Match Reaction - Chelsea vs Arsenal

[IBK]

That's because we are Nazis. Nobody likes Nazis.

Except John Terry.

And he likes them mainly because they think people of the darker persuasion are fucking black cunts.

[Flavs]

And he likes them mainly because they think people of the darker persuasion are fucking black cunts.

Well no, the Nazi parties main point around the black was that the Jews were using them as muscle against the white man. Kinda like Simon Phoenix in demolition man...

[Niall_Quinn]

Revealing stuff from Wenger on Walcott:


"Theo has been struggling because we make him work very hard but he has become a more complete player today," said Wenger. "He is not a liability any more, defensively. He does his defensive job. At the start that makes you heavy-legged when you win the ball back, and he went through a period when he was working so hard defensively he did not have the resorurces to go forward, but now he has got used to it.

Shows Wenger is thinking what we are saying and it's understandable he won't come out and say as much at the time. It's just a relief to know he sees it though.

Which means he should get a right slapping for Denilson.

[Power n Glory]

I said it earlier - its incredible that we had a UK player (Ramsey) who came damn near being MOTM; an England player (Walcott) who scored a wonder goal, and an up and coming English player (Jenkinson) to Chelsea's 4 English players - let alone an unbelievable performance from the best striker by far in the English game in 2011 - yet there is so little praise for Arsenal in the press its unbelievable...

The reality is, we’re still considered a very shaky team and one performance against Chelsea won’t suddenly change opinions about the squad. We beat Chelsea last season in a very convincing fashion but managed to stumble against Wigan in the next game. Our title hopes have been written off and until we put together a serious solid run and start putting other teams to the sword, then maybe opinions will start to sway in our favour. Nobody takes us seriously anymore. We’re not the force we once were but hopefully that will change soon.

[Power n Glory]

Revealing stuff from Wenger on Walcott:



Shows Wenger is thinking what we are saying and it's understandable he won't come out and say as much at the time. It's just a relief to know he sees it though.

Which means he should get a right slapping for Denilson.

That's why the Ox isn't starting games. Wenger wants him to work on his defence.

[Flavs]

I do have a concern that we were on the right side of these thin lines we keep hearing about on Saturday, it could have been very different if Chelsea weren't, well, a bit shit.

We need to ensure we are hammering teams in a constant fashion and not taking our foot off the pedal, the main concern is that Ramsey cant play like a man possessed week in week out, i think we will rotate most of the team against Marseille and we all know what happened last year when we started that shit

[IBK]

The reality is, we’re still considered a very shaky team and one performance against Chelsea won’t suddenly change opinions about the squad. We beat Chelsea last season in a very convincing fashion but managed to stumble against Wigan in the next game. Our title hopes have been written off and until we put together a serious solid run and start putting other teams to the sword, then maybe opinions will start to sway in our favour. Nobody takes us seriously anymore. We’re not the force we once were but hopefully that will change soon.

Not asking to be feted on the back of one good result - simply given credit for playing with some heart after all the negativity.

[IBK]

Well no, the Nazi parties main point around the black was that the Jews were using them as muscle against the white man. Kinda like Simon Phoenix in demolition man...

...and that means that they don't think they are fucking black cunts....? :unsure:

[Flavs]

...and that means that they don't think they are fucking black cunts....? :unsure:

oh shut up darkie

[Ollie the Optimist]

Not asking to be feted on the back of one good result - simply given credit for playing with some heart after all the negativity.

on a serious point though, its not just one result is it. we have now won 8 of our last 9 games. sure the chelsea game was probs the best performance of the lot, but we are winning now, winning late as well, stoke, sunderland, chelsea etc. this team is fighting its socks off to get us back in the race for 4th. credit due where credit due and that is to Arsene. he takes the flak with the shit start but he has turned it around

[Niall_Quinn]

The reality is, we’re still considered a very shaky team and one performance against Chelsea won’t suddenly change opinions about the squad. We beat Chelsea last season in a very convincing fashion but managed to stumble against Wigan in the next game. Our title hopes have been written off and until we put together a serious solid run and start putting other teams to the sword, then maybe opinions will start to sway in our favour. Nobody takes us seriously anymore. We’re not the force we once were but hopefully that will change soon.

