Author Topic: F'N Arsenal 2014-2015 (Read 3963 times)

EDGECRUSHER · « **on:** August 15, 2014, 11:29:24 PM »

Season starts tomorrow, we are 1 of 4 legitimate challengers to the title. 5 if you want to count Liverpool.

I have high hopes, but you can't forget how we led the league for almost the whole season and then got decimated by injuries. So, cautiously hopeful.

P.S. Fuck Man U and Chelsea. Tottenham is not worth insulting because they are shit.

EDGECRUSHER · « **Reply #1 on:** August 16, 2014, 02:33:43 PM »

The terrifying part about Arsenal, is that they still are just the fucking worst when it comes to set pieces. I mean league worst. They are still absolutely clueless and there is no excuse for it. Their defense with everything else is world class, but if injuries don't get them this season, set pieces will.

They also can't score on them, so it was nice to get our first goal from one.

Ramsay with the winner in stoppable time into an empty net, but it still counts. Never too early to scoreboard watch, especially when teams drop easy points. Man U dropped 3 and Everton dropped 2, so hooray.

KoppoKick · « **Reply #2 on:** September 20, 2014, 06:35:50 PM »

Didn't expect 3-0 in an away match following a mid-week trip to Germany. Arsenal might be title favorites, if Chelsea didn't go out and purchase a SuperTeam.

dasheight · « **Reply #3 on:** September 20, 2014, 08:30:20 PM »

It was nice to see Ozil get off the schnide - a goal and an assist today. Guy has looked totally lost as of late, almost as if he's still not sure just what his role is in Wenger's system. His play today was critical in making him feel more comfortable.

Hope we can scrape a win in the Champions League return match at the Emirates, but, personally, I wouldn't be so sad to see them go out early. Get the team healthy, defend the FA Cup, and make a run at the EPL. (Although, like Koppo said, Mourinho basically bought a mega-team, so a Gooner's gotta hope the injury bug bites at Stamford Bridge this year...)

EDGECRUSHER · « **Reply #4 on:** September 20, 2014, 08:32:29 PM »

When Ozil plays in the middle, he is great. When he plays on the wing, he is total garbage. He played more in the middle today and he scored and assisted. Truth is, if our keeper didn't make an amazing save on ANOTHER poorly defended set piece, this game goes a different direction.

Funny thing came out this week is that Arsenal has a higher wage bill than Chelsea. Of course, wage bills and purchasing power are two different things, but it was surprising.

If Man City can beat Chelsea tomorrow, we have a race for the title again this season. If Chelsea win 5-1, it's already over. Diego Costa was bought within 4 seconds of the league ending in what had to be some type of backroom deal, and he will be the deciding factor.

EDGECRUSHER · « **Reply #5 on:** September 20, 2014, 08:35:25 PM »

Yeah, we play in a lot of tournaments. I think the loss was dominant, but we had many chances too. Ball breaks a bit differently, and who knows what happens? Welbeck looked good in that game but he couldn't finish. Ozil was benched and rightfully so. Keep him in the middle, have Fragile Wilshere work the wing.

I think we can still advance, but we have to play smarter and that's on Wenger. We also need to stay healthy, something we are worst in the league at apparently. I wouldn't mind fielding the women's team for the Capital One Cup to be honest. Defend the FA and go after the league. 4th place is not a trophy, but finishing 2nd or 3rd and adding to the points total is a step in the right direction.

dasheight · « **Reply #6 on:** September 23, 2014, 04:42:26 PM »

Quote from: EDGECRUSHER on September 20, 2014, 08:35:25 PM

I wouldn't mind fielding the women's team for the Capital One Cup to be honest.

Probably should have done just that. The Gunners' Cap One Cup run is over before it starts, losing 2-1 to Southampton at the Emirates. Probably best I didn't have radio/TV access to this at work...

This year's club is so hot and cold, I'm hoping that a top four finish is even in the cards at this point.

EDGECRUSHER · « **Reply #7 on:** September 23, 2014, 08:31:37 PM »

Don't be fooled, today was a great day. Southhampton fielded pretty much their top squad while Arsenal fielded 3 starters, some reserves and 3 guys I have never even heard of. They tried only if you count showing up as trying.

