The Arsenal put in one of their gutsiest performances in recent memory at the Etihad Stadium this evening, but return to London empty handed after David Silva’s second half strike proved the difference for Roberto Mancini’s table-toppers.
The last time the Gunners travelled to Manchester only the fans returned to London with any credit. This time the players can hold their heads high. It was an almighty game – a tense, tight, frantic, 90 minutes of end-to-end pre-Christmas action. It will linger long in the memory.
From the offset there were chances. City could have taken the lead after eight minutes when the dangerous and tricky Aguero blazed over. The Argentine wriggled free of his markers on several further occasions, but found Szczesny in dazzling form. The Pole was superb throughout the first 45 minutes claiming balls in the box and holding pretty much every shot. He led from the back.
Having struggled to maintain possession initially, the Gunners eventually settled with Song marshalling the midfield and Ramsey roaming with increasing swagger in the final third. Arteta was quietly effective, Gervinho a terrific outlet on the left and Van Persie proving himself a very physical presence for the City backline.
While Aguero and Silva had chances to break the deadlock for the home side, it was Gervinho who nearly did just that with Arsenal’s first real attack. The Ivorian linked up well with Walcott and Song before arrowing a low drive which forced Hart to scramble the ball past the post. From the resulting corner Ramsey produced another save from the England stopper.
Periods of intense action were interspersed by long spells of midfield scrapping. Szczesny produced a stunning save from a Balotelli shot in the six yard box and then got down well to deny Aguero. At the other end a Van Persie effort was nearly forced in by Ramsey although the Welshman unfortunately made contact with Kolo Toure rather than the ball.
While opportunities in the first half were hard earned and the result of impressive build-up play, it was the pressing and energy shown by both sides that really caught the eye. At the break Graeme Souness on Sky Sports went so far as to describe it as the best game he’d seen this season – high praise given there were no goals at that point.
Two minutes into the second half and Johan Djourou limped off – it was to prove something of a turning point. The Swiss appeared to pull his groin in the first half and was replaced by Miquel. It forced a reshuffle with the young Spaniard going to left-back, Vermaelen moving inside and Koscielny moving to the right.
Five minutes later as the defence came to terms with the change in personnel and responsibilities, City scored. Balotelli beat a rather ragged attempt at offside before smashing a hard shot to Szczesny’s left. The Pole stopped the initial effort but was helpless when the rebound was bundled home by Silva from close range. It was a bit of a shambles really.
Within seconds Walcott, who’d been quiet in the first half, nearly levelled with a ferocious long-range effort. Hart tipped the ball over the bar, before Van Persie had a goal disallowed for offside. It was tight. Very tight.
The pace was unrelenting. Aguero had a great shot which beat Szczesny but thankfully raced past the post. Then Nasri went through on goal and instead of shooting played a daft ball across the box which went out for a goal kick. It was a real let off.
Brilliance from Gervinho set up Van Persie. Again Hart saved. Over exuberance from Szczesny after a Silva free-kick saw a quick throw out end up at the feet of Zabaleta. The Argentine subsequently crashed a shot against the post from outside the box. Van Persie was then called offside again as his diving header forced another stop from Hart.
On 68 minutes Walcott, who’d probably been the team’s least effective player, was replaced by Arshavin. He wasn’t happy about it and muttered a few choices words (Theo not Andrei). The Russian’s first taste of the action was an awful cross from a great position on the edge of the City box. It pretty much summed up his 2011 and he didn’t get much better.
Arteta received a yellow and nearly a second in the space of a minute. Then we had a half-hearted claim for a penalty when the ball hit Richards’ hand. A shattered looking Mertesacker was replaced by Chamakh as Wenger threw caution to the wind at a time when Mancini took off Balotelli and sent on the more conservative Milner.
In the final ten minutes the Gunners desperately pushed forward but found it tough trying to conjure a clear cut chance. Arshavin snatched at an effort with two minutes left – he should have done much better. A clever free-kick then saw Vermaelen whack an effort goalwards which Hart AGAIN saved. Deep into stoppage time the Belgian took it upon himself to try one last effort only for his curled effort to go wide. It was brave stuff from the Gunners, but not quite enough.
The unbeaten run may be over, but we’ve no time to dwell. It’s Aston Villa on Wednesday night and with Song banned (after picking up his fifth booking), Djourou likely to be out and Mertesacker a possible doubt we’re going to have to dig deep to get back on track.
Song out!- phil dowd is a cunt!
Song out? not in a bad way right? the lad played his socks off for us! wud of liked to see rosicky come on instead of Arshavin though, that lad, hes just got to go, playing like an over laboured donkey with artheritis!
Not a total disaster with Frimpong and Coquelin available as is Rosicky who can also do a job in that position if required.
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Sorry “Goonerski”, your contribution here is dire and forgettable and it’s time to move on in with your life. Retire from the internet for the sake of everyone, please.
There is a team dressed in sky blue full of fans like you. You will be lost in the masses but not missed here, so toddle off now Goonerski and go support the money.
Disappointed that we didn’t draw but can’t fault the performance. Arteta, miquel and vermealen were brilliant.
Also, forgot to mention, both keepers were insane today, this game should have been 3-3 or something
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….
As was SZcz
It was so close and level that it really made the loss that much more painful to take. I really didn’t have any hopes of defeat until the final 30 seconds somehow. Good open game but really, shame about the result.
Nevertheless, pretty good performance, but as Orbinho said on Twitter, Arsenal would be closer to title challengers if they didn’t have at least one passenger every match.
Also decently encouraging appearance from Chamakh. I like the bloke and really hope he can build on this.
And hahaha Nasri for MotM. Whatever happened to Joe Hart? All the media outlets on Twitter are claiming Silva and Hart were the matchwinners, Man City staffers must have randomly pointed on the team sheet and come up with Nasri.
A performance that bought me immense pride! Well done lads (n the travelling fans)
A sound showing from all (bar result sadly) in what is very possibly the toughest fixture of the season on paper right now. But above that I gotta say, Thomas vermaelen, what a player. His desire was unmatched on either side. There aren’t many teams in England, nay Europe, that wouldn’t want this guy on their books. I hope he knows what his commitment means to the fans while others may stall on putting their loyalty to paper. Utmost respect.
Agreed, but I must say that today Kosc was just as good before he switched to right back.
Mertesacker, on the other hand, still looks a bit weak. He sometimes doesn’t even get off the ground in areal duels and we almost conceded right away when he was pushed off the ball by Ballotelli in the box.
Vermaelen is immense. He needs to be a striker one day, it feels incredibly reassuring and encouraging whenever he is forward.
I’d say Koscielny did provide more thrust than Djourou though. They aren’t really pacy but Kos is better at keeping the ball and dribbling with his strength.
Mertesacker is generally more lanky than buff, thus why Kos and Verm have better aerial duel won statistics than Per in most matches, but he did have a cool head on occasions where it really mattered, though his quiet effectiveness makes it hard for some to see that. A bit like Arteta but more discreet.
For the record, Koscielny is incredibly quick, at lest as fast as Gervinho.
Although we lost we played a blinder of a game. I’m amazed that we can stave off this kind of opposition. 1-0, so what? That makes us the second best team in the premier league and without the kzillions it takes citeh to build a decent team.
Nobodcy could have stopped that goal either, two rebounds and it’s in. Szczney is a hero in my book.
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I think he means in term of conceding, as in we didn’t concede 6 at home…..
@Blue Moon
Hey why are you posting comments on an Arsenal site ? I guess your sheik hasn’t bought you a fan site… But fear not, he’ll spend another 20m of quid to make you glory hunters happy. Anyways we won 4 FA cups and 3 PL titles ( under Wenger ), and you’ve so far invested 500m quid and won 1 FA cup. So how much money you’ll need to achieve what Wenger has? Has your sheik got deep enough pockets. Stay tuned to ”Premier Suggardaddy Blue Boys” and find out…
ARSENAL4LIFE
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Oh. You lot are back again?
I’m sorry but who are you?
It’s Rob ’67. Keep up!
I my bad. It is rob 67. What a first post eh? Wanker67 more like it
ROFL!
Wanker67, CLASSIC!!
Cheers Frog!
MJB you kiss arse…
Its funny. I remember Rob commenting here when Wenger was going through his Reign of Terror but then he stopped but now we lose and here he is again. Typical.
