Let’s be honest, at this point nobody would put much money on Arsenal getting a good result at Stamford Bridge next Sunday.
Having been thrashed there last season, Chelsea look better this time around and we’re still to find anything approaching consistently good form, but Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain is confident the Gunners can do the business.
The midfielder should have been sent off last season for his goal line handball, instead Kieran Gibbs got his marching orders, but this time around the North London derby goal scorer wants to put what happened last season to bed.
“We do understand what happened there last season,” he said. “Maybe we have got a point to prove there, we know this year we have got to step up in the big games and get some results in them.
“We’re really looking forward to that game and I definitely think we can go there with confidence. We give Chelsea the respect they deserve – but, at the same time, I have belief in my team-mates and we believe in ourselves to be able to go to a place like Chelsea and set the tempo and hopefully take control of the game.
“It’s two good sides, they are going to have their time, we are going to have ours. We just have to make sure that when we do have our chances we make them count.”
Meanwhile, Arsene Wenger says he’s concerned by the injury problems which mean he’ll be without Aaron Ramsey, Mikel Arteta and, possibly, Jack Wilshere for the two massive games this week.
“There’s no logic,” he said. “We have to analyse what happened. I don’t understand.”
With a new fitness coach in place things were supposed to improve. If anything, they’ve got worse. It might be a case of it taking time for the new methods to take effect properly, but that’s no good in the short term.
Let’s hope they figure it out.
Hopefully Maureen loses her bus keys, and Costa goes back to his form he had for Spain in the WC.
Yeah! Time to get one over Maureen!! It’s not impossible, hey?
Love the optimism, but unfortunately we’re going to get fucked by Chelsea, like Dortmund dismantled us but worst because of their form and quality.
Chelsea 4-2 Arsenal. Sanchez to score both.
Having said that, I’ll still be cheering Arsenal and be shedding a tear every Fabregas pass.
Meh. Screw logic. Chelsea 1- 2 Arsenal.
COYG!!!
Fuck it even. 0-6. REVENGE!
If chelsea play like you spell, arsenal should be very fine.
This is football, it’s not always logical. Can’t lose before we even play, i’ll be shouting from across the sea. coyg
I don’t know whether it is me or all arsenal fans. Whenever arsenal loses , my entire day or the whole week (till we win next time) is ruined. My self-confidence lacks in all my activities throughout that week.
I know that feel man. I have accepted that I Will feel like Total shit until wednesday atleast.
It all depends on which Arsenal turns up. If it is the one that turned up against Dortmund, the shit, slow, unresponsive don’t give a shit Arsenal, then we will get hammered. If it is the Arsenal that turned up against Man City then I will be very happy and optimistic. Mr Wenger -it’s okay to set up the team in a reactive way. Why can’t we park the bus for a change and try to hit them on the break with Alexis, Danny, Alex Ox, Mesut and Santi? The rest can sit back. It’s not impossible, especially with the… Read more »
Probably no sense in hoping we play defensively next week. We never really change our strategy so we’re going to go out there to win the game and admirable as that may be I just worry about last year, and Jose.
If nothing else I just hope the guys know a point at Chelsea is a massive point. I’m quietly confident in our ability, but this is the start of a huge week in our season. That unbeaten league start could mean so much more after the game next week.
Far, far more likely that, 9 points off the pace with 7 games done, we will finally realise the magnitude of stupidity in dropping 4 points to Leicester and Spurs while playing a system suited to the strengths of….. who exactly? No sense in going easy on anyone because they do the same thing (i.e. kamikaze football against a superior team) year after year. For the manager, this match represents an opportunity for redemption after some piss poor tactical showings. He’d better manage a win this game, because he dropped clanger upon clanger on both the transfer and tactical front… Read more »
*six games done, sorry.
