
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Don’t come all Gardener’s Question Time Dex
It’s deadly serious !
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Arteta “flattened Jellyman”??? That isnt how i recall it Aniboy! Jellyman fell over after the slightest of contact, looking for the foul, which was never given.
No swings, zilch roundabouts dude!
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Arsenal were top of the league at one point or another for 128 days last season – almost half – but in the end could not cope with an unlucky series of injuries that would have damaged any club, no matter their strength in depth.
—————————
What the ruddy heck? Great work there from Tom Peck (of t’Indy)
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I thought it was bloomin marvelous Ani Titmarsh!
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That is now how the “Football is Fixed” website saw it Dex
But as George will tell you it’s all about opinions
I have seen Pullis teams a serious number of times at the Ems – Stoke and Palace
One thing in common – zero ambition
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Oh do fork off Dex
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Thats it, I am giving you the serious (green) finger now!
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I think Crystal Pulis will not be a mere trifle, they’ll be set up to stifle and rifle and ruffle and kerfuffle on Saturday… Will need the stardust skills of Sanchez, Santi and the surging gut bucket lung busting runs of Ramsey to get past them…
You dig what I am saying Ani?
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Haha. You 2 would shurarrly have summat to discuss about this guy’s summary of Sunday’s game. Lots of swearing/somewhat opinionated/not my cup of tea:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=h-Y-bORprLs
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You can’t nettle me Dex
That would be rash
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