Angry and hurt Wenger will get Arsenal to do us proud today

TotalArsenal

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Today’s game against Bayern will show us what Wenger is all about. I expect us to play fantastically well and win with a margin of two goals against the Germans.

Wenger gets ridiculed a lot lately, and of course he deserves at least some of the criticism in the press and by a particular section of the fans. But he will prove to us all once again why he has been our manager for such a long period.

The players let him down badly on Saturday. Eight internationals, an experienced PL player, and two promising talents: all did not turn up. I have no doubt that Wenger is very disappointed in the players he sent out there against Blackburn, but he is normally not the sort of man to come out in public with strong criticism of his own players. However, quotes after the game indicate he feels let down by them:

‘The top level is about consistency in every single game and that’s what we could not show. Coming after the Sunderland game we came out with a flat performance and that shows that, mentally, we are not capable at the moment of preparing in exactly the same way for every game. I think we have a great team but this shows we still have to show more maturity on the mental front. We have to understand what it means to win big games. [Blackburn] was a big game for me.”

Wenger has also been irritated by the press and he decided to snap back today. All good in my opinion.

Lots of people have been talking up Bayern and with good reason, but our team is due a fantastic performance and with Sagna, Mertesacker, Wilshere, Cazorla, Theo and Podolski likely to return to the starting-11 tomorrow, we will see what our team is all about. Wenger will have made his feelings clear in the strongest terms to all our players, and he will demand a passionate, powerful and totally professional performance against Bayern. And he will get it from every player he will send out onto the pitch.

This is the team I reckon will start tomorrow:

starting line-up (1)

There is so much quality in this team, and with the right focus and energy we will show the Germans, and the rest of Europe, what The Arsenal is all about. And I expect them to do us proud tomorrow, and to unite the fans once again.

And if I am wrong, you are welcome to come back to Bergkampesque and tell me what a deluded fool I am. 🙂

Written by: Total Arsenal.

136 thoughts on “Angry and hurt Wenger will get Arsenal to do us proud today”

  • Happy to find a positive piece.. in this match build up. I’m one who thinks the same way too..

  • TA,

    Nice to see the continuation of positivity towards our CL match; it’s definitely a minority opinion right now, so it’s refreshing to read.

    Admittedly, the second we drew Bayern, I have never been too optimistic about our chances but anything can happen in cup matches (as we’ve seen twice this year against weaker sides!). I guess the difference here is that we must prevail over the course of two games…well, I’m trying my best to be cautiously optimistic but can’t get over this really bad feeling I have about this game.

    If we get blown out, I fear for what will happen to AW and this squad. Please put in a passionate and inspiring performance in tomorrow Arsenal!

  • Glad you can be so positive I have to dig pretty deep to even muster a hope going into this match. Maybe had I seen at least one win this season vs ether Chelsea, ManU or City or a few more spankings instead of eked out ties and narrow wins in the league. Then maybe my mind could get behind my heart. Deep down that GO GUNNERS is in there but this season has worn me down. AND the few Bundesliga matches I have watched this season as well as watching the Germany France international (which featured many of the players in this up coming match) only served to strike FEAR in me not hope.

    Deep down I want the win more then anything but I fear to even hope is just setting myself up for more disappointment.

  • I believe whole heartedly that we can win tomorrow. Just depends on if The Arsenal shows up or those shadows of our former selves. That being said I hope we spank them 5-0 at home and 3-0 away and win the champions league. End of story.

  • I’m okay with your attack. I’ll go for a midfield of Arteta, Jack and Rosicky, the later being the attacking midfielder, Jack box to box and Arteta DM. In attack I’ll go for Cazorla and Theo on the wings, and Podolski up top this team stands a chance. Never should Giroud be considered a top striker, a support striker or false playmaker maybe, but altogether a squad player, definitely not a starter.

  • Yes TA.. Nothing better – for our team now – than a positive support from all of us.. They need our support not criticism..

    They play just fine again Blackcat last saturday.. We dominate the game by 70 %.. LUCKY is another thing that happened in football.. And Blackburn is not a second level team as people said.. Just like Bradford.. I think they can beat Swansea and win the trophy..
    And for that reason (as I said before) Laudrup must keep his star fresh and let them beaten 5-0 to Liverpool.. Why..?? Because Bradford is not a second or third level team..

    And who knows that we might be “Lucky” tonight.. Cause we are also not a second level team compare to Muenchen or even Barca.. We sure can beat them.. And they know that also.. We just need the atmosphere..

    A little problem is rumours said that Koscielny maybe off.. And sagna maybe play as a CB.. and Coquelin to play in Sagna place.. But I hope the rumour is not true..
    Go Gunners..

  • Wenger has done some great things over the last couple of days.
    He talked to his team for a very long time in the dressing room after the Blackburn game and I’m sure he used all his inspirational qualities to get them closer together and to lift their confidence and believe in themselves. I also think we will see a big response to Saturday, but I prefer a different approach than you (as I showed yesterday).
    Second thing is, with his press conference yesterday he puts the focus on himelf and takes it of the team. There would have been a lot more articles and talking about the team and today’s game had Wenger not been as furious as he was yesterday. Sir Alex does it very often when his team played a bad game to take away the attention and it works (dumb press people).

    @afc: it wasn’t possible to draw Real Madrid as they finished 2nd in their group as well.

  • I just hope this positivity remains, whatever the result.

    Please remember we are 10 points off 2nd place, and ‘Villa start us off on a decent run in? So support tonight AND Saturday would be appreciated?

    To quote HH yesterday ‘we are a team in transition’, so we may not quite ready for this task just now, but at least they are going to give it a damn good go!

