GunnerTalk Blog

Written by George Sezer Sunday, 13 May 2012 19:24

By George Sezer

This was a season from a different dimension called Mad World; a season that made Gooners behave like we are all from cuckoo land, a season which was one of the best or worst in Arsene Wenger era, a season that had started as bad as possible and finished in the best possible way.

Anybody expecting a routine win to secure that all important 3^rd spot in the League should have known better given the nature of the season we’ve had.

I was ready for it though and all my family, even the more than usual stream of visitors we’ve had today knew it too. Just, do not bother George, do not make a lengthy conversation with him or expect him to take much notice of you. And be ready for screams of utterly rude words coming out of the living room which you should not dare enter, you may end up jinxing something.

And oh boy didn’t it work, after an expected roller coaster of a game we managed to beat WBA and finished above “mind the gap” spuds in the third place.

The game was a blur for me as I was a pack of nerves all through it, all that I remember is going up early on through ‘true Gunner style’ performing loany Yossi Benayoun, only to concede 2 ‘true Gunner style’ goals to go behind – one from traditional bad refereeing another from traditional Arsenal defending.

Was I panicking…? NO, I knew that had to happen, this game was never going to be a straight forward win for us. Was I confident that we would turn it around…? NO, but I knew if we were going to do it, it had to be the hard way.

It really reflected the way the whole season went for us; starting it in a worst possible way and pulling it out of fire with few incredible, unforgettable moments.

Just like losing our best players in the pre-season to transfers, panic buying in the last minute and getting mauled by Man U before pulling things together afterwards only to be hit by our usual injury jinx to go through bad times and hitting the heights again with Henry’s home return and that goal against Leeds in the FA cup, only to hit another injury crisis by losing all our fullbacks…..

Did you expect our ‘must win’ last game of this season to be any different?

GunnerTalk Blog

Written by @block96gooner Thursday, 10 May 2012 16:46

By @block96gooner

GunnerTalk Blog

Written by George Tuesday, 08 May 2012 18:35

By @GoonerKal

So, we draw ever closer to the final game of the season needing a win to secure that automatic champions league qualifying spot.  Ideally, I would have much enjoyed the game vs WBA knowing that it was a formality & eagerly trying to spot the Arsenal away fans & their fancy dress costumes!

Alas, this is not the case and I’m not as relaxed as I wanted to be.  The reason for this is the unfavourable result vs Norwich last Saturday.  A game where all and sundry believed we would win handsomely, in the back of my mind – and I’m not normally negative, felt a recurrence of “The Wigan disintegration.”  (Fans of the Big Bang Theory (tv show) will be able to relate)

So the morning began in a nervous panic as I awoke believing I had slept through my alarm, in hindsight it was the worst possible start to the day.  I met with James (@cockneycomic) as we normally do for every pilgrimage to North London.  On Saturday we were joined by several other Gooners, for Breakfast & then to pre match drinks at The Gunners.  The early kick off was a pain and so left us with very little time to discuss the game.  It was the last home fixture of the season, as expected; Arsenal fans came out in their droves.

The players were out & ready to kick off by the time I got to my seat in the Upper Clock End, I had an opportunity to wistfully gaze upon the magnificence of our stadium for one last time for a competitive fixture this season.

