Match Reaction vs Wigan Athletic (neutral).

[McNamara That Ghost...]

Well we were dreadful but pubbed our way to the final. :scarf:

[LDG]

Never in doubt.

[fakeyank]

Awful performance but we are in the final. :scarf:

Time to move to a 4-4-2

[I am invisible]

Cakewalk.

[selassie]

Jesus, that was horrible, Wigan didn't even really cause us problems. We need to go & win the final & in style after that showing.

[Özim]

Poor performance but got through, bring on the final!

[Herbert_Chapman's_Zombie]

Poor performance but got through, bring on the final!

Atrocious performance, can't think of anyone who played well apart from Fab in the shoot out, I can't criticise the desire though. This means a lot to the players you can tell.

Special mention for Wigan, played brilliantly and I genuinely hope, genuinely hope they get promoted. Played like a team that you knew you were going to have to prise the cup from their dead fingers. Perch especially stretched every sinue to keep us at bay. A football club you can have real pride in supporting.

[Maestro]

Relived, just relieved and a big thank you to Flappy.

Long since given up on us playing any decent football, so will take any win in the final. Just bring it home now please!

[Munchies]

Fabs :bow:

Double his wages, make him a cup keeper, whatever, he saved our season there.

Where are all of you who wanted Ches ?

Shit performance, done fuck all in 120 mins, but there you go :lol:


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0wHYHMpHmSg

:scarf:

[fari]

excited to be in a final again...the lads need to go out and paste whoever they face

[Herbert_Chapman's_Zombie]

Relived, just relieved and a big thank you to Flappy.

Long since given up on us playing any decent football, so will take any win in the final. Just bring it home now please!

Hopefully this gives us a shot in the arm confidence wise as before the shoot out it was woefully lacking. Tested Carson seriously once in extra time. We need players back desperately we don't look capable of scoring goals. Hard to judge a player based on ten minutes but Kallstrom looks like a load of old shit.

[Marc Overmars]

Really shit performance, again. But fuck it, cup final in the bank.

Time to sort our lives out and finish 4th.

[The Verminator]

Not surprising that with the bad form we're on we didn't produce a great performance.

But we were definitely the better team and deserved to win. We've worked hard to get to the final, it's up for grabs now and let's fucking take it! :)

[Özil's Panoramic View]

Well, that was easy. Had absolutely no doubt we'd win it.

To the finals we go. :patrice:

Us. :bow:

[Letters]

Did we have to play Sanogo today as part of some FA Handicap system to even up the sides.

Dear God we were poor. We are a poor side right now.
We kinda dominated and Wigan never really looked much like scoring till we gave them a hand but we have nothing, NOTHING up front. No threat at all. There's no creativity and no cutting edge.


But...we're in the FA Cup Final. So :scarf:
Great pens. Fabs :bow:

Let's not cock this up now lads.

[Munchies]

https://pbs.twimg.com/media/BlC3zATIQAArga4.jpg

https://pbs.twimg.com/media/BlDC_IwCEAALQK-.jpg

[IBK]

I'm pleased for the players, because no-one could fault their effort today, and they, particularly Fabianski, showed great composure for the penalties. But I'm afraid that this was yet another in an expanding portfolio of games that laid bare the utter ineffectiveness of how the Arsenal team approach the game, and the utter lack of match winners that we have. Other than the goal - it was straightforward as it gets for Wigan to defend against us.

[Niall_Quinn]

Wasn't as much a pub win as a, keg of Special Brew smashed open with a rock because we forgot the tin opener, triumph. Trying to measure how bad Sanogo was is difficult because he was so much worse than any other human being that has ever attempted to play the game. Literally an extra defender for Wigan, thereby leaving us a man light. So we struggled badly to pose any threat to the Wigan goal.

Happily Wigan had come to survive and nick a goal. They almost did when Merts stupidly dived in, at least he made up for it with the equaliser.

Amazed we won the shootout. That extra confidence Flapster gave us with his saves made all the difference. We can pub another result in the final surely, unless we do something really stupid. Like select Sanogo again.

Not much else to say about performances these days, they are all much the same. Poor.

Pub the cup and slip into the Europe Pub League? You have to fancy Everton on the run in now unless we can seriously pull our shit together.

MOTM - Fabianski
Twat of the Match: The ref for not getting the card out for outrageous fouls.

[IBK]

Wasn't as much a pub win as a, keg of Special Brew smashed open with a rock because we forgot the tin opener, triumph. Trying to measure how bad Sanogo was is difficult because he was so much worse than any other human being that has ever attempted to play the game. Literally an extra defender for Wigan, thereby leaving us a man light. So we struggled badly to pose any threat to the Wigan goal.

Happily Wigan had come to survive and nick a goal. They almost did when Merts stupidly dived in, at least he made up for it with the equaliser.

Amazed we won the shootout. That extra confidence Flapster gave us with his saves made all the difference. We can pub another result in the final surely, unless we do something really stupid. Like select Sanogo again.

Not much else to say about performances these days, they are all much the same. Poor.

Pub the cup and slip into the Europe Pub League? You have to fancy Everton on the run in now unless we can seriously pull our shit together.

MOTM - Fabianski
Twat of the Match: The ref for not getting the card out for outrageous fouls.

