Arsenal vs Chelsea. 24th Sept. 17:30. BT Sport

[Marc Overmars]

Going to this.
Me. :lol:

So then, are we going to do the usual and shit our pants?

Or will we finally smash that mental block and collect a long overdue 3 points? The 3-5 win in October 2011 was the last time we did that. You have to go back to December 2010 for the last time we beat them at home. I don't think we've even scored against them for a few years either. Rotten.

Come the fuck on Arsenal.

[Kano]

Think this will be a draw.

[Marc Overmars]

Think we might nick it if we're aggressive enough. Though Chelsea despite their recent wobbles will always fancy it against us.

2-1.

[GP]

3-0

[Herbert_Chapman's_Zombie]

If we play Coqzorla we lose, if not than maybe a draw, maybe a win.

[Herbert_Chapman's_Zombie]

Going to this.
Me. :lol:

So then, are we going to do the usual and shit our pants?

Or will we finally smash that mental block and collect a long overdue 3 points? The 3-5 win in October 2011 was the last time we did that. You have to go back to December 2010 for the last time we beat them at home. I don't think we've even scored against them for a few years either. Rotten.

Come the fuck on Arsenal.

Our league record against Chelsea when managed by Mourinho since August 2004 Wins 0 Draws 6 Losses 5
Our league record against Chelsea when not managed by Mourinho since September 2007 Wins 4 Draws 1 Losses 8

Either way pretty abysmal, but more chance of winning when not facing the sociopath

[Niall_Quinn]

Depends who the ref is. We all know how the chavs will play it, especially that wanker Costa. It'd be great to think we couldn't possibly fall for it again. But it would be unrealistic to think that.

[Power n Glory]

If we play Coqzorla we lose, if not than maybe a draw, maybe a win.

I heard a stat yesterday that said we've only ever lost 5 games when Cazorla and Coquelin partner and in the last 38 games they've played together we've accumulated 89 points.

28 wins, 5 losses, 5 draws.

[dostoy]

I want an Arsenal win but not only that I want Chelsea to be bullied.

I would love to see that and Cunta being sent off would be even better.

[The Emirates Gallactico]

I heard a stat yesterday that said we've only ever lost 5 games when Cazorla and Coquelin partner and in the last 38 games they've played together we've accumulated 89 points.

28 wins, 5 losses, 5 draws.

Arsenalvision podcast right? Told you it's pretty good. 89 points over 38 games is probably enough to win us a league title.


As much as I've been clamouring for Xhaka recently, Coqzorla has been proven to work which is why Wenger is reluctant to break it up unless he has no choice. Like Stillman said, it's all about relationships in that part of the field.

[Goonermerree]

Cometh the hour and all that... This will be a good measure of where we are as a team and as individual players. We've got to keep our heads against Costa, he will be trying to thug it up as usual, but away from the ref, so we just cannot react to him. I really can't predict this one.

Come on Arsenal, beat the whotsit out of them!

[Power n Glory]

Arsenalvision podcast right? Told you it's pretty good. 89 points over 38 games is probably enough to win us a league title.


As much as I've been clamouring for Xhaka recently, Coqzorla has been proven to work which is why Wenger is reluctant to break it up unless he has no choice. Like Stillman said, it's all about relationships in that part of the field.

Yeah, it's really good. Always enjoyed reading Stillman's articles on Arseblog as well. They form a good trio.

It's going to be hard to break up that partnership and we shouldn't want to if it's been good for us. You already know my stance on the weak point of our midfield. If we were to play a flat 4-3-3 we could squeeze Xhaka into the set up and he's a valuable addition if he's able to shoot from distance whilst also being able to create from long and short passes.

[Herbert_Chapman's_Zombie]

I heard a stat yesterday that said we've only ever lost 5 games when Cazorla and Coquelin partner and in the last 38 games they've played together we've accumulated 89 points.

28 wins, 5 losses, 5 draws.

Well this is like i have said before why Wenger favours this partnership, but i'm sorry i look at the way they played against PSG and the space PSG were able to exploit because of that partnership. It's not currently working....it did and very well but not at the moment.

For what it's worth I blame Coquelin more for that, between December 2004 and November 2005 he was fantastic but hasn't looked the same since the injury lay off.

[Power n Glory]

Well this is like i have said before why Wenger favours this partnership, but i'm sorry i look at the way they played against PSG and the space PSG were able to exploit because of that partnership. It's not currently working....it did and very well but not at the moment.

For what it's worth I blame Coquelin more for that, between December 2004 and November 2005 he was fantastic but hasn't looked the same since the injury lay off.

You have no idea if that was down to the partnership or down to the managers bad tactics. We haven't seen enough different partnerships to determine whether or not we'd have seen more joy with Xhaka playing instead of Coquelin. It's worth remember Xhaka is a CM and not a DM and that has a rep for getting himself sent off. I'm not sure about not playing our only DM if we're worried about protecting our defence. But overall, with Wenger's comments on wanting Xhaka to play more box to box, I highly doubt that would have plugged the gaps and I believe Coquelin is being encouraged to play higher up the pitch.

[GP]

I think a Xhaka-Elneny partnership is the way to go right now.

[Marc Overmars]

I like Cazorla in his current role but maybe we need to pick and choose his games bit. Kante will probably make life difficult for him, so we could do with a bit more athleticism against a side like Chelsea.

[Power n Glory]

I think a Xhaka-Elneny partnership is the way to go right now.

I'd like to see that happen along with Sanhcez and Perez up front. Iwobi and Walcott out wide. But not for this sort of game.

[Power n Glory]

I like Cazorla in his current role but maybe we need to pick and choose his games bit. Kante will probably make life difficult for him, so we could do with a bit more athleticism against a side like Chelsea.

I'm more worried about Ozil than Santi. If anything, Kante will be all over him.

[Herbert_Chapman's_Zombie]

Well you would be wouldn't you, you don't rate him

I think if Ozil gets the ball quick enough (which he won't with Coqzorla behind him) than it won't be a problem

[Power n Glory]

Well you would be wouldn't you, you don't rate him

I think if Ozil gets the ball quick enough (which he won't with Coqzorla behind him) than it won't be a problem

It's got nothing to do with Ozil not getting the ball quick enough. It's a space issue. If Kante restricts that space even further, he'll be in for a tough game.

