Arsenal F C (Pride Of London)

[HaRvEy]

good report mate, i was at the game, fantastic second half atmosphere, we've been missing that this season and last, as the Arsenal fans often sing "where's your famous atmosphere" well it appreared in the 2nd half as they sat down shocked at their team not being able to battle hard. Yeh Gallagher had a poor game but remember the first game of the season? JJ got sent off then Ljungberg got a penalty for kicking the ground and falling over himself? And we played brilliantly that game, we were the better side and looked more likely to open the scoring before Jermain Jenas' sending off, and then we couldnt really attack after that but our boys worked hard and deserved a point out of the game only for the ref to ruin it even more. Now that game we can more blame the ref than you can for this one in my opinion, yes he lost control, his decisions were more inbalanced than wrongful cards or penalty's. Gilberto was rightfully sent off but Shearer should have been booked earlier, the Campbell incident, but i can totally understand why he didnt, Shearer did go through Campbell however unlike, Gilberto's two and Amdy Faye's Shearer actually got to the ball, that doesnt excuse it but still. Scotty Parker was immense, his fight, his commitment, his drive was what Arsenal dont have in midfield. I remember past games against your boys and some were close games, some we deserved more from, but everytime the reason was simple why we lost, and that is PATRICK VIEIRA. I dont think it's a case of selling him thats the problem, it's not replacing him, Fabregas is young and a bit of a fairy boy to be honest, Van Persie doesnt put his foot in. We came out in the second half with the players getting stuck in, and because they did the crowd got right behind them, perhaps that was another factor in Gallaghers responses, the crowd reaction, i mean it must be very dawnting to be infront of 50,000 screaming Geordies demanding their players get in and give them a kick, and when he gave decisions the other way they all went up in arms, thats hard for any man to take under pressure making quick decisions, the crowd is Newcastle's twelth man in more than 1 sense. Yes we get behind the players motivating them, but also we influence the ref, it's the same at Old Trafford and at most other places, Arsenal will find it massively when they move their books from the library and into the museum sponsored by Fly Emirates.

A great performance by our lads, everyone was brilliant, Bramble and Elliott were a little shakey. Arsenal cant blame injuries because we were without Baba, Carr, Taylor, Luque wasnt fit enough, Dyer and N'Zogbia were out.

We need to put a run of wins together, but i'm sick of saying this to be honest, we say it all the time so do the players, as soon as we win they come out in the press and say right go on a winning run and usually we do for 2 or 3 more games then fall apart again, thats not good enough.

[HaRvEy]

I've just seen Wenger's interview

Wenger blabbered on 'difficult to take... we were better team... ref allowed them fouls... not a sending off... we weren't protected... Shearer gets away with a lot... ref didn't respect the rules... Newcastle didn't go for the ball... only fouled... team battled well... Newcastle went for long ball and disturbed the game... will appeal the sending off... I MUST CHANGE MY EYES IF THAT'S A SENDING OFF...'

sounds like a sore loser to me.

Arsenal started really well and Thierry was unlucky but when they were on top they didn't score and if you don’t take your chances then you will get punished, Arsenal fell foul of this. What’s also worrying for Aresenal have Chelsea next which potentially could be 3 defeats in a row in the premiership and the title will be way out of the window. Not to mention United come up next month. I think Arsenal are crying out for some tough British grit and determination0which they haven’t had since Adams left the club , they’ve been beaten by Bolton and Newcastle, and both are hard working sides who love a physical battle, Arsenal cant stand it. They are missing Viera massively, and have no physical presence in there team at all now. I think they look to much for the referee's protection

In my opinion Henry is not a good captain, not saying that it is his fault that they lost the game. But if you think having a captain who gives you horrible looks if you dare to misplace a pass to him is a great captain then fair play to you, but it isn't helping their team at all. I don't think he knows how to lift them either, Adams was the type that gave you a bollocking, Vieira was the one who would lead by example on the pitch. Henry doesn't do any of that.