:gp:

[Munchies]

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vkT3YDyug5w

[fakeyank]

This game just re-enforced my belief that as a team we need to play 4-4-2. I was shouting at the screen when Podolski came off but Sanogo and Giroud caused them all sorts of problems. We really really really need to look into playing 4-4-2 against the shit teams and/or at home. Screw the fact that nobody else plays it etc etc... if it suits us, we should play it! Podolski partnering with Giroud/Sanogo sounds very interesting... Podolski can put his laces through some of the second balls that come out of these situations.

Is it going to happen? Not likely..

[RomfordPele]

Agree on sanogo. It takes a special kind of talent to find a downgrade on chamakh and bendtner, but fuck me arsene has managed it.

Let's hope he can win his trophy and depart with a bit of dignity over the summer.

[She Wore A Yellow Ribbon]

YESSSSSSSDSADDSSADSDDSHUFSDFHUSDSADSASSSASSSSS!!!! !!!!!!!111!!!!

[Bumble]

People are being unfair on sanogo, thought he was better than Giroud when they were on the pitch together. I prefer us to go back to 4-4-2, Wenger used to say 5 in midfield was negative and you covered more areas of the pitch with 4-4-2. Also think that would give more protection to our full backs.

Wigan played well I thought they played how any underdog will play. We've done it before. We got there but we play like that in the league we won't be playing CL football next season.

[Herbert_Chapman's_Zombie]

YESSSSSSSDSADDSSADSDDSHUFSDFHUSDSADSASSSASSSSS!!!! !!!!!!!111!!!!

I'm emotionally a wreck, I feel like someone who has been told by a doctor that I have three months to live, but thirty minutes later informed sorry that was someone else's medical file and I'm going to be fine. Any sense of anger is overridden by an overwhelming sense of relief.

I couldn't celebrate when Mertesacker scored, not because I wasn't happy but first it took me by surprise because I assumed it was offside, but I was so mentally drained It was as much as I could do to raise my arms in elation.

I had been mentally writing Wengers epitaph, and for all the times he has infuriated and frustrated me I was pleading inside "please don't let it end like this" so fuck knows what was going on in his head. I want him so badly to finish in the top four, win us the cup and then go, he's clearly had his time but still feel he deserves to go with his name being sung rather than the Chant of "you don't know what you're doing". Maybe I'm a closet sentimentalist.

[Herbert_Chapman's_Zombie]

People are being unfair on sanogo, thought he was better than Giroud when they were on the pitch together. I prefer us to go back to 4-4-2, Wenger used to say 5 in midfield was negative and you covered more areas of the pitch with 4-4-2. Also think that would give more protection to our full backs.

Wigan played well I thought they played how any underdog will play. We've done it before. We got there but we play like that in the league we won't be playing CL football next season.

He was better than Giroud, but Giroud gives the impression he doesn't care and that the only thing he cares about is page three pussy. I can't fault Sanogo's effort, if only every player worked as hard as him you would wonder what we could achieve, unfortunately there just isn't the technical ability to match his work rate. First touch of a sex offender.

[Bumble]

He was better than Giroud, but Giroud gives the impression he doesn't care and that the only thing he cares about is page three pussy. I can't fault Sanogo's effort, if only every player worked as hard as him you would wonder what we could achieve, unfortunately there just isn't the technical ability to match his work rate. First touch of a sex offender.

Reminds me of Carlton Cole. He tried hard but as you say his control was poor and that is something I don't think improves past twenty. As players develop they know when to pass when to shoot etc but first touch is basic football. He won't make it at arsenal but what do you expect from a French div 2 player who has mainly been injured and came on a free.

[Power n Glory]

I think Sanogo just needs playing time. Helped set up the first goal. Some tidy play linking up with others. Gets in behind defenders too. Some bad touches and needs to get used to the physical game a little. In due time. Was impressed with the shot he was able to pull off with his back to goal on the edge of the box that forced a save. Very simple but it's the sort of thing Giroud just can't do. He had more chances on goal than Giroud has had in weeks. He'll get sharper.

[Herbert_Chapman's_Zombie]

Reminds me of Carlton Cole. He tried hard but as you say his control was poor and that is something I don't think improves past twenty. As players develop they know when to pass when to shoot etc but first touch is basic football. He won't make it at arsenal but what do you expect from a French div 2 player who has mainly been injured and came on a free.

I agree, but I'm not going to get on his back and be abusive towards him as I think he's a good guy who works hard and shows an excellent attitude on the pitch. Woulc Love him to succeed, but my head tells me it just won't happen at the top level.

[Alpha]

Wigan beat Manchester City in FA Cup final last year and kicked them out in 1/4 final this year . I'd be surprised if anyone excepted an easy game today . They was a massive victory from Arse point of view . Worth celebrating really.

[Munchies]

Sanogo definitely isn't ready for us right now, but he was all that we really had, he needs to go out on loan.

[IBK]

I'm emotionally a wreck, I feel like someone who has been told by a doctor that I have three months to live, but thirty minutes later informed sorry that was someone else's medical file and I'm going to be fine. Any sense of anger is overridden by an overwhelming sense of relief.

I couldn't celebrate when Mertesacker scored, not because I wasn't happy but first it took me by surprise because I assumed it was offside, but I was so mentally drained It was as much as I could do to raise my arms in elation.