[Kano]

I think a Xhaka-Elneny partnership is the way to go right now.

Gunnerblog on the Arsecast made a great point about why Xhaka is probably sitting it out right now, what with Mustafi bedding in just behind him, it's a risk to then try a new partnership directly in front of that at the same time, while the same is happening in central defence. Which makes a lot of sense to me. Xhaka is making it very difficult to keep leaving him out though.

[Herbert_Chapman's_Zombie]

It's got nothing to do with Ozil not getting the ball quick enough. It's a space issue. If Kante restricts that space even further, he'll be in for a tough game.

Obviously Ozil getting the ball quicker opens up space, i think playing Xhaka for instance allows quicker attacks and means players like Kante are having to bust a gut to get back and without other players covering allows him space.

[Herbert_Chapman's_Zombie]

Gunnerblog on the Arsecast made a great point about why Xhaka is probably sitting it out right now, what with Mustafi bedding in just behind him, it's a risk to then try a new partnership directly in front of that at the same time, while the same is happening in central defence. Which makes a lot of sense to me. Xhaka is making it very difficult to keep leaving him out though.

Don't buy it, especially when you consider the space other teams are being able to get because Coquelin is not playing well, pointless Conservatism from Wenger taking an unnecessary risk in pursuit of being risk averse.

[Power n Glory]

Obviously Ozil getting the ball quicker opens up space, i think playing Xhaka for instance allows quicker attacks and means players like Kante are having to bust a gut to get back and without other players covering allows him space.

Not obviously. If tightly marked and Wenger wants the midfield to play high up the pitch as we've seen already, Ozil may still struggle.

Was Ozil starved of the ball in our last game?

[Herbert_Chapman's_Zombie]

Not obviously. If tightly marked and Wenger wants the midfield to play high up the pitch as we've seen already, Ozil may still struggle.

Was Ozil starved of the ball in our last game?

it's about how we play, at the emirates we have had the most success against teams when we look to soak up pressure and play on the counter attack, and if we look to break quickly after a Chelsea attack than Ozil will have more space. Yes we saw when he played us for leicester, Kante has excellent ability to cover ground but unlike you i think Ozil can find players if they make themselves avaliable with minimal space....but like i say get him the ball quickly that won't be an issue.

This has the potential to become another pointless never ending back and forth, it's boring...i'm sure you must find it boring. You don't rate Ozil, we get that...i honestly think he will be the least of our worries when we play them.

In fact i don't think it will even be coqzorla......as much as i don't think that partnership is playing well the real weak link in the chain at the moment is Monreal

[fakeyank]

0-3 loss.

Costa hattrick. Mustafi Red.

[Herbert_Chapman's_Zombie]

0-3 loss.

Costa hattrick. Mustafi Red.

i'm not a superstitious man we are doing reasonably well out of you predicting defeat

[Power n Glory]

it's about how we play, at the emirates we have had the most success against teams when we look to soak up pressure and play on the counter attack, and if we look to break quickly after a Chelsea attack than Ozil will have more space. Yes we saw when he played us for leicester, Kante has excellent ability to cover ground but unlike you i think Ozil can find players if they make themselves avaliable with minimal space....but like i say get him the ball quickly that won't be an issue.

This has the potential to become another pointless never ending back and forth, it's boring...i'm sure you must find it boring. You don't rate Ozil, we get that...i honestly think he will be the least of our worries when we play them.

In fact i don't think it will even be coqzorla......as much as i don't think that partnership is playing well the real weak link in the chain at the moment is Monreal

:doh: Listen for a second and stop being stupid. If it's boring go somewhere else. :good: Don't throw your toys out the pram.

What your saying in the above post highlights a tactical approach. It's nothing to do with personnel. If Wenger sets us up to try and dominate possession and not play on the counter, it doesn't matter who he selects. If he tells Xhaka to push up like he's told Coquelin and to play box to box, we'll be left exposed at the back and leave less room for Ozil to work with in the final third because we have too many players there. It's cluttered. It's a good point raised on ArsenalVision in fact, because we also have Sanchez dropping off. Add that with the midfield playing higher up, it means less space in the middle.

If we decided to sit deep, soak up the pressure and play on the counter, with Xhaka in the team, Ozil is a bonus but not essential. A long ball over the top and out wide to Theo, Sanchez or Iwobi sets off the attack with one killer ball. Ozil would be a bonus in that situation and could set off a great attack also, but we wouldn't be dependent on getting the ball to Ozil quickly just to set off counter attacks.

[Herbert_Chapman's_Zombie]

This debate is boring as it is anodyne so don't say silly things about throwing my toys out of the pram as if somehow you've offended me. It sounds like your the one getting upset because I am pointing out a fact that your point of view is informed by the fact you don't rate a particular player. , as i say Ozil is adept at finding passes even when his space is restricted but even more so when there is greater space.


Xhaka plays deeper than Ozil, the whole point of him is to pick out passes to instigate attacking moves......a long ball over the top is more likely to be cut out by a team like Chelsea than quick precision passing which both of them provide but with Ozil in more advanced position....or are you now trying to argue Xhaka is an attacking midfielder?

[Kano]

Don't buy it, especially when you consider the space other teams are being able to get because Coquelin is not playing well, pointless Conservatism from Wenger taking an unnecessary risk in pursuit of being risk averse.

Must be getting something right if we haven't lost since the opening day. Our view from the TV screens is limited compared to what you see live in the stadium, so I'm definitely behind this idea. If it is the case of course.

[Power n Glory]

STFU Herb! :lol:

When have we set ourselves up to play counter attacking football this season? If Wenger is telling Coquelin to play higher up the pitch, has been reluctant to play Xhaka and said he'd prefer him to play box to box and not deep...what does that tell you? This isn't just a Coquelin Cazorla problem. It wasn't last season and never was when we've decided to sit deep and play on the counter. If we've only ever lost 5 games with that duo and in the last 38 games won 89 points, something has changed. Bear in mind, in our last game, Hull hardly put pressure on us, we had plenty of space, Ozil had over 100 touches on the ball, completed 104/110 passes and 62/68 of those were in the final third. But only created two chances! Something else is going wrong here.