    To use a racing analogy, not every favourite wins, Not even the best horse wins every time .. err correction, except for the G O A T = FRANKEL, who did win all his races. But with the greatest respect to Bayern, in the arena that is football, they are not the ‘greatest off all time’. They can be beaten, even by an outsider.

    Mind, I think the after match drinks between AW and Jupp might have an interesting conversational flavour?
    Perhaps invite him to be AW’s assistant next season while he sees out his contract … ?

  • Morning guys 🙂

    HH and Mike, we all know there is plenty of quality in the team Arsene will most probably put out tonight and add to that the effect of a rollocking, as in passion and focus, I reckon we will see a fantastic performance tonight. Yes, I am a glass half full person, but I also know a few things about the capabilities/qualities in this team.

    We will see a different Arsenal tonight.

  • Morning all.

    Mighty fine fighting spirit Total. We are “The Arsenal” and we can beat Bayern. There’s no doubt that if we start off on the front foot, play at a high tempo, and hopefully get an early goal, who knows we could even hold an advantage after the first leg.

    Don’t be frightened by the names on the sheet, Look straight ahead in the tunnel as you walk out, and show sternness, steel and commitment. None of this happy slapping mullarky.

    They don’t like it up em Mr.Wainwaring, get amongst them Gooners, that’s why I would play the Ox tonight. (see my team sheet below, I’ve sent it to Mr.Wenger via one of Terry’s pigeons)

    I would play 1-4-5-1 tonight.

    Szez

    Jenkinson Sagna Koscielny Vermaelen

    Ox Wilshere Ramsey Arteta Podolski

    Theo.

  • Hi Gerry 🙂

    I judge every game on its own merits. Positivity for the sake of it, does not work in my view. Structurally, I believe in the qualities of our squad (except perhaps for one or two positions), but I will always demand hunger and passion, and if I feel it is not there during a game, I will say it.

    I have full trust Wenger and the team will turn it round tonight. What will happen against Villa, in terms of attitude and hunger, is not a given; even if we beat Bayern tonight.

  • Hi Total. Thanks. Don’t want that again. The only people I would wish that on is Margaret Thatcher/Sir Alex Ferguson/Teddy Sherringham/Osama bin Laden. 🙂

    UMF 1 update out soon.

  • Hi Thorough,

    I don’t consider Giroud a top striker (yet), but I won’t give up on him either. He will play an important TEAM-role again tonight in my view.

  • Interesting line-up, VCC: would not mind that one at all. However, I reckon Wenger will stick to his most played formation as he will need the automatisms to work well tonight (and he is a conservative little fecker! 😀 )

  • UMF 1 League.

    Overall leader board =
    VCC…………67
    Herb…………60
    PPP…………56
    Henry……….55
    Total…………53
    Red Arse…..52
    Oz…………….52
    HH……………49
    Rocky ………42
    Alex …………39
    TMHT……….35
    GLiC…………28

    Weekly scores =
    Red Arse……..6
    PPP…………….6
    Alex…………….5
    VCC……………5
    Oz ……………..4
    Gerry…………..4
    Herb……………3
    Total……………3
    HH………………3
    Rocky…………..3
    Henry…………..2
    TMHT…………..2
    GLiC…………….0

    Fine debut score from Gerry with 4 points.
    Henry has slipped down to 4th position, after picking up consecutive 2 pointers
    PPP is showing consistency while Red Arse is back with a bang on top of the weekly board.

    Top four runners last six scores =
    PPP…..3-8-1-10-2-6
    VCC….5-6-7-3-6-5-
    Herb…..7-5-9-5-5-3
    Henry…3-8-6-6-2-2-

    Keep on rocking Ugly muvver F——. and a big thanks for taking part and entering into the spirit.

    COYG

  • @ Total 09:32.

    I’m not expecting Wenger to go along with my team. It’s the one I would put out though.

    Don’t be too gung ho. Play slightly conservative and let them have the ball half way lineish and hit them with Theo playing on the shoulder of the last defender. This will have two advantages. One, they will keep two players back to cope. Two, it will make them tentative and cautious, which might filter through their team.

    Ox, as we saw against Milan can be a handful, and a terrier (nuisance) if in the right mood.

    Ramsey can play in his preferred role and maybe late on make surges, and we know he can finish given the chance.

    Podolski can hit them from distance with his howitzer.

    Jack can pull the strings mid field with Arteta holding back slightly to cover.

    Sagna will be able to cope aerial and pace wise.

    Jenks is an athlete, but will need cover (as would any full back playing against Bayern)

    Vermaelen is a concern, but we have little choice. Far too bigger game for Miquel or Meade to start.

    Szezeny will be busy, this is when he performs at his best, not when he is cold and has only one save to make (ala Blackburn)

    Koscielny looks to prefer playing against European opposition rather than the physical premier league forwards.

    I am still clinging onto my faith. Will have to look through my fingers tonight or even adopt GLiC’s idea and watch it from behind the sofa.

    We can do this. Positive,positive, positive.

    COYG

  • A re-post on behalf TA’s request:

    Hi TotalArsenal,

    hmm… the shock after the Chelski bus-parking event last May had a really huge impact on Bayern. I hardly believe they will fail a second time, especially in a game (actually 2 games) where they are again considered as “high(?)” favorites. Great paceful counter-attacking alone will not be enough. But again… everything can happen at this stage of the competition.

    So… good luck for you and all gooners worldwide.

    and cheerz from

    😉

  • Nice summary of what our players can produce tonight, Vickers, and all agreed.