I had been mentally writing Wengers epitaph, and for all the times he has infuriated and frustrated me I was pleading inside "please don't let it end like this" so fuck knows what was going on in his head. I want him so badly to finish in the top four, win us the cup and then go, he's clearly had his time but still feel he deserves to go with his name being sung rather than the Chant of "you don't know what you're doing". Maybe I'm a closet sentimentalist.

Sincere stuff. I think I agree.

[IBK]

People are being unfair on sanogo, thought he was better than Giroud when they were on the pitch together. I prefer us to go back to 4-4-2, Wenger used to say 5 in midfield was negative and you covered more areas of the pitch with 4-4-2. Also think that would give more protection to our full backs.

Wigan played well I thought they played how any underdog will play. We've done it before. We got there but we play like that in the league we won't be playing CL football next season.

Sanogo did well in terms of energy but his decision making when through on goal is shocking. He looked out of his depth - and his reaction to the chances he got did a lot to convince me that he is no future star.

For example - what number do you think he'd have been if 5 penalties hadn't been enough? About 10th or 11th place for me.

[Munchies]

We were literally around 10 minutes away from the season, and indeed the club imploding.

Massive win. And it'll raise the team's confidence in getting fourth.

Kosc, Ozil, Wilshere, Ramsey fit properly are all soon to be back too.

We have a decent run in with a run of home games, compared to Everton who have United/City, top 4 should be ours hopefully.

[selassie]

Sanogo definitely isn't ready for us right now, but he was all that we really had, he needs to go out on loan.

Yep, he's way too raw. Can't fault him for effort and on occassions he does do some good stuff.

I can only hope the centre forward position is addressed this summer, we need 1 top quality striker and a very good backup striker too IMHO.

[Munchies]

Yep, he's way too raw. Can't fault him for effort and on occassions he does do some good stuff.

I can only hope the centre forward position is addressed this summer, we need 1 top quality striker and a very good backup striker too IMHO.

Diego Costa or someone on his level.
Remy
That Bundesliga guy from Switzerland

Get rid of Bendtner and Giroud, send Sanogo on loan.

I'd keep Giroud if we change our formation to 2 up top, but I doubt Wenger will.

[Injury Time]

£3.20 for a medium Coke, fuuuuuuck off, over paid pale imitation of the real thing...come to think of it...
Still shocked my match prediction was spot on :faint: we were shit, they were shit, Fab save us plus some clinical penalty takers. Even with with most of the squad dead we still had chances, we need a striker. Highlights on...

[Niall_Quinn]

Thinking back on what that twat Keane was saying after the game - criticising the players for celebrating getting to a cup final? What a fucking knob. It's nothing at all like celebrating 4th as he was trying to make out.

Starting to change my mind about this cup having watched the players' reactions after the pen shootout. If it means that much to them and gives them a taste of actually achieving something then fine, that's a good thing.

Watching Sanogo on the highlights, maybe I was a bit hard on him. He's got something but it's so raw. Regardless, we definitely shouldn't be in a position where we have to field a player who is essentially a novice.

Looking at the stats, Wigan really didn't do much at all. We dominated in every area. 63% possession and 28 shots to their 8, apparently. So toothless up top though. Otherwise we would have slaughtered them.

[She Wore A Yellow Ribbon]

£3.20 for a medium Coke, fuuuuuuck off, over paid pale imitation of the real thing...come to think of it...
Still shocked my match prediction was spot on :faint: we were shit, they were shit, Fab save us plus some clinical penalty takers. Even with with most of the squad dead we still had chances, we need a striker. Highlights on...

No alcohol served in the Wembley district an hour before kick off. All pubs and off licence shops stop serving. Fucking disgrace.

[Munchies]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=62fQYYSrVQs

Arteta, Rambo, and Vermaelen.

Arteta mentioning the 'collapse' :bow:

[Herbert_Chapman's_Zombie]

Thinking back on what that twat Keane was saying after the game - criticising the players for celebrating getting to a cup final? What a fucking knob. It's nothing at all like celebrating 4th as he was trying to make out.

Starting to change my mind about this cup having watched the players' reactions after the pen shootout. If it means that much to them and gives them a taste of actually achieving something then fine, that's a good thing.

Watching Sanogo on the highlights, maybe I was a bit hard on him. He's got something but it's so raw. Regardless, we definitely shouldn't be in a position where we have to field a player who is essentially a novice.

Looking at the stats, Wigan really didn't do much at all. We dominated in every area. 63% possession and 28 shots to their 8, apparently. So toothless up top though. Otherwise we would have slaughtered them.

All this nonsense about celebrating things that aren't considered worth celebrating is snobby nonsense for me. Someone like Keane would criticise our players for celebrating with the trophy if we win it. I couldn't care if the players got together and celebrated Arteta winning on the pub fruit machine it shows solidarity and it shows they care.

[Munchies]

Keane is a fucking idiot.

We're celebrating getting in the final you fucking cunt.

Also, apparently for the final, we're only going to get allocated around 25k-30k tickets. Goodluck with getting a ticket. The small teams never sell out though, so hopefully that makes more available.

[adzzzbatch]

No alcohol served in the Wembley district an hour before kick off. All pubs and off licence shops stop serving. Fucking disgrace.

