Honours even, it’s Boleyn over and out
A gripping, fast-paced and compelling derby ended in frustrating stalemate for both teams and their fans, with possibly the visitors feeling the dropped two points more keenly than the home side. Having been 0-2 up on the brink of half-time, Arsenal found themselves three-two down within minutes of the break. That their principal nemesis was a lump of a player taking full advantage of superb, almost militarily precise service and the determination of a referee to ‘manage’ the game as opposed to applying the rules of it, was typically galling. But as on so many other occasions, imagined or otherwise by this writer, Arsenal were again undone by a player having his best game-of-the-season/career.
The ‘Ammers were fortunate not to be hammered for Carroll’s use of the studs, the elbow and a haircut too horrific to describe in decent company. With the quality of service and the desire of the player himself in all too rare alignment for the East-enders, whilst the score line ended in parity, the disparity of a (relatively) height-challenged Arsenal side was exposed in all its limitations with the continued side-lining of both Mertesacker and Cech leaving them seemingly exposed to aerial attack at the back.
How we missed a player of the stature of Adams or Campbell opined the purists. Given the sunset creeping around Per’s career, this could well be an ‘item’ already down on Arsene’s summer shopping list, suggested others.
However, despite the disparity, it feels something of a revelation that Andrew Carroll only won 5 of his 12 aerial battles against the cultured midgets and, given his height advantage, that he scored from 3 of those 5 is indicative of our defensive endeavour. Sadly, an endeavour that proved not effective enough as it turned out, and the tactics of Bilic were as clear as daylight from pretty much the opening minutes of the game. Without more height in defence, it’s unlikely this will be the last time we will find ourselves targeted in this fashion, this season or the next.
The other worrying stat brought into ever-sharper focus as a result of this weekend’s draw is the scarcity of points taken off our London rivals this season – just 6 points out of 21. Yet there was evidently no lack of desire on the part of our players today and there was a point when we almost made it 0-3, just prior to Carroll’s towering contributions, where you might have thought West Ham would have been dead and buried with the concession of one more goal.
But this stat has also to be taken in the context of a superb home record with the Happy ones now unbeaten in 14 games. Without meaning to sound bitter, it is very evident that the teams relying on a more ‘robust’ variant of the beautiful game benefit the most from the abject failure of referees to apply the rules as opposed to ‘managing the game’. Players like Carroll know with absolute certainty they can get away with sporting murder and the fact he was booked in minute four did little to deter his muscular interpretation of the rules of the beautiful (but managed) game.
So we are left third on 59 points. Recent games have seen evidence of teams cottoning on to Leicester’s tactics as a spate of 1-0’s would appear to testify. Interestingly, the possession stats in Saturday’s game – 39%-61% – mirror the tactics of the Plucky Ones: concede possession but hit hard on the counter. Spuds seemed suddenly less confident in their last (drawn) game. But despite this it’s hard to imagine both teams now collapsing to the point where we can realistically hope to take the championship this term. My gut feeling is 2nd place IS realistic and very much up for grabs and would represent progress, on paper, at least. In our heart of hearts, this season will most likely go down as the championship that got away and it’s safe to assume the banner industry will enjoy a mini-boom thanks to the disillusion on the part of some and the willingness of others to show themselves up as spoilt brats, giddy on publicity, oblivious to context and circumstance.
All I’d personally wish for is one season – just the one – where injuries don’t come to the rescue of our rivals. I do think Leicester have played some scintillating football this season and whilst the refs have hardly treated them harshly (and no matter the size of the glut, penalties don’t score themselves you know), they have played with great spirit and largely deserve to be where they are today. Leicester aside, I genuinely do not believe there are any better sides than a fully fit Arsenal team. That we beat the Midlanders, home and away, tells some sort of story though their superior consistency remains undeniable regardless of the background detail. Congratulations to Leicester on an outstanding effort; their (initially) impudent victories against Chelsea, Tottenham, Stoke, Liverpool, and M City in particular will live long in the memory.
