gunnersopinion

What’s Wrong With The Emirates?

gunnersopinion — Mon, 18 Feb 2013 17:00:05 +0000

Two days after the devastating defeat to Blackburn in the FA Cup, Arsenal fans are having to come to terms with the fact that The Gunners are on the cusp of an 8^th consecutive season without a trophy. A defeat to Bayern over two legs in the upcoming Champions League tie would culminate in another trophy-less season for Arsene Wenger’s men. Arsenal fans have criticised the lack of passion, the lack of fight, the lack of determination from the players on the pitch, but the crowd at The Emirates is no different. The subdued atmosphere at The Emirates on Saturday is a prime example. The two loudest sections of the match? The 5000 Blackburn Rovers fans when they scored, and the booing subsequent to the final whistle.

I was with a 12 year relative, who was at her first game watching the Arsenal. She doesn’t watch football much, but wanted to go and see what The Emirates was like. She made more noise cheering on a team who she had no idea about, than most of the people around me.

What is the point of spending extortionate sums of money to go to a fantastic stadium to watch, for the most part, fantastic football if you’re just going to sit there and only make some noise either when we score or concede? That’s not what going to a match to support your team is about.

Look at Stoke fans (I know it’s painful). They sing their hearts out every match, it’s not a coincidence that teams are intimidated when they travel to The Britannia; the fans get behind their team, they support their team no matter what. Furthermore, look at Bradford, Brentford et al. Why do you think teams that have a massive gulf in quality and stature find it arduous and gruelling to play away against lower league opposition? Atmosphere. The place is rocking every second of the match. Players aren’t hampered by the quality of opposition players, or the quality of the pitch, it’s the atmosphere created. Compare those atmosphere’s to the that of The Emirates’.

Get behind the team!

I’m by no means attempting to generalise all home fans by saying none sing; however, the majority don’t. There was a terrific fan near me who, throughout the match, didn’t stop singing. He tried to get everyone else to join him. Nothing. He started a ‘Stand Up if you hate Tottenham’ chant. You’d expect, as Arsenal fans, the whole stadium to stand and to sing collectively, right? Nothing. No-one stood up. The only slight reaction was a couple of people looking in the direction of the guy and laughing to the person sitting next to them. Moreover, some may know the chant where some fans shout ‘Red Army!’, which is followed by other fans singing ‘Red Army!’ back. This passionate guy clearly wanted to get the crowd going, but didn’t get a reply when he, continuously, shouted ‘Red Army’. It’s almost as if people were thinking, “What is this guy doing? Singing? At The Emirates? Is he mad?”. I honestly felt out of place singing. I wanted to sing my heart out for the team, I really did, but with everyone else silent, it just didn’t feel right.

Look at the away fans. I truly believe they are some of the best away fans in the country. Watching away matches on TV, you can hear the Arsenal fans, despite being outnumbered, loud and clear. I’ve been to one away match, the 7-5 vs Reading. Even when we were 4-0 down, the fans were louder than at any point in the match on Saturday.

There are plenty of fans who would, if given the opportunity, go to The Emirates to sing their hearts out, but it’s full of people who just want to sit there and not make any noise, but then boo and complain at the final whistle when the team has lacked motivation or enthusiasm.

The negative aura surrounding the Emirates during the match is surely having a detrimental effect on the players’ performance. Although we as fans are obviously unable to directly affect what the players do on the pitch, we can support the team no matter what. No matter if we’re 6-0 up, no matter if we’re 4-0 down.

Let’s hope there’s a cracking atmosphere at The Emirates against Bayern! Up the Arsenal!

You can follow me on twitter @gunnersopinion.

Arsenal Mental Strength Now A Reality

gunnersopinion — Mon, 15 Oct 2012 17:06:54 +0000

After a frantic and frenetic 90 minutes at Upton Park, Arsenal once more came from a goal behind to win convincingly, with Arsene Wenger once more lauding the squad’s mental strength.

