Match Reaction vs Hull (home)

[McNamara That Ghost...]

I wish we could destroy teams but great stuff anyway. :scarf:

[Ollie the Optimist]

Bendtner :bow:

Arsene the ultimate troll. easy win. we really are flying right now.


and united have lost. 12 points behind us :haha:

[Syn]

Very efficient. Not great on the eye but kept Hull at arms length throughout. Quite a few bodies rested and it looked like Ozil and Ramsey were taking the second half quite easy. All in all, ideal.

[GP]

Routine.

Keeping the momentum going nicely.

[Özim]

Good win going into the toughest period of the season so far.

[fakeyank]

Next 4 games:
Everton
Napoli
City
Chelsea

Avoid defeat in these and the title is coming home! :scarf:

[Japan Shaking All Over]

God I love this team.....cough cough NicB ultimate WUM

[milla]

Very efficient. Not great on the eye but kept Hull at arms length throughout. Quite a few bodies rested and it looked like Ozil and Ramsey were taking the second half quite easy. All in all, ideal.

In other word, Bendtner :bow:

[Master Splinter]

After an early little burst, it was a 70 minute training session and obvious energy conservation. Nothing really to take out of the match other than the return of an Arsenal legend, some lovely close control and one-twos and another clean sheet while rivals are losing or conceding in spades.

Ramsey with two pieces of gorgeous play to set up the goals again :bow:.

Rest for Giroud :bow:.

Arsenal :bow:.

I hope we smash someone soon though. Everton and Napoli will do.

[milla]

My only criticism is we were a bit sloppy at the back. We need to improve our concentration level against big boys starting next Saturday. :coffee:

[Master Splinter]

They've finally realised we have a good squad on 5 live!

They'll recocgnise the unimportance of BFG being 'slow' in 2034.

They might discover that Ozil, Cazorla, Wilshere, Ramsey, Rosicky and Arteta are not in fact identical technical midget footballers in death.

[Master Splinter]

My only criticism is we were a bit sloppy at the back. We need to improve our concentration level against big boys starting next Saturday. :coffee:

We've let most teams have the ball this season when we know they can't hurt us. Our defensive performances in the really big games have been much more focused. Even in the United game, we only conceded from a scumbag's shoulder.

[Ollie the Optimist]

Three games, nine points, 7:0 goals - Winter-wonderland in London. @MesutOzil1088


i love him

[McNamara That Ghost...]

He's gonna break our hearts. :(

[milla]

Flavs, welcome back you old fart! :coffee:

[fakeyank]

From BBC Sport

Sunderland manager Gus Poyet: "When you score three goals at home to a team like Chelsea then you expect to get something from it. I'm sad and I will go home a little bit disappointed.

"Eden Hazard was outstanding."

Asked whether his Sunderland side have just played the champions, Poyet added: "I am sure. I can tell you after playing Chelsea that they are going to be champions."

This the kind of stuff that needs to be plastered all over the dressing room for the players to read everyday and motivate themselves to prove the doubters wrong!

[Penguin]

It's not that surprising, we'd probably hear the same thing if it was a former Arsenal player managing against us.

[Herbert_Chapman's_Zombie]

this kind of thing is annoying me now, i literally can't watch Match of the Day unless i have to because of the biased nature of it....we cannot win the title because either we don't have enough striking options (cough yet Chelsea do) and we are not good enough when we don't have possession (cough one goal conceded in five games compared to Chelsea's eight goals in five games).
The post match analysis was a disgrace talking about chelsea's flowing football and ignoring the fact that they conceeded three piss poor goals from set pieces where they were static and didn't clear their lines......yet if that was us it would been used as a stick to beat us with.
If we make any defensive error it's seen as our achilles heel and when we have the best defensive record in the league which we do it's completely ignored.....

[Herbert_Chapman's_Zombie]

and does that prick Alan Hansen think United will still challenge for the title?

[Marc Overmars]

Another comfortable win played out in 3rd gear.

Highlight of the match was the 2nd minute. Literally about 10 seconds before Bendtner's goal, someone shouts for no reason "fuck off you Danish cunt!!!". :haha:
Brought about waves of laughter in the block I was in when he scored. Well done to him though, should have had a 2nd if he didn't have the touch of a rapist.

Anyway, what do we do if Giroud is injured? :coffee:

Should have buried them in the first half but I suppose killing it early in the 2nd was good enough. The rest of the game was rather pedestrian, would have been good to really go for the kill as we haven't really done that to teams this season, but you can't really knock another comfortable performance and clean sheet as well.

Everton, City and Chelsea in a row now. With Napoli inbetween.

