3rd place and new faces crucial if RVP is to stay

For Arsenal fans the summer transfer window in recent years has been one of the never ending sagas about whether their prized assets should stay or leave the Emirates. And this summer is shaping up to be the same with club Captain Robin Van Perise the topic of much debate and Manchester City as known admirers.

Arsenal manager, Arsene Wenger, spoke in Friday’s press conference of his eagerness to extend Van Persie’s current contract, which expires in 2013, before this summers European Championships. But for RVP to sign a new contract much will depend upon Arsenal qualifying for the Champions League and the guarentee of big summer signings to freshen up the squad and challenge both the red and blue of Manchester for the Premier League Title.

This week can certainly be seen as a missed opporuntity for the Gunners to cement 3rd place as Monday’s frustrating home defeat to Wigan was followed by a 0-0 draw against a weakened Chelsea on Saturday. However, despite this weeks slip up, the Gunners can certainly look at their remaining three fixtures and believe they can get the job done, and see off the charge of the rampant Magpies who have a tough run with games against Chelsea and Manchester City to come.

Arsenal also need to change tact in the transfer market this summer and show that they mean business. Recently, the summer transfer window has far too often been dominated by the departure of high profile players rather than the capturing of ones, which will turn this clearly gifted team into one which is capable of mounting a serious challenge for the title.

It is well documented that Lukas Podolski has all but put pen to paper to sign for Arsenal and if he were to it would certainly set a precedent. Podolski is also the ideal player to support Van Perise, with his strength and power which he brings to the front line, something which would certainly assist against the likes of Stoke!
Whilst finishing third and the guarantee of future sigings are important to Van Persie, he should not forget the faith which Arsenal have shown in him following his recent years spent on the sidelines plagued by injury. This season is the first season in which Van Persie has played over 30 Premier League games for Arsenal.

Van Persie is very much at the height of his career, now being 28, and whilst Arsenal should be able to guarantee him a healthy wage packet, it is the prospect of mounting serious challenges for trophies which will concern the Dutchman, who only has an FA Cup Winners medal to his name.

But if Arsenal can secure the signing of Podoloski together with another household name and a few customary “Wenger bargins”, then Arsenal fans can certainly be confident of challenging for trophies and seeing Van Persie grace the number 10 shirt next season. Rather than joining the Arsenal rejects in Manchester who were lurred by City’s money rather than adding their names to Arsenal’s folk law.

Written by Alistair Evans @IslingtonBlog

NOTE: ORIGINAL ARTICLE FROM OUR 'PARTNER' BLOG ;ISLINGTON BLOG (@Islingtonblog)
Link: http://theislingtonblog.wordpress.com/2012/04/22/3rd-place-and-new-faces-crucial-if-rvp-is-to-stay/

The Run In

Here we 'crisis' club Arsenal in 3rd (Considering some thought we would be fighting for our Premier League status, as we come to the final run in of this Premier League season.) This team may not be the 'best' squad we have ever had but they do have a good squad morale and team spirit, this have been shown by last minute winners vs Newcastle and Liverpool with a excellent comeback vs the Spuds.
Our run in isn't easy , but when has anything this season been simple? (Apart from Blackburn at home!)

Next up on Monday night is Wigan who will be on high after beating Man Utd and once again will want to some how stay up however I feel we will just to much for them up front, (especially if they play 3 at the back.) We all hope that the Ox will start however if we does not let's get behind the 11 which do start and see how it goes and trust Wenger in his decisions.

We then host Chelsea who will face Tottenham in the FA Cup semi final tomorrow and then Barcelona midweek. I don't think this will affect Chelsea, Instead it could do the opposite a win over Barcelona would give them bags of confidence (No not chips Frank) . However saying that this Chelsea said are extremely average. Mata is the obvious threat but we all know that Drogba likes to score against us ( 12 in his last 10 against us, I think) However hopefully him and Torres will be the latest hostages in Koscielny's pocket who will back from suspension.

The next game is one we all dread; I trip to Stoke Rugby Club (Luckily it isn't on a cold night.) We SHOULD be able to get all 3 points however coming away from Stoke with a point would not be the end of the world as long as we don't slip up elsewhere.

Our last home game against Norwich will hopefully all but secure Top 3/4 (get your get bin bags ready, just in case!) I trip to West Brom on the last day of the season will hopefully be stress free and we will finish the season off with 3 points. Neither of these teams are fighting for much but both will be looking to finnish well.

Tottenham have on paper a much easier run in but in reality may not be as simple as it looks, for 2 reasons:
1) Many teams they face are threatened with relegation ( QPR, Blackburn, Bolton and even Aston Villa). So they will be scrapping for every point.
2) Tottenham are sh*t

Newcastle have Stoke Rugby Club, Wigan and then Chelsea, Man City and Everton. None of which will prove a easy task as they are targeting 4th, 1st and 7th respectively.

Chelsea will have to juggle Premier League with the best in the world (No not Bale) but Barcelona. They face us, QPR, Newcastle, Liverpool and Blackburn.

So thats what we and the 'others' face between now and the season.

Let's hope come May we are celebrating (Yes I know 3rd isn't a trophy but back in September we would of given a Park or two for that in September!)

Up The Arsenal!

Luke- ( @Arsenal_RTs)

Please comment below on how you think the EPL table will finish up like and any other comments you have.

Blog Situation

Latest situation (11th April 2012) :  We understand that the blog has had very little content recently and the content that has been put here recently isn’t the best. We have decided that we will write pieces when we have time until the end of the season then over the summer we will  ‘re-launch’ for the new season.

If you would like to write for the blog on a one off basis or more regularly please tweet us @OnlyOneArsenal or @Arsenal_RTs

Thanks for your continued support of the blog and UP THE ARSENAL!

My thoughts on Man City

Fucking Shit

Let's laugh at them! (and Tottenham!)



HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHHAAHAHAHHAHAHAHAHAHAHHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHHAHAHAHAHAHAAHAHHAAHAHAHAHAHAHHAHHHHAHAHAHAHHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHHAAHHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAAHAAHHAHAHAHHAHAHAHAHHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHHAAHAHAHHAHAHAHAHAHAHHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHHAHAHAHAHAHAAHAHHAAHAHAHAHAHAHHAHHHHAHAHAHAHHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHHAAHHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAAHAAHHAHAHAHHAHAHAHAHHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHHAAHAHAHHAHAHAHAHAHAHHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHHAHAHAHAHAHAAHAHHAAHAHAHAHAHAHHAHHHHAHAHAHAHHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHHAAHAHAHHAHAHAHAHAHAHHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHHAHAHAHAHAHAAHAHHAAHAHAHAHAHAHHAHHHHAHAHAHAHHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHHAAHHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHHAAHAHAHHAHAHAHAHAHAHHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHHAHAHAHAHAHAAHAHHAAHAHAHAHAHAHHAHHHHAHAHAHAHHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHHAAHHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAAHAAHHAHAHAHHAHAHAHAHHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAAHAAHHAHAHAHHAHAHAHAHHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHHAAHHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAAHAAHHAHAHAHHAHAHAHAHHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHHAAHAHAHHAHAHAHAHAHAHHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHHAHAHAHAHAHAAHAHHAAHAHAHAHAHAHHAHHHHAHAHAHAHHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHHAAHHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAAHAAHHAHAHAHHAHAHAHAHHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHHAAHAHAHHAHAHAHAHAHAHHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHHAHAHAHAHAHAAHAHHAAHAHAHAHAHAHHAHHHHAHAHAHAHHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHHAAHHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAAHAAHHAHAHAHHAHAHAHAHHA





