* * *
Back in December, the Premier League table did not make pretty reading for the likes of Chelsea, Liverpool, and United in particular. It was close to the half-way stage of the season when I wrote a piece for PA which was based on observations of what appeared to be happening. It was not intended as a prediction but in many ways, I’m delighted, for the sake of football in this country, that the following words still appear to hold some truth as we hurtle towards season’s end:
“… despite Man U having the highest revenue at £433 million, with City on £348m, and Chelsea on £324m, the (relatively) smaller English sides are now earning enough to buy – and pay – players of a sufficient quality to cause real problems for all the ‘big’ clubs.
Yes, something rather wonderful is happening to English football.
The old guard is no longer having things entirely their own way and there will be many nervous eyes cast in the direction of the explosive impact all this [new TV] cash will have on the cosy cartel that once dominated English football.
Now everybody in the League have got their hands on the loot.
As the prospects for the biggest clubs hang in the balance, everybody has a chance to win again and, happily, things may never be quite the same again.”
The siren voices presently shrieking for the head of Arsene Wenger all fail to take account of the relative – yet colossal – failures of just three clubs who have joint annual revenues north of £1 billion. Banner owners everywhere wilfully ignore the debilitating impact of our own club’s injuries on an otherwise superb squad. And they naively assume Arsene won’t strengthen in the summer despite the imminent retirement of numerous players once considered a key part of the squad. The latest revolution within the game continues apace and yet still Wenger keeps Arsenal ahead of most of the pack, a club that is always there, always competing.
Yes, it’s possible that their activities today may drive him out in 2017.
But by then, we may all be begging him to stay.
ArsenalAndrew is on Twitter @arsenalandrew.
Positively Arsenal 
Statistically (or not) speaking the game at the Lane is what might reasonably be described as ‘crap’ (technical term referring to inferior quality)
Our game yesterday was far, far better.
Come on Deano, put one of these sad excuses for a top team out of their misery.
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With Ashley Young on the loose you know where I’m going with this
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Rob Harris @RobHarris 34m34 minutes ago
“Champions League you’re having a laugh,” Fans of 1-time Champions League participants chant to United
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well Arsenal are going six points behind 2nd place spurs, and six points ahead of 5th place man utd.
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3 goals in 3 minutes for Spuds ?
Total disintegration from the red side of Manchester.
It’s happened again Louis !
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To be fair De Gea has had a good game as well
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Well altogether a rather crap weekend….thanks for the write up Andrew
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The ways of Saint Totteringham are hard for an ordinary man to comprehend, the mystery that smites the ungodly season after season.
I shall not despair.
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Mesut Özil, would be out of sight by now, if Giroud and Walcott could score more often?
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Leicester City on P33 W17 D9 L3 (2 of which Arsenal inflicted) is final evidence that PGMOL can decide who wins the Premier League.
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NOTH – they have to be on the pitch to score.
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afcstuff @afcstuff 4m4 minutes ago
Mesut Özil has contributed to 61 goals (20 goals & 41 assists) in 113 appearances for Arsenal. #afc
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with utd losing today, the lowest position LCFC can finish is 4th
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in Germany Bayern Munich and Borussia Dortmund are certain to be the top two, 5 games to go, and BM have a 7pt lead over BD, with Hertha Berlin 19pts further back
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http://www.independent.ie/sport/soccer/other-soccer/miguel-delaney-football-is-refusing-to-accept-it-has-a-drug-problem-34613817.html
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Alastair Brookshaw @albrookshawAFC 4h4 hours ago
Good things about LCFC winning the league:
1) it’ll make clubs far less likely to put up with a Pulis type. Far more likely to try to play
2)the fact that it’s Ranieri puts a massive pin in the modern ‘relevant’ managers nonsense. Had it been, say, Klopp we’d never hear the end
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Ugh. The tone around here is getting a bit tiresome. When you’re done with the postmortem, let me know. And if I want to know how great other teams are, I’ll just go look for one of their blogs. Thanks, anyway.
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In your opinion.
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Someone needs to change the locks.
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???
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If we on PA are not hugely disappointed with the season there is something wrong with us, However, looking to blame individuals is pointless and just wrong. The club has not achieved what is could have, and that’s different form “should have” !