This is all good though. The cocky arrogance has gone. The slow motion swagger as we casually give the ball away, is gone. Now it's players flying here, chucking themselves there, getting some dirt on the shirt. That's what was killing us in the games against Wigan and the like, the belief we'd won before we stepped on the pitch. Maybe the Blackburn beating will end up having more impact than the Utd thrashing but hopefully both have served a purpose. You're right, it's all still fragile and the glue seems weak in places, but it's holding together nonetheless. It could all be gone with an injury to RvP but let's hope it doesn't happen rather than assuming it will. Fortune has to change at some point so fingers crossed. If not, well fuck, it's not like we haven't been there before. If nobody takes us seriously any more then that's great. The team has always struggled to handle the pressure so if there is no pressure that can only benefit us. In many ways things aren't so different. We've always been good at making up a points deficit, never been great over recent years at hanging on once we hit the top. So there are plenty of tests ahead still but we have to take what we can from the results so far. We were inches away from it being very different. We could be down in the relegation zone scrapping it out, the margins were fine. The fact we're not is a good sign. It's also huge we didn't collapse against the chavs. Pick any season from the last five and we were coming out as losers in that game. Finally it's different and it's hopefully a sign of things to come. There are some detectable differences here. We seem to be more of a team than a collection of individuals, even if we are relying so heavily on RvP. Maybe Park will step up if and when we need him. At least we have more than we did last season, which was nothing at all in reserve. That bench looked strong vs the chavs.

[Power n Glory]

Not asking to be feted on the back of one good result - simply given credit for playing with some heart after all the negativity.

I don't want the media praise to be fair. I'll be satisfied if we sneak up on these guys and surprise everyone. Like a hand up Mona Lisa's dress as Al would say.

[Letters]

MOTD was pretty pointless for us tbh.

It was just Hansen waffling on about chelsea and tbf Shearer did butt in at the end and point out that rvp got a hat trick and that we played really well.

To be fair, Hansen did actually give us some credit. Very unlike him, but he did.

[Niall_Quinn]

That's why the Ox isn't starting games. Wenger wants him to work on his defence.

And the slapping he deserves for Denilson?

[Letters]

until we put together a serious solid run and start putting other teams to the sword

Like winning 8 out of 9 games? :shrug:

OK, most were 'winnable' games but...we won them. Early season we weren't winning those, now we are. Now we've beaten Chelsea away and the last couple of games we've looked good again IMO, more like Arsenal. We're not title contenders this year but given the horrible summer and the awful start the return to form and confidence is welcome. We're looking like a team again.

[Flavs]

Hating to be negative here, but Meatpacker is a bit shit really isn't he?

[Letters]

Hating to be negative here, but Meatpacker is a bit shit really isn't he?

He was partly (although not entirely) responsible for Chelsea's first two goals on Saturday, in other games I've thought him quite good though.
So...dunno. Maybe.

[Niall_Quinn]

Hating to be negative here, but Meatpacker is a bit shit really isn't he?

He keeps Squillaci of the pitch, and he could get better over time. Hard to imagine the Germans would let him play so many times if he didn't have something to offer. So I expect to see an improvement. Hell, if Kos can step up than pretty much anyone (except Squillaci) can.

[Fist of Lehmann]

Vermaelen back, Permasacker drops to the bench.

Koz doesn't deserve to be dropped. He's been absolutely superb.

[Niall_Quinn]

Vermaelen back, Permasacker drops to the bench.

Koz doesn't deserve to be dropped. He's been absolutely superb.

Probably right, especially against Marseilles Koscielny was absolutely superb. Almost single-handedly got us that clean sheet.

[Xhaka Can’t]

Vermaelen back, Permasacker drops to the bench.

Koz doesn't deserve to be dropped. He's been absolutely superb.

I hope Wenger doesn't make the wrong decision.

[Power n Glory]

Like winning 8 out of 9 games? :shrug:

OK, most were 'winnable' games but...we won them. Early season we weren't winning those, now we are. Now we've beaten Chelsea away and the last couple of games we've looked good again IMO, more like Arsenal. We're not title contenders this year but given the horrible summer and the awful start the return to form and confidence is welcome. We're looking like a team again.