Ha

Hitchin superstitious

Many football fans have their superstitions for match days. Some have the same shirt one. Some have the right foot sock before left foot sock, or was it the other? Same route to the stadium. Same programme/fanzine seller. Same pre match meal and/or drink.
Anything we believe could help influence the result, we begrudgingly undertake. No matter how daft. No matter how monotonous.
I wear the same group of clothes for when I watch the Arsenal at home, or for when I go to the match. For the Milan and Sunderland matches, I wore what I hoped would be the lucky gear that would get us through the preceding 90mins.
It didn’t. It failed.
What was I doing wrong? Something had changed. Something was negating the lucky power of my mauve pants, centenary shirt and blue pj’s (I do like the comfortable clothes at home). Would I need new gear? Should I change my clothing?
Then it hit me. Something indeed had changed. I’d moved. I’d bought a house, in Hitchin. Since then, 0-4 and 0-2. 2 defeats. We hadn’t even scored.
So, as you can imagine, I was somewhat concerned ahead of the fixture I hate above all others – at home, to them. In my circle of friends, I know more of them than us. Therefore, I am spoken to more when we lose than when we win these games.
They have also improved. Can’t argue with the facts – 10pts clear, with only 13 games left, we were destined to finish below them, too. And we had just seen any chance of a trophy go within that first week of my move.
So, confidence was not high, chez Hitchin, at kick off. Then they scored. After 4 mins. (I can’t recall them scoring so early an any match against us. Fate). The shot was on target, but the horrible deflection took it over our keeper. Meant to be. Then it was 2, a horrendous dive by he who looks like a monkey led to a penalty, scored by he who used to play for us. Where was the luck? Was I destined never to see us win again? To score again? Would I have to tell me better half that we would have to sell up and move, irrespective of any potential loss on the sale? (I would have done anything...)
Then, like a phoenix diving in for the kill, our right back scored (it’s been so long...). We scored, I cheered, my new neighbours knew where my allegiances were.... even more so after our skip bashed one in. We’d scored twice! Half time came, I got Twitter busy, then the second half came. Our busy no7 scored (it had been so long...) and we were winning – we were winning at my new home, in my lucky gear.... Then, our sprinter scored (it had been so long..) and then he scored again(not so long) and I found myself counting my lucky stars, thanking my lucky clothes, that I could see Arsenal 5 Tottenham 2 in the corner of my tele, in my new home, that ,maybe, I could call a lucky home. Hurrah!
Or, my supertitous home. We’ll see on Saturday....

Mike Hennessy

Arsenal vs Sunderland late review.

Sunderland 2 Arsenal 0, is anyone reading this really shocked by that result?
After the massacre at Milan there was no way this Arsenal side were going to lift there spirits and defend OUR honour against an energetic Sunderland side,to be honest I was stunned we beat them away in the league,they are after all in a great vein of form,showing all the cliché of a side under new management,
Looking revitalised hungry and enjoying there football,could you really pick an opposite to OUR team right now?lacking hunger,drive, movement,pride,all the characteristics that were once in ever Arsenal player, that built OUR legend as a team that plays the beautiful game as it should be played.
That in 2003 was our party piece,big powerful technical players that had a great understanding of the game and most of all felt that wearing the Arsenal shirt was an honour, one that wasn't taking lightly,we all remember Keown in the face of Ruud,Ian wright squaring up to schmichael,Henry getting angry at spurs,and Viera and well anyone!
Then the players cared about defending OUR colours! cared about the fans!the club!most of all about being the pride of London,
The style of play,the swagger in which we played it,was until then unseen,we frightened teams all over the world,pundits, ex-players and even other Managers ran out of accolades to lay at OUR teams dominance,Press struggled to find words to describe the beauty they were seeing and the devastating effect of letting Arsenal have an inch of space,a second on the ball,as an opponent if you hesitated you would be destroyed by pace accuracy and passion,fear was in the eyes of every man that stood against The Arsenal,the side were unbeatable,they refused to lay down or be beat,
Arsene Wenger was the man responsible for bringing that to our club,he was responsible for buying the right players,telling David Dein before he even left japan that he wanted a Viera,a player no one had heard of,when Henry was bought and played as a striker he actually hit the clock in the clock end with a shot! Yet when others mocked Wenger persisted,
So how has it all come crashing down?
Well Arsene caught the footballing world with its pants down,buying in players unknown,teaching them about diet and training,turning them into athletes and scholars then finally footballers,
The football world witnessed the success and pulled its pants up,now all teams in the Premier Divisions scour the earth looking for talent,now all teams counter attack,pass and move like Arsenal used too,Arsene's tactics haven't changed,the world has caught up and now overtaken,
Looking at our style of play now makes me feel sick,we are stagnant,slow,sloppy,lacklustre and toothless! It now takes us 20passes to do what we used to in 4!worse then all that the pride is gone,can you imagine any player before 2006 asking to leave?or entertaining the idea of leaving?the very idea would have been met by any player, with a firm NO! should the press have suggested they may leave The Arsenal!
Now it seems every Arsenal player uses our club as a stepping stone,a place to gain experience without the pressure from fans or the board to win trophies,
It has become normal for everyone around the club to except defeat,that is a very dangerous situation,
Wenger was asked prior to the Milan game if he felt his team could win,he replied "if I didn't think they could I wouldn't be here",but thinking and knowing are very different,we used to KNOW we could beat any team,
I appreciate the stats surrounding our team are shocking,I also except that you can make statistics read what you want,but the main one is no trophies in nearly 7 years!
I have checked and Manchester United have won 14 cups since then,and been too finals without winning,we have been to 2 finals and Few quarter finals,that gap is huge,
I'm sure if Wenger was confronted with that statistic he would feel disgraced,
I feel for Le Boss, I really do,he has believed in players that have let him down,but he has also let himself down by believing that the players we have posses the quality to win or the knowledge to win any cup!
Now I feel even our formation and tactics can be questioned,players don't appear to have roles on the pitch or understanding how there individual performances or mistakes effect the team,we used to have the philosophy that all players can play in any position,all players had to be able to move the ball,go forward and backwards with confidence,showing skill in all aspects of the game,now that's missing,
It is time for this era to come to an end,I'm sorry to say,if someone can get through to Arsene then I'd love him to be the man to turn it round,
unfortunately after losing so much great talent we will now need to buy in big names,not just names but winners,I'm not sure Arsene has the heart to start again,let's hope he does,
Looking at players that have left our club, compared with there replacements has to have any "armchair"manger questioning the direction of our club,looking at our squad now,I would happily play Denilson or Eboue,never mind letting Silva go cos of his age then buying Arteta,
I don't think Arsene even knows what he wants from the squad anymore,we need a total re-think we need to get back to basics,I end with this,how many of the current squad would get close to first team football in the 2003 team?
that was 9 years ago,its unacceptable that OUR great club has gone backwards,I highlight OUR because after all is said and done this is OUR Arsenal,its all of OUR faults for letting the club feel no trophy in 7 years is acceptable! That has to change to save OUR club.
Ryan Smith
@ryanvr46

Reflections on Milan and the current situation

By @SamTheGooner

I wasn’t surprised or shocked by what we all had to painfully witness on Wednesday night. It wasn’t some freak result or unlucky defeat. It was the result of an inevitable manifestation of decline on and off the pitch at Arsenal Football Club. And this didn’t happen overnight. You don’t go from being Champions (2004) to Europa League misery or mid-table mediocrity overnight. No, we haven’t reached the latter yet but we have no reasons to believe that those lows aren’t on the horizon.
 
