Morning Positive people and it is raining heavily in Norfolk this Monday morning.
Despite that damp start to the week a satisfactory footballing start to the week with our CL qualification to the group stages all but* confirmed by Mr Dean’s final whistle and two games to scrape the point that will place our name in the pot in Nyon on the 5th August.
The game yesterday ? Well having emphasised the ‘special’ nature of the Manc fixture in my comment on Stew’s excellent piece yesterday I sat glumly through the first half, watching what was a long way away from a good game of football. The home side defended deep and solidly, our passing was off target, our threat on De Gea’s goal totally missing. It just seemed our players not communicating as you would expect of a group have played together game after game in recent weeks. I can’t recall Santi knocking so many wrong passes in one half of football. I suspect after all the football he has played this season the man from the Asturias requires a rest.
My congratulations though to Phil Jones for the highlight of the first half pictured above, and provided by the Indy this morning. The boy has a talent for the ridiculous.
Manyoo were not any better during these exchanges and it was surprising that they actually managed to hit the target after half an hour. Not even a bad tackle to spark things up and get the crowd roaring. Barely noticed Dean all afternoon.
Half time came and went and in the opening of the second period the torpor continued, Manyoo hesitant to chase a second, and us not still not clicking into gear.
And then, as so often happens in the mystery that is football, Robin came on at 61 minutes, Radamael waved a wistful paw at the unimpressed Trafford Park tourists for the final time, and we finally came to life. The passes found their target, the Mancs missed tackles and spilled possession. They weakened and we became stronger and more confident. Co-incidence ? The mechanism of cosmic balance for man’s wrongs to be expiated ? The sinister influence of Malaysian gambling interests perhaps ? No idea.
And in that final half hour I thought we were pretty damn good. I sensed a certain tension when RvP arrived and fear among even some stout hearted Positivatas that the bastard would score a second. In truth he was shockingly feeble, barely touched the ball. For us Mesut had been very quiet but was now in space and picking out passes and crosses. Giroud’s battering of the centre backs had drawn blood, Roja and De Gea departed, and we controlled the game as we have not done in a while at their place. For all you Aaron fans out there it was Christmas Day in that final 30 minutes.
The equalizer was inevitable although the part Blackett played was unlucky for the boy, though slightly less unlucky that Kieran Gibbs similar deflection that upset the Ems match for us in November.
Those final 12 minutes or so we pressed, the Mancs covered up and clung on. Flamini arrived and we knew it was a single point rather than the three that would be our reward for the afternoon’s work. Herrera finally got Dean to wave his card in the 94th minute just prior to the final whistle.
And that was that. Some second half quality, not much incident or controversy. A professional performance.
It is just a short step to the Black Cats so enjoy the week.
* touches wood
Positively Arsenal 
Finally an Arsenal blog that emphasize the positives and not unduly harp on the negatives of yesterday. How many times have we played very well in a top-4 game and be undone by a chance deflection? Kieran Gibbs is having a hallelujah moment right now as you so rightly remind us. Last but by no means least you have scrupulously avoided becoming another Monday Morning Manager dishing out advice to Wenger as how to set up the team for the rest of the season. Kudos to you Andrew.
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I agree with Shotta. Nothing we can say is of the least value to the greatest manager on the planet.
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The first half was so disappointing, that I seriously considered not watching the second.
Aaron Ramsey is a force of nature
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a massive point. makes all the difference not having that qualifier as well as being able to get your targets early. Good moves from wenger with the subs too.
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it is refreshing not to have to play qualifiers for a change and have a pre season under our own control…. Let man U have the experience they will be grateful for it having failed to qualify at all last season!
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I really enjoyed the difference that Jack Wilshere made when he came on. What skill he has, and how direct he is. There will be times when he is the best of our midfielders, and times when Cazorla or Ramsey are. How any one could think that it is time for him to leave The Arsenal ….well, they just can’t have played any sport themselves, because if they had they would know there are times when you are at the top of your form, and times when it isn’t quite happening.