We kicked off attacking the clock end as we normally do, as we didn’t vs Wigan – and so my fears were being allayed almost immediately.  We started attacking with purpose and our first opportunity saw Yossi (birthday boy) down the left with a little trickery to cut inside and curl a shot in to the top right hand corner, past a stunned Paul Ruddy.  Only 2 minutes had passed.  The whole stadium was lifted by this early goal and the expectation was to press on.  Unfortunately, this was not the case and we invited them to play, something that we’ve had a problem with.  Norwich’s attacking play was rewarded in the 12^th minute, they attacked our left and a cross found Hoolahan unmarked, to tap in.  Admittedly, Woj should have done a lot better with the tame shot.  We started to look frail, misplaced passes coupled with a very weak midfield allowed Norwich to dominate possession, after the positive start we had this was frustrating to see.  There was a sense of anxiety in the air & lots of nail biting, amongst the Arsenal support.  Norwich took the lead after a quick break (how many times have you seen this happen?).  A cross field pass found Grant Holt running toward goal with Gibbsy to beat,  an opportunistic shot took a deflection off Gibbsy’s foot and looped over Woj’s head, in my opinion there was no need for Woj to have come out so close to Gibbs.  We were imploding – how many times have you seen that?  A few minutes later, Bac was stretchered off and replaced by Coquelin, only found out after the game that Bac had broken his leg.

I empathise with Arsenal fans that see the same mistakes reoccurring.  At this point, the HT whistle couldn’t come quick enough.  Arsene Wenger stated after the Stoke game that we place heavy reliance on Robin Van Persie to get our goals, he is right, only because I can’t see them coming from anywhere else on the pitch.  We looked disjointed, disorganised & disinterested.  For me, it was very frustrating to see the 1^st half fizzle out like a soggy firecracker.

The 2^nd half started out with Norwich in the ascendancy and dominating possession, I think Norwich had three opportunities before AW made the first change.  AOC for Aaron Ramsey.  Ramsey running off was cheered; AOC’s entrance was accompanied by roars of joy.  I see a lot of people making excuses that Ramsey has found it difficult because of his leg break, I think we need to move away from this as the problem, I don’t think he uses it as an issue and on Saturday was lucky to remain on the pitch for a late tackle, it was one where a dimwit like Mike Dean would’ve sent him off.  Ramsey needs time to develop and in my personal opinion should not start the game vs WBA.  AOC’s impact was almost immediate, showing strength and good close ball control.  This change was closely followed by Yossi being replaced by Chamakh, this meant we were going 4-4-2.  I for one was delighted to see this; we have always looked commanding in this state.

Sure enough, the changes brought us an equaliser which we deserved making up for the host of opportunities we had squandered earlier.  Songinho with a trademark chip to RVP who placed the ball past Ruddy.  The tide had turned, Gervinho was playing with more confidence and taking players on for fun, this was encouraging to see – Norwich started playing on the edge of the 18 yard box, we looked like the ones likely to score.  Lo and behold, some ricochets found the ball at RVPs feet, you know what happens next!  Only ten minutes to hold on.

It was remarkable to be in the presence of a man who was earning every single penny of his salary, 30 league goals this season, 37 in all competitions and in a position to win the golden boot.  If we do not show RVP our ambition to compete, he’ll walk away.  That’ll be worse than seeing Cesc & Samir go.  RVP has shown great leadership in trying times, dare I say our best captain since Patrick Vieira?

We’d made our three subs, so we couldn’t sure up the defence as I so bloody hope we would, we just looked unable to control the ball or run down the clock and looked like the panic button had been pressed.  We were punished in the worst possible way; Song lost the ball in MF – and a ball over the top caught us out.  TV5 ran out to play offside, Kos stayed back.  This allowed Morison to run on, unchallenged to score.  85 minutes.  I was melancholic, I’m sure many of you were too.  The goal epitomised how dysfunctional we looked defensively, I really can’t explain why we looked so poor.  One week we’re defending together with hands up in a line, the following we’re awful.  There is no way we should have conceded three goals with such ease.

Our attack continued to pepper Norwich’s goal, our last hope (and from where I was sitting looked blatant) was a valid penalty shout which saw some Spurs loanee push RVP in the back, preventing a goal scoring opportunity.  Anthony Taylor, the utter bar steward pointed for a goal kick.  That sealed our fate and completed a record of an unbelievable ZERO penalties in league games being awarded in our favour at The Emirates.  The final whistle was greeted with Boo’s, though I like to believe this was towards the ref & his incompetence.  The stadium was fairly empty when the players took part in the customary end of season lap of appreciation, as with last season we ended our home record with a whimper and trophy-less, well not including Robin’s trophies, we can still attribute his greatness to the fact it is a team game & the squad assists in his goals, that’s ok, right?

