Another tough trip away.. this time to Goodison Park where the fans will be major part. If we can beat the Toffees and Pool next week I think third place should be more or less settled and we can try and get as close to Chelsea as we can and if they drop a few points maybe even challenge for second place.
Andy Johnson will be a pest up front and will probably play in a 4-5-1 upfront and chase everything from start to end. If we can shut Mikel Arteta up they probably wont score in open play as they have hardly anyone else going forward that often with the injury to Cahill. Beattie might come on late if Everton are down. Leon Osman will probably play off AJ but that apart I dont see too much of an attacking thread. They are however excellent in the air and one of the most dangerous teams at set pieces so any stupid free kicks will be punished.. …sometime.
Coming to us .. Is the Beast injured or not?? If he is we’re sickeningly short of strikers and Ali will have to play alone up front with Freddie in support. Dont know how we’ll score with noone to finish up chances that Hleb n Rosicky might create. I seriously hope Kolo n Gallas play in central defense with Hoyte wide right n some one left .. Flamini ideally. But it’ll probably be Djouruou right n Hoyte left.
Not too much more to write really apart from the fact that we’ll probably either win it 1-0 or lose it 1-0 with a set piece header. If Kolo n Gallas can stop Everton from scoring I think we might just nick this again with a Freddie goal in the first half.
Everton 0 Arsenal 1
67 Responses to “Everton - Arsenal”
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March 18th, 2007 at 10:40 am
Should be an interesting match.
Liverpool draw at Villa, so the results of the teams around us keep going our way… we look like a LOCK for the top 4, and thats all we are really playing for at this point.
The line-up will be interesting… basically because we’ve got so many injured or suspended.
I’d be happy with a draw. 0-0 or 1-1 sounds about right.
But we are so inconsistent this season, that not much that makes sense happens.
We’ll probably bang in 3 or 4 goals because the pressure is off.
March 18th, 2007 at 12:35 pm
my god, aliadiare is USELESS, POINTLESS and NONSENSE. he is officially the worst player at the club.
hoyte? senderos? ljunberg? flamini? step aside guys…u cant take the crown from that clown.
how many f-cking open goals and clear chances will he continue to miss. even watford and westham forwards will put away EASILY.
i mean he knows he is playing for his future right? the incompetent TW-T!
am just totally pissed off with him.
March 18th, 2007 at 12:59 pm
At 70 min, I was praying that this does not prove to be another West Ham, and so it was to be.
Damn. Some things just don’t change. The difference was clear for everyone to see. Johnson’s accurate finish as opposed to Ali + Bap.
March 18th, 2007 at 1:00 pm
i knew it! i just knew it when that unnecessary corner was coming in that they would score. losing a goal to a deadball kick in the final minutes is our new pasttime.
yeah we are utterly useless in the air….but the real reason we lost this game (that we DOMINATED) was because we had TWO useless, incompetent, pointless, sh-tty-as-f-ck, nothing strikers…..aliadiere simply amazes me. baptista’s lack of ball control and awareness of his teammates runs is BAFFLING.
anybody here that tries to defend these two players is a psycho, a MORON.
infact, i wont allow this to sadden me. i think its best if one just tunes off till next season.
and even wenger’s substitutions didnt make sense. yes, i know the strikers were completely useless, but why subsititute both of them in the final minutes. wenger too might be a quite limited.
March 18th, 2007 at 1:01 pm
What a sickening result to let in another late goal. Why the f**k do Arsenal keep giving away setpieces late in the game?! It is as if the boys are tempting fate. Wenger - if u think this team can compete next season, well THINK AGAIN! U better bring in those super-duper players u talked about in the summer. Otherwise be prepared for another trophyless season next year and fighting for 4th place. Why sit Sendoros on the bench when he can partner Gallas in central defence? Why play 3 players out of position when there was no need to do so?!
March 18th, 2007 at 1:01 pm
you’ve lost it.
We didn’t have a clear chance all match.
The ball you “might” be talking about was KNEE HIGH on his left foot…
get a life.
March 18th, 2007 at 1:01 pm
yes, the goal johnson scored was THREE times more difficult than the one Aliadiere missed pointblank.
its absolutely stunning that aliadiere plays for this club. infact he shouldnt be in the championship. useless!
March 18th, 2007 at 1:04 pm
Mr. Wenger, Are you still wondering where you will put in a super-class player? How about up front to score goals?
