Lessons we have learned - part 1 - Blackburn

[AFCWozza]

What's this obsession people have with height....

Some of the most intimidating players over the years have been the short arses with chips firmly on shoulders.

Yeah? But, would say.. a Dennis Wise, beat Christopher Samba to a header? No matter how intimidating he is?

[Block91Broox]

What's this obsession people have with height....

Some of the most intimidating players over the years have been the short arses with chips firmly on shoulders.

Correct, however I'm talking about taking out the oppositions only weapon, which in this case is aerial balls into the box.

11 Billy Bremners wouldn't stop 10 Delap throws into the box. (I'd bloody love watching him try though!)

[Block91Broox]

This is just getting fucking weird now Wozza!

[SteveO 35]

Delighted to see that we passed "Part 1" of lessons learned with flying colours.

The key differences to last year from my perspective:

1. We played a keeper who was prepared to stand up to them right from the off. If it had been the Polish clown in goal he would have been appealing to the ref to sort that loser Diouf out rather than stand toe-to-toe. Well done Manuel - faultless, even when they employed all their usual ugly set piece tactics. Lets hope this ends the first choice keeper debate once and for all because the contrast to last season was there for all to see.

2. Defensive stability - thankfully the Dad's Army are no longer around and we had more athletisism at the back than they had in attack. In TV5 I hope we've found the club's next captain for the best part of the coming ten years - an absolute rock of a defender and surely a complete pain in the arse to be marked by. I thought Koscielny was a bit shaky, but the two full backs also put in great displays, remembering first and foremost that they do have a defensive responsibility.

3. Beefed up midfield. The Imperious Abou back to somewhere approaching his best, our wantaway captain found some great passing range once more and Song back in the rightful enforcer role

4. Cutting edge - Theo's confidence to turn their pedestrian muppets inside out and deliver the end product, and the variety we now have with Chamakh and/or RvP.

All in all a much better day at the North West office !

[augie]

SteveO I agree with your overall assesment that we passed the first test but on an individual basis I would have some slight differences -

1. Almunia made a difference but his command of his area has been greatly exagerrated. How many of this corners/throw in's were landing in or around the 6 yd box without him coming to deal with them ? In the first few mins he came and plucked a long throw off the head of samba which did give a confidence boost to the fans and defence but imo he should have done it more often.......that said he did play ok and did a better job than any of the alternatives would have

2. Clichy had, in my opinion at least, a poor day at the office. Hesitant any time the ball went his way and woeful for their goal. Tbh I wondered if he was afraid during the game

[AA23Northbank]

SteveO I agree with your overall assesment that we passed the first test but on an individual basis I would have some slight differences -

1. Almunia made a difference but his command of his area has been greatly exagerrated. How many of this corners/throw in's were landing in or around the 6 yd box without him coming to deal with them ? In the first few mins he came and plucked a long throw off the head of samba which did give a confidence boost to the fans and defence but imo he should have done it more often.......that said he did play ok and did a better job than any of the alternatives would have

2. Clichy had, in my opinion at least, a poor day at the office. Hesitant any time the ball went his way and woeful for their goal. Tbh I wondered if he was afraid during the game

Partly agree with 1, I think Almunia had a solid game, he had a lot of shit to deal with in his area for the corners and throws and I thought he did ok, loved him standing up to Diouf.
Clichy wasn't bad, but he wasn't good, and I think he seems to have lost something over the past few months as his form has been dodgy. I'd like to see Gibbs get more of a go

[Louder]

Delighted to see that we passed "Part 1" of lessons learned with flying colours.

The key differences to last year from my perspective:

1. We played a keeper who was prepared to stand up to them right from the off. If it had been the Polish clown in goal he would have been appealing to the ref to sort that loser Diouf out rather than stand toe-to-toe. Well done Manuel - faultless, even when they employed all their usual ugly set piece tactics. Lets hope this ends the first choice keeper debate once and for all because the contrast to last season was there for all to see.

2. Defensive stability - thankfully the Dad's Army are no longer around and we had more athletisism at the back than they had in attack. In TV5 I hope we've found the club's next captain for the best part of the coming ten years - an absolute rock of a defender and surely a complete pain in the arse to be marked by. I thought Koscielny was a bit shaky, but the two full backs also put in great displays, remembering first and foremost that they do have a defensive responsibility.

3. Beefed up midfield. The Imperious Abou back to somewhere approaching his best, our wantaway captain found some great passing range once more and Song back in the rightful enforcer role

4. Cutting edge - Theo's confidence to turn their pedestrian muppets inside out and deliver the end product, and the variety we now have with Chamakh and/or RvP.

All in all a much better day at the North West office !