That we have not achieved all we hoped for does not mean that things are not in place for going on and doing so in the near future.
I honestly believe that had the fans been more supportive, allowing the players to relax and play, we would have had a much better chance, We must be the only club where the home fixtures give the opponents an advantage.
Finally, if we can see problems with the team, we can bet our lives Arsene saw them first and will be doing everything possible to put it right. The problem is,fans don’t accept doing just what is possible.
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Well said, George!
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My recollection of recent seasons is that Arsenal have not been cruising into the top 4 slots with considerable ease.
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Excellent George, you have articulated what many are thinking on PA and elsewhere
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God no – I am not hugely disappointed – loads of this season and the football played I have enjoyed enormously and at times this Arsenal side, and the squad, has shown itself to be as good as any Arsene has put together or have ever played in an Arsenal shirt.
We have come up a bit short in the trophy stakes. The League does not lie, and the reason that Leicester are top is that they have played the best and most consistent football in England since August. We, on the other hand, have played the third best and consistent football. Hector has been a revelation, Cech has ( as promised) earned us a few extra points, ands recently Elneny has proved that the manager’s eye for a player has not lost its acuity.
After a rocky start we played well in Europe, battered Bayern and our demolition of the Greeks in Athens was a great evening, a real “must win” disposed of with panache. We then ran into Barca, again. They are better than us, they have the best footballer in the world. If we lose to a better team but play well, and we did, then I am not disappointed.
Probably the biggest let down was our FA Cup run and the chance to earn a3rd straight win dropped against a modest Watford side. Nevertheless on the day that is Cup football. If I take the highs of winning at Wembley in 2014 and 2015 then I know one day the rain must fall.
I am thoroughly looking forward to a strong finish to the season. As I said yesterday the feast of St Totteringham is not yet vacated.
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I suppose it all depends on what one is looking for. I want us to win every match and to win playing with style, pace and intensity, and when that doesn’t happen I am disappointed. But strangely, I am not that disappointed about not winning a title because to me that is secondary to the individual games. And I also get more excited about seeing young players come through than yearning for expensive off the peg purchases replete with designer labels. I like to feel that I have spotted a player before he has become an internet sensation – and I also like the sense that a player is a proper Arsenal man rather than a hired gun (and I do know that that is ridiculous for they all have their price and their time). And of course I rant and rave in front of the box, much to the disapproval of Mrs H, and of course I have some players who can hardly put a foot wrong and one who can hardly put one right. And there are times when I get irritated with some of the things the club does or doesn’t do, but I do know that for the most part they are trying to do the right thing and that they are likely to have a better grasp of who is or isn’t fit, who is or isn’t available and just who is calling the shots than I do. I expect at times the manager finds himself in the sort of situation that the late and great Bernard, Duke of Norfolk did on the Ashes tour of 62/3.
And I really enjoy the regular posters on here and the range of views and information freely given – and hope to find more time over the next few months to play with more passhun and commitment myself, although no chance of seeing the next game for me at all unfortunately.
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Great posts today from PG and FH.
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imo of course.
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I don’t take it personally Stephen #MillsOut
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Why, because I write fascist posts bullying other people? Or because I call them out?One rule for the in crowd and one rule for the periphery, as always?The periphery is the in crowd though except to the blind and dumb.Eddy brings a lot to the blog(more than most), and whats wrong with putting AFC in context.
Dont worry Im going anyway.Its Steve not Stephen btw. There was no need to bitch off, seems a bit pathetic really.
Quick note to say goodbye to PG and FH and Eddy cheers and thanks.
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arsenal have six game left to play, with four of them at home, normally this would be considered a huge advantage, but from what we have seen so far this season at home games, the moaning at the slightest mistake or misplaced pass, the booing, the vitriol aimed at our players and manager, it could be a big disadvantage
and we now have the AAA/WOB promising to make the atmosphere “toxic”, and it seems they are trying to organize a protest march for before one of the games, it will be a one size fits all protest, they will try to gain big support for it, by including everything and anything fans are not happy about, it will be a Wenger out, a Kroenke out, Ticket prices and anything they can think off march.
