Match Reaction vs Crystal Palace (away).

[McNamara That Ghost...]

Er well we're still pubbing out the victories away from home. :scarf:

[Letters]

Fantastic meaningless result :bow:

[milla]

We are pubbin' it! :satan::cloud9::clap::title:

[Penguin]

Job done

[fakeyank]

City Chelsea draw would be great :cloud9:

[Özil's Panoramic View]

Every team will have a shit game.

Seems we chose the right team to have it against.

Weekend has barely started, 1st game, but still we know we're top for another week.

Great result with a clean sheet.

Us. :bow:

[Xhaka Can’t]

That was a horror show for the most part, but still 3 points for Halloween.

Chesney was for me the main bright spot - he made some super saves. If he continues developing like this, we are going to have a world class keeper for many years provided he has the mentality to keep improving.

Monreal looked confident on the ball when he came on.

[Munchies]

"I have been disappointed with Mesut Ozil. You expect brilliance from him every time you see him, and he has not done it today." Danny Mills

:doh:

[Marc Overmars]

It was reminiscent at times of those narrow wins we pubbed at the end of last season. We gave them too much encouragement but thankfully it didn't cost us.

5 points clear. :dance:

On we go.

[GP]

Not a good performance, not helped by the utter bullshit red card.

More importantly, Michael Owen is a fucking moron.

3 points are vital, though. Chesney was flawless.

[Maestro]

best 3 points of the season, fantastic result

[RomfordPele]

Best watched without the bt sport commentary on.

Dreadful performance, good result.

Lets hope we find some form by next week. I'd play the kids against Chelsea if need be.

[Globalgunner]

That was as much fun as a rectal examination. As ever, its the result that matters. The real question, is how do we play without Arteta and maybe Flamini

[She Wore A Yellow Ribbon]

thank god we were able to regroup after Arteta's stupid stupid mistake. Nearly cost us

Great team spirit to get us through. Would have buckled losing our DM's in previous years.

Huge 3 points

[Xhaka Can’t]

Leonard Hofstadter - awlful pundit. :haha:

[JonasTC]

Played worst game of the season and still gets a 2-0 with 1 man down... Stuff of champions :bow:

My MotM would probably go to szscesny, since he had some really good saves and everybody else played like shit... Monreal was awesome when he came on, nice to see him taking his chances when he gets them.

[Penguin]

Chesney has been consistently pulling off top, important saves ever since his Villa nightmare. It's even more important in games like this when we're struggling and down to 10 men. Chesney :bow:

[GP]

Leonard Hofstadter - awlful pundit. :haha:

I have no idea who that is

[GP]

How can they hire these so-called pundits who don't even know the rules?

[Xhaka Can’t]

I have no idea who that is

A better looking Hargreaves.

[Özim]

Great win, couldn't watch it as don't have BT Sports but sounds like we just won it without playing well!

A win's a win especially when you're top! Pressure's on the other teams now!

[Syn]

How can they hire these so-called pundits who don't even know the rules?

No idea. 'Last man' is no longer in the rule book.

I think it could've gone either way. It's one of those that you get if you're the home team. Chamakh pushes into Arteta first but I can see why the ref gave it. There's not a clear right answer either way. Overall...who cares. Away win, clean sheet, red card won't really hurt us because he's only banned for the league cup game, enjoy the Saturday.

[Xhaka Can’t]

Great win, couldn't watch it as don't have BT Sports but sounds like we just won it without playing well!

A win's a win especially when you're top! Pressure's on the other teams now!

BT Sports is free this weekend.

[Syn]

http://farm4.staticflickr.com/3767/10492473506_35d64cf232_o.gif

[Nayan]

BT Sports is free this weekend.

Well he didn't miss much. Arsenal won/doesn't count /palace didn't turn up etc

[Munchies]

@jackwhitehall

David James thinks it was a goal scoring opportunity. Yeah maybe if he was in goal.

:haha:

[Xhaka Can’t]

@jackwhitehall

David James thinks it was a goal scoring opportunity. Yeah maybe if he was in goal.

:haha:

Its funny coz its true.

[PGFC]

That was an awlful decision, oh well, BT sports? thanks, but no thanks.