Let me ask you all a question if Sir Alex's future can come into question after losses to Benfica and Lille shouldn't Arsenal ask questions about Wenger after he's failed against Newcastle and Bolton and the fact United are ahead of them in the league?

Toure also appeared to push freddie before going head to head, only to be pulled apart by Senderos and Ameobi i think it was. There are big problems at Arsenal.

I never saw this game as a high scoring game especially as Newcastle have only scored 14 goals in their last 16 games and add to that Arsenals dismal away record and there failure to score in 270 minutes now.

The key to beating Arsenal is to get stuck in - they've lost five away games this season because they simply have no fight in them.

[SE13]

The key to beating Arsenal always has been, and for the near future will be the attitude of the lower sides, the "up and at 'em" thing. We have no answer to it. Stop the football and basically stop the goals. We have been found out, and need to change things. There is no "Plan B"...

We simply can't pass the ball around defenders/midfielders pounding in at 100 mph, and therefore need to introduce a back-up style of play to counter this.

Arsene Wenger is dedicated to "pretty" football, which for the mostpart is great, as we are still by far the most exciting team to watch, but he does need to realise that this won't win every game, and when things start to go wrong, we need a tactical change, not a player change!!!
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[HaRvEy]

it is Wenger's downfall in my honest opinion. When Henry leaves you'll be hovering mid table to 6th, the future is Chelsea and Liverpool because teams cant battle against them like you can against Man Utd and Arsenal because they have players to compete with the battling and fact is you cant break through those sides at all, they're patient and dont want flowing football which Arsenal and Man Utd have given us for the past decade

[SE13]

There is nothing at this time to suggest that Thierry Henry will leave Arsenal. He is contracted at the club for a further eighteen months, and all the talks are of an extention to the existing deal, including pay, and new stadium rights, and so on and so forth.

Talks will be taking place early into the new year, and I would hope that Arsenal are prepared to break the bank to offer a deal suitable to both Thierry Henry himself, and the club/fans alike.

Should things go pear-shaped, then clubs will have to produce a mighty fine offer to seduce Arsenal into letting their prize asset slip from their grasp. There might well be World Record transfer fee quotes flying around, at such time, should it happen!!
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[elado]

And what will happen to Arsene Wenger? Is he leaving the club to join Real Madrid or what? I think that would make Arsenal pretty much weaker than it already is. And when will they actually do something in the English Premier League. Are they capable to do anything. I do not think that they have the real capacity to do anything serious at the moment except being water carriers to theams like Chelsea and others...
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Wandering through this world of darkness,
I'm looking for my ray of light...

[SE13]

[elado]

[SE13]

And as I pointed out, no-one will be able to compete with CSKA Chelsea until their "sugar-daddy" withdraws his cash, and there is not much likelihood of that occuring in the near future!!

Chelsea have a virtual bottomless pit of cash, while the chasing pack have to rely on the supporters and advertising to raise money.

Any time that Arsenal, or indeed Manchester United, Liverpool or any of the other giants of English football go in for a player, Chelsea just up the bid until such time as the others can not compete.

All the time that Chelsea have a squad of thirty internationals all fighting for a starting eleven slot, no other team will get close!!

Meantime, it's Portsmouth at Highbury tonight, and three points are a must!!
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It feels so empty without a signature, so here is some mindless gabble to occupy the space

[pureswanseababe]

I have been reading some humorous comments made by Cardiff chairman Sam Hammam regarding your F.A. Cup match against his side on Saturday.
He claims that Cardiff is a much bigger club than yourselves as despite you being a premiership giant Cardiff are representing the whole of Wales! Speaking as a Swansea fan (and a Welsh one at that) i can proudly say i hope you absolutely hammer them as it is this kind of attitute which really builds up my dislike for them.
Will you be fielding a strong side against Cardiff? After their thrashing at Reading (5-1) you have no excuses!

