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.
Gunnerz4life wrote:I know i will have quite a lot of people disagreeing with me over this but I fail to understand why we would play Eboue as a attacking midfielder and not Wilshere. Or when Arshavin went out injured, why not bring on Wilshere rather than Ramsey (not offence to the kid, just Wilshere has more of a spark about him).
And I agree with Augie about Diaby. Some of the things he does is simply fantastic but he doesnt come across as the smartest of players and doesnt seem to have a good footballing brain. The problem with that is, im not sure if that can be taught, you either have it or you dont.
Spot on matey. And can you ever stop Song from giving away stupid fouls even though he did a lot of good stuff tonight? These are the sort of reasons why I firmly believed Wenger would spend some of the cash in his pocket. Defensively brilliant today but we just didn't hurt them enough, create enough chances so that it doesn't matter if Foster sticks a leg out at one chance if there are another 3 chances in the pipeline.
I'm surprised that I'm so pissed off this early in the season and after a good performance but it's just cos I know we're gonna fall short again and for all of his greatness, Wenger won't agree with me!!!!!!!
Kevinho wrote:This game has highlighted our weaknesses and if Wenger does not see this now then he never will.
Yes we were in total control of the game, RVP probably should have scored to kill the game at 2-0. But we have lost not because United overwhelmed us with constant pressure or carved us open with great play but because we make do with players who will never be good enough at the top, top level.
Having made good progess last season Almunia seems to have returned to his bad old ways; dozing for Portsmouth's goal last week and now handing the initiative to United.
Diaby was Diaby; some good flashes instantly undone by shiteness in a split second. That was one of the worst own goals I've ever seen but in hindsight totally to be expected by somebody who always looks like he's half asleep.
That was today's Arsenal; the ability to play good football but with a lack of killer instinct, a lack of mental strength (witness how we offered nothing after we went 2-1 down) and too much reliance on players who are squad player-quality at best.
The one hope is that this finally causes Wenger to realise this and invest on just a couple of top quality players. Sadly I doubt this would happen.
Kev, me and you would get on well mate!! Exactly my thoughts
I don't think we have too much to worry about. We outplayed them most of the game and made them look beeter when we inevitably had to chase the game.
The Mancs did not play well and were gifted a couple of goals. Foster made a great save to deny RVP.
We really missed Cesc today - the Cesc that was at his best and running games at the start of the season.
We have too many inconsistent players who give the ball away or make the wrong decisons.
I worry about Arshavin. He wants to play in the middle and in the absence of Cesc he should be given the chance. It doesn't look like he has gelled with his team mates.
I also worry about RvP. He hasn't done much this season.
Glitch33 wrote:I don't think we have too much to worry about. We outplayed them most of the game and made them look beeter when we inevitably had to chase the game.
The Mancs did not play well and were gifted a couple of goals. Foster made a great save to deny RVP.
We really missed Cesc today - the Cesc that was at his best and running games at the start of the season.
We have too many inconsistent players who give the ball away or make the wrong decisons.
I worry about Arshavin. He wants to play in the middle and in the absence of Cesc he should be given the chance. It doesn't look like he has gelled with his team mates.
I also worry about RvP. He hasn't done much this season.
But apart from that you're not worried!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Glitch33 wrote:I don't think we have too much to worry about. We outplayed them most of the game and made them look beeter when we inevitably had to chase the game.
The Mancs did not play well and were gifted a couple of goals. Foster made a great save to deny RVP.
We really missed Cesc today - the Cesc that was at his best and running games at the start of the season.
We have too many inconsistent players who give the ball away or make the wrong decisons.
I worry about Arshavin. He wants to play in the middle and in the absence of Cesc he should be given the chance. It doesn't look like he has gelled with his team mates.
I also worry about RvP. He hasn't done much this season.
Mate you say that there is nothing much to worry about but you then say that we have too many inconsistant players, rvp hasnt done much this season, arshavin hasnt gelled and isnt happy and that we are too reliant on cesc.....doesnt sound too confident to me
Glitch33 wrote:I don't think we have too much to worry about. We outplayed them most of the game and made them look beeter when we inevitably had to chase the game.
The Mancs did not play well and were gifted a couple of goals. Foster made a great save to deny RVP.
We really missed Cesc today - the Cesc that was at his best and running games at the start of the season.
We have too many inconsistent players who give the ball away or make the wrong decisons.
I worry about Arshavin. He wants to play in the middle and in the absence of Cesc he should be given the chance. It doesn't look like he has gelled with his team mates.
I also worry about RvP. He hasn't done much this season.
But apart from that you're not worried!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Worried? With a midfield of Denilson,Diaby,Song and Eboue you bet im fucking worried.Not since the days of Jensen.Hillier and Selly has there been a worse Arsenal midfield
Postives:
Bar one or two positional errors by Clichy, our back four were a rock that Rooney and co could not breach however hard they try, immense throughout. Sagna even hit some decent crosses
Felt Song was a good screen till we went 2-1 down and then he didn't seem to know if he should go further up the pitch or remain as a dm. In those situations, he should probably be one of the first we take off. Denilson got forward a lot more and got attacks going with good passing, was often a big reason for our counters, poor once we went 2-1 down. Diaby, own goal aside, did well before then and was very good afterwards, good feet and thought most of his passes found their man though his shot when clear was awful
Van Persie and Arshavin at times were anaymous and at time sshowed their tricks and flicks but Van Persie's goal drought is a seroius concern. Eboue's dive was a disgrace and overshadowed a decent performance, providing help to Sanga when he could and some good passes to set up two decent chances. Nic came on and after a poor start, dictacted things more in last ten minutes and hit fantastic cross
We outplayed Man U for most of the game, hit woodwork, should have had a penalty, should have scored a 2nd from close range, Arshavin could have had another, Diaby wasted a good chance, another day we get that second. Another keeper, we get that 1st
Negatives:
Almunia, guilty in both goals. Again
Eboue's dive, Diaby's own goal, Van Persie's drought, the failure of the subs other then Nic. The defeat
i just sent a girl i'm going out with to hell, i'm pissed of with the world right now.
you can all discuss about our 433, about our midfielders, about anything you want - we were the better team, we had the better chances and we should have fucking won the god damn shitty fucking game.
we didn't because of two simple things: almunia is a brainless chicken even though he is good goalkeeper, and diaby is 8ft12in but cannot head a god damn fucking ball!!
i'm changing my veredict. we do need a goalkeeper. that makes 3 necessary signings.
and please, will someone teach diaby how to head a fucking ball! i'm 5ft5in and i kick his ass in the air.
Didn't notice it while watching the game live at The Gunners but you talk about silencing a crowd; the Mancs shouting "UNITED, UNITED, UNITED" then Arshavin tells them to shut the fuck up with that thunderbolt.
Clsssic. Never has a goal celebration been so appropriate.
