A guest post from @anicoll5.
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I can remember few games in which we found the opposition performance so tepid and toothless, in football terms at least. I can remember few Sunday afternoons during which, from the first peep of the referees whistle the game was so tilted in our direction and the result was never in doubt. It is untypical for me, and I suspect I was not the only one yesterday, to be not just glancing at my watch midway through the second half but wondering whether the battery had failed.
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But let us be clear my Sunday sojourn was not the result of the opponents arriving at the Ems as a bad side. This is the same Stoke who beat us fair and square at the Britannia a month ago and made us look very ordinary that day. This is the same Stoke who have won at the Etihad, the Lane and run Manchester’s second side ragged at Trafford Park since September. I anticipated a difficult afternoon, I really did.
No this almost entirely one sided contest was the result of our mastery, I shall say that word again loudly for dramatic effect MASTERY of every aspect of the game from first to last.
Santi, Tomas and the Ox fizzed, buzzed, clipped, probed and punished. Le Coq was entirely tidy, stayed up right and negated any threat through the middle. A more complete midfield performance is difficult to think of. Creativity in a spiral of energy. Was Bojan on the field yesterday ?
Our full backs, all three of them were excellent going forward and resolute on the back foot. Monreal looks twice the player who started the season. And our centre backs made Crouch and Walters look amateur for 90 minutes.
Ospina’s two ‘saves’ I suppose kept the man awake in what for him was probably quite a disappointing PL debut. With so little to do it was not a stage to show his wares to best effect. What he did do however he did well.
And that brings up on to our attacking pair of Giroud and Sanchez. Olivier had a fine game and will be disappointed not to be among the scorers. For Alexis the superlatives are just about exhausted. Another MotM performance from the Chilean. Even if everyone else had just about settled for the 3-0 he was still at it in the final two minutes winning a ball on the edge of the Arsenal box and haring off up field with it to set up Theo. It is not a question of what is in his batteries it is a question of what is in his head !
Because I am of a sporting disposition I invariably try to say something at least conciliatory about the opposition. It is a weakness I know but there we are. At the outset Stoke I think came with the notion of trying to play football. After the first goal went in, and Begovic was keeping them in the game, they recognised that would not work and turned petulant and nasty. When that did not work they gave up. Accordingly, and other than their keeper, I can give them no kind word. They may not have arrived a bad side but sure as Hell they left the Ems as one. Diminished, flattened, embarassed.
A solid few days of hard work in prospect before the contest at the Etihad. These are the games to enjoy our treasure. To prepare ourselves for the contest, to renew our commitment to the club, to this exceptional group of players and our manager I attach below a suitable text for Positivistas to reflect upon this week;
“No man can serve two masters: for either he will hate the one, and love the other; or else he will hold to the one, and despise the other. Ye cannot serve God and mammon.”
Matthew 6:24
Toodle-Oo for now
Positively Arsenal 
I liked JET but after making his debut I heard he thought he was the big man and took all his mates into the training ground and strolled around disrespected the staff. As you all know no one last long after that. Chuba is a lot more grounded and I’ve spoke to him at a reserve game and he give me the time of day which was nice. I really hope he does well.
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jenkinson scored his penalty in the west ham v everton penalty shootout WHU won it
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Ro = @Bradyesque7 ·
How did you all enjoy the return of 4141 this week?
Nobody notices formations when you win. Or what kind of marking you use on corners.
😂
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http://hereisthecity.com/en-gb/2015/01/14/arsenal-ranked-higher-than-chelsea-in-global-club-list/ top english club in world rankings ok not sure critiea correct but nice to wave at doomers and opposistion fans
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Great entertainment from the Boleyn ground last night. The football was a bit scrappy with errors, misses and both sides running themselves ragged by the end of extra time but there were little flashes of excellence to light up the evening. What a good player Miralles is – I never noticed before. Super free kick to put his side level then a jinking run through the box to set up Lukaku and Everton took the lead.
