Premier League 2011-2012

[GLCQuantum]

Oh dear

[dtaai-maai]

Ohdearohdearohdear oh very fking dear

We played okay against Man U for an hour then fell apart. We played okay against Man C for 5 minutes then fell apart.

Basically we've got the same team we finished last season with, and they appear to be in the same form - i.e. shite.

Man City, on the other hand, are a different team altogether. Very strong all round. Tevez, Balotelli, etc. on the bench

Friedel has conceded 8 goals in two games and still looks the best keeper we've had since Robinson at his best, who we should never have got rid of.

Too early for Spurs to panic, but not too early to be well pissed off.

[BaaBaa.]

[GLCQuantum]

Chin up Dtaii Maii...

At least we weren't the only ones to receive a drumming

[Bamboo Grove]

I've been Arsenal supporter for 40+ years and I've never wanted to show off. Tomorrow, however, I'll put on my Arsenal shirt when I go to work to show support for our team. It was awful, it was 4 defenders who should all be substitutes, but maybe it was good. Maybe, now our manager will realize that we need to buy some solid defenders, no matter what the price is.

[Bamboo Grove]

[caller]

Right, lets talk Arsenal & Wenger then the league in general.

To my surprise, I was angry with Arsenal today - and Wenger. That such a great team could have been brought to this. He whined after the game about having 8 players out, well tough titty, that happens. Most clubs that prepare properly cover for that.

Then, having got over the obvious weakness of his selection, there was how he sent them out to play. Was he serious? That was the reason they got tonked the way they did. Some very good prospects will be shaking at the memory.

Sadly, after the game, he was in denial, couldn't see the issue and talked about why panic after only 3 games? Thats 3 games with one draw and two defeats and having had a player sent off in each game.

Madness. Before the game, Merson on Sky said he feared for Arsenal today and he was proved right. The other pundit, Gary Neville, ripped into Wenger for the way he did - or didn't - set his defence up. Basically playing too high up the pitch leaving huge gaps behind. You wouldn't do that with a good defence, but Arsenal are from that.

Then there was Spurs. Who folded in their first game and were woeful today. I mean really useless. Something is not right at that club in the same way Arsenal are in a mess and defensively, they are as bad as each other.

So how good are Utd and Citeh?

Citeh have beaten Swansea, Bolton (which was tough) and a dire Spurs.

The Mancs have beaten Spurs, a pitiful Arsenal and a dogged West Brom.

So for me, as strong as they both clearly are, the jury is still out as to how good they both are?

Chelsea have misfired so far and defensivly whatever the manager is preaching, isn't working, but not playing well and winning is not a bad sign.

Liverpool misfired against Sunderland, who look poor. Beat a weakened Arsenal and the United score puts that in perspective, but as BaaBaa said earlier, took apart a well drilled Bolton.

For what its worth, my opinion/question is, are the Mancs and Citeh as good as first appearances suggest? My view is not, but only time will tell? I do however think we could be in for a good tight title race!

As for Wenger? Merson rued the day Dein left Arsenal and suggested thats when the decline started? Whatever, he has 3 days to sort out his defence. This is his team playing to his principles. He has lost his two best players and made no effort to replace what was their inevitable departure, nor has he seemingly grasped what every kid in the land knows and has been obvious for a couple of years - sort out the defence!

I think the next few days will be crucial to the club?

I wish them well. Great club, great heritage and sad to see whats happened.

[BaaBaa.]

Fantastic post Caller. I think the current top 4 is the eventual top 4. With Liverpool 4th, Chelsea 3rd and the 2 Mancs battling for the title.

[Bamboo Grove]

Can't argue with your comments, caller. No matter how much I'd love to.

[BaaBaa.]

I can't let this drop off the radar.

8-2.

Yep, EIGHT!

A Carling Cup side won't lose by that. Shocking.

[redzonerocker]

A Carling Cup side won't lose by that. Shocking.

That is our carling cup side !!!!!

[redzonerocker]

To my surprise, I was angry with Arsenal today - and Wenger. That such a great team could have been brought to this. He whined after the game about having 8 players out, well tough titty, that happens. Most clubs that prepare properly cover for that.