Let the other teams get tired being in too many competitions, we will concentrate on the Big 3.

Also, this was just a bad/good luck of the draw too. You usually don't play teams like Southhampton this early in the tournament. It's usually Championship League sides like Manchester A&M FC.

EDGECRUSHER · « **Reply #8 on:** September 28, 2014, 07:42:34 AM »

Ramsey hurt. Arteta hurt. Wilshere hurt(obvi). This leads to a fucking draw against Tottenham.

The bad news of English soccer is that there are no playoffs, so a slow start can doom your season. Well, season's over. Champions League on Wednesday and Chelsea on Saturday with Fkamini starting, the same schmuck who let in one of the Man City goals and the lone Tottenham goal. Absolute garbage and we wouldn't be dealing with this had Arsene not stopped fortifying the squad after Colum Chambers. He just stopped despite major needs like a replacement for Arteta and decent defensive depth.

Last but not least, fire the fucking trainer. Arsenal will lead the league in injuries again and it's not a coincidence.

EDGECRUSHER · « **Reply #9 on:** September 29, 2014, 06:09:13 PM »

Arteta out for 4 weeks. Ramsey out for 4-6 weeks. Wilshere may play this week, but he will just get hurt again.

This team is too brittle to contend.

KoppoKick · « **Reply #10 on:** October 05, 2014, 10:11:12 AM »

Arsene nearly put Mourinho on his ass with a shove.

dasheight · « **Reply #11 on:** October 05, 2014, 10:54:50 AM »

KoppoKick · « **Reply #12 on:** October 05, 2014, 11:29:51 AM »

Mourinho tries to dive.

EDGECRUSHER · « **Reply #13 on:** October 06, 2014, 06:24:19 PM »

Is there a bigger cunt in the whole sport? Guy hasn't done anything without a $12 Billion roster.

Oh, and Arsenal is clearly still 2nd class thanks to their summer in activity. They are worse than last year somehow.

EDGECRUSHER · « **Reply #14 on:** October 09, 2014, 12:33:25 PM »

Ozil out 3-4 months with torn ligaments in his knee. No idea from what.

You can only write off so much of this to bad luck before you have to look at the training staff and even Arsene's lack of depth, forcing them to play too much. This may not even affect the team at all if Wilshere can stay healthy for the next 3-4 months, but that would be silly to assume. It'd be silly to even assume he plays the next 5 games in a row without an injury.

dasheight · « **Reply #15 on:** October 09, 2014, 01:15:33 PM »

Quote from: EDGECRUSHER on October 09, 2014, 12:33:25 PM

You can only write off so much of this to bad luck before you have to look at the training staff and even Arsene's lack of depth, forcing them to play too much. This may not even affect the team at all if Wilshere can stay healthy for the next 3-4 months, but that would be silly to assume. It'd be silly to even assume he plays the next 5 games in a row without an injury.

It's almost comical at this point. I understand that injuries are a part of sport, and no one is immune, but part of being a Gunner fan over the last 6-7 years has been the inevitable wait for the injury that keeps us from the EPL title. But this year is just insane. Giroud, Ozil, Ramsey, Arteta, Koscielny, Debuchy and Sanogo out for the foreseeable future - the only brightness on the horizon being that we MIGHT get Gnabry and Walcott back soon.

I just can't put my finger on what the hell is going on - yes, the Trainer and his staff need to be shoved out the door, but Wenger has to shoulder much of the blame. (He reminds me of Kevin Bacon in Animal House - "Remain calm. All is well!") I actually believe the worst thing that could have happened was that the Gunners won the FA Cup - had they lost that game, I think some real regime change might have swept across the Emirates. But, because they got their first piece of silverware in 9 years, everyone went back into "In Arsene We Trust" mode.

