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.
It's often said that a football club's ambitions come down with the Christmas decorations. All too frequently at Arsenal, the dream ends when most households are still struggling to find the festive lights in the loft.
In a media conference after that defeat the Arsene Wenger revealed a hitherto concealed grasp of Anglo-Saxon, using a word for which lesser mortals (Didier Drogba) have been banned.
His unprofessorial reaction came in response to suggestions that his players will aim to be fit for next summer's World Cup. No doubt there was even more effing and blinding after England hopeful Kieran Gibbs was crocked again against Standard, adding to a lengthy injury list. Robin van Persie, Gael Clichy, Johan Djourou, Abou Diaby and Nicklas Bendtner were already ailing.
Until his recent injury, Robin van Persie was used in the solo attacking role. Since the loss of the Dutchman - who makes a habit of popping up in unflagged offside positions against Chelsea - Wenger has struggled to find a replacement who can make his preferred set-up work.
The system, with the limited Alexandre Song in the defensive midfield position, releases skipper Cesc Fabregas to use his attacking flair more readily with Abou Diaby helping Song out.
Although Vermaelen had added goals at one end of the pitch, he has done nothing to diminish this problem at the other. Sunderland's winner arose from the Dutchman missing a corner ball and then failing to react quickly enough to the knockdown in the box.
With Vermaelen standing 5ft 11in in his high heels and Gallas just 6ft, Arsenal have a remarkably short centre of defence. Wenger will be wary of the threat a far taller Chelsea side present.
With the right delivery, Chelsea's advantage at set-plays could prove decisive. Drogba, John Terry, Alex, Michael Ballack and Branislav Ivanovic, all 6ft 2in, could all be prowling in the Arsenal box. The Gunners will have two 6ft 1in players but many much, much shorter.
If Wenger needs any reminding, he could study Alex's headed goal from a free kick here last season, executed with little opposition. Alex, of course, has made a habit of scoring against Arsenal for Chelsea and former club PSV.
The four in Chelsea's diamond, especially if Frank Lampard recovers in time, also have superiority in terms of power and experience over their counterparts that Carlo Ancelotti will be keen for them to exert.
i wish somehow pat rice could get that up on the wall in the dressing room
Midweek brings a visit to Blackburn in the quarter final of the League Cup, then it is off to Eastlands to test the mettle of moneybags Manchester City.
Them singing "you should have stayed at a bit club" to Gallas was amusing, if slightly bizarre.
It appears that their away fans have purchased the "Man Utd away fans bible" and now sing "you've only come to see the Chelsea" (really? Does hoofing the ball count as tactics now??). And "We forgot that you were here".... after being the quietest away support we've had at home for years.
digger wrote:Them singing "you should have stayed at a bit club" to Gallas was amusing, if slightly bizarre.
It appears that their away fans have purchased the "Man Utd away fans bible" and now sing "you've only come to see the Chelsea" (really? Does hoofing the ball count as tactics now??). And "We forgot that you were here".... after being the quietest away support we've had at home for years.
c**ts, of the very highest order.
i only noticed the glory hunters were at the grove after they put the third one away, and half the gooners headed for the exit
Was in row 9 behind the clock end goal, got pissed on for about the first 20 mins but the wind changed direction. Fucking shite day for football though. Knew our prima donnas wouldn't fancy it in the rain.
The Chelsea website is for Chelsea fans, and is written accordingly.
Arsenal go out of their way not to offend or be controversial in any way. Personally, I find Arsenal.com boring and bland, so I'm not going to criticise Chelsea for tailoring their website a little differently.
I see why you brought it up though, Lethal... although I do think much of it is slightly tongue in cheek, and should taken with a pinch of salt