We’ve heard it all before and – let’s be honest – many of us have been rather sceptical over the Gunners’ psychological fortitude. But you know what, Wenger might just be right this time.

Two wins out of two in Europe means we are now favourites to progress in the Champions League group stage but following Wednesday’s victory over Olympiakos with three points against the Hammers was always going to be a tough ask.

Wenger told Arsenal.com:

“We were mentally strong because we were 1-0 down with their first shot on goal, and to come back and win the game in a convincing way, I’m very proud of my team and it’s good for the future to win here.

“The team is mature and mentally strong and focused.”

Going a goal behind to a simply stunning individual strike from Mohamed Diame is just part of football; there was no one really to blame for the goal and we had looked in control up until that point.

Cazorla wheels away in jubilation after a stunning third Arsenal goal

Importantly, we didn’t let our heads drop and Olivier Giroud’s cheeky poach just before half time proved our ability to silence a home crowd. The previously inconsistent Gervinh o has outshone the Frenchman so far this season, with Giroud’s failure to score in the league close to becoming a real worry. But this strike should do him the power of good and hopefully inspire further goals in the coming weeks and months.

Both Theo Walcott and Santi Cazorla’s efforts after the break were a joy to behold yet Arsenal fans will be even more delighted with how we held our own at the back. After the set-piece disaster that was Chelsea last week, Wenger used Per Mertesacker’s physical presence to his advantage – somewhat nullifying the aerial threat of Andy Carroll.

Granted, Carroll did win his fair share of headers and had Kevin Nolan been a bit more clinical the game could have swung in the Hammers’ favour late on – yet this should not take credit away from our overall performance.

Very few times this season will we come up against such a robust side. Coupled with the atmosphere of a London derby and the loss to Chelsea still looming over us, this victory was quintessential to Arsenal’s title aspirations and helps strengthen the squad’s mental togetherness going into the international break.

By Alex Chang

Arsenal vs Olympiacos | Live Streaming Links

gunnersopinion — Wed, 03 Oct 2012 18:21:02 +0000

Arsenal face Olympiacos in the second gameweek of the Champions League. (KO 19.45)

Arsenal: Mannone, Jenkinson, Vermaelen (c), Koscielny, Gibbs, Coquelin, Arteta, Oxlade-Chamberlain, Cazorla, Podolski, Gervinho.

Olympiacos: Megyeri, Maniatis (c), Paulo Machado, Mitroglou, Contreras, David Fuster, Holebas, Siovas, Manolas, Diakité, Greco.

Twitter: @gunnersopinion

Live Streams:

http://www.mypremium.tv/stream/?id=277&1315149303 (highly recommended)

http://www.vipboxsports.eu/watch/71709/1/arsenal-vs-olympiakos–live-stream-online.html (recommended)

http://www.thefirstrow.eu/watch/144561/1/watch-arsenal-vs-olympiacos-piraeus.html (recommended)

http://www.atdhenet.tv/52046/watch-arsenal-vs-olympiakos-piraeus

http://www.media4footballhd.blogspot.co.uk/2012/09/channel-3.html

Arsenal September Review

gunnersopinion — Tue, 02 Oct 2012 17:07:29 +0000

Results: Liverpool 2-0 (W)

Southampton 6-1 (W)

Montpellier 2-1 (W)

Man City 1-1 (D)

Coventry 6-1 (W)

Chelsea 1-2 (L)

