Great result all round for Arsenal, 3 points to take home, good performances to build confidence and a solid goalkeeping performance from Fabianski.
I said yesterday that it would be a tough game, and it was. Partizan Belgrade moved forward well and our defence looked rocky at best. Partizan looked the most likely to score until a lovely run from Arshavin on 14 minutes ended in a ball to Wilshere which was beautifully back-heeled back to Arshavin who finished well to put us 1-0 up.
After the goal we were in complete control, creating loads of chances but failed to convert any. Rosciky had a great chance from 8 yards and was only stopped by a the keeper Stojkovic, who was in great form, and Arshavin had a gorgeous chip over the keeper cleared off the line.
We dominated the play until a cross from Partizan's left hit Denilson's upper arm and although it seemed harsh, if it was us claiming the penalty we would have said it was stone-wall. Cleo stepped up and sent Fabianski the wrong way to make it 1-1.
Partizan then had the best of the ball until half time and to be honest I was happy to hear the whistle. HALF TIME 1-1.
The second half plodded along quietly until Arshavin slotted a perfectly weighted ball in for Chamakh to move into the area only to be brought down by Jovanovic who was rightly shown a red card as the last man. Chamakh seemed to be away with the fairies for most of the night and he made the most of what little contact there was, but there was contact.
Arshavin stepped up to take the penalty and went for power but Stojkovic saved.
We failed to make our extra man count for a long time after the red card and I was starting to think it was going to be one of those nights and become frustrated at the way we seem to be unable to play against 10 men.
All that frustration went away on 70 minutes when Rosciky, who had a mixed night, floated in a great cross that Chamakh met with his head, the ball took a deflection and hit the bar but Chamakh was switched on enough to be first to the rebound to head it in for 2-1.
Squillaci then picked up his first Arsenal goal with a pin point header from a Samir Nasri corner to make it 3-1 on 82 minutes to secure our first away win in Europe for over a year and to place us nicely on the top of our group.
The ref however, decided that the game didn't have enough drama so he gave another soft penalty against Gibbs just a minute later. Step up FABianski, a fantastic diving save to his right to prevent Cleo scoring his second penalty of the night. Fabianski then made another great save to his left in injury time. FULL TIME 3-1.
A good night for everyone but in particular, Lukasz Fabianski. He was solid in everything he did during the game, comfortable catches, simple shot stops, good positioning and a penalty save just to put the cherry on top.
This result is exactly what Arsenal needed to pick up the mood before a vital game at Stamford Bridge on Sunday.
Wednesday, 29 September 2010
Tuesday, 28 September 2010
Fab or Flap? It's your call Lukasz!
OK, picture the scene.
You are a 22 year old goalkeeper plying your trade playing for a a little club called Legia Warsaw when one of the top clubs in Europe with one of the most respected Managers in the world comes calling for your services, your club accepts the offer and the transfer gets completed, you are now playing for the almighty Arsenal FC under Arsene Wenger, life could not be much better. You wait patiently as keepers sit ahead of you until you become the club's number 2. Then, it happens, your mate Almunia gets injured and you get a small run in the team and even a day out at Wembley in the FA Cup Semi-final. You wake up that morning dreaming of the name you can make for yourself, the game arrives with your fans cheering when your name is announced. LIFE IS GOOD! Then your team go 1 - 0 up. LIFE IS GREAT. Then towards the end of the game, the opposition defender boots a long ball down field, it been a quiet game for you so so you run out to collect the ball and start another attack, you pull your right foot back, swing, and then.............Oh crap, where's the ball gone? Look around and Drogba has just scored while you're in no man's land. You lose the game and the chance of playing in an FA cup final, you have a string of dreadful mistakes, a few more terrible performances pretty much help to guarantee your club ends another season with no silver ware. Another season, another chance, you're still the club's number 2, you failed to take your chance, Now, your third season starts and the number 1 position is firmly up for grabs, your mate again gets an injury and you are called up to play in goal in the Champions League.............. How would you like the story to end?