Maybe we need to have a season like Manchester United had last year to open some eyes. Admittedly, ManU didn't shit the bed until after Sir Alex left, but if Arsenal finds itself behind Newcastle and Leicester City in December, perhaps the alarm bells will go off. Or, Wenger will get another 'big name' player in the January transfer window, and they'll be looking at another 4th place finish and another Champions League qualifying game next September...

dasheight · « **Reply #16 on:** October 09, 2014, 02:43:16 PM »

Heh...

EDGECRUSHER · « **Reply #17 on:** October 10, 2014, 10:35:25 PM »

In addition to the injuries and lack of depth, he didn't put together a squad that even fits well together. You're right, the FA Cup wasn't a stepping stone, it was an excuse for complacency.

dasheight · « **Reply #18 on:** October 13, 2014, 01:38:05 PM »

http://prosoccertalk.nbcsports.com/2014/10/13/report-mesut-ozil-wants-arsenal-exit-bayern-munich-to-make-50-million-bid/

I can't see anything wrong with this. Yes, Arsenal takes a $15 million hit by letting Ozil go to Bayern, but what has he done since coming to the Emirates? Admittedly, he's not playing the position he prefers to play, but great players can adapt to situations like that, and Ozil just doesn't seem to want to. 8 goals in 47 appearances? C'mon son.

As Ozil's out for three months anyway, why not take the hit and go after some good defense?

EDGECRUSHER · « **Reply #19 on:** October 13, 2014, 06:26:12 PM »

Wenger's head will be put on a stick if he doesn't sell Ozil for $50 Million. This has to be done and then take that money and buy REAL talent that can adapt and play in the tougher English league.

EDGECRUSHER · « **Reply #20 on:** October 19, 2014, 10:36:23 AM »

They needed a miracle to draw Hull City in stoppage time at home. They have now only won 2 of 8 games this season. With no playoffs, the season is over. They just need to somehow finish in 4th. Although, while i would hurt with transfers, I think a 7th place finish is exactly what this team needs to fire Wenger and just end this mediocrity.

If you pocket money, you have no chance. Look at Chelsea this offseason making a mockery of the league, they may not even lose a fucking game. This has to be their approach in January and the summer. Keanu Reeves' acting has more depth than this squad right now. They started players yesterday I never even heard of. This season is a complete disaster, but I don't think they will turn it around which is a shame because Alexis is the truth and Welbeck has been great as well.

KoppoKick · « **Reply #21 on:** October 25, 2014, 12:01:46 PM »

Is Alexis carrying the team?

FreebirdSTF · « **Reply #22 on:** October 25, 2014, 04:45:52 PM »

I watched a good bit of West Ham/Man City this morning. Good stuff.

EDGECRUSHER · « **Reply #23 on:** October 26, 2014, 01:26:44 AM »

I feel bad for Alexis because he thought he was joining a contender, but due to injury and incredibly poor planning and managing by Wenger, he is essentially carrying a Top 12 team into the Top 6.

Lots of guys are way out of position due to injuries and just poor planning. Why can't Ozil play the position he has always played? Who spends $42 Million Euros on a guy and moves him to a new position? How come there are no defensive replacements? WHY IN THE FUCK IS OUR TRAINING STAFF STILL EMPLOYED???

Two more injuries today, Gibbs(big shock) and Arteta, who just came back from injury. Wilshere is always hurt but it's just laughable to even count on him for 4 games in a row, so what does that matter?

It's been said before a bunch, but this is really the year that Arsenal is in serious danger of missing out of the Top 4. Wenger's panning was so poor this summer that even one injury, let alone the crisis currently underway would cripple the team and it has. Sanchez is a brilliant finisher and easily the best player on the team, but those were 2 gimme goals and we played like shit against a shit team. It's a win, but this is a 10th placed team.

KoppoKick · « **Reply #24 on:** October 26, 2014, 04:55:57 PM »

Arsenal should be Top 4, probably 3rd. Tottenham is playing poorly, Liverpool cannot score without Sturridge. ManU should get better and better, but their schedule has been very soft until today. I think Everton will be the top threat to crash the party this year. They have a terrific manager and are a dynamic team. I wish West Ham and Southampton are for real, but I am skeptical and will be curious to see where each of them will be on the table in January.