This guy has some valid points but hasn’t been reverential so is slated. Why is Arshavin still the one brought on when we’re chasing a game? He’s been ineffective for so very long now. And this season is a battle for 4th, let’s not pretend otherwise. Also, let’s not reach the point where we’re actually happy with narrow defeats, that’s for far lesser clubs.
It’s a narrow defeat against a team whose first choice strikers almost cost more than our entire first team combined. Considering the start of the season, what’s happened since and the fact we were supposed to lose heavily, the fans have every right to be proud of a narrow defeat. I bet you’re proud when we win 1-0 aren’t you?
A narrow defeat to a team who has a goal difference of 35 with only 16 games played is nothing to stick your nose up at, especially a team who put 6 past the reigning champions.
Rob you twat have a look at how much these tossers have spent and how many players we have out. If RVP goes we will find someone else as we did with Cesc and that horse face lady flower.
I dont want RVP to go but FFS as Arsenal fans we can hold our heads high at the fight, grit and balls.
In Arsene we trust and in the board I would happily string up from a tree.
RVP is @Arsenal 4 EVER!!!!
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I dont understand why the guy has to get abuse just bc he holds different views to yours. Rob has some valid points, show some respect. We should never be happy with a defeat.
The sight of Chamakh and Arshavin coming on had me up the walls. I dont care how many millions City spent more than us, we are Arsenal, I want to win. We could’ve won today, they were there for the taking.
We have resources, we can afford quality players. We should not be banking on useless Arshavin and MC. Unacceptable.
It’s because he’s had this sort of reaction before and his ideas are ‘Football Manager’ shrouded nonsense.
He also doesn’t seem to understand that Man City have changed the face of transfers and that while Arsenal could get the top class players in the past, as Wenger knew their weren’t many teams that could compete financially or even had his sort of scouting network, other teams have realised this and now spread as wide as Arsenal.
For every attempt to get an Henry, there will be Man City, Chelsea, Utd, Real, Barcelona, PSG, etc… ready to competely outbid us. Yes we are supposed to have a reported 100m in the bank but honestly, what would that buy us in this day and age when those clubs above can offer 101m if it was going to be worth it.
That’s why he gets abuse.
to be fair to theo i remember at least 4/5 times when he took up great positions for the break and just no one played him in. also i didnt understand bringing on arshavin, the bloke hasnt hit form in years and is starting to get that perennially-depressed Almunia look about him. otherwise, good fucking effort lads, more of the same midweek!
Go and support ‘CITEH’ then. (twat)
Proud of the boys today. Arteta and Vermaelen especially, those two showed a lot of bottle. Tis a real shame we undeservedley lost but considering Citeh spent close £1 billion on their team; we’re not far off.
Oh and they’re classless twats aswell. Announcing Nasri as MOTM, Barry and Richards trying to get our players sent off. If you ever needed a reason to hate them, then there you have it. Cunts.
Bongionrno Signore Felipe Dowd!
Une miile grazie for not give obvious penalty Arsenale!
Happy Christmas present U 2 Me!
– Love, Roberto.
Another point. Belgiums centre defense partnership of vermealen/ kompany looks brilliant, both were beasts today
They also have a pretty decent 5’7″ left winger playing for Lille.
Really I don’t think I’ve heard of him? Has he been linked with any transfers recently?
Verm plays LB for Belgium for some reason…
It’s because they also play Daniel Van Buyten in the centre, to add height to their backline.
Well done to the Arsenal tonight, we competed brilliantly for the full 90 against their team of mercenary galactico wannabe’s and were unlucky not to grab a point. The travelling support was also fantastic, great to see them in full voice, and it fills you with pride to see the Man City “Faithful” (three quarter full stadium anyone?) outsung.
I was pleased to see Miquel come on and not look phased at all, he’s got great heart and spirit that lad, and can be very proud of his performance. I thought our best performers were Song, Arteta, Vermaelen and Koscielny who were all juggernauts tonight.
Delighted also to see the boys giving it everything right up to the final whistle, despite how shattered they must have been (Mertesacker looked like he was going to keel over). Very proud of the lads, and hopefully we can keep that performace going for the Villa game.
Finally, anyone else hear the PA at the Middle Eastlands announce $amir Na$ri as the motm? What a bunch ofclassless commercial c*nts they are.
Now they’ve rubbed their daddys money in our face for 90 minutes he’ll go right back to the bench
I honestly can’t remember the last time I
saw the Arsenal battle so hard and close down the opposition so quickly. Despite our full back decimation we stood toe to toe against a full strength £400m team and helped produce a wonderful spectacle (for the neutral). We have nothing to be ashamed of and no one to be afraid of. Up the Arsenal they done us proud today.
Dissapointed that we gave Na$ri some times to smile.
What do you suggest? Rip his head off?
Something like that
I’m happy with that!
And shit in the hole
Glue factory
He’s a shameless little prostitute. Forget him.
He’s average at best. As he has amply demonstrated since he left, it was Arsenal made him look good, not the other way round.
Why sub off mertesacker when Ramsey was having a shocker reminded me the times when i shouted on my tele for Arsene to hear me up sub him . And that jogging back thing after losing the ball which led to the goal.
And what was with walcott reaction at being subbed he didnt get back enough to defend in the game and did hardly anything going forward ofcourse he was gonna get subbed.
It was good performance by the team except for the above two.
To be fair to Walcott, if you compare the number of chances Walcott created while sitting on the bench to the number of chances Arshavin created in his 25 minutes on the field, they are equal.
Did you not see Walcott playing FIFA 12 on his iPhone? Arshavin played a blinder…..
Thats all the big teams played away out of the way, not including Liverpool. Got them all to come to the Emirates, not out of the running by any means. Gervinhos final decisions were poor again, seems to always take an extra touch or keeps the ball a second too long. He gets in the right positions and once hes had a season to settle in I think he will shine next year.
Liverpool are a big team?
I think they used to be… must check the history books. Ah, yes… says here they once played us in a title-deciding match back in the late 20th century. I remember, Mickey Thomas thrashed around like a salmon out of water after scoring a dramatic late goal.
If we don’t catch our injury bug this December- January, we’re going to win the champions league. What thais arsenal side lacks in technique and skill, it makes up for in heart and determination. I was skeptical at first, but I can honestly see us winnin something this year.
I totally agree. Yes!
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Well Blue, it seems we are already in the CL in Feb., what has all that money bought you? Thursday night football, that’s what.
Ha hahahahaha.
Well Dave Gooner, we’re still in the league cup at your expense and top of the Premier League. We won the FA cup last season and will hopefully win more this season. Makes me laugh that you all throw FFP at us when in reality, you want your owners to pump some funds into players and wages instead of property developing. Your just jealous. Oh by the way. You wouldn’t have progressed from our CL group either…
Up Yours
Neither did you Moony
Today I want to kiss the frog !!!!
This Arsenal side lacks technique and skill?! Did you see Van Persie’s goal against Everton??
This Arsenal side has plenty of technique and skill and we’re lacking anything it’s some strength in depth. With a couple of players coming back from injury (what a novelty it’d be to have even 1 healthy fullback!) and a signing or 2 in January we’ll be fine. Have some faith.
We can be really proud of the team today and I hope they take the positives from the game and the performance.
Yes we do lack some technique in and skill when compared to some of the sides we’ve put out the past few years. That’s not a bad thing though. I’d much prefer 11 less skilled guys busting there ass for 95 minutes than to have a bunch of primadonnas who think they’re to good to get stuck in.
And yes, I am aware that rvp is a gifted technical player. Read the whole bloody post before commenting.
And p.p.s. fuck this blue moony jack off. I didn’t hear him talking much the last 125 years. What a faggot ehh. Who wants to place a bet on who finishes better in 2017? Us or citeh?
Faggott eh FROG. I get you know all about them you homophobe.
Up The Arse nal
thais
skeptical
winnin
Arshavin and Chamakh, what an impact from the bench!
None at all!