The debate is boring to you. Cool. Get back to cracking gay jokes or something. Quit replying to my posts in that case. It's very simple. I was talking MO originally. ;)

[Herbert_Chapman's_Zombie]

Must be getting something right if we haven't lost since the opening day. Our view from the TV screens is limited compared to what you see live in the stadium, so I'm definitely behind this idea. If it is the case of course.

That's bizarre because i could swear Coquelin played against Liverpool and that they had ridiculous amount of space to run at our back line.

Look at the amount of chances created by Southampton, look at the ease at which PSG created space

[Herbert_Chapman's_Zombie]

STFU Herb! :lol:

When have we set ourselves up to play counter attacking football this season? If Wenger is telling Coquelin to play higher up the pitch, has been reluctant to play Xhaka and said he'd prefer him to play box to box and not deep...what does that tell you? This isn't just a Coquelin Cazorla problem. It wasn't last season and never was when we've decided to sit deep and play on the counter. If we've only ever lost 5 games with that duo and in the last 38 games won 89 points, something has changed. Bear in mind, in our last game, Hull hardly put pressure on us, we had plenty of space, Ozil had over 100 touches on the ball, completed 104/110 passes and 62/68 of those were in the final third. But only created two chances! Something else is going wrong here.

The debate is boring to you. Cool. Get back to cracking gay jokes or something. Quit replying to my posts in that case. It's very simple. I was talking MO originally. ;)

Have a look at the original post chief, you replied to my original point about Coqzorla which wasn't directed at anyone

The debate i find boring is the constant droning on about Ozil, the point i am making is you don't rate him therefore whatever game we play he's going to be the problem for you.

If you win the ball back deep and then attack with pace, that is a counter attack whether you've set yourself up to play that way or not. If we win back possession and Ozil receives the ball in a timely fashion than i'm saying he isn't a problem (but then considering his ability to pick out a pass even with restricted space i don't see him as a problem to begin with).

You chose to reply to me, so don't start acting like a little girl if i critique your argument.

[Power n Glory]

Have a look at the original post chief, you replied to my original point about Coqzorla which wasn't directed at anyone

The debate i find boring is the constant droning on about Ozil, the point i am making is you don't rate him therefore whatever game we play he's going to be the problem for you.

If you win the ball back deep and then attack with pace, that is a counter attack whether you've set yourself up to play that way or not. If we win back possession and Ozil receives the ball in a timely fashion than i'm saying he isn't a problem (but then considering his ability to pick out a pass even with restricted space i don't see him as a problem to begin with).

You chose to reply to me, so don't start acting like a little girl if i critique your argument.

STFU Herb! :lol:

[Herbert_Chapman's_Zombie]

STFU Herb! :lol:

http://thisdistractedglobe.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/06/john-goodman-the-big-lebowski-1998.jpg

STFU Donny!

[Power n Glory]

You're out of your element. :lol:

[Herbert_Chapman's_Zombie]

You're out of your element. :lol:

Yeah, well that's just like....your opinion Man

[selassie]

This one is a write-off for me, they'll kill us on the counter, think it will be 3-1 Chelsea and we'll get torn apart by Costa and Hazard. :(

[Kano]

That's bizarre because i could swear Coquelin played against Liverpool and that they had ridiculous amount of space to run at our back line.

Look at the amount of chances created by Southampton, look at the ease at which PSG created space

Whether you want to pin that all on him or Cazorla is your call I guess. Perception is a funny thing.

[Herbert_Chapman's_Zombie]

Whether you want to pin that all on him or Cazorla is your call I guess. Perception is a funny thing.

Cazorla was playing far more advanced than Coquelin against Liverpool

I don't completely absolve Cazorla from blame, did not play at all well against PSG for instance. But personally i think he shouldn't be playing every game for us if we are playing more than once a week.

[Maestro]

--------------------------Cech--------------------------

Bellerin---------Mustafi--------Boss----------Monreal

--------------Elneny----------Coquelin----------------

-----------------------Xhaka---------------------------

Perez-----------------------------------------Sanchez

----------------------Iwobi----------------------------


.....I can but dream can't I :sleep:

[GP]

--------------------------Cech--------------------------

Bellerin---------Mustafi--------Boss----------Monreal

--------------Elneny----------Coquelin----------------

-----------------------Xhaka---------------------------

Perez-----------------------------------------Sanchez

----------------------Iwobi----------------------------


.....I can but dream can't I :sleep:

You seem to have missed out our best player there chief.

[Maestro]

You seem to have missed out our best player there chief.

No I didn't miss him out "chief", just gave him a sit down for this one. Pragmatic, ugly, contra attacking football and just get the three points. Put the hardest running and most physical team out there.

[Marc Overmars]

Can't see WUMger tinkering for a fixture like this anyway, it will likely be the same team that beat Hull.

[Maestro]

Can't see WUMger tinkering for a fixture like this anyway, it will likely be the same team that beat Hull.

Doubt it very much as well, let's hope those on the pitch man up and smack down Chelsea.

[Power n Glory]

--------------------------Cech--------------------------

Bellerin---------Mustafi--------Boss----------Monreal

--------------Elneny----------Coquelin----------------

-----------------------Xhaka---------------------------

Perez-----------------------------------------Sanchez

----------------------Iwobi----------------------------


.....I can but dream can't I :sleep:

Swap Perez around with Iwobi or I'd be tempted to start Walcott up front with Iwobi wide. Would be interesting to see if Iwobi can play through the middle though. I already think he could make a good number 10.

[Kano]

No I didn't miss him out "chief", just gave him a sit down for this one. Pragmatic, ugly, contra attacking football and just get the three points. Put the hardest running and most physical team out there.

Like the rest of the league, we've been doing the ugly part for quite a while tbh. But it you want effective counter attaching football, Xhaka would be best served deeper than that to maximise his full range. You're going for a Liverpool style, false 9 thingamajig but Iwobi is too raw to trust as the spearhead in a game like this I think. I reckon Alexis will keep his place upfront anyway. 4 goals in his last 4 in that position can't all be bad (ok PSG the shape changed before he scored but he was in a strikers position when it counted).