I totally agree! Fucking terrible. I ended up in an Indian restaurant Station 31 because the pubs were so rammed and they stopped serving bang on 4pm.

[adzzzbatch]

Keane is a fucking idiot.

We're celebrating getting in the final you fucking cunt.

Also, apparently for the final, we're only going to get allocated around 25k-30k tickets. Goodluck with getting a ticket. The small teams never sell out though, so hopefully that makes more available.

Nah it'll all be corporate seating, there were quite a few empty seats in those areas today, but they'll get an even bigger allocation for the final.

[She Wore A Yellow Ribbon]

I totally agree! Fucking terrible. I ended up in an Indian restaurant Station 31 because the pubs were so rammed and they stopped serving bang on 4pm.

:lol: We went into a Greek restaurant. Guy was like "what do you want?", "alcohol" we replied. "Sit down and pretend you're having a meal, we'll bring some over". Genius.

Also had a few tinnies from one of the corner shops who were selling beer on the sly. Cripps :bow:

[Blink 1nce Quince 2wice]

Sanogo was horrendous but it's the manager who should shoulder the blame for that. Putting in a kid that far out of his depth in an FA Cup semi final....telling us last year about Snaogo not making the head lines. He really takes the piss out of us some times. Sanogo shouldn't have played against Bayern or today. We didn't think he was physically adequate to play any game for us not too long ago and now he's starting in semi finals. His showing against Liverpool earlier was way overhyped and overblown in my view too. I despair.

Talk about throwing the kid to the lions.

I also despair when I hear the 442 talk.

We were so close to the other side....we could see dead people, but fortunately we found a way in the end. I was pleasantly surprised we were that composed in the shoot out. Up the Arse and bring the FA Cup home!

[fakeyank]

I also despair when I hear the 442 talk.

Why? A reason other than that no one else is using it. I have seen Utd, City and Pool use it this season at times.

[pakgunner]

Sanogo did well in terms of energy but his decision making when through on goal is shocking. He looked out of his depth - and his reaction to the chances he got did a lot to convince me that he is no future star.

For example - what number do you think he'd have been if 5 penalties hadn't been enough? About 10th or 11th place for me.Wenger only started with sanogo because he was anticipating the game going into extra time, with many injuries and gnabry just returning from the youth cup he had very few options out wide. Podolski was the only player capable to start for us out wide, but he also has the smallest tank-he would definitely have been a liability once the game went into extra time, at first I was baffled by wenger's decision to sub podolski but I can understand now, and at the end of the day it's all his fault for not buying back up when he had the chance in January. Sanogo's first touch is awful but he gave the team a target, I feel for the kid for been thrown into the deep but it will be better for him in the long run if he's good enough.

[Power n Glory]

Sanogo was horrendous but it's the manager who should shoulder the blame for that. Putting in a kid that far out of his depth in an FA Cup semi final....telling us last year about Snaogo not making the head lines. He really takes the piss out of us some times. Sanogo shouldn't have played against Bayern or today. We didn't think he was physically adequate to play any game for us not too long ago and now he's starting in semi finals. His showing against Liverpool earlier was way overhyped and overblown in my view too. I despair.

Talk about throwing the kid to the lions.

I also despair when I hear the 442 talk.

We were so close to the other side....we could see dead people, but fortunately we found a way in the end. I was pleasantly surprised we were that composed in the shoot out. Up the Arse and bring the FA Cup home!

In comparison to Giroud, I think Sanogo is an upgrade. I think we'd have been playing in front of their box all day with Giroud and playing it short all day instead of pressing for a goal. When he was subbed on he didn't get a shot on goal. That's how bad our striking options are at the moment. I don't think the kid was that bad because we at least saw some chances develop from his movement and he made himself available. It was his first start in months and he's rusty. Much like Ramsey who had an off game today as well. Some mistakes but he wasn't bad just lacking match practice.

[AFC Leveller]

I dont know how we got away with playing Sanogo upfront but that should never take place again. He is nowhere near ready or good enough to play Football at this level let alone for a club like Arsenal. I dont blame him though because the manager is the one who picks the team. A proper striker will do wonders for this team, we have no threat whatsoever and i fear for us for our last 5 games now.

Giroud looks dead (he was average at best before) and i wouldnt be surprised if he doesnt score again this season or if he's sold in the summer if rumors are to be believed.

Everton are now 4th and look like they'll pick up points every game so we really cannot afford any more slip ups.

[Power n Glory]

We're running out of options up front. Giroud doesn't ever look like he's going to score because he's so static and never moves. He just wants to play in front of the defenders.

Sanogo created a few chances for himself and I liked that. Was unlucky with the header because he did everything right but it was saved by Carson. Had a ball player over the top and if his first touch was better, he'd have been in better position to score. But he managed to recover and got a shot off and was unlucky not to slip it under the out rushing keepers legs. Had that volley moment with his back to goal. A wild shot but shower agility to actually make the turn and connect with the ball. Helped create out goal with good control in the box and nice lay off for the Ox to swing in a brilliant crops to Merts. Forced a save from Carson when he had his back to goal and his first touch spun the defender and then he smacked it forcing a corner. A good effort. Stabled at the goal with that low cross but that was a poor effort and just missed getting a touch on the ball from one other cross.

