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

For me:

                          Szcezsny

Bellerin       Mertesacker     Chambers    Gibbs

                 Arteta           Ramsey

Ox                    Sanchez               Wilshere

                          Walcott                

Wilshere with Ramsey and bring in Podolski if Arteta is still out.

AJ I was more trying to understand how you work Welbeck/Giroud into a possible partnership. Would you honestly vote that our short/speedy Arsenal side go without a front man who can win the ball in the air? That is a physically weak side to take on the likes of a Cahill/Hageland/Terry/Reid/Vlaar type defender.

As an aside this popped up in my newsfeed today, might explain some of his performance issues? http://www.101greatgoals.com/blog/mesut-ozil-fell-...

But it also contradicts all of his behaviour on social media etc.

Yes I would vote for Walcott ahead of both Giroud and Welbeck. With the latter 2 it's much the same IMO, but Walcott playing with Sanchez could be devatstating. If we're going 4-4-2 then definitely Walcott alongside one of them. Giroud and Welbeck are alternatives and I would never start them together.

Since Walcott first played for the Senior Team what is the number of games Arsenal have played in the EPL and the number Walcott did play..???

Can't be bothered working that out but the sad thing is because of injuries in almost a season and a half the games Walcott and Ozil have played together is probably 2 or 3. There was also a crazy stat I think that in all the years at the club Van Persie and Fabreags barely started a game together.

Work is boring me so I did some math:

Walcott signed in January 2006, but didn't play a senior match that season.

Since then he's made 195 league appearances, 18 FA Cup appearances, 16 League Cup appearances, and 53 European appearances for a total of 282 appearances. 

Ignoring the first season he signed in but didn't play in he's been involved in 9 seasons in the EPL, for a total of 342 possible appearances, making 82.45% of games.

Trying to work out the number of cup and European appearances on the other hand is tough work.

Not quite right, 82.45% would be his total appearances as a percentage of league appearances (ie 282 out of 342). For league appearances it's 57.0% which makes more sense given he's had injuries most seasons. Would need the total cup and European games we have had in that time to work out the percentage of the total.

Basing the stats around appearances does not tell you how often he's been injured - in his first few seasons he was far from first choice, there were plenty of games where he never made if off the bench. 

Just noticed this one, what a gif that is. Three guys colliding trying to shoot at the same time, what a crack up.

It's possibly the most amazing goal I've ever seen and classic Arsenal.

Physically out muscled - Check
Numerous chances to clear it - Check
Defending players ball watching - Check

Also apparently nothing really happened in normal time but still five minutes were added then the goals came in the 106th and 110th minutes. The referee is been suspended indefinitely. 

True, starts would be a better stat, or even minutes played compared to total minutes.

Unlikely, but it'd be awesome if it came about...

http://www.foxsports.com.au/football/arsene-wengers-arsenal-squad-the-favourites-to-come-down-under-and-play-aleague-allstars/story-e6frf423-1227122461226

Wouldn't that be amazing. Would have to start saving now as I'd certainly be going to each game! Wenger has been very outspoken of his dislike for pre-season tours though so can't see the idea being seriously considered.

It hasn't done West Ham or Newcastle any harm lol

Wenger didn't want to go to the US or Asia, but we did both.

Contrary to popular belief he's not responsible for every single decision within our club.

US and Asia are massive markets in terms of shirt sales etc. Australia not so much and would be twice the distance. But would be great if it was to happen!

Any thoughts on how this one is gonna play out? To be fair, we both have been terrible this season. I think it is going to be a match of who sucks the least.

We've got a mindfuck when it comes to ManU so I fear the worst

It's United. We still managed to lose to them last season when everyone else was battering them. Would be happy with a draw. Got to get through an international break first.

time to stick it too the Chq Book Chumps

Anything less than a convincing win is a poor result.

Absolutely 100% this!

Happy with a draw? Bollocks to that.

If you can't beat us now, you never will.

Would have said that a year ago to be fair. Everyone was beating you, even teams like West Brom winning at Old Trafford etc. Given how we started it was the most I've ever looked forward to playing United away, really relished the thought of stuffing you up there for once. Now back to not being able to face it. 

oh shit, i completely forgot about the international break. hopefully no one gets injured!

Another good day for our England players. Welbeck with a couple to make him top scorer in the whole of European qualifying (with 5 in 4 games), Gibbs pretty solid and involved in the third goal, Wilshere with the official man of the match award for the third game in a row and Ox getting a few minutes and almost scoring. And no injuries. Hope Walcott gets a run against Scotland in midweek.

Nice to have that many players in the National side.

Podolski has again expressed how unhappy he is after Germany's game against Gibraltar.

"At Arsenal, one puts me off playing. I am a thoroughbred footballer and want to play. But then I have to wear winter coat and long trousers in the Premier League. This really wears me out. Shall I say everything is awesome and just sit out my contract? We'll see in January what is the best solution for all involved. Everything is possible [even returning to the Bundesliga]. I'd rather show at Arsenal what I'm capable of, but I'm not being given that chance."

Löw said: "Lukas needs many competitions to show his qualities. This, however, hasn't been the case in the last half year. Of course you can tell that." The manager is pressing for changes in Podolski's situation, and asked about that, the player said: "What is he supposed to say? Stay there, the situation is brilliant and everything is positive? Of course, he sees things just as me."

Maybe he should stop fucking about on Instagram then and get working on his game.

Debuchy looking to be back in December. WTF that's two players back earlier than expected. Unheard of!!!

Indeed good news. Back on the England game yesterday, great to see a third consecutive classy man of the match performance from Wilshere in the deeper central midfield role. Interesting in light of our recent discussions on where to play him.

Pretty dismal stats for Arteta released today. It is tough on the guy because even 5 years ago he wouldn't have been up to it. Surely Bender arrives January. 

Bender would not solve our problems, but would definitely be better than Flamini.

Here you go:

Who scored.com

1.5 tackles and 0.7 interceptions per game. Would be troublesome for a CF let alone DM. 

Failure to buy in this position has been a real problem.

I see Yacob might be available Jan, he'd be better than both current options

Or recall Le Coq!

This made me chuckle

http://www.football365.com/news/21554/9567588/-We-Came-This-Close-

Would be happy with Yacob.