[Herbert_Chapman's_Zombie]

Cech, Gibbs, Koscielny, Mustafi, Bellerin, Eleny, Xhaka, Ozil, Iwobi, Sanchez, Perez

[Letters]

You seem to have missed out our best player there chief.

We don't need him :sulk:

[GP]

We don't need him :sulk:

Said no one ever.

[Power n Glory]

:lol: You guys!

I find it odd that Coquelin and Cazorla are under such scrutiny in the midfield and question marks hang over Sanchez, Theo and Ox's place in the squad yet nobody questions a man that has 0 assists and 1 goal out of 5 games. He needs a big game on Saturday.

[Herbert_Chapman's_Zombie]

The difference is Ozil despite your opinion has good credit, by far our most consistent performer last season. And Coq and Cazorla were injured for significant parts of last season, and their partnership currently looks like it's leaving our defence too exposed.

Don't get me wrong, it's not to say Ozil doesn't need to up his game, he blatantly does but it's my opinion in that sense he'd need to form a qeue where Monreal, Coquelin, Cazorla are all in front of him.

[Herbert_Chapman's_Zombie]

And actually I'm amazed this isn't being discussed, Monreal has been a total liability for us for most of 2016 he's slow and gets turned so easily....if I was Chelsea manager I'd look to target us down our left side

[Kano]

He's not as his best but I don't think it's a coincidence that Ox and Iwobi have been there when he's having problems either.

last season he was fine.

[Power n Glory]

What's the alternative, play Gibbs? I think he's done OK considering we've had Iwobi and Ox playing there as Kano said.

In regards to the defence being exposed because of Cazorla and Coquelin, what's the alternative? I think it's exposed because of our flawed game plan. Zero pressing and unorganised. Until we take a serious hiding, Wenger won't adopt a more cautious approach with our defending. It's a pattern and until get a beating, he won't set us up to not concede goals. I suspect he still feels we're losing out on titles because of the lack of goals and is trying to get the midfield to play higher up the pitch.

As for Ozil and last season, he checked out after the New Year. It's a concern that his game hasn't picked up and especially since we're playing without Giroud who took a large part of the blame for Ozil's game drying up last season. If it turns out that Ozil can't play with a striker that tends to drop deep, but Iwobi and Theo are able to thrive off the space Sanchez is leaving, what's the options left on the table? Perez up front?

[Letters]

nobody questions a man that has 0 assists and 1 goal out of 5 games.
He was the EPL's top assister last season and has a long impressive assist stat history, it would be a bit weird to suddenly start questioning him after a few poor games.

[Power n Glory]

He was the EPL's top assister last season and has a long impressive assist stat history, it would be a bit weird to suddenly start questioning him after a few poor games.

You didn't hear the stat about Coqzorla amassing 89 points for us over their last 38 games for us? Easily our best duo in the midfield from last season. A bit off this season but we haven't lost with them in the side just yet and they've only played 3 games together. But anyway, if people are comfortable calling that duo into question considering their history, why is it nuts to question Ozil especially when this is a very underwhelming start to the season.

Does he not need a big performance on Saturday?

[Niall_Quinn]

What's the alternative, play Gibbs? I think he's done OK considering we've had Iwobi and Ox playing there as Kano said.

In regards to the defence being exposed because of Cazorla and Coquelin, what's the alternative? I think it's exposed because of our flawed game plan. Zero pressing and unorganised. Until we take a serious hiding, Wenger won't adopt a more cautious approach with our defending. It's a pattern and until get a beating, he won't set us up to not concede goals. I suspect he still feels we're losing out on titles because of the lack of goals and is trying to get the midfield to play higher up the pitch.

As for Ozil and last season, he checked out after the New Year. It's a concern that his game hasn't picked up and especially since we're playing without Giroud who took a large part of the blame for Ozil's game drying up last season. If it turns out that Ozil can't play with a striker that tends to drop deep, but Iwobi and Theo are able to thrive off the space Sanchez is leaving, what's the options left on the table? Perez up front?

It has already been explained why Ozil's stats fell away last season. It was down to the cowardice of one man and his lack of ambition. If we rid ourselves of this man then not only Ozil but all our players will benefit immensely. Until then, there is hardly any point discussing individual players when the elephant in still stampeding around the room. If we lose to the chavs again it will be down to the usual reasons. Disorganisation, fear, a lack of bottle. The usual stuff that is the hallmark of Wenger. Can he try something different this time? Can he shake his fear and his deep desire to play it safe and send his team out there to compete? Doubtful. But if he relents then we have all seen what this team and the individual players can do. The players are more than good enough to beat these ordinary chavs. Whether they can beat Wenger too, well that's always the challenge.

[Niall_Quinn]

You didn't hear the stat about Coqzorla amassing 89 points for us over their last 38 games for us? Easily our best duo in the midfield from last season. A bit off this season but we haven't lost with them in the side just yet and they've only played 3 games together. But anyway, if people are comfortable calling that duo into question considering their history, why is it nuts to question Ozil especially when this is a very underwhelming start to the season.

Does he not need a big performance on Saturday?

We already know that stat is entirely misleading because we've ended up with fuck all while amassing those 89 points. Which basically means we don't win when it really matters. All we really need to know is that something is preventing this team competing until the end, season after season. We know what that something is and it has absolutely nothing to do with Cazorla OR Ozil for that matter. It hasn't mattered which players have been brought in, the result has been consistent failure. It is surprising that 12 seasons after this rather obvious flaw materialised many fans still struggle to identify it.

[Power n Glory]

NQ, all the above is as much as a cop out as those that try to excuse Wenger's faults and pin all the blame on the Board.

Also, we know the man is deeply flawed but we can't go as far as saying everything he does is flawed. I've seen games where we've made the correct team selection, played at the right pace but have somehow come out with the wrong result. Sometimes the players have to take responsibility. Considering we're trying out new players in different positions, it's worth sitting back and looking at how this all pans out without immediately blasting Wenger. If he makes obvious selection gaffs, fair enough but when we're taking about a pacy front 3 with Ozil behind, I don't know how to explain the lack of assists even with Wenger's flaws.