We’re still not in the Top 4 and that’s why the papers haven’t been going wild. 8 or 9 games in total. That’s not our league run. We lost 2 -1 to Tottenham at the beginning of the month. It’s a great victory but some perspective. We’ve still got a long way to go and the players aren’t getting carried away so why would the press?

[Niall_Quinn]

I hope Wenger doesn't make the wrong decision.

Meh, injuries will probably deprive us of all 3 anyway. It's us. For now it's good we're worrying about who should play rather than begging Wenger to keep them off the pitch because they're playing so shite.

[Niall_Quinn]

We’re still not in the Top 4 and that’s why the papers haven’t been going wild. 8 or 9 games in total. That’s not our league run. We lost 2 -1 to Tottenham at the beginning of the month. It’s a great victory but some perspective. We’ve still got a long way to go and the players aren’t getting carried away so why would the press?

5 goals against the chavs at stamford bridge, nothing to write about really. Happens all the time.

[Super Ghel]

I said it earlier - its incredible that we had a UK player (Ramsey) who came damn near being MOTM; an England player (Walcott) who scored a wonder goal, and an up and coming English player (Jenkinson) to Chelsea's 4 English players - let alone an unbelievable performance from the best striker by far in the English game in 2011 - yet there is so little praise for Arsenal in the press its unbelievable...

Yup, agreed but I think this perception of how foreign we are was built up over time due to our style of play and the fact that we didn’t have an abundance of super ghels in our ranks for the media wankfest in the recent past. But with the emergence of a few more home talents in the near future and let’s not forget Wilshere the super ace ghel in our books the superlatives and hyperbole will come soon enough provided we deliver on the pitch consistently.

[Super Ghel]

Terry :pal: Just gets funnier every time I see it. There’s something very contrived about the way he fell over, almost superficial like and unlike those you would characterise as a natural slip or loss of balance. It’s almost like a light bulb lit up at that split second when it suddenly occurred to him that the odds were not necessarily stacked in his favour, so based on his wealth of experience with refereeing tendencies in such instances, an inspirational flash came instantly in the form of some premeditative remedial action. Only problem was it was a brainfart moment between idea conception and implementation as the execution was way too premature considering VP was still miles away. Reminds me a bit of that ridiculous dive Gamst Pedersen tried a few seasons ago. :haha:

[LDG]

Terry :pal: Just gets funnier every time I see it. There’s something very contrived about the way he fell over, almost superficial like and unlike those you would characterise as a natural slip or loss of balance. It’s almost like a light bulb lit up at that split second when it suddenly occurred to him that the odds were not necessarily stacked in his favour, so based on his wealth of experience with refereeing tendencies in such instances, an inspirational flash came instantly in the form of some premeditative remedial action. Only problem was it was a brainfart moment between idea conception and implementation as the execution was way too premature considering VP was still miles away. Reminds me a bit of that ridiculous dive Gamst Pedersen tried a few seasons ago. :haha:

Either that, or he had a cracking bet on 3-4 to Arsenal.

Shame he lost that one too.

[Super Ghel]

Either that, or he had a cracking bet on 3-4 to Arsenal.

Shame he lost that one too.

:haha:

[Power n Glory]

5 goals against the chavs at stamford bridge, nothing to write about really. Happens all the time.

Yeah, it’s something to write about but the focus and spotlight is on Chelsea and their new boss. They’re going to bust his balls a bit cause it’s a rare thing. Sheeesh…self-centred Arsenal fans. We don’t need the attention, especially from rags we don’t respect in the first place. They can keep their praise.

[Marc Overmars]

Vermaelen back, Permasacker drops to the bench.

Koz doesn't deserve to be dropped. He's been absolutely superb.

I don't know about anyone else, but in my mind it's Mertesacker + 1.

Having 2 sweeper CB's has been tried and tested for us, it just doesn't work. I think Merts is brilliant at the fundamentals (although he was below par on Saturday) and has a great nack of making timely interceptions. He brings out the best in Kos and vice versa IMO, opposites attract and all that.

We have cried out for a no nonsense defender for ages, now we have one.

I reckon Vermaelen will go back in by default as he's vice captain but it's a nice problem to have.

[LDG]

Yeah, it’s something to write about but the focus and spotlight is on Chelsea and their new boss. They’re going to bust his balls a bit cause it’s a rare thing. Sheeesh…self-centred Arsenal fans. We don’t need the attention, especially from rags we don’t respect in the first place. They can keep their praise.

