Good Morning Positivistas,
Our FA Cup trip is over, and what a magnificent ride it has been, extending back to the despatch of the Totties on 4th January 2014. 26 months undefeated in a knock out competition ? Two more FA Cups to adorn the stadium bunting. Remarkable and a record to be celebrated, not mourned.
I suppose, if you pressed me, I would have to say I hoped that when we did finally stumble that it would be to lose 5-4 in the FA Cup final at Wembley in extra time, following a game of overwhelming football quality etcetera. As the matters turned out we lost to the odd goal in three against a good Watford side. The goal that actually took them through and us out was in fact a beautiful strike from Guerdioura, among the best of the season that I have seen. I salute the Algerian. Losing at the Ems is never pleasant and in a game against opponents who we defeated quite easily a few months back – that is FA Cup football however, the potential for upset is woven through the competition. It is the season, in both the Premier League and in the FA Cup, where the peasants have stormed the throne.
Of the match itself I see yesterday’s comments following Mr Black’s excellent preview set out most of the factual material and opinion. There seems little purpose of rehashing the thrust and counter thrust again. Clearly we could have done some things better. Until the final seconds it still appeared, to me at least, that we could retrieve the tie. Ighalo had earlier swivelled, shot and scored; as the final grains of sands tricked through the glass Danny swivelled, shot and the ball looped over the bar. I shall remember those few seconds for a long while. That is why I watch football.
Reading the hysterical reaction on social media during the game, and in the aftermath of our narrow defeat I sensed that a few of the normally more sensible fans were using the occasion to vent a little frustration, a cathartic expulsion of words and thoughts that had built up and which required an outlet. The examples of “I never want to see X* in an Arsenal shirt again” (* insert name Chambers, Gabriel, Per, Gibbs, Le Coq, Giroo, Theo, AN Other). Even Alexis and Ozil we not spared the accusatory finger. Perhaps those players who did not feel the angry digital mob at their heels can regard themselves as blessed. A good afternoon to be rested or to carry an injury.
For the best of Arsenal supporters the option must be there to howl at the moon, pointless though the gesture is.
Assuming then that over the past 16 hours or so we have individually and collectively managed to pull ourselves together, where does this leave us ?
Next up Barcelona. The pressure is largely off. We are expected to lose. FCB assume the tie is over, Pique went far as to avoid the game and erase his card count. I suspect that on Wednesday that we shall send out our strongest side and try to take from the Catalans what we can. That Nacho and Hector were rested suggests that they will be in action and busy on Wednesday. Danny will be keen to ensure the fine margins he missed by yesterday can be corrected at the first opportunity. As with yesterday the game will be decide by the team that take their chances.
Right that is my two penneth on matters Arsenal this sunny Spring morning. Enjoy the opening of your week.
Positively Arsenal 
An excellent two penny’s worth A5! Not an enviable job to have to write that game up, but leading us into more Positive waters.Its the only place to swim.
Watch out Barca.
Thanks again.Onward and upwards ye Positivists!
COYG!!!!
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The old fart’s thoughts:
I suspect it was a split second that ended our cup dreams. Olly correctly ruled offside when “scoring” once again meant a procession of play and chances that went anywhere but in the net. Had Olly delayed by that half a yard or so, maybe the testosterone levels might have relaxed a bit and we could have gone in for the break 3 or 4 goals ahead. As it was, for the umpteenth time, Elnany being the prime offender, we snatched at chances and had nothing to show for them. Maybe we were lucky insofar as we may have gone to the break with only 10 men as opposed to 11. Gabriel, I thought, was lucky not to have been severely punished for a two footed and very dangerous tackle on Deeny. Maybe for once, a refereeing error went in our favour.
Having had the Gods smile on them, Watford came out with more purpose but even so, their goal was very much against the run of play and typified yet another Arsenal gift to the opposition. How many of those have we seen this season? Maybe, we all thought that it was a mere blip and we’d shortly get ahead. Not to be. After some more sloppy defending, the ball was rolled back and we witnessed the type of goal that made Roy of the Rovers of Tiger comic famous.