March 18th, 2007 at 1:05 pm
Thats classic Arsenal this year.
Fairly entertaining match. Without any of our best strikers, Everton played us head on…
we didn’t create any clear cut chances… I thought Diaby was pretty good today… Lehmann was good… Gallas as well.
Moment of truth, Everton get the big goal, we lose on the road… again.
No sweat. No big deal. We aren’t playing for anything anyway.
I’d have to say I expected a draw, and we deserved it… but hey, they hit the bar twice… and Lehmann could have been sent off early.
The ref did a very good job, and just let the players play football.
March 18th, 2007 at 1:22 pm
stag, you are a FOOL, an absolute MORON. that is what you are to defend that f-ck useless piece of sh-t player. the chance he missed like the tw-t he is was at least THREE times easier than the chance Johnson scored against us. and thats not to count the numerous easy chances he has BLOWN in the last 3, 4 games.
so the fact that you are still defending him shows you know absolutely NOTHING about football. ofcourse, i assume you are not his life-partner and are therefore not biased towards him. because i cant think of any other reason to defend him.
aliadiere is sh-te! end of.
and baptista is not that much better really.
it just proves that liverpool carling cup game was the GREATEST FLUKE EVER.
i cant wait for adebayor to get back. and i dont even like ade much. that says it all.
March 18th, 2007 at 1:33 pm
F**k it. There goes 2nd place. Maybe even 3rd. Just hope we don’t lose at home and get in the top 4. Here’s to next season.
March 18th, 2007 at 1:47 pm
I’m sick and tired from all of you who are blaming the strikers after every single match. Why blame Baptista, when he created the best chance of the match for us and Cesc wasted it. So, why you are not slating Fabregas for that miss, how is Baptista to blame?
And Fred, Johnson’s chance was easier than Aliadiere’s. Look at the replays and tell me I’m wrong. Yes, maybe Aiadiere should have reacted better, but the goal Johnson scored today was from an easier chance.
At the end, don’t forget that we are without Eboue, Clichy, Adebayor, Henry and RvP. If only two of them were available(Eboue or Clichy and one striker) we would have won the match.
March 18th, 2007 at 1:52 pm
I thought Diaby looked good. (Is it me or does Cesc disappear a little when Diaby's on the pitch?) I'm done hearing what Baps did two or three years ago.? I'm also just about done with notion of his adjusting to the Prem, as well.? An absolutely garbage first touch.? (I won't bother discussing the other starting striker, as I cannot believe he'll be in London next season.)? Tomas misses at almost the exact same spot everytime.? Can we have the goal slid two yards to the left for him?
Fair play to Everton. They played positive, energetic football.? Anyway, decent chances for the Gunners, 0 goals.? We could pretty much cut and paste these by now, no?
March 18th, 2007 at 2:16 pm
Baptista is sh*t. Ali is at best a squad player. If he stays, he will be at best a fifth or sixth choice striker. Baptista had the easiest chance from a free header in the box and headed well over. He keeps losing possession and losing out when challenged by the opponents. The ‘Beast’ nickname is undeserved. He does not deserve to even be a squad player in Arsenal. Better bring in a super-duper goal scorer this summer.
March 18th, 2007 at 2:23 pm
Diaby will be immensed with more experience. He does have the tendency to hold on to the ball a bit longer than necessary (shades of Vieira??!!). Cesc was Arsenal’s most likely goal scorer so it does not say much for our 2 strikers.
For bad game therapy, I watched the 7-0 demolition of Everton a few seasons ago on Youtube. I feel better now….
March 18th, 2007 at 2:27 pm
Both Ali and Bap were sh*t today but Ali is an Arsenal player and he should be kept as a squad player. Bap should be released as any new investment from Arsenal should be for that super-duper player Wenger talked about.
March 18th, 2007 at 3:33 pm
aliadiere and baptista are sh-te!!! i was not in favor of bringing in a new striker before….but after the last couple of games …i have concluded that this pair are WORTHLESS.
with them upfront the ball cant stick in attack. baptista is a possession gifter to the opposition. “beast” my ass. he is a sheep. aliadiere is even worse.
and NO, the johnsons chance was harder!
March 18th, 2007 at 3:38 pm
why on earth should we keep ali???? hell NO…ship him out! there are stupid managers out there who would buy him. afterall some managers still buy jeffers! oops!
