***The Official Arsenal Gunners" Thread***

[Perceptor]

Re: ***The Official Arsenal "Gunners" Thread***

2-0. Another defensive blunder. We don't deserve a trophy if we lose this game. Utterly pathetic.

Seconded. I've been sick to my stomach watching this rubbish performance....

[Krebstar]

Re: ***The Official Arsenal "Gunners" Thread***

Fantastic goal by Arshavin, as we're finally looking dangerous. I think we have a real chance to get a draw here. This is definitely a test of what we're made of.

A point would be huge as United are still level with Bolton.

[Krebstar]

Re: ***The Official Arsenal "Gunners" Thread***

2-2! Van Persie!

It's not over. Another. Another. Another.

[Krebstar]

Re: ***The Official Arsenal "Gunners" Thread***

United just went 1-0 up, so a draw hurts us now more than ever. Wonderful.

[Krebstar]

Re: ***The Official Arsenal "Gunners" Thread***

Finishes 2-2, and United move two more points ahead of us. Which means the title will most likely have to be won by defeating them.

We played awful for 70 minutes, but great for 20. It all goes back to the howler by Almunia and Squillaci. Passing was incredibly poor in the first half, but 1-0 down wasn't too bad, especially with the talent we could bring in off the bench.

Our chances for the title are more slim after this game, but they're still there. If we lost, I'd say there was absolutely no chance. With that point, there remains a very small one.

[misterbroom12]

Re: ***The Official Arsenal "Gunners" Thread***

Why does Denilson even play? Can't we just throw an extra man forward from the tap and just play as if he already screwed up and we were down a goal. He brings nothing positive to the team and is a detriment to the players around him. Also, what the F*CK was Almunia thinking? No one was clean through on goal, why was he out there? Why isn't anyone yelling at him afterward? No one on our team has the balls to put a teammate in their place when they screw up like that. Good to see us get a point though and finally attack with a desire to score. People were committing to their runs and forcing the defenders closer to their goal, especially on the 2nd which was scrappy. I hope we learn from that goal that it counts all the same as a pretty strike or brilliant passing move. Figures too that Bolton were up a man for the last 20 minutes and couldn't even manage a draw. I was hoping for them to pull off a win and they go and concede with almost no time to respond. We have no luck in games outside of our control.

[Krebstar]

Re: ***The Official Arsenal "Gunners" Thread***

Why does Denilson even play? Can't we just throw an extra man forward from the tap and just play as if he already screwed up and we were down a goal. He brings nothing positive to the team and is a detriment to the players around him. Also, what the F*CK was Almunia thinking? No one was clean through on goal, why was he out there? Why isn't anyone yelling at him afterward? No one on our team has the balls to put a teammate in their place when they screw up like that. Good to see us get a point though and finally attack with a desire to score. People were committing to their runs and forcing the defenders closer to their goal, especially on the 2nd which was scrappy. I hope we learn from that goal that it counts all the same as a pretty strike or brilliant passing move. Figures too that Bolton were up a man for the last 20 minutes and couldn't even manage a draw. I was hoping for them to pull off a win and they go and concede with almost no time to respond. We have no luck in games outside of our control.

United also just never give up and are very good at winning when facing adversity.

We were as well today. West Brom's first goal was great, and well deserved as it was a great corner and a great header. Second was obviously gifted by Almunia showing that after this season, he will never start on this team again. I'm becoming confident of that. Doesn't mean we buy a new keeper, but he's gone after this season.

As for Denilson, I agree, but I understand why he's out there. Arsene just doesn't want to push forward like we're down at the start of a game because it opens us up at the back. However, Denilson does more harm than good and I honestly think bringing in a youngster like Eastmond would help us far more. He'll sit back and won't make awful passes. Maybe we'll see him down the stretch if Song or Diaby don't make it back.

While the result of today is disappointing due to United winning, it still showed that this team has some character left. I thought Arshavin had a great game, as did RVP who played the first half with little to no service.