[Letters]

http://farm4.staticflickr.com/3767/10492473506_35d64cf232_o.gif

Ha. Looking it at that angle, I'm not even sure it was a foul.

[Xhaka Can’t]

That was an awlful decision, oh well, BT sports? thanks, but no thanks.

It's free for me - but I wouldn't pay for it - mind you, I wouldn't pay for Sky Sports either.

[Xhaka Can’t]

Ha. Looking it at that angle, I'm not even sure it was a foul.

Does not look like it.

Oh well, no harm no f...

[GP]

Ha. Looking it at that angle, I'm not even sure it was a foul.

Clear foul.

Free Kick to us.

[Dennis Bendtner]

http://farm4.staticflickr.com/3767/10492473506_35d64cf232_o.gif

Good old MAOAM does all he can to initiate contact. Even sticking the leg out. Leaves nothing to chance.

[milla]

Chamakh found his level :coffee:

[PGFC]

It's free for me - but I wouldn't pay for it - mind you, I wouldn't pay for Sky Sports either.

I'm not allowed to have it anyway :( thank heavens for the interwebnet.

[Power n Glory]

http://farm4.staticflickr.com/3767/10492473506_35d64cf232_o.gif
Is that what he was sent off for?

[GP]

Is that what he was sent off for?

lol yes

[Syn]

Good old MAOAM does all he can to initiate contact. Even sticking the leg out. Leaves nothing to chance.

He'll do anything to avoid a chance. His attempt at the clear header today was hilarious.

[Xhaka Can’t]

I owe Cricketsi an apology.

[Nayan]

Good old MAOAM does all he can to initiate contact. Even sticking the leg out. Leaves nothing to chance.

If Chamakh had shown that much guile and nous in an arsenal shirt he'd still be in An arsenal shirt.
Smart move from the shitty one.

[Penguin]

Chamakh is just shielding the ball. I wouldn't call that a foul (by Chamakh) if that happened in the middle of the park.

From that angle it definitely doesn't look like Arteta brought him down intentionally but intention doesn't matter. He catches Chamakh's left boot while he's falling, so foul and a red, surely?

[milla]

Chamakh is just shielding the ball. I wouldn't call that a foul (by Chamakh) if that happened in the middle of the park.

From that angle it definitely doesn't look like Arteta brought him down intentionally but intention doesn't matter. He catches Chamakh's left boot while he's falling, so foul and a red, surely?

No :coffee:

[cricketsi]

I owe Cricketsi an apology.

And here I was contemplating a VDGreg meltdown and semi-permanent GW exit. Easy to have heated difference of opinion mid-match.

[GP]

Chamakh is just shielding the ball. I wouldn't call that a foul (by Chamakh) if that happened in the middle of the park.

From that angle it definitely doesn't look like Arteta brought him down intentionally but intention doesn't matter. He catches Chamakh's left boot while he's falling, so foul and a red, surely?

lol no.

Arteta is only falling because Chamakh has pushed him over.

[cricketsi]

If Chamakh had shown that much guile and nous in an arsenal shirt he'd still be in An arsenal shirt.
Smart move from the shitty one.

Not so sure it's guile and nous as much as panic at the prospect of a one-on-one.

[McNamara That Ghost...]

Look where the ball goes. :lol:

Should be a smoking gun it's not a clear goalscoring opportunity.

[LDG]

Not a good performance, not helped by the utter bullshit red card.

More importantly, Michael Owen is a fucking moron.

3 points are vital, though. Chesney was flawless.

This.

And

:scarf:

[Penguin]

lol no.

Arteta is only falling because Chamakh has pushed him over.

http://www.dailymotion.com/video/x16gk7w_arteta-red-card-vs-crystal-palace_sport?start=33

Look at the first replay, Arteta's right arm is over Chamakh too but he's just weaker and loses balance easily. I'm not sure, I don't think it's clear cut either way. :unsure:

[Syn]

How good were szczesny's saves? He has been excellent since the villa game but this was top stuff. We're nowhere near patient enough with young players. Everyone's 'a bit shit' as soon as they go through a tough spell.

[Dennis Bendtner]

I did have the GK and defenders as the top players for today but the midfield did step up well after the red, pub team opposition or not. Ramsey played his usual Iniesta at 100mph game and Ozil used the ball well and covered a fair amount of ground.