I’m all for a change of tactics, formation and maybe personnel, but I don’t necessarily think we have to win this match to really view this game as a success. Let me be clear that the list of things I’d do to see us win a game against Chelsea, under Mourinho, at Stamford Bridge contains such heinous acts you probably couldn’t find footage off them in the darkest realms of the internet (add in a possible John Terry red card and I’m not sure there’s anything I wouldn’t do) but I’m a realist; winning away at the Bridge looks a… Read more »
Well, Wenger sometimes can adapt, just remember this away game against Barcelona, with ended when dutch skunk got red card… as I recall we were parking the bus and Almunia was labeled by spanish media as galactic octopus. What a time it was!
Didn’t have a choice after we had the ball for about 2% of the other matches we played them……our team was forced into being defensive due to Barcas level of dominance, not bc it was our gameplan.
Alumina was unbelievable during that tie tho, guy was everywhere in the 18-yard box making saves!!!!
I’ll have what he’s on…
I don’t see why we should fear Chelsea I mean come on we are ARSENAL we have the team to beat them let’s just hope Wenger put out a good squad and we suffer no more injuries
Mate did you see what Spurs did to us? If they’re any clinical on the counter we may have lost that game. There’s every reason why to worry about Chelsea. If we finally set ourselves up properly (no more of this 4-1-4-1 nonsense) then we may have a chance, and that’s a big if. One positive though, with Sanchez and Welbeck we have two players with a big match mentality. Let’s hope they do the business for us and our defense keeping it tight. Having said so, Diaby aside if he’s fit, I honestly worry whether our midfield can contain… Read more »
That’s the problem…..the “hope” that Arsene doesn’t screw it up with lineups or lack of tactics before we even take the pitch. I know our players are good enough, it’s the way they are being forced to play that is worrying me.
Chambers in Defensive Midfield please – to man mark Costa out of the game.
Coquelin/Bellerin @ RB
Though i might be a bit worried about his positioning, i’d play Ox there, he’s the closest player we’ve got to a DM, he’s better built to play that role
Looks like we lost BOTH our box-to-box MFs (Ramsey and Wilshere) against Sp*rs, meaning Oxlade-Chamberlain could play in the box-to-box role with Chambers deputising for Arteta in the pure sitting MF role.
It’s a huge risk because that means Hector Bellerin would have to come in at rightback but… considering our other DM options (1. Flamini = too error-prone + too slow; 2. Coquelin = too light-weight; 3. Diaby, well…) me thinks it’s a risk worth taking.
And what Bellerin lacks in experience he makes up for in blistering speed.
Maureen Ho just seems to get his tactics right time after time against us.Arsene just do something to surprise the fans,the opposition and most of all the players
Hm. It might not be a good idea to surprise our players with new tactics. Just saying. They might want to practise them first.
The logic is that everyone is overstretched because of the formation and overplayed because we don’t rotate much. Take one guy out of the team and replace him each game (not like a iron clad rule, but try it), keep all teammates playing with each other, and keep things fresh and everyone a little on their toes (am I going to be the one going out of the midfield next week? Better fill my boots this game). simplistic, I know. Its not too scientific, but we have the brittlest players, and I don’t think it is just their bodies, it… Read more »
I wish Coquelin would get a game here. Strength, at least. I think he is tougher than Arteta (injured anyway) and Flamini at this point.
Flamini’s errors are becoming a little embarrasing. Looked over at Aguero against city, and then ignored him.
With others out injured, two seasons ago on that cold wintery day in this same fixture, Coquelin did ‘get a game’ against Chelsea at Stamford Bridge.
The result? Ramires steamrolled our Coq in the middle of the park, leading to both Juan Mata’s opener and Szczęsny conceding a penalty which led to Chelski’s second (Frank Lampard).
I like the lad and his effort at lot but I’m sorry, Le Coq is a remnant of our Emirates “age of austerity” past and he wouldn’t even be with us had that Ligue 2 team been willing to take him on loan.
Well said….won’t stop them from polishing the latest turd we have to trot out bc of lack of decent cover.
Really?If Wenger plays like in the Spurs game ,Chelsea will win.The special one aint afraid to play anti soccer to win but not the fm.Ask yourself how Spurs scored.With the gunners forever trying to break ppasta a ten men wall guarding the goal,a swift counter and Spurs went in to the lead.