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You don’t need to be an expert at FUFA2015 to recall how draining the ties against the Udines and Besiktas were: Epic contests (Udinese for reasons the groaners couldn’t accept, Besiktas coming after a late WC and the least rest before the start of a season for all players everywhere, ever.
As AW said the timings last summer were “crazy” and players and clubs across the leagues suffered for it. But as we know here at PA whilst the groaners have spent their years heckling the Arsenal’s much respected football manager that the broadcasters don’t care about the football or the athletes, so they chose to attack a manager who more then any other tries to defend the sport he loves – Messi and Aguero were both simply not fit for the WC, both had no time to recover from their season’s niggles – the spectacle is reduced, the contest was not what people want to see but the broadcasters won’t care! I don’t blame Vengarrrrgh
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A fresh prepared Besiktas gave it their all, and again showed their quality when not as fresh against the Tiny Totts and Liverpool. They were a better team then those two this season.
How flamini avoided a yellow with that ref in the second leg I’ll never know.
As fh simply says it’s a team/squad game and the Flamster more then paid or contract with the experienced and flawless performance.
I’m not sure the younger relative rookie coquelin who you all know I’m a big fan of could’ve had the same game at that stage. But of course that won’t stop any revisionist Groaners from groaning their arses off!
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I’m sure the upstanding Don Tan or the incredible businessman Tony Fernandes (who appointed ‘Arry as ‘is manager ho ho ho) would object to the description of the Malaysian betting industry as sinister’.
They’d probably explain that it’s not sinsister, but simply illegal in the (f.east/s.Asia)
If they are the genius businessman that people tell us they are, in sure they know how to spot a gap in the market.
Though I think QPR are up the creek with FFP now that they are relegated, they sneaked past a big fine with promotion. However, at a guess, I would say Tony doesn’t give a rats arse. Ken Bates eat yo heart out.
He had great success with Caterham too
*coughs*
+belches*
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We have two eminent winnable home games to rest players, Santi and Alexis, and get our game working 100% before the Cup final. Jack and Theo look sharp enough to me so I hope both get at least one full game before Wembley. Debuchy is another who, fitness permitting, could be in the side on Wednesday to give Hector a chance to recharge his battery. And I would like to see Tomas, perhaps for a final time. (wipes tear)
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I’m still telling myself that Rozza will be up for one more season.
my (il)logic being that if he was so desperate to be playing regular club football that he’d not have come out retirement for the national team – a couple of niggles on his travels cost him appearances this season. It’s the hope which is killing me.
*blubbers*
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Fins – The current revisionism is vomit-inducing. After a 20 minute cameo in central midfield by the consistently excellent Ramsey almost every blogger has started clamor in for him to revert to that position. It is as if the 10 back-to-back wins with generally the same formation suddenly disappeared into ether. And that 1st the Ox and now lately Danny Welbeck’s injury is a figment of the imagination, none of which it seems had any bearing on Wenger trying to get his best players on the field while maintaining a reasonable balance between defense and attack. These are the very same people who furiously opined 2-3 weeks ago that Jack had no future at the club because he could neither play the deeper role of Cazorla or replace Ozil as our #10. I love Ramsey in central midfield but I trust the manager to set up the team how he wants them toplay and select the players who can best meet this need rather than the other way round.
But as we both know, groaner swill groan.
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Jack Wilshere will be terrifying opposition players hence forth. He was scaring me whist drooling at his ability…..
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Ok, FA Cup screening at the Emirates secured….any positivistas open to meeting up before, during and after the game let me know…..
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Shotta-Gooner
I dont think that ramsey has performed as excellent as you may have thought on the right in those 10 games. Yes he had performed decent, but his influence has largely been diminished in comparison to a central role, most people saw what he can do in 13-14, and the last 20 minutes brought that back into perspective.
Of course it didnt help with cazorla spraying balls to united players, having a off game.
I would love to see ramsey back in CM very soon, but i dont see it happening for one reason. Wenger plays him there as protection for Bellierin. Can you imagine players like walcott or ozil helping him as much as ramsey? The last two teams have targeted him. I assume when Debuchy is back to full fitness, next season possibly now, we will see ramsey back in the centre, dominating the league.
