Good morning Positive Arsenal fans,
I apologise for the late running of the service this morning as I have been out in the fresh air and the sunshine, clearing the tubes and clearing the mind before a day shaping the world to my preferred design.
Of last night’s game a formidable disappointment and the almost certain exit from the CL at the Round of 16 for the nth season in a row. The result proved a little more excruciating as for about 30 of the 90 minutes I saw us and the Germans battling evenly with one another and had a realistic ambition to leave Bavaria with at worst a narrow one goal defeat, probably a point and even, at best, an extraordinary win. Munich backed away from Sanchez as though he had ebola, Hummel looked like he should be playing for Klopp and even Alonso (for a few minutes) looked out of synch and the game passed him by. The minute counter then turned to 53. There followed ten minutes of fast, purposeful attack and clinical finishing that destroyed us. A number of players looked slightly dazed and I know I was. I see from Arsene’s quotes that he thought the same. The 5th and last goal heaped absurdity on top of frustration.
We know what happened but perhaps why it happened is more debatable. There are no shortage of answers that focus on personnel, on tactics, that “if only X had been standing at Y ….” or “ if Z had started instead of A….”. Chief among the hackneyed answers are the “ if only we had M in charge and Arsene had left/been sacked/committed seppuku …..” Understandable that one seeks the lifebelt of rational comfort but specious in my view.
Well my shy at answering the Why question is that we do not play teams anywhere near of the quality of Bayern Munich week in and week out and unfortunately when we did come up against them we struggle. They play with a pace and a purpose that we are not able to compete with over a full 90 minutes. We can stand toe to toe for a period. If luck goes or way and we can tip them out of their game, they meet a mad referee or they have an “off night” we can occasionally win. Nine times out of ten however their players, individually and collectively, are superior to ours. Over these two leg ties then the chance that you will get your one in ten chance back to back is very small indeed.
There are probably three perhaps four teams in Europe who are and have been at that superior standard to us. We have striven to take that further step. If one looked at the AFC starting line up last night then it was the strongest I would have chosen, and the bench was packed with proven experienced good players, Yet still we came up short. We have not stood still. We have better players and better playing systems tan we did two years ago five years ago etc. However as we have improved and moved forward so these sides have also moved developed. The weaknesses that Bayern had last night, an ageing and slower Alonso, an indifferent Hummels, a foolishly conceded penalty that then they allowed the rebound in, they managed to overcome and in the end gained a well deserved victory.
Let me make my opinion on one point perfectly clear. If Manchester City or Leicester City, or Tottingham if they had managed to stay in the CL, or Chelsea or Liverpool or Manchester United if the had even managed to qualify for the competition had been out there last night at the Allianz they would have been on the end of exactly the same drubbing. Like us they don’t face that quality each week. They are no more likely to have coped than us.
What can we do – what must we do ? No easy answers, no trite solutions. No “if X had been standing at Y instead of Z … “ or the latest “ defensive midfield beast” magic signing.
Work hard, ensure every single game, starting with Sutton, is approached with the absolute, single minded seriousness that our opponents displayed last night. Learn from defeat, do not wallow in disappointment and recrimination.
And finally, the most ridiculous picture I have ever seen.
Enjoy your Thursday.
Positively Arsenal 
Any word from George, Fins, Passenal, Gains. Is my memory defective? This looks and sounds like groundhog day all over again.
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When I saw how The Ox coughed up that ball for goal #5, under minimal pressure, no way I could see Santi Cazorla being rushed and harried into that kind of mistake. Our great quarterback was missing. It is similar to the Patriots not having Tom Brady. They would have been steamrolled by the Falcons just as Arsenal was hammered by Bayern. It is not an excuse, just reality.
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Well, I guess everyone is entitled to express their opinion, and that is what blogs are for. Those opinions may differ, but that is all they are ‘opinions’ not facts, and those different opinions can be aired by reasonable people without rancour.
The day after the night before is probably not the best time to try and be analytical, as everyone is a bit glum (well suicidal maybe?) lol
For what it is worth, I understand those who say we coulda/shoulda/woulda done this or that and perhaps that may have resulted in a different game. Maybe.
But can I offer an alternative opinion. [I’ll take that as a ‘yes’.] lol
The supremacy in skill and physique that Bayern had over our team was such that they blew us out of the water. Admittedly we put up a fine show until Kozzer was invalided out, but when the flood gates were opened we lost by 5 : 1 but with out some inspired goal keeping that score could have been much worse.
It seems, to me, that to suggest we could have done this or that tactically, or used subs earlier, or played x, y or z from the outset to impose our game on Bayern is just wishful thinking.
OK, I wish it would have made the difference too — but realistically? I saw my team taken to the cleaners.
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Up to 52 minutes I saw little evidence of the calamity brewing. None of the ‘second division’ form. I saw a game we had every chance of getting something worthwhile out of H.
But there you go.
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Precisely, anicoll. Couldn’t agree more.
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Thank you for taking on this tough gig and handling it so well.
I like the word “specious.” I also like “reductive.” And “boring.” A lot of the reaction I have seen since yesterday qualifies as all three.