Honestly, I think the criticism is way to harsh. At least we had a striker playing and a target. Giroud hasn't made himself available like that for weeks now. We were feeding off scraps yesterday and I think the midfield were poor. Ox was by far our best player and looked like he knew what time it was. Gibbs was decent too. Podolski shouldn't be playing for us. I likeable character but a terrible player. I saw people booing the decision when Wenger took him off, but it was the right choice. He doesn't make runs into the box, doesn't play progressive Passover that lead to anything, he's charging the byline whipping in crosses....it was between him and Cazorla for the subs.

Cazorla was awful as well. Poor passing and gave the ball away a lot, deliver on corners and free kick were all pretty bad. A disappointing performance. Arteta was poor too. Jittery, weak and slow. Going through the motions with his passing as usual. Ramsey made himself available but tins his first start in ages. I wasn't expecting much and cut him some slack. Good to see him back.

Overall, it was pretty bad and the players need to have a word with themselves after that one. I felt sorry for Wenger in that game. It would have been cruel to see us lose and I hope we win this cup. I think he should still go at the end of the season but let it be on a high note at least. The players owe him that.

[Alpha]

This is a cup game . Reading some comments you'd think some people had never watched such a game . Having watched a game like Liverpool and Westham in a FA final , Wigan and Manchester City in Final and quarter Final , I know it is not as easy as many think . The good thing is they reached the final . The confidence is currently very low so you can not expect a top performance from them . As for Sanogo , you need to give him a run of games before making a fair judgment.

[selassie]

This is a cup game . Reading some comments you'd think some people had never watched such a game . Having watched a game like Liverpool and Westhampnett in a FA final , Wigan and Manchester City in Final and quarter Final , I know it is not as easy as many think . The good thing is they reached the final . The confidence is currently very low so you can not expect a top performance from them . As for Sanogo , you need to give him a run of games before making a fair judgment.

I think the biggest concern is that we have been serving up that kind of performance pretty much since January. The facts are we created barely next to nothing against a Championship side, honestly...we never really looked like scoring.

Sure we were the better side and deserved to go through and I am delighted we have reached the final. We really do need to step up our performances though, I am sure we have another gear left in us. If we don't improve then we won't finish top 4.

Some of the problems with the team can only be fixed in the summer in the transfer market but there are other issues that need to be dealt with now.

[KSE Comedy Club]

I think some mention has to go to Oxo as well.

He was a bit off but he tried to go forward and attack at every opportunity.

Sanogo deffo has the pace, he just needs to sharpen up his ball control/shooting skills.


Keane and pretty much all of itv can fuck off.

Made me laugh at the end that Adrian cunting chiles asked that Wigan player if he thought Wigan played well and he said 'yeh they did us proud, I mean arsenal have nicked a goal from a set piece, other than that we would've been ok'

What?!? So your penalty counts as an attacking goal from open play then does it? Fuck off!

[Bumble]

I would be very surprised to see Podolski and Giroud still at Arsenal next season. I would love us to sign Lukaku or that type of striker and perhaps play Walcott along side with Ozil just behind. Ramsey and Ox in the middle with a new more mobile Defensive midfielder screening in front of the back four.

[Bumble]

I think some mention has to go to Oxo as well.

He was a bit off but he tried to go forward and attack at every opportunity.

Sanogo deffo has the pace, he just needs to sharpen up his ball control/shooting skills.


Keane and pretty much all of itv can fuck off.

Made me laugh at the end that Adrian cunting chiles asked that Wigan player if he thought Wigan played well and he said 'yeh they did is proud, I mean arsenal have nicked a goal from a set piece, other than that we would've been ok'

What?!? So your penalty counts as an attack goal from open play then does it? Fuck off!
Ummmm lets not forget that this is Wigan though, they did do well. We have a budget probably 10 times theres and 20 positions above them in the league. They held us to a draw pretty comfortably and we could only beat them by penalties.

[I am invisible]

Diego Costa or someone on his level.
Remy
That Bundesliga guy from Switzerland

Get rid of Bendtner and Giroud, send Sanogo on loan.

I'd keep Giroud if we change our formation to 2 up top, but I doubt Wenger will.
That's more or less what I'd like to see - a total overhaul of the forward line this summer. Keep Walcott, and I'm not too fussed about Sanogo, if we want to carry on working on him as a project in the background (maybe farm him out on loan?), but I can't say I'm that fussed about Giroud, Podolski or Bendtner (to varying degrees) - they can all be bettered.

As you say, we need a quality main CF (Costa would be ideal because of his no-pissing-around release clause), but there's bargains to be had elsewhere for further additions? That Drmic looks a steal at €2-8m, and it looks like Remy is available for something similar. That other Belgian lad, Michy, who we keep letting linked with, is leading the scoring charts in his league - I don't think he'd cost much? Any of those guys would add more pace, power and dynamism to the attack, and would probably cost less than the players going out (well... maybe not Bendtner)? And I'm sure there's others too. It really should all be doable without a great deal of effort or expense.

What I like about options like Costa, Drmic and Remy (and Walcott, and maybe even Campbell, if we bring him back) is that they're all forwards who have played both wide and through the middle at one time or another, so I reckon some combination of them would make for something quite fluid and unpredictable (and a long way from what we have now)?