[Edinburgh Gooner]

clean sheet for a change. when i saw the half time score i thought this weren't gonna be our day. giroud needs a rest before we play liverpool.

[Blink 1nce Quince 2wice]

Get in the arse!

Nice to see Giroud score and I really felt it with him when he celebrated. He could have had a hat trick today with the two headers he missed which he would often score. Monreal who I often privately think is very fortunate to be a Spain international was excellent in his cameo today. He looks good for midweek?

Again, I didn't think it was necessary to start both Flamini and Arteta and it was quite ironic, that one went off injured and the other got sent off. We'll live, but this is the kind of pickle you plan to avoid! Arteta is not popular around here but I thought he had another decent game and he was unfortunate with the red. You also have to ask why on earth we were in position where he was not only the furthest outfield player back but the only outfield player back.....particularly after getting done in alarmingly similar fashion only days ago.

Chamakh was verging on fouling Arteta but it is difficult to see in real time at an obscure angle so I sympathise with the ref.

[Tipsychubbs]

Arteta's right leg just below the knee - lifts it up to take out chamakh, he knows what he's doing. Its a professsional foul disguised to look like a coming together.

[Master Splinter]

Good win. There's always the need to eke out disgusting wins against surprisingly tough opponents of all types. This felt like a Cup tie against a really good Championship side where just getting through was required.

We were pretty awlful in attacking terms. The early illusionary domination was footballistically false. Nothing clicked in the final third, Gnabry was losing every ball and Giroud wasted good chances on the day Sagna was actually putting some really good crosses in.

Terrible decision to send Arteta off for being pushed. If anyone's ever watched Chamakh, they'd know trying to draw a foul/diving is his first thought. Going for goal is secondary. Never mind the fact he would have laid it off to his keeper if he had eventually gained control of the ball and got near our box.

Szczesny with some more match-winning saves. A few stupid charges out into the crowd too. Koscielny and Sagna were absolute rocks at the back. Arteta was covering up a lot of sloppiness in the middle today which probably went unnoticed. No blame on him for the red card. Why was no-one back? Good pel from the Capi.

Giroud and Ramsey were under-par today, but they always work hard all over the pitch and their classy contribution was brilliant, not to mention hugely important.

Need the players carrying knocks to be OK for Liverpool next week. Little bit one week rest hopefully does the job.

Arsenal :bow:.

[A Gunner]

We basically pretty much coasted to a win.

Next week is where the real challenges begin and see where we really are!

[Özim]

BT Sports is free this weekend.

Sh*t!

How annoying, I could have watched this!

[Letters]

Sh*t!

How annoying, I could have watched this!

You didn't miss much tbh. Not a great performance but if we are serious about challenging we need to be winning games like that - especially after a mid-week CL game and defeat. We did, which is a good sign. Much tougher tests to come though.

[Xhaka Can’t]

What Letters said.

The highlight was Cheney's saves. He is becoming more convincing by the week.

[Letters]

I thought the first one hit the bar, it was a corner so it must have been a save.
The 2nd one was outstanding.
He was (irritatingly, on that occasion) excellent against England.
Encouraging.
Overall I'm pretty happy with our defence and midfield, up front we lack options though.

[Xhaka Can’t]

If we can keep ourselves in contention by the time the window opens, we really need to splash out on help for Giroud up front.

[Master Splinter]

Arsenal's last 14 games away from home:

WWWWWWWWWWDWDW


http://s3-ec.buzzfed.com/static/enhanced/webdr02/2013/1/31/12/anigif_enhanced-buzz-2991-1359654658-9.gif

[Syn]

It has been clear for some time that our precious flowers play better without Arsenal fans groaning at Ramsey's shitness.




(I don't even know who that's a dig at. Inception level wumming.)

[fakeyank]

Any idea on what happened to Flamini and how serious he is?

[Letters]

He seemed to be rubbing his groin (stop it).

[Dennis Bendtner]

2-3 weeks is the word on that one.