I am not one to blame the players. You see, I don’t think we lost at the San Siro because of Squillaci. The 8-2 debacle at Old Trafford wasn’t Denilson’s fault. Nevertheless, the other night, there was absolutely no heart, passion or desire, from most of the players, to get a result. As Le Boss said, we never really got into the game. We were woeful. It was almost as if the players didn’t want the ball, were keen to get rid of it and pass the responsibility on to someone else. Time and time again we gave away the ball.
 
Most of the Arsenal players don’t understand what it means to wear that cannon or the famous colours of red and white. Why not? Why was the performance so woeful? I don’t know really, probably a combination of a few things - one of them being this modern reality that a large percentage of players are driven solely by the money (*cough* Samir Nasri *cough*). They are anyway paid thousands so why bother to try? Wenger’s duties don’t halt at just picking the team; he must also serve as the motivator. The players didn’t look too fired-up in the Italian cold the other night – another reason, in my opinion, for the no-desire attitude. The performance was utterly lethargic.
 
A bad pitch or dodgy referee has nothing do with the team’s effort. Give them a game. Show some pace, urgency, passion! Make it difficult for them! The tie is essentially over and we must turn our focus to the FA Cup and the Premier League, where it is so vital, albeit unlikely, that we finish in the top four. Doomsday is looming large.
 
Even before the game we (well, those whose heads aren’t buried in the sand) knew that this Arsenal squad is very average but the least the 5,000 travelling fans deserved (and those watching at home) was a spirited performance full of desire, urgency and hunger. But no, we were battered and outclassed all over the pitch. Where was that Frimpong-like fighting spirit in Milan? Frimpong’s not the greatest footballer but his sterling attitude, fighting spirit and love for the club is a reason he’s already established himself as a fan favourite.
 
The next day the media were singing AC Milan’s praises, but they really weren’t that brilliant. They’re not unbeatable or particularly world class. Yes, they deserve credit for taking advantage of our lacklustre performance but we made them look amazing. I watch them in Serie A as well, and trust me; they are nowhere near the level of Barcelona or Real Madrid.
 
People tell me that the players constantly let the manager down – which may be true – but these players are overpaid, underachieving and don’t pick themselves. We reward failure. Sp*rs’ wage bill is £61 million less than ours! Wenger has too much faith in some of these players who, quite frankly, aren’t good enough. It is one of Wenger’s obvious flaws: too much loyalty. Yes, believe it or not, Wenger is not flawless. His successes of yesteryear don’t make him some unquestionable mastermind.
 
We are a club in decline; on the pitch, as was evident in Milan, throughout January, at Old Trafford, Wembley etc, and off it. Problems at Arsenal are far deeper than personnel. Signing one player, selling another or making a tactical change won’t suddenly make us world beaters. Our absurdly outdated wage structure, transfer policy, ownership (Kroenke – our unpopular owner who has attended only one Arsenal game in nine months) and management are all among the issues needed addressing. But getting rid of the deadwood players would certainly be a good place to start rebuilding. Bendtner, Chamakh, Almunia, Squillaci, Diaby, Denilson, Park, Djourou et al are all underachieving and overpaid. They are passengers. It’s the club’s fault these players are tied in with long-term, highly paid, lucrative contracts no buyer will ever take on.
 
The past summer, for me, was a major turning point. They’ve been problems for a couple of seasons now (the lack of leadership, winning mentality etc) but we always knew the summer would be pivotal and the club blew it. They blew it from board to manager and while blowing it big style, gave the fans a double whammy of price increases and mediocrity. The summer was a genuine existential moment for the club, and their answer was to nickel and dime it.  What’s happened since isn’t exactly rocket science.
 
We had a dreadful end to last season, sold our two best players, made inadequate and rushed signings, were unlucky with injuries and the backroom staff remained the same. It’s quite simply the disaster formula of how a club go from finishing inside the top four to out of it.
 
Arsenal FC has become the personification of acceptance in mediocrity. The board, and some fans, have shown absolutely no ambition and are satisfied with a top four finish. This season, I’m afraid, there’s little chance we’ll get even get that.
 
There’s a case to be said about Wenger being thrown under the bus and that he’s a victim/hostage of his own success but we don’t really know. It was quite clear at the beginning of January that this squad weren’t good enough and our finish inside the top four was in jeopardy, so why didn’t we sign anyone to help us get over the line? A striker to help share the burden with Van Persie, a left-back to ascertain the likes of Miquel and Vermaelen weren’t forced to play in an unnatural and unfamiliar position. It was fresh madness. Were there funds available? Were those funds available to the manager? If not, why not? If there was money, why was Arsene so reluctant to spend? These are questions that need asking. The determination to muddle through rather than use money to help ourselves looks ridiculous.
 
Whatever it is, it would be nice if Gazidis, Kroenke and co would come out and tell the fans, the lifeblood of any club, the truth. It’s the least we deserve after suffering for quite a while now. I couldn’t help but admire and feel sorry for the fans that spent their hard-earned cash on an extortionate away trip to Milan to watch such a shower of crap.
 
The board have spat in the faces of us, the fans. We pay the highest ticket prices in world football, season ticket prices are increased season after season, and more and more of the core support are being priced out of the game. We pay Harrods prices while the club are searching for basement bargains in Primark. It is truly disgusting that the loyal fans are the ones suffering from the mediocrity and austerity visible on the football pitch.
 
The board will proudly boast about our self-sustaining business model and relatively healthy financial situation but bank accounts don’t score you goals or keep clean sheets. The football model must come before the business one. All you ask of your football club is that it strives to improve on the year before. Arsenal have been getting worse, each year, for too many years now.
 
It is a sad situation - a dire one – which hasn’t developed overnight. The perennial questions about Arsenal’s under investment will be raised again this summer especially with two billionaires owning the shares.
 
Yes, for the first two/three seasons at The Grove the excuse was that we were still paying off the debt but we’ve been at the stadium for almost six years now. No excuses anymore. I urge fans to show some ambition, unlike the board, and to stop applauding the mediocrity. Without the fans, the club is nothing.
 