If we had our fullbacks with us today we would’ve won. Its just like Jamie said, the difference was that City had their FB who could make runs forward and open up the game, Kos and Miq played well but are not fullbacks therefore we did’nt have that dimension in our attack. I think Walcott was invisible in the first half but he should have stayed on the pitch (Arshavin didn’t provide us with anything..as usual). A great performance from both teams and I, like Wenger, have feelings of both pride and frustration. I think what is needed in January is a ‘phil jones’ type of player, someone who can play anywhere with great energy. Vertonghen does sound appealing but many forget that we have Diaby and Wilshere on the way back. Furthermore yes Podolski would be a great addition but as Jamie says buying players in January is not easy. Its difficult to find the right player for the right price. Before I have cried out for signings but to be honest I don’t think thats how to address the ‘problem’, without any injuries we are a force to be reckoned with and a genuine title-contending team. What needs to be done though, in terms of signings, is to have some magic on the bench. That’s whats lacking.
Jamie is a cunt. Lets just leave at that.
He did raise valid points, don’t be ignorant, we all saw Micah Richards making runs, Zabaleta was quite offensive as well, how often didn’t you see our FB facing 2 players on the flanks (but then getting support from a midfield player!). What Jamie said was that we missed Sagna, Gibbs and Santos today.
Furthermore he is absolutely correct about the January transfer window. Few players available and those that are are massively overpriced.
He’s still a cunt though.
Yeah you tell em…
Lets just get Henry. I hope they announce this week that we’ve got him on loan.
And call back another Henri, whose playing at WHU right now. Ask any West Ham supporter how good he is. He has something that Gervinho doesn’t. That is an eye for goal.
Call back Kyle as well. He’ll do better.
Next game make Theo sit on the bench and let Ox play. Wenger has to get ruthless just as he used to be when he first arrived. Benching Ian Wright for 17 yr old Anelka.
Lets get behind the team and rip the PL apart.
Idk why I get thumbs down but I’d very much like Henry coming on for last 20mins then Chamakh and Lansbury is a good player. He has habit of nicking goals. Plus with Gervinho going we need his back up, so its better we recall him and start playing him and we’re short on defensive players. So, we better call Bartley back.
1. A lot of fans don’t want Henry to destroy his reputation for a months loan that could go very wrong. The team play a different type of game that when Henry was last captain and i remember he was fairly selfish towards the end with his play. He openly admitted this and used this as one of the reasons for leaving, to give the younger players a chance to work as more of a team.
2. Lansbury is doing well in the Championship, which is actually fairly weak this year. He is also a midfielder and not a wide forward. Totally different styles of play to compare Gervinho (who has played 19 games in total) and Lansbury. Also your comment about an eye for goal is incorrect. During his loan, Lansbury has scored once while Gervinho has 3 league goals.
3. Kyle is still learning and has only just come back from injury, so the 2 team SPL is a good place to get back fitness. We also have 5 CB’s in the squad right now, so why fit another one in.
4. Oxlade is a great player but needs to work on his defensive work. Walcott gets played ahead of him as he can attack (yesterday was an off-day this season) and has defended very well this season, which is especially useful as we are missing our FB’s.
There you go, that answers all of you points.
1 About Henry, if you saw him play well against us while he played for Red Bull against us, he still can hold up the ball better then Chamakh. That pass that led to goal against us was awesome. He can play Bergkemp role while he is with us and let RvP play the Henry role when we’re chasing the game like yesterday.
2. Lansbury whenever he played for first team has played right side of midfield and yes he and Gervinho are different kind of players but if he plays in this team, he’ll be much better. And we all know you’re just as good as your team. Just ask Torress for that matter.
3. Bartley is a CB but for Rangers he plays DM role. And the way it is going it might end up like Squillaci as a CB. So who would you prefer?
I didn’t say he couldn’t do it but Henry played against us for another team and you have no idea if he could play in the #10 role as he doesn’t and hasn’t ever played there. Even when playing for france with Trezeguet, he didn’t play there.
There is no information to back up your argument that Lansbury would come into our central midfield (which is his natural position) and suddenly be great against Premier League opposition. He is no better than the players we have there right now.
Also, a little look shows that Henri has played 8 games for Arsenal in total and only 3 in the league. His other 79 games have been on loan in the championship.
Bartley is being used however Rangers want to use him. If it teaches him to adapt, then all the better (like with Song). He’ll also most likely be on a season-long loan as per last year, so recalling him is unlikely.
Why bring on Arshavin.Every time he comes
on he looks totally ill at ease and his control
of the ball is embarrassing.
He has to be shipped out in January.
Great match to watch.Could have got a draw
but if we show the same commitment we will
get 4th place.
P.S. Theo grow up.You were rubbish today
and you were quite rightly taken off.shame
about your replacement being no better.
I think it was the fact that he was getting replaced by Arsh that pissed him off!
In that case fair play to Theo!
You can see from the reaction of Arshavin’s own teammates (when he fluffed things up) that they’re now increasingly frustrated with his level of performance. Sadly it’s been going on for too long… it’s time for him to go. Or at least promote someone like Ox – he’s not going to give the ball away or defend any worse than Arshavin.
Why the fcuk was Theo kissing ass today…
First with Le Cunt and Mario before kick off, and then fist bumping Hart in our attacking blitz soon after they scored
Im all for sportsmanship, but ffs not with City and especially not when you haven’t signed a contract as yet
I did not see the sense in bring Walcott off, as when he went to 4-4-2, he could have played as a striker for the last 10 minutes and had Rosicky or Benayoun out wide.
Well done from the Arsenal. Decent result. We can’t possibly compete with a team worth more than half a billion pounds of talent, and I feel 1-0 is the best we could hope for. Now bring on Aston Villa.
No the beat that I hoped for was 7 nil hammering of those lame cunts. Well get em at the grove.
I hear ya…but let’s not fool ourselves, in the world we live in, money can get you pretty much everything, and now City have way too much quality for us to compete with them. I sincerely hope we tear them a new one at the grove, but unfortunately that’s not very likely.
We’re just gonna have to accept it and get on with it.
What the fuck are you talking about Luke? We can’t compete with them? We lost 1 nil. We easily could have won today. We should have had a penalty and we could have got 3 more.
Arsene wenger has had this team punching way above its weight for a long time now. Don’t be such a defeatist pussy. Up the arse and fuck citeh and anyone else who isn’t the arsenal.
That’s one of your most positive comments frog. He has indeed punched above his weight and considering Liverpool spent 100 mil this summer, and we are above them, shows that he still knows what he’s doing.
Once those players cross that white line, all his tactics can go to shit if they don’t follow them. Yesterday they followed them and it was down to the defence change that they scored. Miguel needed 5-10 minutes to get into the flow of the game, as shown throughout the rest of the match, but unfortunately that’s when they scored. On another day, the offside flag wouldn’t have been on the RvP goal, Kompany, Barry and Toure would have been sent off for the constant follow throughs and we would have been able to completely dominate.
As soon as i saw Dowd was refereeing i knew we’d lose. He has a real problem with Arsenal at the moment and the sooner he retires, the better.
A 1-0 defeat away against the team that thrashed the current champions 6-1 at OT and spurs 5-1 at WHL is actually very good
Thanks arsene. While I feel losing is never acceptable, it’s lame to say we can’t compete. It was entirely possible that we could have won that game yesterday 4 nil. We had chances and we played an organized defensive game. Fuck citeh, 100 billion wouldn’t be enough to buy those diving whining cunts a bit of class.
It is not just about money. It is about togetherness, spirit, big heart. We had players that could have won it for us. History will always tell you if you have courage and heart from the beginning to end you’ll win. Today I was talking to a friend and I told him, we’ll win today because we don’t have any other option. But we didn’t. Breaks my heart.
And tbh now football is not just a game anymore. It is more than that. If Arsenal lose we’re down for many days till we win again. Its like a GF, who affects your mood. Lets get Villa and destroy them.
Oh come on man this is not a manga. The power of love and unity will get you nowhere against billions, a team of world class talents and a good manager.
The only way we could compete against them right now is if we had extremely talented players coming from the academy, ready to deliver ala Barcelona.
I’m not being pessimistic, far from it, I’m just trying to accept the fact that money will always win, unless you’re Barcelona.
@Luke,
It is all possible if ref is not Phil Dowd. I hate him to all my guts. Last season he cost us New Castle and Spurs games. Why is he always the one to officiate in our big games and he always bottles up?
Every time arsenal lose it literally feels like someone is punching my heart, nun the less im proud of the team today but feel with out a doubt one new signing is needed in january. btw Arshavin, i cant take him any more he,s poorness is having a negative effect on the team.
I was 90% sure we would beat ‘em . We didn,t but, strangely, it STILL feels like a victory for me. Work that out?!