[Maestro]

we need to buy a forward and a defensive midfielder

injuries to flamini and giroud, will land us in a spot of bother

[fakeyank]

We got Dench as back up.. no worries! :cool:

[GP]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xOpWq2WO0ck

:doh: What a mug

[Xhaka Can’t]

What.

The.

Fucking.

Fuck?


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=83n3X0S_lFE

[The Emirates Gallactico]

Guess we finally know what Zimmerman looks like.

[GP]

They're called Daim bars now. No idea why.

[Power n Glory]

:lol:

Negative!

[fakeyank]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xOpWq2WO0ck

:doh: What a mug

What a tosser! :lol:

[LDG]

To be fair. He sounds absolutely slaughtered :lol:

He can't string a sentence together :haha:

I hope AFCTV doesn't ever catch up with me after a game :ninja:

[Nayan]

Arteta's right leg just below the knee - lifts it up to take out chamakh, he knows what he's doing. Its a professsional foul disguised to look like a coming together.

Whether it was that or Chamakh going down easy or even looking for the foul...our last man is often so high up the pitch for a corner that even a shit striker sees he can amble towards our goal like a stoned Denilson and pressure us into making these kinds of decisions.
It's a worry.

[Penguin]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xOpWq2WO0ck

:doh: What a mug
"He's not Bergkamp, he's not Ian Wright"

:blink: :doh:

[pmakgreb]

A win is a win but almost any other team would have punished us yesterday. A performance like that next week and the scousers will destroy us...

[Power n Glory]

We have a tough run ahead of us now. This is where it gets serious. We'll have to dig deep.

Chesney kept us in that game!

[Bumble]

Both us and Liverpool have a tough run of games over next couple montgs. So wipl give a good idea where we stand in tge title chase. Also when was the last time we were 8 points ahead of United.

[Power n Glory]

Just watching MOTD. Savage going in on Chamakh. What a pussy of a player. 2 shots in 10 hours of football! Pathetic. No idea what Wenger thinking.

Hansen is right about the corner kicks. We throw to many men forwards. Also, we can't take our eye off Chelsea and City. It's no coincidence that it's us and Liverpool at the top of the table. Both teams have the stability the others haven't got. Our other rivals have had manager swaps but as the months go on, they may just finally click so we have to be very careful.

I hope Wenger buys in January. Playing both of our DM's was always going to be risky and now we're without both in key games. Not smart. But because he's so bad with team selection, I'm not sure if he'll do it. Too many options causes him a headache. He didn't want to bench Flam, Arteta or Ramsey so he squeezes them in when one of them should be on the bench.

Tough times ahead but if we can defend well, we can pick up points.

[Özim]

I hope AFCTV doesn't ever catch up with me after a game :ninja:

Me too, or before a game or even during a game!

[Özim]

Whether it was that or Chamakh going down easy or even looking for the foul...our last man is often so high up the pitch for a corner that even a shit striker sees he can amble towards our goal like a stoned Denilson and pressure us into making these kinds of decisions.
It's a worry.

Yeah that was poor, same thing happened at Villa we had noone back, suicidal at 1-0. Fortunately it was only Chamakh who couldn't hit a cows arse with a banjo!

[Özim]

Just watching MOTD. Savage going in on Chamakh. What a pussy of a player. 2 shots in 10 hours of football! Pathetic. No idea what Wenger thinking.

Yeah, I can kinda understand Bendtner in a sense, being stuck behind this donkey in the pecking order must have been soul destroying, one of the worst footballers we've ever had at this club no question.

[Marc Overmars]

He's certainly the most gutless striker I've ever seen.

[Syn]

I hope the club are doing everything they can to keep Sagna. He had an awful few months last year where for the first time in about 5 years he didn't look committed and made far too many mistakes which ended up costing us, but in the last 10 months or so he's back to being the best RB in the league. Unless we are going to bring in a truly top quality RB, we just cannot afford for him to go on a free to Man City or PSG or wherever. The talk is that we're offering a 1 year contract and he wants 3 years. He's only 30, and more importantly he looks to have physically recovered from the two broken legs. Show him the money.

[Marc Overmars]

Bar last season the guy has always been a minimum 7/10 performer. Great RB and I'm not sure I'd have anyone else there. GHELkinson is not on his level right now either.