It's easy to buy all the star players & pay them small fortunes if you have some outside source footing the bill

That said, he knew clichy, fab & nasri were going & should have been prepared for that & brought in the necessary replacements.
We would still have been a bit short even if those 3 would have stayed imo

Then, having got over the obvious weakness of his selection, there was how he sent them out to play. Was he serious? That was the reason they got tonked the way they did. Some very good prospects will be shaking at the memory.

Agree fully.
It seems he thinks every team he puts out has to play the Arsenal way.
No plan b & no real tactical nous. It's all a bit groundhog day
When i saw the line up for today's game, i was out of the door on my mountain bike for a couple of hours.
First game i've failed to watch in donkey's years & the correct decision me thinks

Sadly, after the game, he was in denial, couldn't see the issue and talked about why panic after only 3 games? Thats 3 games with one draw and two defeats and having had a player sent off in each game.

Denial in his arrogant & stubborn way
He's now asking for patience & time to rebuild WTF, we've been patiently waiting for 6 years

Madness. Before the game, Merson on Sky said he feared for Arsenal today and he was proved right. The other pundit, Gary Neville, ripped into Wenger for the way he did - or didn't - set his defence up. Basically playing too high up the pitch leaving huge gaps behind. You wouldn't do that with a good defence, but Arsenal are from that.

Both are dorks but spoke good sense before & after the game

So how good are Utd and Citeh?

manure are better than last season but i think sheiky are the team to beat this year.
Ok the spuds were poor but unlike us were full of quality, experienced players.
There is something missing, maybe parker & adebaywhore (a sheiky player ) will give them a lift

Never mind the starting eleven, just look at the sheiky bench today

As for Wenger? Merson rued the day Dein left Arsenal and suggested thats when the decline started?

So does every gunner & i think he's correct.

[Zidane]

Well,there was certainly plenty of entertainment in the two featured matches last night ( 16 goals,sending off,penalties) but not much to enthuse about if you are from North London.
Both Spurs and Arsenal suffered from the same problem.....absolutely awful defences ! Both half have decent keepers but the four in front of them would struggle against a League 2 attack on the evidence of last night.
Spurs desperately need Gallas and King back asap.Dawson was exposed time and time again and seems to have lost confidence.....Corluka,Kaboul,Assou-Ekotto not really good enough.
City did play well and guys like Silva are to notch,also a very potent strike force but their defence is not that hot and Spurs never put them under any pressure till they were 4-0 down.....a Spurs display reminiscent of the finest days under Christian Gross !

Arsenal actually played some excellent attacking and passing football but that defensive display was as woeful and gutless as I have seen from a Premier League side in many years.Comparisons could be made with United 9 Ipswich 0 and Forest 1 United 8,years ago.
True Arsenal had a depleted team but dont forget United were missing Vidic,Ferdinand and Rafael in defence.
Wenger has needed to sign two top class central defenders for over a year now.He's not replaced Clichy at left back.Fabregas wanted to leave for nearly two years so why wait until the season has started to sell him ?
Maybe not much he could do about Nasri but if Wenger had brought in quality players to the squad months ago,maybe he wouldnt have wanted to leave ?
Today is the 29th August.Wenger has just three days left to engage his brain into gear and get something sorted on the players front,at last.
If there are no decent replacements Arsenal can forget about any chance of Champions League football next season.Probably battling with the likes of Villa,Everton and Stoke for a UEFA Cup slot.
At least when there are teams like Blackburn,Norwich and Swansea in the league it should ensure that there is no chance of a Championship derby against Millwall next season.

[BaaBaa.]

Well.... I like 'im .

I agree he can be a 'little' too vocal at times but the fella lifted us off the bottom of the table and played a big part to making us the team we are today.
Good ol 'Arry.

Redknapp
P54 22W 15L 17D

Ramos
P54 21W 17L 16D

[Arcadian]

Two good goals from Walcott and van Persie! But seriously, I have been a supporter since 1950 and have seen a lot of highs and lows, but today Arsene Wenger brought disgrace onto himself, the club, the team and most importantly the fans. No premiership team should concede 8 goals (Could easily have been more). Wenger`s arrival to the premiership changed the way most teams played, trained and ate, but now everyone, having copied the methods, have overtaken him and found ways to counteract this style of football. I think he has gone as far as he can go with the club and needs to step aside, completely, his dominating presence would inhibit any new blood.
Should have invested your pound Caller.