I’m trying… Lol
Im proud of the lads’ performance today.. And Oh. Phil Dowd is a Fucking Fat Twat!
From the moment I realised it was Phil Dowd officiating, the best we could have gotten is a point!
That guys is bigger cunt than Na$ri!
what a horrible person you are calling someone a bigger cunt than Le CUNT I mean i really dont like the guy but thats just sick!
An Arsenal loss that actually looks like a win. It was a big game and we showed up. We were better than what I have modestly thought we were. It took the ingenuity of Hart to save the moneybags. Welldone lads, I am proud of you. But these kind of games also makes us ask a lot of sincere questions and I am going to ask them even though some may call me a ‘doomer’. 1. Do we really think Ramsey is the best playmaker we can give this team, irrespective of our injuries. I will gladly put Benayoun, Rosicky or even Chamberlain in that attaking midfield position, or alternatively put Arteta there and find a defensive shield partner for the amazing song. 2. Do we really thin Vermaelen should be playing defense for us? Everytime I look at him, especially today, he reminds me of only one player: Marcos Senna. Someone with such amazing shooting powers should be around and about the opponents box. He nearly got a brace today. All in all, great work. Every single gunner played their hearts out and Wenger should show some gut too. How? By buying more quality because it is obvious now that we cannot look up to our bench to win us a game. Great gunners, we are proud of you.
No one is a bigger cunt than na$ri. But yes, dowd is still a massive, dirty, blue waffle cunt. But as I say, not as big as na$ri.
Arshavin is absolute shit and should never play again. Especially when we have amazing youngsters like oxlade chamberlain chomping at the bit for a chance, even in a bench role.
Yea kos was very good also. He doesn’t seem to put a foot wrong these days
He is indeed a fat twat. Fullbacks did make a massive difference today, would there have been such space down the wing before their goal in Sagna was playing? No. With a fully fit team we are up there, problem is that never seams to be the case. Proud of the lads today though. Vermaelen is complete and utter quality, both in ability and spirit, so pleased he signed a new deal.
What a performance from vermaelin! We are the arsenal. COYGS.
Important test today & a great effort by the lads… Gave 110% and our away fans were, as usual fantastic. Bring on Villa.
The game today highlighted the ‘void’ left by Cesc. As good as Ramsey is (can’t fault his commitment), he doesn’t have the ability to consistently produce like Cesc used to…(hopefully he makes me eat my verbal diarrhea). However, can’t wait to see Wilshere in there as i believe he has the ‘X’ factor & would be immense.
Arshavin needs a slap & kicking out the club. He has consistently been producing a steaming pile of shite for a while now…. was criminally woeful against Olympiakos & dire today. Doesn’t seem to be interested & his lack of effort is cancerous considering the effort put in by the lads today. At least clowns like Denilson jogged back when they lost the ball as opposed to standing there looking like Santa’s dumbfounded elf.
I think we would be better off giving these chances to The Ox… ffs Benayoun would put more effort in.
Actually the game highlighted the void left by Wilshere and his ability to hold the game up to within an inch of its life. Fabregas, for all his technique, just wasn’t greatly known for his defensive work and tracking back, unlike Arteta.
I feel Ramsey is still learning and is being given a different sort of game to play and is having to learn as he goes.
There is so much more of a team feel now Fabregas has gone and the fact the ball doesn’t need to go through one player and we are spreading it around again.
100%, by definition, is the maximum anyone can give. Just saying.
does anyone know when sagnas back? cant wait for his return. and also gibbs?
Gibbs next week. Sagna is supposedly at some point in January, though that feels a little optimistic given how ugly the injury was.
We can’t thank Spurms for that
oops meant to say CAN
Great effort vermaelam fucking excellant, nasri your a cunt
I think Walcott was pissed by the fact that he was being subbed for Arshavin! If it was Benny or someone he’d prolly be fine, that says it all! ARSHAVIN OUT! someone hire a zeppelin!!!
I thought that we gave a very good account of ourselves against a City team which I have no doubt will win the Premier League. With a bit of luck we could have got something out of the game. Had Djourou not gone off injured then Baliotelli would never have found the space to set up the winning goal. And at the end we could have easily nicked an equaliser.
Things are actually looking up for us now. We have had a really tough first half of the season, playing all of our main competitors away. From now on the only really tricky fixture left is the journey to Anfield in early March. There are now lots of easy points available, most of which I’m sure we will take.
With two top-quality players to come back from injury, and hopefully a couple of decent signings in January, we can push on from here and comfortably finish in the top four. And we still have the Champions’ League to look forward to.
The only negative from today for me was the sight of both Chamakh and Arshavin coming on when we were desperate for some inspiration. In January those two should go the same way as the other rubbish that we got rid of this year: neither are good enough to wear an Arsenal shirt. I would have much preferred to see The Ox cross the white line when Walcott was (quite rightly) substituted.
I’ve just been listening to the radio and heard Spurs fans bragging about how well they are doing. Believe me, we WILL finish above them – even if their manager stays out of prison.
Holy shit!!!! *rubs eyes* Fatgooner has written a fairly positive comment??? Can’t be right, surely….
Yes. You’re doing a good job, Arsene. Just buy us a striker next month, ok?
I love how you call him arsene. Classic.
I will certainly try. I hear David Villa may be available for cheap and Diaby needs some company. He got the room all ready for Robin, but he keeps on going.
So FATGOONER, you do want your owners to buy you better players after all, how hypocritical…
Hey fat, remember not so long ago we were getting run off of this blog for saying arshavin and chamakh need to be shipped out? Now everyone and there mother is singing that song. What’s up with that?
We’re the smartest bloggers on this site, Frog. It just takes the others a while to catch up.
Oh and you ruined it
Hahahahhaha classic.
Did I just overread it, or does everyone fail to mention that City are just a lot of scumbags? Well, they are.
Over the course of 90 minutes I have seen some of the nastiest follow-throughs this season, Barry, Yaya Toure, Aguero, you name them.
Of course you can blame Phil Dowd for not punishing it (and I wholeheartedly agree) but this team is a bunch of thugs. Bah, how I hate them. How very much I hate them.
We deserved better from this game. But we return with our heads held high and that’s the most important thing.
Amen. They’re just a bunch of cloggers with a bunch of other clubs first teamers riding the pine.
It’s very ‘legal’ to hit Arsenal players with nasty tackles because ‘they are not physical’
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Kompany was actually playing RVP on!
Put that in your Shisha & smoke it!!!
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That’s ‘OIL’ rich coming from a team that’s been built up by Billions in the last 5 years against a team that it’s own dosh and a history that dates back 125 years.
Next year we will see what substance over style REALLY means.
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Zzzzzzzzzz……..
How many trophies you In the last 131 years? Just one isn’t it? Yeh nice one. Money cant buy class though can it? You can’t even get you player to stop fighting each other in training. Scumbags. Everyone of you. Only a smurf should look to a blue moon.
Pirate Gun
Do you really believe that City have only won 1 trophy in their history. Check your facts you ignorant muppet…
fuck off, plastic cunt.
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Coventry can’t afford to buy him you muppet
Channel 5.
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Spursday night.
Moony,
Enjoy your moment in the sun. You do realise that very soon the Fifa Fair Play rules kick in and you’ll have a very tough job meeting the requirements, so better try and win as much as you can while you have the money available. When the money stops flowing so freely, how are you going to attract players or even keep the ones you have? You won’t. They’ll bugger off like the bunch of mercenaries they are.
Then we’ll see who has the last laugh.
Apparently, Man City fans don’t know how to spell. It’s m-o-n-e-y, not m-o-o-n-y. Get it right Blue Money, FFS.
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I seriously congratulate you for growing some balls to come to boast about your 1-0 win against a team which is half the value and sustaining 10 injuries on home turf.
How about growing a dick now while you’re at it? Oh wait a minute, he already is one. Now you can stop having wet dreams about Nasri and wank to his picture instead.
X
Is that what you used to do?..
Ahhhh so Blue Moony… Man City fan sense 2010 I see
7 years without a trophy? How was that 30 some odd years you had before the trophy you bought last season? Or how about being in the third tier just a little over a decade ago? Yea, fuck off.
Lol Andrew don’t be silly, blue mooney doesnt know anything about Man citys history! he only started supporting them last season cos Spuds didn’t get into the champs lge!!!
mate why don”t you just stick to your man city websites and blogs? you ignorant cunt fuck off from this website. your team is not a real team and soon enough arsenal will overtake you.
