Arsenal F C (Pride Of London)

[Magpie]

It's strange; another un-Arsenal-like performance from the Gunners on Saturday and only a last-minute equaliser saved them from Bolton doing the double over them. It's amazing how the fortunes of Arsenal have changed since the departure of Patrick Vieira and I can't believe their position in the league. Hopefully their Champions League form will continue and become a welcome diversion from the league-related frustrations.

EDIT: Lost 1-0 last night to Liverpool. Another loss? What's going on lads?
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[jonmoody61]

Post Liverpool game last night, which ended in a 1-0 defeat, I have to post my feelings. This season really is sickening. Another away defeat, another limp away performance and another late, late goal sealing the points for Liverpool. I'm not really going to go into a blow by blow account of the match as there's not much point in me relating to you all the things Liverpool did. In the first half we really didn't do anything but Jens Lehmann made two fantastic saves. One from a Senderos clearance which was looping in and the second from a penalty which our old friend Graham Poll decided to give to Liverpool for precisely nothing.

There was one nice little interchance which saw Emmanuel Adebayor go through but he was given offside. I'm not convinced though but Sky fairly much glossed over it. From the replays they did show at the time I think we were unlucky as he looked just about level. In the second half Dudek made a save from Henry and Lehmann made another great save from Fowler. He saved from Kewell late on before making another fantastic save from Hamann but Luis Garcia was on hand to score even though again Lehmann nearly got to it. To my mind he's been the best keeper in the Premiership all season and he certainly deserves the new contract that's on offer. We had a late corner and that was it. Another away loss and another vital three points down the toilet.

Now, before I get to the next part let me just say that, despite harsh words sometimes, I love all our players. I love them because they're Arsenal players. They're wearing our shirt and I desperately want each one of them to do well in every game. No matter how badly they've played previously I want them to do well because they're Arsenal players. It makes me feel bad when they don't do well. Unfortunately some of players went missing, yet again, last night.

I realise we have injuries to players who can make a difference. That would certainly have been a different game if we'd have Lauren, Cole, van Persie, Reyes and even a fit and in form Sol Campbell available. That's beside the point though. When we have those players missing there's a bigger responsibility on the players who are there to perform and to give a little bit extra. For me the game was lost in midfield. Basically we only played with two midfielders and I'm being a bit generous there.

First we had Cesc who always wants the ball, who is always looking for a pass, always looking to keep the play moving. He worked hard, tackled and tried to create but suffered for the sins of the others. Then there was Freddie who, in the second half, worked hard, won some headers and put himself about after being a bit sloppy and lazy first half. There just doesn't seem to be any end product to him anymore though and it's mid February and he still hasn't scored a goal in the league. For a player who was never the most creative that's making life hard for us. You take the goals out of his game and he becomes a very average player.

The other two though were just horrible to watch. It makes me sad to see Robert Pires now. As poor as he was in the first half he was totally anonymous in the second and if all he can do when he gets the ball now is cut inside and play a square pass then we really have to question his worth to the team. I know he misses Cole bombing on ahead of him but there was one time last night he could have knocked the ball past Finnan, use the element of surprise as the Liverpool player - like us - certainly wouldn't have been expecting it. Instead he cut inside, played it square and we lost the ball. I think the one year deal he's been offered is about 12 months too long. It says so much about how bad he was that Hleb, who hasn't exactly set the world on fire himself, looked far, far better in the short time he was on the pitch after replacing him.

I will come to the ever awful Gilberto when I have the energy to rant about him in due course!