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Eh ?
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whats up mills.
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I’m with A5. I’m not hugely disappointed. I always consider winning the title an outside shot, anyway. I’m probably more disappointed about going out of the FA Cup, which I really thought we could win. But there was a lot to enjoy about this season, and still more to come. Bring on Palace!
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The latest complaint Eddy is the possible rearrangement of the Norwich game from Saturday at 5.30 to Sunday at 4pm to allow Manchester City out of their planned Sunday afternoon TV slot with CL final due in the following midweek. Clearly if PSG do the business at the Etihad the change wont happen.
Apparently moving the game is another devastating blow for loyal season ticket holders who are ever the victim of the rapacious and bewigged robber baron from Old Texas.
Etcetera, etcetera, etcetera …….
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Uh oh, did I offend? I didn’t mean to. Not trying to deny anyone else his/her opinion or feelings. Just expressing mine.
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its looking unlikely that any Arsenal player will make the 20 goal mark for the BPL season, at the moment Giroud is our top scorer with 12 goals, and Alexis is next on 9. in the last ten seasons we have only had two players hit 20 league goals in a season, RVP and Adebayor.
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FFS Mills it was am attempt at gentle humour as my effort this morning didnt get a 10/10 from you! #MillsIn !!
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there have certainly been some high points this season, , and yes, we can and hopefully still finish strongly. The team are in good shape on and off the field, and for the future, whatever unlikely events have occurred this year.
The disappointments for me at least, the perennial, devastating effect of injuries to key players, Caz especially this year….the seeming inability to consistently organise the defence in the way others seem to. These games have quality at times, and are certainly entertaining, but it is a little frustrating to go to difficult places, score two or three quality goals but come away with out a win. Another source of frustration, the amount of times opponents…and sometimes, so called lesser opponents have scored against us with their first two or three shots, our ability to give average keepers a platform to play the game of their careers, and all the times we have hit the woodwork…the lack of some pretty clear penalties…in the case of Alexis recently, maybe a double penalty not being awarded . But agree with George, no point in blaming individuals , or team units…and Wenger will surely be onto certain issues,by whatever means he sees fit.
But, moan now over…. even from the injuries, hope can arise, young talents get their chance, Coq, Hector, Iwobi….and there will be others. This team are not in a bad place, at all. Just wish some of the fans could look beyond the media hype and just back the team we have, not Spurs, Leicester or whoever the WOB flavour of the month is at any given moment.
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well Anicol the one thing I really want to see happen for out loyal season ticket holders is that those not using the ticket, lose it, and by that I don’t only mean those who only turn up now and again for games, but those that “loan out” their ticket. I really hate this bollocks that the oh so loyal long time season ticket holders, loan out their tickets(some at a profit), so they can wait till they think we will win the league before coming back. No way should the club allow this.
Would also say now that away tickets have been capped, I really hope Arsenal make sure only those named on the ticket get to use it. Of course there should be a way for season ticket holders to pass on the ticket for the occasional game they can’t make, but this should be done through the club and if ticket passed on privately it should be to a small list of family members that is registered with the club. too many selling tickets to the big games at a profit. The think these people like to attack the club for in the first place.
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Jeezus Millsy. What the hell happened? There is a lot that I agree with on this blog and some I disagree. But I wouldn’t just take up my marbles and run because i lost a game or in this case i lost an argument. Let me leave it at that.
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Quote PG
“if we can see problems with the team, we can bet our lives Arsene saw them first and will be doing everything possible to put it right”
well the thing is the problems with our defending has not been a recent thing, and by that I don’t mean like what Wenger admitted after Saturday’s game, “all season long”, but its been a thing for several seasons.
And if it was only as Wenger said an “all season” problem, then why if it has not been fixed during the season, should we expect it to be fixed for next season.