March 18th, 2007 at 4:01 pm
Lehmann - good game, deserves 2 year contract (8)
Toure - impresses as a RB, Wenger should get a CB who can mark and move Toure there permanently (8)
Gilberto - looked dodgy at times, but anything’s better than Senderos (6)
Gallas - very solid (7)
Hoyte - not bad, but Everton’s goal and nearly all their chances came from his side (6)
Ljungberg - worked hard, but to no real effect (6)
Diaby - thought he would impose himself a little better, but still learning (7)
Fabregas - sloppy first half, better second, looks spent (6)
Rosicky - just come back from injury, looked rusty, bad decision making (5)
Baptista - first touch improving, would be far more effective in a quality side (6)
Alidiere - missed a sitter from 5 yards, looked clueless - still, only a few more games before he’s gone (4)
Subs:
Hleb - did nothing (4)
Walcott - shouldn’t be playing, his shoulder’s f*cked (4)
Denilson - only got 5 minutes (4)
March 18th, 2007 at 4:04 pm
Blame the strikers, blame Cesc, blame the guy that washes out the jocks. Bottom line is, we keep score by W’s and L’s. Looking good gets you on sportscenter, but puts nothing in the cabinet. If that’s what AW is looking for, then that’s what we’ll get.
March 18th, 2007 at 4:05 pm
Because if Senderos had played we’d have lost 3-0?
March 18th, 2007 at 4:12 pm
Both chances were as good as eachother; concentrate and you score. Unfortunately, for Arsenal, Aliadiere would lose concentration making his bed in the morning.
March 18th, 2007 at 4:18 pm
See?? I knew you could bring some laughs.?
March 18th, 2007 at 4:31 pm
I see Paddy at times, too.? I like how direct Diaby is.? Confident. None of the pussyfooting around.? You're right, though.?It'll be a double-edged sword until he matures.? I really enjoy having him back out there, though.? We can use what he brings. I hope he stays healthy and continues to build his game.
Cesc is coming closer, isn't he?? But bl**dy hell, put o?ne in already, kid.? I do like to see us taking good shots outside the box.? If o?nly that had started 4 months ago.
The growth chart this year has been fitful.? I want to believe we'll be ready next year, but I fear those who say we're two or three years away are being more realistic. AW's interpretations of what The Arsenal need this summer will be telling.
March 18th, 2007 at 4:38 pm
Well honestly I can't say that I am gutted because I am more numb than anything. Any distant glimmer of hope of us catching Chel$$ea while they're mired in FA cup replays and CL has vanished. I'll be happy with third if it comes; it's better than last year.
March 18th, 2007 at 4:42 pm
LLunberg, Cesc, and Ali all missed decent chances. LLunberg did not have the greatest game, made the Everton defender look world class and I think Rosicky prefers to play in the center than on the outside. Kolo was a little rusty at times going forward. I thought Diaby and Galas had good games. I can’t see paying more than 5 or 6 mil for Baptista. Think of all of the other players you could get for 10-15 mil, or whatever Baptista might cost.
I think Ali plays better on the wing were he can run at defenders.
I was surprised that Wenger took Rosicky off for Hleb. Rosicky and Hleb are starting to develop a chemistry, so I wanted to see them play together. Maybe they are not both fully match fit.
March 18th, 2007 at 4:43 pm
I agree with you…Diaby was great he will be a force in the next couple of years…
March 18th, 2007 at 5:06 pm
Is it just me, or has Fabregas kind of stunk things up a bit since the beginning of the year? I don’t know if he’s tired, or if he has begun to believe all the accolades written about him earlier. But he’s not the same player he was in September-December.
I hope it’s a temporary thing.
Diaby, on the other hand, was amazing this game. Easily the best.
March 18th, 2007 at 5:24 pm
As always, after watching a particularly frustrating Arsenal game, I go to this website and feel better at reading the comments of my fellow gooners who are equally crushed at the sight of a disappointing Arsenal performance and loss. While I may not agree with all of you at all times, I know you all care as much as I do and somehow, reading of your frustration makes my feelings of disappointment somehow just a little bit more tolerable. So, for that, I want to say thanks to all you, from DannyT to Fred to Mazza to Stag133 to Irishgunner to every form of gunner, gooner out there. Now, for my thoughts which consist largely of revisiting something I wrote here on the first day of 2007 and of quoting from an editorial from an online fanzine with which I agree.