Are there many teams at home on Saturday? With the amount of Welsh fanatics making the journey (rumoured up to 10 000) it's going to be bedlam for the local authorities!

[SE13]

There were actually only just under seven thousand tickets sold on to The Cardiff City fans, although it is expected that many more will make the trip across The Border without tickets. Word has it that The Metropolitan Police are fully expecting this to happen, and are fully prepared for any eventuality. If they can handle up to fifty thousand Tattenham fans turning up without tickets, I feel sure they can deal with a far smaller quantity.

Reports suggest that only Thierry Henry will be missing from the starting eleven, so a very strong field will face Cardiff City, and their ranks of supporters.

Further to your comments, pureswanseababe, that same Reading side that beat Cardiff City by five goals to one recently, is the same Reading side torn apart by our reserve team in the Carling Cup fairly recently as well!!! Hope that puts your mind to rest.

Fixtures in The Capital are generally switched, such that not too many of the local teams are at home at the same time anyway, and bearing in mind the sheer size of London, and the officers available, I forsee little or no problems.
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[Magpie]

Not quite a hammering but 2-1 to Arsenal knocks Cardiff out of the cup. How Sam Hammam can say they are a bigger club is quite beyond me.

...I won't mention Newcastle United only manging a single goal against that giant of the football world Mansfield but round 4 is round 4!
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[SE13]

Indeed it is, Magpie.... Indeed it is.

To be fair, the 2-1 scoreline flattered Cardiff City somewhat, although they could have taken a shock lead with just thirty seconds on the clock, a chance that had it been converted could well have changed the entire complexion of the game.

The two Robert Pires strikes were glorious on the eye, and the Cardiff City "goal" didn't actually cross the line, but come what may, Arsenal are in the hat for the draw for round four.

Coming up this week, is the trip to Wigan Athletic in The Carling Cup, with another opportunity for The Arsenal Manager, Arsene Wenger to give the youngsters and reserves a run out. Even in this late stage of the competition, expect a whole host of names you have never heard of to grace the team. It is a two legged affair, so should anything go wrong, he can rely on the first-teamers in the second leg, back at Highbury.

I should also point out that the Cardiff City fans were a credit to lower league football, outsinging our fans for virtually every minute of the contest. Well done to them.
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[Graeme]

Fair play to Pires, he has had a tough season so far, but it looks as if he is getting back to his best!

Wigan in the Carling Cup isnt easy but its easy enough for this stage of the tournament! But i can see nothing but an Arsenal victory

What do you think of Van Persie, im still undecided, he had about 6 great games in a row, scoring freely, but before that he was pants, do you think he will become a free scorer or will be no more than a bit part player?

[SE13]

Just thinking about Robert Pires, there was a great video released recently, involving a child tripping over fresh air, and it was entitled "Pires" Perhaps this is not the best place to post it, but rest assured it was hilarious!!

Robin Van Persie is almost a complete natural replacement for the iconic Dennis Bergkamp, who retires at the end of this current season. Incidently, his testimonial game will be the first to be stages at the new ground, Ashburton Grove, or The Emirates Stadium to give it the correct name. He is still quite young, and breaking into The Netherlands National squad, so well worth giving him a bit of time, and especially watching in future Netherlands games.

The Carling Cup tie is a potential banana skin, as no-one really gets there unless it is on merit. Wigan Athletic have not exactly proved themselves to be mugs in The Premiership so far this season, and I very much doubt that they will end up as the whipping boys that almost every top pundit predicted. As I pointed out, Arsene Wenger will keep faith with the youngsters and reserves that have served him so well thus far in the competition, and I fully expect him to do the same come the final in Cardiff, should we make it that far. I guess the side will be quite a great deal strengthened from the eleven we will see in midweek, but non-the-less a weakened team. He needs to keep the better players for Champions League duty!!!!
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