Another exhilarating month comes to an end. That win at Anfield at the start of September already feels like months ago. An impressive display – with Abou Diaby, Mikel Arteta and Santi Cazorla outstanding in midfield – saw Arsenal scored their first goals of the campaign, thanks to Lukas Podolski and Cazorla. It was vital Arsenal followed up their first victory and goals of the season with three points a week later at home to Southampton, and that’s exactly what Arsene Wenger’s side did. Despite a 6-1 rout – courtesy of two own goals, a Gervinho brace, Podolski and Theo Walcott – the gunners did concede their first goal of 2012/13, after Wojciech Szczesny’s error. The Pole hasn’t appeared since, and is ’2-3 weeks away’ according to Wenger. The Arsenal manager praised the pace of Arsenal’s passing and movement, though a worrying sight was the absence of an Olivier Giroud goal. The French international started three days later at his former club Montpellier, and although the £12m forward grabbed an assist for Podolski’s opener, a first strike in red and white would have to wait. Gervinho scored Arsenal’s other goal in the 2-1 win in France, completing a comeback after Younes Belhanda – a playmaker who Wenger greatly admires – had put the French champions ahead.

The trip to England champions Manchester City was rightly built as the acid test of this spirited, impressive Arsenal side, and the gunners passed with flying colours. Joleon Lescott put the home side ahead before half-time but Laurent Koscielny equalised late on. It was a deserved point, though it should have been more. Gervinho was twice guilty of missing when he should have scored, whilst Podolski also wasted a good opportunity. Koscielny, deputising for the ill Thomas Vermaelen, enjoyed a good performance on his first start since May, though his error which allowed Sergio Aguero to fire wide was maybe a sign of things to come a week later against Chelsea. First though, the Capital One cup 3rd round tie against Coventry at The Emirates. Wenger made eleven changes to his side – giving starts to Andrey Arshavin, Theo Walcott, Johan Djourou and Francis Coquelin amongst others. But it was Giroud who stole most of the headlines, scoring his first goal – a delicate chipped effort just before half-time – and missing a penalty. Walcott, who’s contract ends next summer, scored twice with two excellent finishes, doing his pleas for a striking role no harm at all; though Arshavin took the man of the match award, grabbing a couple of assists and a well-took goal. Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain and Ignasi Miquel completed the Gunners’ second successive home rout.

The final game of the month saw Arsenal host Premier League leaders Chelsea. With both London rivals in great form, this game was greatly anticipated, and it didn’t

Wenger reacts to Giroud's last minute miss

disappoint. Though, the home side’s performance did. Chelsea dominated the opening stages and went ahead when Fernando Torres crept in behind Laurent Koscielny to tuck home. Gervinho scored his 4th goal in 6 appearances this season just before the interval, following a superb cross from Oxlade-Chamberlain – who had earlier replaced the injured Diaby. But, despite a solid defensive record so far this season, Arsenal conceded from another set-piece. Juan Mata’s excellent in-whipping free-kick eluded everyone and went straight in – via the slightest of touches from the poor Koscielny.

Podolski, Cazorla and most notably Giroud all miss chances to equalise, but Chelsea held on to hand Arsenal their first league defeat of the season, and a first loss in the division since the April. Wenger’s side have still only lost 3 of their last 21 league fixtures.

But such stats don’t really matter, climbing the table does. Arsenal currently sit 7th, and before Saturday’s trip to West Ham (5.30, live on ESPN), the gunners take on Olympiacos at the Emirates on Wednesday evening (7.45, Sky Sports 4) – the 3rd time in 4 seasons the two sides have met in the group stage of the Champions League. After the international break, games against struggling duo Norwich (a) and QPR (h) give Arsenal a genuine chance to chalk successive wins, though these fixtures come in and around cup clashes with Schalke (h) and Reading (a).