[Syn]

https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-Djg0wuAXFaw/UmwJlnf4pAI/AAAAAAAAAFc/_A-FCzuevFU/w465-h250-no/fgf.gif

[Master Splinter]

Plus, Sagan is a tank.

[Power n Glory]

Yeah, I can kinda understand Bendtner in a sense, being stuck behind this donkey in the pecking order must have been soul destroying, one of the worst footballers we've ever had at this club no question.

Yep, I thought he was right to be pissed about being held back for a player like Chamakh. No idea what Wenger was thinking with that move. We waited a year for that guy.

Giroud, Chamakh, Bendy, Ade....all very similar players in my book. What they can/ could have been for the club is only separated by small margins ability wise. Are is the quickest of the bunch but they are technically flawed players. Not as polished as what we're used to here. But attitude and work rate is what really separates these guys. If you put in the work, you'll get a good return of goals. Ade demonstrated that and Giroud is doing it now. Bendy would be in the team if he worked harder and didn't have that nonchalant attitude.

[Letters]

Me too, or before a game or even during a game!

I don't think AFCTV broadcast from your sofa.

#WUM

[Penguin]

https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-Djg0wuAXFaw/UmwJlnf4pAI/AAAAAAAAAFc/_A-FCzuevFU/w465-h250-no/fgf.gif

:haha:

[fakeyank]

I hope the club are doing everything they can to keep Sagna. He had an awful few months last year where for the first time in about 5 years he didn't look committed and made far too many mistakes which ended up costing us, but in the last 10 months or so he's back to being the best RB in the league. Unless we are going to bring in a truly top quality RB, we just cannot afford for him to go on a free to Man City or PSG or wherever. The talk is that we're offering a 1 year contract and he wants 3 years. He's only 30, and more importantly he looks to have physically recovered from the two broken legs. Show him the money.

:gp:

Even if he slows down, we can move him towards the center. MUST KEEP! Besides I think he is the oldest squad player at Arsenal. We need experienced heads in the dressing room. I can see all top teams coming in for his services.

[Bumble]

:gp:

Even if he slows down, we can move him towards the center. MUST KEEP! Besides I think he is the oldest squad player at Arsenal. We need experienced heads in the dressing room. I can see all top teams coming in for his services.
Isn't arteta older? But we have to keep. He can teach the youngsters to defend plus he can play two positions.

[Özim]

I don't think AFCTV broadcast from your sofa.

#WUM

Wasn't talking about me :doh:

[Letters]

Wasn't talking about me :doh:

:lol:

Yeah, I...

:getcoat:

[Dein-machine]

Had hoped Wumger wouldnt see the need to play 2 dm's against cannon fodder like we did against Norwich. Our 4 defenders are good enough to deal with whatever they had & the quality of our midfield will mean they will be told to play deep & not attack to much. When we do this the 4 attacking players all have to be on their games otherwise it gets scrappy like Sat. I think the Napoli performance has gone to Wumgers head & he thinks its the only way to play. Against teams that are going to "park the bus" we should adopt what Rodgers is doing at Liverpool & play 3 at the back. This will mean that we won't have to drop one of our midfield maestros when Walcott returns, we simply put him upfront with Giroud. We'll see the best of Ozil when he has Walcott's pace uptop. Going to be very interesting tactically at the weekend - hope Wumgers up for it.

[Herbert_Chapman's_Zombie]

I didn't watch the game live as I didn't feel like going into a pub to watch the BT sports channel, think i was still feeling pretty raw from the Dortmund game to be honest....i always take defeat badly when i feel that we don't deserve to lose.

It makes it even worse when you have to watch the highlights on Match of the Day, it comes to something about what a self-satisfied prat Hansen is who no longer has any meaningful or insightful comments to make about the game that i agreed with Robbie Savage of all people over him....i think at this moment in time i would rather face a strike force of Rooney and Van Persie than Sturridge and Suarez....i think in terms of raw pace and link up play between them the Liverpool strike force is a more effective one.
And then Hansen tries to make this point about us not retaining enough cover from offensive set pieces by using the example of a game against Everton almost four years ago, like it's a key undermining flaw that will mean mean we can't win the title than a bit of tactical naievity that is easily addressed.....and yet Man United whom every one of their players was so easily brushed off the ball by Stoke at the weekend will obviously finish above us....i can't enjoy the program any more because i have no respect for any of the opinions of these people. Gary Neville can be biased at times, but he has been open and honest about United's problems this year and is an interesting pundit and commentator to listen to.