Big few weeks ahead.

Come on you Gunners. :scarf:

[Power n Glory]

Slight boos as Bendy's name is called out. It's dumb to boo our own player before a ball has been kicked. Luckily for him he scored an early goal otherwise people would have been on his back all day which would just compound his nerves! Every touch and decision under scrutiny. It's not smart to pile pressure on him like that.


Anyway...a very comfortable victory and treated like a training session. Rambo stepped up and started testing the keeper once it got a bit too silly with all the passing. The 2nd goal was sweet! Good to see Bendy score the first goal. Easy game.

[She Wore A Yellow Ribbon]

Good win

Easy cruise

Monreal was brilliant

It's coming home :bow:

[Syn]

http://i.minus.com/irVdkMNSUKn5Z.gif

[fakeyank]

http://i.minus.com/irVdkMNSUKn5Z.gif

http://i191.photobucket.com/albums/z261/TheAceRock/RandyMarshJizz.jpg?t=1246916211

[footloose, the wanderer]

Lovely weighted pass by Rambo......Ozil influence rubbing off on youngsters already?

[AFC Leveller]

Another very good win, clean sheet and some encouraging signs too. The tempo in the first half was too high for Hull and they barekly left their 18 yard box in the first 25 mins. we could have had 3 or 4 but kept playing too many 1, 2s.

Would like us to shoot more next time given that we have Santi, Rambo and Ozil who can strike the ball beter than most.

Everton next up, will be much tougher than tonight esp after they won at OT.

[Penguin]

Their #4 fell asleep there. He probably thought Ramsey was going to shoot :lol:

[LDG]

Didn't get out of first gear really.

Funny how the early goal kills the game a bit sometimes. I thought we were on for our annual 7 up.

Good that some of them had a rest, and our exertions weren't too high for those that didn't get a bench day.

[Fist of Lehmann]

Anyway, what do we do if Giroud is injured? :coffee:


Drop points and cry.

All credit to him though, he played about as well as you could have hoped for a guy who has barely had a kick this season. That's 1.25 decent performances to 1 shite one for him so far.

Overall we won, rested Bif, and Bendtner had a nice shop window performance. That's good for him AND us, and exactly how this marriage of convenience should be working.

Elsewhere I thought Monreal was excellent and of course, Ramsey's gonna Ramsey.
All that being said, we haven't played anyone yet. Can't wait for the next 4 games. Come at us bros.

[Munchies]

http://i.minus.com/ibwc8VIE9tNaWS.gif

:lol:

http://metrouk2.files.wordpress.com/2013/12/ad_122075299-e1386241537629.jpg
:haha:

[Letters]

http://i.minus.com/ibwc8VIE9tNaWS.gif

:lol:
I love this team :loveblush:

It's weird how much and how quickly it has turned around. This time last year we were all :fury: and :threaten: and :rolleyes: with them. Now we're all :loveblush: and :patrice: and :yippee:

[I am invisible]

There's something really satisfying about the routine way that we're dispatching the teams that we should be beating - I don't have any nerves going into these games at the moment.

I'm also loving how (West Brom aside) we just don't do draws any more - draws are for cowards!

[She Wore A Yellow Ribbon]

http://i.minus.com/ibwc8VIE9tNaWS.gif

:lol:

http://metrouk2.files.wordpress.com/2013/12/ad_122075299-e1386241537629.jpg
:haha:

Santi trying to pinch his cheeks :haha: :haha:

[Syn]

Their #4 fell asleep there. He probably thought Ramsey was going to shoot :lol:

He didn't - he was checking to see he was marking Ozil. Did everything right apart from maybe when he checked where Ozil was, he could've just tried tugging his shirt. By the time he looked forward Ozil was already putting it in the net. Ozil seems to be great at ghosting into space. Think about his role in Wilshere's 2nd goal against Marseille.

Great attacking players seem to have this ability to find pockets of space in the attacking 1/3. Van Persie is the master of it right now - even if there are 5 defenders around him, he manages to drift into an area where a pass is on. Ozil seems to have poor composure in front of goal but by the end of the season he'll be 1 in 2 Tactregas goalscorer.

[JonasTC]

I wanna know the story behind Santi trying to pinch Özils ear :D Seriously there is to much bromance in this arsenal team, i love it <3

[Syn]

And Flamini trying to break up the celebrations to get them to focus.

[Fist of Lehmann]

I'm not sure if he intended that way but it ended up a clever piece of misdirection from Ramsey.

