Bergkamp. The Invincibles.
Special memories.
It’s been a while since we have seen Leicester City and Emile Heskey. What can we expect to see?
Because I am a little bit ignorant I don’t really know. They dominated the second tier last year with what looked like a settled team. So, at a fair guess they’ll do better then most promoted teams in their first season.
How will they play? Direct and with pace, that’s what I’ve been told! We shall see.
I don’t know any of their players, I expect to find out more in Sunday! Although they have only one point so far they’ve played well, and they should’ve taken a lead away to Gazprom-upon-Fulham which could’ve been interesting.
Arsenal’s entire pre-season training programme would have been structured around this initial run of games before the the upcoming international break, with the champions league games being the likely priority. Arsene said over the summer described the schedule as “mad” for players going to and returning from the WC. We’ve certainly seen examples of madness in the critique of players who are still in pre-season. A number of players who will be on the bench on Sunday played for the U21s on Thursday, simply because they needed the minutes no doubt.
This is why it was possible for a non-certified genius like little old me to anticipate some rotation for the trip to Everton. The decision to start Alexis in the middle was made slightly earlier in the season then we had expected because there was a desire to keep both Giroud and Alexis fresh for Wednesday, what with that game being a little bit important. Unfortunately Giroud picked up the late injury. The best made plans…
The same back five plus Flamini will most likely start on Sunday but there could be some rotation for this game too. For example, Wilshere may be due a rest, he’ll have to play for England so he might come out the team for Ramsey, who had a mid-week breather. And there could be other changes, because Chamberlain and Özil just played their first ninety minutes after having not been training for that long, and they were blowing. Chambo because he was injured, Özil because he was raving in Las Vegas two and a half weeks ago! This would’ve been a perfect game for Giroud. CF selection will be interesting, I wouldn’t cry if Sanogo was asked to soften and beat them up for sixty minutes.
The true mark of the end of this staggered post WC pre-season will be the closing of the transfer window after this game. A transfer window in which ManIOU have spent £60M on three LBs? A completely unsettled Utd team, rebuilt too quickly and stupidly (the opposite to the wisdom of Arsenal after the F Word F’d off) drew at Burnley. Leicester will provide sterner opposition.
We’ll have a better understanding of any changes or evolutions in this team after the break. Safe to say that all but the unwell are very happy with the performances of Chambers, Debuchy and Alexis since they began their pre-season in the Emirates cup (unlike Per and Özil who got their first minutes this week, three weeks later then their team mates).
It would be remiss and ignore the official appointed for the game, given the unacceptable standards of refereeing for all football fans seen in the last two games. Even the Besiktas players looked fed up with the man from UEFA by the end of the last game, and who could blame them. Further information on the gentleman who sent off Gibbs for wearing the wrong shirt and having the wrong colour skin can be found over on Untold Arsenal.
Hope you all enjoy the game, especially those lucky enough to be going (if you are going remember to serenade our old pal A.Taylor please, thanks).
A guest post by Finsbury
Positively Arsenal 
“…splashing around a lot of cash for short term gain without any regard to quality and the long-term future of your club…”
Yet it was exactly twelve months ago to the day that the great and the good, the Groaners, the black bin bag movement were all still telling us that “Levy knew what he was doing”, and that “Vengarghhhhhhh had lost the plot and had no ambition”.
A few days later that idiotic meme had to be re-edited to state: “Ozil was a fluke”*, which was even more embarrassing for those uttering it.
*Just like Sanchez then!
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Come on Arsenal!
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Another year the same old Spuds. They lack top, top quality. As for Pool, they are good offensively but they are like, last year, suspect defensively. Gerrard has 35 games to make his usual cock-ups.
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Gains @ 3:04pm – I am thinking of the players they buy, not the stadium. Look at United. They have spent about 70 million quid on 3 left sided players (Shaw, Rojo and Blind) not counting their wages. No matter how much money you earn this is reckless and unjustifiable. Sooner or later it catches up with you.
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Told you I was ITK
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COYG
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Its a bit trudged
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We need to make our midfield dominance pay with goals. They need to fear our counter-attack.
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Alexis and Ramsey are getting in each other’s way.
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We seemed disjointed, tired and lacking our mojo. Like shotta said, we need to make our midfield dominance more effective and fearsome. Rosicky would have provided the gear shifts today. At times like these, you wonder about the decisions made and compare it with your opinion, but Wenger is never ever going to deliberately disadvantage Arsenal and he knows football better than I know my own palms and he is an intelligent man. So i will take my bias for Rosicky to a corner and shut up.
Maybe the international break is coming at a good time. As long as most of our players dont play much, it would be a good breather and we can go again.
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Today we didn’t play well although I felt we did enough to win. Our goal-scorers are not getting balls in good enough positions to score. Sanogo, despite what our c*ntish supporters on twitter have to say, had more shots on target than any other goal scorer. Ramsey, Alexis and Cazorla, from whom we expect good shots were always pressing to get off their shots. But what rankles me the most is Sanogo is playing his tail off, constantly fouled without any calls from the ref and our online fans can do no better than slag him off. Frankly it is disrespectful. There is clearly something about as he got off 3 good shots on goal and did a decent job holding up the ball. Give him time and leave the tedious criticism to media who have no clue about developing a player much less a team.