[Blink 1nce Quince 2wice]

Arsenalvision podcast right? Told you it's pretty good. 89 points over 38 games is probably enough to win us a league title.


As much as I've been clamouring for Xhaka recently, Coqzorla has been proven to work which is why Wenger is reluctant to break it up unless he has no choice. Like Stillman said, it's all about relationships in that part of the field.

I've heard the stat on two podcasts already!


--------------------------Cech--------------------------

Bellerin---------Mustafi--------Boss----------Monreal

--------------Elneny----------Coquelin----------------

-----------------------Xhaka---------------------------

Perez-----------------------------------------Sanchez

----------------------Iwobi----------------------------


.....I can but dream can't I :sleep:

Let's hope you never wake up then! :d

[Niall_Quinn]

NQ, all the above is as much as a cop out as those that try to excuse Wenger's faults and pin all the blame on the Board.

Also, we know the man is deeply flawed but we can't go as far as saying everything he does is flawed. I've seen games where we've made the correct team selection, played at the right pace but have somehow come out with the wrong result. Sometimes the players have to take responsibility. Considering we're trying out new players in different positions, it's worth sitting back and looking at how this all pans out without immediately blasting Wenger. If he makes obvious selection gaffs, fair enough but when we're taking about a pacy front 3 with Ozil behind, I don't know how to explain the lack of assists even with Wenger's flaws.

I'm not saying the players are all perfect. Far from it. But they are a minor sideshow compared to the main fuck-up. Work the big problem first and then see if you can fix up the symptoms. Yes, I know. The bloke is going nowhere. But that doesn't mean the problem is solved, it just means it intensifies. It is hardly a cop-out to get to the heart of the matter as opposed to playing around the periphery.

[Power n Glory]

I'm not saying the players are all perfect. Far from it. But they are a minor sideshow compared to the main fuck-up. Work the big problem first and then see if you can fix up the symptoms. Yes, I know. The bloke is going nowhere. But that doesn't mean the problem is solved, it just means it intensifies. It is hardly a cop-out to get to the heart of the matter as opposed to playing around the periphery.

Preaching to the choir. There aren't many here that don't see Wenger as the big problem. It's been done to death on here. But we can still discuss football on here, can't we? Does it always have to boil down to this point especially when discussing hypothetical set ups for the next game? This place is dying a slow death but if we keep hammering away at the same topic, remember to turn off the lights if you're the last one to leave. :lol:

[Niall_Quinn]

Preaching to the choir. There aren't many here that don't see Wenger as the big problem. It's been done to death on here. But we can still discuss football on here, can't we? Does it always have to boil down to this point especially when discussing hypothetical set ups for the next game? This place is dying a slow death but if we keep hammering away at the same topic, remember to turn off the lights if you're the last one to leave. :lol:

Yes, fair enough. We can discuss football. But fuck me, it's not as much fun when you know the outcome in advance - for the 12th year running. And it's very hard to judge players when they are being asked to perform in such a shitty system. It can be discussed but there's always that huge proviso hanging over everything that relegates the significance of any other conclusion.

[Globalgunner]

If Wenger still thinks he can pass his way through Chelsea`s defence to win the game with an Italian at the helm then we might as well pray for the draw. However we all know that Chelsea will score at some point but we are not guaranteed to. If Wumgers strategy is more of the same, then the result will be more of the same, a home defeat.
We need to find a way to score and score first. If Chelsea score first we will be on to another hiding. I would keep Gabriel out of this, put Perez left with instructions to assist Monreal. Iwobi top with Sanchez right. If Coq plays, he will need to be on his best behaviour, if he picks up a yellow in the first half then sub him soon after. It all depends on the ref too. Lets hope they choose a good one. Thank God, most of the cunts have retired.

[Xhaka Can’t]

I hope we score more in their goal than they do in ours.

[Kano]

Michael Oliver is refereeing the game this time.

[Globalgunner]

Michael Oliver is refereeing the game this time.

Good choice

[Herbert_Chapman's_Zombie]

Just means we will have no-one to blame but ourselves if we lose

[Power n Glory]

Yes, fair enough. We can discuss football. But fuck me, it's not as much fun when you know the outcome in advance - for the 12th year running. And it's very hard to judge players when they are being asked to perform in such a shitty system. It can be discussed but there's always that huge proviso hanging over everything that relegates the significance of any other conclusion.

I would have checked out for this season if he'd have decided on trying Giroud with Ozil up front again. I'll post something up about that partnership in another thread. But since it's a new season and we're trying something new with different players, it will take some time to really judge Wenger. For this season, not overall. If we still have a dysfunctional system and under utilized players midway through the season, it just proves again Wenger has got it wrong but until then, I'm just watching to see how this all pans out.

[Herbert_Chapman's_Zombie]

In all honesty I tuned out years ago

Certain defeats still have the ability to make me cross, but at no time last season did I ever feel like we were going to win the title.

I actually enjoyed the 14/15 season more because at times our football became good to watch again. When we stuffed Liverpool 4-1 last April it was probably the best id seen us play in years, we were suspect at the back for sure but going forward there was so much pace and purpose even when we had Aaron Ramsey and Giroud in the side.

[Niall_Quinn]

Used to be I'd make any excuse under the sun and miss any event no matter how significant to ensure I got my football fix. So I guess by comparison I have tuned out too. If I miss a game, and it's still rare because of habit mostly, then I tut and move on. No big deal. The boring cunts managing and playing the game today, "playing" being a euphemism for destroying, aren't worth planning for. It'll take 2 more seasons of this shit for me to let it slide entirely. I suspect the same is true for many fans who remembers football as it used to be and can't stand the shit that's being served up now so a bunch of talentless fucks can get super rich.

[Herbert_Chapman's_Zombie]

Used to be I'd make any excuse under the sun and miss any event no matter how significant to ensure I got my football fix. So I guess by comparison I have tuned out too. If I miss a game, and it's still rare because of habit mostly, then I tut and move on. No big deal. The boring cunts managing and playing the game today, "playing" being a euphemism for destroying, aren't worth planning for. It'll take 2 more seasons of this shit for me to let it slide entirely. I suspect the same is true for many fans who remembers football as it used to be and can't stand the shit that's being served up now so a bunch of talentless fucks can get super rich.