Please give me reasons to be positive as I currently see no reason to be “positive” and keep the faith, as all I, a realist, can see in the nearby future is us reaching two new lows: finishing below Sp*rs and playing Europa League football at a half-empty Emirates next season. Channel 5 beckons. You can’t argue with the league table.
 
Robin van Persie is our captain, talisman and best player. After the humiliation in Italy he was reportedly forlorn in the dressing room. That kind of evening in Milan will not persuade him to sign that new contract in a hurry. I won’t be surprised or bewildered to see him go. If Van Persie does leave in the summer, where does that leave us? Where do we go from there?
 
We’ve never been so bad under the tenure of Arsene Wenger. The man can no longer see wood for trees. The blind, deluded, non-critical devotion to Wenger is one reason we’re in this mess. Heads up, ostriches.
 
Perhaps the board have just tied his hands behind his back and the Frenchman has performed miracles with limited squads for the last few seasons, but this time alas I can’t see it. There is a strong belief from some Gooners that our failures this term are down to the board too often rolling the dice and getting the manager to make chicken salad out of chicken shit. All this, as I say, may be true but we don’t know.
 
Wenger is either too stubborn to realise the glaring inadequacies in his side, or, he is being hindered by a board who are too incompetent to land his desired targets, or simply unwilling to pay inflated asking prices. Anyway, I personally find it hard to believe that Wenger is completely infallible and am therefore of the opinion that it’s time to wish him farewell. (I could write a whole article on Wenger. Here I’m just touching on it - it’s not my main focus in this piece.)
 
You can’t take away Wenger’s achievements but it seems to me he is dwelling on past glory. Football’s moved on but has Arsene? He is tactically inept and the way he worries about the state of Europe’s economy makes you think his next job is more likely replacing Sarkozy than Jose (via Tim Payton).  If Wenger is to part company this summer, it should be announced sooner rather than later so he leaves with the dignity he deserves. Build a statue, say thank you and move on.
 
I thought I’d end on a positive note after that rant. So, let’s all remember, we’re still a bigger club than Sp*rs. And we will be for a long time. To put things into perspective, we’ve won more league titles just under the reign of Arsene Wenger than Tottenham have in their whole history. We’ve been in the Champions League for 16 consecutive seasons, while Sp*rs have managed to reach Europe’s elite competition only once in that time. St Totteringham's Day may not occur this year but Arsenal have finished above Sp*rs every season since the 1994-95 campaign. These facts prove that there’s still no case for an argument. Forever in our shadow. Up The Arsenal!

Milan Massarce

15th February 2012 will always be remembered as the date I lost faith in this current Arsenal team, not only the team but the mentality of the players, the judgment of the board and finally the manager himself.
We made an at best average Milan side look great the club we love was out played for 90mins by a Milan that are struggling to fill the once packed San Siro every week.
(I know this because I live in Milan.)
The papers every day highlight the flaws in the once great Milan with comments usually centred around the lack of pace in Milan's team the lack of goals and creativity even their legendary defence has had huge criticism as they have struggled to keep out 'serie A' opposition away from home despite being top of the league.
Opposition that might not eve rival the top four of our premier league its fair to say that 'serie A' quality of football is no where near the same level that we play in the Premier League.
Yet despite all this they outplayed our once great club, they out ran out thought and more importantly they out Gunned our once great club.
Our recent good form has hidden the real problems that are deep in our club that now painful night in the San Siro showed how not having real winners and leaders in our team has kept us back and far away from silverware. We found it impossible to turn the tide and really lacked quality not only in the final third but across the pitch.
We once had a great defence Wenger once understood you have to build from at least two big, ugly (Sorry keown and adams.) central defenders; so that all the attacking play can take place without fear of sloppy or crazy mistakes at the back.
Now with this current squad of players we have no clue how to play the beautiful game and no confidence to go forward or play in 'triangles'. Now tonight having watched the game on TV after having to witness it live, I can see what was clear to all 5000 stood beside me which is there is no belief around the club or within the players and even the fans didn't look surprised this hurt deeply hurt. The majority of player showed now fight or pride to be representing Arsenal on the biggest stage.
5000 Gooners who work hard in normal lives, everyday to earn money to watch our were rewarded with a slap in the face. Some Arsenal fans will keep the faith but I urge you with every red part of my soul to see reason too look not only at this season and the departure of certain players but the standard of football the last 5 years, the games we have lost or drawn when leaders and quality were needed on the pitch that were not wearing our famous cannons.
Many Arsenal fans will list single occasions and games when we played well,but I ask you is that enough? To win silverware you have to preform every match win, loss or draw and today like so many other days we did not perform. All our breathtaking history will mean nothing if we don't make drastic changes this is more then a 4-0 defeat it's about glory that has been missing from our club for the better part of a decade! The fans here in Milan tonight and ALL Gooners across the world deserved so much more from our club.
I wish I could take positives I usually do but now is the time to get real; time to wake up. I'm not asking for protests or for abuse to players or the manger but we need to all move forward together and we ALL need to get the message to the club that this is no longer good enough and we will no longer will we stand aside and bicker amongst ourselves that we as a group thousands strong demand more than ever.
We needed leadership as well as spirit and were found wanting not for the first time we have taken millions in transfers alone only to line the already bulging pockets of our greedy board it's not just the money but the acceptance of defeat and average performance's that is now the norm. Even the once great style of our club is gone no longer do players move and flow in sync to often the play grinds to a holt as players struggle to pick out passes that only a handful of players in the world could complete.
I end with this thought- what young lad growing up watching football would want to be an Arsenal fan? What players would they follow so keen to emulate?I pray that some big changes take place so that us Gooners don't become a forgotten breed.

Ryan (@Ryanvr46)

AC Milan vs Arsenal Drinking Game

AC MILAN VS ARSENAL DRINKING GAME ( I don't want to be blamed if you land up in hospital so I advice this game to be played with Orange squash ;] )

Have a sip if...

Us being a 'One man team' is mentioned

Fabregas and Nasri are mentioned (a sip for each one)

ANY reference to Barcelona

The Camera turns to Henry on the bench

The referee makes a cock up

Have a few sips if...

When a Walcott cross goes to a Milan player

Song picks up a yellow card

A player goes down injured

Down your drink if...

Any mentions of trophy drought

A mention that we might not be on the Champions League next season

Any mention to Bale's performance against Inter Milan last season.

If a Walcott cross finds a ARSENAL player.

IF HENRY SCORES THE WINNER DOWN THE BOTTLE

Enjoy the match #COYG

DRINK AWARE

Contracts and what not: An Arsenal week in review.

Just posting a small news update and my thoughts on said topics.

It has become apparent that a certain Swiss defender has signed a new deal at Arsenal. No, we are not about to witness the return of Senderos, but we’re going to have three more years of Johan Djourou (although Swiss reports say it's just two). There are several ways to look at this:

1)     We’ve increased his price for potential buyers

2)      For two or three more years we’re stuck with a player who’s been below-par all season

3)      We get to keep the man who played out of his skin and defended well for the first two-thirds of last season

4)      We’ve lowered our wage bill and have therefore not got enough funds to tie down our better players

5)      OR, the board have made extra funds available for wages and so Wenger is slowly but surely getting the whole squad on new long-term deals.