Unfortunately the only one who can decide that is Lukasz Fabianski. He has a chance to prove how good a keeper he is again tonight as we play Partizan Belgrade. There is a lot of pressure on the young man's shoulders as he has an opportunity to show he should be our number keeper. He shouldn't have too much to cope with tonight but think he'll do enough to keep a clean sheet
I get the feeling tonight will be a harder game than it should be on paper, although no team in this competition should be under estimated, Arsenal should - on paper - be able to dominate all three of the other teams in our group but an away trip to any European team on a cold night will be difficult.
Arsene should field a strong side tonight but I'm sure he will be thinking about Chelsea at the weekend so he'll be hoping for a big lead by the hour mark so he can rest some stars. We need a win tonight but more importantly a decent performance by every one of our players, we can not go to Stamford Bridge low on confidence, if we do we will be beaten before we arrive.
Gibbs is back and I think he'll get a start partly for him to get game time but also to rest Clichy for Chelsea. Chamakh should start and I expect Arshavin will join him up front and Eboue will get the chance to make up for a dismal display againt West Brom. Hopefully Nasri will be given the chance to shine again in the attacking midfield 'Fabregas' role and I expect Wilshere will start along side him.
My predicted line-up
Fabianski
Sagna - Squillaci - Koscielny - Gibbs
Song
Wilshere - Nasri
Eboue - Arshavin
Chamakh
Score: Partizan Belgrade 0 - 3 Arsenal
Now, I admit I know pretty much naff all about Partizan Belgrade but I do know that they are doing very well in their domestic league and will be full of confidence but in fairness they play in an average league at best so we should come out on top. (Then again, I said that on Saturday too)
Come on Arsenal!! Come on Lukasz!!
Goonerfish.
You are a 22 year old goalkeeper plying your trade playing for a a little club called Legia Warsaw when one of the top clubs in Europe with one of the most respected Managers in the world comes calling for your services, your club accepts the offer and the transfer gets completed, you are now playing for the almighty Arsenal FC under Arsene Wenger, life could not be much better. You wait patiently as keepers sit ahead of you until you become the club's number 2. Then, it happens, your mate Almunia gets injured and you get a small run in the team and even a day out at Wembley in the FA Cup Semi-final. You wake up that morning dreaming of the name you can make for yourself, the game arrives with your fans cheering when your name is announced. LIFE IS GOOD! Then your team go 1 - 0 up. LIFE IS GREAT. Then towards the end of the game, the opposition defender boots a long ball down field, it been a quiet game for you so so you run out to collect the ball and start another attack, you pull your right foot back, swing, and then.............Oh crap, where's the ball gone? Look around and Drogba has just scored while you're in no man's land. You lose the game and the chance of playing in an FA cup final, you have a string of dreadful mistakes, a few more terrible performances pretty much help to guarantee your club ends another season with no silver ware. Another season, another chance, you're still the club's number 2, you failed to take your chance, Now, your third season starts and the number 1 position is firmly up for grabs, your mate again gets an injury and you are called up to play in goal in the Champions League.............. How would you like the story to end?
Unfortunately the only one who can decide that is Lukasz Fabianski. He has a chance to prove how good a keeper he is again tonight as we play Partizan Belgrade. There is a lot of pressure on the young man's shoulders as he has an opportunity to show he should be our number keeper. He shouldn't have too much to cope with tonight but think he'll do enough to keep a clean sheet
I get the feeling tonight will be a harder game than it should be on paper, although no team in this competition should be under estimated, Arsenal should - on paper - be able to dominate all three of the other teams in our group but an away trip to any European team on a cold night will be difficult.
Arsene should field a strong side tonight but I'm sure he will be thinking about Chelsea at the weekend so he'll be hoping for a big lead by the hour mark so he can rest some stars. We need a win tonight but more importantly a decent performance by every one of our players, we can not go to Stamford Bridge low on confidence, if we do we will be beaten before we arrive.
Gibbs is back and I think he'll get a start partly for him to get game time but also to rest Clichy for Chelsea. Chamakh should start and I expect Arshavin will join him up front and Eboue will get the chance to make up for a dismal display againt West Brom. Hopefully Nasri will be given the chance to shine again in the attacking midfield 'Fabregas' role and I expect Wilshere will start along side him.