I can name you a handful of games i have watched live in the last year or so....partly because i cancelled Sky Subscription....partly because i can't be bothered

[Letters]

If I'm at home and MrsL is working and I'm not doing anything else I might try and find a stream - that was the combination last Saturday so I did see most of that one.
Otherwise, meh. Will tend to watch the goals if we've won.
I am a Sky subscriber but will never, never, never pay for their sports channels. It was that money which started all this bullshit, or definitely accelerated it.

[GP]

I cancelled Sky ages ago but get BT sport bundled with my broadband.

I don't think I'd pay for Sky again. It's well over 70 quid a month if you want sports and movies. Fuck that.

[Letters]

I pay 70-something but that's with phone and broadband. And that's 20% off. I'm not very good at the "I'm leaving" "How about this deal?" dance so I took 20% and ran.

[Marc Overmars]

I should probably get rid of Sky Sports, I don't watch non-Arsenal football anywhere near as much as I used to. I know I'm getting ripped off but I guess I just like having the option of being able to watch it on the days I fancy it.

Still enjoy going to games when I do though, I doubt that buzz will truly ever go. It's like an addiction where every so often you need a fix.

[GP]

I pay 70-something but that's with phone and broadband. And that's 20% off. I'm not very good at the "I'm leaving" "How about this deal?" dance so I took 20% and ran.

The last time I cancelled they called me and offered me 20% off. I said they'd have to offer me 60% off and £100 credit before I'd even think about it. They said okay :lol:

[Letters]

Yeah. As discussed I am crap at this sort of thing :lol:

[GP]

You can do it on the live chat thing on the website. Saves the confrontation.

[Marc Overmars]

All these TV and broadband companies provide the same or similar service, so it's all about customer retention as far as they're concerned, no one is offering anything different so it really just comes down to what you feel comfortable paying. You can take advantage of that very easily, it's the same with mobile phone providers. We have nothing to lose and they know it.

[Letters]

It's interesting that with car insurance they don't seem to try that hard to keep people. MrsL found a cheaper quote so she went to her then people and told them and they were like "bye then".
Weird, it's not like we spend all day crashing, the only payout they've had to make was when our car got broken into and they sorted the replacement window out but even then there was an excess so I doubt they lost much.

[Power n Glory]

All these TV and broadband companies provide the same or similar service, so it's all about customer retention as far as they're concerned, no one is offering anything different so it really just comes down to what you feel comfortable paying. You can take advantage of that very easily, it's the same with mobile phone providers. We have nothing to lose and they know it.

Sky have roped me back in but won't be touching the sport channels. The TV is a rip off and I mainly have it for the broadband but once this contract is up I'm switching to NOW TV and going over to Vodafone for fibre optic broadband. No line rental with their broadband and I mainly watch Netflix for TV these days.

[AFC Leveller]

Haven't beaten these cunts in years. It doesn't help when we are down to 10 men all the time though. We have to score first and make sure we don't lose our discipline . 11 v 11 should make it interesting.

[Herbert_Chapman's_Zombie]

Sky have roped me back in but won't be touching the sport channels. The TV is a rip off and I mainly have it for the broadband but once this contract is up I'm switching to NOW TV and going over to Vodafone for fibre optic broadband. No line rental with their broadband and I mainly watch Netflix for TV these days.

I think apart from News and live sport the format for television is very much switching towards streaming services like Amazon Prime and Netflix.

[Blink 1nce Quince 2wice]

Anything to avoid speaking about how Chelsea will find yet another absurd way to beat us.

[Goonermerree]

I'm looking forward to this match, better make a good account of ourselves - Oh and we better win!:cheer:

[Niall_Quinn]

Anything to avoid speaking about how Chelsea will find yet another absurd way to beat us.

We take this for granted.

Now what do you think about the price of bread? SCANDALOUS!

[AFC Leveller]

Teams are in:
Cech, Bellerin, Mustafi, Kos, Mon, Coq, Santi, Ozil, Iwobi, Theo, Sanchez

[AFC Leveller]

Just cannot see us winning this today, draw at best.

[Munchies]

https://pbs.twimg.com/media/CtIQ7FcWIAANjIb.jpg

fukkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkk

[Munchies]

Chelsea team today: Courtois; Ivanovic (c), Cahill, David Luiz, Azpilicueta; Kante; Willian, Fabregas, Matic, Hazard; Diego Costa

[Power n Glory]

We've got this!

[The Emirates Gallactico]

Come on guys! After today's bad results in the other games I could really do with a win today!

[Globalgunner]

Not many goals in that team Im afraid.

[Kano]

We needed our striker Xhaka to start

[Herbert_Chapman's_Zombie]

Wenger doing what he always does, putting conservatism first.....and actually making us less secure and assured as a result

My only hope is that having not played for a week that coqzorla is able to give our defence some protection.

I can't see anything but a loss personally....would love to be proved wrong.

[Niall_Quinn]

https://pbs.twimg.com/media/CtIQ7FcWIAANjIb.jpg

fukkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkk

Wenger is a coward. It's embarrassing to have him as our manager.

[Globalgunner]

Big strong Chelsea defence. Up against our small attack. Lets throw some crosses into Sanchez and see what happens

[Goonermerree]

Come on Arsenal! Please :pray: beat Costa, beat Fabregas, beat Chelsea. We can do it!

[Kano]

Big strong Chelsea defence. Up against our small attack. Lets throw some crosses into Sanchez and see what happens

And Luiz

[AFC Leveller]

Wenger is a coward. It's embarrassing to have him as our manager.

He is beaten before the game has even kicked off. Why not play the best team? Xaka, Giroud and Peres should all be starting Imo.

[Globalgunner]

Kim Jong Il in the crowd. We had better win or else

[adzzzbatch]

Nice effort!

[adzzzbatch]

Costa fouled him first! :rolleyes:

[Niall_Quinn]

On the off-chance somebody throws a bottle from the crowd and splits that cunt Costa's skull open - I would like to support that in advance.

