(The not-so-temporary quite-official) Gooner Thread (Part 1)

Lets hope we avoid defeat to Napoli. I'll take a draw. 13 points will leave us top.

top is important

pity the Napoli game is between Everton and MCFC

Papers this morning are reporting that we have to avoid defeat by three.

I was at the game and sat nine rows from the front where we took the penalty, was a bit of discussion between Giroud and Mesut about who would take the penalty. Seemed pretty clear that Mesut wanted to take it and Giroud didn't really fancy fighting him for it.

Impressed by Flamini live, he does a lot of shouting and waving of arms around. Especially at our fancy-pants midfielders who like to burst forward but not so much with the tracking back once they've done that.

Ozil a bit lazy at times, particularly off the ball. Imagine how good we will be when he really starts firing, he drifts in and out at the moment.

Needs more sleevegate lols

some wierd debates going on with the 'pundits' over who our peno takers are and why the apparent changing around... seems pretty clear to me;

1: arteta

2: ozil

3: giroud

they dont seem to realise that arteta and ozil had both been subbed when giroud took the one against southampton...

Also had to laugh at ESPNFC team  of the week. Koscielny made it in despite Mertesacker having the better game against Soton imo... (many others agree, including the fantasy football website etc) and then Mariner says of Koscielny "one of the best left-footed defenders in europe"

hmmm... pretty sure he was right-footed last time I checked!

Sleevegate is crack up.

Flamini live is immense. When he subbed on in the derby against sp*ds he was phenominal, so much energy and drive keeping players accountable etc.

He's always been like that, it seems. He will never be busting a gut up and down the touchline - just isn't that player. Tries to stay in position for the break.

Interesting to note he still made the most successful passes even though it seems like he isn't playing that great.

stumbled across this on you tube today and had to post - one of the best players we've ever seen - perhaps the best. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0ejI30Yx6UA

Injury Update:

Ryo Miyaichi - possibly available for Cardiff away (Nov 30)

Podolski - possibly available for Chelsea at home (Dec 23)

Oxlade-Chamberlain - possibly available for Cardiff at home (Jan 1)

Sanogo - available approx mid-January

Diaby - available approx March

Poldi seems to be the latest recipient of Arsene's dreaded '3 weeks' treatment, and the Ox seems to be pushing out all the time as well. Not ideal. 

For this week I'd love to see Ramsey given a rest, and also perhaps save Theo for a start at striker against Hull in midweek. Will be interesting to see how heavily Arsene rotates leading into the xmas schedule. 

Ive seen a few articles about ozil being average in his last few outings. Personally I dont think his srandard( other than th poor pen). But maybe he needs are rest soon too.

Could be a tough game this. Cardiff like the rough stuff - especially at home. Will be interesting how we handle Medel and co.

I think we just need to play our game, fluid passing, and let them foul themselves out of the game.

I'd try

             Szy

Sagna Per Kosc Gibbs

    Flamini Arteta

Ramsey Ozil Cazorla

            Giroud

For Hull

Sagna Per Verm Monreal

        Flamini/Arteta Ramsey

Walcott  Wilshere  Gnabry

               Bendtner

bendtner up front not walcott?

I'm old school and remember the good old days of the late 70's and early 80's where we used 15 or 16 players all year who played nearly 60 games. The league had 42 games and cup games could go to 4 replays. Boozing during the week was considered normal, pre match meals were a big fry up and squad rotation and "resting" was unheard of.
Players certainly didn't earn 50,000 squid a week and get pampered as much as they do now either. Bring back Alan Sunderland!! :)

Gives other players a rest by using Bendtner up front. Hopefully he just has to hold the ball up or tap it in.

Has anyone else heard that Pat Rice has been admitted to hospital with cancer? I hope he fights this with the energy he gave to our club. Arsenal legend.

yea read that last night bout pat rice, sad news. Hopefully he pulls through ok - not sure what type of cancer they're talkin bout

Bendtner is done for me, his latest comments and stupid arrest have sealed the deal, gooone. Shouldn't play another minute in an arsenal jersey unless giroud actually does get injured.

Get walcott in there at centre forward in one of our games next week to give him a taste. He'll thrive having both santi and mesut in the side - those three have never played all together. 

Id love to see walcott in th second strikers role. Play off giroud and being feb by santi or ozil

https://www.arsenal.com/news/features/arsenal-s-super-subs

I think this sums up the rotation required of the modern game! Also highlights how often our better players are crocked, coming off the bench either from being rested, or recovering from injury!

Come on lads!! Unlucky shot from jack after 75sec

Oh rambo. That was a header of beauty.

50min. Szen pulls out an amazing save

Flamini. Wat a goal. 1st in his 2nd stint. Fingers X'd it secures th points for us

Cocks to draw with Chq Book Champs, that would be alright. 

Ozil is class eh. 

Ended up watching this, one of the few I've seen live and in full this season, and we were good. Got really nervy towards the end as we were under the pump. Then Flamini scored his rocket on the counter, and Rambo got his brace. Thought the away fans were outstanding!

The home fans were also pretty special. Not many places Arsenal travel would there be applause for a goal scorer from the away team. They just love Ramsey there and must be very happy he has had a change in form. Loved his little celebration after the second goal with the hands over the head, apparently an old Cardiff celebration. All class.

Liverpool lose this morning, Arsenal clear at the top for the moment. City and Chelsea this month are going to be huge tests.

yes 10 points on the Cocks who are in 9th

can't see Liverpool , Newcastle and Southampton genuinely making top 4

so get through December with limited injuries ,hope that the English winter is mild (or at least very low rainfall) ,  2 purchases in the Jan window and she'll be a tense run in. 

Cardiff fans were chanting "Theres only one Aaron Ramsey" after his 2nd goal

Very classy.

Liverpool loosing to Hull is not good, gives that Hull side more confidence than I'd like for our midweek with them. Hard to pick the rotation too. Walcott, Flamini, Jenkinson, Vermy, Monreal all to start perhaps?

no matter how confident Hull are we need to smash them at the Emierates

bad enough losing to AVilla

Great win. Have Sir Chesny to thank for that one.

Hopefully we can finish off hull early and rest a few players.....where's gnabry these days? would love to see more of him in games like this

Great to see wilshere hitting form as well, Santi is still a bit rusty but i'm sure he'll come right. Even thou ozil is not setting the world on fire he pops up with the vital passes. Arteta was solid against cardiff, had some very lovely touches in there. Containing my excitment about this team is tough as there is a long way to go in the season.

after hull, we got everton,napoli,city and then chelsea.....hard yakka that

need something from Napoli game

second place = PSG, Real, Barca/Milan, Bayern, possibly Shaktar(?)

I bloody can!

ha ha

top 6 / Europa League is best your Scousers can do. 

and hopefully that is higher than Cocks and Chq Books