Good Morning Fellow Positives,
I suspect I would be hard pushed to find many Arsenal fans who would regard last night’s result, as opposed to last night’s performance, as anything other than a disappointment. Two points we might reasonably have expected to collect went unclaimed, the single point sparse recompense.
I might however gently point out to those likely to submerge into long term grief that the single point leaves us just two points behind everyone’s title favourites Citeh, and just five behind the still scampering Foxes. Admittedly the result also places us behind the Neighbours which I appreciate would test the patience of St Monica, but a temporary arrangement I am sure.
The reason for optimism immediately practical. Citeh and Leicester meet on Saturday, and the following weekend we play the Foxes and Citeh take on Spuds. Certainly the arrangement of results require us to take our chances, with wins in both games against Bournemouth and against Leicester, but do that and we could be on the same points as Leicester, in front of Citeh and Spuds. Admittedly the results would have to fall for us the right way but that would depend on a bit of luck. Even without a bit of luck and already tight race for the title is likely to further bunch up in terms of points.
The key theme of theme of luck, providence, good fortune etc. leads me neatly ( well I think neatly) into last night’s game and the review of events.
I thought we played well last night. The opening phase of 15 minutes or so Saints came out and put us under pressure and I assume were looking to snatch an early goal before retreating behind what is a well organised defence. Koeman is no idiot and he knew he was in for a difficult evening. When that initiative failed we gradually took control and, as we all saw or heard, created openings in the visitors’ defence. We were not quite at our best but still effective despite Saints disrupting our midfield by being quick into the tackle and roughing us up. Where we did break through, and create clear goal-scoring chances Fraser Forster got his foot, arm, hand, shoulder* (tick box as appropriate) in the way.
Half time came and went and it did not seem conceivable that with the pressure we had imposed that eventually we would not break through and yet, and yet…….
From 60-65 minutes onwards we stepped up the urgency and the speed of our play while Saints engaged in some blatant timewasting that led to the predictable 6-7 minutes of time added on. During that final, frantic half an hour we created goal scoring chances on Southampton’s goal every minute. Shot after shot and headers poured into the opposition and yet again Forster managed to leap and claw every on target effort away. One important point should be made is that where Arsenal have failed to score earlier in the season a lot of the problem came from shots that went high and/or wide of the target. Not last night. The official statistics say ten shots on target. I am surprised, it seemed like more, much more.
And so eventually we ran out of time. The visitors, who looked exhausted in the final few minutes, celebrated. They will not earn a point in a harder game all season. Credit to Forster, excellent display of keeping and while the pure goal keeping art was absent from some of his saves, he had the occasional flashes of luck that gave his side the result they were evidently delighted with.
For us I thought both full backs were magnificent all night. I thought Mesut and Alexis were excellent. I thought Koscielny was a leader all over the field.
So onwards to Bournemouth, Sunday lunchtime. Let us bring Arsenal’s footballing destiny back into our own hands.
Enjoy the week.
Positively Arsenal 
Tilley scored a late goal for Brighton U21’s, and the game has finished
Arsenal U21’s 4-1 Brighton U21’s
60 minutes for Welbeck, a goal and two assists for Nelson, Bielik with his first U21 goal, Macey with a penalty save and Bennacer with a fine freekick goal
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is the match being shown eddy?
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ed and ian, that just shows how far ahead our club is planning. They either make it here saving loads of transfer fees or they sell on to bring some income into the club. With the new Chinese super league awash with cash, teams are more and more going to need to rely on ‘home grown’ talent as the competition in the market for the best players will be un-winnable for all but the super rich. Explains a lot about Pep’s choice of next managerial appointment. I bet you anything that he will be off to China after the man city gig.
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no, but there will be six minute of highlights on Arsenal player within a day or two(normally)
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well ian and passenal, I’d have no problem if the lads already on our books, like Hayden, Chambers, Elneny, Bielik, Maitland-Niles, Gnabry, Wellington, Zelelam, Toral, are the ones who get to replace Flamini, Arteta and Rosicky. All those lads have great potential, its all a matter of them fulfilling that potential.