At the beginning of this year, I posted a submission titled “Why Wenger Is Not Buying During The Transfer Window.” I argued in this submission that the justification offered by Wenger for not buying players during the transfer window — i.e., that purchasing expensive and experienced players will discourage the young players that Arsenal is carefully cultivating — was malarkey. I pointed out that the “young players who would be displaced by new purchases during this transfer window are players who have been given numerous chances and have been found wanting time and again” and that “if Wenger truly believed in his youth, would he not be recalling Nicklaus Bendtner and Anthony Stokes rather than continuing to play Jeremie Aliadiare, a player who has failed repeatedly at Arsenal and during his loan-outs.”
Of course, for those of you who remember, I proposed a more involved and nefarious reason for why Wenger would not spend money during the transfer window — specifically, “because it’ll take money away from the men [and woman] who own the overwhelming percentage of shares in Arsenal Football Club.” Right after submitting this posting, I went on vacation and so did not respond to the numerous responses that criticized my reasoning as “complete and utter bollocks,” and “complete nonsense and borne out of total frustration.” Well, although I am as frustrated now as I was on January 1st of this year, I want to say that I agree with the critics of my posting, I do not believe it is the majority shareholders’ greed that prevented Wenger from purchasing players but rather simply economic reality. The club has invested and bet its future on the new stadium and can only afford to buy one or two quality players (at the Rosicky, Hleb level 10 million pound level) a year. Unless we had a majority shareholder like Abramovich (which none of us want, I believe), we cannot expect the owners of Arsenal to risk losses in the tens of millions of pounds simply so Wenger can buy every Ribery, Babel, or Buffon that is mentioned. We need to be patient.
I believe Wenger’s comments over the last few days which seemingly retreat from his earlier statement that he would buy 1 or 2 super class players underscore the reality that he does not have 20 million pounds at his disposal to do with as he wishes. Rather, he probably has 20 million pounds that are supposed to last him for the next twelve months and woe unto him if he really needs someone significant during next year’s transfer window. In any event, 20 million pounds does not buy two super class players; indeed, arguably, it may not even buy one in these days of 20+ million purchases of Drogba, Shevchenko, SWP, etc. Wenger is dealing best with the hand he has dealt to him; he does not want to complain like Mourinho that he cannot purchase anybody and give his players excuses for losing.
My views on this season were best encapsulated in an editorial titled “Arsenal 2007: No End Product” that appeared in the fanzine Online Gooner after Arsenal played PSV at the Emirates and was eliminated from the Champions League. This editorial which seems no less relevant today than it was ten days ago can be found at http://www.onlinegooner.com/editorial/index.php?id=50
For those who do not wish to spend their time reading the full text of this editorial, I think the following excerpts capture the sentiment of the piece:
“But let?s face facts. The squad at the moment is one that suits the budget of Arsenal as they face the first few difficult years in their new home. Like a young couple with a big mortgage, the initial years of repayments are the ones that hurt the most. Some luxuries go out the window to make sure the roof remains over the head. To lower the wage bill, the club have moved on experienced players who reach the age of 30 as a policy. They are offered one year deals, one suspects sometimes as lower levels than they have previously been earning. A Flamini is a damned sight cheaper than an Edu, a Diaby certainly less so than a Vieira.”
“There has been a lot of chopping and changing, not least in defence where historically, Le Boss always tried to resist rotation if at all possible. Reaching Paris last year was a real bonus, and although the defence that got us there was pretty makeshift, it was consistent in line-up until the second leg of the semi-final. That certainly has not been the case this year.”
“Where to go from here? There is no point I ruing the lack of signings that might have made a difference this season. The one who did arrive that might - Rosicky - was injured again last night. Henry?s season has been one to forget and as of now, he should be wrapped in cotton wool until 2007-08 with a message to Raymond Domanech to take a long walk off a short pier. Julio Baptista should be returned to Madrid as of tomorrow because he has become a beast of burden. I?d rather have Lupoli or Bendtner up front for the rest of campaign. Robin van Persie has been a huge loss.”
“If the players at his disposal are not capable of converting dominance into goals, then fresh faces must be brought in. When everyone is fit, Arsenal have a good enough team to win the Premiership again. When they are not, the back-ups are simply not as good as those available the last time the title was won. That?s a situation brought about by the stadium move. It was always likely.”