How fickle some ''FANS'' are

Now Manuel's 'faultles', Diaby's 'imperious', Theo has 'cutting edge'. If this forum had it's way, these players would no longer be at the club, as forum members 'know best' and AW knows nowt !

And all of a sudden it's not height that's needed but athleticism !! UNBELIEVABLE

What a laugh

[SteveO 35]

Delighted to see that we passed "Part 1" of lessons learned with flying colours.

The key differences to last year from my perspective:

1. We played a keeper who was prepared to stand up to them right from the off. If it had been the Polish clown in goal he would have been appealing to the ref to sort that loser Diouf out rather than stand toe-to-toe. Well done Manuel - faultless, even when they employed all their usual ugly set piece tactics. Lets hope this ends the first choice keeper debate once and for all because the contrast to last season was there for all to see.

2. Defensive stability - thankfully the Dad's Army are no longer around and we had more athletisism at the back than they had in attack. In TV5 I hope we've found the club's next captain for the best part of the coming ten years - an absolute rock of a defender and surely a complete pain in the arse to be marked by. I thought Koscielny was a bit shaky, but the two full backs also put in great displays, remembering first and foremost that they do have a defensive responsibility.

3. Beefed up midfield. The Imperious Abou back to somewhere approaching his best, our wantaway captain found some great passing range once more and Song back in the rightful enforcer role

4. Cutting edge - Theo's confidence to turn their pedestrian muppets inside out and deliver the end product, and the variety we now have with Chamakh and/or RvP.

All in all a much better day at the North West office !

How fickle some ''FANS'' are

Now Manuel's 'faultles', Diaby's 'imperious', Theo has 'cutting edge'. If this forum had it's way, these players would no longer be at the club, as forum members 'know best' and AW knows nowt !

And all of a sudden it's not height that's needed but athleticism !! UNBELIEVABLE

What a laugh

Dear oh dear - perhaps you haven't realised that I'm probably the one and only Diaby fan around here, for which I have received no end of stick on here for 2 years. I've also repeatedly stated Almunia's credentials for the past 2 years.

As for fickle pal, state your credentials. Perhaps you have followed Arsenal all over England and Europe for the last 32 years like I have, perhaps not.

Your tagname suggests someone who likes to put their foot in the mouth on a regular basis, so I guess I can look forward to more of the same.

Get your facts straight

[g88ner]

Delighted to see that we passed "Part 1" of lessons learned with flying colours.

The key differences to last year from my perspective:

1. We played a keeper who was prepared to stand up to them right from the off. If it had been the Polish clown in goal he would have been appealing to the ref to sort that loser Diouf out rather than stand toe-to-toe. Well done Manuel - faultless, even when they employed all their usual ugly set piece tactics. Lets hope this ends the first choice keeper debate once and for all because the contrast to last season was there for all to see.

2. Defensive stability - thankfully the Dad's Army are no longer around and we had more athletisism at the back than they had in attack. In TV5 I hope we've found the club's next captain for the best part of the coming ten years - an absolute rock of a defender and surely a complete pain in the arse to be marked by. I thought Koscielny was a bit shaky, but the two full backs also put in great displays, remembering first and foremost that they do have a defensive responsibility.

3. Beefed up midfield. The Imperious Abou back to somewhere approaching his best, our wantaway captain found some great passing range once more and Song back in the rightful enforcer role

4. Cutting edge - Theo's confidence to turn their pedestrian muppets inside out and deliver the end product, and the variety we now have with Chamakh and/or RvP.

All in all a much better day at the North West office !

How fickle some ''FANS'' are

Now Manuel's 'faultles', Diaby's 'imperious', Theo has 'cutting edge'. If this forum had it's way, these players would no longer be at the club, as forum members 'know best' and AW knows nowt !

And all of a sudden it's not height that's needed but athleticism !! UNBELIEVABLE

What a laugh

Hang on, are you bunching all the forum members into one? and suggesting we ALL share the same opinion?

If so, then that's ridiculous, and as you are also a part of the forum, then that would suggest that you too are part of the "forum know's best" club

[Louder]

Delighted to see that we passed "Part 1" of lessons learned with flying colours.

The key differences to last year from my perspective:

1. We played a keeper who was prepared to stand up to them right from the off. If it had been the Polish clown in goal he would have been appealing to the ref to sort that loser Diouf out rather than stand toe-to-toe. Well done Manuel - faultless, even when they employed all their usual ugly set piece tactics. Lets hope this ends the first choice keeper debate once and for all because the contrast to last season was there for all to see.