Both sides applauded of the pitch after a 9-8 result on penalties. Yeah I love it.
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Late to your Post, Anicoll, I am sorry, but compliments are still due to you.
That performance, last Sunday, was the best football I have seen from our lads for a long time.
Stoke were made to look average and that was because of the brilliance of our play and the tactics that the boss, Arsene, had set out for the team he picked.
As you said, even their attempt to resort to thuggish behaviour was stillborn when we went 3:0 up, and maybe that stopped things becoming much worse as they seemed to realise they were well beaten and further thuggery was pointless.
After the disappointment of the previous game that we lost 3:2, the captain, Mert, admitted it had nothing to do with the manager, and that he and the other players had just not performed or carried out Arsene’s instructions and had to take responsibility.
That was very brave and honest of him to admit that, and perhaps that is why the guys decided on Sunday to pay the Stokies back – big time.
Wonderful – and I watched it three times – and it was still wonderful!!
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http://vimeo.com/116750303
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since 2008/09 Man city have spent £250M on 11 strikers, but I demand we win the title.
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Southampton have now lost Wanyama (hamstring – several weeks) as well as Schneiderlin (abductor) and Mané (ACN/injury?). Tadic also came off against Ipswich limping slightly – or maybe he just walks like that normally.
Fonte still looking like a very solid CB to me. But he’s 31.
Mings also had a promising-looking little cameo.
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Eduardo@ 9:00 pm – After such powerful data proving City’s profilgate spending on just strikers, one bone-headed WOB’s response was Wenger showed no “managerial skill.” It is enough to give up on the human race.
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dkgÖÖnér @ 10:05pm – The shallowness of the Saints squad will become abundantly clear as the season wears on. Adrenaline can carry you so far.
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Guardian reporting that Debuchy needs surgery and is out for 3 months, also Arteta has had a set back.
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I wonder why so many gooners say Schneiderlin is the defensive midfielder we need, when he don’t play defensive midfield for Southampton, Wanyama plays as the dedicated defensive midfielder, MS is more of an all round midfielder, or even a box to box player. Wanyama is the physical presence in their midfield.
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I wonder why are tottnum bothering with a new stadium, they could only manage 24K for their FAC replay v Burnley
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Yes, I’d like to acknowledge this fine article, Anicoll.
Pls allow me to nitpick: I personally haven’t forgiven Miralles for crocking Ryo. I think it was Kevin Friend, the ref who let the assault go as if it hadn’t happened. It was kinda like what happened to Debuchy, ie near an out line, except Miralles came from far and smashed into Ryo’s ankles. I don’t forgive these bassturds and therefore I fail to acknowledge their play. (Which doesn’t mean you shouldn’t praise their good play).
And in your article you say Stoke beat us fair and square! Sorry, but it wasn’t fair and square at all. Revisit the second half and take a look at what’s going on. Charlie Adams with the rugger tackle that started from the neck, for instance.
Otherwise it’s a lovely piece, thanks.
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edu
although i’m not one of those who want arsene to break the bank for a DM, but the fact that schneiderlin isnt a traditional, brickwall, big and fearsome sit back DM is the reason i like us to buy him. arteta has proved to us that we dont need the wanyama type but a mobile, agile midfielder who is at home with the ball on the ground and has good ball control to go with almost perfect pass completion. who also has the pace needed in transition with the dynamism of our attacking midfieders and strikers. a players who will play consistently with ramsey in the midfield as arteta has done in the better part of the last two seasons. it doesnt have to be schneiderlin and it doesnt have to happen this january. coq is doing well at the moment and who knows he may be the player we are looking for if he manages to form a fruitful partnership with aaron.
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You have a sharp recollection Rantetta – Mind you if Charlie adam has got his hands round the neck of an opponent it aint Stoke !
I’d stand by the fair and square although accept a downgrade
to fairish and squarish – the bastards were out of sight by HT, three goals up, we get back into the contest then Calum gets himself sent off – very frustrating.
