Get out of jail free weekend.

This isn't the first time I've said this, forgive me for the repetition, but its that kind of season. How fortunate are we again? We capitulate and have poor decisions taken against us and the fear was that it would cost us badly.

It seems that the luck was with us again. Chelsea and ManYoo losing softened the blow, but its still two points lost. I really would like to talk to the referee and his lino and just ask him what they think they saw Rosicky do? A ridiculous decision, one which could, conceivably cost us the league.

However, it will be interesting to see how ManYoo respond to the defeat at Wolves, where being honest they we're woeful and didn't deserve a pie at half time, let alone 3 points. I'm hoping they crumble a little, now would be a great time to catch up whilst their fixtures are tougher than ours...on paper at least.

I hope the players use that result against the Barcodes to enforce the siege mentality, everyone is punishing us at the moment. Lets show them all that we are not so easily swayed from our targets. We are Arsenal, victory through harmony.

That in mind however,I would just like to say, I've seen it lots of times and I still can't condone Diaby's reaction. I know he's been injured and had his fair share of bad tackles, but you have to be bigger than that. Getting injured happens in football, deal with it. He can't keep reacting like that everytime he gets a robust challenge.

WG

Technorati : Arsenal, Chelsea, Liverpool, Manchester City, Manchester United
Del.icio.us : Arsenal, Chelsea, Liverpool, Manchester City, Manchester United
Zooomr : Arsenal, Chelsea, Liverpool, Manchester City, Manchester United
Flickr : Arsenal, Chelsea, Liverpool, Manchester City, Manchester United

Sometimes its better being an ostrich!

I've been off the radar this weekend. 'Er indoors and I have moved into a new home and naturally my focus since thursday has been on facilitating the move as smoothly as possible.

I was unable to watch the game, I currently have no Sky Sports or Internet so I chose to ignore it altogether ensuring that my focus was securely on the job at hand. Needless to say the fallout in the blogosphere has been pretty hyperbolic at best and people are enjoying banging their knee-jerk drums.

I've discussed the game with a colleage who watched it and we've made the following conclusions; Firstly, Fabianski made a mistake, a bit of a howler but bearing in mind he's been excellent recently I don't think its fair to castigate him further. Goalkeeper is a lonely job at times.

It seems for all of our posession and attacking flair we just didn't stick it in the bag. With the attacking talent we have that shouldn't happen. It really shouldn't. Defensively Newcastle did well to keep us out and a lot of that is down to their young keeper.

However, football is a results game and we didn't get the result. No point in analysing it futher but to say that we should have done better. Now lets move on to the next game and put it right. Chelski getting stiffed by the Scousers was a great result. Super happy about that and I'm sure a few scousers were too...and probably saved a few cars from having their radio's and wheels nicked.

Onwards and upwards gooners, its a slip up that we could have done without, but really no harm done. We can easily still peg back ManYoo and Chelski, they're not playing well either.

WG

Technorati : Arsenal, Chelsea, Fabianski, Liverpool, Manchester United, Newcastle united
Del.icio.us : Arsenal, Chelsea, Fabianski, Liverpool, Manchester United, Newcastle united
Zooomr : Arsenal, Chelsea, Fabianski, Liverpool, Manchester United, Newcastle united
Flickr : Arsenal, Chelsea, Fabianski, Liverpool, Manchester United, Newcastle united

Exciting - isnt it? Champs league and Europa roundup

Looking across the performances of the english teams in the Champions league, it begs the question. Why aren't we winning the league?

ManYoo looked poor at best on Wednesday, Chelski won but I don't feel they are as strong as they used to be. Spuds, whatever way you wrap it up, you lost 4:Bale. 4:0 at half time is a right drubbing and I'm sure you only got back in contention because Inter stopped playing.

Liverpool were a joke yesterday. They are too good to go down, but they are awful at the moment. Absolutely awful. They need to rediscover some form or this time next year they really could be out of europe altogether. Watching them last night, it didnt even look like the pool. Its wierd. They look so devoid of confidence, it was a good point, but scraping a 0:0 draw isn't going to fix their problems.

Citeh did ok last night. They should have absolutely ruined that poor polish side. Seriously, Adebaywhore got a hat-trick but it should have been double figures.

All of the top 6 sides from last year don't look as good as they did perhaps with the exception of Spuds with Van Der Vaart who is an awesome player and I'd love to have him at Arsenal.

So, when considering our competition for the League and Europe, shouldn't we be topping the league? Is it a confidence thing? Is it motivation? Two weeks ago against Chelski I thought we could have got something out of it. Taking a minute to look at the rest of the league, we should be winning. We really should.

My bravest prediction ever(read:stupid): We're going to win the league.

WG

Technorati : Arsenal, Chelsea, Liverpool, Manyoo
Del.icio.us : Arsenal, Chelsea, Liverpool, Manyoo
Zooomr : Arsenal, Chelsea, Liverpool, Manyoo
Flickr : Arsenal, Chelsea, Liverpool, Manyoo

Debut's delight - Liverpool 1:1 Arsenal

As predicted in my last post, I did get rather innebriated and therefore was unable to write this post yesterday. Mainly because I couldn't remain conscious for any real length of time.

However, I will muddle through this now.

Firstly, yesterday we saw Premier League debut's for Kozza and Chamakh...I think they played really well, Chamakh was a bit isolated but he worked really hard and forced the error from Reina, 100% effort from the first second til the last, I was impressed by him and I think we'll see a lot of good things from him this year. The Adebayor comparisons being made I think don't do him as much credit as I'd like as I can see there is much more to his game than being a tall striker..His workrate is excellent and his movement is very intelligent, always looking to pull the defenders about. I really think he will do well for us this year.

Our second debutant, Koscielny was awesome yesterday. I think he was swift across the ground, composed when required and fitted in well with the rest of the defence and even lost his composure when the rest of the defence did - what a team player!!

Humour aside, it was a good point to take home yesterday. Starting the season away from home against a top half side is harsh and we did well. Almunia did nothing to change my mind on his future, his performance perfectly summed up the best and worst of his game in equal measure. The best, his diving saves and bar-tipping action was all on display and he saved well. The worst, his positioning and handling of crosses was there for all to see..the Liverpool goal was bad positioning mixed with sloth-like reactions that I struggle to forgive.

If we haven't signed another 'keeper by next Saturday then I would hope Wenger sticks Fabianski in, Almunia looked lost at times and I think his head is elsewhere...probably in his "happy place". Fabianski whilst not showering himself in gold, I think is a greater prospect and I think Almunia knows it.

So, lets bring on the Tangerines on Saturday and give them a spanking to show them what life in the prem is all about...we need a result similar to Chelski's lesson to West Brom, we're at home and its my birthday..I want to see a cracker!

I'll put up a post midweek, previewing the game and mulling over the transfer guff.

Til then gooners!

WG

Technorati : Almunia, Arsenal, Chamakh, Chelsea, Fabianski, Koscielny, Liverpool, West Bromwich Albion
Del.icio.us : Almunia, Arsenal, Chamakh, Chelsea, Fabianski, Koscielny, Liverpool, West Bromwich Albion
Zooomr : Almunia, Arsenal, Chamakh, Chelsea, Fabianski, Koscielny, Liverpool, West Bromwich Albion
Flickr : Almunia, Arsenal, Chamakh, Chelsea, Fabianski, Koscielny, Liverpool, West Bromwich Albion