“This season is already tapering off. But with no distractions, the team has to start doing the right things as a prelude to the next. Convert dominance into goals, defend with discipline - especially from set pieces - get points on the board even when they are not playing well through discipline. There?s always room for some quality one and two touch football. But Wenger?s charges have to get back to the basics if they are to fulfil the predictions of becoming Arsene?s third great Arsenal team. If they learn the lessons of this season, the frustration of the last fortnight will not have been in vain.”
March 18th, 2007 at 5:40 pm
Biggun:
You make several observations with which I totally agree.
Foremost is that Arsenal did NOT crash out of the Carling Cup. Arsenal played valiantly that day and acquitted itself admirably (except for the last few minutes of that game.) In fact, that crash out bodes incredibly well for the long term future.
Additionally, I am intrigued by your idea of moving Eboue to right wing. In fact, I believe I recall him playing there at least once this past season and looking very threatening, indeed, more threatening than anyone else who has played at right wing this year. If Wenger can buy a formidable center back, moving Toure to right back and Eboue to right wing would strengthen the back 7 immeasurably. Hleb can alternate with Eboue which I think would aid Hleb who seems to break down in concentration and ability each game as it goes into the later minutes and who’s not as strong in general as he was earlier this year. I’ll be very interested to see what Wenger does in this regard.
But one thing I hope he stops doing this year for the last 9 games is playing players out of position. I’d much rather see Traore at left back, Hoyte at right back, and Gallas and Toure in the center than the makeshift arrangements Wenger has been putting out there. I trust and hope the return of Clichy and Eboue will compel Wenger to play his defenders in their respective positions. If moving Toure to right back makes sense, Wenger must use a real center back (not Gilberto) to replace him in the middle.
March 18th, 2007 at 6:50 pm
The problem for me is not just the junior players, the young players, it’s the older ones. Apart from Gallas & Lehmann (who is probably leaving), all of the players we are expecting to hold everything together simply aren’t up to it at the moment.
We have Gilberto, who is decent but no Vieira. Henry, who none of us know if he will ever quite be the same player again. Toure who is generally excellent but has fatal set piece defending flaws. Rosicky who scores 1 goal a season. Hleb who is terrible carelessly and inconsistent and no goal threat. Ljungberg - completely past it. And this is the glue that will hold the team together, guide the young players through and win us trophies? I have massive doubts.
It seems that everywhere there is a problem player who is either past it, not ready or not good enough. As far as I’m concerned half of the youth - Aliadiere, Flamini, Senderos, Hoyte, Eboue - is not even top Premiership standard. So what’s left? Denilson and Diaby - both at least 2 years away from running the midfield. Fabregas, who is still just 20 - what on earth can you expect from him? Walcott - a baby. Adebayor/Baptista - the jury’s out.
It’s a massive dichotomy. We can only come here and moan, because the results have been terrible lately. Everything’s completely up in the air. No-one knows how this “future youth” will turn out. On the one hand we realise that the club is skint, but we also realise Wenger probably wouldn’t buy even if he was rich - so you never really to what extent you should criticise him.
We’ll make top 4 because I’m not sure the teams behind us are even good enough to win 3 games out of 9 even if Arsenal lost all theirs.
The best team we can put out now will be Lehmann, Eboue, Gallas, Toure, Clichy, Hleb, Diaby, Fabregas, Rosicky, Adebayor, Baptista.
I really want to see that team as soon as possible to see how it fares. Fingers crossed they should all be fit and available for Liverpool in 2 weeks.
March 18th, 2007 at 7:35 pm
I agree with you about the best team we can put out (noting that you preferred Diaby over Silva with which I agree.) I don’t agree with you that Eboue (and maybe even Hoyte)is not even top Premiership standard. I think if Eboue gets his head together and learns to behave on the pitch is a top-notch talent that will be a starter at Arsenal for years to come (whether at right back or right wing.)
March 18th, 2007 at 8:13 pm
I’ve been up & down on Eboue since the start of this season, I mean you see has talent like his crosses into TH-14, but then you also see the wailing around on the pitch because a fly landed on his foot, go figure… I like to try to be a positive as I can about the Arsenal, it helps in these types of times when we dont put it together on the pitch. I really think Baptista will stay although I think he should go back to La Liga and play with Espanol or someone like that… For some reason I think AW likes him, or see’s potential in him, whatever you call potential in a player that has a first touch as smooth as sandpaper??? No matter alot of specualtion will go on about summer transfers as we get closer to June 1; for me I want a solid striker that puts his chances in the back of the net, and a tall, big central defender to help out on the air balls.