2. Defensive stability - thankfully the Dad's Army are no longer around and we had more athletisism at the back than they had in attack. In TV5 I hope we've found the club's next captain for the best part of the coming ten years - an absolute rock of a defender and surely a complete pain in the arse to be marked by. I thought Koscielny was a bit shaky, but the two full backs also put in great displays, remembering first and foremost that they do have a defensive responsibility.

3. Beefed up midfield. The Imperious Abou back to somewhere approaching his best, our wantaway captain found some great passing range once more and Song back in the rightful enforcer role

4. Cutting edge - Theo's confidence to turn their pedestrian muppets inside out and deliver the end product, and the variety we now have with Chamakh and/or RvP.

All in all a much better day at the North West office !

How fickle some ''FANS'' are

Now Manuel's 'faultles', Diaby's 'imperious', Theo has 'cutting edge'. If this forum had it's way, these players would no longer be at the club, as forum members 'know best' and AW knows nowt !

And all of a sudden it's not height that's needed but athleticism !! UNBELIEVABLE

What a laugh

Dear oh dear - perhaps you haven't realised that I'm probably the one and only Diaby fan around here, for which I have received no end of stick on here for 2 years. I've also repeatedly stated Almunia's credentials for the past 2 years.

As for fickle pal, state your credentials. Perhaps you have followed Arsenal all over England and Europe for the last 32 years like I have, perhaps not.

Your tagname suggests someone who likes to put their foot in the mouth on a regular basis, so I guess I can look forward to more of the same.

Get your facts straight

Means nothing to me, pal. We can all claim to be more loyal than the next man on a forum

[Louder]

Delighted to see that we passed "Part 1" of lessons learned with flying colours.

The key differences to last year from my perspective:

1. We played a keeper who was prepared to stand up to them right from the off. If it had been the Polish clown in goal he would have been appealing to the ref to sort that loser Diouf out rather than stand toe-to-toe. Well done Manuel - faultless, even when they employed all their usual ugly set piece tactics. Lets hope this ends the first choice keeper debate once and for all because the contrast to last season was there for all to see.

2. Defensive stability - thankfully the Dad's Army are no longer around and we had more athletisism at the back than they had in attack. In TV5 I hope we've found the club's next captain for the best part of the coming ten years - an absolute rock of a defender and surely a complete pain in the arse to be marked by. I thought Koscielny was a bit shaky, but the two full backs also put in great displays, remembering first and foremost that they do have a defensive responsibility.

3. Beefed up midfield. The Imperious Abou back to somewhere approaching his best, our wantaway captain found some great passing range once more and Song back in the rightful enforcer role

4. Cutting edge - Theo's confidence to turn their pedestrian muppets inside out and deliver the end product, and the variety we now have with Chamakh and/or RvP.

All in all a much better day at the North West office !

How fickle some ''FANS'' are

Now Manuel's 'faultles', Diaby's 'imperious', Theo has 'cutting edge'. If this forum had it's way, these players would no longer be at the club, as forum members 'know best' and AW knows nowt !

And all of a sudden it's not height that's needed but athleticism !! UNBELIEVABLE

What a laugh

Hang on, are you bunching all the forum members into one? and suggesting we ALL share the same opinion?

If so, then that's ridiculous, and as you are also a part of the forum, then that would suggest that you too are part of the "forum know's best" club

That's just ridiculous. It's obvious who I'm refering to ( naming no names as it would take too long and start a bitching thread ). Don't play silly-buggers, there's a good lad.

[I Hate Hleb]

Delighted to see that we passed "Part 1" of lessons learned with flying colours.

The key differences to last year from my perspective:

1. We played a keeper who was prepared to stand up to them right from the off. If it had been the Polish clown in goal he would have been appealing to the ref to sort that loser Diouf out rather than stand toe-to-toe. Well done Manuel - faultless, even when they employed all their usual ugly set piece tactics. Lets hope this ends the first choice keeper debate once and for all because the contrast to last season was there for all to see.

2. Defensive stability - thankfully the Dad's Army are no longer around and we had more athletisism at the back than they had in attack. In TV5 I hope we've found the club's next captain for the best part of the coming ten years - an absolute rock of a defender and surely a complete pain in the arse to be marked by. I thought Koscielny was a bit shaky, but the two full backs also put in great displays, remembering first and foremost that they do have a defensive responsibility.

3. Beefed up midfield. The Imperious Abou back to somewhere approaching his best, our wantaway captain found some great passing range once more and Song back in the rightful enforcer role

4. Cutting edge - Theo's confidence to turn their pedestrian muppets inside out and deliver the end product, and the variety we now have with Chamakh and/or RvP.

All in all a much better day at the North West office !