My predicted line-up
Fabianski
Sagna - Squillaci - Koscielny - Gibbs
Song
Wilshere - Nasri
Eboue - Arshavin
Chamakh
Score: Partizan Belgrade 0 - 3 Arsenal
Now, I admit I know pretty much naff all about Partizan Belgrade but I do know that they are doing very well in their domestic league and will be full of confidence but in fairness they play in an average league at best so we should come out on top. (Then again, I said that on Saturday too)
Come on Arsenal!! Come on Lukasz!!
Goonerfish.
Monday, 27 September 2010
Wenger's wise words & Almunia better be injured!!
Evening Gooners,
Thought I'd start by sharing the very first line of Arsene Wenger's official e-mail
"We have to make sure we respond well"
Now, I was going to point out how obvious that statement is but then I started thinking that it's not really just a statement about the team, it's a statement that all fans should take to heart and follow. Browsing through blogs yesterday and even today, Arsenal fans have become massively negative overnight against the team and in particular Almunia. West Brom was a bad chapter early on in the story of Arsenal's season but lets leave it alone now and get behind our team again, we as fans must respond well.
News today says that Almunia will miss Tuesday nights game at Partizan Belgrade due to injuring his shoulder when he conceded the penalty on Saturday. I say this in the kindest way possible, I bloody well hope he is injured!
Now before you judge me, read on just a little more. I don't and would never wish injury on any player but has anyone else noticed that Almunia always gets 'injured' after a bad performance. Our number 1 has a history of having a long spell out after a string of bad performances, officially being listed as injured. I just hope that is a genuine injury and he'll be back between the sticks full of confidence and ready to go at Chelsea at the weekend so he can enjoy the victory with the rest us.
A short one today but as the little cartoon piggy says... That's all folks,
Goonerfish.
Thought I'd start by sharing the very first line of Arsene Wenger's official e-mail
"We have to make sure we respond well"
Now, I was going to point out how obvious that statement is but then I started thinking that it's not really just a statement about the team, it's a statement that all fans should take to heart and follow. Browsing through blogs yesterday and even today, Arsenal fans have become massively negative overnight against the team and in particular Almunia. West Brom was a bad chapter early on in the story of Arsenal's season but lets leave it alone now and get behind our team again, we as fans must respond well.
News today says that Almunia will miss Tuesday nights game at Partizan Belgrade due to injuring his shoulder when he conceded the penalty on Saturday. I say this in the kindest way possible, I bloody well hope he is injured!
Now before you judge me, read on just a little more. I don't and would never wish injury on any player but has anyone else noticed that Almunia always gets 'injured' after a bad performance. Our number 1 has a history of having a long spell out after a string of bad performances, officially being listed as injured. I just hope that is a genuine injury and he'll be back between the sticks full of confidence and ready to go at Chelsea at the weekend so he can enjoy the victory with the rest us.
A short one today but as the little cartoon piggy says... That's all folks,
Goonerfish.
Sunday, 26 September 2010
Are you Arsenal in disguise? Arsenal Vs West Brom review
Where to start?
I think it is more than fair to say that West Brom were written off for this game by fans and the media well before it even kicked off. Maybe however, the Arsenal players believed that too and that was our undoing.
The first half was painful. We were awful, we couldn't pass, couldn't shoot, couldn't talk, couldn't defend...... you get the point. The baggies won a penalty as Almunia committed the foul in the area and picked up a yellow card for his troubles. Brunt stepped up with glory in his eyes which was wiped away as Almunia made a good save low to his right.
Second half was just as bad as West Brom outplayed us and deservedly ended up 3 - 0 ahead. Almunia is going to get slated today from every angle and you could argue that the second and third goal were both down to him thanks to a ridiculous fumble and then an indecisive rush from his line followed by a sudden and costly change of mind which left him stranded in no mans land leaving the goal empty for a tap in. However, we can not lay the blame for this result solely on his shoulders, if you look back at the first goal our entire defence turned to stone and let the West Brom players weave in between them, it was Koscielny's man that scored the goal and he was nowhere to be found, also on the second goal Koscielny was nowhere near close enough to the opposition striker who in fairness should not of been able to get the shot away in the first place. I'm not trying to pass the blame from Almunia to Koscielny, I'm just pointing out that although Almunia will be the scapegoat for many Arsenal fans, he was not the only player to make mistakes and in all honesty probably made less than any other player in an Arsenal shirt.
