If only we could get Jenkinson and Sagna in at the same time. Both of them play with heart and battle for the team. I think the players who have to fight for their spot are the ones playing well lately. I guess Santos could be seen as the exception, but Podolski, Cazorla, Arteta, Vermalaen walk into the team and they seem to be tapering off. Maybe it's fatigue, but I think Arshavin and Coquelin should be playing more. Side note: I usually see Jenkinson hailed as a fan of Arsenal, but isn't Per one as well?
I remember having the lot of them in the stand below me, when I went to see Arsenal play to a draw against the Spuds, in the Carling Cup in 2007. They were chanting their rubbish, and then when we scored, and I shouted and motioned at them over the handrailing, they got all naggy and told on me! No jokes - they called the steward and pointed up and reported me. Come to think of it, RvP played a half of that game, coming off a long injury. He was rubbish, and did nothing. I think he got injured again soon after...as he always did...
Honest question for all of you. I understand Arteta's role as a holding midfielder means he has to be disciplined in his positioning, conservative in his passing, etc. Which, is a main reason he is considered such a rock in our team and why statistics show the team is more likely to win if he's in the squad. However, do any of you think he slows our game down? Many times where I've watched him this season he seems to take unnecessary touches at crucial times that lead us to lose our momentum. I fear leaving him out of the squad, but if he's forced out tomorrow through injury, it'll be interesting to see how our pace changes.
I was thinking the same thing. However as well it seemed the last few games he slowed the game down even more. I think he's tired, as he has the right to be from playing so many games. I would like to see Coquelin back there to see if he can handle that role.
True, but I'd argue that as the pivot point in the midfield he is the most responsible for dictating our pace. Jack's role in beating Barcelona is actually what makes me think of this as his one touch decisive passes deep in the midfield were crucial.
No thanks. I think Coq will be a utility squaddie for us. No more, no less, no shame. Not a fan of his hip-swivel pass. Tomorrow we have a high probability of seeing a Ramsey-Wilshere-Santi midfield. Quite excited actually! Sometimes injuries can lead to revelations.... Jenk - Kos - Per - Verm Ramsey - Wilshere - Santi Arshavin - Chamakh - Poldy And yes, there might be a Santa Clause.
Yeah, I don't see him being more than a squad player now as well. Just see his potential and hoping that he can sometime really challenge. Wilshere-Ramsey-Santi seems like a recipe for disaster but you never know. May actually work out well. Obviously Wilshere will play the D-mid role?
Yeah I agree and sadly this is nothing new... the decline has been going on for several years. BUT! Maybe there's a little ray of hope in that a lot of the negativistas are missing from this thread. Yes I know we'll probably see them in the MD thread, especially if we don't get a result, but let's enjoy the hiaitus while we've got it!
Hmm... that really got me thinking. They are both so good... it's a shame that they're both vying for just one exclusive spot. So in theory we could develop/convert one of the two into a different role, like MF/winger? Then when the starting RB goes down w/ injury we have the option of reassigning a MF-come-RB to that spot? I'm sure there are probably problems with this idea, e.g. coaches that seem to like defensive specialists who practice with that unit primarily. (i.e. 2 good RB's, 2 LB's, 4 CB's) So this idea would certainly require some flexibility in training. The other whacky idea is to have a FB who can play both sides, right & left. But that also seems such a rare thing. I know it usually has to do with predominantly right-vs-left-footed players but isn't there some precedence for a right-footed RB being able to do a good job at LB? I imagine this right-vs-left universality is easier from a defensive/tackling point of view, and harder from a winger/crossing point of view. Ah, but I digress! Whoever plays tomorrow as long as they have heart, desire, and play with maximum urgency and pressure the whole game, we can win this one!!!
Great pic. Love it. Pity they're all wearing modern footwear. If they were wearing black high tops, that would be an even better pic.
On Tuesday Club they mentioned that all anyone talks about with Arsenal is finances and management. What's happening on the field isn't compelling at all.
I had that same thought about thier boots when I looked at it before. But then I figured to be truly authentic they'd also have to change their hair, not to mention their skin color! (which is why I didn't post this thought before frankly)
greetings, ya bunch of bastards. long time no see. if you think your NLD thread is lame, you ought to see ours. can't be more than a half-dozen posts thus far. it's weird, innit? i mean, these obviously aren't the most exciting of times for either of our teams, but you'd think the derby would be just the think to shake the lethargy. if anything, though, it appears to intensified it.* of course, if one of you wants to stop by and put a little life into ours, feel free. we'll all heap loads of abuse on you, of course, the double will alter your posts, and i'll probably give you a forum ban ... but that'd beat the buildup as it currently stands, eh? anyway, i'll start ... ok ... what's the difference between arsenal football club and a dose of the clap? give up? ... actually, i haven't really thought this one through. but i'll come up with something. and when i do, you'll know you've been offended. take that. bastards. *hmmm ... 'intensified lethargy' ... a bit oxymoronic, that. but you know what i mean.
tbf, spurs played walter tull as far back as 1909. we didn't play any until 1971. not particularly acceptable really, but i suppose partly offset when you take into consideration that even today black people (of any origin) only account for 2-2.5% of the uk population and the first major wave of black immigration didn't happen until the 50's.
I remember reading not too many years ago that Arsenal had the largest % of minority season ticket holders. So, that's something, isn't it?
Nice to see you again Pook. Come back when you have something insightful to say, and haven't been drinking too much, OK? p.s. Your post seems to support the theory that BigSoccer is dying a steady death, not just our boards. Oh well at least us geezers can still have fond memories of its heyday.
Wow, 1909? I'm astonished. Now that's progressive. You have to give those bastards a little credit there! Edit: I just read about Tull on Wikipedia and guess who bought him away from Spurs in 1911? Herb Chapman. Who was managing Northampton at the time. Hmm... if Tull hadn't been killed in WWI he might've finished his career as a Gunner... would've been fitting.
credit where it's due. that's the most diplomatic way of saying 'go away and don't come back' that i've ever heard.
Just adding to the thread count so people might feel better about the activity on Big Soccer. Go Arsenal! Beat Tottenham Hotspurs!