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Thought the second half was poor today. After getting the breakthrough goal I thought we’d push on but the equaliser dented our first half dominance but I really expexted a faster and wider pace second half. Like other people have said the final ball was not crisp and that helped leicester defend. maybe earlier introductions or starting fresher personnel would of helped but thats hindsight for you. which is a skill many will be using on twitter right now so im going nowhere near it.
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Sanogo is actually decent. Our midfield just needs to find a way. We miss walcott too.
The opposition seem to flood their penalty box and seem to be more in numbers. Hope Wenger sorts that out.
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In the first half they played as if they didn’t understand each other. Alexis was trying to get into the same spaces in which Ramsey and Ozil were operating. Ramsey was making weird little runs that were confusing Santi. Ozil was getting caught in possession. Some of the football was awful. However, they improved in the second half and gave glimpses of real quality. I’m putting this result down to the team not having gelled yet and a bit of weariness from the game last Wednesday.
I thought Sanogo did well up front despite Anthony Taylor’s refusal to acknowledge the dirty play from Leicester’s defenders.
Alexis is sorting himself out. He was a bit all over the shop today, but that will improve with more time playing with his new teammates.
Santi was the best Arsenal midfielder today. He would have dribbled around Jesus Christ Himself if he came down to mark him.
Ozil was finding his bearings. I hope he didn’t fuck up any ankle ligaments.
The Ox messed up his knee. Not good.
Chambers is good as shit.
BFG is always good.
Szczes made a wicked save to earn us the point.
Debuchy was very regular. Like Sagna, the dude does not cut inside.
Nacho was lively.
Poor Koz. He was playing really good before he came off.
Ramsey was really good and really bad at the same time.
I thought Flamini did okay. I’d rather Arteta in the middle.
Did Podolski even get a touch?
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Arsenal need no find a little bit more fluidity, finding the pass for that run beyond the defensive wall a fraction earlier, but given that these players are used to OG and no pace for the last period, it’ll take just a little while to see the switch that was seen with the more familiar Walcott up top in the 3rd round of the cup.
Got through the qualifiers. Unbeaten in the league. Job done.
Hopefully Koscielny and Chamberlain (& Ozil?) get an Anthony Taylor induced rest from the internationals (& no worse according to initial post-match comments) and come back fresh and ready for the Arsenal.
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It was a somewhat disappointing result and performance, but a draw isn’t the end of the world. It seemed like it wasn’t quite clicking today – perhaps understandable when the team contains those still coming up to fitness and those who played in the draining mid-week match (some players fall into both categories). As a team, we lacked the extra gear or two that was needed to kill them off.
Still unbeaten, in the Champions League group stage, Theo back soon. Plenty of reasons to be cheerful.
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When you play against a lesser side most players give 98%. If it was only one who did that, it would be OK. But if they all do, then it is 98% of 98% of 98%. And that soon equals a not very good performance, and one that is of no help to a young man trying to make his way up front.
If I had been selecting the side I would have changed it completely, and only chosen those who were still trying to prove that they should be starters, because I always felt that the warriors who had got us through home and away against Besiktas would be slightly off then pace today. But I am not the manager, and I understand why he could not possibly do that in the hateful atmosphere that exists in the media and among some of the fans.
Five points out of a possible nine and Champions League secured. I would have sold my soul for that at the beginning of August. Early days, the false start to the season is now over, and I am delighted that the side now have a few days to calm down.
All will be well, but probably not before Aaron Ramsey gets rid of that ridiculous beard and stops playing as if he thinks he is someone, rather than the very special person that deep down he needs to remember he is.
And I also couldn’t give a flying whatever if we don’t sign anyone tomorrow – in fact, I reckon we would do better if we didn’t, as the lot we already have are plenty good enough once they remember that it is their responsibility and that they can’t rely on anyone else to do it for them.
And lastly, Hunter, why are you so silent? I need to hear your views.
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Just finished watching that on record. Plenty of good performances, Alexis electric again, Santi sharp, Flamini disciplined, and what a good footballer Chambers is !
We never really got control of the midfield which made it a harder game than I expected, albeit I recognise Leicester put in a good effort.
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I expect you are all as excited about transfer deadline day as I am ?
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I’m camping out at the Emirates now, so I can gurn for the Sky cameras as they go ‘around the grounds’ tomorrow.
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I think we got off lightly today with Mr Taylor. He only refused several free-kicks, a few cards and just the one penalty.
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I haven’t had a chance to watch the game yet, and now I don’t know if I want to. I mean everyone has said how shit the performance was, so why should I bother? I’m sure there was nothing good to see. Nothing.
Oh, and I want you all to go back and read the last paragraph of my post about Aaron, and then call me a goddamned prophet. Not that it was that hard to predict…
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The meltdown of the gobshite fans on twitter and fan TV after the game has reached deification con 4.