UP THE ARSENAL
March 18th, 2007 at 9:14 pm
VG,
Thanks; I also agree with playing folks in their positions….Also nice post below. I think we can’t buy because of the stadium and long term plans and probably not due to the share holder isssue; but I admit I am not very well-versed in that area.
March 18th, 2007 at 9:23 pm
That is exactly why I believe we need a big central defender that strikes fear into opponents and move Kolo into R back; Eboue to R wing.
Rosicky/Hleb/Walcott need to find their scoring boots in the summer. I have always thought Baptista is not good enough but Wenger has wanted him for some time and now that he has him I don’t think he’s going anywhere.
We’ll see how your team does in a couple of weeks against a full Liverpool team in a couple of weeks; provided no injuries with international teams next week…..
March 18th, 2007 at 10:14 pm
I don’t know why Arsenal acts like it doesn’t have players. Why is Gilberto playing at Center back ? We need him in the center to break up play. I know Diaby played well but Gilberto is senior. Anyway as you said. I think it’s best to just tune off till next season. The watching experience is sickening.
March 18th, 2007 at 10:16 pm
True
March 18th, 2007 at 10:42 pm
Without Henry or Van Persie, Arsenal can do no harm. Pires left Henry with a massive burden. With Pires in the team, Henry had the luxury of sitting back and Super Bob would do all the poaching. He was our Van Nistelrooy.
Now that he is gone and Ljunberg is dead , Wenger can’t seem to find an attacking formula. Ljunberg should be sold off. He is clearly past it. Who can honestly tell me that they can see Ljunberg causing any harm to the opponents. Maybe he should play Fullback since he isn’t that bad at tracking players. Ljunberg can’t cross the ball, he can’t shoot and he’s running is off so what use is he to the team. I don’t know of any player who goes down as easily…
So many harmless players. Hleb is the same. I can’t imagine him scoring a header or defending one. Mr. Wenger please take a look at more consistent teams like Chelsea and United. They have no nonsence players. No weaklings whatsover.
Ali + Bap ?????
I can’t imagine Ali celebrating. He looks so lost on pitch just running all over the place. As for Baptista I have always known he was junk. It’s no wonder the Brazilian team never calls him up. I didn’t see any of his goals in the cup but am sure they must have been scrappy and easy goals just like that against Reading.
You can’t have Hleb, Rosicky, and Fabregas all on at the same time. They are all too weak physically.
I think Wenger is experimenting. That’s why he keeps playing players like Diaby and Gilberto at centerback. What happened to Gilbert ? I hope Wenger figures out a formula and we start doing more harm. But with the current lot I don’t know how that’s going to happen..
Aliadiare…….rubbish
Baptista……..more rubbish
The rest of the team… is down in confidence so they generally lack motivation. I think players like Cesc or Gallas know it deep down that Ali + Bap is too incompetent so they don’t expect much. No wonder Gallas kept driving forward…
March 18th, 2007 at 10:48 pm
Sexy but impotent.
For me, this was an entertaining match because both teams played fairly wide-open, end-to-end footbal for much of the match.
However, we just can’t score. We can diagnose this to death (which is fun) as to why we can’t put it into the net.
Beginning with the listless nil-nil draw against Blackburn in the FA Cup at the Emirates, we have scored 5 goals in 8 games, and 4 games without a goal scored. That is pathetic.
Hail, then snow, then utter disappointment on another set piece disaster.
March 18th, 2007 at 11:14 pm
Extremely disappointing game. The only difference between this game and the Aston Villa game was we couldn’t score the fluke goal and Everton took their one chance well (besides hitting two posts). The bottom line right now is we can’t score. It’s not our fault. It’s just injuries, bad luck, bad finishing, super dooper world class GKs and super dooper world class defenses. Scoring goals takes the pressure off defenders playing out of position, just ask Chelsea.
Some observations:
Diaby is a strong, technically gifted player who will be carrying this team on his back one day.
Fabregas is just not carrying the mail.
Every Everton player no matter what their size won the majority of high balls. Everton players either won the ball out right or won it on the bounce (AJ).
We had no offense, no pace, no hunger. Except for Diaby, Toure, and Gallas, I don’t know what the rest of those guys were doing. It was pretty dismal. How many times did Baptista get dispossessed? Too many. Can we check Baptista’s passport to see if he is really Brazilian. He may look the part and talk the part, but I’m watching Brazilian U20s who trap like the real Brazilians. Don’t give up that rental quite yet. Pressure, can you feel it Aliadiere? Right there at the sharp end. The time is drawing near to when he becomes an Arsenal player who will reminisce about the wonderful education he received at Arsenal.