    I have updated the widget. Good to see Red Arse back in form and PPP should be proud as well! 🙂

  • Cheers GoonABayern, there is a lot of pride in this club and the first team is full of quality. Tonight our honour is at stake, that is when Arsenal are at their best. Expect the cannons to roar! 🙂

  • Hear, hear TA…^^

    they chant that in every Stadium in Germany… i believe Bayern is as much loved/hated as ManU is in England… probably because sympathy one receives for nothing and envy must be earned.
    Anyway… i am very eager to read ur thoughts after the match tonight. 😉

  • TA,

    Great post and i agree with your line up. I think that AW will be trying his very best to lift the team and the self belief.
    I listened to the whole 14 minute press conference with AW and Arteta. I could not belief the questions that were asked. How F@#!ing stupid are the media. They are the pricks who would do anything to stir things up to try to get a story. Arsenal over the years have been ridiculed over performances and other happenings around the club more than any other team. Yes, sometimes we do deserve it but for F@#k$ sake. Enough is enough. I will be the first to put my hand up and say i was so damn pissed at our loss on Saturday and i was critical of the team. But this is due to the fact that I know that we can play better but we just cannot find that consistency.

    The media shows a negative view on ‘The Arsenal’ whenever it gets a chance but lets look at other teams beaten this season and no fuss was made.
    When ManUre lost to Norwich, that was accepted unlike when we lost to Norwich in the PL.
    We lost 2-0 to Swansea at home, we were ridiculed and our players were questioned, yet when Chel$ki lose over 2 legs to them and also 2-0 at home, nothing much made of it.
    Leeds beat the Spuds last round and that was left alone as well. There are a few other examples but you all know what i am getting at.

    For those of you who did not hear the press conference today here are some of the questions asked by the media today.

    * Arsene, After Saturday do you face a job convincing the players they can get a result against Bayern? Because of the setback in losing to a side not even in the premier league?

    * Are you going to let the team play with freedom if everyone is saying that there’s no opportunity to go through?

    * Mikel, Is it important in a game of this magnitude to start well?

    * Can you talk to the fans about your desire to bring trophies back to this club? So your desire to get to that CL final to lift the trophy for Arsenal is there, isnt it Arsene??

    AW made some very good points that we are one of the only 2 English teams left in the CL. We have only lost 2 out of our last 11 PL games. This isn’t so bad when you look at our season so far and our struggles.
    It is definitely understandable that he loses his S@#t every now and then but definitely worth a listen.

    VCC, you are right, we are ‘The Arsenal’ and we can win but we must start playing right from the start, I completely agree.

    COYG

  • Fantastic comment, Alex, and yes those press questions are rediculous. Arsene being angry and agitated is not a bad thing at all: the team will feel and know what is at stake tonight and that will see us through!

  • Alex 11:37.

    Stupid, ridiculous questioning by the moron media. Arsene Wenger was being goaded from all angles.

    Can you imagine Sir Alex standing for that treatment? I think not.

    Did you know that he once banned a reporter for asking leading questions? That’s absolutely true.

    I think we need to take a stand and get real. Yes, like you I was pretty pissed at losing last Saturday, but no team has a define right to win.

    The frustration loosing was made more unpalatable as we fielded a side that should have seen us through.

    I agree wholeheartedly with Wenger resting players last week end. So many supporters bang on about burn out and squad rotation and playing youngsters/second stream. When are we supposed to play these players if not against sides we think they can perform well against and just 2 days before we encounter the mighty Bayern?

  • Frankly, I think that is very well said.

    Media is full of morons who really have no fucking manners.

    Someone made the point about them daring to question Fergie like that. I second that view. Never happen. Did they even ask him about his recent FA charges. Dare they..??

    Got my ticket for tonight…can;t wait

  • I’m running around at work with the best Arsenal jersey ever (02-03 Away) under my sweater. Got the same feeling when betting on the Ravens for the Superbowl before the AFC Championship game….gonna be a good one tonight!!!
    COYG

  • I have only these couple of lines to say:

    “Bayern Munich played last year’s CL final at their home ground (Allianz Arena, Munich) and already missed their big chance. This year’s CL final is at Wembley Stadium, London. Arsenal’s very own chance to play in the final at the capital.”

  • Sharkey…….Coronation Street is on tonight. If you’d prefer to stay in and watch it I can take your ticket off your hands. 😉

  • JM…that would be a dream for Arsenal to play at Wembley this year. WOW, how I would love that to happen.

  • Hmm… i bet Schweini and Co. will gladly help u to get drunk Total Arsenal… ^^ and i migtht toast a couple of beer to you myself… 😉

  • TA@9.21 – I think you missed my point a tad? I want the positive approach to continue ..’after they have given it a damn go’ .. irrespective of the result tonight? If they don’t turn up for this one, feel free to say what you think.

    Perhaps your glass is no so much half full, but overflowing, ha ha

    I truly believe that whoever is in that pitch will give their all for the team, for the club, and for AW. If they remain fully focussed for the entire 90 odd minutes they are certainly capable of a victory that will be on a par with the Milan and Barcelona games. However, ‘being capable’ does not mean it will happen, in spite of our best efforts. Accepting that going to the match, is not a negative view, imo, but it helps be more constructive with post match comments?

    Regarding the team news. without Kos it could make replacing him have a ripple effect elsewhere? A few choices at LB, Miguel, Jenks, or Meade. Or Jenks at RB and switch Sagna over?(not a fan of that to be honest), Maybe keep TV5 in his prepared role at LB, and have the Mert/Sagna partnership in the middle, with Jenks/Coquelin at RB? None are ideal, but without Nacho and Gibbs it is Hobson’s choice?

    I would go with either the last combo mentioned, or Sagna at RB and Miquel as LB, despite it being a tough game to step into, it is at least a position he is comfortable playing in?