The #4 moves to cover the inside channel but when Ramsey checks back out most times you expect the easy ball across the middle. He just wasn't expecting the ball inside or Ramsey's piece of skill to set it up and Ozil's casual trot into that space didn't alert him.

Sick.

[milla]

And Flamini trying to break up the celebrations to get them to focus.

Syn it's about time to change your avatar. Flamini, what a man :bow:

[Marc Overmars]

And Flamini trying to break up the celebrations to get them to focus.

I watched him closely all game and he's really the no nonsense, doesn't give a fuck type until it's full time. Always talking and rallying the players. Great to see, even better than his first spell here because he's a senior leader now.

[Dein-machine]

Far happier than in previous years going into these so called "easy" games expecting to win. We are creating so much infront of goal that inevitably we will take 1 or 2 chances, that plus the fact we are far more solid defensively means we are winning far more games that we would have lost or drawn before. We got away with giving Bentdner a run out yesterday which wasn't really a risk against such a poor Hull side because we are scoring more goals form midfield thna attack. It would also give Giroud a kick up the arse because although I think he started the season very well, I think he has been really poor for the last 6 games. People on here have been talking about him being the "best in the world" at bringing others into play - he's use of the ball has been useless in the last 6 games. It worries me that he isn't on the same wavelength as the clever lads around him. The slight concern is that we are failing to really finish these teams off, can you imagine what our results could have been with a Suarez or Aguero in the side. We need to add finishing quality upfront. Now that we have money to compete, we have to be the team to buy the next super-striker available. It may not be this year but the world cup will give us the Showcase to bring in what we need.
Been in other forums lately to see what the Mancs & Spuds are saying - Ooh to be a Gooner.

[Globalgunner]

Flamini: He`s definitely the man we need in the big battles up ahead. He was seriously missed in the united game...along with Merts of course.

[Letters]

I don't buy we're not finishing teams off. Not really hammering sides maybe but we've won 6 out of the last 7 and none of those wins was by the odd goal.

[Syn]

He`s definitely the man we need in the big battles up ahead. He was seriously missed in the united game...along with Merts of course.

Flamini played the game at Old Trafford. Got himself booked in the first half which is effectively like chopping his balls off.

[Globalgunner]

thanks, which game did he miss when injured then?

[Syn]

I don't buy we're not finishing teams off. Not really hammering sides maybe but we've won 6 out of the last 7 and none of those wins was by the odd goal.

Remember Ian Wright saying there was very little pressure on him when he was playing - said the strikers knew that all they had to do was score 1 goal in the 90 mins and they'd know it'd probably be enough. These days during the match itself the fans are still edgy when the lead is only 1 goal, but the players look completely comfortable letting the opposition have the ball.

[Dein-machine]

I don't buy we're not finishing teams off. Not really hammering sides maybe but we've won 6 out of the last 7 and none of those wins was by the odd goal.

In quite a few of those games Sir Ches has made great saves at 1-0, if they had gone in & with the other side on a high things could have been different. Teams come to Arsenal with a plan, when we score so early they look to their bench as if to see "what now", they are basically fucked. There weeks work on the training ground has gone out the window & they are there for the taking.

[Globalgunner]

Flamini played the game at Old Trafford. Got himself booked in the first half which is effectively like chopping his balls off.
No wonder it felt like he didnt play. at OT the refs are just longing it seems to send our players off and add to the narrative of " Thats Wengers 5 billionth red card in the English game. Is anyone keeping count of Fergies red cards. i bet its more than Wengers, in the same period, didnt Keane have like 6 himself alone?

[GP]

No wonder it felt like he didnt play. at OT the refs are just longing it seems to send our players off and add to the narrative of " Thats Wengers 5 billionth red card in the English game. Is anyone keeping count of Fergies red cards. i bet its more than Wengers, in the same period, didnt Keane have like 6 himself alone?

Keane was the exception because he was insane.

Man Utd players are still massively protected. Rooney literally gets away with murder every week.

[Syn]

thanks, which game did he miss when injured then?

He has missed a few but maybe Borussia Dortmund at home is what you're thinking of. We conceded that winner on the counter that maybe Flamini might've stopped. More recently he has also missed Southampton, Dortmund (away) and Liverpool - won all those games to nil.

[Letters]

In quite a few of those games Sir Ches has made great saves at 1-0, if they had gone in & with the other side on a high things could have been different.
Well of course, but we've been whining for years we haven't had a top class 'keeper, now Chesney is on fire there's no sense complaining he's having to make good saves.
No defence is perfect, having a top 'keeper behind them can make the difference as it did at Cardiff with that outstanding save at 1-0.