With half an hour to go, all 3 substitutes came on, Welbz, Iwobi and Theo coming on in place of Joel, Mo and Olly. Personally I would have hooked Alexis. It took them 15 minutes to get into the swing of the game and although Theo had reverted to his Bambi in the headlights state, Welbz and Iwobi started creating some havoc in the Watford rearguard. From this, Oz who was the only player of the original starters to really perform, put Welbz through with a magical back heel and we were back in with a chance…no matter that there were only a few minutes left.
Watford couldn’t get out of their area, let alone their half and what with hitting the post and then missing the rebound when it seemed easier to score, I have to confess to a taste of bitter ashes in my mouth. It was a game we should never have lost but congrats to Watford who stuck with it. But now, easier opposition on Wednesday and doubtless a return to relaxation! ???
Keep the faith.
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“As with yesterday the game will be decide by the team that take their chances.”
As in the first leg too!
I suspect that with the first choice FBs rested for the midweek game that the No.1 priority this week was and is the Everton game.
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Oh Gf60 that Gabby was on the pitch was one of the great mysteries of modern football. The only explanation that might fit was Marriner saw it side on as a challenge with both players going in recklessly for the ball.
You are right about Iwobi – very lively and creative.
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Fins: a goal that even Melchester’s finest could but dream of.
Much water and many bridges since Cazorla took advantage of the Gnabster’s slut of a pass to set the fine Cup run in motion, and what an adventure it has been. Favourite moment? Danny Nii Tackie Mensah’s composed dispatch of the side that had so unthinkingly dispatched him. Worst moment? Hull’s second only minutes into that First final. Proudest? The multi-ethnic, multi-generational and happy gathering at the live screening of the second. Who knows when we will next walk down Wembley way in the merry month of May. By the very nature of the competition these days don’t come along often, and perhaps one or two fans had forgotten how special they are. Oftentimes you never know how much you love something until you no longer have it, and that is a lesson worth remembering. But as Andy so sagely says, it was always going to end sometime, and at least we will now be able to see the semi-finals and final and hear that it is, after all, a proper trophy and one worth counting. Strangely enough, I am rooting for United to win it now, as it would be great to do the double over Jose this coming August.
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just wanted to congratulate Shotta on his summing up of the comments by Kroenke that so many of the AAA jumped on to suit their agenda in the last thread
quote Shotta
FB then dismisses Kroenke as not wanting the club to be competitive. But the majority owner made several profound statements in that recent sports conference which was treated with the usual infantilism by many in the fanbase. Among them are the following:
He won’t be a a sugar daddy.
He is in it for the long haul unlike the oil-based investors.
He expects that the club will successfully compete while watching the bottomline (He especially likes that Wenger, with an economics degree,understands this necessity.)
He will make the investments such as StaDNA which will make the club better able to compete.
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From the bits I have read from the fan base and Stan ‘infantilism’ is about right;
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As you say Tim we have the luxury now of deciding who we want to win the FA Cup
The plucky underdogs from Manchester and their scourged manager ?
Slaven’s East End boys playing football the right way and with Payet weaving magic ?
Pardew ? Watford even !
And then that fine ol’ girl of footballing values Everton Football Club, still able to show the fans a good time ?
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I EXPECTED US TO MEET everton at the final so am backing them to win it!
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on the FA Cup semi finalists, we play Crystal Palace one week before their semi. Hopefully their minds will be on the cup and not our league game.
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as things stand we have 10 games left to the season, with the possibility of a maximum of 5 more if we were to go all the way in the CL.
as I said we play Crystal Palace one week before their semi final, and there is also the possibility we will play West Ham a couple of days before or after their 6th round replay with Man U
our fixtures
Barcelona (A)
Everton (A)
Watford (H)
West Ham (A)
Crystal Palace (H)
Sunderland (A)
Norwich (H)
Man City (A)
Aston Villa (H)
Date and time of West Brom (H) to be confirmed
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Brief and to the point Andrew Nic. No doubt someone will accuse you of spin but hey facts are facts.
Thanks Eddy for the kind comments. I would like to share with you and readers one other important point Stan made which I overlooked:
* He won’t interfere with the manager in doing his job, specifically he won’t be recommending or making signings.
This alone should drive the WOBs crazy on several levels.