Ramsey definitely still needs time to get back to where he was, but I'm confident he will be. Sagna didn't have one of his better games, but I thought Clichy played very well, especially when moving forward.

[misterbroom12]

Re: ***The Official Arsenal "Gunners" Thread***

Both of our outside backs are very good going forward. I think they are better crossers of the ball than people give them credit for. It's just very difficult for them when we usually only have one player making a run into the box and the teams we play are best at defending service because it is what they see most of the time. We just need our attack to move a bit more out of our comfort zone and send more into the box like we saw toward the end of this game. I think we will find it opens up the way we like to play more and will make it more effective.
With that point I think it goes more to why I don't think Denilson should play. I would rather Wenger start someone like Rosicky in the midfield with Ramsey and Wilshere, who both were effective but not themselves today, because I feel our best defense most of the time is an effective attack. For the same way I feel why our defense struggles, when teams press we get a bit nervous and over-think it; "We struggle defensively" creeps into the back of our heads and doesn't allow us to play to our potential. This happens to other teams as well if we force the issue, they focus more on keeping us out than they do on the fact that they could sneak a goal, and our defense feels less pressure and doesn't over-think their job. I'd just like to see how we would fare with more of a "reckless" lineup.

[Krebstar]

Re: ***The Official Arsenal "Gunners" Thread***

Both of our outside backs are very good going forward. I think they are better crossers of the ball than people give them credit for. It's just very difficult for them when we usually only have one player making a run into the box and the teams we play are best at defending service because it is what they see most of the time. We just need our attack to move a bit more out of our comfort zone and send more into the box like we saw toward the end of this game. I think we will find it opens up the way we like to play more and will make it more effective.
With that point I think it goes more to why I don't think Denilson should play. I would rather Wenger start someone like Rosicky in the midfield with Ramsey and Wilshere, who both were effective but not themselves today, because I feel our best defense most of the time is an effective attack. For the same way I feel why our defense struggles, when teams press we get a bit nervous and over-think it; "We struggle defensively" creeps into the back of our heads and doesn't allow us to play to our potential. This happens to other teams as well if we force the issue, they focus more on keeping us out than they do on the fact that they could sneak a goal, and our defense feels less pressure and doesn't over-think their job. I'd just like to see how we would fare with more of a "reckless" lineup.

I think if we throw out a reckless lineup, our weak defense will become even weaker. I'm all for not having Denilson in there, but we can not start games like we finished this one, as West Brom were more than happy to sit back and play for the draw. If they tried to go forward a bit more, we could've been caught out again.

I said a few games ago I'd be in favor of Wilshere playing the holding role, as he definitely can do it. So I agree that right now I'd rather see something like Rosicky, Wilshere and Ramsey like you said.

One of the major issues with our defensive frailties is obviously mental and that is down to personnel. Almunia, Koscielny and Squillaci all can not play at this level, currently. I think if we had a more world class keeper, Vermaelen starting and possibly another strong CB or at least Djourou, we wouldn't look nearly as bad at the back.

If we do not see changes this Summer, then we'll be looking for another top four finish and that's it in 11/12. Wenger said at the start of this year if no trophies are won then he'd have to change his strategy and purchase proven winners. So, while I know the general thought can often be Wenger is stubborn (which he is) and he will not give up his approach with this team, but I do believe we'll see changes in the season. He's a very proud man, but he wants to win.

[darweezee]

Re: ***The Official Arsenal "Gunners" Thread***

Since 10-man United defeated Bolton, 1-0, a draw definitely hurt our Premiership hopes.

For the first 70 minutes, we were quite rubbish. We couldn't connect many passes in succession and each turnover frustrated me. In my opinion, Ramsey missed a sitter following Van Persie's header off the woodwork. And Almunia's blunder, all I can say is...what's new?

The first time I got off my seat and applauded was when Chamakh replaced Denilson. Denilson is rubbish and he's definitely long outstayed his welcome in this team. I'd even stick Bendtner out of position at DMF, I bet he'd outplay Denilson and simultaneously stop complaining about lack of play time.