6)      Kyle Bartley isn’t coming back

Theo Walcott is also close to a contract extension, taking his weekly pay up to £80,000. Luckily we’re doing all this now and not in the summer. For instance, the deal to sign Juan Mata was reportedly halted due to the club focussing on Fabregas’ transfer and the contract renewal of Samir Nasri.

Robin Van Persie has dismissed (laughed off) rumours that he will be going to Real Madrid in the summer after speaking to the Telegraph saying:  “Real Madrid? No, no, not for me. Me and my family love London. This is my home.” Judging by this quote, he is very happy at the club. – Please note that if you have read the Marca interview with Van Persie then ignore it, the whole thing was made up and blown way out of proportion. Marca also reckon Káká admitted to having a medical with us in mid-July, hmm.

According to very reliable WeAreTheNorthBank.com, we are lining up a summer move for Sturridge after his father recently touted the Chelsea forward to the club. This would be a decent move for us, well, when I say that, I simply mean and improvement on Chamakh and Park.

Last but not least, Carlos Vela. The Mexican striker has said he doesn’t want to go back to Arsenal, and he wants to stay at Real Sociedad, or at least stay in Spain. 

Thanks for reading, whilst you're at it, give me a follow me on Twitter: @MylesBurrell.

The Story So Far

NOTE: This piece was meant to be published 11 days ago. My apologies go to Ryan the writer.


> This is one of the hardest pieces I have had to write,the story so far,it should be easy for any team with huge ambitions and a top four finish the minimum expected,
> It should read something like,"the start to the season was Not as easy as we thought, but its ok we are safely in the top 4 of the table before the end of the year"
> However being fans of the mighty Arsenal,its been different,the season started the way many would have expected with the departure of cesc,and then the departure we few were expecting of nasty,from then on every so called expert questioned more then the ambition of our club!but the very soul of it,the usual fans wanted us to spend big and spent fast,these fans are clearly new to the club and must be the glory years supporters of the Henry era,which is fine,all Arsenal fans are of course welcome,fir us fans that have supported the club longer,we knew the likely hood under AW of us spending huge and fast were tiny
> AW has never done business this way,and never would,he buys clever and when he feels he must,often to the naked eye buying wrongly too,the acquisitions we made weren't good enough for all,so many quick to say that they wouldn't be enough to save our season, a season that after 3 games was in tatters,fans were actually protesting against the club
> Then at what has to be the biggest meeting the last 5 years at the club,its revealed we will stick to our current financial model,
> Basically spend what we can earn,and for a club that is not winning trophies it won't be a lot,yet still with days remaining in the summer transfer window,some fans demanded huge signings of 40 and 50 million,this was never going to happen,not because of our clubs lack of ambition,but our clubs determination to stick to its own guide lines,
> We should maybe be proud of that,AW did buy in the transfer window,and it did the job,after a poor start,Arsenal turned it round,with some massive wins,Udinese being one! Against all the odds we started to turn it round,playing with confidence and looking like the old gunners we once were,and with RVP being the most in form striker on the planet we were looking dangerous,some in the media continued the Arsenal bashing saying we are a one man team,its maybe hard to argue with that one,but those that follow the game of football know the goal is the end product of 11players working hard,its the icing on the cake,so Arsenal as a team were playing some great football,
> Still so many fans weren't happy,pulling names from the sky of players we need,like we are a FIFA12 game,these people I feel need to get real,the  media still hounded our club,even the 5-3 hammering of chelsea wasn't enough,it appears any team we can beat is then in crisis!?! Its been the most obvious year for media hating arsenal I can remember,
> Despite all this AW has remained as classy as ever, and the club have taken criticism well,the players have reacted well,yes we know we are still carrying dead wood in some players,and I'm sure every Gooner reading this ,has at least 5 players they would happily sell,but for us all I'm sure that Arshavin and chamakh are the main 2!
> The club have done us all proud,we were and are never going to spend money like other big clubs in Europe,its not our style,finding young talented footballers,holding onto them nee to become a bigger priority,I have mentioned before how Arsenal need to be careful we don't become a feeder club for big clubs with big money and trophy ambitions!
> That aside, we have gone from looking like relegation fodder (according to telegraph) to being just outside the top four,yet with the wolves result the other day, the haters are all back and we are in crisis again,
> I agree we should have taken 3 point,but we didn't,I believe we are struggling as a squad because we have no winners,we have talent,loads of it,but not winners,had we won the carling cup we would be a different team,
> we all know that the Man u of old specialised in taken advantage of dropped points by other team challenging for the title,but we are a much better team then we started the season with,the second half of the season will see the return of the "winner" the king is back,wilshere will also be back ad AW will buy someone in January,I'm sorry to all the pessimistic Gooners that will say I'm deluded,but I remember the arsenal that couldn't buy a win!so for me the future is always bright,we need to look at what we have, not what we don't,for the second half of the season,if you have been negative so far this season try being positive!and let's see what we can achieve together,going forward!

Ryan

Only One Arsenal Awards 2011

Let’s be honest 2011 hasn’t been the best if years for the Gunners, it’s been riddled with injuries, cock up’s and it could of been so different. However it hasn’t been all doom and gloom. So this the Only One Arsenal 2011 Awards were Ryan, Myles  and myself (Luke)  have voted on our lows and highs of this year.

Player of Year: Robin Van Persie

We couldn’t look beyond Robin for this award with 34 league goals in 42 appearances he is so close to breaking Alan Shearer’s record of 36 goals in a calendar year and he still might depending on his performance vs QPR.  He has also taken over as captain from Cesc Fabregas and proved people that were at first weary of leadership skills that he is more than up to it. Robin also wins Goal of the year for his stunning volley vs Everton.

Let’s hope Robin stays fit in 2012 and signs a new contract. You never know he may even get to lift a trophy as the Arsenal captain in the year ahead.

Here are some videos of Van Persie in 2011

Best Win: Arsenal 2-1 Barcelona (Other nominations include Arsenal 1-0 Man Utd, Chelsea 3-5 Arsenal and Udinese 1-2 Arsenal) 

This match had it all a good atmosphere, good football, world class players, a comeback and an upset but most importantly a Gunners win verves the best team in the world. A goal after 26 minutes by Barcelona could of been followed by more as the Spanish team all but dominated in till 12 minutes before time when Robin Van Persie scored from a acute angle this point in the game changed then just minutes later Arshavin scored a winner in the words of Arsene Wenger it was ‘a special night’

Worst Defeat:  Birmingham 2-1 Arsenal (Other nominations include Man Utd 8-2 Arsenal, Tottenham 2-1 Arsenal and Arsenal 0-2 Liverpool)

However bad is losing to the Spuds or getting trashed 8-2 by Europa League team Man Utd the Carling Cup final defeat to Birmingham started our slump, hangover, crisis or whatever you call it which went a good way into this season it also was a good chance to end out trophy less spell. I still think what if?