Worked there nuts off so can’t fault the effort, they have turned over most teams easily so far and we could have got a result with but more luck. Am proud of the team. But why the fuck do we have to suffer ashavin game after fucking game. And why chamack ? The bloke is going for 6 weeks , give park a chance or sell him if wenger doesnt thinks he’s good enough. If these two clowns are still with us in the summer then I won’t blame rvp if he signs for city.
Excellent point about Chamakh. He has no future at Ashburton Grove.
Does anybody know whether or not Park is injured? He was not even on the subs bench today. If he is not injured then why was he not involved today?
Because we signed park to sell shirts in Asia, not the middle-eastlands.
I did not
i frankly thought we needed the old arshavin in this game!!gervinho did his best,but just couldn’t cope with the strength of richards.arshavin with his pace and quick feet+trickery(im talking abt the old arsha)should have made an impact but what a waste.i believe he is still a quality player but he looks out of place in this arsenal team.im sorry arsha you can have a bad day and a bad month not a bad year.something is sooo wrong.arshavin actually sucked but rest of the team made it look like he too was battling for a comeback along with them.
credit to all the other players.let us just keep beating weaker opponents and keep fighting against stronger opponents.we will eventually find our way.
COYG
Arshavin is sooooo shit, I have to say it, he cannot even hit the target once. And that messed up pass he produced is emberassing, it should have been 1-1 there.
We want to see more of the Ox please .
RE: Vela loan situation. Not sure if he can be recalled in Jan, but if possible, could he be Wenger’s surprise LANS?
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How does saying ‘Cunt’ show a lack of intellect? It’s an Anglo-Saxon word that says what it does on the tin.
Blue Moony. Is that what happens up north when you drop your trousers in front of the ‘Wrong’ people?
Maybe in front of you and some of your Anglo Saxon interlectuals it might…
“Interlectuals”….Bwahhahahahhahahahahahaha!!!!!!!
I was being sarcastic, but you aren’t bright enough to notice…
Your sarcasm is only matched by your wit….. ‘Must try harder’
You’re just a shit man united, a shit man uniiiiiiiiiited….!
Is that the best you can do?
“Up Yours. Blue Moony”
Sad twat.
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Yes. You are a twat. You have just beaten The Arsenal yet instead of celebrating with your own team you come and ‘Troll’ on the oppositions main blog page. How sad is that?
More interested in what Arsenal supporters think than your own team.
Get a life, twat.
Great game and good effort from the guys. Just one of those where the first team to score and all that…
But still i cant hide the fact i looked at the bench and couldn’t see any goal coming off there in case we went a goal down. I know its had on the team and the boss too after such a good game but one of those where small details count. One where you feel like saying to AW, ‘ju park your reserve stricker with chamakh and get in a guy who can help with a goal from the bench’
kanu, wiltord, db10 could all come on and you hope for one. Chamakh comes on and all the hope is gone.
But i am looking forward to wednesday to see a good performance from the boys. I’ll take the 3 points whichever way they come COYG
That was as tight as it gets. Great gutsy performance and i still felt we could get something from the game till the 93rd minute. A win today would have given as serious outside chance for title contenders. Still it was a great performance. I believe we could have got something out of the game if we had just one genuine fullback in santos and sagna today. Richards and zabaleta caused us alot of trouble and walcott n gervinho needed support that djourou verm and miguel are not used to pushing that high up as fullbacks. As for walcott, he had a bad game for 50min but when he switched flanks he looked ready to dig deep. I understand the arshavin sub but honestly he too didn’t show much heart. The game was calling for rosicky in my opinion coz ramsey, lets be honest had just as bad a game and he just has not convinced me to be a good enough to play the number 10 position for a club this BIG. maybe CM but not AMF. He was a passenger today. rosicky should have replaced him. As for arshavin, I think wenger should consider trying him in the AMF role coz as bad as he has been, he still is quality that is dormant and that could help bring him to life again.a front three of VP , gerv, TW14 with the russian behind Vp might just work for us. What do you think? Good to see chamack left the hair gel at home tonight, no more missing headers. As for gibbs I hope he can sort out his injury demons soon coz we need a fullback desperately. Wonder what happened to jenkinson.
This performance showed that they certainly don’t like it when when it’s up ‘em, and it’s a damn shame we won’t be seeing them again this year.
For all their supposed skills Citeh were playing dirty as shit – desperate to get someone sent off or kicked in the face, landing on hamstrings and falling over players like they had their boots tied together.
Fuck all response from Phil Dowd on that count, of course, the wanker.
All of which mirrors City’s tactics in the transfer season – use their unfair advantage, Dowd in this case, to deny their challengers a full team.
They will get theirs.
Sorry but I agree with rob 67.
City’s emergence has come at a huge cost to the likes of Arsenal, who develop their own talent but cannot keep it because of the money elsewhere. City and Chelsea have been less affected because they also exist in a billionaire playground.
Thought it was a great team performance today. Gervinho and arteta were stand outs for me. Walcott has a good assist ratio this season, but everytime we try to play constructive football, it always breaks down as soon as the ball goes to theo. he’s useless with his back to goal and has terrible ball retention. He had a poor game and his whining at being taken off was horrendous. He needs to be much more self-critical if he wants to improve as a footballer imo.
We need to buy a goal scorer and some world class. Right now, song and robin are the only world class players we have playing. The gap in class between both teams was quite apparent despite a gutsy performance.
It’s becoming tiring seeing a backlash to every critique expressed. If it can be justified and it is constructive then everyone’s opinion should be respected
If Financial Fair Play actually works, Man City will be in trouble. Do you the amount of revenue you lose when you can’t fill a stadium and play in the Europa League? It’s going to hurt their balance sheet.
The governing bodies of football are completely inept.
FA, FIFA, UEFA have proved it over and over again in so many ways.
I can’t see them following through with the enforcement of financial fair play.
Hope I’m wrong
Man Citeh has no class, poor man citeh….
But you’ve got loads of eh…
Yes mate. We are The Arsenal and we have the sort of class that all your millions can never buy.
Low class?..
Wouldn’t expect you to understand. Prick
Wenger on arshavin and chamack, “they can only try and they tried, arshavin had two chances to score” IDE argue about the trying part and surley that’s the whole point two chances and wasted both. Please get rid of these two waste of fucking spaces, both maybe decent players but they just ain’t going to do ot at arsenal for whatever reason.
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????!!!!
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Well go and Troll the Spuds blogspot then. twat.
You are SO dumb that you don’t even realise that English is derived from Anglo-Saxon.
twat.
Ok bye bye for now…
Cunt
Now that uve got that off your chest!
Can you fuck off now, u cunting piss of shite?
Ooh I’ve never been called a cunting piss of shite. Your name says it all. It must be very frustrating when there’s no glory left to hunt. I on the other hand have stuck with my team through thin and thinner…
stuck to your team through thick & thin?? yeah right!!
you were supporting spurs until last season, thats real loyalty u knob!
You’re not fooling me mate, you dont support man city!
And my user name is supposed to be “ironic” , moron!
One thing I noticed today was the parity in pure physical prowess. City have fucking beasts of players and they easily dispossessed ours when one-on-one. Maybe if we played at a higher tempo…
Lots of positives to take away from today, we proved we can still compete with the top teams who have money to throw around. Yes we lost but it was a scrappy goal which could have just as easily gone in for us at various stages of the game.
If we keep up that work rate then I’m confident of a top 4 finish this season.
Up the gooners!
Oh and to blue moony, enjoy your Thursday night footy on channel 5 you stupid twat
X
Wasn’t it funny when Birmingham beat you in the final. Ciao baby
The chavs were always cunts moony. What’s your excuse?
Almost as funny as Napoli beating your lot, and you not qualifying for the Champions League.
I’m still laughing at Mansour’s grand plan being derailed so soon as you try to cover your ridiculous spending with an even greater shortfall in what you’ll earn. You’re desperately trying to offload players on fat wages, but you’re still paying them to play for other clubs. What a bunch of mugs.
Man City is not this great brand that will attract interest from all over the world and earn lots of cash to cover your spending. You won’t make it on ticket sales, shirt sales, TV money or any other spin-offs. All you have is Mansour’s money, and the FFP rules will turn that source off. You’ll always be in United’s shadow. Sooner or later Mansour will realise that, then you’ll be well and truly humped.