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JS – At least the effort made by Ramsey in the right midfield position has been excellent, not necessarily the performance. But you make a vital point, his importance in helping Bellerin. Until Welbeck or Oxlade Chamberlain returns, needs must.
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george and others what do you guy/girls think we need to win the treble next year and if possible the title here in england unbeaten?
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a bit of luck ?
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I didn’t think Theo looked sharp at all but I do think he just needs game time to rediscover his devilment if you know what I mean. Jack and Aaron can play together in the old double pivot if Arteta or le Coq are out and unlike fat frank and Stevie G they watch when one goes forward and can switch between defence and attack.
I honestly thought yesterday was more than just a point. It almost guaranteed us third, it meant we were unbeaten in Manchester all season and now starts a run of three games, we got a result after a very poor first half, we grew as the game went on a was definitely the stronger at the final whistle and our subs were stronger than another top 4 side. Of course one of the biggest prizes is automatic CL qualification in a season that starts early. Can we go unbeaten twice? Of course we can!
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heh anicoll..luck favours the strong…but what would you say, like what are our targets for next season ?
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Reports in France say Arsenal have completed the signing of 15 year old central midfielder Yassin Fortune from RC Lens on a 3 year deal. Man Utd were in for him too.
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Hunter @ 2:23 pm – On the back of this year’s improvements (bedding in 5 new players, implementing a way of playing that is sounder defensively, and building a solid core that are familiar with each other) I am fairly certain we can challenge for the league next year. I ln doing some research for a piece I wrote last night, I discovered that the key to Wenger’s success is stability. Apparently in the Invincible year Wenger hardly rotated trusting his core players to do the job. It is telling that in the last 6 games he did absolutely no rotation in the the 1st XI. That is sending a message to the players and to all of us. Are we listening? Are we seeing? As for new signings don’t hold your breath. With Theo and hopefully the Ox returning from injuries, we are well stocked. I can only foresee us going for top, top quality if it is available in the market.
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I think Arsene has already identified the top top quality he is after. And I bet he is sure he will get them.. 2 of them this time.
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Like you lot,I’d rest Santi & Alexis for the next 2 games especially as Alexis has a Copa America to deal with after the cup final. Gonna be sad to say goodbye to TR7,only magic players get to wear the number 7 shirt over The Arsenal,give it to Aaron I say.
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I very much doubt it will be more than two new faces this Summer. In spite of a few rumblings about players leaving I expect all those aboard to still be here in August, including Arteta. Diaby I think will leave at the end of his contract and I reckon the Flamster might be off.
My experience of reading Arsene is that it would be foolish to guess just which positions the new two players will come in for.
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yeah granted about stability. i agree too. but i cant agree in the comparison with the invincibles. the invincibles only had united to really deal with, with regards to pressure for the title (not the record). nowdays its 3 or 4 teams that will target the title….
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cassilas and reus ?
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as Alexis has a Copa America to deal with after the cup final.
wenger must not allow him to go there.
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CAnnon13
Absolute absurd for you to suggest that wenger should deny him the chance to represent his country in a tournament in his country
Im sorry but no manager will have that mentality at all.
Wish Sanchez the best of of luck, and hopes he wins it. It can only do arsenal good to have a happy sanchez in october than a depressed one in august
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well i have no problem with me or wenger being absurd on this copa america issue.
this might sound harsh but i want our form and season success to be the reason mou gets the sack and the arabs go bankrupt and united in the 2nd division….
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for example next season the target is 38 victories….ok i will accept 3 draws all season…
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Hunter: re Alexis. Our wishes and desires cannot overcome the objective reality of FIFA rules. We must comply separate apart from us alienating a key player who wants to represent his country. Much as we wish the world doesn’t revolve around AFC.
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ok… if it means that much to him…. let him go for the first game and then order him to fake injury and get the fuck back for preseason ?
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first of all i should let you all know what page im on before i get misunderstood….
im on the page where arsenal pays back all those cunts for the 8-2, 6-0s 6-3 and on the page where our form and power causes mou to get the sack and a kind of run that can allow us to drop pace at epl ( being 25 points ahead) so as to focus on europe….