Breakthrough Player (not inc new signings): Wojciech Szczesny (Other nominations: Koscielny, Ramsey, Wilshere, Frimpong and Coquelin)

Two years ago Szczesny was on loan at League 1 side Brentford he won applauds from his manager there he then went on to make his Arsenal debut in late 2010. In 2011 he has made a few mistakes (but who hasn’t?) but has also made consistent performance something which Arsenal lacked in goal up in till his rise. For me his best save this year was vs Udinese to stop Di Natale penalty and stopping Udinese getting back into the game.

Flop of the year: Andrei Arshavin (Other nominations: Chamakh, Diaby, Almunia, Squillaci)

For me Arshavin saved himself from this award thanks to a goals vs Barcelona and Swansea. However for £15 million pounds he paid him you could expect him to at least be able to make simples passes and break into a sweat.  How long Arshavin career will go into 2012, we will have to wait and see.

Signing of the Season: Mikel Arteta (Other nominations: Gervinho, Santos, Mertesacker, Jenkinson and Chamberlain)

Arteta has fitted into our midfield like he has been playing with us for year this is no doubt due to his vast experience in the premier league with Everton. He has also not yet played with Wilshere so he looks a steal for the amount we paid.

Cock Up of the year: 2^nd Half vs Newcastle (4-4) (Other nominations: Squillaci and Almunia vs West Brom away, Carling Cup miss kick, Liverpool Home Eboue late Pen 1-1, Liverpool Home Miquel/Ramsey O.G. 0-2 and Olympiacos 2^nd goal away’

Well there have been quite a few Cock ups. However due to a red card, Phil Dowd having a mare of a game (So his usually self) we managed to let a four goal lead slip in the second half. Thanks to that afternoon I still can’t be 100% Arsenal will see a game out no matter how big the lead.

Best Sale: Nasri (Other nominations: Clichy, Eboue, Traore, Fabregas)

I going to be honest I liked Nasri in a Arsenal shirt however after some very average performance during the end of last season to get £24 million for a money grabbing player who we would of lost for nothing a year later is a good deal. Thanks City and Enjoy the bench and the Europa League Na$ri

Most Improved- Koscielny (Walcott, Song, Szczesny, Ramsey)

Also known as Mr Consistent Koscielny has become one of the best centre backs in the league he has handled the likes of Messi, Dzeko, Aguero and Mata sometimes with ease. He has made a couple of mistakes but this is to be expecting especially in his 1^st season at Arsenal and he has now earned a call up for the French national team and he himself has said he is surprised at his rapid rise.  I am sure he will become one of the Premier League best in 2012 and years to come.

Star of 2012- A.O. Chamberlain (Other nominations- Frimpong, Gervinho, Coquelin, Afobe, Ryo and Jenkinson)

When we first signed Chamberlain people were saying he is just yet enough young player when we needed something better however now I am sure these people will be the ones wanted him to be in the 1^st team more often. However much I want Chamberlain to be ripping up the Premier League I feel that he gets thrown in at the right time and I am sure this will come in 2012 when he can conquer the 1^st team and maybe even an England call up.

 So I wish you a very happy 2012 and let’s hope it’s a year to remember for the Gunners.

And I leave you with this.......

MATCH REPORT v Wolves [h]. 27/12/11

Let us start from the beginning: This was the first game I’d been to by myself. I left my dad’s house in south London, got on a train to Highbury & Islington (north London) and didn’t see or hear a single Wolves fan. I walked along the famous, brilliant and long Holloway Road; I still couldn’t see or hear any Wolves fans. I hung around outside for a bit when I got to the Emirates, went inside, found my seat in the lower tier of the Clock End, and there they were, Wolves fans!

The game kicked off. I still couldn’t hear any Wolves fans.

The game started as any home game does when Arsenal kick off, the fans started singing and our players each got a few touches of the ball before moving forward. Standard.  The chants roared on and The Gunners quickly got into their flow.

I still heard nothing from the Wolves fans.

Eight minutes in and Wolves were on the attack, only to be stopped in their tracks, the ball was worked to Yossi Benayoun who spotted Gervinho’s well-timed run and put him clean through. Here is when I panicked; I’ve always seen Gervinho as someone who does TOO MUCH when he has the ball. For instance: run, run, run, run, clean through, run, run, run, pass, attack over. So at this point when the big headed Ivorian was one-on-one with Iker Casillas Wayne Hennessey I thought to myself “shit, he’s going to pass or run backward, or something.” I was wrong; he gave me even more of a reason to panic when he decided to go take the ball away from Buffon Hennessey. That’s when I thought “He’s gonna mess it up.” But no, he scored! One nil to The Arsenal, we were all cheering, jumping around, chanting unnecessarily harsh taunts at the opposition fans such as “we pay your benefits!!!” etc.

Silence from the Wolves fans, still.

And that’s when The Emirates turned into complacency central. We created a few half-chances and Van Persie even proved that he didn’t need to pull his leg back cannon a shot towards goal from the edge of the box – which Peter Schmeichel Wayne Hennessey tipped past the post. Another half-chance came when Van Persie was brought down on the edge of the Wanderer’ box, but Arteta decided it would be a good idea to dink the ball into the arms of Hennessey. The Wolves fans were still silent, and that’s when me and the rest of the fans in my section started chanting “WE FORGOT, WE FORGOT, WE FORGOT THAT YOU WERE HERE! WE FORGOT THAT YOU WERE HEEEEEEERE!!!”

Ten seconds later we concede a corner and eventually, a goal (good header from Fletcher, though). 

Now I can hear the Wolves fans, and for the last six or seven minutes Wolves pushed and pushed, and their fans sang and sang. I wouldn’t say the game was turned on its head as the half drew to a close, but it had changed in Wolves’ favour, until about a minute towards the end we seemed to be hurrying the ball forwards, as if there were seconds of the second half. Half time, Wolves fans fell silent again.

The second half kicked off and we looked the stronger side throughout the half, apparently Tommy V got booked in the midst of all the havoc we were causing their defence – must have missed it. My excuse for missing the booking is as follows: There was a fat ginger Wolves fan looking at me, had to double check he wasn’t cursed or something. We had a couple of penalty shouts, both of which I participated in, neither of which I saw.

Throughout the game I noticed several things:

1)      Van Persie snatched at a lot of his chances, a bad day at the office is bound to occur, even to the best striker in Europe, but can we really allow that with cabbages like Chamakh and Park in reserve? No. Spend some money.

2)      Yossi Benayoun is a fighter, I like that. We need more players like him, just younger and more talented (not saying he lacks talent, but we can afford better). Spend some money, and buy Yossi before his loan runs out.

3)      Arshavin and Chamakh’s introduction had about as much effect on the game as I did singing (and swearing in frustration) from the other end of the stadium. Replace them, to do that, you need to spend some money.

4)      Wolves’ players and fans lack etiquette. Not as bad as Stoke Rugby Club, but still.

5)      Arsenal fans are hilarious but very cruel, singing “WE PAY YOUR BENEFITS” to the Wolves fans. I get EMA, so everyone contributes to my benefits. I’ll bare that in mind next time I chant that at a poor person.