[Goonermerree]

Costa getting booed. Good start, but we mustn't push up to much and leave our defence thin.

[adzzzbatch]

Fuck off cech.

[adzzzbatch]

Costa getting booed. Good start, but we mustn't push up to much and leave our defence thin.

Our crowd won't keep the booing up.

[Niall_Quinn]

All the instinctive hatred of the chavs just comes flowing right back as soon as you watch their vile shitbags and their antics.

[Goonermerree]

I can log in to the BT sport official live stream and it's absolute crap.

[adzzzbatch]

Fuck off ref you cunt!

[Niall_Quinn]

Decent enough move. Theo a bit thick as usual but at least he's causing their defence issues.

[Niall_Quinn]

I can log in to the BT sport official live stream and it's absolute crap.

Yeah, I used to have BT but the quality and the delay was so bad I used the pirate streams anyway.

[Goonermerree]

Coq fouled by Fabregas and gets away with it.

[adzzzbatch]

YYYYYEEEEESSSSS!!!!!

[Kano]

Alexis!!

[A Gunner]

1 - 0 Alexis

[Kano]

Cahill :haha:

[Goonermerree]

I have a better stream up, but it's a couple of minutes behind BT's stream.

[GP]

ALEXISSS!!!!!


Cahill :haha:

[Niall_Quinn]

ALEXISSSSSSSSSS!!!!!!!!!

It's fucking beautiful!

[Kano]

Alexis the striker :bow:

[Goonermerree]

Alexis, get in!!!!!! Cahill ha,ha, ha,

[Globalgunner]

Liftoff!!

[Niall_Quinn]

DO NOT NOT NOT NOT NOT TRY TO SIT ON THIS!!!!!

Go for it!

[adzzzbatch]

YYYYYYYYYYEEEEEEEEEESSSSSSSSSS!!!!!!!!!!

[Kano]

Walcott!!

[A Gunner]

2 - 0 Walcott

[AFC Leveller]

2-0

[Kano]

Brilliant play!

[GP]

OMG!!

[Niall_Quinn]

Oh my God!!!!

A real Arsenal goal.

Fucking hell.

[Kano]

BT pundits :haha:

[adzzzbatch]

KEEP IT UP!!!!

[Goonermerree]

Oh my god, get in Theo!!!!

[KSE Comedy Club]

streams please!!

[Kano]

Just playing the same old way, shit line up :lol:

[adzzzbatch]

Do not sit back! Do not switch off!!

[Munchies]

GET THE FUCK IN!!!!

[The Emirates Gallactico]

Miss the opening 15 minutes and now find out that we're 2 up!!!

YAY BABYY!!!

DO NOT FUCK THIS UP LADS!

[Goonermerree]

streams please!!

https://www.reddit.com/r/soccerstreams

[Niall_Quinn]

Just playing the same old way, shit line up :lol:

Why don't you just shut up you twat! Everyone is celebrating and you're going on with your usual shite. Just cheer like the rest of us FFS!

[Globalgunner]

Bloody Hell!.

[The Emirates Gallactico]

streams please!!

Got this working now:

http://re-matches.com/game/match/321/386/Arsenal-vs-Chelsea-live-and-highlights.html

[fakeyank]

Defenders hell bent on fucking things up. Keep it simple you fucking muppets!

[Niall_Quinn]

http://www.stream2watch.cc/live-sports/football/arsenal-fc-vs-chelsea-fc-live-stream-24-september-2016

[KSE Comedy Club]

cheers guys

[Kano]

Chavs defence all over the gaff

[adzzzbatch]

BT Sport :haha: :haha:

[adzzzbatch]

Fucking ref!

[GP]

Ref needs to stop falling for Costa's bullshit.

[Niall_Quinn]

Fucking ref!

We should be happy we have this ref tbf. I don't think he'll intervene to try and get the chavs back into this, like many would.

[Kano]

Close from Willian

[adzzzbatch]

WAKE UP BOYS!

[Munchies]

Im using this stream

http://www.streamhd.eu/football/arsenal-vs-chelsea-live-stream-709.php

It's fuckin amazing

[Kano]

Bit of a mess back there

[Niall_Quinn]

Ref needs to stop falling for Costa's bullshit.

That's Costa's whole game.

[Goonermerree]

We've got to watch Costa, he's getting mad.

[The Emirates Gallactico]

We've got to watch Costa, he's getting mad.

Need to get Coquelin to start winding him. Hopefully we can get him sent off.

[adzzzbatch]

We can't let it get back to 2-1

[Kano]

Getting onto the ball quickly and not giving them time good stuff

[Niall_Quinn]

Only thing missing so far is Maureen on the touchline. Would be so nice if he was there. Of course he got sacked, didn't he? For failing.

[Niall_Quinn]

Need to get Coquelin to start winding him. Hopefully we can get him sent off.

Only one winner there if it comes to a scrote fest. We need to be professional enough to ignore his shite.

[Goonermerree]

Only one winner there if it comes to a scrote fest. We need to be professional enough to ignore his shite.

I agree he's too sneaky

[Kano]

Monreal and Iwobi still a problem at the back

[Niall_Quinn]

Why do we insist on leaving such huge space on the flanks?

[Niall_Quinn]

Alexis is just class.

[adzzzbatch]

poor from alexis

[adzzzbatch]

Giving them too much of the ball now :(

[The Emirates Gallactico]

Far too many errors in defending to make me feel comfortable yet.

[Kano]

Ivanovic is such a scrote

Lovely play by Iwobi

[Niall_Quinn]

Hold on, that's red surely? WTF?

[The Emirates Gallactico]

How was that not a red! Ivanonvic was last man!

[Niall_Quinn]

Certain red.

[Kano]

How was that not a red! Ivanonvic was last man!

Luiz was there I think probably the right call

[Kano]

Alexis clips it off the wall and over the bar

[Niall_Quinn]

Ref bottled it. In some ways though, we are better against 11 than 10.

Coq off. Xhaka now?

[adzzzbatch]

Coq is fucked :(

[Kano]

Coquelin is coming off

[A Gunner]

Coq off
Xhaka on

[Kano]

Xhaka on :bow:

[The Emirates Gallactico]

Oh well, at least we have Xhaka.