  • VCC – are you sure about those 4 points?

    If you have read yesterday’s comments you will know that I was standing in for you regarding the glicster?

    Glad you are well, I hope it wasn’t an overdose of bute that was the cause?

  • Good Afternoon

    Good to see your better Vics. Was it an iffy Ruby or did my uncle George sell you a dodgy kebab?

    Delighted with this weeks UMF scores. I pull 2 points further away from Cornwalls todger, which is always a good thing. hahaha

    Thats what i would like the team to be TA, but i have a feeling the team will be this:

    Chesney

    Jenks
    Sagna
    Merts
    Verm

    Wilshere
    Arteta
    Ramsey

    Walcott
    Pod
    Santi

    Ime also going tonight so am realy looking forward to it. a lot has been made of this current munchen side so will be nice to have a look

    Reckon it will be tough, but we night just beat them 4-1 or something.

  • Hi Gerry. your predictions were =
    Arsenal v Blackburn Rovers …..Home = 0 points
    Oldham v Everton…………………Draw = 3 points
    Chelsea v Brentford………………Home = 1 point
    MC v Leeds………………………….draw = 0 points
    MU v Reading………………………away = 0 points

    1 point home
    2 points away
    3 points draw

    🙂

  • Hi Terry. I wish it was only a dodgy ruby or one of your Uncle George’s kebab’s. 🙂

    Nice to see you move away from GLiC’s bottom, oopps sorry I meant to say bottom of the league where GLiC is. 😉

    Give em a huge shout for me tonight Stretch. Cheers

  • Here’s to a great game and of course and Arsenal victory. Regarding the attack, the fact that AW played Giroud the entire game makes me wonder if he is planning to start him on the bench against Bayern…

  • Todays comment that I don’t want any further info on:

    ” I pull 2 points further away from Cornwalls todger”

  • VCC – I forgot about Everton. I’m glad you were on the ball despite your ailment. Thanks.

  • Tickets yours VCC. Meet me by entrance F at 8.00pm and tickets your.

    Remember, 8pm sharp, and don’t get there any earlier than that, cos it’ll be be a crowded, OK..??

    I’m 6ft 5 with long blonde hair and a red nose…

  • Gday all. How are we? 🙂

    Hi Total, Mighty fine post buddy, but to be honest ive come to expect that from you. 😉 You have spoilt us, and now our expectations are high. So if your quality goes down hill expect some black scarves 😀

    Champions league. Here we come !!
    Im so nervous, ive got knots in my keg and i should be sleeping. Cant help thinking about London tonight. What the atmospheres like? What the weather is like? What the locals are doing? Where are the tourists meeting up? What our line up and formation is gonna be? and so on…

    Lets start with the formation, here is my take and very similar to Thoroughs’ earlier in the day:-

    Chez
    Sanga
    Herr Per
    Tommi gun
    Le Coq
    Artetetta
    Lil Jack
    Rosa
    Santi
    Feo
    Prince

    That would be in a 4-2-3-1

    Ive read comments in the last few days about how we need to be conservative, disciplined and ultra defensive. I disagree completely. People were saying that when Dortmund beat Munchen they were very defensive, that is complete tripe. Dortmund attacked from the minute that ref blew and they were sure to keep the ball low on the ground and stretching them wide. Its a good way to force Bayern back and into early mistakes while the crowd is still positive and in warrior mode 👿 Who knows, a couple of early rash challenges by Bayerns defence could lead to a few yellow cards and that could effect the tempo and outcome of the match.

    So thats what we should do, keep the ball on the ground and move it at speed. Touch and go, pass and move. The above line up is my preferred team rather than what i think will come out to play and my suprise inclusions are Le coq at (Flaminis old post) left back for some CL magic. Ive been watching this boy and he is a total footballer. His touch and go is fantastic, he is an awesome tackler and has pace. I think he can stick with Muller all night and keep him out, although i would hope its Robben cause if hes in a selfish mood he will end up being Bayerns self destruct button. I know people like him but i think he is a hog and would never have him in my team.

    Per must play for organisation, and Verm is a better build than Koz to handle Mandzukic. I watched him look after him when Belgium took on Croatia in qualifiers and did well. Sagna knows Ribery all too well and has the experience.

    Arteta and Jack play as our two pistons in defense of our midfield and Rosa must play in my eyes. He can do this if Arsene gives him the resposibility to conduct. In fact Rosa and wilshere are key to opening space as nobody can turn a player and drive forward like those two. And if their sprayed passes to the wings pay off we should get behind their defense enough times to score a few, or at least keep their attacking wingbacks pegged back. Santi can do damage to Alaba although i rate him, and Prince Poldi and Lahm know each other all too well.

    I wont make any predictions re the result although i reckon my line up, if fit, and starting, would be able to pull off a magical display and take a lead to Germany and play on the counter. However, i do expect to concede tonight 😦

    One more thing before i bore you all to death. Im hoping for magic in this game. At a time when the knives are out on our club we must look at it in a ‘backs to the wall way” and instead of joining the feeding frenzy of pirannahs trying to rip our club down, we must unite, stand tall and fight back. That is our right and that is our honour. Do not let any man or woman talk our club down. Its time we stand up and be counted and lets attack attack ATTACK.

    Us against the journos, germans and rest of the fucking world

    COME ON YOU RIP ROARING GUNNERS!! UTA

  • Hi VCC, I
    ve read that you were unwell. Hope your better now although i gotta say i fell off my computer chair when i read Glics comment to you yesterday (i think) in regards to you being sick. He said something along the lines of ‘ Vickers, i told you to spit not swallow’ 😆
    ahh that cracked me up, sorry.