[jonmoody61]

Then we come to Gilberto again. So much of our play breaks down with him. He wasn't as spectacularly bad as he has been but when we need performances, when we need someone to take the game by the scruff of the neck he's hiding behind the sofa with a pillow over his eyes. He is a huge weakness in our team now. He gives the ball away so often I'm beginning to wonder if he isn't some kind of double-agent. He can talk all he wants about stepping up and helping the young players and how we have to play to win in Madrid but his mouth does all the talking and his feet, which should be doing the talking, are wearing ballet shoes and he's Swan Laking around the pitch. I know Diaby isn't experienced but I'd love to see what he and Cesc could do in the middle. With two players so totally anonymous against such an experienced Liverpool midfield it was always going to be difficult. In this league you cannot afford to carry passengers. You'll get found out and you'll get beaten. Midfield has been weak all season long, it's cost us games and it will continue to do so as long as the manager plays players whose contribution to the game is always minimal at best. It's worth repeating that all of us can deal with a player playing badly when we know they've given their all for the cause. It's when the play badly with such an obvious lack of fight that it becomes frustrating. And when they do it more than once it makes me want to pull what's left of my hair out.

Then we come to the captain. Can you call it an off night? Once he was put through by Cesc but couldn't control it. Once by Freddie but he couldn't control it. There was another time a ball came from our left (can't remember who played it) and he sidefooted it out of the ground nearly. I love Thierry. I love what he's done for the club. I love the goals he's scored, the way he's scored them and the way he's loved scoring them for Arsenal but as long as the contract remains unsigned there's a nagging doubt that his heart isn't in it and when you're like that you can't perform and he isn't performing. Maybe the captaincy doesn't suit him but how do you take it off him now? I want him to stay and I want him to sign a new deal because I think that will make a difference to his game. He's not 100% focussed. I don't want to say he's not 100% committed because, although that's partly true, it can be interpreted the wrong way. What I do think though is that at a time when we're looking for leadership from our captain he's dilly-dallying over whether or not to sign a new deal with us. When things are going well and the team is performing maybe that's not such a big deal but when things are going as badly as they are at the moment I think it's fairly obvious that it's having a negative impact on things.

And even amongst all this hard to take stuff there's some positives to be taken from the defeats and the late goals. I've said all season the young players will learn from this and I'm still convinced they will. This is going to hurt them, certainly more than a player who is deciding whether or not to go play in the sun for a year or two like Bobby, and that hurt creates desire and a hunger to win. They're suffering from not being supported properly by the experienced players but they - and we - will see the benefits of it soon. Maybe not soon enough though.

Afterwards the manager trotted out the usual public phrases about the lads giving everything and sticking together but also said "We lost the ball tonight in some locations where we should not lose the ball and put ourselves in trouble because of that."

Let's hope he sees the reasons behind that and does something about it. Our next match is in 7 days. Against Real Madrid.

[SE13]

There really needs to be a radical shake-up behind the scenes prior to the upcoming fixture against Real Madrid, who were today unveiled as the richest club in The World, beating Manchester United, and knocking them from the top spot for the first time this millenium, and indeed for the best part of a decade.

Injuries seem to be ravaging our "transition" season, and as I have pointed out previously, in the current climate, our best hope of qualifying for next seasons tournament in The Champions League seems to be by winning the thing itself, much as Liverpool did last season.

Unfortunately in The Premiership, every time Tattenham Hotspuds slip up and drop points, we seem to do precisely the same, thus the gap has never really been reduced from the four points it currently stands at, and that game against Liverpool was our game in hand. All is not lost, however, as there is still the small matter of playing our nearest rivals, and the team occupying "our" spot, Tattenham Hotspuds, at Highbury in the latter stages of the season.

There is still hope, so I am keeping the faith.
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It feels so empty without a signature, so here is some mindless gabble to occupy the space

[the waterboy]

Fredrik Ljungberg has hit out at reports which quoted him as saying Arsenal were scared to express themselves on the field.

Arsene Wenger's charges have built their reputation on slick attacking play, but they have been pale imitations of themselves this season.

Ljungberg was quoted as saying after Tuesday's defeat at Liverpool that The Gunners could not cope with the physical approach of their opponents and were scared to play their natural game.

The Swedish star was surprised to see himself quoted in such a manner and contacted Sky Sports News to set the record straight.