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AFCPressWatch™ @AFCPressWatch 10h10 hours ago
Barcelona’s debt at €328M, & edging closer to the cut-off point at which the board would be legally bound to resign. http://www.irishexaminer.com/sport/soccer/cash-fears-haunt-treble-chasersbarcelona-387326.html …
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I read that a certain section of those with an Arsenal interest 8thats the only way you can describe it)are now urging Mesut to leave as he’s too good. Supporters they arent.
Of course they could also ask themselves how did he end up at Arsenal in the first place, and secondly is that the Özil(usually without the umlauts)who they were saying was “nicking a living” not so long ago?
AAA is the right term.
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If Ozil left, the very same cry babies would be slating Wenger if he couldn’t bring in a replacement as good as Ozil.
As for our owner, have always been a bit of a Stan sceptic, but cannot see anything unduly worrying, or indeed that is not sensible business practice in his reported recent comments. An owner that won’t risk the club as a business, let’s the manager get on with it, is signing off a lot of behind the scenes improvements in scouting, training and fitness facilities that don’t get reported above the anti Wenger noise, and seems to be in it for the long haul is not the worst……though I know one or two residents of St Louis who may disagree. But that’s another club and another issue.
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A quick glance at ANN you can see whose behind AFC and who isnt. Not much for.
Interesting new term “bottlers”. If I was an AFC player I would come up with some term to describe the fact that most people cant play football yet seem to think they know the game inside out and they can do better.
Anyway Im sure the term “bottler” does wonders for the lads, Im sure they’re gagging to play in front of fans again.
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Well done A5 and thanks
As I tweeted this morning the winners are those who show mental fortitude. That’s what you lads and lassies here on PA have in abundance. We swallow bitter pills but always remember the perspective, the long term goal, which is clearer now more than ever.
Iwobi is looking like quite a propect and Arsene mentioned Chris Willock as another who is ready even given his tender years. I love the increasing number of home grown talent coming through the ranks.
I’m looking forward to the next game. I find the question “how will they react?” intriguing. It keeps me coming back for more.
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I am strictly agnostic on Stan Mandy – He is a businessman and investor. He has £750million tied up in his investment. I doubt even the staunchest and longest standing season ticket holder would claim to have quite that much invested in the club. He is not, nor has ever claimed to be, Arsenal fru and fru.
If someone offered him the right price for his stake in Arsenal tomorrow he would not care two hoots about cashing in. I do not imagine for a moment that Stan is ‘long term’ IF the right price we offered.
He is in business to make money, I have no difficulty with that.
I do wonder at the naivety of some I read on social media when they insist that Stan must be replaced by an owner who invests “emotional” commitment in the club, that an owner who “cares” about Arsenal, who “cares” about winning trophies (ie the PL), who is willing not just to buy Stan out but invest presumably £100s of millions on new players.
If such a magnificently generous, Croesus rich sugar daddy did exist, then logically they would already own the club, or a large portion of it. Perhaps they never got over Santa.
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So apparently there will be another demo before the Palace game.Im sure the team will appreciate that. The fans think footballs like Big Brother and they can vote and phone in to play Big Brother. Big Bother more like.
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Given the unedifying spectacle of this sociopathic behaviour that can be accuratelt described as cycles of abusive sado-masochistic abusoive behaviour 0plenty of evidence online. plenty) then i find myself returning to anicol/andrew’s original definition of this spectacle:
Acute dysphoria.
That is unless you think the Newcstle fans did quite well ith their Pardew Out movement , or that Stan Kronke will be willing to listen to you about he spends his money any more then Fizman would take my advice on what to do with his blood diamonds.
On reflection these people waging their Wenger Out campaign (what do you think the banner was about?)can be seen to be behaving like they are insane. And pathetic too,
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…and theyre out and about at UA today fins.Wheres Hunter13? Why dont those people post when the teams winning?
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do you think Stan could lend me his secratry or PA in order to check my comments for typos?
Will my toupe and tache protest work and get me an literate assistant?
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Hunter’s probably too busy moaning about the moment where Ozil ran back from a corner and made a tackle inside the box as the last defender! Lazy! Weak! hehe. Looks fed up too. Wants to leave innit. No Pashun coz he’s a winner! Cue various meme’s we heard about Fabregas or Narcissus used by the very people that used to slag off those players too. Unreal.