    Thanks for keeping the UMF going its a blast. Do we now stop with the ‘6’ predictions or is it 1 more round?

  • I’ll just talk to myself..im used to it 🙄

    I put a multi (acci) on earlier 5 legs at 510/1. $10 bucks for a $5100 return.

    Half time/fulltime double-Bayern lead/ Arsenal win= $21
    Draw/ Barcelona=$5.0
    Both teams to score in the Porto Malaga game= $1.8
    Both teams to score Galatasaray Schalke=$1.9
    and Crystal palace to win at home $1.6

    If that comes through, its LONDON HERE I COME!! 🙂

  • Hi PPP, sorry to have missed you commenting and hope you are well. Am in the middle of geting the house clean and sort everything out for tonight (Beer, snacks, food etc). The PiLs are comming to watch the game with me. I will respond to your comments in a bit.

    Hi Sharkey 🙂

    Hi Merry Gerry andTerry! 🙂

    And for any German/Bayern readers:

    Heute Abend ziehen wir den Bayern die Lederhosen aus!

    Catch you later. 🙂

  • PPP. that’s the end of your six count. You now have to work harder because you have the same amount of entries as the others 🙂 , Well played .

  • PPP. I’ve told everybody on here before, not to encourage that scoundrel GLiC, He is always up to no good.

    You notice he hasn’t commented to day, he is not allowed out of his ward until dark. That’s because if normal people catch sight of him, it could send them into a frenzy and faint with horror. Believe me I’ve seen him, its horrendous. 😉 that’s why Terry has to keep his distance and view him from his scope.

  • VCC, 😆

    Total, ive replayed the Wenger press conference over and over. Ive gone on youtube to watch the ‘we rise’ clip and what started as a simmer has come to the boil. Im so pumped. I cant wait for kick off. I said before i should be sleeping but i cant. Im in my man cave, got new surround sound and i am looking forward to a classic European encounter. People are sayin it could be our last night in the CL for a long time. I dont buy it. Maybe i would have thought that at the start of the week but for some strange reason i believe that tonight will be a huge, massive turning point in our season, where our boys will become men, our men will become leaders and we will fight for our right to be there. Im so in love with our club its not funny. ha

  • Henry,

    You keep talking as if 70% possession means something, when we only created 3 scoring chances. Our possession that game was inopportune and we achieved nothing as a result. We can keep all the possession in the world and we’ll lose the majority of games if we play like we did Saturday; no passion, no creativity, no determination.

    Blackburn WAS lucky to win the game. We WERE NOT unlucky to have lost that game. We played awful football and we are the only ones to blame for that loss because it was one of the least inspiring and laissez-faire performances I have ever seen from Arsenal. If we play in the same manner as we did on Saturday against Bayern, we will be blown out and knocked out of the CL at our own home ground.

    Thank god we’re fielding a different team today and I hope Saturday’s loss will be a big kick in the arse for us, because we need it. Here’s to cautious optimism that we play with passion and heart for a full 90 minutes!

  • Anyone else see the articles about Dani Alves tapping up Jack Wilshere through the media??? I don’t think he would move there, but still, it’s a bit concerning…He should be severely disciplined, Alves that is, seeing as Jack JUST signed a new 5 YEAR contract!!!

    Bayern are cocky, but Barcelona are insufferable!!!

  • HH, dont worry about that. When ever Arsenal entertain in europe they always give 100%. The players grit there teeth and go for it. It will be the same tonight.

    That dosnt mean we will the game though. hahaha

  • Milo, what a horrible little shit that Alves is. He thinks hes something special because he plays for Brazil and Barcalona, has a fantastic looking bird, drives a ferrari, has tons of money and is surrounded by a bunch of lackys

    Well ive got news for you Alves. i play with my Todger, havent got a bird. live in a loft, drive a crap car and am skint. But i would still rather be me. hahahaha

  • errrr, thinking about it, it might be better to be Alves. hahahaha

  • Hahaha Terry, that Alves is a little punk, especially considering that Pep was planning on getting rid of Alves prior to his managing hiatus/stepping down. Funny how quickly Alves’ “loyalty” and happiness has changed now that his job security is better.

    My expectations have already been tempered, if we win I’ll be ecstatic but if we lose, well it’s what I expected (despite yours, TA’s and others’ best attempts to convince me otherwise!). I’m just hoping for a spirited and passionate performance, as that’s all I can ask for. If we lose, we lose, but at least we (and the team) have the satisfaction of knowing that we gave it our all.

  • HH, your knowledge of players is incredible. What you said just makes me despise Alves more

  • Evening Schlongburglers 😆

    That`s why he is called Jack & Danny Alves !. Because he`s a clunge, he might have all the said above Stretch, but at least you still have your genitals. Alves`s Hampton was amputated in a Barca diving exercise…….Puyol bit his cock off !. This is a common activity at Barca and it is such a frequent occurance that Barca have a special insurence for it, it`s called “Go Compare your bitten off cock in the showers”!. Half the team have Prosthetic Hamptons as a result of it, why do you think that Shakira had to find a glic sperm donor for Gerard Prosthetic Pique !. Do you still want to be Alves ?. hahaha

    PS

    Fine post deluded fool !. 😆

  • Arsenal Team
    Szczęsny, Sagna, Mertesacker, Koscielny, Vermaelen, Arteta, Wilshere, Podolski, Ramsey, Santi Cazorla, Walcott.