Your right TG. I am a chav, a cunt and a twat, not to mention a cunting piss of shite… You guys!! I know you love me really
Oh I will Joe, thanks mate…
Me: “Arshavin’s got to be dumped in January!”
Mrs CAGooner: “I thought you liked Arshavin?”
Me: “I do but he hasn’t done squat for team in a lo-ong time.”
Complaints about Arshavin and Chamakh aside, the Gunners played with heart today and in a perfect world they would have come away with the point.
Really proud of the team. Not too het up about losing to city or their trolling supporters. City are an anomaly, they exist on a different planet and it won’t and can’t last so enjoy it while you can city supporters! I’ll enjoy watching it all fall apart when the players all jump shut when the next big spenders come along! Up the gunners!
Oops! Typo! Folks tend to jump ships not shuts!
Who likes too lose? Amy one of us as much Wenger im sure. So lets put that to one side and say:
What a ballsy, committed performance. Should have nicked a draw. Our shite bench cost us. Like united, we’ll have the opportunity to take those points back – and I really think we can take all 6 points back from the Manchester teams.
Not the toughest Christmas fixture list, lets make it count. 5 wins out of the next 5 and we’re right back on it.
Proud of the team today.
Good game despite the final score… if we keep playing like this top 4 is guaranteed! I thought the OX would have been more effective as a sub late on though, or even Yossi
IMO things that the boys can improve on:
Chesny – distribution
djourou – be more solid
BFG – head the ball better
kos – positioning as RB (at least for Dec)
song – not to get a card in the first 10 mins
gervinho – crossing
walcott – step up for the big games
RVP – to keep being so perfect
chamakh – to score
arshavin – everything
phil dowd – to quit refereeing and go on a diet… what a cunt
did anyone notice there is no mention of verminator!!oh sorry because he is verminator.he can’t make mistakes because he is programmed.if there is a fault he goes back to redeem it by scoring a goal(fulham).waiting for milan vs verminator.hope he scores one of those winterburn type goal against em!!
oh and loved the way blogs decribed arshavin.a player who used to make “something out of nothing” to “nothing out of something”..thats a pretty good point he’s got there.wengwr should take a cue.he always seems to be defending the russian by saying he takes “risks”.he has “flair”.well le boss u can only take a risk when u are good enough with the basics.pls send arsha bak to russia.it’s good for him and for us
also did anyone see chesny do that little trademark dodge in the box against balloteli….just loved it…no keeper in the league would have the balls to repeatedly mock opposition forwards like that
Most of the city fans I’ve met are good blokes, but for someone to come on another teams website and start giving it? He s obviously a friendless fuckwit who I’d imagine looks like oddbod junior from carry on screaming or possibly millhouse from the simpsons
We’re all decent blokes tache, I’m only giving it back and sticking around because I’ve been insulted from the first… Will you be my friend?
I realise you guys really just love The Arse nal…
A few months ago we never thought we’d see such a disciplined and passionate performance from the men in red and white. Arsene has turned this team around to the extent that we look at todays performance and actually feel like the the team played well – we have prob given City their hardest game of the season so far and must remember that that is probably our hardest away game out of the way. If we can get through the xmas programme with no more injuries to the backline (pretty please!) then I will really look forward to the second half of the season, esp with WIlshere, Sagna, Santos, Jenkinson, Gibbs, all returning to the squad at the business end of the season.
Oh blue moony why don’t you just fuck off and fucking die ffs you sad pathetic irritating little nasri of a cunt!!!!
I would if you lot didn’t keep insulting me. I only arrived on this site while looking for city stories and was amazed how narrow minded and aggressive your views were. MJB has kept me here and I’m quite enjoying winding you all up now. If you ignore me I’ll go away…
Up Yours
Blue Moony
You only arrived on the biggest Arsenal blog site looking for Man City stories? That makes no sense whatsoever.
It came up on newsnow/mancity
It is obvious in the PL that the midfield is critical. Most teams win because they have a strengthened midfield with the additional player blowing a whistle. Both Manchester teams had that today.
Probably been said(can’t b bothered to read) v proud of the boys but as an English man wat a cunt Barry Really is rolling around after that tackle? I know there r more important factors here in the game today but that sums up the game today,wat a cock? Hardly touched and rolling around like a minge,tv5 is my hero and Kos is an Arsenal legend in the making.
AA has lost his confidence and it’s sad to see,Walcott went missing today and we needed him to stretch the game,
Overal proud but disappointed as Citeh were there for the taking,… Great fans again!!
$hitty weren’t much better, Phil Dowd is a fat cunt and Na$ri is just a cunt. Nothing new when we think about it.
Great performance from the lads. However, I would like to point out two things.
Miquel DID NOT have a good game. He was ball watching when Silva scored. He was supposed to have been marking him. Look at replays for confirmation. Then again he’s a centre back playing at left back and really young so lets cut him some slack. I believe he’ll be a great player for us in the future. He can start by seriously bulking up. Its the English league. He’ll need it if he’s to survive. Tt nudge from Yaya Toure almost sent him flying into the advertising board.
Next, I thought the referee and linesmen had a decent game. I don’t see why they’re being criticized. The Micah Richards incident was definitely not handball for me. Then again, I’ve seen them given. N I would have gladly taken it had it been awarded.
All in all, a great game from end to end. We had our chances but din take them. Moneybags probably created slightly better chances, but make no mistake, Joe Hart saved them. Thus, I think we deserve a draw at least.
But you don’t think your keeper saved you? He’s very good by the way…
Its not strange that Man Shitty have no online community, the reason is Manchester is red and the rest of the world have already chosen a different bigger club when your beloved club was so small that nobody ever heard them before Sh. Mansour tried to purchase the Man Yoonited only to notice later that he accidentally bought a team with no history at all.
So enjoy your two-year old history and troll on every comment enabled football blog until someone gets a pair of balls and enough data to write about Man Shitty in the interwebs.
For now, open Google.com and search:
1. The history of Lech Poznań football club and how their fans do a poznań.
2. The Idiot’s Guide to Glory Hunting: 101 tips from Chelsea fan.
3. The founders of Abu Dhabi city.
4. How far did City go in the UEFA Champions League.
5. The names of players City might send on loan to Sp*rs this January.
Well. I would say both keepers were great. N if u look at the match stats, both teams had the same number of shots on target while Man City had just one more off target shot. Maybe the Balotelli chance should have been a goal but so was Gervinho’s chance. The ball squirmed under Joe Hart and could have gone anywhere. I still think a draw would have been fairer
Actually Tacklr most of Manchester is blue. London is where a lot of the glory hunting utd fans come from and you know it
you won’t see any arsenal shirts in Manchester…
Why why why isn’t AOC on the bench? Surely he’d bring more in the last 20 mins than Arshavin!? He looks like he’s waiting for his contract to dwindle out. The Ox seems raw but at least he’s hungry!
We all know phil dowd is a cunt and our Captain knows that too loved when he said fuck you dowd when dowd offered his hand covered with oil from you know where.
Again stressing on my previous point i think Ramsey should have been subbed what was he trying to do with so many backheels? We are not Manure who just make those flicks hoping for it to reach an another player, we are The Arsenal.
It was a good effort by our lads, just wasn’t our night. Could’ve been better, could’ve been worse. What mattered was that we went down fighting. Let’s focus on the upcoming clash against Villa and get ourselves back on track. Positivity lads.
was a fantastic game. we were often exposed on the sides and song’s early yellow card proved vital as through the game he was too cautious not to get the second yellow. i dont understand why wenger subbed in arshavin and chamakh though. both proven to be quite useless when it matters, i would love to see benayoun and riosicky play instead.
Squillaci, where’s he? I hope we sign Gary Cahill this January. He’s less injury-prone and he can make a cover for the Verminator when the lad plays at LB.
Cahill and Podoliski would make up the depth we need.
Phil Dowd is a cunt by the way, he was too harsh for our players and he denied a clear-cut penalty. I’m not sure when we’ll win a penalty, we only won 1 penalty since the start of the season when Spuds & City win it in every other match.
Cahill who is part of the Bolton defence that has conceded 30+ goals and are bottom of the league? Yeah great, that’s what we need. He only looks good because the other Bolton defenders are awful.
I think we should get Dann, Johnson and Caldwell to make up the numbers for buying the bottom of the league CB’s……
Gary Cahill is off to Utd, done deal by all accounts…
I’m sure we’d all like you to be off now….