[fakeyank]

Coq out for the season.

[Goonermerree]

Luiz was there, definitely not a red.

[Kano]

Shame for Coquelin, he was having a good game, hope it's not serious.

[Niall_Quinn]

Oh what the fuck are we doing now? Coq is injured. I thought he was going off? Come on Wenger - join in any time!

[adzzzbatch]

I hope he warmed up enough!

[Goonermerree]

Xhakaboom, let's have another belter!

[Niall_Quinn]

I hope he warmed up enough!

Well he had enough time between the injury and the sub. You'd hope so.

[The Emirates Gallactico]

What are the odds on Xhaka scoring again? Might put a fiver on it tbh.

[Kano]

Costa fuck off

[adzzzbatch]

Great hunger to get the ball being shown today

[adzzzbatch]

costa :haha:

[Niall_Quinn]

Kante's agrarian tendencies are being revealed at this level.

And I have to admit, that's excellent play by Theo. That's when we need that striker taking a risk in the box.

[Kano]

This new all action Feo is still a shock

[adzzzbatch]

costa has been excellent and brilliant? :unsure:

What game are they watching?

[Kano]

Should've had someone in the box

[Goonermerree]

Costa is a first class prick, end of.

[Niall_Quinn]

Oh come on. We MUST start getting players in the box.

[AFC Leveller]

Worried we will settle for this and play it defensively until the end

[AFC Leveller]

Ozil has been off the pace today, needs to fix up or go off

[Kano]

Well tackled by Kos

[The Emirates Gallactico]

Worried we will settle for this and play it defensively until the end

We're a bit too open for my liking. We're relied on quite a few last ditch tackles to keep a clean sheet so far.

Can see Chelsea scoring unless we tighten it up tbh.

[Goonermerree]

this game is by no means won, but I'm really enjoying it.

[adzzzbatch]

YYYYYYYYYYYYYYYEEEEEEEEEEEEEEESSSSSSSSSSSSSSS!!!!! !!!!!!!!!!

[Kano]

Ozil!!!

[A Gunner]

3 - 0 Ozil

[AFC Leveller]

3-0

[Master Splinter]

WOW!!!!!

[Kano]

3-0 and fuck you Chelsea

[The Emirates Gallactico]

:haha::haha:

[GP]

Do we need him though?



:haha: :haha: :haha: :haha:

[Niall_Quinn]

Fucking missed it. Poxy stream.

[adzzzbatch]

chelski :haha: :haha:

costa :haha: :haha:

[Goonermerree]

Bloody hell, get in. Who was just complaining about Ozil,

[GP]

Bloody hell, get in. Who was just complaining about Ozil,

Idiots complain about Ozil.

World class player.

[adzzzbatch]

BT aren't happy at all!! :haha: :haha: :haha:

[Niall_Quinn]

Wow. Alexis just dominating the game there.

[Goonermerree]

Ozil smacking his Arsenal badge after he'd scored.

[GP]

BT aren't happy at all!! :haha: :haha: :haha:

http://www.101greatgoals.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/11/there-is-no-need-to-be-upset.png

[The Emirates Gallactico]

Theo's work ethic this season :bow:


He's not due a new contract anytime soon is he? :unsure:

[adzzzbatch]

I'm sick of hearing whining scousers

[Niall_Quinn]

Ozil has been off the pace today, needs to fix up or go off

I think people just miss his contribution. For me he's been all over the pitch and the chavs just don't know what do with him. I'd rate him as one of the key players in this performance. Him, Alexis, and.... Theo. WTF?

[Munchies]

WE WANT 10!

[Goonermerree]

BT aren't happy at all!! :haha: :haha: :haha:

No first class pricks and they've got all of the CL games. Pricks.

[The Emirates Gallactico]

Ozil's skill :bow:

[Kano]

BT aren't happy at all!! :haha: :haha: :haha:

:lol:

Terrible line-up, Chelsea will eat this up all day, just the same old thing.

What pearls will they drop at half time I wonder.

[adzzzbatch]

sideshow bob :haha: :haha:

[Niall_Quinn]

Just this one time, can we please go for 6 goals instead of shutting up shop at 3? So many times we get a lead and then sit on it. Not now please. We owe these bastards a right hiding.

[AFC Leveller]

Chelsea starting to lose the plot.

Love out tackling today,

[Niall_Quinn]

Xhaka :bow:

[adzzzbatch]

https://i.ytimg.com/vi/3T3irQCsDCg/hqdefault.jpg

[adzzzbatch]

shit I thought that was in! :o

[Niall_Quinn]

Sneaky scroting by Theo.

[Munchies]

FEO TRACKING BACK

EARNING THAT 140K

LUFF IT!!!

[adzzzbatch]

How many tackles are they going to make that go unpunished?

[A Gunner]

HT 3 - 0

[adzzzbatch]

boooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooo

[Kano]

Arsenal :bow:

BT :haha:

[The Emirates Gallactico]

FEO TRACKING BACK

EARNING THAT 140K

LUFF IT!!!

I know rite! Like a new player this season.

Amazing what some serious competition does to him.

[Niall_Quinn]

HT 3-0

Some seriously good goals to watch again. The second goal is goal of the season. Unless Benteke accidentally batters one in from 50 yards.

[Goonermerree]

FEO TRACKING BACK

EARNING THAT 140K

LUFF IT!!!

He's certainly had a good start to the season, keep it up.

[Letters]

Just seen the score and the goals.
What the bloody hell is going on?!

:blink:

[AFC Leveller]

Theo + effort and ability = good player . He is chasing everything and looks a lot calmer on the ball. Keep it up .

[LDG]

:faint:

[Kano]

Now it's all because of Chelsea we're 3-0.

Fucking idiots :lol:

[adzzzbatch]

Oh right so that's how they're playing it chelski are not playing well, that's the only reason we're winning :rolleyes:

[GP]

Just seen the score and the goals.
What the bloody hell is going on?!

:blink:

Ozil: Do we need him?


:haha:

[Letters]

Ozil: Do we need him?


:haha:

:lol:

Sell him, he's shit (hot)