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Agreed Rants, the hack from Miralles on the kid was cowardly at best. He can play but but I can’t say I’m interested. Paul Davis he ain’t!
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layksite I agree that we don’t need an out and out DM, but a player similar to Arteta but of higher quality and more speed. My point is that a hell of a lot of those that are demanding an out and out DM, want us to buy MS, what I’m highlighting is that they don’t know what they want or what they are looking at, they don’t even know what type of player MS is.
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The best bit about the footage of all those Sanchez goals is his desire to acknowledge the assist maker in all his goals from the off. Top top quality. So happy the Arsenal got him, i’m still tripping over clouds when I think of his capture. Yes. He was my fantasy signing. Great days for the Arsenal. More to come.
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Rumour mill has gone into overdrive regarding the Alsatian’s Summer move to the Arsenal. The Mertesacker and Plodders deal and others too were set up in advance (in spite of the Groaners denials). Monreal etc. so it’s not the most implausible of gossip.
Of more immediate importance is the continued absence of the skipper following that unpunished stomp from the former Gazprom player in the first fixture of the season. He hasn’t been able to get his full fitness back. I guess that this all means that we might see Coquelin carry on with coverfrom the CB rookies and the Flame for now? Possibly other players coming in for this window (defenders!) but I don’t think much will happen till the last week on incomings.
Meanwhile the game against the oilers is coming up. They might fill the stadium they were gifted for this fixture? Who knows?
I would guess that players returning from long lay offs won’t be thrown to the lions from the KO, so much the same team as last week to start? It’s an interesting consideration, because after the 2010 WC the last two recognised “worldies” were thrown straight back into the starting eleven when returning, to the detriment of the overall team (carrying players who needed minutes to get back up to speed – always better to let them come off the bench for a bit, if possible? As we are seeing with Walcott? As opposed to the Mendes Mule Falcao who had a similar injury rushing himself back too early in order to facilitate a bogus transfer?)
The squad has improved with more quality and numbers, it’s right there for everyone to see: I wonder if the Expert Groaners have finally managed to notice all the work that’s been going on since 2010/11? Hah who am I kidding! The team is more interesting then those who’ve been denying it’s progress and so there are options to ponder: Bellerin or Chambers at RB, has Chambo MK II been given a moment to recharge? We’ll see. Gibbo or Monreal at LB? Be nice to see Gibbs against Navas (he’s quick!). All depends on their fitness, I imagine the coaches will want to continue with Nacho man and not rush Gibbs back. Welbeck could have a say if fit.
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Monaco watch: eight clean sheets in last nine games. Give their CL record as well it’ll be hilarious when Arsenal knock six past them in the first game.
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fins
and the dact we could have got balloteli instead. or even suarez last season
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*fact
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Gundogan? Looked like he was working himself back from over a year out the game when Arsenal recently beat Dortmund. I am not sure that he would be an immediate answer for the D**Mers. Heh.
I can’t dismiss any rumours however, because of the stupid grin witnessed upon AW’s face when once discussing the qualities of the player. As to whether he is or can be the same player again I don’t know, but I would imagine recovering at Dortmund is the best thing for the player for the next period: An unlikely transfer for me.
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Funniest moment into the whole Balotelli rumour/story was Gullit and Wenger in the studio together.
“there’s no way Arsene is signing Mario!” Gullit knows.
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If The Arsenal had signed Schneiderlin back in the summer he wouldn’t have been the player the DMers were looking for. If we sign anyone but him now then they will think we have failed to get the right man. I can see how Gundogan is a real option, just as I can imagine Cabaye, because both players seem to me the nearest fit to Arteta. The worry for me is that there are also doubts about Ramsey and Wilshere, as through absolutely no fault of their own they have had their forward progress disappointingly halted.
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http://www.arsenal.com/news/news-archive/20150115/arteta-has-successful-surgery-on-ankle
Arteta out for 3 more months.
