(The not-so-temporary quite-official) Gooner Thread (Part 2)

This is easily the best defensive depth we've had in a decade, for mine. I feel like we can now field two completely different back fours and still be reasonably comfortable. Remember when we didn't have a CB partnership we could rely on?

so this

got a tad more fire in the belly though, more keown than bould you might say ;)

Good result. Loved the passion from Gabriel when he made that match winning tackle. Thought that was 2-2.

I've probably been too over-cautious but given what happened 2 seasons ago I've been trying not to put myself through thinking about the possibility of a title challenge yet. But it's probably getting too difficult to deny we're in one for now.

Yeah, I fully expect us to fall over around Christmas.

Enjoying it at the moment though.

Yep Welbeck and Rosicky too.

Squad depth is really good. 

Also worth noting we've got a couple of young(ish) homegrown players performing at a high level in Szczesny and Jenkinson too. If Debuchy doesn't get a look-in this season and becomes disallusioned I'd be happy to release him and bring Jenkinson back. Same goes for Ospina with Szczesny.

Wenger must be happy at the moment.

I really thought it was unlikely that the Coq could keep up last seasons form - but it actually seems like he's gotten better. Great stuff.

Santi has really stepped up his defensive game too imo.

Another word for Cech, that save from Delofeu can't be praised enough. Made the decision to come out so quickly, saw the defenders covering the right and went the way he knew the ball would go and pushed it to safety. If Szczesny was in goal that was most lilekly 2-2. He had some shaky moments earlier on in the game, but yet again at the 85th minute with the points on the line he delivered. Thought Terry was exaggerating when he said Cech was worth an extra 12-15 points a season but don't think that's going to end up far off.

Özil has the best games/assist rate in Premier League history, averaging one every 2.71 matches (from Opta). 

Very successful run in the last 4 games

ManU 3-0

Watford 3-0

Bayern Munich 2-0

Everton 2-1

Now a challenging 4 game stretch leading into the next international break;

Sheffield away

Swansea away

Bayern away

Spurs at home

Maybe?

                           Cech

Debuchy-Mertesacker-Chambers-Gibbs

                    Flamini-Coquelin

                  Campbell-Ox-Iwobi

                           Giroud

I'd leave Walcott to start at Swansea. I would play Macey in goal but Wenger was quoted saying Cech will play. Arteta is out, otherwise I'd start him. 

For all the squad depth we have we are still quite limited due to injuries at the moment. Central midfield is looking light and we could really do with Welbeck right now to fill a gap. 

Too bad 'The Jeff' is out at U17's

Is he injured? Because surely France topped the group.

edit: Hang on, i think i've completely misunderstood your post.

Could also rest Coquelin and give Bielek his first team debut

Confirmed lineup

                        Cech

Debuchy-Chambers-Mertesacker-Gibbs

                 Flamini-Kamara

              Campbell-Ox-Iwobi

                       Giroud

Glen Kamara the surprise name... defensive midfielder from Finland, turns 20 today. 

Bench: Macey, Gabriel, Monreal, Bielik, Bennacer, Sheaf, Walcott

So full rests for Kosc, Bellerin, Cazorla, Coquelin, Sanchez, Ozil. 

Nice. 

Ox off injured inside 4 minutes.

Walcott subbed on, now down injured on 15 minutes. 

Disastrous. 

Apparently Ox's was a tightening of the hamstring and was only precautionary.

Walcott looked more serious, perhaps calf, tried to come back on, limped about, then subbed off. 

Terrible start.

Not the greatest news there Paul, certainly Walcott looked the more serious of the two. Now one sub left and a fairly inexperienced midfield - hopefully no further injuries to the first team! 

Flamini having a mare so far.

Focussing on the league imo.

oh yea down 1-0 btw 

lol

Make that 2-0

Down 2-0 and we've lost Walcott & The Ox. This is awful.

What a fudgeing disaster. Busy at work so only just checked up on the game and see Ox went down in the 4th minute, Walcott came on and went down in the 18th. 

Ox precaution. Walcott more than that, which is a real blow.

Not surprised that this lineup might struggle at the attacking end, but giving away 2 goals is pretty unforgiveable considering the experience of the back four plus cech and flamini. 

On another note a sheffield player went two footed on Iwobi, looked shocking, definite red, but escaped with a yellow.

Theo probably gone for the season knowing our luck

At some point you have to laugh. I just wish we'd sent all kids out to avoid injuries to first teamers/squad.

Yeah that will probably be Theo done for the season and yet another international tournament too. As usual just when he was firing and settling into his role. Why the fudge have we still got Giroud out there now Theo's gone? Get him the fudge off asap.

Players look like they have no idea what eachother are doing. So many passes going wrong in the attacking end.

Love this comment from the arseblog live commentary thread;

"I feel like I support two teams. One of them is very sh*t."

We can take solace in the fact that Diego Costa also got injured

Didn't actually realise it was on Sky, just assumed the League Cup is never on here until the final. Would have recorded it and avoided the updates if I'd checked but it's my birthday today so glad I haven't now got this to look forward to when I get home.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY M8.