The important thing from this miserable Saturday is to try and pluck some positive thoughts and I could only think of two words, 'Samir' and 'Nasri'. Super Sam was a bright light on a miserable weekend and although the embarrassment of the defeat will overshadow everything else, both of his goals were taken brilliantly.
Arsene Wenger, usually such a defender of his team admitted that he "didn't recognise" any of his players and hopefully will make every player watch that tape over and over again and we learn from whatever it was that happened.
I set out planning to make this review as positive as possible and apologise because I've struggled to to get even close. So, heads up Gooners, it's just one game so let us all just forget that Saturday 25th September 2010 ever happened and look forward to another high scoring win in the champions league on Wednesday night then prepare ourselves for our trip to Stamford Bridge and for a truly positive note, as was pointed out on twitter in 2001 Charlton Athletic beat us at home 4 - 2 and our keeper had a nightmare - We won the double that season.
Just to add another positive point, Jack Wilshere's old mates at Bolton got a draw with Utd so just remember the weekend could have been better but it could have been a lot, lot worse.
Goonerfish.
I think it is more than fair to say that West Brom were written off for this game by fans and the media well before it even kicked off. Maybe however, the Arsenal players believed that too and that was our undoing.
The first half was painful. We were awful, we couldn't pass, couldn't shoot, couldn't talk, couldn't defend...... you get the point. The baggies won a penalty as Almunia committed the foul in the area and picked up a yellow card for his troubles. Brunt stepped up with glory in his eyes which was wiped away as Almunia made a good save low to his right.
Second half was just as bad as West Brom outplayed us and deservedly ended up 3 - 0 ahead. Almunia is going to get slated today from every angle and you could argue that the second and third goal were both down to him thanks to a ridiculous fumble and then an indecisive rush from his line followed by a sudden and costly change of mind which left him stranded in no mans land leaving the goal empty for a tap in. However, we can not lay the blame for this result solely on his shoulders, if you look back at the first goal our entire defence turned to stone and let the West Brom players weave in between them, it was Koscielny's man that scored the goal and he was nowhere to be found, also on the second goal Koscielny was nowhere near close enough to the opposition striker who in fairness should not of been able to get the shot away in the first place. I'm not trying to pass the blame from Almunia to Koscielny, I'm just pointing out that although Almunia will be the scapegoat for many Arsenal fans, he was not the only player to make mistakes and in all honesty probably made less than any other player in an Arsenal shirt.
The important thing from this miserable Saturday is to try and pluck some positive thoughts and I could only think of two words, 'Samir' and 'Nasri'. Super Sam was a bright light on a miserable weekend and although the embarrassment of the defeat will overshadow everything else, both of his goals were taken brilliantly.
Arsene Wenger, usually such a defender of his team admitted that he "didn't recognise" any of his players and hopefully will make every player watch that tape over and over again and we learn from whatever it was that happened.
I set out planning to make this review as positive as possible and apologise because I've struggled to to get even close. So, heads up Gooners, it's just one game so let us all just forget that Saturday 25th September 2010 ever happened and look forward to another high scoring win in the champions league on Wednesday night then prepare ourselves for our trip to Stamford Bridge and for a truly positive note, as was pointed out on twitter in 2001 Charlton Athletic beat us at home 4 - 2 and our keeper had a nightmare - We won the double that season.
Just to add another positive point, Jack Wilshere's old mates at Bolton got a draw with Utd so just remember the weekend could have been better but it could have been a lot, lot worse.
Goonerfish.
Saturday, 25 September 2010
We're in the Money! January Spending here we come!?!
I thought I'd give a quick run of some of Arsenal's many news stories of yesterday before I settle down to listen to the game on Arsenal Online.
First thing's first......MONEY!!!! We are minted!!!!! £56million pre tax proxit has just been announce so Arsene is now trimming down his short list of players we desperately need so he can go on a mega spending spree in January.