Nobody has ever like us, and I used to like it when we didn't get the praise and did things our way.

Fuck 'em. Long may it continue. Because when we don't get the praise (or indeed the bad press for woeful form), it means we're quietly doing well.

:smug:

[Niall_Quinn]

It has to burn even more because Malouda is walking through the rain drops on this one, even though he created the whole mess. Terry has been begging for a week like that for a long time, now he has it. He's always been a dickhead and the twats who are supporting him now might well go down with him. It's not like supporting a guy who's just having a bad time, Terry has a long track record and it's a bad reflection on the character of anyone who's supporting him right now. Means they'll tolerate any shit provided there's something in it for them. I wonder how many friends this guy has in football any more? Can he really continue being the England captain and what twat brought him back after so many warning signs?

[IBK]

oh shut up darkie

Jessie Owens was a firm favourite of Hitler's though. :lol: Seriously, did you know that Hitler sent him a commemorative framed photo of himself after the games, whereas Roosevelt sent him nothing - no telegram - nothing.

[Niall_Quinn]

Yeah, it’s something to write about but the focus and spotlight is on Chelsea and their new boss. They’re going to bust his balls a bit cause it’s a rare thing. Sheeesh…self-centred Arsenal fans. We don’t need the attention, especially from rags we don’t respect in the first place. They can keep their praise.

Fair enough, but maybe lay off the contrived Nazi shit. That's a little too much.

[IBK]

He keeps Squillaci of the pitch, and he could get better over time. Hard to imagine the Germans would let him play so many times if he didn't have something to offer. So I expect to see an improvement. Heil, if Kos can step up than pretty much anyone (except Squillaci) can.

Tee hee.

[Power n Glory]

Nobody has ever like us, and I used to like it when we didn't get the praise and did things our way.

Fuck 'em. Long may it continue. Because when we don't get the praise (or indeed the bad press for woeful form), it means we're quietly doing well.

:smug:

That’s how I see it. Plus, I’d much rather hear about another team being in turmoil for once.

[Niall_Quinn]

Tee hee.

NQ :pal: outed

[IBK]

NQ :pal: outed

You and RVP in a matter of mere days...:angry:

[Olivier's xmas twist]

Hating to be negative here, but Meatpacker is a bit shit really isn't he?

Merts :pal:

Zimm for calling it early on :bow:

[Olivier's xmas twist]

Judas? How interesting. From a club owned by one of history's ultimate Judas' The "gent" who looted everything not nailed down when his nation was in turmoil. Then again, the likes of Roman have been doing that in Russia for a long time, and not just Russia. They do it everywhere. But we're straying into territory where the truth has been legally banned, so hush hush.




Chelsea owner sued over oil shares
http://www.mirror.co.uk/news/latest/2011/10/03/chelsea-owner-sued-over-oil-shares-115875-23464226/

There you go

[Dog Toffee]

Djourou simply cannot continue at right back. But what does it say about Jenkinson that Wenger started DoJo ahead of him there? Its a difficult one. Shame Vermalean aint right footed.

[Niall_Quinn]

There you go

Hard to find a bigger scum bag than Abramovic, but Berezovsky fits the bill. One thieving piece of shit criticising another thieving piece of shit for having no honour.

[Olivier's xmas twist]

Nobody has ever liked us, and I used to like it when we didn't get the praise and did things our way.

Fuck 'em. Long may it continue. Because when we don't get the praise (or indeed the bad press for woeful form), it means we're quietly doing well.

:smug:

:gp:

[Niall_Quinn]

Djourou simply cannot continue at right back. But what does it say about Jenkinson that Wenger started DoJo ahead of him there? Its a difficult one. Shame Vermalean aint right footed.

I don't think it says anything much about Jenkinson. He's not a first team player, he lacks experience. He's done very well when he's come in but Wenger probably wanted more experience for a big game. Jenks will come through gradually and I believe he'll be streets ahead of JD as a defender when he's put a season or two under his belt.

[Olivier's xmas twist]

Djourou simply cannot continue at right back. But what does it say about Jenkinson that Wenger started DoJo ahead of him there? Its a difficult one. Shame Vermalean aint right footed.

tbf he is not a right back by trade is he. Then again not sure he's a centre back either.

