As we're unlikely to see terraces again at football, this is the virtual equivalent where you can chat to your hearts content about all football matters and, obviously, Arsenal in particular. This forum encourages all Gooners to visit and contribute so please keep it respectful, clean and topical.
goonersid wrote:Reality check for the AKBs this weekend.
In what sense?
Do you not think that even the AKB's know this team ain't as good as it used to be?
Losing to Chelsea wouldn't suddenly confirm anything.
If anyone will get a reality check this weekend it will be Chelsea if we can keep Mata and Sturridge quiet, they will realise that they are old and ploddy and not the force that they were, they might also realise that trying to play an expansive game leaves them open to attack, one clean sheet all season backs this up and Chelsea teams that won things were built on the opposite.
goonersid wrote:Reality check for the AKBs this weekend.
In what sense?
Do you not think that even the AKB's know this team ain't as good as it used to be?Losing to Chelsea wouldn't suddenly confirm anything.
If anyone will get a reality check this weekend it will be Chelsea if we can keep Mata and Sturridge quiet, they will realise that they are old and ploddy and not the force that they were, they might also realise that trying to play an expansive game leaves them open to attack, one clean sheet all season backs this up and Chelsea teams that won things were built on the opposite.
No I don't. many of them are still delusional and believe that the recent run of "form" has been a turning point, ignoring the oppsosition and the often good fortune of the results.
We could quite easily find ourselves on the end of a good hiding this weekend and that should serve as a reality check to everyone. Unfortunately there will be too many on here who will ignore it and instead drool over a narrow victory over West Brom should that follow.
I think you see what you want to see Sid, the run of form is a change of fortune after a horrific start, I doubt anyone looks at it and thinks 'world beaters'
You can't have it both ways, regardless of fixtures we have won 7 in 8, after the start we had that is a turnaround, like it or not, the strength of fixtures don't come into it, in those same 8 games if 7 were draws then people would be banging on about it regardless of opposition, no one would be saying, 'don't worry, it was only Shrewsbury'
With confidence the way it is, its all they can do.
Gunnersaurus wrote:I think you see what you want to see Sid, the run of form is a change of fortune after a horrific start, I doubt anyone looks at it and thinks 'world beaters'
You can't have it both ways, regardless of fixtures we have won 7 in 8, after the start we had that is a turnaround, like it or not, the strength of fixtures don't come into it, in those same 8 games if 7 were draws then people would be banging on about it regardless of opposition, no one would be saying, 'don't worry, it was only Shrewsbury'
With confidence the way it is, its all they can do.
Maybe, but what I have seen and can't be denied, are our worst defeat in 100 years, a humbling loss at Blackburn yet another defeat against the spuds (I would be interested to see the stats on head to heads with them since twitchy took over) first home loss against the pool in years and some very lucky home wins in games we would be expected to win comfortably.
To say the strength of the oppostion doesn't come into it is ridiculous, and this weekend's game will show that any turn around was anything but.
If we lose then its only another loss regardless of opposition, same as if we win its 3 points, you get the same reward for beating lower reanked teams than chelsea. 3points.
Far from being an AKB, I actually think we have a better chance than normal of going to the bridge and getting something.
The lack of a right back is worrying me the most and I still can't forgive Wenger for allowing Eboue to leave and then failing to bring in adequate cover. Jenkinson hasn't done badly but he shouldn't have been exposed to games at WHL, OT etc this early in his career.
Our arch nemesis Dogbreath is unavailable, Anelka looks like he's going through his sulky routine and Torres still isn't through the slump. Terry looks like he's aged 10 years in 12 months and they have just gone through something like 9 games without a clean sheet domestically.
Not saying we're world beaters but I think we have a better chance than normal of going there and getting a draw.
I dont think Chelsea's game in the league cup will be a refelction on what's in store for us on Saturday, just the same as our game last night doesn't say much about the current state of our first XI
In saying that, I think we really do have a good chance against them on Saturday morning. The biggest boost to my confidence is the return of Vermaelan. Whatever about the suspensions of certain Cavs and the poor form of Torres, having Vermaelen back is our best chance of leaving west London with a point or three.
Kolshielny is playing much better and his performance in France last week was outstanding but is he good enough to keep Vermaelen on the bench??
