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.
augie wrote:Jesus Christ 1989 you are really losing the run of yourself - BFG I am a huge fan of but in reality he doesn't bring anywhere near the required level of aggression or physicality. Kos brings pace but is also reckless whilst wally brings pace and fcuk all else Flamoney, despite being lauded as the return of a much loved prodigal son ( ), brings energy (very important I agree) but that energy is matched with a lack of discipline and try as he may he will never be able to bring physicality to our midfield
I dont get the criticism of Kos and "reckless challenges" often aimed at him because he is not positionally aware and needs to lunge in because he finds himself on the wrong side or out of position.
I have seen him numerous times lunging in, yes, and making last ditch, (not "wreckless") challenges.
But not because he was out of position or tactically unaware but because he was covering for TV5 and had to use his fantastic pace to get over and pull him out of a hole. Had he not got the great pace he would not have been able to make any kind of challenge, last ditch, wreckless or otherwise.
More recently he has not had to cover for others so much and therefore hasnt had to make "reckless challenges" because I believe we have a settled CB partnership and a more solid defense. Add Flamini to that equation and it gets even better.
So I believe Kos needs to be praised for using his fantastic pace to cover rather than criticised for being "wreckless".
augie wrote:Jesus Christ 1989 you are really losing the run of yourself - BFG I am a huge fan of but in reality he doesn't bring anywhere near the required level of aggression or physicality. Kos brings pace but is also reckless whilst wally brings pace and fcuk all else Flamoney, despite being lauded as the return of a much loved prodigal son ( ), brings energy (very important I agree) but that energy is matched with a lack of discipline and try as he may he will never be able to bring physicality to our midfield
Not sure that's all that important.
How many times has our midfield been over run? and bullied out of games? - it use to happen, but I'm not convinced that's happening these days.
We tend to dominate the midfield now, and most tellingly, even in away games we seem to have a measure of control that is showing in our results which must surely be the best away form in the league for 2013??? I'd be amazed if it's not!
To be honest, although I'd still love a world class holding player, I don't think physicality is an issue. We're standing our ground well in that area.
Alex Mong was a physical player (on the rare occasion he was in the same postcode as the football) and used to be a target around here because he gave too many free kicks in dangerous areas and got booked a lot. It is not 1975 anymore, positional discipline, energy and technique are far, far more important then being physical with the opposition.
Flamini understands his position, it is very rare that I'm watching a dangerous opposition attack thinking "where the fuck is Flamini?", other then when he is on the bench.
Obviously strength is still important, you don't want players being knocked off the ball at will but as you say there is not an awful lot of evidence that we're suffering that at the moment.
Theoperator wrote:Dare I suggest that the incompetance shown by other teams may have something to do with the inexperience all their teams managers have with their current teams. May it not be a coincidence that Pardews teams is showing more resilliance than others
I have faith in this team to keep going, and I do believe we will win the league this season.
I know we have thrown it away with shocking regularity, but things are different enough for that not to happen this season
augie wrote:Jesus Christ 1989 you are really losing the run of yourself - BFG I am a huge fan of but in reality he doesn't bring anywhere near the required level of aggression or physicality. Kos brings pace but is also reckless whilst wally brings pace and fcuk all else Flamoney, despite being lauded as the return of a much loved prodigal son ( ), brings energy (very important I agree) but that energy is matched with a lack of discipline and try as he may he will never be able to bring physicality to our midfield
Not sure that's all that important.
How many times has our midfield been over run? and bullied out of games? - it use to happen, but I'm not convinced that's happening these days.
We tend to dominate the midfield now, and most tellingly, even in away games we seem to have a measure of control that is showing in our results which must surely be the best away form in the league for 2013??? I'd be amazed if it's not!
To be honest, although I'd still love a world class holding player, I don't think physicality is an issue. We're standing our ground well in that area.
g88ner I don't dispute my preference for a big physical midfielder (a la PV4) but my point was actually in response to 1989's comments about what flamoney (and the others he listed) brings to the team. Yes we often dominate possession but that is more a case of when we have it we hold it whilst my point was more thinking about games like the chavs or citeeh where we will be up against physically imposing players who will also be able to retain possession.
LDB, song never was nor will he ever be a physical powerful player - what he was/is, is a player who gives away sooo many cheap stupid free kicks by pulling a jersey or tripping an opponent and he was always one of the most indisciplined useless c*nts that I have seen represent our club in recent years
Back to the game in question, am I right in saying that the bald manc c*nt (fred whateverhisnameis ) is offering 7/1 for an Arsenal win today ? Was watching sky earlier and I am fairly sure that is what the ad said
Doesn't matter what their weaknesses [No player is perfect] all what counts is disciplined defensive performances and both have done excellently well and the number of clean sheets shows that.
Now if we only get rid of shitty zonal marking and we'd have the near perfect defense.
interesting that AW has gone for Arteta over Flamini again. i reckon this means the same formula, get at them, early doors goal, shut up shop and score 1,2 more....
well excited for this today after yesterdays results.
Flamoney, despite being lauded as the return of a much loved prodigal son (
Was watching sky earlier and I am fairly sure that is what the ad said