6)      Djourou thinks he can take it past whoever he likes, when he really can’t. He is no adequate replacement for Sagna and to be fair, neither is Jenkinson. Spend some money.

7)      Vermaelen was brilliant at left-back, but he’s sensational at centre-back. We need cover for Santos. Spend some money, and sell injury-prone Gibbs whilst you’re at it, Arsene.

8)      Wayne Hennessey decided to emulate some of the greatest ever goalkeepers.

This is slowly becoming tedious so I’ll cut a long story short. We drew a game we needed to win, we waste more chances than we create, our fans are better than Wolves’ fans. Arshavin is shit. Chamakh is worse. Djourou is cocky and has silly hair. So what next for The Gunners, with Robin in need of a rest, but three goals away from breaking a record, what’s Arsene gonna do? But more importantly, how will the team perform against QPR on Saturday?

Oh and on the journey home I saw a man wearing boots with ski-socks poking out, his trousers were tucked into his ski-socks. He was not wearing an Arsenal shirt, thankfully.

Follow me on Twitter: @MylesBurrell – tweet me your thoughts on this post, or leave a comment below.

Faith

After all the news and worry about players Arsenal football club could sign,it would now appear our lasminute.com players have started too look real quality buys.
I will be the first to say that Mertersacker has made some mistakes but at least he provides strong competition for places in the back four,
Gerviniho is starting too look a great buy he still needs time and appears to be a touch or two away from becoming a great player;his positioning and movement on and off the ball is great,he looks like he understands the "Arsenal Way" to play football.
We look now to have real depth in places all over the pitch,
Arteta, I believe has helped ramsey develop more as a playermand our hero Jack Wilshere looks like he is itching to play with this team,we all know that RVP is loving football with the current squad it would appear that the recent additions to the squad have breathed some life into our dutch super star!
Yet people still seem too think we need more talent the truth is can you really ever have to much talent? I guess the answer is no.
But given the summer, to much talent is a curse at Arsenal,it means your time in the red side of london is nearing its end,and a big money move is around the corner!
I don't think our dutch superstar is considering a move away just yet,instead I would think he is praying every night to stay fit for the Arsenal.
If Arsenal were to recruit more talent then the names we have already been linked with would be great additions to our squad,I don't think we are as desperate as the papers like to make out for a "top signing",are we?
Already this season "top"players have shown very poor form for heavy investments,when the fact is on a shoe string budget Wenger has bought players that are putting in great performances,it feels like we have genuine match winners on the pitch now,and with Diaby coming back to the squad, we suddenly have more depth in midfield.
There are a lot of Diaby haters out there,and I hear you,but if the guy stay's fit,he could turn out to be some player,would you dare doubt Le Boss?? For me if AW rates him he is a talent.
Things are really looking up for the Gunners,yes there is a lot of football to be played,but 5 games into this season where did you see us?the staff have really turned it around,
The only bad news has been talk of Le Boss moving on,I feel this is a topic for another blog,but in this writers opinion.....off where??what huge team would want a guy who doesn't spend big,and isn't used to mega stars in the dressing room?!I think AW and Arsenal are a match made in heaven,the future is looking good,start getting your hopes up Gooners!!!
Ryan (@Ryanvr46 )

Arsenal Player Ratings vs Norwich

Arsenal Player Ratings vs Norwich

Szczesny- 6
Koscielny-7
Mertesacker- 6
Vermaelen- 7.5
Santos- 7
Ramsey-7.5
Arteta- 7.5
Song-6
Walcott-9
v.Persie- 9
Gervinho-6.5

Pessimistic Gooners

Pessimistic Gooners
Why does it seem so hard to write about our great club when things are going well?

We are in a great run of form; RVP has for me made it clear he is a gunner to the soul ,Tommy V is back and LK looks awesome and suddenly all Wengers talk at the beginning of the season about having to many good CB is starting to ring true.
LE BOSS has done it again tricked us all we have suddenly depth in most positions and still our super star JW is out.  (he should start training again Mid-December.)

Yet I sit here and none of these facts stick in my mind no for me all that sticks out is why did silent Stan go to the training ground to see the players? and what did he say?
Being totally honest with you, I miss the days when the only names of people related to the club that fans knew were 11 players, a few subs and the manager.
Since that easy jet flight over Chelsea and the dopey looking russian buying Chelsea from a bird’s eye view, It seems everyone is interested in who runs the club, who pays the bills, who decides on a revenue stream and who makes the tea!

This has become the norm so much that it often dominates the sports headlines more than the results in fact I'm starting to think that the result is the last bit of news behind, the owner, who slept with who and the reaction when he was substituted etc!

For me the best owners for a football club are the ones no one knows, the ones who keep their mouth shut and pay the bills. I know "silent Stan" isn't our owner, but he is as good as ,yet even being silent has landed him in trouble with us,

It’s a funny old world they always say in a way I feel for Stan it can't be easy. I mean sure we make him more money than any other investment he has made in the world of sport and yes we complain about high prices but we haven't given him the right to remain silent.

What worries me most though is still the idea of him turning up to the training ground some have said maybe he was saying hello, some say he was showing he cares, but surely if he cares he would talk to us the fans? Just to give us some idea that he understands what we are going through, I would even settle for some cheesy Hollywood line like "we are all in this together" or anything!
For me none of the above fit, I feel it was all a publicity stunt the timing for me was to "american" it was too "the press are there,you best be"  maybe we have all got it wrong, but for me it feels like a takeover like the final slap in the face for Usamov and Dein.
Stan turning up too mark his territory showing he can go anywhere and that the players are his/
This is the news that all us pessimistic gooners have been waiting for finally something to worry about!

Ryan.

Arsenal Player Ratings vs West Brom

Arsenal Player Ratings vs W.B.A

Szczesny- 6.5
Jenkinson- 7.5
Koscielny-7
Vermaelen- 8
Santos- 6.5
Ramsey-7.5
Arteta- 7.5
Song-7.5
Walcott-6.5
v.Persie- 9
Gervinho-6.5

MATCH PREVIEW vs MARSEILLE [h].

Please excuse any and all spelling/grammar errors because I used GoogleDocs for this (to try it out) and the dictionary didn’t even have the word “preview” in it.

Let us reflect on the Chelsea game for a few seconds... Wow. That’s all that can be said. Now I wasn’t fortunate enough to attend the game OR see it on television, but from a 3-5 scoreline (and highlights) you can’t say the fixture wasn’t exciting. A Robin van Persie hattrick, a goal from a André Santos (disappointing in the first half) , and an impressive display (and a goal) from Walcott amounted to a very VERY important three points for The Arsenal.

The question is: do we look to rest players for the Marseille game and focus on getting back into the top four in the league (vs West Brom on Saturday), or do we try and go out for the win against Marseille? Resting the Dutch master for this game would be foolish, a seasoned striker like him would do well against a team like Marseille, and with Chamakh not being the sharpest tool, starting Van Persie seems fitting. However, with Park showing us how fantastic he is against Bolton, will he be started alongside RVP in a 4-4-2? Or will he be saved for the West Brom fixture on Saturday? It’s hard to tell with Wenger’s faffing around with selections (especially Park).