We have had Wenger admit this season at different times, that the problems that plagued us last season, (lack of concentration, giving away soft goals, drop in performance level when leading in games, mistakes leading to goals, not being focused and underestimating opponents) are still happening this season. So again I ask if it was not fixed last summer, why should we expect it to be fixed for next season. Maybe Wenger will surprise us all and decide that the way to fix the problems is to replace the players who have been able to get these things out of their game.
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by the way, I do think the most likely fix will be Wenger replacing the players he sees as the ones not fixing the faults in their game. And that we will see a lot of players leave this summer and a few come in.
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Shotta I didn’t see Mills lose any argument, just some calling for the gates to be locked cos they did not like what others had to say.
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It was a misunderstanding – I hope Mills will clamber back aboard the Sunshine bus soon
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The ticketing system seems to me a long way out of date and the club has never really got to grips with the large number of season tickets that are in the hands of owners who have never been to the ground and never intend to go to the ground but see them on to third parties every game. It has never even tried to get to grips with it. As long as the renewal £ rolls in each June I suppose the club’s view is ‘why rock the boat’?
As for the intermittent attenders as you say Eddy everyone is entitled to miss a few games and I would prefer the Norwich game stays on the Saturday as I have a ticket. Any ticket holder, ST or otherwise, who buys their ticket on the basis that the fixtures will not be shifted around to suit TV is living in cloud cuckoo land.
One improvement the club could make which would benefit people actually wanting to see games is to update the Exchange so that every season ticket that is not going to be used for a game, even months ahead, is put up and the buyer can purchase and download. The cash is then paid straightaway to the ticket holder minus a club commission, rather than as now credited at the end of the season. If you look at the Barca website you see thousands of seats available from their ST holders for less popular games. You don’t have to be a member just have the cash.
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Eddie – Your obsession with highlighting our defensive weakness this season to generalize about failure of “you know who” to fix any of our recurring issues flies straight in the face of recent facts, i.e. that we were one of the best defensive teams in the EPL for calendar year 2015 especially the 1st 5 months. At the time you, me and all the pundits who suddenly have amnesia were over the moon in their praise of the Mert-cielny partnership. The fact they have not been the same this season belies the cliche things quickly change in football. What hasn’t changed in humans is the ability to slant data to fit a narrative. Lets not fall in the trap that the Good Book warned us:
“….first cast out the beam out of your own eye, and then shalt thou be able to cast out the more out of thy brother’s eye.”
As I cast a brotherly eye over Man Utd conceding 3 goals in 5 minutes to Tottenham yesterday.
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Our defending could be better – but it’s hardly the worst thing in the world.
It is the 3rd best in the league – and guess which two teams have been marginally tighter at the back? Yup – Leicester and Spurs.
There have been occasional concentration lapses at the back a few times – we are an attack orientated team after all, and how else are goals scored – if no one defending ever makes a mistake?
Several of the goals we conceded were down to pure incompetent officiating as the root cause, even though we got away with one or two as well.
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Andrew – your comments re ticketing are spot on. As a season ticket holder I was on more than one occasion offered additional season tickets by the club in the summer months without even requesting them. I know of individuals who leave two or three tickets all season long with hotels that sell seats to their guests at exorbitant prices.
The pressure on the system appears to be to ensure maximum £s rather than the ‘right’ £s if that makes any sense.
I’m sorry if I have spoken out of turn in respect of Eddy’s recent data-driven remarks about the club. I make no secret of the fact that I, like some others, are bored as hell with people taking swipes at the club, frustrating though we have all found the season to be. Overall, I believe the squad remains in an upward trajectory but that’s just my view.
None of my remarks were aimed at Mills, either way. I like and appreciate 98% of Eduardo’s contributions and my ‘change the locks’ remark was not entirely serious. But the spirit of PA is to support AFC not find ways to join in the mid-season blood letting that has become all the rage in some supporter circles. I really don’t mind people debating the ins and outs of our various formations and player selections. But it’s the ambiguous ‘Wenger just not up to it’ slant that I struggle with. And the marshalling of data in support of an overall dissatisfaction with certain elements of our game really does not cut it with me I’m afraid.
Stats presented without context leave me about 80% cold I’m afraid.
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