Arsene Wenger had praise for the character of his team after today’s 0-0 draw with Stoke.
The Gunners haven’t won at the Britannia since 2010, and went into today’s game without three of their most creative players in Mesut Ozil, Alexis Sanchez, and Santi Cazorla, as well as longer term absences like Danny Welbeck, Tomas Rosicky and Jack Wilshere.
There were chances at both ends with Arsenal keeper making some fantastic saves, and in the second away game in four days, keeping a clean sheet has to be seen as a positive.
“I must say I cannot fault my team for their attitude, it was spot on the way my team responded to the challenge,” he said after the game.
“We did well to battle. They made the game physical, they were up for it, the players were up for it and they were up for a direct game. We had to have a physical response and show solidarity, fighting spirit and togetherness.
“We lacked a bit of creativity to force a way through and on top of that we missed good chances. They were fighting from the first to the last minute. We wanted to win the game but looking at our history here it is a positive result.
“Looking at the results of the other teams that played at the top, it is a positive result. But overall, we missed two points today.”
And with Chelsea at home next weekend, Wenger is hopeful to have some of his key men, in particular Ozil.
“He had an inflamation on his foot and yesterday morning we looked and he was not very well,” he said.
“He was not 100 per cent at Liverpool so I decided to leave him out. I think he should be back for next Sunday.”
On Sky Wenger described Alexis as 95%, and expects him back for the clash with Gus Hiddink’s side next weekend too.
“WE’VE GOT CAMPBELL! SOL’S SON JOEL!
I JUST DON’T THINK YOU UNDERSTAND!
HE’S Arsène WENGER’S MAN!
HE’S BETTER THAN ROBBEN!
WE’VE GOT JOEL CAMPBELL!”
To the tune of.. ?
Who needs a tune? Adam Sandler-style screaming maybe.
Lets chant that on Sunday shall we gooners!!
To the tune of the Ozil chant i heard yesterday at Stoke which Was stolen from West Ham’s Payet one but still decent. I take pride coming up with the first line, it’s funny (well, to me) and 4th line with Robben. Doesn’t rhyme completely though.
Let’s get Ozil and sanchez back and give it our best in the next game and beat Chelsea.
Hope Sanchez does come back for the game against the Chavs.
He has been in the ‘this game has come too early’ territory for too long!
It would mean a much needed freshness and addition of class, to a squad that is stretched not in terms of results but in terms of resources.
Let’s go for the win against Chelsea! I have a good feeling about it. With Ozil and Sanchez back, we will definitely beat them, despite any expected “cuntish” behavior from snakes like Costa.
Hoping to see Mohamed “Coq like an Egyptian” Elneny paired with Rambo. Up front: Sanchez – Ozil – Campbell – Giroud.
COYG!
Legs looked heavy after Liverpool, but second half we dug deep and improved our game. If only Theo could find his mojo, he looks stranded out left.
That’s right. Attitude has nothing to do with skill. For example, I’d run through a brick wall for Arsenal, but I’m a shit footballer. Walcott’s attitude is “I play well pre-contract” and his skill is “I pass to the opposition.” I’m so tired of seeing him at Arsenal.
Are suggesting that Theo is “nicking a living”?
Surprised by the negativity after the game today. We weren’t great but I don’t think we were that bad either and i liked how we stood up to them physically. The only thing was that passing was a bit sloppy and we didn’t create too many chances, hopefully we can rectify that for Chelsea
Agreed! Since the orcs were promoted back to the Prem at the start of the 2008-09 season, our away record at Mordor over 8 seasons (including 2015-16) is 1W 3D 4L. That’s an average of only 0.75pts per game, which is less than half of the avg points they’ve accrued against us over those same matches (1.875pts/game; 4W 3D 1L). With that in mind I think this is a good point to bag.
Remember when Theo had a couple of games up front and we looked like a completely different side. I know you can’t drop Giroud at the moment, but it’d be tempting to play something different against Chelsea.
Also, I challenge anyone to leave a more off topic post
I think it’s because teams tend to drop deeper when Walcott is on, meaning they can’t press us without leaving big gaps in midfield. He also interchanges very well with Sanchez, makes more dangerous runs than Giroud and presses better. But in fairness to Giroud, when Walcott was up top we also had Cazorla and Coquelin fully fit, a much better combo than Flamini and Ramsey.
i like badgers
Not sure this is a ‘topic’. More of an outlandish statement. I’ll give you the benefit of doubt though.
I think theo upfront will only work with both Alexis and Ozil in the team
Considering the referee let EVERY cynical foul from Stoke go, I thought we dealt with them very well. They really got frustrated that their roughing up tactics weren’t working on us this time. A draw was a totally fair result. And a good result as that is their game of the season and, although I hat to say it, they are a very competent and decent team at home.
As an aside, anyone else get really really irritated at Liverpool not playing against the Mancs with any where near the same intensity as against us in midweek?
So…..Walcott was ‘spot on’ and had a ‘great attitude’……that was a disgraceful performance from Theo.
I think wenger is deliberately keeping his best players out then release them for the final push for the title. I personally wouldn’t bring my best player to the orcs. No assist from ozil today, still another clean sheet for Cech and 1 point for the team. No bad if you ask me
Did I miss something? Why didn’t Ozil play today? Is he hurt?
Yeah you missed reading the very article you’re replying on.
That’s what I get for reading and driving at the same time :-(.
Anywho, hope Ozil is fit for this weekend and creates massive amount of assits to sink Cheating Chavs back to the Championship.
I think Wenger is just looking at the Barca game and trying to make sure he has the very best team we can put out against them, with our key players firing on all cylinders. – Let’s hope the gambit works.
Ozil and Alexis back next week, Rosicky and maybe Wilshere back v Burnely in the FAC, then Welbeck and Coquelin back the week after. We could be getting the boost of both quality and fresh legs back big time for the next three to four weeks.
Man, I really hope so! From your mouth to God’s ears!
I think Arsenal ought to be wary of MU. They have just won and will presumably think their blip will be over,hopefully not. Arsenal could have won but the epl aint known as the most competitive for nothing. Btw,rf could be back. Well.Well. He better enjoy his retirement. Winning like he did before aint going to be easy.First there was Arsenal and Chelsea followed by MC who could challenge him , Now I believe the epl is more competitive and its a slightly more level playing field. He is not the god of winning and he could face an ignominious… Read more »
Cech
Belle per kos nacho
Elbeny/flam aaron
Joel Oz Alexis
Giroud/theoo
We are not at our fluid best, some players are off the pace, plus the britania hoodoo. One point is good
Extra bonus marks goes to flamini for flattening the £5 ibrahimovic.
Alexis to replace Walcott against the chavs. He’s been horrible the last few games. Or Iwobi if Alexis will not be up to it. But please Arsene, don’t play Theo
Why does everyone go on about all these different pairings we could have in the middle to try and get the best out of Ramsey but no one seems to remember that we have arteta who Ramsey formed a formidable partnership with a few seasons ago. Worth a try when nothing else it working I guess
“We lacked a bit of creativity…” A bit? A whole Mesut Özil truckload you mean!
Before the Liverpool game, I said that I thought getting 5/9 from Liverpool, Stoke and Chelsea would preserve the status quo at the top of the league, getting 7/9 would make us title favorites, and getting <5 would hand City the initiative. I still stand by that: if we beat Chelsea it's nothing gained, nothing lost; but if we don't beat them we're slipping back in the race. We also really have to beat Southampton, but I would be very surprised if we don't.
I think Walcott’s position is Centre forward and only Centre forward. His days as a winger are over. Probably Iwobi should have started. Walcott didn’t do one thing useful.