[Power n Glory]

They're in the semi's on merit and have beaten City in the comp twice. The pressure was all on us and it was a penalty that got them the goal.

We hit the post a couple of times with attempts from Sagna and Ox. Sanogo set up Gibbs with that header that forced a great save from Carson....they weren't the better team. But we need to up our game in a major way.

[Bumble]

has anyone actually seen this drmic guy play regularly though? or just because we are linked with him everyone thinks he is special. as don't recall anyone mentioning him before we were linked with him. Remy would be a good one, used to the league now after a couple of seasons with pace and directness. Lukaku would be good but got no chance with that.... Chelsea aren't us when it comes to selling a good striker to a rival.

[Bumble]

They're in the semi's on merit and have beaten City in the comp twice. The pressure was all on us and it was a penalty that got them the goal.

We hit the post a couple of times with attempts from Sagna and Ox. Sanogo set up Gibbs with that header that forced a great save from Carson....they weren't the better team. But we need to up our game in a major way.they were there on merit but they weren't the better team because they aren't a better team and they knew it and played accordingly. They scored from a penalty but it all counts. I wouldn't get worked up by what the commentators say or Wigan players as they should be proud of the performance. They drew against a vastly superior side. Like when we draw with Bayern.

[I am invisible]

has anyone actually seen this drmic guy play regularly though? or just because we are linked with him everyone thinks he is special. as don't recall anyone mentioning him before we were linked with him. Remy would be a good one, used to the league now after a couple of seasons with pace and directness. Lukaku would be good but got no chance with that.... Chelsea aren't us when it comes to selling a good striker to a rival.
Nope, not seen him once outside of YT clips, and didn't even know he existed until we were first linked with him. But I think you can at least get a vague idea of a player's style and what their strengths and weaknesses might be from those clips, and you have to say his stats for this year are impressive (21 years old and he's going toe-to-toe with Mandzukic and Lewandowski in the scoring charts, at an inferior club)? Obviously I'm not suggesting him for our big/main CF signing, but for the money being suggested, and given the sheer number of players we may have to sign this summer in all areas, I'd definitely put him on the short list for bonus forward signings...

[Blink 1nce Quince 2wice]

Why? A reason other than that no one else is using it. I have seen Utd, City and Pool use it this season at times.
I'm not sure I understand the suggestion. If it is that we should play 442 at very specific times, when the situation calls for it in a particular game under a set of special circumstances, then where is the actual merit in it? We should surely switch to any formation in any given game that calls for it at the time? Not that we looked particularly more acute with a 442 and two forwards anyway.

If the suggestion us as I suspected....that we should play 442 on a regularly basis, there is so many reasons (to my mind) why it is a ill advised idea. I tend to think formation talk is a symptom of a team or squad of players who simply don't have a fitting set of playing personnel at their disposal.




In comparison to Giroud, I think Sanogo is an upgrade. I think we'd have been playing in front of their box all day with Giroud and playing it short all day instead of pressing for a goal. When he was subbed on he didn't get a shot on goal. That's how bad our striking options are at the moment. I don't think the kid was that bad because we at least saw some chances develop from his movement and he made himself available. It was his first start in months and he's rusty. Much like Ramsey who had an off game today as well. Some mistakes but he wasn't bad just lacking match practice.
Giroud has his own set of footballing idiosyncrasies, I'm in no doubt about that.....but for me Sanogo isn't near his level. For being soo rusty alone he shouldn't have even been considered. The game was far too important to allow for a player in a position as important as his who is rusty. That is the manager's fault though not his. There is a reason Wenger only started really considering him this year and that should tell us that the boy isn't ready for football at this level. He needs to go and have his practice game time for another club, not literally learning his trade missing chances all over the place in an FA cup semi final.

Astonishing from the manager there. As is taking us into a season with the worst set of forward options I remember at the club. I've got nothing against Sanogo at all and would like to see how he progress but this is no place for children any more. We need need men who can play.

For the love of GOD Wenger buy a proper forward FFS!

[Blink 1nce Quince 2wice]

I think some mention has to go to Oxo as well.

He was a bit off but he tried to go forward and attack at every opportunity.

Sanogo deffo has the pace, he just needs to sharpen up his ball control/shooting skills.


Keane and pretty much all of itv can fuck off.

Made me laugh at the end that Adrian cunting chiles asked that Wigan player if he thought Wigan played well and he said 'yeh they did us proud, I mean arsenal have nicked a goal from a set piece, other than that we would've been ok'

What?!? So your penalty counts as an attacking goal from open play then does it? Fuck off!
You're talking about Ben Watson. Funnily enough I went to school with him and was in the same football team. He's not the sharpest tool in box shall we say and I was surprised to see him sitting there when I flicked the channel on! I thought for the most part Dixon and Keane just talked across him which made for slightly awkward viewing, but maybe that's just because I know him.

We had more than enough chances to win the game and had we gone out I really would have feared for Wenger. He got away with it this time but the margins really are fine. Fair play to BFG for atoning for his monumental sin.

On signing Remy who I like, I just get the feeling that if Wenger fancied him, he'd had signed him already..... I know he had the rape case over his head, but part of me thinks that that was not the actual deterrent in signing him.....