"We are definitely not scared, what I said has been taken out of context and I just want to make that clear," said Ljungberg.

"The point was we were talking about how Liverpool played and it is difficult to go to Anfield to play football, there are a lot of long balls.

"I think we did well and probably deserved a draw and then unfortunately it was taken out of context and they said I said we were scared, which I did not, and we are looking forward to the game with Madrid.

"I don't think we are scared to play, I want to make that clear to the fans and we are looking forward to the rest of the season."

Ljungberg feels Arsenal matched Liverpool on Tuesday and were unfortunate to concede so late in the game.

"It was mostly a big fight, we stuck in and went for it and probably deserved a draw, but they scored with three minutes to go and that happens sometimes which is disappointing," he added.

The Gunners have tasted defeat on nine occasions in The Premiership this term and Ljungberg admits they are in a period of transition, but is positive for the remainder of the season.

"We have the Champions League, the only thing we can really win to be honest, and we are going to do everything we can to do that and we are certainly not scared about it," added Ljungberg.

The Gunners face Real Madrid in the last 16 of the UEFA Champions League and Ljungberg feels a clash with the Galacticos will be good for Arsenal.

"I think they (Arsenal's chances) are good," he insisted. "They play technical football and I think that will suit us and I am looking forward to it.

"Hopefully we can get a good result."

Second place in The Premiership would appear to be beyond Arsenal, but Ljungberg says they will keep fighting.

"We are going to keep on fighting for it and hopefully some others will drop some points and we can catch up, we will see at the end of the season," he declared

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i think due to the gunners poor season by their standards that 2nd and 3rd may just be out of reach for them but what do you boys think?

[SE13]

[squibs1989]

i think that arsenal will be lucky to escape with a minor defeat or a draw tonight against madrid after the way we ave been playing

i reckon it will be 1-0 real madrid and arsenal will struggle to get back in the home leg so thats all our chances at silverware totally out the window

unless arsenal get super lucky then there will be no champs league next week

[Magpie]

Isn't it amazing how a team's league form can differ so drastically from cup form!!

The first team loses 1-0 at home to Blackburn yet a team not entirely comprising first choice players wins away to Real Madrid. Go figure!

...it's a funny old game!
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[SE13]

I am thinking that perhaps pressure was the key to the success over Real Madrid at The Bernabau, or at least the lack of it. Nobody expected Arsenal to come away with any sort of result over there, so they were far more at ease, and played the football of their lives!

Then against Blackburn, in a game they were expected to pick up the maximum three points, they fell apart

Three points against Fulham today is an absolute MUST. As it is, that fourth place looks a million miles away, and any sort of slip-up today might well resign us to our worst finish for a decade.
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It feels so empty without a signature, so here is some mindless gabble to occupy the space

[squibs1989]

me and my mate have worked out how our bad form has come about. we have figured that whenever we play up north we lose and whenever we play at home or near to home we seem to win

[squibs1989]

Arsenal 4-0 Fulham

Henry scores 2 again with Adebayor and Fabregas picking up goals as well

sounded like a good game

i still do not understand our run of form we are so good in champions league still undefeated but yet our premiership form is starting to rival up to my home town canvey island fc's form

it seems if canvey win arsenal lose if arsenal win canvey lose if canvey draw chelsea lose

[SE13]

A well needed three points yesterday away to Fulham at Craven Cottage. To be fair, the 4-0 scoreline somewhat flatters Fulham, who really were not at the races. Outplayed and outclassed in all areas, and Arsenal showing some of the form from our long unbeaten run of a couple of seasons ago.

At one point, yesterday, the match looked to be heading for something of a cricket score, and had Arsenal nestled all of their chances into the onion-bag, we really could be looking back on a double-figured scoreline at the final whistle.

A most pleasing improvement, especially with Real Madrid looming fast. I gather some of the scouts from Real Madrid were at the game yesterday.... That will be some report they take back to The Spanish Capital with them!!

