Arsenal Match Thread

[earleyroyal]

Thoughts having watched the game on Sky:

We were never going to get anything from Arsenal, I think the main objective was to find a formation/lineup that might work at Wigan and the team in the last 15 minutes was something approaching that.

Midfield - Bikey goes into central midfield, we get some sort of grip on it. I think Bikey should have played in midfield for most of this season, our central midfield pairing has just been pathetic this year - no physical presence, no ball won, no control, no protection for the defence, no support for the strikers. Bikey at Wigan could actually give us some chance of holding our own in the middle, if we don't do that then we won't get anything. With him winning the ball, Matejovsky might actually see some of it and be able to show us his passing range. Harper isn't a ball winner or a creator, I wouldn't keep him in the team. What has he contributed for the last few games, or indeed for most of the season?

Defence - Wigan aren't as reliant on pace as Arsenal, so Murty could keep his place; Rosenior was good playing out of position and maybe Shorey had a kick up the arse today, on the other hand probably not. Duberry and Sonko should play against Wigan who are good in the air, Cisse would get beaten by Heskey.

Wingers - Kebe: Bambi on ice. At least he's quick and worked hard in defence, but his passing and control were just not up to Premiership standard. His use could be as a substitute to run at tired defences as he does have pace and once in a while he might produce a good run, but I don't think he's the right option to start. Convey played better than he has for a while but was still a bit overwhelmed, he provides a bit of creativity on the wing and worked hard as well so I'd keep him in.

So there is some encouragement for the remaining games, we may have found a team that can compete. If we have some presence in central midfield, a solid defence (Murty/Sonko/Duberry/Rosenior might do it), and maybe even Lita and Kitson up front, we have a team that could get something out of the games. Shorey and Hunt have hopefully realised they can't coast through games and keep their place. For me the best part of the game was when Bikey moved into midfield, I don't want to be harsh on Harper but it really did look like a boy being replaced by a man.

Oh yeah and Hleb is a pcunt of the highest order, I hope someone pokes him in the eye/face next season then tells the opposition to shut up!

[Ups and Downs]

Shoot me down if you like, but Convey's had a reasonable game IMO

Bang bang!

I thought he was pretty shite. His passing was criminal at times. Though at least he tried, which is more than can be said for Hunt last week.

Kebe was the biggest embarrassment. If i hadn't promised myself not to get worked up about the relegation run in than i'd have been crying at his "performance". Where was Little today?

[Kes]

Lacklustre performance. Too predictable again. Too many players in the Reading side without ability. Boring game and Arsenal never got out of first gear.

[Archie's penalty]

As the game comes to a close, and as one who always likes to take positives from games.......

Of the starters Marcus, Convey, Kitson and Bikey can take some credit from the game - that's 3 more outfielders than last week.

Of the subs, Doobs did well, with a goal line great clearance. I'd like to see more of Fae.

Exactly what I thought.

Thought that Convey had a good game and never stopped fighting. He created and was MUCH better than Hunt has been recently. Next week my team would be:

Marcus
Rosenior
Shorey
Duberry
Ingi
Little
Matejovsky/Fae
Bikey
Convey
Kitson
Lita (Bring him back Coppell please!!!!)

Btw Fulham losing to Liverpool!

[The Surgeon of Crowthorne]

It seems that SSC & the team just don't know how to play against the Arse. We've at least given Man U, Chelsea & Liverpool a game at least once this season and last but we've never managed to even compete against Arsenal - except when they've been comfortably in front & coasting. Why is that?

[cmonurz]

It seems that SSC & the team just don't know how to play against the Arse. We've at least given Man U, Chelsea & Liverpool a game at least once this season and last but we've never managed to even compete against Arsenal - except when they've been comfortably in front & coasting. Why is that?

Because we tried to play our game once, got owned 4-0 at home, and since have approached Arsenal as if they are a collection of footballing deitys.

[LoyalRoyalFan]

Lita must come back.
The game itself was Arsenal.
We did create some good play but there is no one in front of goal.
Kitson should be playing right in the box not with Convey down the Left.
Kebe didn't make much.
Fae showed a bit more than Cisse.

Overall we need to go to Wigan with a bit more and we can get 3 points.

USA
Murty/Rosenior Ivar Bikey Shorey
Little Marek Harps Convey
Lita Kitson

Subs :

Fedders
Doobs
Fae
Hunt
Doyle

[cmonurz]

Well Bolton are ahead....

[Dickie's Spear]

Bolton win 1-0

[Southbank Old Boy]

Thoughts having watched the game on Sky:

We were never going to get anything from Arsenal, I think the main objective was to find a formation/lineup that might work at Wigan and the team in the last 15 minutes was something approaching that.

Birmingham have managed it home and away this season, Bolton should've beaten them just the other day, and Wigan and Boro have both taken points off of them in the last few weeks as well.

Coppell seems far too scared to have a got at Arsenal and refuses to attack them or send his team out with any intention of ruffling a few feathers.

If the idea was to find a team or formation to beat Wigan then your telling me we're going to play 5-4-1 against Wigan and go man for man like we did today? Can't see it myself.