[Niall_Quinn]

News going around that Giroud is on the way out this summer. I think that's the best move for everyone concerned. He started well but then showed over the course of this season he doesn't have the character to cut it at this level. Sanogo has bags of character, he must have to effectively start his career against Bayern and in a cup semi, but he doesn't have the ability to match and obviously shouldn't be playing at this level either. Have we ever got a full season out of Walcott? He's fragile. Looks like we need to get THREE strikers in the summer. That's a hell of a challenge. Campbell will have to be one of them seeing as he's already signed.

[Özim]

We won yesterday which was great although we made very hard work of it, thing is though nothing was on the line yet, the final is where the trophy is on the line and that's where if anywhere we could bottle it, Hull would be our expected opposition and they're the kid of team that could make it hard for us.

[Niall_Quinn]

You are such a WUM.

The WUMster.

[Özim]

Why do you think it's me wumming?

I'm responding to the comments from the players and manager that we'd got over the psychological barrier, we haven't yet.

[Blink 1nce Quince 2wice]

Not sure I agree... I think the trophy was on the line and potentially Arsene Wenger's future.

I don't mind if we lose Giroud (though I think we have been harsh on him and I don't mind him personally) but we have to bring in the quality first imo. Shame shizzle with VM8R and anyone else of any kind of quality. Bring in the quality needed first then flog them if you have to. Or at least put the deal(s) in the pipeline far along enough for it to be a formality.

[Özim]

Not sure I agree... I think the trophy was on the line and potentially Arsene Wenger's future.

I don't mind if we lose Giroud (though I think we have been harsh on him and I don't mind him personally) but we have to bring in the quality first imo. Shame shizzle with VM8R and anyone else of any kind of quality. Bring in the quality needed first then flog them if you have to. Or at least put the deal(s) in the pipeline far along enough for it to be a formality.

It was on the line only in the sense a place in the final was available, when we lost to Birmingham it was in the final not the semi's when the trophy was to be awarded after the match.

There was pressure yesterday, but it was a little different, think Wigan missed a trick by taking off McManaman as well, very odd decision he was by far their most dangerous player.

[Niall_Quinn]

Why do you think it's me wumming?

I'm responding to the comments from the players and manager that we'd got over the psychological barrier, we haven't yet.

Because you have shiny bait on your hook.

[Letters]

We won yesterday which was great although we made very hard work of it, thing is though nothing was on the line yet, the final is where the trophy is on the line and that's where if anywhere we could bottle it, Hull would be our expected opposition and they're the kid of team that could make it hard for us.

Oh piss off! You'd be the first to say we'd bottled it had we lost.

[Marc Overmars]

Still can't believe how poor our attack has become, no matter how bad we were doing I always thought Wenget would have a handle on things up front and in terms of constructing play.

With Giroud the lights are on but no one is home and Sanogo is a complete amateur, though he seems to be a runner which is encouraging but Wenget has his work cut out with him. That chance he had when was played in but got the ball caught under feet, instead of just stepping over it and taking it in his stride. Gah.

[IBK]

It was on the line only in the sense a place in the final was available, when we lost to Birmingham it was in the final not the semi's when the trophy was to be awarded after the match.

There was pressure yesterday, but it was a little different, think Wigan missed a trick by taking off McManaman as well, very odd decision he was by far their most dangerous player.

Mate - I think that is unfair. We played poorly, but reacted very well to pressure yesterday.

[Power n Glory]

It was on the line only in the sense a place in the final was available, when we lost to Birmingham it was in the final not the semi's when the trophy was to be awarded after the match.

There was pressure yesterday, but it was a little different, think Wigan missed a trick by taking off McManaman as well, very odd decision he was by far their most dangerous player.

It's a worry because we're still waiting for a response from this team. No idea how the cup final will go. The players need to get over the jitters.

[Niall_Quinn]

Oh piss off! You'd be the first to say we'd bottled it had we lost.

Someone bit on the shiny bait. Ignore him, he's doing it for a laugh.

[Marc Overmars]

Mate - I think that is unfair. We played poorly, but reacted very well to pressure yesterday.

I do give the players credit for having some testicles in the shootout. Make no mistake about it there would have been an absolute riot had they lost it, they were playing for their reputations as well.

[IBK]

It's a worry because we're still waiting for a response from this team. No idea how the cup final will go. The players need to get over the jitters.

The thing about this season is that we weren't top at Xmas for nothing. Its what has eluded us since that is worrying. Because our decline has not been because of effort or talent. It has been a loss of belief, manifest in our players and in their faith in Wenger's system. Liverpool truly believe that they will win. The truth is that we haven't seem players with real belief since the Invincibles.

[Niall_Quinn]

The thing about this season is that we weren't top at Xmas for nothing. Its what has eluded us since that is worrying. Because our decline has not been because of effort or talent. It has been a loss of belief, manifest in our players and in their faith in Wenger's system. Liverpool truly believe that they will win. The truth is that we haven't seem players with real belief since the Invincibles.