O you fucking prick. Why? Why? Why!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Fuck Gary Cahill!!!!!!!!!!
Okay here I go.
Djourou at right back is really killing us. He’s too slow and ponderous in possession. There just wasn’t enough juice in his passes most of the time, especially the passes back into the midfield. At more than one point he rolled a ball to Arteta which was hardly near the guy. Barry/Yaya went straight through the back of Mikel which is not only risking injury, but just putting the receiver in a tough situation to begin with.
Ramsey didn’t have a great game. He’s clearly a talented lad but he slows the tempo of our passing and movement down too often. I don’t believe he doesn’t see the movement of the forwards in front of him – I think he’s too scared of losing possession to take the risk, especially against a side like City who can break so quickly.
He has a huge amount of pressure on him to create which may not be dealing with right now. Would’ve like to see Rosicky/Benayoun to replace him in the second half.
Most of you are saying Walcott had a bad game, which is true. I don’t believe it is fully his fault however. 99% of the time the ball was played straight into his feet. As we all know, Walcott isn’t going to dribble his was past many people with dazzling skills. Zabaleta isn’t an amazing player but he was getting tight enough to Theo’s to make his life difficult.
Also without a fullback overlapping he doesn’t have much of an option other than a backwards pass/first time lay-off. Theo is best when he attacks the space between fullback and centre half, and having a fullback overlapping helps create this space.
For all the pundits that say City play like Arsenal now – that is shit. I don’t see any Arsenal players following through on tackles or diving to get players second yellows. Arsenal play with class – not like mercenary cunts.
I think we can be very proud of the lads. Vermaelen showed his passion especially – he was just furious when the final whistle went. I love to see that.
This is the kinda performance we have been wanting the last few season. We may not have won the game, but we can be proud nonetheless. That may not count for 3 points, but it means a lot to me.
Also would like to add that because we couldn’t stretch their backline using our width we needed someone to drive from the midfield with the ball at their feet.
Song/Wilshere/Diaby would have been able to win the physical battle with City’s (roided) midfielders as well as have the technique to drift between the lines with the ball.
Ok I think I’m really done now. Wall of text etc etc.
the game was superb.
Van Persie, TV5, Gervinho( who was the best attacking player i thought), SZCZ, Kosc, Song and Arteta were outstanding. We are so much better at defending even without recognised full backs! the improvement has been amazing.
but
Walcott vanished yesterday, just when I was building up his consistency in my head. Ramsey lacks vision in passing and too often dribbles around in circles and then gets caught out. Arshavin( need I mention him?) has been such a disappointment.
Would like to see Rosicky and Bena get a chance. Rosicky in particular always plays clever 1-2′s that can create something. Wilshere comes back then Ramsey drops to the bench I think. I was hoping we would get a few more goals from Ramsey but he doesn’t really seem to have it.
We should have replaced Theo by the Ox. Did he not give Zebaleta nightmares the last time we met?
Disappointed by not ashamed.
Wish we could have got the result!
If anyone needs a reminder why we are still contenders for anything from fourth place upwards this season this is it. On this evidence we’re just as good as any title favourites.
That said …
Pity about our deficiencies at full back. We need TV5 and Kos back in central defence. Even if Gibbs and Jenkinson return before Sagna and Santos … they are not the answer.
Why does AW continue to stick with Chamakh and Arshavin on the bench instead of Oxlade-Chamberlain? Yes, they can both ‘do a job’ … but game-changers they are not. Right now they are barely going through the motions.
And it is nice to see Nasri get some stick for not living up to expectations. If he and Clichy keep their current form up they might not make the France squad for Euro 2012. Hell, they might even get loaned out to Sp*rs for next season.
Actually cliche has played very well for us apart from the Chelsea game. Not seen the best of Nasri yet though…
Another comedy nugget in there for anyone that spots it…
We have got Squillaci for you mate. His price starts from GBP 35m of oil money.
Actuallly, you have seen the best of Na$ri – it was for a few months last season. You won’t see him play any better than that ever again, he’s not actually that good.
Now fuck off.
Ok Perry, who do you think we should try next? RVP or maybe Vermaelen…
Time to start shopping somewhere else pal, i think we’ve offloaded all the moneygrabbing whores we had………
Deficiencies at full back? What team usually loses all 4 full backs?
Gibbs – Only out because of injury, which is likely due to his age and the fact he’ll still need to bulk up. He’s as good as Clichy was when he first joined, so can be a very consistent performer and has many years to learn.
Jenkinson – Straight in from League 1 and is showing that he has an engine and a great cross. Links up well with Walcott/Gervinho whenever he has played.
Santos – still learning and is as much a liability as Gibbs but is more experienced, so will still improve.
Blue moony, I’m not a Internet geek so the word troll means nothing, but u are obviously about 14 yrs old or so so I will refrain from the usual abuse. You remind me of one of those poor saps that went on face book to incite a riot but were then told by there mums that it was dark out and homework was to be done. If you are a full grown up then I apologise because you are clearly socially inept and deserve our help and not ridicule.
Keyboard warriors are the worst kind of football fans. They tend not to go to matches due to lack of a job or the brains navigate the public transport system.
Actually Voldermort (how childish) I’m a company director, a season ticket holder and I don’t use public transport. Are you late for your Macdonalds shift??
You spell macdonalds wrong mr company director. Cunt
You should know. Perhaps I should start checking your spelling.and grammar smarty pants…
Oh dear FROG, you really should be a good speller if you’re going to pick other people up on it. Just had a quick look and there’re too many to list. Glass houses eh…
Actually, Voldemort, we do have to give bluemoonie credit for being literate, which is more than we can say for the last troll who infested these threads {kevtheyid from Whitehart Lane if you remember). What we all need to do when these trolls drop in on us is to ignore them. They’ll soon go away for lack of entertainment–that is, for the responses they draw from us.
Well said Cagooner. I actually like and admire Arsenal and the way they play. Because I was called a Cunt as soon as I dared here, I decided to poke a little fun and stir things up. I’m off now!!
Up the Arse nal…
Blue Moony
Proud of the lads’ efforts (and the away support, which quite clearly drowned out the majority home support over the telly most of the time!). Which bodes quite badly for ManShitty (for their squad strength as well as their attempt at establishing MCFC as the footballing capital of England). Have read some of the comments here and fully agree that in important matches, we can’t keep carrying under performing players. Don’t fully blame Walcott for being dispossessed so easily and I am by no means a footballing genius, but just wondered that he could have contributed more by stretching the MCFC defence more than coming short. Though that would mean greater responsibility on the emergency FBs to get forward/offer themselves for the pass. But being proud of the efforts by no means include being satisfied with the result, and it’s a feeling that I’m glad is shared amongst the majority of us.
As for the City troll that’s been posting on Arseblog, one can only assume its because nobody gives a toss about his views on his own club’s blogs. Do they even have fan forums? Petrodollars don’t do much for creating fan bases I guess.
It took hundred million or so to create a City team that only wanted to park the bus last season, and a few hundred more to create one that actually came to play and narrowly won (and I feel by no means fully deserved). So City fans can take this hard-fought (sorry I meant well-bought) 3 points for now, but I still firmly believe the Arsenal are in this for the war, a challenge not merely for this seasons title, but to create a title challenging (and winning!) side in a footballing future that is unlikely to be appropriately regulated by Fifa that we can all be proud to be part of.
Don’t you like a bit of good humoured banter? Don’t you want to hear other people’s views and opinions? You’re all very aggressive and narrow minded…
Actually we have loads of blogs, all good humoured banter and anyone’s very welcome. You won’t be insulted and abused like I’ve been on here…
If that’s the case why don’t you fuck off to one of those blogs you speak of?
Personally I do like a bit of good humoured banter, as I’m sure many on here do. I think the problem is you just seem like a bit of a cunt.
If you build it, they will come. If I’m going to be constantly called one, I might as well act like one Perry…
Well you’re doing a fine job of that at least………
Thanks Pal
You’re not fooling anyone posting under the pretence of “good natured banter”. As I tried to establish (but I guess, failing spectacularly – the blame lies squarely on trying to type on a failing iPhone), expecting a red carpet is naivete bordering on stupidity.
Your attempts at coming across as a pseudo-intellect to impose some sort of superiority on a frustrated fan base is fuel enough to spark a less-than-courteous response.