We need a CF, CB and GK (if Lehmann leaves)in my opinion. We have a “20mil” transfer budget. We are looking for 1-2 super dooper world class players. We do not want to bring in players who will blunt the growth of our young players. The statements made by Wenger would seem to contradict each other. Bottom line is don’t hold your breath waiting to see if that 20mil gets spent.
We have NO strikers on the bench. Why substitute our ONLY ’strikers’? Hleb and Denilson are not getting us goals. My blind dead grandmother has a better chance of getting a goal for Arsenal than Hleb. Why is Wenger bringing on an injured Walcott. He promptly falls on his injured shoulder. That’s just stupid. He is not going to get a goal. That is a move that shows desperation. Do not, I repeat, do not make moves that reak of desperation. Do not embarrass us by showing your desperation. I don’t care if they are tired. There were two of them. Andrew Johnson was obviously running the whole game and he didn’t come off. 70 min is not the witching hour that means automatic substitution unless those players are playing like ‘pumpkins’.
March 19th, 2007 at 12:22 am
Disappointed with the result. Wasn’t expecting us to score, but was hoping to clean sheet.
March 19th, 2007 at 12:29 am
Ali is finished. Even Wenger doesn’t mention him in his future plans. He will be replaced by Bendtner.
Time is running out for Bap. Will Ade’s return help him? Will Ade’s return help us score goals? The next 9 games will tell.
March 19th, 2007 at 12:42 am
This midfield is not scoring goals. Hleb is not capable. Rosicky will score the odd screamer but not many. Cesc shoots but can’t miss the goalkeeper.
Nobody likes to run with the ball. The above three prefer to pass in triangles. Diaby is capable of going past players but he is still learning.
If Wenger is experimenting in midfield with Denilson and Diaby in different positions, it’s good. But can he extract more goals from the current set?
March 19th, 2007 at 12:52 am
Speaking of striker options, Huntelaar scored twice as Ajax humiliated PSV at their own home. I saw Huntelaar in Bergkamp’s testimonial and liked him. He joins my striker wish list - Eto’o, Bent, Anelka and now Huntelaar.
March 19th, 2007 at 1:24 am
Fabregas must be dropped for the next game. he is playing like absolute rubbish. Its clear these players must leave at the end of the season: Lehmann, Hoyte, Ljungberg, Aliadiere, Baptista. They are just rubbish and add nothing to our team. Wenger better play this lineup next game. Next year, please buy a GK, LB, CB (Who is tall), RM, LM.
—————–Lehmann
Eboue——-Toure——-Gallas——Clichy
Hleb——-Gilberto—–Diaby——Rosicky
———–Adebayor—–Baptista
March 19th, 2007 at 2:52 am
Exactly. We cannot have three weak men all on at once (Hleb, Cesc, Rosicky). We need more muscle on pitch. Fabregas needs a rest.
March 19th, 2007 at 3:42 am
Fabregas has slowed down. In general, when the ball comes to him, our play kind of slows down. Now, I think it is showing a lot more.
I think Denilson releases the ball faster than Cesc. That’s initial impressions. I would like to see Denilson played in Cesc role, maybe even Rosicky. But Wenger has never done that.
March 19th, 2007 at 6:14 am
You have a pretty good wish list there, but Wenger said after the Everton game that he will not buy a goalscorer.
Huntelaar is a really good player and his finishing is clinical, something we lack at the moment, but then, don’t forget that our most lethal strikers are out injured.
My striker wish list is Torres, Bent, Huntelaar, Villa, Fred.
March 19th, 2007 at 6:22 am
Hey, stop slating Baptista and Aliadiere. I don’t defend them, but they are our 4th and 5th choice strikers. You just can’t have Eto’o or Bent as a 4th choice striker, that’s the reality. Can you imagine Chelsea or United playing with their 4th and 5th choice strikers. They would be shite. I don’t even know if they have 4th choice strikers, let alone 5th. So be patient until Henry and RvP are back, and with Ade and Bendtner we will have a pretty good striking options.
March 19th, 2007 at 6:27 am
I forgot Adriano.
March 19th, 2007 at 7:01 am
If Wenger is depending on two strikers being fit all season and carrying all the goal scoring load, we are doomed. We need one more and Wenger might believe that’s Ade, but I am not sure.