We have also been strongly linked with buying back Ozyakup and bringing back Nordtveit on a Bosman.
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I’m told that Arsenal are in the process of upgrading our Academy system, and are/will be spending a lot more money on bringing in better youth players, we will go head to head with the likes of Chelsea and Man City. Liam Brady is back in a new role, where he will aid in the signing of young players, and with fixing up better loan deals for those ready for first team action, also with fixing up loan deals for players who can not get UK work permits.
AFC have brought back a few other ex-academy staff, Hale End has had a big re-development, and we are building a small stadium for youth/U21 and Ladies games at London Colney, that will see the practice of playing at Boreham Wood end. At the moment fans can not attend games played at London Colney, but this will change once new development is completed.
Arsenal have increased their number of scouts, with some ex players being taken on in that role.
Arsenal are looking at following the Chelsea example of having loads of players out on loan, with those not deemed good enough for AFC, sold off at a profit. The idea is that we get in better quality, more of them, and get them out on loan at clubs that will play them, putting them in the shop window if nothing else, but with the very best of them coming back from loan ready to challenge for a first team place.
The likely success of this will depend on several key elements
1. getting the better players in
2. having better quality coaching
3. matching them up with the right loan deal – where they play, and play the right way
4. having a clear pathway to the first team – a manager who will give young players their chance
5. getting good fees for those that we sell and pumping this money back in to the next round of young players brought to the club.
there is nothing more inspiring for the Academy players, than seeing Academy players ahead of them make it to the first team, and if we can get some who make it really big, it will help the next guy make it big. Wilshere’s injuries has stopped one of our own(here from age 9) making it to the very top(so far). Bellerin’s emergence has been a big boost to those foreign lads brought in at 16. the plan is we will see more Wilshere’s and Bellerin’s in the very near future.
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eds i could be wrong and i am only speculating but i’d have Hayden ahead of Zelalem for those CM places that are up for grabs next season.
It’s fair to conclude that a number of these young CMs have been given the opportunity to put their names forward for next seasob and ME arriving is an extra bonus.
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Zelalem is probably a midfielder in the Ozil mode, but I think he needs to prove himself in a better league than the SPL before he is ready for AFC.
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Arsenal have dropped the surcharge for the Barcelona tickets, club statement basically says its a one off, due to so many of the tickets holders being thick cunts who did not know the terms and conditions of buying a season ticket, and that in future Arsenal will do all the can to explain how the season ticket works.
http://www.arsenal.com/news/news-archive/20160205/season-ticket-cup-tie-credits-update
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Welbeck today
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That seems fair enough eduardo, but as we know, most people don’t read the T&C’s and are then surprised when they are enforced. I don’t suppose anyone was protesting when they got the refund in 2014/15?
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thats the thing passenal, I doubt any of them took to social media to praise the club for the rebate last summer, but they are only too keen to whale and holler when its the other way round.
also must say the amount of bullshit from a lot of them about “local” fans is so idiotic. you know what, the club should go back to having no foreign fans, no foreign shareholders, no foreign manager, no foreign coaches, no foreign players, everyone supporting, employed by and playing for the club should be confined to being from no further afield than London, and if possible the borough of Islington.
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Mason was basically cheating by flouting law 5 which states an injured player should not be treated on the pitch, by letting the Saints captain to receive treatment two feet from the goal line for 4 minutes. If a Fifa ref doesn’t know that rule then he isn’t fit to be ref. If you think Mason isn’t fit to ref, sign this petition;
https://www.change.org/p/premier-league-mason-is-not-fit-to-referee
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Eddy, London Colney cannot accept paying spectators! The local council will need to approve such a move.
Both current playing fields are not conducive for the academy or lady players. EXCEPT when they can play at The Emirates. Even The Emirates is an improvement on Borehamwood or Barnet.
I have the planning applications for London Colney and I have not seen any application for paying spectators.
A good update, Eduardo, keep them coming.
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Arsenal’s FA Cup 5th round tie against Hull City has been selected by BT Sport and will be played on Saturday 20 February at 12:45pm.