At this point I am hoping that the sarcasm is pouring through my words. We will not go on to spend tens of millions in January partly because big players do not usually move in January (Arshavin being the exception that comes to mind) but mainly because we do not need to. Our squad is, in my opinion, one of the strongest in the league and I cannot think of another club with more quality in their reserve players. I include the likes of Man Utd and Chelsea in that statement, they both have outstanding first teams but go a little deeper and there is a lot of ok players but that's it. I am of course hugely biased but I don't think another club could be dealing with as many injuries as we currently have yet we put out a team that could be considered first choice. The benefits of Arsene Wenger's youth system is shining through and every other club in England wish they had the same policy 5 years ago - FACT!! (When I say fact I mean probably, well I think so, well I'm pretty sure, ah what the hell - FACT!!)
Talking of our youth policy, Wojciech Szczesny has come out claiming he should be Arsenal's number 1. There's been loads of quotes flying about from his interview but my favourite must be this:
“I’m ready to play at highest level but I need a club that believes in a 20-year-old. In Arsenal there’s no such bravery. My main goal is to play for Arsenal, but if there’s a move option, we’ll have words.”
Wow!!! I have heard a few interviews from our young keeper and he really is brimming with confidence, in fact he's so confident he makes Bendtner seem like a shy little girl and he not exactly the most reserved individual in the world.
In more pointless news, managers seem to be jumping at the chance to attack Le Boss at the moment, Tony Pulis, Big Sam and Twitchy have all come out in the past couple of days with different attacks but in all honestly I couldn't give a rats arse about their opinions so I'm not going to share them on this blog.
Right-o, I'm off to watch the City-Chelsea game then listen to our game, I'll get a review up tomorrow until then............
Goonerfish.
First thing's first......MONEY!!!! We are minted!!!!! £56million pre tax proxit has just been announce so Arsene is now trimming down his short list of players we desperately need so he can go on a mega spending spree in January.
At this point I am hoping that the sarcasm is pouring through my words. We will not go on to spend tens of millions in January partly because big players do not usually move in January (Arshavin being the exception that comes to mind) but mainly because we do not need to. Our squad is, in my opinion, one of the strongest in the league and I cannot think of another club with more quality in their reserve players. I include the likes of Man Utd and Chelsea in that statement, they both have outstanding first teams but go a little deeper and there is a lot of ok players but that's it. I am of course hugely biased but I don't think another club could be dealing with as many injuries as we currently have yet we put out a team that could be considered first choice. The benefits of Arsene Wenger's youth system is shining through and every other club in England wish they had the same policy 5 years ago - FACT!! (When I say fact I mean probably, well I think so, well I'm pretty sure, ah what the hell - FACT!!)
Talking of our youth policy, Wojciech Szczesny has come out claiming he should be Arsenal's number 1. There's been loads of quotes flying about from his interview but my favourite must be this:
“I’m ready to play at highest level but I need a club that believes in a 20-year-old. In Arsenal there’s no such bravery. My main goal is to play for Arsenal, but if there’s a move option, we’ll have words.”
Wow!!! I have heard a few interviews from our young keeper and he really is brimming with confidence, in fact he's so confident he makes Bendtner seem like a shy little girl and he not exactly the most reserved individual in the world.
In more pointless news, managers seem to be jumping at the chance to attack Le Boss at the moment, Tony Pulis, Big Sam and Twitchy have all come out in the past couple of days with different attacks but in all honestly I couldn't give a rats arse about their opinions so I'm not going to share them on this blog.
Right-o, I'm off to watch the City-Chelsea game then listen to our game, I'll get a review up tomorrow until then............
Goonerfish.
Friday, 24 September 2010
Arsenal Vs West Brom Preview
Ooh, my first preview, how exciting.
Arsene Wenger returns to his seat on the bench for West Brom's visit to the Emirates tomorrow but will be without a key collection of first teamers. Fabregas, Vermaelen, Eboue, Gibbs join long term absentees Bendtner, Van Persie, Walcott on the sidelines while Diaby and Rosicky face fitness tests today. I can't believe our injury list is so big already (lets not forget that Ramsey is still sat at home too), it's only game six and already we could almost field an entire team of crocked players - Actually strike that, this long supporting Arsenal I'm surprised we don't have more injuries.
