A view from the ground from @foreverheady
I enjoyed the game and thought we were properly in charge throughout. The defence looked organised and apart from a spell in the second half when we seemed happy to concede possession, we always seemed in control of the game. I was very impressed with Campbell and felt he made a big impact: the ball seems to find him, and he was often involved. He provided excellent support defensively and his energy level seemed high – Monreal must have thought he was in heaven. Given that it was effectively his first proper match for Arsenal I thought he did well, and I would love to see him play again. There have been better players than him who have been one-footed and as the Tony Adams quote on the wall of the stadium says, “play to your strengths”. He seemed to give us a very different balance and it will be interesting to see how he is used. There is a line of thought that says that that left wing spot has been the hardest to fill effectively: Podolski, Ozil, Cazorla and Wilshere have all played there with varying degrees of success, and not all have embraced the defensive aspect of the role wholeheartedly, so it was good to see him trying so hard: he deservedly got an ovation when he left the pitch. Given the doubts over the fitness of our midfielders I wouldn’t be rushing to send him out on loan, although playing a dozen or so Premier League games for Palace, QPR or WBA would do him no harm at all I guess.
It was a good natured crowd, with a lot of youngsters there, and also a lot of empty seats, although I suspect that the official attendance was high as no doubt it was largely season ticket holders who were absent. Not many Club Level members seemed to have made it, and I can only guess that most were still on the ski slopes or wherever it is they head to over the Christmas holiday. Nice work if you can get it as they say.
And now we enter a period of brief normality with only a game a week for a while which will be very welcome for the players and rather dull for us. But thanks to our warriors yesterday we have the excitement of the Fourth Round draw to look forward to, and that is something to be more than happy about. I rather fancy an away tie at Old Trafford.
Positively Arsenal 
I see some are saying Ozil has bulked up big time in his time out injured, can’ say I really noticed it today, but photo’s seem to show he has
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When Arshavin bulked up he was accused of being a fat little bastard – as long as his shorts still fit I think it is a good thing eddy
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arshavin was accused of being a fat little bastard cos he did not bulk up, he got fat.
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Eduardo, Do you like it here?
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We are a happier team without Podolski, of that there is no doubt in my mind.
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ha ha george, don’t tell me AA is off limits.
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foreverheady what ever about the team being happier, it is clear Pod would not be in the match day squad when everyone fit, Campbell won’t be in it either. look at the four front players today, add subs Ozil and Walcott, not to mention Welbeck, and then there is Ramsey to add in too. Pod would not be near a match day squad.
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AA23 is indeed off limits.
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Best moments of the match were when they showed that huge twats hollow expression as he watched his team being demolished despite dirty tactics and help from inept officials. Vile and abhorrent club, relegation is the least they deserve.
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eduardo: “arshavin was accused of being a fat little bastard cos he did not bulk up, he got fat.”
Thanks for this eduardo – PG may not have liked it but it put a big smile on my face.
Let’s hope it isn’t the same for Mesut.
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Talking of players being out of the match day squad, with Coquelin’s current form (and him still being only 23), what chance does Flamini have of getting back in when Arteta’s fit?
Maybe for the Brighton game?
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so match of the day’s advice to Arsenal’s opponents is to kick the shite out of Alexis, odd that we never see this sort of advice given by them for the likes of Hazard or Aguero etc, its just reserved for Arsenal, as we all know Arsenal are fancy dans and don’t like it up them Captain Mainwaring. Pathetic
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eduardo – I’m sure Zabaleta will be quick to oblige.
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Don’t forget folks we need two quality XI’s ready to play twice a week, if Arsenal were competing on all fronts.
Szczy
Debuchy – BFG – Koscielny – Gibbs
Arteta – Ramsey
Alexis – Ozil – Santi
Giroud
Ospina
Bellerin – Chambers – XX – Monreal
Flamini – AOC
Theo – Rosicky – Wilshere
Welbeck
You can mix and match as you please, I’m not saying which is the first XI (!)
That still leaves attacking options on the bench: Campbell, Sanogo, Gnarby, Akpom.
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New post from anicoll5 is up and running http://wp.me/p37nXa-194
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