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notoverthehill, I’m not sure if the planned spectators at youth and ladies games will be expected to pay or not, but I’m told the club refer to the new development as a “mini stadium”, and I can’t see them not allowing fans in to the ladies games, it would go against all previous policies and I’m sure the ladies league would not allow it, after all they are trying to make it bigger and better, and AFC have upped their spend on the ladies squad too.
I think the development at Hale End is scheduled to be completed this month
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https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=me1ABh1DSM0
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Arsenal ladies are on a pre-season training camp in Spain at the moment and it seems Paris Saint-Germain Ladies Central Defender Josephine Henning is part of the training squad, its unclear if the German International has signed already for Arsenal or is only on trial
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ARSENAL only charge for reserve and youth games at the Emirates, Barnet and Boremwood have always been free. Its tottenham your thinking about who charge for all levels of games.
Passenal is right, Hayden and Zelalem are completly different players. Its a bit like comparing LeCoq and Mezut.
Isn’t it amazing all the youth players we have named on here and a schoolboy comes along and steels the show, Reiss Nelson’s rise has been faster than when Jack came through. A long way to go yet but its seems every time he plays he makes people think mmm weve got a first class striker on our hands.
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Oh, just to clarify rebates have only been from not achieving 7 games not for lower grade games. That’s not everyone was protesting about.
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is it a rumoir or are Man U actually planning to replace van gaal with jose m? really? Jose m s supposed to be an improvement on Van Gaal?
How? Certainly not in playing style.
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Mourinho to United? As someone who is convinced that United was granted some unearned advantages in the Ferguson era but now have at least two other formidable competitors (City, Chelsea along with Arsenal), the worst thing they could do is appoint another short-term manager who needs a big transfer budget. But the majority of us have been convinced that short term gratification is a substitute for long term success. The graveyard of of football, like in business, is littered with tombstones of once great clubs who went that route. For that reason I welcome Mourinho (and his pal Mendes) to United. Get in son!
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If it happens it’d just be an evolution of the Special Agent’s existing business partnership with the Glazers*
F-F-F-Falcao! Rock me Abrahamiovich!
‘Cos like the Glazers he certainly won’t blink twice when it comes to putting a ‘punt’ upon a braying mule
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City need a striker? Couple of hundred mill should do the jobby? Why did they not sign Afobe!!!! Hehe.
Actually an interesting question would be for the 24/7 hacks to ask the question why the unfortunate with injury Sturridge had to leave that club in order to play. But of course they can’t asking that question. So much easier to ring the jingo bells and troll the arsenal fans.
Chamberlain has had in my humble opinion a better season then Sterling, he’s done more in less time (scored the goal that killed Maureen – such heroism on behalf of all humankind doesn’t come without a karmic price and his form did drop for a bit) whilst recovering from his big injury trials and is now IMO returning to his better form.
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Well Shota, seeing that it is to Man u and not to Arsenal, i guess it is okay… their luck…. but i really did genuinely wonder for a moment if it even made an real footy sense!
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Nothing to do with the footy TS.
These cats have no interest in chasing the footballs.
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End of City’s title tilt or too early?
Looks like the Pep declaration backfired for the owners but I can’t imagine they care.
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that pep announcement just did not make sense…
it is totally rude! They could have made the decision no problem but did it need to be announced in exactly the middle of the season?
Is Pep all that?
@Fin, I really did think Man U cared for the Footy to a measure?
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Not the end of their challenge… they will be there or thereabouts…
this game reminds me of our loss to Southampton, although Leicester were not better and not serial fouling… yoiu just concede the goals and no ball seems to bounce for you…. even our latest draw with them feels the same! glad we didn’t concede in that one.
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why are the same Arsenal fans who any time AFC are top of the table at this time of year say nothing won till the trophy is handed out, now declaring LCFC as champions, does it happen to suit some AAA agenda.
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Daniel Cowan @thedanielcowan 1h1 hour ago
Manchester City have an unbelievable squad & depth of riches yet Leicester are smashing them. I don’t see how that relates to Wenger.
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today’s youth results
Arsenal U18’s 4-0 Southampton U18’s — Joe Willock with 2 of the goals.