Injuries aside we still have enough talent in our squad to teach West Brom a footballing lesson (just ask Spurs about our strength in depth) and should win comfortably. In defence I can't see anything breaking up the new boys in the centre and with Clichy and Sagna on either side our defence will be as attacking as ever. Alex Song should return to our midfield after his suspension to join the in form Wilshere and I think Denilson will be given the nod to complete our midfield three if Diaby is deemed unfit to play. Chamakh will again surely lead the attack with our joint leading goal-scorer Arshavin on his left and Nasri running riot on the right.
Goonerfish's line-up
Arsene Wenger returns to his seat on the bench for West Brom's visit to the Emirates tomorrow but will be without a key collection of first teamers. Fabregas, Vermaelen, Eboue, Gibbs join long term absentees Bendtner, Van Persie, Walcott on the sidelines while Diaby and Rosicky face fitness tests today. I can't believe our injury list is so big already (lets not forget that Ramsey is still sat at home too), it's only game six and already we could almost field an entire team of crocked players - Actually strike that, this long supporting Arsenal I'm surprised we don't have more injuries.
Injuries aside we still have enough talent in our squad to teach West Brom a footballing lesson (just ask Spurs about our strength in depth) and should win comfortably. In defence I can't see anything breaking up the new boys in the centre and with Clichy and Sagna on either side our defence will be as attacking as ever. Alex Song should return to our midfield after his suspension to join the in form Wilshere and I think Denilson will be given the nod to complete our midfield three if Diaby is deemed unfit to play. Chamakh will again surely lead the attack with our joint leading goal-scorer Arshavin on his left and Nasri running riot on the right.
Goonerfish's line-up
Score: Arsenal 4 - 0 West Brom
The Baggies have only ever taken 1 point from visits to us in the Premier League and that was in 2004. I can't see anything other than a win for us tomorrow, but don't assume it will be an easy game. West Brom will try to play football and on their day are more than capable of putting on a good show however we should be too much for them and with a total of 16 goals in our 3 home games so far, we are in great goal scoring form. Hopefully we can also enjoy Chelsea dropping their first points of the season to Man City.
Chant hard, sing loud, enjoy the game.
Goonerfish.
Thursday, 23 September 2010
Is the Carling Cup Still worth winning?
Well well, well, what a night!!
Liverpool and Chelsea 'doing a spurs' and getting embarrassed at home while Man City faced a long trip home from the Hawthorns knowing it's one less trophy they can try to buy this year.
In fairness, well done to West Brom and Newcastle and especially Northampton (Sorry can't help but laugh every time I think about it) but it did make me wonder is the Carling Cup still a cup worth winning? Sure for the teams mentioned above who can only dream of a European place then it's another big trophy but is it worth the effort for the so called big boys? Arsenal fielded a team that was undoubtedly stronger than Arsene usually chooses but still made 9 changes from the team who started in the league, Chelsea, Man Utd and Liverpool all sent out weaker teams even Newcastle rested the likes of Nolan, Carroll and Barton, Should Premier league clubs even bother entering the competition that they obviously only see on par with the
reserves league?
My personal opinion is "Hell yeah, I want to win it" but that may be our 5 year drought talking but surely a cup run that ends in a day out at Wembley for the players and fans is worth fighting for. If nothing else Arsenal need to get used to winning trophies and I see the Carling cup as the perfect opportunity for our players to start their addiction to winning especially as the only team left in the competition that Arsenal should be wary of facing is Man Utd and the fact that their manager couldn't even be bothered to turn up to his team's game shows how much he values the competition.
What do you think? Would you be happy winning ONLY the Carling Cup this year?
Anyway, in other news, Carlos Vela has been banned from the Mexican international scene for 6 months for having a party after Mexico's friendly win against Colombia. I feel sorry for the kid but in a selfish kind of way I'm just happy that it's one player we can guarantee won't get a needless injury in a stupid friendly.
Also Gibbs' injury has been described as only keeping him out in the "short term" which I think is good news, or Arsenal are just getting better at putting a positive spin on Injury news, either way I hope he's not out for long, he could be in line for a very good season.
Wenger has also apparently come out again and said he'll stay at the club until the end of his contract which some blogs have taken as him saying as "as soon as my contract ends I'm outta here!!" But the fact is Arsene Wenger has always honoured his contracts and when the end of that contract is approaching he looks at his options and makes a decision then. Nothing to worry about Gooners!!
Right, I'll look at getting a match preview up tomorrow, until then........