We've got the best defence in the country by a distance, we haven't conceded more than 1 goal in a league game since the opening day. I don't think stats like that come about by dumb luck.

[Marc Overmars]

Well of course, but we've been whining for years we haven't had a top class 'keeper, now Chesney is on fire there's no sense complaining he's having to make good saves.
No defence is perfect, having a top 'keeper behind them can make the difference as it did at Cardiff with that outstanding save at 1-0.

We've got the best defence in the country by a distance, we haven't conceded more than 1 goal in a league game since the opening day. I don't think stats like that come about by dumb luck.

We've become very adept at killing games off. We seemingly only raise the tempo for about 20-30 mins these days, get the goals we need in those periods then just use our superiority with the ball to ease to the finish.

We rarely concede the first goal anymore and I think that's key to our success. We haven't actually come from behind to win a game this season, so I'm interested to see how if we can step it up when things aren't going to plan.

[Globalgunner]

Chesney has been great this season but once in a while he does remind you that he's still a kid with some heart stopping flubs. But every keeper commits howlers once in a while. I hope Fabianski is given the FA cup games as we need to keep Chesney on his toes.it shouldnt be too much of a risk.
I think this season so far has been a big surprise to most fans of the club, esp coming from the calamity of the 1st game. I just want to see us stand toe to toe with the 2 big guns left in the league. City and Chelsea, United are going to lose more games against the likes of Villa, Swansea and WBrom. Whereas City have gotten over the hump it seems of losing at away games and Chelsea will somehow keep winning while being unconvincing. The title i feel will be decided on those 6 games between us 3.

Talking of fans, what a prick Ray Wilkins is. Before yesterdays game he was confidently predicting that Rooney would win the game for United....Afterwards of course, he made no mention of how well Everton kept him in check and how poor united were in general.

[Dein-machine]

Well of course, but we've been whining for years we haven't had a top class 'keeper, now Chesney is on fire there's no sense complaining he's having to make good saves.
No defence is perfect, having a top 'keeper behind them can make the difference as it did at Cardiff with that outstanding save at 1-0.

We've got the best defence in the country by a distance, we haven't conceded more than 1 goal in a league game since the opening day. I don't think stats like that come about by dumb luck.

Who's complaining that he's making great saves - I'm complaining that those saves are stopping us from being level in games where we should be out of site. Apart from Napoli game, scoring early seems to me we then go into defensive mode & play on counter attack against shite opposition. The fact that our defence is playing so well should give us even more reason to attack in numbers & go for the 2nd & 3rd goals that kill a team off.

[Penguin]

He didn't - he was checking to see he was marking Ozil. Did everything right apart from maybe when he checked where Ozil was, he could've just tried tugging his shirt. By the time he looked forward Ozil was already putting it in the net. Ozil seems to be great at ghosting into space. Think about his role in Wilshere's 2nd goal against Marseille.

Great attacking players seem to have this ability to find pockets of space in the attacking 1/3. Van Persie is the master of it right now - even if there are 5 defenders around him, he manages to drift into an area where a pass is on. Ozil seems to have poor composure in front of goal but by the end of the season he'll be 1 in 2 Tactregas goalscorer.

It's still a mistake either way. I'm not taking anything away from a great pass by Ramsey but their CB should have had that area covered. It was too easy for us to pass behind him.

[Transplanted Gooner]

Who's complaining that he's making great saves - I'm complaining that those saves are stopping us from being level in games where we should be out of site. Apart from Napoli game, scoring early seems to me we then go into defensive mode & play on counter attack against shite opposition. The fact that our defence is playing so well should give us even more reason to attack in numbers & go for the 2nd & 3rd goals that kill a team off.
Now this I get.
We're only going up by 1 and not letting the superiority count early enough.
As fans, we're still in the mindset that a 1 goal cushion is not enough.
The defence however, is proving us wrong.

[Herbert_Chapman's_Zombie]

Now this I get.
We're only going up by 1 and not letting the superiority count early enough.
As fans, we're still in the mindset that a 1 goal cushion is not enough.
The defence however, is proving us wrong.

And yet despite this no sign of any Arsenal defenders in the Fifa World XI defenders short list....despite the fact that we have the best defensive record and for me the best back four in the league this season.

[Master Splinter]

None of our defenders would get into a North London XI though.

They didn't cost stupid money.

It's all about the On Paper credentials.

[Transplanted Gooner]

And yet despite this no sign of any Arsenal defenders in the Fifa World XI defenders short list....despite the fact that we have the best defensive record and for me the best back four in the league this season.
Don't give a shit about that, TBH.
Just want them to bring home the team silverware.