Arsenal U16’s 2-1 Southampton U16’s
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I notice two of today’s games have got at least 5 minutes first half stoppage time, unusual unless there was a bad injury, LFC V SFC and Stoke v EFC games
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Kevin Palmer @kpsundayworld 48m48 minutes ago
Man City have lost four and drawn three of their seven matches against the top six teams in the Premier League this season. Woeful record
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Fins @ 1:20pm – I know you would see the Mendes connection with United. He must be moving heaven and earth to silence or get rid of Sir Bobby Charlton, the only remaining connection to honorable part of United’s history. Mendes, like the famous American bank robber Willie Sutton, knows where the money is. Mourinho will be the compliant manager sitting next to the safe. We all know how that will end.
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The Foxes proving now they are serious business! Come on the Orns and do us a favour, you know that most of Twatford is full of Gooners!
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I blame Wenger for Spuds getting better and more consistent under Pochettino. #WengerOut #TwitterSpeak
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…proving I should have not typed anything! Come on Watford ffs!
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oh the irony when arsenal starting tomorrow with an 8=0 win…. go on to win the PL on goals diff or even better, goals scored!
Nail biting as never before!
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please Watford,please?
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alright dont then.
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i don’t think there is shame in admitting that Arsenal has lost a golden opportunity to be in front given that Leicester city are doing so well..deservedly too..they try to play positive football from whatever much I’ve seen them play.
But then Leagues are won in May and I still strongly believe we will be champions this year.
If Leicester do manage to nick it though, I’ll be darn upset with the players/manager.
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It is my conviction/prediction that Arsenal will beat Bournemouth tomorrow. We should have beat Southampton on Tuesday. The team was up for it, created 10 great chances and only to be thwarted by the goal-keeper. Wenger doesn’t have to convince the players that we must win tomorrow. They know it, you and I know it. I am convinced we will do it.
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I am entirely convinced that the final 13/14 games of the PL race will throw up a blizzard of twists and turns before the final crowning. Tonight, if you consult the media, Leicester City are home, hosed and the blue and white ribbons attached to the trophy.
Total nonsense – anyone who writes off Citeh after today is an idiot. And then there are ourselves and Tottingham, a slip away from the Foxes.
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I have always put great store in goal difference to place teams in their correct position in the league. Obviously the spuds are worrying me immensely. We need one of our trademark good run ins.
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Spot on AndyNic at 6:38pm. That run is coming Ian at 6:53pm. The game at home vs Stoke was the nadir. Our engine has had a tune up and is ready to go. This my intuition based on our recent performances.
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Leicester and spurs are certainly building up a head of steam and have been very fortunate with injuries to date. It’s shaping up for an interesting end to the season. But I admit, the butterflies in my stomach are working overtime at the moment and I keep having to remind myself that there is still a way to go when I start worrying that we’re running out of time (and games) to catch up and overtake the other challengers.
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Arsenal in the last 11 seasons have not been top of the table any later in the year than March 20th, this despite being top of the table by 5 or 6 pts at this stage of the season on several occasions, a couple of years ago LFC were no where to be seen in the top 4 at this stage of the season, the had the league virtually sewn up with 3 games to go, and still did not win it, was it 3 years ago at this time Spurs beat us and went 10 pts clear of us, and we still finished above them,
so basically 13 or 14 games of a season is a life time, why so many gooners are losing their shit over the table at this time is totally beyond me. Today I seen several Arsenal fans say that they want Leicester City to win the title, now not win it if AFC don’t, they want LCFC to win ahead of Arsenal, why, well the general Consensus is that they are “sick and tired of Arsenal”, and some are “sick and tired of Arsene”, it really is some think cunts of fans we have.
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in all my years supporting Arsenal, I never in my wildest dreams though that I would see the day that Arsenal fans would
hope for another team to win something ahead of AFC
direct more abuse at our manager than opposing managers
direct more abuse at our players than opposing players
I really don’t get it, I really don’t.
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FK² @fkhanage 1h1 hour ago
6 red cards for Wanyama (3 at Celtic, 3 at Southampton) and he’s only 24. Some feat, that
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