    Subs: Mannone, Jenkinson, Coquelin, Diaby, Rosicky, Oxlade-Chamberlain, Giroud

    Bayern Munich Team
    Neuer, Lahm, van Buyten, Dante, Alaba, Martinez, Schweinsteiger, Müller, Kroos, Ribery, Mandzukic

    Subs: Starke, Robben, Shaqiri, Rafinha, Luiz Gustavo, Gomez, Tymoshchuk

  • Cheers PPP, I had a hunch that Giroud would not be starting today! I think we’ll be better off as a result since we’ll be needing as much pace as possible. Really hoping that Theo has a fantastic game today, he can be a difference maker up top.

  • Cheers PPP 🙂

    That is a great line up and will mean that the Pod and Ramsey will be expected to help the full backs a lot. Interesting to see how close Cazorla will play to Theo when we attack. The closer the better I reckon.

    Bring it on. 3-1 to the good guys!!

  • I like that line up. We still have Ox, Giroud, Jenks, Rosicky to come on if necessary.

    Ox can make a difference in 30 minutes. Giroud might get lucky and head one in from a set piece if needed.

    Win/Win/Win for the Arsenal.

  • Hi Nik

    10/11 for you as well. And you predicted we would start without Giroud, so well done. Ramsey for Ox makes sense defensively but will make us less strong on the right hand sight, unless Sagna gets involved a lot again.

  • Hi G´s I´ve been AWOL since before the Backburn game and after I was gutted! Couldn´t bring myself to to even read a blog never mind write anything! I´m south at the Mo which should mean sunny weather but its doing a fine impression of London in Malaga at the moment. It´s pissing down! Supporting Arsenal like London weather has never been easy (we always seem to do things the hard way) 3 steps forward 2 back and a sideways pace is generaly the norm, but I love my club despite us always being on the verge of true greatness, a victory tonight would certainly equal the giant killing we suffered at Blackburns hands, and we are capable! Thats the frustrating thing about the Arse at the moment we have a team with talent, it´s just a question of the talent coming together and playing like it should! We must be one of the most unpredictable teams around, no one is sure who´s gonna turn up! Like Total and no doubt Arsene, I´m hoping for a big reaction from the team. I´m hoping the real team steps up tonight and shows everyone why we are a great club!
    P.S. Glic sorry “G” the rumours in Malaga are that everyone and his dog (all the big boys) are in for ISCO our only hope is if Carzola & Nacho have his ear and Malaga don´t get a €30+Mil offer.

  • Hi richie. I was listening to talkSPORT this morning and at around about 07:30 they were suggesting that Arsenal and Malaga have a close relationship and that Pelegrini could be the replacement for Wenger !. They also said that Isco would accept moving if it helped Malaga financially. I will not have it that we cant afford £30+M !.

    PS

    You can re-listen to the chat via the web, it was on Alan Brazil`s Breakfast show.

  • Is Ramsey going to play on the RW ?. Thats where he has been getting most of his pelters for his performances !. He`s not quick enough if it`s a defensive ploy !.

  • Santi and Kozzer on yellows. I would tell them both that if they are to cop another than make it count. #Ankles and achilles

  • Shit, that was an unnecessary turnover by Koz, too slow of a pass by Mertesacker…

  • We’re royally f**ked! All out now, nothing to lose. But its gonna take something special. Looks bad at the minute. 😦

  • This is going to get ugly…am I the first to call you out for being a deluded fool TA???

  • certainly does not look good. That second goal no one even attempted to clear the ball

  • Aside from those two mental lapses on defense, we haven’t been that bad. Set pieces will do us in, this zonal marking crap has never worked for us, yet we insist on using it.

  • with the zonal marking we become too flat footed and no one is responsible for their man

  • 3 different German scorers already. Mertesacker to grab the equalizer on a header from a set piece then?

  • Well, we just did not play with enough heart bar a couple of players.
    The belief is down and we need to pick it up again soon to salvage whats left of our season.

    Time to go to work,

    Take care guys

  • Evening guys. Yes I am a deluded fool. 😳

    I cannot believe we started once again so bloody badly. The two goals we conceded early on were just naive defending. A proper DM would have protected the back four for the first one and the second one was just pure amateurism. That’s why I felt Giroud had to play: to help us out with the set-pieces, although once again, a proper, physical beast of a DM would have done better than Ramsey at the post for the second one.

    With 2-0 down the game was over – the rest did not really matter anymore. 😦

  • TA,

    The worst part was that we didn’t lack determination going forward, we were really trying and created some decent opportunities, but it just shows that we lack quality compared to a top club like Bayern. We had Bayern on the ropes for a lot of the second half, but another defensive breakdown took away all of our momentum.

    It’s quite clear the current squad isn’t ready to compete with the likes of a club like Bayern yet. Starting DM, striker, CB are crucial at this point in my opinion. Hopefully we can salvage something in the PL though! I’m glad my expectations were tempered prior, because I’m not nearly as disappointed right now :).

  • Mostly agreed HH, I would like to see what this team is capable of if and when the defence just does a decent job. I will also say that with Song in the team we would not have conceded more than one goal tonight. Song is gone and he was not replaced and today we paid once again the price for it. 😦

  • Right lads, no distractions now, just concentrate on 4th. The spuds will have a longer distraction with the Europa League and Chavs will have that aswell as FA Cup. I said previously our most important game this week was going to be Aston Villa and it is !.
    The knives will be out for AW now, but I believe that he has built a great foundation over the last few years. Money will be coming in from sponsorships and mega TV deals, the loan is low and FFP is already kicking in, he deserves the chance to reap the benefits that come our way in the next few years.
    I dont want someone else coming in and reaping all the benefits and praise after he`s done all the hard work. Lets get behind him.