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That page you are on ,was it written by J K Rowing?
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no it was written last year on arsene’s 1000th game by our players when they served him that ‘fine’ gift…..
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they have to put that right and by rigth i mean humiliating cheslea and mou to such an extent that the portuguese becomes a distant forgotten memmory …like fuck if we had to go through the last decade so that city and/or chelsea take what is ours…destroy them..find the players who can do it.
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basically all levels need to do their part..ivan too.. the fans as well..everyone!!
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GeoffArsenal @GeoffArsenal · 3h 3 hours ago
Arsenal players have been allocated only 2 tickets each for the Cup Final. Any extra’s they are advised to buy a box at £17k privately.
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The FA finally take action on the bad tackling in the game
http://www.bbc.com/sport/0/football/32786892
by reprimanding the victim for comments on the incident, typical bullshite from the FA.
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Looks perfectly reasonable to me from Kelly Smith;
http://www.kicca.com/kelly_smith10/posts/5553484aaed1d9e01f5ec4fe
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Hayden makes his comeback tonight – Arsenal Under-21s to play Wolves: Macey, Johnson, O’Connor, Pleguezuelo, Bola, Hayden, Bielik, Maitland-Niles, Gnabry, Robinson, Iwobi
subs: Huddart, Dobson, Kamara, Sheaf, Eyoma
a bit surprised that Akpom not included, or that some of the senior players who need game time, like Arteta, have not been used.
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Good to see UEFA recognising the quality of English referees and match officials;
Martin Atkinson awarded the Europa final and will be assisted by Michael Mullarkey and Stephen Child. The two additional assistant referees, Anthony Taylor and Andre Marriner, are both from England. An English reserve assistant referee – Jake Collin – completes the refereeing team.
Have not I been saying we have some top top whistlers in the EPL ?
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Tbf it was AW who described the FUFA schedule as “mad”
I’m not sure he’d find the concept of Alexis sitting on the beach or running up mountains this summer to be not absurd. I think Sanchez prefers the latter to the beach
Considering the managers consistent greatness, he would not stop a player doing something they wanted to do: however that doesn’t rule out kidnapping and hypnosis .
Hunter, I’ve got the unmarked white van ready…
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Coll yes you have.
And A.Taylor is not one of them!
But he is pn the fast track.
Clattenburg bypassed by The PGMO for both finals now.
Though he is considered by most to be the best of the lot.
Shouldn’t have gone to that concert!
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– 1 “not” for the first comment above
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PG, had the initiative to highlight 3 articles by a guy named Red Henry.
For those who may disremember, it was March 2013. See ESP ArsenalAndrew, below!
I must point out that I dropped the graphic on to an Excel, and expanded the image to represent a more readable version. There has been no change in the succeeding years, until now!
ArsenalAndrewMarch 20, 2013 at 9:28 pm
Sounds like our lad Bellerin is progressing very well, FG. An exceptional talent, for sure.
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Iwobi and Gnabry have given Arsenal U21’s a 2-0 lead
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Jeezus. These pods, blogs and pundits are at it again. David Ospina is now their unanimous scapegoat du jour. He must be handcuffed and led out this summer simply because he is not De Gea, Courtois or Lloris. Of the the 3, do they even acknowledge that only Courtois is in in a team with more points. Has he cost us a game with as much frequency a Szczęsny? In fact have they learnt anything from their premature hyping of the Pole in their haste to drum Almunia out of the club? Apparently images of a younger Cech has blinded them to his too frequent mistakes last year which forced Mourinho to call time on his reign.
I will be a contrarian and suggest that Ospina will be our #1 next year. Wenger said he has 3 world class keepers but only one is playing regularly. Thank heavens he seems far stronger mentally than Almunia by having a much better greater CV to fall back on (Colombia and Nice). He may be only 6 ft tall but he has the heart of a lion and the calming influence of a cup of Chamomile.
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fins the best and most sinister of plans is to kidnap his labradors…not alexis himself..he will beat us up and send us to hospital… unless george teaches us the vulkan grip or the drunken sifu puncture nerve system…but we need ot practise it so we dont leave alexis paralysed….
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