As with any complex undertaking, a multitude of factors influenced the result. There’s no point, other than making ourselves feel better, in arguing about which one, if any, was the determining one. I’m pretty sure the players and the coaching staff won’t.
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Transfer fee(€)
Arsenal – 1st 11 = 205.8, Subs = 94, Total = 299.8
Bayern – 1st 11 = 230, Subs = 69.5, Total = 299.5
~Transfermarkt
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Shotts I think the intention yest was to get an away goal and to keep it close (you can tell I’m an expert!), hence the glum faces today following that ten minute spell as even 2-1 with the home leg to come is a good result
I don’t know what the aclf crew made of the counter attacking masterclass at home against the same Munchen last season, they were probably commentating on the profligacy of Munchen and their many wasted chances on that night…
…I guess that some people never got over the FA Cup final victory of 2014 hehe!
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Ireland and England u15’s are both trying to get Arsenal winger Armstrong Echezolachukwu Inya Oko-Flex to declare for them. He is Irish born of Nigerian parents. He and his family have moved to Islington as he progresses through the Arsenal academy age groups. both Ireland and England have called up the lad to their u15 teams. He recently played for the Irish u15’s and scored in a defeat to Holland. He can still play for England, and of course Nigeria.
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I shall call him Flex
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It would be thoroughly disingenuous to even attempt to try to compare transfer fees from the bundesliga with the inflated EPL rates and I certainly hope no one is stupid enough to come on here and show themselves to be so snide and or stupid.
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Yup.
Plenty of evidence that the 2014 FA cup victory weighs heavily upon some.
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I guess when you’ve got so many chumps churning their gristle at every draw, the best we can say about that counter stacking victory just last season over the same Munchen team is to quote the late great Harold Pinter:
“It never happened. Nothing ever happened. Even while it was happening it wasn’t happening. It didn’t matter.”
Translation =
“Muller had a ‘mare in front of goal, (and you won’t see a better performance from two CBs -Kozza and the BFG”
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Yaay!! The shitty Spuds lost!!!
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Call me – ‘Easy to Please Henry’ – but I have always loved the FA Cup to the max — but somehow, I love it even more when Arsenal win it.
I know that’s not logical, but the Final is something I try desperately hard to get to when the Gunners get there — love it, and if Arsene who has been given some dreadful stick today decides to say – ‘f*ck it – f*ck all the moaning bastards’ – and rides off into the sunset singing yippee-hi yo- hi yay I won it again, again – it would be magical. lol
Did I say — I expect to go again this year!
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Now, I am not particularly vindictive (could not be bothered wasting my life on that) but …… to help soothe the disappointment of last night — I would do a gig wearing my girl friend’s skirt down the pub if Maureen got a pasting from the Manyoo fans if they lose tonight too. Yeaaahhh.
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Anicoll: “Up to 52 minutes I saw little evidence of the calamity brewing. None of the ‘second division’ form. I saw a game we had every chance of getting something worthwhile out of H.
But there you go.”
I saw us chasing shadows, not being able to string two passes together, teammates yelling at one another to press higher up and them moving the ball however and wherever they wanted. In short, we were all over the shop until the penalty. After that, we seemed to settle a bit into the game. That lasted all of eight minutes into the second half and then the deluge came. That we were able to stay in the game despite all these problems just shows that Bayern were not firing on all cylinders like Ancelotti says.
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Aye – poor deluded fool that Carlo is.
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We are a broad church though Gains – that is the game you saw, Arsenal decided to play like Div 2 team, passed round all night like cones, Bayern not at the races, Ancelotti unable to assess the quality of his own side’s performance.
All about viewpoint.
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Managed to miss most of the anguish yesterday as took my kids to see School of Rock which was just great. Actually better than great, and we all enjoyed sticking it to the man, which one way or another is what Arsene has been doing for the last 20 years. The sadness of course is for all the pea-brained Arsene (or is it Arsenal) out supporters, they have come to see Arsene as the man, rather than the media and EPL trough merchants whose existence he has so threatened over the years.
And yet, there is this too. Before the show I didn’t see how it could in any way compare with Jack Black’s iconic movie, but Lloyd Webber breathed new life into it, and created something even greater, while still preserving its essential integrity. Arsene did this for Graham’s Arsenal, so who’s to say whether someone else mightn’t do it for his. But then I’ve always been a sucker for Musical Theatre, which perhaps explains why my own sporting career never quite reached the heights it once promised too. Or that happy endings seldom happen in real life, but only on stage or in dubious parlours.
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Foreverheady
Still can’t use the like function but I like that post of yours.
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http://babagrumpy.blogspot.co.uk/2017/02/one-arsene-wenger.html
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that thar Babagrumpenfurters post is excellent, like a breath of fresh air rather amid the haliffuckingtosis of the WOB! Thanks George!
COYG!!!!!
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Excellent piece by babagrumpy
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Extraordinary fuss about Arsene staying or going – minute dissection of every word uttered, silent Stan’s mind read (!) , Arsene’s mind read time and time again, every possible permutation, every option from a lifetime appointment to joining a Chinese super club and doubling his wage before Saturday morning.