Interesting that some are spouting the exact phrases copied from Le moan and Tim Payton.
On and I agree with George, the match was turgid – blame a very well organised Leicester City and a bit of stress carried into the game from Wednesday.
No matter who comes in on Monday, and stories suggest a centre back, midfielder any maybe a striker – the malcontents won’t be happy.
We can compare results of Leicester and Everton directly with Chelsea’s, they have just been luckier with nothing to do with their alleged superior squad.
I could suggest that our midfield isn’t clicking because of Arteta’s absence, but that would be blasphemy out side of this safe bunker from the nuclear meltdown going on right now.
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Alabama. There were lots of good bits – We would have won 3-1 if Arteta and Giroud were playing today.
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Ah, so I’m not the only one that thinks those two players being missing is key? And that developing new understandings is going to take time? And that we are, contrary to popular opinion, seeing flashes of that happening? Thanks, DC, for reminding me.
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That ref was pretty nuts–yellow for WS?!?
All in all a pretty drab affair and not the most auspicious start for my London career as a Gooner. Had a lovely long walk on a brilliant day from Hampstead Heath down to Highbury to watch at a friendly pub, the George, just off Hollieay Roaf after having a Thierry Henry at Puebury Corner–delicious! The game didn’t live up to the rest of the experience, unfortunately and there wasn’t much buzz about. I am sure it will be different in a couple weeks for City followed soon after by the NLD.
Arsenal are just warming up. It will be an adjustment for Sanchez who nevertheless looks very good, lively, full of brio. Maybe he and Ramsey get in one another’s way a little as they are both dynamic energy players. Rambo seems a bit off his torrid pace last season. I recommend a haircut and shave! I don’t expect him to score at the same rate but hopefully his all around influence will be consistent with last season’s levels. Alexis will need some rest or he will burn out by January at the rate he works.
I know it is heresy perhaps but I do hope we get some reinforcements. A quality player or two could help us weather the inevitable injuries better or avoid them to energy players like Ramsey and Alexis. You can’t count on two seasons in a row of no serious injuries to your striker or CB starters. We were lucky last year but haven’t started out luckily this season. Still we are in good position for a successful season. I am going to enjoy it thoroughly! Taking Linestonegunnerunho down to the club shop– a new Puma shirt and Arsenal school supplies are in order!
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Two Sunday afternoon games, a couple of hours apart, same league. Both games poised and next goal looking as if it will be decisive. Brief arm contact in box leads to a penalty for Liverpool, strong challenge from behind and final push that sends Cazorla tumbling results in “play on”. We could buy all the strikers in the world and it would make no difference if the rules continue to be applied so randomly.
Except it isn’t random, is it?
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Nice to have you here Limestone – and Kelly, if you read this, please understand that I am not down on Aaron (or any of our players), but miss his fresh-faced innocence.
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Can anybody explain to me the current thinking on Joel Campbell?
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I understand, FH, and I know you’re not down on him. But here’s the thing: he’s not a boy anymore. I’m not sure why folks are surprised that he wants to look like a man, and not a boy. Surely people can understand that he wants to be a leader, wants to influence things. There are some growing pains to that for sure, and he’s stumbling a bit. But I think it’s pretty clear that he’s done with that “fresh-faced innocence” image. He’s pretty much ceded that position to Calum now anyway (banned smiley). You can only be the innocent for so long. Then you have to be the grown up. I don’t see any signs that his character has changed at all. He’s almost 24, he’s settled down, and he’s very mature. I think all those things are good. And personally, I like the beard…makes him look older, therefore making me feel slightly less pervy (second banned smiley). I’d also bet good money that his wife likes it…or it would be long gone.
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campbell may leave today despite arsene’s effort to hold on to him this season. he wants to play. and with the current striker problem in the club, he deserves to play or even start. but wenger want to use the tested players who have been here before him. unfortunately, they have not rewarded his faith in them. the other reason has to do with the luck we are having with injuries and suspensions this season. we have only been able to make use of our 3 subs just once this season after five games. that was the only time he was brought on. i believe he would have played more if we didnt have injuries and suspensions to gibbs, kos, ramsey and debuchy.
something tells me he will leave today and it will be a shame.
the pre-season training that the german members missed is really taking its toll already. i am of the opinion that matersacker and ozil need to be eased gently into the team until they are fully fit to start and play regularly. rosicky was here all through the pre season and i believe he will be in a better shape for now so also is chambers. i remember that sagna had same problem two seasons ago when he was not eased into the season having missed the pre season due to injury. the good thing now is that we have capable replacement for the time being.
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Good morning PA and George
George, I’ve posted today on GunnersoreArse…. may be right up your street, I think it’s a Positive post… let me know?
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After such a bright World Cup and a few decent performances for Olympiakos it would be a damn shame to see Joel Campbell without ever really having the chance to contribute, especially at a time when we are short of attacking numbers.
Arsene’s attitude to the boy is as enigmatic as ever, it did however strike me that he did not feature at all yesterday despite being on the bench.
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I see Burton Albion have signed Stuart Beavons from Preston North End. Yet another striker Arsène has missed out on.
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