More importantly, we need goals from midfield. At any point, there can be only two strikers on the pitch and hence we absolutely need the midfield to contribute. If you look at the teams above us and we can see atleast 4 goals scoring options on the pitch. ManU has Rooney, Saha, Ronaldo, Giggs and Scholes. Chelsea has Drogba, Sheva, Lampard, Ballack and/or Robben. Even when our best 11 plays, we have Henry, RvP and Cesc/Rosicky at best. That’s 3 options. Not good enough. Liverpool are suffering from the same problem.
March 19th, 2007 at 7:09 am
Yes, that’s true. But then we need to buy goalscoring midfielder, not striker. I would like to see someone like Cristiano Ronaldo at Arsenal, someone who can run past defenders, cross the ball and score. I will name a few who I think can bring some new dimension in our attacks, they are Joaquin, Quaresma, SWP and Mati Fernandez. They are all great players with good technique and are capable of scoring.
March 19th, 2007 at 8:10 am
the criticism of fabregas is unwarranted why? because he has been OVERPLAYED !!!! he has played FAR MORE GAMES than he should be by wenger. just think of all the games he has been playing non-stop for the last 2 season - especially with his fragile frame. wenger didnt play walcott much because he was young, yet he overplays fabregas to the ground. in the end he is just 19 and he still needs to come to terms with his physique. bottom line: he is being OVERPLAYED. if he gets a good rest he will be back. so i wont slate him at all yet: afterall like henry he has delivered in the past…..unlike aliadiere.
March 19th, 2007 at 8:12 am
you know when wenger plays gilberto as a CB we automatically lose our best chance of a goal from midfield. and when u add to the fact that our strikers stink worse that shite then its a tragic outcome.
March 19th, 2007 at 8:41 am
I also think the problem with Cesc is who is in front of him.. before he could lay it off to Henry in beautiful space… but Ali and the Beast don’t seeem to find space and Cesc has nowhere to go…
March 19th, 2007 at 10:08 am
Zzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz
March 19th, 2007 at 10:15 am
Well, unfortunately it’s going to be zzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz for at least 12 more days which is sad because the memory of this Everton game will linger, at least, until March 30th.
March 19th, 2007 at 10:31 am
if you are going with the overplayed logic on Cesc, then he shouldn’t be PLAYING at all… he should be rested, and Denilson should be starting.
Also… Henry played ALL last season, ALL Summer in the World Cup, and his team made the finals… and then right into the new season with Arsenal…
no wonder Henry isn’t the same player, the human body can’t take that kind of abuse and keep performing at the levels we’re used to seeing from Henry.
Cesc has been average more than he’s been good… probably because of the fatigue factor. Same as when Vieira was here… we have nobody else that can do what he does… so Wenger plays him over and over.
March 19th, 2007 at 10:41 am
Some variations Wenger can try in the remaining 9 games
- Eboue as a right winger, Toure/Hoyte as RB, Gallas + Djourou/Toure as CBs
- Rosicky or Denilson in Cesc’s position
- Cesc in Bergkamp’s role with Ade/Bap
- Gilberto + Diaby in a 4-5-1 for away games
March 19th, 2007 at 10:43 am
Wenger can definitely try Rosicky or Denilson in Cesc’s position.
March 19th, 2007 at 11:55 am
Watching Arsenal is like masturbation without the payoff.
March 19th, 2007 at 12:12 pm
Beauty is only skin deep.
Playing good football but not scoring goals is like having a beautiful girlfriend but unable to score with her.
March 19th, 2007 at 12:39 pm
For some of you perhaps. I have NCAA basketball, NHL hockey, MLB spring training to pass my zzzzzzzz time with
March 19th, 2007 at 1:16 pm
Well, that’s the winner for funniest exchange ever on ArsenalAmerica.com You made me laugh out loud.
March 19th, 2007 at 1:28 pm
Well, as AW will tell you, the problem isn't your hand.? It must be that you hurt your hand. So don't go looking to replace your hand over the summer.? Just wait til it heals and try again in The Fall.
March 19th, 2007 at 2:45 pm
Never fear, I think Wenger is looking to buy some high quality dildos in the summer.
March 19th, 2007 at 5:32 pm
I never would have believed there was somewhere else to take this metaphor.? Goodonya, D. Wanks for the laughs, fellas.? We needed them.