[papereyes]

I didn't think anyone played particularily poorly there. It was the sporting equivalent of me vs Mike Tyson. For all the huffing and puffing, for all the cries from the crowd to "have faith", I'd probably get one punch in and one below the belt while he pounded my already-quite average features without really wanting to hurt me.

Crossbar made a cracking double save.

[earleyroyal]

Thoughts having watched the game on Sky:

We were never going to get anything from Arsenal, I think the main objective was to find a formation/lineup that might work at Wigan and the team in the last 15 minutes was something approaching that.

Birmingham have managed it home and away this season, Bolton should've beaten them just the other day, and Wigan and Boro have both taken points off of them in the last few weeks as well.

Coppell seems far too scared to have a got at Arsenal and refuses to attack them or send his team out with any intention of ruffling a few feathers.

If the idea was to find a team or formation to beat Wigan then your telling me we're going to play 5-4-1 against Wigan and go man for man like we did today? Can't see it myself.

Not man-for-man but the last 15 with Bikey in midfield, Duberry at centre back, Fae/Matejovsky in midfield - we got some grip of the midfield, and by extension the game, so I think that formation could work at Wigan.

[Archie's penalty]

At the moment Harper's days are looking numbered only a few weeks after saving us at Middlesbrough.

We need a goal at the moment like the desert missed the rain.

A Convey, Little wing combination plus a midfield without Harper and with Bikey and Matejovsky would give us attacking options, balance and bite.

I hope Stevie C tries it in the next game.

God this is going to be close!

[earleyroyal]

At the moment Harper's days are looking numbered only a few weeks after saving us at Middlesbrough.

We need a goal at the moment like the desert missed the rain.

A Convey, Little wing combination plus a midfield without Harper and with Bikey and Matejovsky would give us attacking options, balance and bite.

I hope Stevie C tries it in the next game.

God this is going to be close!

And a defence of Murty/Duberry/Sonko/Rosenior, or similar, and Kitson and Lita up front.

That makes up something approaching a Premiership-standard team for me, one which may have a chance against Wigan.

[Archie's penalty]

At the moment Harper's days are looking numbered only a few weeks after saving us at Middlesbrough.

We need a goal at the moment like the desert missed the rain.

A Convey, Little wing combination plus a midfield without Harper and with Bikey and Matejovsky would give us attacking options, balance and bite.

I hope Stevie C tries it in the next game.

God this is going to be close!

And a defence of Murty/Duberry/Sonko/Rosenior, or similar, and Kitson and Lita up front.

That makes up something approaching a Premiership-standard team for me, one which may have a chance against Wigan.

As I have said on another thread I think Sonko has had it.

I like Duberry though he does his job professionally and without hassle. We have missed him and Gunnarrsson (a shock to say I know).

Is there any chance of Lita returning?

[zummerset]

We always look like lumbering park players against the Arsenal. Footballing deities perhaps is the right term. Thank fxck its over and please God no must win final match at Derby. Their fans are dying to send us down.

[zummerset]

Given Lita was desperate to go, has a cold relationship with SC was reputedly the cause of dressing room unrest... can we chance having come and save us? I fear this could backfire. Blakey and Convey on the wings with Kits no9 and Hunt playing off him for me

[earleyroyal]

Given Lita was desperate to go, has a cold relationship with SC was reputedly the cause of dressing room unrest... can we chance having come and save us? I fear this could backfire. Blakey and Convey on the wings with Kits no9 and Hunt playing off him for me

Dressing room unrest has increased substantially since he left, showing he wasn't the cause. I don't give a shit about dressing room unrest, personalities etc., we have to put the best team out for the final 3 games and I think Lita would be in that now, if we're playing 2 strikers. Time to swallow pride and forget who you hate/like, and concentrate all efforts on getting points.

[zummerset]

I 'm with you brother but who will SC pick. I stand in awe of his achievements but don't know how he makes his decisions. Oster for example, Doyle must be coming up for some sort of record for not scoring, lack of January investment?? I now chant next week perhaps 'We're glad you know what your doing!'

[Southbank Old Boy]

Thoughts having watched the game on Sky:

We were never going to get anything from Arsenal, I think the main objective was to find a formation/lineup that might work at Wigan and the team in the last 15 minutes was something approaching that.

Birmingham have managed it home and away this season, Bolton should've beaten them just the other day, and Wigan and Boro have both taken points off of them in the last few weeks as well.

Coppell seems far too scared to have a got at Arsenal and refuses to attack them or send his team out with any intention of ruffling a few feathers.

If the idea was to find a team or formation to beat Wigan then your telling me we're going to play 5-4-1 against Wigan and go man for man like we did today? Can't see it myself.

Not man-for-man but the last 15 with Bikey in midfield, Duberry at centre back, Fae/Matejovsky in midfield - we got some grip of the midfield, and by extension the game, so I think that formation could work at Wigan.

So you think the main objective of the game was to try out an experimental midfield line up for 15 minutes?

Arsenal were coasting for pretty much the full 90 minutes because they knew we were just there to make up the numbers and didn't have anything to fear.