Do you honestly think that if I actually bothered (gods forbid) to declare to a ManShitty fan blog (as you claim they exist) that your result last night was born from uninhibited spendings of bored UAE royalty, which quite luckily bailed MCFC out of the uninhibited spendings of a bored and semi-corrupt Thai businessman, I would be welcomed with open arms by all 3 of the blog readers? It is after all, a valid opinion and another person’s view.
I may be looking at this wrongly. I guess when you say, “anyone’s very welcome”, it’s part of a secret agenda to increase the MCFC fan base so the Etihad Stadium wouldn’t be so deathly quiet during the Europa League home games. My fingers working a laptop keyboard would be deafening in comparison.
I do feel an apology is owed to a much appreciated Andrew Allen for spoiling the comments section with barely any recognition to the Arsenal or his write-up. And the rest of the Arseblog News readers.
Failed to heed the alarm bells of my better judgement, and the large “Don’t feed the ManShitty Trolls” sign. If they do come back in numbers to feed on the leavings of the Arseblog then I only have myself to blame… But what else to expect from the supporter of a club that’s happy to pay millions for Arsenal cast-offs/retirees?
Casual observer, you’re just a bellend, no offence…
Cast offs, retirees, your long posts don’t fool me. You’re so transparent and quite frankly a bit thick and deluded. Everyone knows your team is on the slide and your emperors clothes of a stadium with it’s library atmosphere will be like a monument to a team that once was…
You tit
Title contenders; you’re the 3rd best team in London, but at least you have a nice quiet stadium and some swanky apartments to sell off to keep your shareholders happy. Mind you, you can also delude yourself, being FFP compliant by being City’s feeder club…
Brilliant, glad to see you’ve stopped bothering to be courteous. Such strong language – adding depth to your online persona now? Not only an wannabe-intellect that craves attention, but streetwise with a salty tongue too. Phwoar, the keyboard warrior everybody dreams to be.
Like any endeavour, Arsenal’s failure is a possibility, however large a probability is up to a matter of discussion (you, vulgarities aside, obviously believe it’s a near certainty). I respect your view (it’s not particularly new, nor fresh – such sentiments already exist amongst the supporters), but pity your methods and obvious boredom.
You came back 3 times over the course of an hour and a half to spew out something we already knew (those time-stamps are quite damning teehee)? I’m assuming that you even left in the first place. So a hearty congratulations is in order, well done you! Pleased that you’re getting the response and (artificial) interaction you crave. Get out the house sometime this Christmas. Season’s greetings.
Casual observer, I apologise for my trilogy of less than courteous responses to you posts. I had been out for a few drinks after work and took offense to your long winded post on my return. I do believe however, that your post was antagonistic and still do. Unfortunately though, I stooped to your level and responded in an uncharacteristic way…
Doing a level three NVQ in customer care really don’t make you a company director blue moony, your care worker should be able to confirm this.
You’ve got me there Volder knickers, how witty and intuitive you are…
Ciao peeps. It’s been fun, but I have to go now. You’ve been very welcoming and I’ll never forget you all. Next time I may come back with a few friends.
Up Yours
Blue Moony
Aka Cunt, twat, piss of shite, ex Spud etc…
zzzzzzz ….
You’ve never had so much attention in your life Moony! If you don’t want a load of grief, don’t troll. Seemples!
But trolls like your sort thrive on this kind of bullshit banter. A shit eating nematode for the online world.
Seemples, nernatode, you’re simples u half wit…
Blue Moony… I fucked your mum – no actually i didn’t, cos I’ve got standards and I just dnt splash oil money on every money grubbing whore around
But if you do post another shitty comment, I will get my dog to fuck her – oh wait he already has, and would view it as a cruel punishment if he had to again
So for my dogs sake, please dnt post
(to everyone else, sorry for my vulgarity)
Your post just sums up exactly what sort of person and supporter you are. Happy Xmas to you…
How childish, real playground stuff…
My Dad’s car faster than yours!!!
Lol
I’ve got zero sympathy for trolls… So… Wipe those tears and run along you little bitch
A summing up that you missed from everyone’s post to you was simply FUCK OFF
And remember what i said about posting here again…
Bitch am I, are you gay?
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MCFC – A cheating club with no history
Posted on December 22, 2011 by Prestwich_Blue
I don’t like negative articles like this particularly but I also don’t like cant and hypocrisy. Bluemoon regulars will know of my determination to educate them and others on financial & political issues in the game so I thought this blog article was more than justified. I certainly wouldn’t want to imply that my criticisms extended to all Arsenal fans but certainly some need putting firmly in their places.
The game against the Gunners has long been one of my most eagerly anticipated and last Sunday was certainly a spectacle worthy of the Premier League. Two great football teams showed just how the game should be played at the highest level and while it won’t win Goal of the Month, Silva’s tap-in gave us a vital three points for a win I thought we deserved. The thing that made it sweeter was the fact that, in the days leading up to it, there had been a stream of bile & drivel aimed at us from Arsenal fans on Twitter. Naturally there were the usual taunts that, unlike them, we are a club with no history and had cheated by having our rich benefactor buy success for us, unlike their model of doing it through their own efforts.
So let’s examine their claims a little more closely. The two clubs were formed in their current incarnations a year apart, them in 1893 and us in 1894. We progressed slightly more rapidly, gaining promotion from the Second to the First Division in 1899. They followed five years later. So the “club with no history” actually reached the top flight before the “club with history”. In the 1903/04 season, they achieved promotion to the top flight in the same season we won our first FA Cup. They failed to set the league on fire though and were relegated in 1913. The war intervened in 1915, when Arsenal finished 5th in the Second Division. On the resumption of the league in 1919, the top division was expanded by two clubs so bottom placed Spurs expected to keep their place while the top two teams in the Second Division joined them. However, in circumstances still unexplained, Arsenal chairman Henry Norris somehow engineered Spurs’ relegation at the expense of his club. This clearly didn’t endear Arsenal to Spurs fans, a deep enmity that still exists today. So if we “cheated” to get where we are, we certainly weren’t the first.
Since then, Arsenal has achieved an unbroken spell in the top flight but was close to relinquishing that in the mid-1920′s before the remarkable Herbert Chapman became their manager. He led them to success in the pre-war years winning their first trophy (the FA Cup) in 1930, a whole 26 years after “the club with no history”. Their first European trophy came in 1970 with the Fairs Cup, which was of course the same year we won the Cup Winners Cup (they won this one 6 years later). The pinnacle of their modern success came the next season with the League & Cup double.
George Graham saw them through the early Premiership years with cup wins but no titles then Bruce Rioch stepped in after Graham became a victim of the bungs scandal. These weren’t great years for them as their ageing team were largely mid-table fodder and the money wasn’t there to replace them. However new investor Danny Fiszman, a wealthy diamond merchant, put in about £50m, which enabled Rioch and his successor, Arsene Wenger, to rebuild the squad with some high quality players. Our very own David Platt & Patrick Vieira, Bergkamp, Petit. Overmars, Hartson, Anelka to add to Keown, Dixon, Winterburn, Adams and others. Some astute dealing by Wenger ensured he made huge profits on players like Overmars, Anelka & Henry and these were re-invested. This shot them into the top four and to their three Premier League titles between 1998 & 2004. £5m may not seem like a lot of money to fund a transfer pot today but in the mid-1990′s, fees were much smaller with even that astounding player Bergkamp only costing £7.5m then. You can probably multiply that £50m by 8 to get the equivalent fund in today’s values so that’s pretty close to our net spend over the last 3 seasons.
That, in turn, brought them revenues from the Champions League, as well as the demand for tickets that enabled them to finance and build a 60,000-seater stadium that produces nearly £100m a year in ticket income. Whether because of restrictions due to the requirement to finance the stadium or for other reasons, their net transfer spend over the last 5 years has been negative and the lowest of all the current Premiership teams. They feel that’s something to be proud of but their relative lack of strength in depth and current position outside the top four (with the risk of losing CL income next year) has shown that to be a dangerous path to tread.
Without that £50m from Fiszman it’s entirely possible they’d have still been in mid-table; maybe another Fulham or possibly over-performing like Everton or Newcastle. So the supporters of the “club with history” can hardly justify the claim of “doing it on their own”. Once this was pointed out to them, they went very quiet.
(lets the dog loose)