[Xhaka Can’t]

tbf he is not a right back by trade is he. Then again not sure he's a centre back either.

Or a footballer.

[LDG]

Or a footballer.

Or white.

[Master Splinter]

Jenkinson just came back from an injury.

And was very good in the games he played before that injury.

He will start against Marseille.

And are the people calling Mertesacker shit just basing it on the Chelsea highlights?

Because if you've watched our full matches recently, you'll know he's been very steady on the whole. He may be awkward, but his defending is generally excellent. The weakest aspect of his game is heading, strangely.

You could say he has aided Koscielny in single-handedly improving our results and keeping that clean sheet in Marseille.

[Jens' Face]

Well no, the Nazi parties main point around the black was that the Jews were using them as muscle against the white man. Kinda like Simon Phoenix in demolition man...
Judge Dredd you fool

[IBK]

Judge Dredd you fool

:faint:

[Boss]

Mertesacker was fucking garbage against Chelsea. Defense looked suspect until the SH when Santos manned up and Vermaelen came on.

You can say Santos shouldn't allow the cross for their first goal but a player that's 6 foot 6 shouldn't be so pathetic at blocking a basic cross into the box. For the second, you would have thought he was a 3 foot midget the way he was barged over by the Big Man.

He hasn't been good at all for the reason he was bought, which is to help us out at set-pieces. He's good along the ground but we already had Verm and Koscielny who are two of the best in the league at that. He's been poor in the air in a few games this season, notably Chelsea, Stoke and Blackburn. Vermaelen and Koscielny must be our first choice when available.

To be fair to him I still think he was a decent buy and I suppose if Wenger tells him to man up in the air he'll be a solid performer for us. Would like to see him play more in the cup games and such until he is fully adapted.

Also don't think Djourou played too poorly against Chelsea, he wasn't spectacular but dealt with his side of the field relatively comfortably and most of the problems (in the FH) were from Santos' side. Trust him a lot more than Jenkinson atm although the latter will obviously develop into a far better player.

[Olivier's xmas twist]

Mertesacker was fucking garbage against Chelsea. Defense looked suspect until the SH when Santos manned up and Vermaelen came on.

You can say Santos shouldn't allow the cross for their first goal but a player that's 6 foot 6 shouldn't be so pathetic at blocking a basic cross into the box. For the second, you would have thought he was a 3 foot midget the way he was barged over by the Big Man.

He hasn't been good at all for the reason he was bought, which is to help us out at set-pieces. He's good along the ground but we already had Verm and Koscielny who are two of the best in the league at that. He's been poor in the air in a few games this season, notably Chelsea, Stoke and Blackburn. Vermaelen and Koscielny must be our first choice when available.

To be fair to him I still think he was a decent buy and I suppose if Wenger tells him to man up in the air he'll be a solid performer for us. Would like to see him play more in the cup games and such until he is fully adapted.

Also don't think Djourou played too poorly against Chelsea, he wasn't spectacular but dealt with his side of the field relatively comfortably and most of the problems (in the FH) were from Santos' side. Trust him a lot more than Jenkinson atm although the latter will obviously develop into a far better player.

Merts was wank against the chavs, but it was never going to be plain sailing for him, this was a diffrent test to what he has faced and neeeds to man up in the future tbh, i agree he should play in more games to get the exprience but can't see AW doing that.

I'd deffo think we should try and nab Cahill come Jan tbh at least then we'd have 4 good CB's tbh and you'd not worry about injury's tbh.

[LDG]

Mertesacker was fucking garbage against Chelsea. Defense looked suspect until the SH when Santos manned up and Vermaelen came on.

You can say Santos shouldn't allow the cross for their first goal but a player that's 6 foot 6 shouldn't be so pathetic at blocking a basic cross into the box. For the second, you would have thought he was a 3 foot midget the way he was barged over by the Big Man.

He hasn't been good at all for the reason he was bought, which is to help us out at set-pieces. He's good along the ground but we already had Verm and Koscielny who are two of the best in the league at that. He's been poor in the air in a few games this season, notably Chelsea, Stoke and Blackburn. Vermaelen and Koscielny must be our first choice when available.

To be fair to him I still think he was a decent buy and I suppose if Wenger tells him to man up in the air he'll be a solid performer for us. Would like to see him play more in the cup games and such until he is fully adapted.

