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:Totally mixed feelings over this game - on one hand we need the pyscological boost of a victory over our rivals but the league is still the priority for me and I wouldnt want the fa cup and any possible injuries to get in the way of that. Having said all that it does piss me off royally that cesc and wenger claimed he was fit for barca and yet has been ruled out for this game
Do we play a 2nd string and run the risk of a similar outcome to the 4-0 drubbing we got up there in the cup a few seasons ago ? On the other hand if we play our best available 11 and still lose how will that affect us ? Mind you manure are in a similar situation to us except that they have a crucial game v marseille on tues night so what kind of a team will they put out ?
Obviously am hoping for a win but being honest I am not expecting one
Not sure if you’re saying that would be a consideration for you, or if you just think Wenger might be thinking that way, but not picking your strongest team, on the basis that losing with a weakened team might be less damaging than losing with a strong one, would be an absolutely shocking defeatist choice.
Enforced prioritising of other trophies, injuries, fatigue etc are all understandable reasons obviously (although the 1st isnt relevant here as we have a week till the next match), but other than that if it’s there to go for surely you have to go for it?!
As I said already mate, the league is the absolute priority for me and every decision for tomorrow should be made with that in mind. When I spoke about the negative impact losing with our full team tomorrow could have I wasnt talking about the impact it would have on me but on the players. We all know that despite wenger's bullshit comments our players have the most fragile mentality (probably) in world football and could we honestly believe in their ability to bounce back after such a result ? Personally I wouldnt put money on this team to beat any team on any given day such is the inconsistancy and poor attitude that we see so frequently from them so how can we disregard the possible implications that a loss tomorrow would have on them ? It may well be a sad state of affairs but right now this is a very real concern
Heard on Soccer AM that some bookies have us a 12/1 to win. Anyone know who it was because I wouldn't mind putting a few quid on that. I usually use William Hill but its 13/5. 12/1 looks alot more inviting.
Really good 25+ minute segment / discussion on (just) Arsenal on Soccer Saturday just now. If anyone's recorded to their planner it's well worth the watch.
They covered everything, from Wenger's future, Arsenal's style of play, Fabregas, the trophy drought, today's game and more, and it was very balanced (actually pro-Arsenal, if anything).
OnlyGotOneSong wrote:Heard on Soccer AM that some bookies have us a 12/1 to win. Anyone know who it was because I wouldn't mind putting a few quid on that. I usually use William Hill but its 13/5. 12/1 looks alot more inviting.
Bring Back Pires wrote:Really good 25+ minute segment / discussion on (just) Arsenal on Soccer Saturday just now. If anyone's recorded to their planner it's well worth the watch.
They covered everything, from Wenger's future, Arsenal's style of play, Fabregas, the trophy drought, today's game and more, and it was very balanced (actually pro-Arsenal, if anything).
Saw it myself, was very good. Merse got it spot on imo, I do think though that we are stuck with Wenger as I don't think there is anyone out there that will do a better job than him and is available (Mourinho won't join us, Coyle still lacks experience, and I don't see Van Gaal doing any better than AW). Just wish Wenger will stop being so bloody stubborn and get us the players we need!
Bring Back Pires wrote:Really good 25+ minute segment / discussion on (just) Arsenal on Soccer Saturday just now. If anyone's recorded to their planner it's well worth the watch.
They covered everything, from Wenger's future, Arsenal's style of play, Fabregas, the trophy drought, today's game and more, and it was very balanced (actually pro-Arsenal, if anything).
Saw it myself, was very good. Merse got it spot on imo, I do think though that we are stuck with Wenger as I don't think there is anyone out there that will do a better job than him and is available (Mourinho won't join us, Coyle still lacks experience, and I don't see Van Gaal doing any better than AW). Just wish Wenger will stop being so bloody stubborn and get us the players we need!
I agreed with Merson on the fact that people only like Arsenal (and specifically, our style of football) because we're not a serious threat to any trophies anymore.
I disagreed with him on the fact that RVP's sending off didn't change the game on Tuesday night (but enough's been written about that in the last four days), and I'm also unconvinced that Wenger would be in greater demand than Mourinho if they were both sacked today.
I was surprised that Charlie Nicholas has the confidence that AW will sign a central defender this summer; especially if we win the league (which is what Nicholas was projecting*). I remain convinced that after failing to sign a 'keeper last summer, he'll never strengthen in the necessary areas ever again. He was lucky that Almunia and Fabianski both had injuries, and that Szczesny ended up in the first-team. I honestly don't think AW had any intentions of making him our number one.
* - Just to clarify, Nicholas said, "If AW won the league, I'd imagine that he'd go out and buy a central defender this summer".
lol, those odds roughly equate to our perceived chances of doing the double, assume it must have been that they were referring to
I got quite excited when I heard it! They said it was something to do with Man Utd losing 3 games in a row. They havent done it in so many years or some stat like that. The best I can find to beat Utd today is almost 3/1. (thanks to BBP).