I believe Koscielny has the tools to become a great CB, but he obviously doesn't have any leadership around him. Honestly, our back four and keeper lack any sense of leadership. Once I can witness some discipline in the back, maybe in the hands and vocal chords of Vermaelen, I'll make final judgment on Koscielny. However, I think our best CB pairing is Vermaelen/Djourou.

My 'Man of the Match' is Andrei Arshavin. Despite all the criticism he has received this year from Arsenal supporters, he still runs and plays hard till the final whistle.

[rsnomar05]

Re: ***The Official Arsenal "Gunners" Thread***

I haven't posted in a week as I was on vacation in Iceland, but I just got done watching both the FA cup game and the game from today, and it is so glaring with this team that Wenger desperately needs to buy a world class defender and keeper over the summer. When your defenders and keeper both don't trust each other to make the right play, you get howlers like we saw today. That mistake by Almunia was pure rubbish, and it cost us a win.

[misterbroom12]

Re: ***The Official Arsenal "Gunners" Thread***

Our next fixture is at home against Blackburn, I would like to see Lehmann start over Almunia. This is the third straight year Almunia has been at fault for a crucial goal because of huge mental errors. It just shows that he clearly doesn't have what it takes. Lehmann back there may be able to add some direction and control to our CB pairing. He at least won't take sh*t from anyone and mistakes would not go by without him having a word with the culprit.

[Blaxican8504]

Re: ***The Official Arsenal "Gunners" Thread***

A couple of things...

I am surprised that so many Arsenal fans were anxious to bring back Lehmann. Don't he and Almunia hate each other? That doesn't seem like it would be good to bring that type of energy into the dressing room.

Also, for those being critical of Almunia, I don't think he deserves all of the blame. The key to a strong defense is typically the central defenders and the goalkeepers. If you look at some of the clubs that have been successful recently, they have those. Arsenal don't. I think Almunia is better than people give him credit for, but because the defenders playing in front of him are so poor, he doesn't trust them and ends up trying to do too much which results in a lot of mistakes.

You guys could get away with Almunia as your keeper, but you need more than just one top defender.

[Krebstar]

Re: ***The Official Arsenal "Gunners" Thread***

A couple of things...

I am surprised that so many Arsenal fans were anxious to bring back Lehmann. Don't he and Almunia hate each other? That doesn't seem like it would be good to bring that type of energy into the dressing room.

Also, for those being critical of Almunia, I don't think he deserves all of the blame. The key to a strong defense is typically the central defenders and the goalkeepers. If you look at some of the clubs that have been successful recently, they have those. Arsenal don't. I think Almunia is better than people give him credit for, but because the defenders playing in front of him are so poor, he doesn't trust them and ends up trying to do too much which results in a lot of mistakes.

You guys could get away with Almunia as your keeper, but you need more than just one top defender.

Wenger wouldn't bring back Lehmann if he knew there would be issues between him and Almunia. I'm sure it was addressed and isn't anything to worry about.

As for Almunia, just how much have you watched him play? There is one thing he's good at, and it's reflexes and shot stopping. Well, when he's also good at getting the ball back into play quickly by throwing.

Otherwise, he's a mental wreck. His decision making skills are atrocious and he's extremely weak in the air.

Even Vermaelen and Gallas playing together, which was a fairly strong pair, couldn't stop Almunia from being Almunia.

The issue with our defense has been that our defenders have no confidence in him, not the other way around. If we had an even stronger back four, his weaknesses would show even further.

Does our defense need to be improved, other than keeper? Yes, but leaving him back there would continue to showcase his ability to give the opposition chance after chance.

[Blaxican8504]

Re: ***The Official Arsenal "Gunners" Thread***

Admittedly, I haven't watched nearly enough to form a well-informed opinion. But the reason I pointed to the central defenders was that the mistakes seemed to be there even when Fabianksi and Szczesny were playing. If I am being honest, Squillaci and Koscielny don't really inspire confidence. And I think that's all you guys have left there, right?