Goonerfish.
Liverpool and Chelsea 'doing a spurs' and getting embarrassed at home while Man City faced a long trip home from the Hawthorns knowing it's one less trophy they can try to buy this year.
In fairness, well done to West Brom and Newcastle and especially Northampton (Sorry can't help but laugh every time I think about it) but it did make me wonder is the Carling Cup still a cup worth winning? Sure for the teams mentioned above who can only dream of a European place then it's another big trophy but is it worth the effort for the so called big boys? Arsenal fielded a team that was undoubtedly stronger than Arsene usually chooses but still made 9 changes from the team who started in the league, Chelsea, Man Utd and Liverpool all sent out weaker teams even Newcastle rested the likes of Nolan, Carroll and Barton, Should Premier league clubs even bother entering the competition that they obviously only see on par with the
reserves league?
My personal opinion is "Hell yeah, I want to win it" but that may be our 5 year drought talking but surely a cup run that ends in a day out at Wembley for the players and fans is worth fighting for. If nothing else Arsenal need to get used to winning trophies and I see the Carling cup as the perfect opportunity for our players to start their addiction to winning especially as the only team left in the competition that Arsenal should be wary of facing is Man Utd and the fact that their manager couldn't even be bothered to turn up to his team's game shows how much he values the competition.
What do you think? Would you be happy winning ONLY the Carling Cup this year?
Anyway, in other news, Carlos Vela has been banned from the Mexican international scene for 6 months for having a party after Mexico's friendly win against Colombia. I feel sorry for the kid but in a selfish kind of way I'm just happy that it's one player we can guarantee won't get a needless injury in a stupid friendly.
Also Gibbs' injury has been described as only keeping him out in the "short term" which I think is good news, or Arsenal are just getting better at putting a positive spin on Injury news, either way I hope he's not out for long, he could be in line for a very good season.
Wenger has also apparently come out again and said he'll stay at the club until the end of his contract which some blogs have taken as him saying as "as soon as my contract ends I'm outta here!!" But the fact is Arsene Wenger has always honoured his contracts and when the end of that contract is approaching he looks at his options and makes a decision then. Nothing to worry about Gooners!!
Right, I'll look at getting a match preview up tomorrow, until then........
Goonerfish.
Wednesday, 22 September 2010
Things we've Learnt from smashing Spuds.
Ok, Firstly Hi!!
I am Goonerfish, I have spent years reading great Arsenal blogs across the interweb and spent so much time writing comments on topics, I thought I’d give my own blog a go to concentrate all my thoughts in one place.
I don’t claim to have any ‘people’ in the know at the club or any secret sources strolling around the Emirates, I will simply spread the news I hear, give you my opinion and give you guys the chance to tell me if you think I’m talking bollocks or not.
Arsenal gave me a great reason for a first blog last night with our drubbing of the Spuds. I’m not going to cover the match minute by minute as there are enough match reports doing the rounds however these are the things I think we’ve learnt from last night’s show:
1 – Harry Redknapp is fantastically funny – He was hilarious last night, everything from his facial expressions when he was asked about the “strong” Arsenal line-up (he obviously expected a much weaker team) to the sudden change from “we want to win this competition” to claiming it is all about experience and doesn’t rank the competition too highly and then topped it all off by claiming Nasri dived for the first penalty.
2 – The Spurs squad is nowhere near as strong as ours – no explanation necessary!
3 – The gap between our first team and our so called kids is getting smaller and smaller, we made 9 changes to our line up and still had the likes of Gibbs, Eboue, Djourou, Wilshere, Denilson, etc, etc all of whom have substantial first team experience and all of whom have been capped at international level.
4 – Wilshere is frickin’ awesome!!! – This guy has grown so much over the last year it’s unbelievable and he seems to be getting better every week.
5 – Arsene seems to be taking the Carling cup a little more seriously this year, I think the pressure is coming on hard from the board room to bring home some silverware.
So, is it finally our year? Will we finally end our trophy drought? Will Alex Song ever get rid of that ridiculous haircut? Leave any thoughts you wish below.
That’ll do for me on this one, I’ll try and keep blogs regular but if there’s nothing worth talking about then I won’t waste your time.
Goonerfish.
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