Carl Jenkinson has enjoyed a sensational start to the season, as has Kieran Gibbs, both benefiting from new assistant Steve Bould’s influence, whilst Per Mertesacker – rotated for the visit of Chelsea – has seen his reputation increase greatly after several excellent displays at centre-back. As ever, Arteta has been brilliant, this season in his slightly deeper role in midfield, and Cazorla, Podolski and Gervinho all enjoyed an impressive month. The biggest worry – missed chances and conceding from set-pieces aside – will be the goalkeeping scenario. Szczesny and Lukasz Fabianski remain injured, and Vito Mannone has been inconsistent. Another concern will be the injury to Diaby, who will miss the next three weeks. It does, however, coincide with the return to fitness of Jack Wilshere and Emanuel Frimpong, who both came through Monday night’s u-21′s clash at West Brom unscathed. Tomas Rosicky and Bacary Sagna are set to return to the squad after the international break too, giving Wenger several options in midfield and at right-back, where Le Professur will have to decide between sticking with Jenkinson or slotting the experience Sagna back in – the latter option still seems most likely.

All eyes turn to Wednesday night’s game with Greek champions Olympiacos now, let’s hope for three points to get Arsenal’s October off to the perfect start!

Follow Sam on twitter @Samuelj29060

Arsenal vs Chelsea | Live Streaming Links

gunnersopinion — Sat, 29 Sep 2012 11:13:57 +0000

Arsenal face Chelsea at The Emirates stadium in the weekend’s opening Premier League game. Kick off is at 12.45.

Teams

Arsenal: Mannone, Jenkinson, Koscielny, Vermaelen, Gibbs, Diaby, Arteta, Cazorla, Ramsey, Podolski, Gervinho.

Subs: Martinez, Mertesacker, Djourou, Santos, Walcott, Chamberlain, Giroud.

Chelsea: Cech, Ivanovic, Luiz, Terry, Cole, Mikel, Ramires, Hazard, Mata, Oscar, Torres.

Subs: Turnbull, Azpilicueta, Cahill, Bertrand, Romeu, Lampard, Moses.

Streams

http://www.mypremium.tv/stream/?id=1455&1315148752 (Highly recommended)

http://www.vipboxsports.eu/watch/71444/1/arsenal-vs-chelsea-live-stream-online.html (recommended)

http://www.thefirstrow.eu/watch/143798/1/watch-arsenal-vs-chelsea.html (recommended)

http://tykestv.eu/tykes1.php

http://www.footydaily.co.uk/embed.html

Arsenal winger urged to be patient

gunnersopinion — Thu, 27 Sep 2012 19:14:52 +0000

Contract rebel Theo Walcott has been urged by Arsene Wenger to be patient in his quest to play as a striker in the future.

Walcott joined Arsenal from Southampton as a 17 year old after impressing as a frontman with the Saints before Arsene Wenger employed the England International on the wing. With limited appearances as a centre forward and of course with Arsenal struggling to hold on to their big players, Walcott has delayed signing a new contract with the club and has this week stated that he needs to be reassured that he is to play in a more central role if he is to pen a new deal at The Emirates.

Despite the 23 year old’s wishes, Arsene Wenger still played Walcott in a wide role against Coventry in last night’s 6-1 thrashing of the League One team in the Capital One Cup. With goals from Olivier Giroud, Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain and Andrei Arshavin, Walcott also bagged two goals to remind everyone of his scoring abilities.

It was interesting to see Wenger address the situation after the match, by claiming that Walcott simply needs to be patient and that he will get the opportunity to impress as a striker. Wenger said:

“I’m not against it, I’m not against it at all but we try and at the moment there is big competition up front, we have a different formula and the team is doing well,”

“His time will come for that and at the moment we have to be a bit patient.”

Walcott's contract runs out in July 2013

It will be interesting to see how this situation will develop over the season. You could say that the England International hasn’t been all that impressive as a winger in his time at Arsenal, which of course may well be down to the fact that this isn’t his favoured or most comfortable position.

I don’t doubt that Wenger won’t give Walcott the opportunity to impress but it does beg the question why the Frenchman hasn’t played Walcott down the middle before? There are other football blogs out there that question whether Walcott is too lightweight to play as a target man. This might well be the case and when you look at the way Arsenal are playing at the moment, you wouldn’t expect many changes to the shape and style of the team to be made. The use of a target man in Podolski and Giroud seems to be the call of day, which has been working well over the start of the new campaign and you can’t imagine Wenger steering away from those tactics while the team are on a hot streak.