I’ve had an incredible amount of fun going to the games at home this season; we’ve had our highs and lows.  What I will take away from this season is the incredible people I’ve met and the friendships that have been forged.

We all want the best for our Arsenal; we just have different opinions of how we achieve that.  All opinions are valid and we must respect that.

Roll on WBA, I’ll be at the club level screening – I hope to see some of you for a drink.

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GunnerTalk Blog

Written by LandrySubira Monday, 07 May 2012 15:06

by Landry Subira

At three o’clock local time on Saturday afternoon I had finally been put out of my misery. We had spectacularly blown it for the Nth year running. I was curled up in a ball on my bed as my brother came back from watching the game, with a murderous look on his face. He is a very carefree character and rarely gives a shit. He wanted to play FIFA but I told him I couldn’t bear to look at the names of our players for fear of breaking the television. I have rarely been so incensed at a performance. And yet, hilariously, we have a chance to get third place next week.

Arsenal FC were shit. I’ve said it all over twitter. A team that hates defending keeps getting found out. How could they? How the flying fuck could they just not want to defend. Real Madrid and Barca defend, who the hell do you guys think you are? Chelsea defended their way into a Champions League Final. I just don’t believe some of these guys care about the team enough. Please Arsenal players, just do your job. I saw the stats before the last game. Norwich conceded 2 or more in last of their five. So all we had to do was keep it tight and we would have won. Instead “Verminator” and “Songinho” just abdicated their game plan. Seeing them run up the pitch in their gung-ho fashion raises my blood pressure all the time. STAY THE FUCK BACK I scream uselessly at the television whenever I watch them play. Throw a shoe Arsene, throw a shoe at these guys.

I just want to get third place. I want Van Persie to stay and M’Villa to come so we can win something. How are we not in Liverpools’ place in the FA Cup Final? They were awful, we are less awful. We could have won that final if we played Chelsea. We tend to bottle things however. They win. John Terry win a Champions League Medal..puke.…good thing I like Drogba. I apologise there is no form to this, but Arsenal have left me in dire straits. I’ve never been more confused and so hopeful. Seems we’re trying to get actual good players. I just want these sometimes idiotic players to let the other players get a chance to win the league. On Saturday afternoon, I thought we’d lost Van Persie and in all honesty I’d have understood why. I hated the team on that day; Van Persie had bailed us out once again and we just refused to win. We have ridden our luck and then had 2 extra slices of it yesterday. We can’t fuck it up anymore.

So to Song and Gervinho and Ramsey, please stop killing us. We want a good summer/winter wherever in the world we are. Just defend and score so we can win so I don’t get a heart attack. We the fans just want to survive.

Follow me on Twitter @LandrySubira

GunnerTalk Blog

Written by @block96gooner Thursday, 26 April 2012 20:46

By @block96gooner

Ladies and Gentleman of The Arsenal.............

The hour approaches, the days are dark.

The situation’s as hopeless as Chu Young Park.

Arsene’s army marches into Stoke.

While all around us the cockerels choke.

It’s time for us to rally, Gooners unite.

Players and fans must be up for the fight.

No trophies or honours, a bit of a sham.

But with victory we move nearer to Saint Tottering-ham.

For no greater glory now hath Arsenal than this.

That third will be ours, so we can all take the piss.

Ripping it all summer out of jumped up Spuds.

“Mind The Gap” they will cry, as there champions league challenge lands with a thud.

Pray to Dennis and unsheathe your swords.

It’s time for The Gunners to slay the web footed hordes.

The heathen Pulis in his chav trackie and cap.

The time wasting missiles from Rory Delap.