I thought we played poorly on Saturday, but our defence for me is far less prone to individual error than any of the teams that Hansen thinks is miles better than ours.

[PGFC]

How did so many people not know BT Sports was free-to-air for our game? BT Sports :pal: can't even give it away.

[selassie]

Anybody else slightly concerned with our recent dip in form what with the Liverpool and Man United games coming up? Southampton Home won't be easy either, they are a very good team.

I dunno, maybe it's fatigue, but or last couple of performances have worried me a bit.

[BOBN]

"He's not Bergkamp, he's not Ian Wright"

:blink: :doh:
Yep, hilarious. Scores way more goals than that Bergkamp ever did.

And why are we pretending that red card was controversial? All Chamakh would have had to do was square the ball to the man running freely in the centre and it was a sitter. Comical that Arteta was effectively left 2 on 1. These need to sharpen up.

[Letters]

And why are we pretending that red card was controversial?

Probably because of this angle which clearly shows Chamakh shoulder barging Arteta over and then falling over Arteta's feet as he falls.

http://farm4.staticflickr.com/3767/10492473506_35d64cf232_o.gif

And look where the ball goes, way out wide. He'd have had a lot to do to get there and centre the ball, there's no way to be certain that defenders wouldn't have been covering.

[Nayan]

Anybody else slightly concerned with our recent dip .

I dunno, maybe it's fatigue, but or last couple of performances have worried me a bit.

Dont worry fella. They say it happens to lots of guys.

[Syn]

BAM!

[LDG]

:haha:

[LDG]

Probably because of this angle which clearly shows Chamakh shoulder barging Arteta over and then falling over Arteta's feet as he falls.

http://farm4.staticflickr.com/3767/10492473506_35d64cf232_o.gif

And look where the ball goes, way out wide. He'd have had a lot to do to get there and centre the ball, there's no way to be certain that defenders wouldn't have been covering.

The more I watch that clip, the more angry I get. It was even showed during the match, and none of them seemed to point it out.

It's glaringly obvious that it wasn't a foul, and that if anything, we should have had the freekick.

[Letters]

It was either a foul by Chamakh or, at best, it was a 50-50 shoulder to shoulder challenge and then the clumsy oaf goes and falls over Arteta's feet as he's falling over. There's no sodding way that was even a foul by Arteta let alone a sending off. Must admit the first couple of times I saw it I thought "fair enough" but from that angle it's crystal clear.

[Blink 1nce Quince 2wice]

:gp:

Even if he slows down, we can move him towards the center. MUST KEEP! Besides I think he is the oldest squad player at Arsenal. We need experienced heads in the dressing room. I can see all top teams coming in for his services.


It was either a foul by Chamakh or, at best, it was a 50-50 shoulder to shoulder challenge and then the clumsy oaf goes and falls over Arteta's feet as he's falling over. There's no sodding way that was even a foul by Arteta let alone a sending off. Must admit the first couple of times I saw it I thought "fair enough" but from that angle it's crystal clear.

Perfectly summed up. Chamakh's ducking under the ball was pathetic when he should have punished us and Bendtner being behind someone even more hopeless than he was should have encouraged him to push on if he had any sense in his head.

On a side note, Southampton who are up in a few weeks have only conceded 3 goals! Lovren would have been a lovely signing, who I confess I used to sign as a matter of course on fifa 11 career/manager mode, but had never noticed seeing him play before he came to the prem.

[JonasTC]

in FM12 he used to be awesome aswell, havent checked him out in 13 tho.

We need our scouts to play more FM!

[She Wore A Yellow Ribbon]

FM14 out in 3 days. Preordered and waiting.

[Shaqiri Is Boss]

FM14 out in 3 days. Preordered and waiting.

Though the demo is out now...

[Özim]

The Flamini injury is a bit typical for us, we're coming up to the big games and key players are getting injured unfortunately. Injuries have been a problem for us for a long time and might be are undoing again with the lack of depth of our squad.