Is this what happens when a black hole implodes ?
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Or when a blackscarf combusts?
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There is going to be a lot of unemployment in Arseland when the great man finally hangs up his hat;
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Agree, all this mindless speculation is, well….mind numbing
Mr Wenger will make his decision in due course, having weighed up all aspects , the guy is highly intelligent and cares about the club, whatever he decides, it will, in his view, be for the best.
Just looking forward to the next game, thats whats interesting, not what some ex pro who cannot string a sentence together thinks, not what some hack thinks Alexis said to AOC in the dressing room and other such nonsense
IF the great man goes, the world can debate it all summer long, but there is still a very respectable place in the league, and the FA Cup up for grabs, and surely thats all that really matters
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Nice to hear Wenger staying next year.
Now hope Alexis and Ozil sign the contract also.
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Just being selfish Id like the boss to sign another five year deal, but that is because of the apoplexy it would cause among certain “elements”.
I am happy Arsene goes on until he decides to retire, tomorrow, next week, next year, never. I love the football. The rest is just noise.
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I have received a complaint that there has been “hysteria” on here in response to Wednesday’s result.
I am sure it is a misunderstanding.
However could I remind all users of the code of conduct that has served us so well, and for so long. Respectful, measured, supportive, and above all positive.
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Well said AndyNic. PA has been a port of calm in the midst of a storm of over-emotional twats on Arsenal twitter, blogs and pocasts.
Baba grumpy is the man.
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I think I would have recognized hysteria had I seen it.
If all we can say is . well , nothing other than cheering wildly at a defeat, we may as well shut the comments section .
If someone disagrees with someone else, then they should enter into a reasonable rebate about it.
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Wenger – Why Alexis has some time off
Alexis is currently out of the country and won’t train with the squad on Friday as we prepare for Monday’s Emirates FA Cup tie.
Arsène Wenger has explained why, and also gave an update on Laurent Koscielny’s situation after he was injured against Bayern Munich.
‘I hate defeat… I feel a responsibility’
on why Alexis has been given time off…
He has a court case in Barcelona and he will be back in training tomorrow.
on Koscielny…
I don’t know [how long he will be out], he has a scan today [Friday].
on who could play against Sutton…
A normal team… I gave [some youngsters] a chance [at Southampton] because I think they deserved to play and have a good opportunity to come in for players who usually play, and I think they have done well. One or two might have another chance to say that they can play in every single game now.
Read more at http://www.arsenal.com/news/news-archive/20170217/wenger-why-alexis-has-some-time-off#JcCCDA7MiDD4TsRS.99
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well said george (7.13)
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Jeorge Bird @jeorgebird 8h8 hours ago
C. Willock + Nelson trained with first team. Mertesacker, Debuchy, Jenkinson, Walcott, Elneny, Holding, R-Adelaide involved.
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Armstrong Echezolachukwu Inya Oko-Flex, the young Arsenal guy who both Ireland and England want, played for England U16’s v Belgium yesterday.
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jeremie @aliladiere 10h10 hours ago
If Wenger staying means DT, Troopz etc stop going to games then I’m all for a new 10 year contract #Wenger2027
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Arsenal Fixture News @AFCFixtureNews 7h7 hours ago
The draw for the FA Cup Quarter-Final will begin at approximately 6.30pm on Sunday 19th February; it will be broadcast live on BT Sport 2
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afcstuff @afcstuff 8h8 hours ago
Wenger: “The last 20 years, only 3 clubs played in every CL: Arsenal, Bayern, Real. If everything is not perfect, not everything is wrong.”
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“Hysteria”? It wasn’t me that made that complaint, I swear.
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Steve Gooner @Merse10 Feb 16
Nearly every single block is available on ticket exchange for Bayern 2nd leg. Fucking glory hunters giving up on the club. Good.
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4 former Arsenal players are in the Sutton squad – Jeffrey Monakana, Jack Jebb, Roarie Deacon and Craig Eastmond(who played a couple of games for the first team)
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have to laugh, was Wenger trolling the WOB today in his press conference, he basically said – Its Arsenal FC, not Arsene FC
“My personal [future] as I said many times is not important.
It’s Arsenal Football Club and the future of our team and what we can achieve until the end of the season, that is important.”
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I’m not a happy puppy. I’m gearing my self up for the inevitable which, it seems, is coming sooner than I expected.
And I’m not referring to my mortality
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We shall see GP
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Wenger staying or leaving is actually good if you ask me. He stays, signs a new deal, and leaves the MSM and their cronies with egg on their faces or he leaves and all those gaining cheap popularity (aftv, talkrubbish, etc) off his name become irrelevant.
Either way, I will continue to back him as long as he remains Arsenal manager; just as I intend to back whoever replaces him whenever that happens.
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Just because a man admits a liking for Musical Theatre doesn’t mean he’s being hysterical. How very dare you.
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Pedantic George-I sent an email in reply to yours from last night.
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…we have to wait till Monday?
Meh?
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