Some people bought into the useless Ozil media line - but he was such an important player for us in retaining possession. Since he's gone we've been giving the ball away for fun and that means we can't control games. Giroud checked out so we lost any sort of a threat up top. The squad is bare so we had nobody that could come in and pick up the slack. And whenever Kos doesn't play we lose half the effectiveness of Merts too. Ramsey of course was a huge miss and we won't be seeing Walcott again for months. These are our best players, like Liverpool losing Suarez, Sturridge, Gerard and Sterling. They would be a nothing team without them, just like we are at the moment. The fact people won't even take this into account in their rush to criticise the manager (not saying that's you) is distorting the debate. We have a weak squad, too little quality and no cover. That's our biggest problem. There are also big questions to be asked about why we always have so many long term injuries. Wenger's tactics can be criticised too, but he's not playing with many options right now. Threadbare - it was inevitable we'd drop dead by the end of a long season. And Wenger can be criticised for this - 2 window to toughen us up for the challenge and he didn't. This is a legitimate reason to question him.

[Power n Glory]

The thing about this season is that we weren't top at Xmas for nothing. Its what has eluded us since that is worrying. Because our decline has not been because of effort or talent. It has been a loss of belief, manifest in our players and in their faith in Wenger's system. Liverpool truly believe that they will win. The truth is that we haven't seem players with real belief since the Invincibles.

It's really gone out the window. The confidence has gone and the occasion got to them but it was a better 2nd half and they really need to shake themselves and sort it before the final. It's all psychological and I don't think it's because of a lack of trying. They need to decide how they want to end the season because a loss to Hull would have been embarrassing but the pressure is only going to double in the final. They'll have to cope with it and show up.

[Özim]

Mate - I think that is unfair. We played poorly, but reacted very well to pressure yesterday.

Let's see if we win the cup, that's where we usually fail so the hurdle is still there to be jumped IMO.

[Özim]

Someone bit on the shiny bait. Ignore him, he's doing it for a laugh.

No I'm really not, we've got as cup final coming up, winning that would prove a change, we had pressure for 4th place last season and came through that in the end, this is similar, a pressure game but no trophy available at the end of the match. It's the pressure of winning something that undoes us, in the cups that's usually been the final.

[Marc Overmars]

Let's see if we win the cup, that's where we usually fail so the hurdle is still there to be jumped IMO.

More than one hurdle to jump tbf. Yesterday was critical as are all of the games now really, it would taint the season if we win the cup but finish 5th.

[Blink 1nce Quince 2wice]

It was on the line only in the sense a place in the final was available, when we lost to Birmingham it was in the final not the semi's when the trophy was to be awarded after the match.

There was pressure yesterday, but it was a little different, think Wigan missed a trick by taking off McManaman as well, very odd decision he was by far their most dangerous player.

Be that as it may, there was an enormous amount of pressure even if the trophy wasn't directly on the line (though it can be argued on the basis of going out simply means we would be out and going through means we are still in it).

We haven't needed a trophy/cup final for us to crumble under the pressure before, so the fact they managed to get through eventually means I'm willing to give credit for that. Even if it was a horrible performance for the most part.

I share your thoughts about Mcmanaman. Rosler clearly thought we weren't up to much and that his team could see the game out in 90. You couldn't really blame him considering our performance to that point and our bench but his poor judgement was to our benefit fortunately.

[Niall_Quinn]

No I'm really not, we've got as cup final coming up, winning that would prove a change, we had pressure for 4th place last season and came through that in the end, this is similar, a pressure game but no trophy available at the end of the match. It's the pressure of winning something that undoes us, in the cups that's usually been the final.

Shiny, with fluffy purple bits and a twirly thing that goes round.

[IBK]

Be that as it may, there was an enormous amount of pressure even if the trophy wasn't directly on the line (though it can be argued on the basis of going out simply means we would be out and going through means we are still in it).

We haven't needed a trophy/cup final for us to crumble under the pressure before, so the fact they managed to get through eventually means I'm willing to give credit for that. Even if it was a horrible performance for the most part.

I share your thoughts about Mcmanaman. Rosler clearly thought we weren't up to much and that his team could see the game out in 90. You couldn't really blame him considering our performance to that point and our bench but his poor judgement was to our benefit fortunately.

Yup.

[Munchies]

25,000 for Arsenal
25,000 for Hull,
20,000 for FA 'volunteers'
17,000 to Club Wembley

Ticket info for the final.

42,000 season ticket holders, gonna be a scramble for those tickets

[adzzzbatch]

25,000 for Arsenal
25,000 for Hull,
20,000 for FA 'volunteers'
17,000 to Club Wembley

Ticket info for the final

Told ya. Not even a sniff for me again.

[Munchies]

40k tickets which the FA will probably tout themselves :lol:

[Letters]

I'm not even a Red member now but these will go on general sale, right?

:unsure:

[Munchies]

I'm not even a Red member now but these will go on general sale, right?

:unsure:

Me neither :lol:

And no, season ticket holders only. I read that those who have the highest 'away' points are prioritised, and then normal season ticket holders will be in a ballot for the remaining ones.

Oh well

[She Wore A Yellow Ribbon]

Me neither :lol:

And no, season ticket holders only. I read that those who have the highest 'away' points are prioritised, and then normal season ticket holders will be in a ballot for the remaining ones.

Oh well

FA :haha:

[Letters]

And no, season ticket holders only. I read that those who have the highest 'away' points are prioritised, and then normal season ticket holders will be in a ballot for the remaining ones.
Yeah, that's how they usually do it. If you've not got a season ticket you won't get a sniff. Even if you do you'll need to be a bit lucky unless you go to enough away games.