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The world of memes. I think theres some stat l saw that we are conscious in thought for about 6% of the time.But now we have the world of memes it must be down to about 2%.
Perfect if you want a life where other people can think for you!
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People, a few, have chosen to buy into and believe the bin baggers meme that AFC have the worst board in Football.
Which is crazy.
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In our time: from the Me generation to generation Meme?
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Eduardo, facts not fiction!
….The results mentioned above, along with the significant investment in player acquisitions (Suárez, Mathieu, Bravo, Vermaelen and, at the end of the season, Aleix Vidal) led to an increase in net debt, rising from 287 million Euros the previous year to 328 million Euros. However, it is important to note that since the 2010/11 season net debt has been reduced by 102 million Euros.
The ratio of net debt to EBITDA stands at 3.24, exceeding the maximum of 2.75 set out in the Statutes for this season. The forecast for the coming season, with lower costs for player acquisitions and achieving an EBITDA of 120 million Euros, places us below 2.5, which will allow us to comply with the established equity balance ratio and continue reducing debt in line with recent years
Net financial debt (loans + bank guarantees + deferred payment obligations for player acquisitions – liquid assets) is 85 million Euros, more than fulfilling the obligations of the syndicated loan agreement with the banks, which will be concluded next summer.
NOW, I must check to see if our next opponents, have paid for ..you know who?
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Well done Andrew on a disappointing outcome to a weekend that had initially promised more.
Presently feels as if the WOB (or Wenger Old Boys as Out for a Corner calls them) are having a fine old time with it and I’ve not seen them this gleefully unhappy for a few years – certainly not since the End of an Era era came to an end. This time, as last, they seem to be taking a few old stalwarts with them, such is the nature of over-expectation and, in the context of Leicester and Spuds current position, relative under-delivery by AFC.
Suspect Wednesday will be all but largely unwatchable with all the very worst attributes of Barcelona on display from the shrieking face-clutching Spanish dives to the aeons of unpunished time-wasting.
Meanwhile, Ozil will find himself sent off for having committed a foul throw-in.
In their heads Barca have already won 4-0 on aggregate and this makes the game a perfect opportunity for us to shock the footballing world with a seemingly unlikely result. The mere fact of not being at the Emirates will provide an almighty boost to a team that will be hurting badly right now and will feel they have little else to lose, especially if plucky little terrors Leicester end up winning tonight.
Wenger’s penchant for lifting his teams following major disappointments is legendary and this could be one of his greatest results. The generally flat, energy conserving performance v Watford may well turn out to be a dummy most splendid.
Well, here’s hoping.
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Thats a great post AA. Heres to a 0-3 win for the Gunners. 0-1 HT 0-2 FT then Giroud with the sneaky winner. All things are possible.Always.
COYG!
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well I was thinking about what the Arsenal board needs to satisfy those that are calling for diversity on it, well seeing as we have two yanks – one young, one old,- a South African, and a few English guys, couple of whom are Arsenal through and through, in fact are Arsenal for many generations. So its plain and simple, Arsenal need to appoint a Black Muslim Woman, preferably young. Why can’t our old foggy of a board see this and act, it would make our fans so happy, you know the ones, they wanted a younger man on the board – David Dein, was the guy they wanted, still do, but they don’t like when its pointed out that DD is 72 – oh and by the way when AFC appointed young blood to the board in the shape of 35 year old Josh Kroenke, some how this did not satisfy the criteria, who’d have thought it.
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We will probably win 1-0 and hit the post in the last minute with everyone claiming the tie was already lost and Barca wernt trying anyway.
Sell done A5, for that reposte and well done Shotts you are better men than me
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Oh and Arsene was talking about a generation of players coming through. To be honest we do now have a plethora of players you could name as potential first teamers, most seem to have the the right attitude as well as the footballing acumen to succeed.
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Gnabry playing for our U21’s v Aston Villa U21’s this evening, its 0-0 at the moment
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Bielik not in the squad, wonder if he will be in the squad for Barcelona game
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Arsenal have now lost 11 of 16 games this season that our opponents scored first, we have drawn 4 and won just the 1.
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Daniel Cowan @thedanielcowan 9h9 hours ago
I’m not WOB, I never have been and never will be. It’s not a movement for change, it’s a movement for disgraceful abuse and idiocy.