    UTA

  • TA, that is my greatest issue with AW as the manager. It’s that he never replaces a like for a like, but tries to compensate by buying a cheaper option that will hopefully fill the gap. When you sell players like Cesc, RVP, Song etc., you better have a contingency plan and be bringing in players of near equal quality. It’s no surprise that we can’t compete with clubs like Bayern right now! I have always felt AW was too reactive to players leaving and was too hurt by the impact of their departures that it interfered with his proactiveness in replacing them.

    Don’t get me wrong, I love AW and think he has done a fantastic job at Arsenal; in fact there are very, very few, if any, that would have done a better job than him. However, this club appears in dire need of change to shake things up to eliminate the complacency and entitlement that has rubbed off onto the players and organization.

  • PS
    Unlike Totes being a deluded fool just after one game, I predict the bright future will be the season after next season ( 2014-15 ). So you cant call me a delude fool until then !. 🙂

  • Like I said the other day, everyone expected us to lose, so no one can moan !. It`s only when you expect to win and you lose that you can moan !. 🙂
    Wise words from glic the all knowing !. hahaha

    Night BKers

  • Hahaha that’s what helped me accept this defeat, that I expected us to lose. We simply just met those expectations and often seem to…

  • Well… i don’t know if the critics are a little harsh.

    Apart of the 1st half performance where they were really outclassed, they bravely fought back. Can’t remember when Bayern lacked last time on ball possession this season. Except for the defensive line res. defensive mid, they seemed pretty flat footed… to be polite, this team has potential! I’ve been observing the gunners (mainly reading commentaries) from the distance for quite a while… and even in this performance today i can see why u are gooners… but i have to say Arsenal will never win much silverware, without a better offense-to-defense-switching-capabilities by all of the players. It seems to me that this is some kind of red-line under AW as a team manager. Wasn’t that an English saying: “Offense wins games / defense wins championships”?

    Anyway TA, i assume i can leave my “Lederhosen” on, for now. 😉

  • You leave them on GoonABayern and well done Die Lederhosen tonight. 🙂

    Your comments are kind and balanced. The reality is that we simply give games away in the first 25 minutes against top teams, and so we never really know how good, or bad, we really are.

    Unforgivable mistakes cost us again and again and again, und wieder, und wieder, under wieder 😦

    Yet, Bayern’s defending outside the box was brilliant and they played with confidence and power. We deserved to lose and it will be hard for the team to get over this defeat.

  • I still think we can get fourth place on talent, but the character of this team seems to be at an all time low so far as moral goes. This is why I question if we can pinch that fourth place.

    One thing that drives me crazy with this squad of players, the midfielders especially, Jack included, is that whenever they are dispossessed, they cry out for a free kick!!! If it’s clearly a legal challenge, and the referee has deemed it as such, then why bitch and moan and NOT TRACK BACK, when they lose possession. I don’t know what sport they think they are playing, but the petulance is there for all to see, and quite frankly, this is very embarrassing. I would have expected better from a club whose manager purports to follow the rules, and has a higher sense of morality than other managers. I still like Wenger, but he’s got to tell them that it’s a contact sport, it’s not a video game where they can be perfect in possession, and it’s NOT always a free kick whenever they lose the ball. The referee missed some fouls on us, yes, but in the first half, he did a very good job of differentiating between what was and wasn’t a foul on our players, in my opinion.

    Stop bitching and moaning, and START PLAYING, FOR GOD’S SAKE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

  • Not to mention that teams outside of the Bundesliga struggle mightily when playing on German soil…

  • HH, you are right re the like for like replacements. Of course, it all takes time and I accept that we are going through another transitional season again. But it was very clear we missed a beast of a DM today, and our defence just cannot keep making these sort of basic mistakes so early on against strong opposition. I really don’t understand why we do not have this aspect much more under control!! 😦

  • Milo, I think part of that petulant behaviour comes from what they see from the manager as well. Wenger often gives it to the 4th official on the sideline when the game isn’t going our way and he frequently has fits in general. I don’t blame him though, we have just sucked in a lot of the games we’ve lost and he can’t change the outcome himself and knows the players can do much, much better.

  • TA, defensively we just seem out of sorts. Positionally we always seem unprepared and expect that the opposition will let us settle into the game. Then our defence gets caught off guard and commit mistakes that cost us early in games. It’s not just a beast of a DM that we need; the CBs have not been doing their jobs for most of this year too. Zonal marking is a complete farce, I mean how many more goals do we need to concede from set pieces before we realize that it doesn’t work? I really hope we use it because of a lack of personnel and not because it’s viewed as a successful tactic for defending set pieces…

    I have already accepted that this is another transitional year, but at some point we must move forward or it’s groundhog day all over again :).

  • Well said Milo – and we miss a bruiser of a DM to help our boys to win in midfield. As expected, and yet unfortunately, Arteta came short today.

  • True, but sometimes as a player, and a person, you have to THINK FOR YOURSELF, and not do and act as those in leadership positions act. And if Arsene cannot keep himself under more control, then I truly do think he has taken this club and squad of players as far as he can. I need to see more balls from everyone within this club before I can ever be truly satisfied with the direction the club is taking and heading in. I know, I was the first one on this site to say that we could beat Bayern, but I keep seeing the same thing too many times, and should really have never gotten my hopes and expectations up.

  • HH, it is all very frustrating. I really believed the defence would be focused today and had learnt from previous experiences. It wast not focused and lacked confidence and that is not good enough…. 😦

  • Hey Total, we really didn;t get he fight we hoped for.

    I cant imagine how bad that looked on Tv. Complete and utter lack of urgency and confidence..especially first half

    I had a great time though..shouting and singing myself hoarse (insert your own burger gags here)

  • just back from the game and obviously very dissapointed.

    Munchen are a class team, but we all knew that. They work for each other both on and off the ball and there players are a credit to the club.