Kozza and Tommy with hearts of lions.

Stand firm back five with a will made of iron.

Forward we cry as we enter the fray.

And Captain Van Persie blows ‘em away.

Santos fish suppers and Bac’s dodgy hair.

Whatever it takes we do not care.

Be proud of the cannon you wear on your chest.

Lest ye forget that Arsenal are the best.

In short lads, win the bloody game eh??

Let’s kick some L’Arse!

“Victoria Concordia Crescit”

Follow me on twitter @block96gooner

GunnerTalk Blog

Written by @block96gooner Saturday, 21 April 2012 16:25

Match report by @block96gooner

It looks like that doughnut Ken Livingstone isn’t the only one driving an annoying bus around London. The Chav’s have got their own one and it’s earning some serious Nectar points at the minute and it was parked at the Grove today. After frustrating Barcelona it rode (pun intended) it’s luck to deny us three points at home today.

Chelsea “fresh” from a smash and grab over Barcelona in midweek made numerous changes to their starting line-up with Roberto Di Matteo naming an insanely strong bench.

Due to illness I had the dubious honour of watching it on the box today.

For once I agreed with Jamie Redknapp, who had taken time off from playing golf and horse riding with his shirt off to say he fancied us for the win.

Ruud Gullit however refused to be anything other than mind numbingly biased, saying whoever plays for Chelsea, they are as strong. When you look at Romeu and Bertrand in the starting line-up it’s hard to agree with that. In the end Bertrand did play well and Sky gave him the man of the match, but we didn’t give him as much of a test as I’d hoped. I was looking for Theo to really get at him but it never really happened.

Arsenal welcomed back Gibbs and Kozza for a first choice back 5. Chelsea will get plaudits for their defending but there was some awesome work by our back line as well. Most notably a terrific kung fu challenge towards the end from Kozza, I can only assume he has been catching flies with Mr Miyagi.

A word on Wojciech Szczesny, without having a lot to do I thought he was outstanding today. Chezza was sharp out to everything and commanding in his area. When Terry got free for a header he exploded with an almighty bollocking for his defence. I’ve been waiting for a keeper at Arsenal who would do this on a regular basis. This guy still needs to improve but I hope he will be our number 1 for years.

The Ox got his much sought after start, he did well at times but it never quite happened for him today. He has the potential to be a terrific player for us. He will have inconsistent moments but I hope he gets a run in the team until the end of the season.

Aaron Ramsey struggled again, being caught on the ball a few times but never shirked it, always looking for the ball and always trying to fight back when it was lost. I really like Rambo and some of the criticism recently has been vile on Twitter. He is in terrible form at the minute and the season can’t finish quick enough for him.

I find it a bit strange people were so eager to support him through his leg break, yet the minute he is showing some bad form “fans” tweet him to tell him he is a cunt. It’s not just been isolated incidents either.

Here’s a novel idea, how about support him through it. Plenty of other players in our team got caught on the ball today, albeit not with the same frequency, but the audible groans and boos the very first time he gave it away were frustrating to hear. It doesn’t help.

It was a drab first half but Arsenal came closest towards the end and deserved to take the lead. Koscielny hitting the bar with a header and Cech saving point blank from RVP at a tight angle.

Chelsea started the brighter of the teams in the second period. However it was a game characterised by both teams being sloppy in possession. A question for you all, why are we so slow in the counter attack these days? It’s something we are really lacking in my opinion

Overall a frustrating game and not much to write about, leaving us in a precarious position with all three teams below us holding at least one game in hand. I think we did enough to warrant the win but points mean prizes at this time of the season and the quest for third place goes on.

It harps back to Wigan on Monday sadly, if we had of won that, a point today would not have been awful. Instead, Arsenal failing to score at home for the first time this season in a dour nil nil draw is a bitter pill to swallow with Saturday lunch.

Any chance of a favour QPR?

Please follow me on twitter @block96gooner