Also don't think Djourou played too poorly against Chelsea, he wasn't spectacular but dealt with his side of the field relatively comfortably and most of the problems (in the FH) were from Santos' side. Trust him a lot more than Jenkinson atm although the latter will obviously develop into a far better player.

Nah, we played with far to high a line in the first half, which was dumb as fuck considering we had no recovery pace on the flanks.

Merts is used to playing in a flat back four, and, in all honesty, has doen remarkably well playing a different role. But that's because he's a clever bloke.

He got caught for the first, because we got exposed, and lost our shape. He went to cover the near post and lost Fat Boy. Djourou should have been covering accross, but was still half way up the pitch.

Second goal, he was shite, granted. But he also cut out some very dangerous situations that could have cost us further.

As soon as we dropped deeper second half, he, and everyone else was fine. And we looked pretty solid at the back, bar one mistake from a poor ball by Santos.

He is a good signing.

[Marc Overmars]

It's no fluke that he always seems to have a nack of making interceptions and breaking up play. His reading of the game is pretty good and his no nonsense style is what we've always cried out for. We've always had defenders who are comfortable playing along floor and it's a nice contrast to have the opposite now.

Our problems at the back are not down to individuals, it's down to a complete lack of any understanding as a unit. It doesn't matter what combo of players we have there, the same problems will come about.

[Japan Shaking All Over]

Merts is still getting used to the PL, and I think Kos is doing an excellent job helping him adjust.
Saturday's win is going to do a lot for his confidence and hopefully a few clean sheets over the next few games could further enhance that.

Our high line is suicidal especially when as on Saturday we played with no pace wide. TBH I thought Johan was going to be in for a rough ride after the first few minutes but they seemed to swap their attention to our left and he settled down and coped well.

Merts made some decent interceptions but as with Terry's goal does get caught out and a 6'6 body being caught out and falling over itself to amend is never a pretty sight, not unless you are a slightly smaller John Terry faling over yourself then its just downright hilarious!

Merts will be a good buy and I agree with Charlie that we should still check the market, but we no longer have to held to ransom by Bolton's scoffable valuation of Cahill, 10 max or GTFO!

Vertognen please :pray:

[Flavs]

Our high line is suicidal especially when as on Saturday we played with no pace wide.


Second half we played a lot deeper and Song was told to sit back and pick up the surging midfielder, this is the way we should always play.

There is no need to buy Cahill and tbh he has been pretty shite this season.

[KSE Comedy Club]

Did I ever tell you about 5-3?
And the hilarity of John Terry?
He was brought down to his knees
By the sheer awesomeness of Van persie.

[Olivier's xmas twist]

Second half we played a lot deeper and Song was told to sit back and pick up the surging midfielder, this is the way we should always play.

There is no need to buy Cahill and tbh he has been pretty shite this season.

Oh i was not saying we should because i thought Merts was shite, just that it give us an option if we got more injuries.

[Flavs]

Vertognen please :pray:

Is he related to Jan Vertonghen?


Yeah check out my new found spelling cockiness

[Özim]

Mertesacker was very poor on Saturday, basically he was to blame for both goals. Still remain unconvinced by him, does some good things but also does some very average things, is he the answer to our prayers most definitely not our defence is still as awful as it wa before he arrived.

Santos I like going forward but he's another that can't really defend, Wenger has a record of buying defenders who can attack and can't defend though, would prefer him on the wing, because in the 1st half Mertersacker and Santos were an embarrassment defensively.

Our attack was pretty awesome fortunately, but there's no sign of our defence getting any better.

[Letters]

He wasn't entirely to blame for either but he certainly should have done better for both.
For the first Santos let the ball come in far too easily, for the 2nd God alone knows what Arteta was doing. He moved from the post where he'd have easily cleared it to the middle of the goal where he was no use to anyone.

Overall the jury's still out for me. He was poor on Saturday and against Sunderland I thought he barged into players clumsily a few times and gave away silly free kicks which needlessly put us under pressure. In other games I've thought he was OK though and in one I remember liking his "row Z" approach which is something we've been lacking in recent years.