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I could well see Liverpool sniffing around Jack in the Summer FH. Clearly he will have t prove his fitness in the closing stages of the season but Liverpool will require a name signing to replace SG, and I’d guess English. In fact if he was not crocked at the moment I think we would have seen waves already. Would we sell Jack ?
Stranger things have happened.
( A little early contribution for the Summer transfer window there as the current one is dead)
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As for it never being the player signed the DMers wanted ( the past tense and hindsight being an important weapon in their armoury) if we signed Lars then they would have said that Sven was the better player, or vice versa. I dunno, can you tell them apart ?
Twins eh !
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Go on – guess;
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Id be shocked if Wilshere left before Ramsey.
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holy fuck, Arteta and Debuchy both out for months.
gibbs back in training but Welbeck not back on Sunday
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lots of reported quotes from Bielik saying he is on his way to London to complete his move to Arsenal, also being said that his club have confirmed the move.
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Medical tomorrow
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anicoll
arsene dont sell his important players unless they demand to leave. forget what some say. and i dont see jack leaving for even city let alone l’pool. he is an arsenal fan like you and i. will you leave arsenal to play for l’pool when you know the manager counts on you when fit.
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Fuuuuuuuck. We did not need Debuchy to miss three months.
Here’s Wenger and Gullit talking about Balotelli.
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Fair points Layks – personally I would not consider a transfer to Liverpool or Citeh
Barcelona possibly and I have always had a spot for Ajax but I suspect it may not happen.
Back to Jack though its the point you make about ” the manager counts on you when fit”
If everyone is fit that is creative midfield players, Santi, Ozil, Ramsey, Ox where does Jack fit in – Does AW count on him ? Hardly Jack’s fault but these past few years, with his long absences, he has moved down the pecking order. He is too old and too good a player to be sitting on the bench. Arsenal fan or not I am sure he wants to play football.
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yes anicoll, but when was the last time we have all these players fit at the same time. even at the start of the season when you expect all players to come without any form of injuries, we’ve never been lucky. that is what those who say arsene dont do tactics have always fail to appreciate. most of the time arsene is forced to play the best players available without any room for rotation or tactical change. of course if we have all these players available, it will only afford arsene to play them according to the opponents. just how you wont expect wenger to always use gibbs and leave monreal on the bench just because gibbs is fit. do you think wenger doesnt count on monreal when gibbs is available?
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competition in the team helps good players to become better. jack wont develop if the club remains at his level. jack is a good player whether you believe it on not. he can only get better. and the more competition in the team the better for him. just look at ox this season. you would expect that the addition of alexis and danny boy will limit his chances, but no, he raised his game and today he’s better for it. dont worry about jack like many others tend to do. jack can handle himself.
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ian, are you having medical? just being curious.
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Someone said “we need a player like Arteta only higher quality” Breaking news. That player does not exist.
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I need one, but no I meant Bielik a good signing but of course the doomers will go about just buying another youngster
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haha george! arteta is the best quality at 32. but lets say a younger version then.
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of course i know ian. but it will be great if you have medical at arsenal maybe as a reserve team player
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Martin Graiciar a 15 year old striker from Vitoria Plzen looks set to sign for Arsenal despite interest from Europes elite. He is having a medical in the coming days and will seemingly train with out first team, as well as play games for the U16’s in the next week or so.
“Wenger is the one who has made this possible,” said Graiciar
https://pbs.twimg.com/media/B7aMFccCAAA0pa-.jpg:large
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new signings don’t half talk a load of bollocks,
Bony: “I’ve dreamed of playing for City for 15 years.”
So an 11 year old from the Ivory Coast was dreaming of playing for the third division play off winners, as that is what man city were then.
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I asked a Stoke City fan at work why the boo Aaron Ramsey and he replied that it is because Ramsey’s leg was broken before Shawcross followed through. He then supplied photographic evidence:
He added that Aaron did not accept Shawcross’s apologies. Now there’s being partisan for you….
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I hope you punched him George, I would have,
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My first ton.
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