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That is an interesting line up Ed, no Bielek, KK Hinds or Chris Willock. Even with the addition of Jeff, Serge and the return of Dan Crowley its strange to see their omission.
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Arsenal FC @Arsenal 4m4 minutes ago
HALF-TIME: Aston Villa Under-21s 0-0 @Arsenal Under-21s #AFCU21
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Live at the game Gabriel looked like he went in for a 50/50 ball with the Watford player. Without the benefit of slo-mo replays from every possible angle looking to find fault with the AFC player as usual, there was no way to say otherwise in the heat of the moment. In fact it was the least Marriner could do considering he gave Watford a free kick every time they went down (which was a lot) while he told AFC players to get up after they were shoved over or hacked down time and again. Whoever wins the FA cup, I hope it’s not Watford because I was not impressed by their time wasting (Pants was lucky not to get a second yellow for it) and the rest of them feigning injury to break up the flow and waste time only to magically spring back to life was very poor by professional ‘sportsmen’ standards. How Arsenal has the reputation of ‘same old Arsenal, always cheating’ is beyond me when these days I see our players mainly playing by the rules while others cheat with impunity. And now we face the biggest cheats of the lot on Wednesday. With the quality of players they have at their disposal they shouldn’t need to do it, but I guess it’s just in their DNA.
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Also interesting to see a Cowan’s in the Villa line up.
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yeah Ian, that is Gordon Cowans son, if he turns out to be as good as his dad, he will be one hell of a player. Gordon Cowans was one of my favorite non Arsenal players of the 80’s. He was very much to Villa what Rix was to Arsenal.
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Interesting that some female posing as an Arsenal supporter, is chair of AISA?
IF, the Daily Mail is quoting that female verbatim, then Lois Langton should be booted out pronto.
“Lois Langton said: ‘(Victory over Barcelona) would be papering over the cracks. There are some fundamental issues which need to be addressed within the set-up of the team and the management.”
What does that female know, about running a football club. She appears to be an employee, from the “internet blurb”.
The internet mob is running amok! Who do you think you are kidding?
COTG. COTG. COTG.
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Arsenal FC @Arsenal 1m1 minute ago
Goal for Aston Villa. Sellars is the scorer 0-1, The striker fires into the bottom corner from a tight angle (63) #AFCU21
Arsenal FC @Arsenal 31s31 seconds ago
Reine-Adelaide and McGuane are replaced by Johnson and Sheaf 0-1 (63) #AFCU21
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Kroenke is among five nominees for the Sports Executive of the Year award at the SportsBusiness Journal’s annual Sports Business Awards in the USA.
In addition to his stake at Arsenal, Kroenke owns a number of American teams including the Denver Nuggets of the NBA, the Colorado Avalanche of the NHL and the Los Angeles Rams of the NFL.
Kroenke controversially moved the Rams from St Louis, in his home state of Missouri, to Los Angeles in January.
Rivalling him for the award are Nascar chief executive Brian France, Golden State Warriors owner Joe Lacob, MLB commissioner Rob Manfred and Nike chief executive Mark Parker.
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HT Leicester City 1 – 0 Newcastle United
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Arsenal FC @Arsenal 3m3 minutes ago
FULL TIME: Aston Villa Under-21s 1-0 @Arsenal Under-21s #AFCU21
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The Rams used to be in LA, Eddy.
Stan is bringing them home.
Let’s hate him for it.
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yeah I know DC, that piece I posted was direct from an article on newsnow. Personally I don’t get what the fuss is about him moving the team back to LA, as you say it was their home in the past, and its not at all unusual for sports teams in the USA to move to different cities or states. I really find it laughable how the AAA/WOB make a fuss about it, and also how they compare how his teams in the USA do, as if it has any bearing on how AFC do,
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Sometimes the obvious answer is hiding in plain sight.
“N’Golo Kante, and then Marc Albrighton, make lung-busting runs to win the ball back for Leicester. Kante is ALWAYS where the ball is. It’s remarkable.”
That’s a quote from BBC, but they can’t seem to put two and two together.
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Stan trusts Arsene Wenger.
That is what the AAA/WOB hate.
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