Marseille, as we know, are a very strong side. They have achieved four domestic wins and two draws (out of a possible six) in October alone. We need to keep our feet on the ground for Tuesday and not get too carried away with the Chelsea result. But can you blame us if we do? Yes, there is absolutely no room for complacency at this stage, especially as we are just getting back into our stride with eight wins in our last nine games.

Key man for Arsenal: Robin van Persie (for obvious reasons), providing he isn’t rested, otherwise it’s the ever-present Aaron Ramsey who has been instrumental for us this season in the middle of the park.


Surprise package for Arsenal (if he comes on or is actually picked): Park Chu-Yung, I honestly believe that his inclusion in the starting-eleven will add some extra depth and ruthlessness to the side, something that Chamakh cannot offer, especially on the European stage.

Danger man: It would be foolish not highlight the the threat of Loic Remy against our - let’s face it - vulnerable defence. That being said, Vermaelen is due back and I’m sure Wenger will have a thing or two to say about the defending against Chelsea in the first half. The French striker has scored a mediocre 12 games, 5 goals, the most recent goal coming during Marseille’s most recent fixture - a 3:2 win away from home against a struggling yet resilient Dijon [mustard]. - sorry

I think Marseille will look to apply the pace and technique of their wingers against our not so great full-backs, André Ayew (not to be confused with teammate, and brother, Jordan Ayew) will be giving both our full-backs (presumably Santos and Jenkinson) a run for their money - I can see him switching flanks, as he is almost ambidextrous.
Us on the other hand? I think the use of our spine (Vermaelen, Song and RVP) + Ramsey is our key [well pointed out by @WengerBoy1]. If we keep the ball down the middle, with Ramsey being the creative hub, we can slice open the likes of Diawara, M’Bia and N’Koulou - depending on the starting partnership Monsieur Deschamps picks.

Predicted Arsenal line-up:

Szczesny

Jenkinson - Koscielny - Vermaelen - Santos

Arteta - Song - Ramsey

Walcott - RVP - Arshavin.

I am aware that I did mention earlier how I’d like to see Park alongside RVP and I do think he’ll play second half, as well as being the surprise package. I am also aware that this squad is the bulk of the weekend’s Chelsea-bashers. These boys’ll have enough in the tank.

This could all be wrong, by the way. I don’t see the point in predicting Marseille’s squad because:
1) Deschamps is weird.
2) I don’t know much about Marseille apart from the fact that they’re good.
3) Who gives a shit? We’ve come to see The Arsenal.

That’s about it.

Follow me on Twitter (@MylesBurrell) because, as sad as it is, that’s the best way to contact me because I spend most of my time there.

Out.

Arsenal Player Ratings vs Chelsea

Player Ratings

 Szezesney- 7- Solid as always and can’t be blamed for any of the goals however did run out rashly and brought down Ashley Cole (High Five)

Djourou- 5.5- Had problems with A.Cole despite improving in the second half he was subsititued for young Carl Jenkinson.

Metresacker-5- Very Disappointing for both Lampard’s and Terry’s goals, however did make a couple of good interceptions.

Koscielny-8.5- Didn’t do much wrong and got us out of trouble multiple times. By far the best defender on the pitch today. I reckon him and Vermaelen should be out CB pairing for the majority of games. Outstanding.

Santos-6.5- Had an odd game he looked slow in the first half and couldn’t deal with Sturridge on the other hand he took his goal well which seemed to give him a whole new leg of life.

Arteta-6.5- Quiet in the first half but kept us going in the second with some intricate passes topped off with a assist for Van Persie’s 3^rd.

Song-7- Had Mata in his pocket despite a slow start.

Ramsey-8.5- Before the game on Tuesday I got his name on the back of my shirt a lot of people said why him? He answered that today with good runs and passes into the box. Dare I say but almost Cesc like.

Gervinho-7.5- Missed a sitter early on however his skills caused Chelsea’s defence problems and also assisted both Van Persie and Santos.

Walcott-8- Won the battle vs Cole, created chances and scored a cracking goal. More of the same needed.

Robin Van Persie-9(MOTM)- Captain Vantastic, Hat-trick Hero, 28^th in 27 now. Need I say more?

Subs

Jenkinson-6.5- Put on a decent shift. Vermaelam – N/A (Came on 88^th min) ,Rosiscky- 6- Had little time but made some neat passes.
OVERALL (TEAM): We showed great skill and Character however defence STILL needs work.

Please leave a comment or tweet us your match ratings.
Luke (@Arsenal_RTS)

A Game Of 2 Halves

"Enough is enough"- Gary Neville these are the words from our once great enemy, a man I'm sure we have all hated and shouted at the TV when he played. Yet even he has become so upset with our defence he can no longer watch.

Welcome to the club Gary!

It seems that everyone has had enough of watching our once great defending become a joke. This is because we are most people's "second" team, we are loved by so many neutrals because we play the game as it is meant to be played. (Well we used too!)

Part of attacking is defending anyone with a basic knowledge of the game knows that there is no point in scoring 5 goals to concede 6 and it’s better to concede 0 and score 1.

At Chelsea once again our defensive problems were all too clear Chelsea got down our flanks at us leaving Santos and Djourou with bewildered looks on the faces, Mertesacker's 6.5ft height didn't help him in a single aerial battle as his positioning meant he may as well have been 4ft.

To be honest this isn't about individuals, the problem is much deeper, it is a fundamental basics that no longer exist in the way we play, it is a huge problem that threatens to destroy all the hard work AW has done to get our team attacking; we as "sofa managers" can all see the problems our line, our man marking which have been shocking and worthy of criticism from all in football,we as Gooners have taken this criticism very well without much reply.

However what isn’t deserved to be criticised is our clubs honour, our captains honour, and the outstanding record our great manger has at OUR glorious club, that we as LOYAL Gooners  can no longer take.

That was proved today at Chelsea, I appreciate you all couldn't be there in person, but as a club, Arsenal football club heard you all today, we proved to all the "haters" that what is left at our club after a mist players leaving, unexpected injuries is a never say die attitude to the way the game should be played.

Finally we can look at our players and see the pride they have in our Gunners and what guns! Guns that today sank a Chelsea ship that at home have looked unsinkable! Today we played the Arsenal way in the second half our movement and ball control was sublime, our patience in our football unshakable.

We played in triangles, we played with pace, in the second half our defence was strong, diving in front of fierce shots from Juan Mata (who choose the wrong club) just for the badge ,just for the club ,just for you!

They showed guts today and also showing why this team, like all great Arsenal teams of the past, don't know when there beat!

I could write for hours about individual players and about the beauty of our game today but I will leave that to better men then me I'm just a humble Arsenal fan who feels blessed to have witnessed the beginning of our charge to the top.

Today we played and defended as a team, we worked as a unit, we left it all on the pitch, today our 11 men fired our cannons with pride and passion, thanks Arsene, thanks lads, forward together!
Ryan