So on toward Tuesday night at Highbury. We have the one goal lead, and an away goal to boot. Any goal from Arsenal will leave Real Madrid needing to score three times to win the tie, and with Highbury being quite a fortress these days, again, I would think it rather unlikely that they could do so.

Keep The Faith!!! Red Army!!
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It feels so empty without a signature, so here is some mindless gabble to occupy the space

[jonmoody61]

Hurrah! Three points on the road again and a performance that will instill some confidence ahead of Wednesday's kickabout with some ex-pat team from Madrid.

It started slowly enough but then Abou Diaby played a nice ball to Thierry Henry who did what he always does to ex-Gunner Moritz Volz. He nicked it past him, accelerated like some kind of cheetah and then hammered a left footed shot past Warner in the Fulham goal. A couple of minutes later Freddie Ljungerg, having his best game of the season by a long shot, played a beatiful ball through to Adebayor whose first time left footed shot made it 2-0 and that's the way it stayed at half-time.

n the second half we saw Arsenal play the way we know they can. Full of confidence, good movement, good passing and with Thierry Henry on fire. He was awesome. He made a chance for Adebayor who took a touch too many instead of hitting it first time, he made a chance for Hleb who forced a great save from Warner, he made a chance for Freddie who really deserved a goal and he skidded one across the goal mouth before getting his second after being played in by Freddie.

In the dying minutes we got a fourth when Mathieu Flamini went overlapping, Freddie played him through, he crossed it, José dummied it and Cesc was on hand to make it 4-0. When you consider how strong Fulham have been at home lately this was a very promising result by any standards.

Afterwards Thierry was interviewed and put the performance down to the fact that the team defended well from back to front and that was obvious. We looked calm and everybody worked hard. It sounds almost too simple but we were solid at the back, solid in midfield and the forwards were able to make the most of that. As well as Thierry there were some good individual performances as well. Freddie was so like the Freddie of old, I thought Hleb looked much, much better and in Abou Diaby we look to have found a very good player. He got on the ball a few times and ran with it to good effect, he had one shot from the edge of the area and after good work between Hleb and Eboue had a great chance in the area but Warner again made an excellent save.

Of course one swallow does not make a summer and it would be silly to suggest all our problems are behind us but at the same time we have to take heart from the result and performace and build on it. The biggest problem this season has been consistency and putting together a run of good results. Fingers crossed we can take confidence from this and start the ball rolling, so to speak. We were very good yesterday but Fulham were also very poor. Real will be a much sterner test after their 2-1 derby win last night.

[SE13]

Naturally, they will be a sterner test, but surely the squad will be on cloud nine?? After the win over there, that no-one outside of The Arsenal fraternity expected, and yesterdays domination of ninety minutes of quality football, who knows what we can produce on the night??

One thing I did notice about yesterdays game, however, was Gilberto Da Silva still making basic errors. Happily on this occasion, he was backed up by other players, but this is something that will need addressing before Tuesday night, as basic slip-ups and errors will cost Arsenal dearly against the like of Real madrid, who will punish mistakes such as those...

If he really wants his place in The Brazil squad for the World Cup in Germany, this summer, then he really needs to tidy up some of his performances, and sooner rather than later!!
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It feels so empty without a signature, so here is some mindless gabble to occupy the space

[jonmoody61]

I've also just checked up on some Real Madrid news, after their 2-1 win last night. Ahead of the game on Wednesday Arsene Wenger has accused Real Madrid of 'low level behaviour' for using their mouthpiece Marca to declare their interest in signing Cesc Fabregas. It is total gamesmanship, of course. They know there's no chance of Catalan Cesc going there and the manager says "I feel it is unfair before a big game to behave like that, as they have by coming out and saying they want to buy Fabregas. There is nothing less classy than that", although he may want to take a look at Jose Mourinho's histrionics yesterday.

Indeed, though, Jose's dispicable behaviour is simply another matter to be dealt with, surely, by the FA...