How fickle some ''FANS'' are

Now Manuel's 'faultles', Diaby's 'imperious', Theo has 'cutting edge'. If this forum had it's way, these players would no longer be at the club, as forum members 'know best' and AW knows nowt !

And all of a sudden it's not height that's needed but athleticism !! UNBELIEVABLE

What a laugh

Dear oh dear - perhaps you haven't realised that I'm probably the one and only Diaby fan around here, for which I have received no end of stick on here for 2 years. I've also repeatedly stated Almunia's credentials for the past 2 years.

As for fickle pal, state your credentials. Perhaps you have followed Arsenal all over England and Europe for the last 32 years like I have, perhaps not.

Your tagname suggests someone who likes to put their foot in the mouth on a regular basis, so I guess I can look forward to more of the same.

Get your facts straight

Means nothing to me, pal. We can all claim to be more loyal than the next man on a forum

You especially!!!

[SammyDroppedHisShorts]

I was at the game Saturday and in May and would like to put my point across.

Almunia had very little to do and in many respects I cannot see how anyone can say anything other than he put in a very good performance. He did everything he was asked to do and did it well.
He caught the first cross perfectly, used his six yard area correctly and despite ball after ball after ball being pumped into his area he stood firm.

I really do believe (and i count myself in this) that we have hammered Manuel way too much. Yes he has made many top profile errors, but as it stands he should remain our number one. This has to be the case......the contrast....Fabianski. Had he played Saturday I do firmly believe he would have lost us the game because what was apparent with the Arsenal defence was they did trust Manuel, they looked much more comfortable than they did in May.

The back four were good in my opinion. TV5 was superb, Gael was steady, Bacs was respectably good and Kos was ok, you have to remember that Kos has played TWICE and at Anfield and Ewood, yet we took four points from those places.

Diaby...oh Diaby....i am sorry Steve but imperious is not a word i associate with Diaby. Yes he was steady and on the whole had a decent game, but imperious....no i am sorry lol

Cutting edge.....well had we been that good Wilshere would have made it 3-1 at the end and Theo a hat trick.,....he needs to learn the Ian Wright art of breaking the offside trap....

All in all....Saturday was a million times bette than in May, the lads showed grit, fight and determination without really being put under the cosh. Blackburn were void of any ideas and a pile of horse crap.

Lessons learnt?

One......we came away with three points by sticking to our principles of playing football and defending as a team.

[marcengels]

I was at the game Saturday and in May and would like to put my point across.

Almunia had very little to do and in many respects I cannot see how anyone can say anything other than he put in a very good performance. He did everything he was asked to do and did it well.
He caught the first cross perfectly, used his six yard area correctly and despite ball after ball after ball being pumped into his area he stood firm.

I really do believe (and i count myself in this) that we have hammered Manuel way too much. Yes he has made many top profile errors, but as it stands he should remain our number one. This has to be the case......the contrast....Fabianski. Had he played Saturday I do firmly believe he would have lost us the game because what was apparent with the Arsenal defence was they did trust Manuel, they looked much more comfortable than they did in May.

The back four were good in my opinion. TV5 was superb, Gael was steady, Bacs was respectably good and Kos was ok, you have to remember that Kos has played TWICE and at Anfield and Ewood, yet we took four points from those places.

Diaby...oh Diaby....i am sorry Steve but imperious is not a word i associate with Diaby. Yes he was steady and on the whole had a decent game, but imperious....no i am sorry lol

Cutting edge.....well had we been that good Wilshere would have made it 3-1 at the end and Theo a hat trick.,....he needs to learn the Ian Wright art of breaking the offside trap....

All in all....Saturday was a million times bette than in May, the lads showed grit, fight and determination without really being put under the cosh. Blackburn were void of any ideas and a pile of horse crap.

Lessons learnt?

One......we came away with three points by sticking to our principles of playing football and defending as a team.

Just a few points on your summary Sammy (won't be saying that after a few beers )

I think Almunia has only been bashed after years of average/fuck-up performances, and this "bashing" is just about him. I think anyone with a shred of sense can see that at the moment, Almunia should be picked over Fabianski. But I don't think it makes sense to say that the bashing is harsh, and citing the alternative available. Wenger knows that we need another keeper, and nothing has changed.

I think the difference between May and Saturday was firstly, we had better players in all positions on the pitch, and we dealt a bit better with blackburn's threat. We defended as a team on set pieces, but where was the team defending on those many occasions when Blackburn tried to break? Only their poor quality means we weren't punished for some of them.

[SammyDroppedHisShorts]

I am not saying that Manuel should not have criticism...its just the hammerings he has had have at times been over the top. Granted he is not the keeper to win titles with, but......he is our number one at present and we have to try and support him even if we dont want to....