[Olivier's xmas twist]

Mertesacker was very poor on Saturday, basically he was to blame for both goals. Still remain unconvinced by him, does some good things but also does some very average things, is he the answer to our prayers most definitely not our defence is still as awful as it wa before he arrived.

Santos I like going forward but he's another that can't really defend, Wenger has a record of buying defenders who can attack and can't defend though, would prefer him on the wing, because in the 1st half Mertersacker and Santos were an embarrassment defensively.

Our attack was pretty awesome fortunately, but there's no sign of our defence getting any better.

Think Santos has to take the blame for the goals the 1st goal lost the ball easily tbh. That was not Merts best game at all and he has alot of work to do but he is improving everyday.

so who is the answer to our problems if he is not ?

As for Santos he is not a defender tbh more of a winger anyway.

Thought you'd come down harder on merts seen as your not a fan lol.

[Niall_Quinn]

They all manned up rather in the second half. In past months they would have simply collapsed and been embarrassed. This time it's Chelsea coming out with their heads hanging. I'll take it. I'm not even looking for things to improve right now. I'll settle for stability. I still think back to how bad things almost were. We were right on the verge of total collapse just a few weeks ago. Now we're coming off a thoroughly entertaining and energising away win against Chelsea. Just a question of holding your breath and hoping it's not a one-off. Pushing for anything else right now is likely to end in severe disappointment. A scrappy win against Marseilles tonight will be just fine, especially is Koscielny is almost single-handedly responsible for a clean sheet.

[Olivier's xmas twist]

They all manned up rather in the second half. In past months they would have simply collapsed and been embarrassed. This time it's Chelsea coming out with their heads hanging. I'll take it. I'm not even looking for things to improve right now. I'll settle for stability. I still think back to how bad things almost were. We were right on the verge of total collapse just a few weeks ago. Now we're coming off a thoroughly entertaining and energising away win against Chelsea. Just a question of holding your breath and hoping it's not a one-off. Pushing for anything else right now is likely to end in severe disappointment. A scrappy win against Marseilles tonight will be just fine, especially is Koscielny is almost single-handedly responsible for a clean sheet.

:bow: Kos
Kos haters :pal:

[Flavs]

Remember when players were given a year to settle into a new league/country/club/culture...

[Niall_Quinn]

Remember when players were given a year to settle into a new league/country/club/culture...

Denilson used up everyone else's quota.

[milla]

Denilson used up everyone else's quota.

Denilson :haha:

[Flavs]

Denilson used up everyone else's quota.

So much ability so little effort :(

[Coney]

A scrappy win against Marseilles tonight will be just fine, especially is Koscielny is almost single-handedly responsible for a clean sheet.

Yup. Any win will do. If we can qualify tonight then we can stop worrying about that for now and concentrate on the important thing of winning the CC improving our PL position.

[Syn]

Denilson used up everyone else's quota.

:haha:

Brilliant.

[Syn]

Oh, and Arteta was to blame for the second goal. But, then again, it's a set-piece...it doesn't matter which individuals are responsible - we'll never be able to defend them as a team.

[Olivier's xmas twist]

Yup. Any win will do. If we can qualify tonight then we can stop worrying about that for now and concentrate on the important thing of winning the CC improving our PL position.

Well we have to win the group though lets not get too carried away lol, Knowing our luck we win the group and Barca will finish
2nd ad we will still meet them lol.

[Niall_Quinn]

Well we have to win the group though lets not get too carried away lol, Knowing our luck we win the group and Barca will finish
2nd ad we will still meet them lol.

Good. We're not going to win the CL so I'll settle for giving those twats a rough time of it. Let them bring whatever ref they want, he can't send everyone off.

[Boss]

Denilson used up everyone else's quota.

:haha:

[Master Splinter]

When Wenger hauled Denilson off in that pre-season friendly after he had only been on for about 20 minutes as a sub :haha:.

:haha:

[Japan Shaking All Over]

Is he related to Jan Vertonghen?


Yeah check out my new found spelling cockiness

oh yes! very......now

[Cripps_orig]

When Wenger hauled Denilson off in that pre-season friendly after he had only been on for about 20 minutes as a sub :haha:.

:haha:He did the same with other players in other friendlies

[Globalgunner]

Just gotta add this one while the thread is still up

Stamford Bridge is falling down, falling down, falling down
Stamford bridge is falling down
Ask john terry.