Will Walcott be able to stay patient enough to see if he gets his chance to impress? I’m not so sure, but one thing I would point out is that the pressure will certainly be on him if he does get his opportunity. Walcott has often been billed as being ‘the next’ Thierry Henry, who was of course one of the greatest ever premier league players. If he is unable to live up to those tall expectations then it might be Arsenal who are the ones calling the shots in this latest contract saga at the Emirates.

By Luke Malcher

Arsenal Defence Banish Old Trafford Nightmare

gunnersopinion — Mon, 24 Sep 2012 18:37:54 +0000

Arsenal forward Gervinho scored the winner in Arsenal's victory

New assistant coach, Steve Bould, took charge of touchline duties during Arsenal’s 2-1 victory in Montpellier this week, after boss, Arsene Wenger, served out his UEFA ban from the stands.

Bould has been a breath of fresh air at the Emirates and although no one can fault former assistant Pat Rice’s influence on the club’s progression over the last two decades, time had definitely come for a reshuffle in the management.

Arsenal have conceded just two goals from five games in the league this season and many put this down to Bould’s defensive coaching. Once more on Tuesday evening, Arsenal were up against tricky opposition but held out brilliantly to secure three crucial Champions League points.

While the back four rode their luck at times, it was clear that there is a dogged new team spirit that was not present in previous seasons. Thomas Vermaelen had a great game, bar the controversial penalty challenge, and centre back partner, Per Mertesacker, was also solid in the centre of defence.

Carl Jenkinson once more showed glimpses of a top quality defender, while Kieran Gibbs, although at times going missing in the Arsenal back line, more often than not yielded to instructions from his captain. Bould’s instructions are clearly percolating through to the pitch.

As for Arsenal’s attacking unit, there can only be praise for the way Podolski smoothly slotted home the equaliser before Gervinho finally finished off an unorthodox forward dribble with a goal.

Wenger will fly back to London optimistic about his team’s chances of success this season, yet aware of who is next on the club’s fixture list – Olympiacos, a team ranked someway adrift of the Gunners in the Champions League betting odds.

Arsenal last won 2-1 away from home in the Champions League against Udinese last season, and returned to Premier League action with an infamous 8-2 defeat to Manchester United. Wenger’s side head to Manchester this weekend to face City, yet there is certainly a different air about the club, compared to this time last season.

The Udinese victory covered up a large number of cracks that United exposed with joy at Old Trafford. The defence was temperamental, lacking a leader and generally a complete mess. Yet, this season, it is clear that the deficiencies of last term have been cleared up, mainly – it seems – thanks to Bould.

The Gunners look like a team ready to challenge for trophies; they have a defence capable to mucking it out and a midfield to match. They will remember the thrashing they received after Champions League exploits a year ago and Gooners should expect a far more confident performance, with Bould bawling in their ears.

By Alex Chang

Montpellier vs Arsenal | Live Streaming Links

gunnersopinion — Tue, 18 Sep 2012 18:14:52 +0000

Arsenal face Montpellier away in the opening Champions League game of the season for the Gunners.

Team News:

Arsenal: Mannone, Jenkinson, Mertesacker, Vermaelen, Gibbs, Diaby, Arteta, Cazorla, Podolski, Gervinho, Giroud.

Subs: Shea, Koscielny, Santos, Walcott, Oxlade-Chamberlain, Ramsey, Coquelin.

Montpellier: Jourdren; Bocaly, Yanga-Mbiwa, Hilton, Bedimo; Estrada, Cabella, Saihi, Belhanda; Mounier, Camara.