Wenger has an appalling record against the top guys.He has not beaten the special one and it’s about time
he wins to show he can still be a winner. Otherwise he will forever labelled a specialist in failure.
#findramblingpete. John terry is a cunt
#tryingway2hard
#findDouble98
#cannevertryhardenough
#hashtagsaregay
Don’t use gay as a derogatory term mate, we’re supposed to be leading the fight against that kind of discrimination in football.
Even outside of football it’s not good, plus it makes you sound like you’re at school.
It’s definitely a childish insult/term, but……what’s up with this “we’re supposed to be leading the fight against that kind of discrimination in football” nonsense??? Just bc a few Arsenal players wore some Rainbow laces doesn’t mean supporters should share the same views
“There’s no logic,” he said. “We have to analyse what happened. I don’t understand.”
With a squad depth as thin as ours and no cdm / cb backup, there’s nothing to analyse. He simply should know better.
You sound like a doctor, do you think Arsenal’s lack of defensive midfield cover may also have caused my conjunctivitis?
Neither Ramsey nor Wilshere are CDM’s or CB’s. Yes, it’s well documented we are thin at the back, but that is not the topic at that point.
This is a possible 3 points for us, their d isn’t as good as it was last year…We have quality across the board…I think Santi, alexis and ozil should be out with Danny leading the line, try coq or Diaby in dm. Maybe we should try to just score more than them, instead of try to make a defensive stand. We can do this! COYG!!
Sit deeper to begin with , take the sting out of the game and maybe hit them on the break with the pace that Sanchez , Welbeck and Chamberlain give us. Once we establish
a foothold in the match after a goalless 20 minutes we can look forward to Ozil orchestrating the tempo to a fine Arsenal away win. Simple.
That would be the best way but will Arsene do that? hell no!!
I think you should read your own name.
Bc tactics are only a FIFA thing??? Is that you Arsene? Can’t just be your nose hair……
The injuries are a concern. Almost as much of a concern as the disappearance of Rambling Pete. My cousin and I recently went on a search for our fellow Gooner. We searched every liqueur store from coast to coast here in the States. He was not at the bottom of any single Jim Beam bottle we drank. He was not in the back by the dumpster. We did meet a wonderfully nice, toothless lady named Alice. She offered to help us in our search for a bottle of Rock Rye and a twenty. Her cackle was off putting so we… Read more »
Oh shit here we go. The last time it was all about how they wanted to give AW a gift for his 1000th game and we know how that turned out. They need to just shut up, do their jobs and make sure that loud mouthed, arrogant, narcissistic prick doesn’t embarrass us all again
I like the attitude, but when he says “we believe in ourselves to be able to go to a place like Chelsea and set the tempo and hopefully take control of the game” I think that they haven’t learned anything. Chelsea have been, so far, by miles the best team in the league. They certainly have the best striker, and an incredibly strong midfield that we – lacking a decent DMF and uncertain formation – don’t. Swanning along on the assumption that we can impose our game is, to me, the obvious set up for a repeat of last year’s… Read more »
I think the guy who has cost us more points than anybody else this season is Arsene with his awful tactics. If he plays 4-1-4-1 against Chelsea again we’re screwed.
The only way we can win is by staying compact and disciplined and then smashing them on the break clinically just like we did to villa. The only weekness I see in chelsea is lack of pace at right side of their defence in Terry and Ivanovic. If wenger gets it right, I think we could push Wellbeck and maybe alexis down that channel and cause all sorts of problems. On the other hand if he goes in with flamster as our only holding midfielder, I think we could be ripped to shreds in just a few breaks, Chelsea are… Read more »
If a business wants to make a good return, they have to set the stall out properly. Wenger has to set his stall out properly. No more 4-1-4-1, find the formation and tactics that will work, get those 3 points and let’s make that rise up the League table. Come On You Gunners!
Chelsea is that team that makes you regret you don’t have a DM.
Pellegrini used both Toure and Fernandinho against them and it arguably helped.
Keeping the ball in the midfield is the key and try to make most of our chances. If we allow them break into our 18 yard box a lot, we’re going to have serious problems.
