Written by Lindsay Melrose Saturday, 08 January 2011 20:03

GunnerTalk Blog

By Lindsay Sheehan

I hate Leeds United. I remember being a young girl at Highbury and dreading the fixture that meant those snarling Muppets were coming to town. They bring their own atmosphere with them and pleasant it ain't. I'm not one for wallowing in another clubs misery but this is one team who could sink to titanic depths without a single shred of pity spent by me. Listening to 8 and a half thousand aggressive Northern bastards still going on about their glory days brought all those feelings flooding back. Once upon a time I was a size 10 so what? The past is the past pie munchers and right now you are merely has-beens.

I was glad when saw Le Boss had chosen a strong team because firstly I want a good FA Cup run and secondly if we are to sacrifice the competition I certainly do not want to go out of it to Leeds. The magic may have gone out of the cup but I am old enough to remember its romance and it will always be important to me. This is probably just nostalgia but one to be indulged I think. The team picked illustrated we were talking their threat seriously; after all they dumped Manure out last season. I was expecting a few more fringe players but instead we had the first team squad bar Nasri.

On paper we should have had more than enough to dispatch Leeds, in real life we were our own worst enemy again. Let me start by saying that some players put an excellent professional shift in.  Gibbs slotted straight into the side as if he'd played last week. And Djourou? His intelligence and strength in defence is a breath of fresh air in an area where we have desperately needed a leader. He commands, reads and bosses the game so well and his concentration levels are exactly what we need. We could have easily had our 3^rd straight clean sheet had Denilson not had what I will kindly call ‘a moment.’ Contributing to our solidity at the back was ‘The One and Only.’ (If Almunia does not leave it this transfer window I will be extremely surprised. The Poles are clearly our top 2 although there could be some argument about in which order. Will Almunia really be our 3^rd choice? Not really fair on a player who unfortunately was not good enough despite having a great attitude.  Let’s handle the situation well and move him on before it becomes even more embarrassing for him.) Anyway Chesney made a fabulous save to keep us in the match and another game under his belt tightened by impressive from. Cesc came on and did a captains job along with Theo who looked bright and alive. Great to see those two coming on and looking hungry to play in what could be termed a ‘lesser’ competition.

‘AA was off form today, but worked very hard even though nothing was working for him....NB was far worse for me’ LadyArse. Twitter

Now onto NB52. This was yet another chance for him to bring us all into his head world where he is king. Let’s be fair, we’ve been persuaded before – Perry Groves for one and look no further than Eboue for current inspiration. Instead he convinced us he needs a stay at the funny farm. His first half wild shot was greeted by a chorus of "What the fucking hell was that?" by the scum and we concurred they had a valid point. I think Wenger has persisted with him and given him every opportunity to come good. He has flashes but it's not enough to play for The Arsenal I’m sorry to say. Since TH left we have searched for a replacement within our ranks and on today's evidence, the search continues. Time for JET to get some cup chances instead me thinks (like our GT friend Marv!.)

Another player under pressure is the much maligned and widely discussed Andre Asharvin. To me this is a different issue. Arsh has real talent something not under question whereas I am not really sure NB has anything other than competence. With AA we query his effort, his work rate and if he can actually be bothered. This game did not answer these questions satisfactorily by a long way. However, he did work harder, some of his passing was sublime and he was unlucky not to get a goal. Overall, there is certainly room for more improvement but some steps have been taken. If he could only cut the sloppiness out, especially when he has time and space for the pass, we could stop moaning.

It would also be easy to get on the back of Denilson. On another day his mistake could have been more costly but let’s look at his stats for the match - 2 shots on target, 79 passes (most), 94% completion, 0 chances created, 2 tackles, 2 interceptions, 4 fouls (1 pen), 50% Duels won. Had it not been for a brilliant Schmichael save he could have won the game for us. Rosicky was not any better than him and seems to become more anonymous with every passing game.

I'd like to talk about the crowd. Regular readers will know that I am often seriously pissed with the home support. Now bearing in mind I go to every home game and I watch the same stuff as everyone else I understand the frustration. I fucking feel every bit of it myself. Sometimes you would be a dribbling Looney if you did not let out a wee bit of abuse. Arsenal are a team sent to try the patience of any saint. However I believe after that after the positive effect the atmosphere had against Chelsea and Man City to go back to the brooding silence punctuated with sporadic vehement insults is disappointing. Can the fans really moan that they players aren’t up for it if we aren’t? Are we just big game fans? A game is 90 minutes; let it out at the final whistle. Imagine missing to a chorus of 60,000 moans. NB went hiding for periods in the match and we will get to a point where players are scared to touch the ball. Not inspiring. Yes they should be above all that but they are just boys and we are ‘fans’ - we should start acting like it. You could never accuse the Emirates faithful of being the 12th man.

It finished 1-1 and 10 days time sees a replay at Elland Road. I believe we have enough to get past them. Another game is not really what we wanted but our destiny is in our own hands. Next up Ipswich away.

WE SAID / THEY SAID

Bendtner really should spend his spare time developing a left foot rather than glueing pubes to his face’ – Daniel Lloyd Facebook.‘Praise JESUS!!! Hallelujah!!!’ Timmy Eboue. Facebook.

‘Just goes to show the fringe players aren’t up to it. I would clear out Rosicky, Arshavin, Bendtner, Squillaci and Denilson. All shit! Cesc and Theo changed the game. Thought Johan and Wozjech had good games. Why the fuck does Wenger persist on putting Bendtner on the wing? He has the touch of a donkey.’ Joe Lovie Facebook.

‘Just a few points:
1. Cult of Eboue is funny and all, but Eboue's not good enough for Arsenal.
2. Bendtner does not, in any way shape or form, deserve a first team place.
3. Denilson is a poor man's Michael Carrick... yes, that bad. And finally
4. What is the point of Carlos Vela?’

‘And once again Johan Djourou is a complete G.’ DJ Tayo Twitter.

‘FT Stats Arsenal v Leeds Shots 20-7 On target 9-3 Fouls 14-16 Duels Won 57%-43% Passing % 83%-56% Possession 71%-29%’ Orbinho. Twitter