    We have a long way to go but will get there. I agree with cornwall, Not next but probably the season after we will be ready to take on the likes of Munchen. We need more experience, power, and greater team play off the ball to truly compete.

    On a side note, i was in block J upper and was surrounded by Germans. There was some nasty violence tonight. The Munchen fans celebrated there goals like mad men, which was, to say the least a bit disrespectful. Anyway it went off a couple of times, but of course been a good boy and a horrendous coward i stayed well out of it. hahaha

  • “Worst thing is – we have no fight!”

    That was so true for so much of tonights match. the lack of fight was exemplfied by three moments, two of which are pretty easy to describe.
    1. CB feints then skips thru two Arsenal forwards, neither bothers to chase him, bu instead drop their shoulders and feel sorry themselves. I think it was Theo and Podo
    2. Sagna kills his own space and ends up trapped on the sideline shielding the ball. No Arsenal player went to support him…not one.

    Re the third, there was a point at which we were so lethargic moving the ball after a BM attack broke down that I thought the ref had given a free kick.

    Almost throuhout the game we needed some urgency and didn;t generate any. Rosicky added some with that breathtaking pass out to Theo. But thats how our luck is that its on OGs right foot and Neuer is given a chance. With mins Mandzukic has much better luck, 3-1.

  • Another thing that drives me insane, is this…every time we kick off a match or a half, or after we are scored upon, we play the ball back to one of the centre-halves, who then proceeds to kick the fucking shit out of the football, and try to find…Walcott, in this instance??? If we are supposed to be club built around possession then why try to fool everyone, when we know that we have no fucking clue as to how to play long-ball, specially when Giroud is not in there??? the crazy things I see from this squad, I tell you, you hardly EVER see anywhere else in high levels of professional football!!!

  • What surprised me TA was that there must have been a couple of hundred of them in J upper. dont know how they got the tickets.

    It went off a couple of rows behind me and in the concourse at half time. I didnt get involved. Ive just had my teeth done. hahaha

  • Hi Sharkey, I am still surprised we played with Theo upfront against Bayern, and with no classic wingers. The change in shape of the team did not work for us at all tonight. I also could not believe how many times the ball was played to one of our players, only for noone to get close to him and offer support (as per your second point). Do we still do triangles anymore?

    Rosicky’s ball to Theo, and his first touch and delivery were the best moment of the game. A shame it was for Giroud’s ‘wrong’ foot indeed, but in reality we did not create enough chances tonight.

  • Right guys, need to sleep this defeat off now. Catch you all tomorrow. Maybe we can do an Inter Milan on Bayern and smash them 5-1 in the away game. Is Thierry still available for a loan? 😉

  • Some were between a banjo player from Mississippi and a ferret lover from Stockport TA. hahahaha

  • Nooooooooooooo, come back TA!!! I need someone to vent to!!! Naaaaaaaaaah, I’m actually over the result…I’m more worried about the league to be honest. Very worried actually. If we somehow get 4th or even 3rd, that would be Wenger’s greatest achievement post 2006. It’s not just the talent of the squad, it’s the mentality. There is more than enough talent to get 4th, but without the correct mental state, it doesn’t matter how much talent is there…I don’t know how we can build our confidence back up on the back of results like the ones we have seen in the past few days 😦

  • The blame isn’t the defensive line… at least not as a whole. Arsenal lacks on defensive behavior as a team. Have u reckoned how difficult it was to penetrate Bayerns box? 3 shots on target in 90 minutes. Every defensive linesman looks good, if in position.
    So its quite unfair to load the shite just on the back four.
    Even Ribery and shockingly Robben has learned how to work backwards when playing “against the ball” (don’t know if it makes much sense, what i say in English, since its German Football terminology).

  • Yes, well I have slept on it, and the result hasn’t changed.

    We were technically and tactically outplayed in the first half. Which made it harder to mount a challenge, but they tried.

    I do worry about the second leg, given the league games that we must now concentrate on?

    Still, a pick-me-up at Villa will help restore some confidence?

    10 points off second place, remember?

    Cheers, guys, catch the new post later.

  • Morning Muffaletta`s 😆

    I too have slept on it and it went numb……..a good shake that will do !.

    Forget about the Munchies return, that`s cloud cuckooland and I have great experience of such a place. ! hahaha

    Main objective now is too play our strongest team available in every league game from now on, one game a week, come on !.
    I still dont expect it, but as long as we show some fight thats make us proud then I`ll be happy. We should be dead and buried by now, but the teams above are trying their best to give us a sniff of a chance, like Girouds Hampton…..lets grab it with both hands !.

    Right off for my eye test, laterz muvverz. 🙂

  • Enjoy your brown-eye test Glicster 😆

    Morning BKrs, Glic is right (shh, dont tell him)
    One game at a time, no more cups to think about. Im sure the Europa fixtures will play a part with Chelski and Spudz. Im sure they will both drop points. We just gotta pull our fingers out. Head down , arse up and lets do this. If i was Wenger, i would tell every player in the squad, yes the whole squad, that they are all in the last chance saloon. Late for training, half arsed performances, talking to the media, anything of that sort will lead to a consideration of a termination in employment. Now show us what you got. The nerves cant be there anymore, NOTHING to lose.

  • PPP,

    Spot on, only one thing to do. Make every player be accountable for their performances and concentrate on 2nd spot. Stuff 4th spot. If we aim for 2nd and only get 3rd or 4th its a bonus. We only have one thing to concentrate on and that’s the PL.
    Chel$ki and Spuds will certainly drop points. Chel$ki will want to win the Europa and the spuds think that they can and hopefully this will cause the to have some average results in the PL.

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