Twitter: @gunnersopinion

Streams:

http://www.mypremium.tv/stream/?id=1455&1315148752 (Highly recommended)

http://www.vipboxsports.eu/watch/72437/1/montpellier-vs-arsenal–live-stream-online.html (Recommended)

http://www.thefirstrow.eu/watch/141456/1/watch-montpellier-hsc-vs-arsenal.html (Recommended)

http://www.atdhenet.tv/51124/watch-montpellier-vs-arsenal

http://www.footydaily.co.uk/embed.html

Arsenal vs Southampton | Live Streaming Links

gunnersopinion — Sat, 15 Sep 2012 13:29:52 +0000

Arsenal face Southampton at The Emirates Stadium at 3.p.m

Team News:

Arsenal: Szczesny, Jenkinson, Mertesacker, Vermaelen, Gibbs, Coquelin, Arteta, Cazorla, Oxlade-Chamberlain, Gervinho, Podolski

Bench: Koscielny, Santos, Giroud, Walcott, Ramsey, Arshavin, Mannone

Southampton: K. Davis, Clyne, Fonte, Hooiveld, Fox, Ward-Prowse, Schneiderlin, S. Davis, Puncheon, Lambert, Lallana.

Streams:

http://www.thefirstrow.eu/watch/140766/1/watch-arsenal-vs-southampton-fc.html (Highly recommended)

http://www.vipboxsports.eu/watch/71430/1/arsenal-vs-southampton-fc-live-stream-online.html (recommended)

http://www.atdhenet.tv/50866/watch-arsenal-vs-southampton

http://www.mediaa4football.blogspot.co.uk/2012/06/channel-3.html

Twitter: @gunnersopinion

Hill-Wood Title Talk is Jumping the Gun

gunnersopinion — Wed, 05 Sep 2012 17:14:46 +0000

It is early September, but already Arsenal chairman Peter Hill-Wood has seen enough to make his own Premier League predictions, chiefly, that the Gunners can mount a serious bid for the Premier League title this season.

But surely tipping them to go all the way after just one decent performance represents someone getting carried away far too early? Especially considering that they will have both Manchester clubs and Chelsea to contend with at the top throughout the campaign.

Hill-Wood, however, has swatted away the other title hopefuls and confidently predicted that his club can end their long wait for a trophy with the Premier League crown next May.

He said:

“I don’t see why we cannot win it this year. We’re very ambitious and want to win but, if you don’t have billions of petro-dollars to throw around, you’re going to have to do it some other way. That’s what we’re trying to do – with skilful selection of players.”

Arsenal finished a very creditable third in the Premier League last term, as Arsene Wenger managed to guide his side back into the top four, thanks to a superb second half to the season.

Injuries and disappointing form had led to some poor results early on in 2011-12 though, and plenty of fans were criticising the Frenchman for not strengthening his side in the wake of high-profile departures. Cesc Fabregas, Samir Nasri, Robin van Persie and Gael Clichy had all left for considerable fees, without, much to some fans frustration, the money being re-invested back into the first-team squad.

Remember Arsenal had just a point on the board after three games and were reeling from probably their worst-ever Premier League defeat just a year ago, when they were trounced and thoroughly humiliated 8-2 by Manchester United at Old Trafford.

Arteta: "We bought him for £11.7million!!"

Much has changed since then, and Wenger had the last laugh with third place representing an outstanding achievement in the end. The experienced coach justified his claims earlier in the season – when things were not going so well – that the tide would turn and results would pick up.

‘Le Boss’ stood firm in the face of criticism last season but now, following the win at Anfield and Hill-Wood’s follow-up comments, he may have to speak out again, but this time to dampen expectations.

One good performance – and make no mistake, they were very good at times at Anfield – does not suddenly turn a side into bona fide title contenders, despite what Hill-Wood seems to think.

Wenger, never one for getting too carried away, will know this, and it should be up to him to quieten talk of a title challenge – at least for now because, as one look at the Gunners’ live scores from 12 months ago, proves a lot usually changes after September.

By Alex Chang