Every arsenal player should come out of the tunnel in a Gibbs shirt.
Losing 6-0 to your title rivals on your 1000th game is Arsene Wenger in a nutshell. Most managers would have sent their team out their to play deep and keep it tight for the first 20…Not Wenger…Fullbacks bomb on from minute one at the same time. Leaving a slow Arteta and an even slower mertesacker constantly exposed. How many times do you have to see the same goal scored against you to change your set up or tactics. Usually we concede with the oppositon scoring from their first attack after ”absorbing our possession/pressure”…Either a set piece or a counter from… Read more »
spot on – cacking it tbh
http://splashurl.com/lv23ars
Best thread on Wenger i have ever read..Also very funny.
Our formation buffles me. I think AW will stick with 4141 against Chelsea, it’s better set up for counter attack. I do hope Ox comes in and replace Ramsey at CM and Alexis get a start on the wing.
I don’t think Wegner should get his Coq out this weekend at the bridge however, maybe on the bench.
Here is to hoping we get that 3 points in Turkey and FFS no more injures. COYG!!
Can we play with 11 goalkeepers?
I’d love a 0-1 to the Arsenal with a goal from a goal kick from Chambers
he’s a left back or a centre back.. would he have come on as a sub? and if he was why wouldn’t one of the 10 remaining keepers take the kick out? have they all been injured?
have we a goal keeping crisis in your fantasy?
Right now I can’t find any inspiration for optimism from anywhere. I can’t see beyond a Chelsea win.
imagine Alexis running at old man terry and the racisit getting sent off, but if you are looking for inspiration – remember we domintaed largely against man city twice in the last 8 weeks and they dominated against chelsea – The referee choice will determine how this game is played – one with a arsenal bias or a neutral will mean we will enjoy some protection, one with a anti arsenal bias will see chelsea kick us off the park. If the referee isn’t a factor then it can go either way. If the entire first choice mf is out… Read more »
as much as i would love to see chambers in CM, i think we should go with ox and diaby with Ozil, Alexis and Santi. Definitely not Flam, m not judging his quality or anything but on current form, diaby seems worth the risk.
If we keep it tight and tidy in the 1st half and take all our chances ruthlessly, we will have our revenge.
Something tells me koscielny will boss costa and make him hide behind Maureen………Go Gunners!!!
Fifa 15 is the bananas.
We desperately need a physical presence in midfield against the chavs. Since we don’t pass the ball fluently we will be muscled out. Not looking forward to getting spanked again. Best we can hope for is them parking the bus, their forwards having an off day and us nicking it at the end.
Diaby in dm to save us,you just know it after being talked up by wenger 🙂
Right now, I’d take a draw on the bridge.
Only time will tell, whether this was 2 points dropped or 1 gained. But we cannot drop more points at home if we aspire to be in the mix till May. Some of these players don’t seem to have adequate match intelligence and most often pick the wrong choice. Every match will swing, so when we have the dominating period, there is no excuse not to score. Tott’s came with a plan and played on the counter. But their goal was purely because of the wrong choice our GK made. Without Sagna and Giroud, he doesn’t seem to fancy the… Read more »
You had ONE JOB Shad!
Even Shad can’t get rid of ancient voodoo curses
The wise solution, in the current state, is to go for a draw. But can our players even play like that? Now with Arteta and Ramsey out, I’m even less sure.
ABOU DIABY IS NOT A DM! Anyone who believes so is either
a.) deluded
b.) not old enough to have seen him play
He is a technically gifted attacking midfielder of very slight frame. Believing he can be converted to a DM is falling for the same square peg/round hole BS we’ve been so angry at Wenger for
Cesc will realize the mistake he’s made, to recover his honor he will perform seppuku. And take Mourinho, Terry, and Drogba with him. What an act of honor.
After putting in the own goal hattrick, of course.
The season Wenger breaks the Moanhino voodoo is the season Chelsea gets relegated!!!. Let’s make it happen guys!!
Lads lads lads…inexorably Soler will be MOTM just so that fucktard of football hating Mourinho to show AW how it’s done. That’s his plan really.