In fairness, by the time Pep came to Bayern, Dortmund had lost Gotze to them and Lewadownski the following year (amongst other players.) Considering how they were weakened each season, they did well to stay competing. That's where Arsene has to get a lot of credit. Even though I believe he can't take Arsenal any further, to keep us in the top four for over 15 years whilst losing a ton of superstars speaks volumes.
I wouldn't gloat too much. Arsenal are usually due a few international injuries. But I guess since Wilshere and Wellbeck are already injured, the odds of that happening to us this week are extremely low.
Chambo is playing like **** again. He needs to have a decent Season. The boy really hasn't progressed in a few years now. Barkley at 21 looks a more polished player.
Good goal by Barkley, but my god England are so poor technically and I rarely see much cohesion from them. Still it's nice to think that Wales will be in the euros with them!
I would be happy to draw Wales. Think this England side is surprisingly strong all over the park. There's a real competition for places. 10 wins in a row now puts us on the best run of results in International football.
I'm more worried about Gibbs than chambo - England's attacking play always looks very poor with nobody making any space for anyone else. But Gibbs has been leaving a ridiculous amount of space behind him when Lithuania have the ball, and his passing hasn't been great. Though oxo hasn't been doing his trick of losing the ball in dangerous positions
Yeah but ur standard of opposition (and standard of play tbh) is poor. It's hardly like you've got your polands, Czech rep, Croatia or even rep Ireland or Turkey in your group! Not saying Wales are amazing (we need a no.9) but England definitely aren't a top seed to be feared
I haven't decided yet. Remember most of this 11 is just second/third string I think Kane is a potential World beater. Walcott, Rooney and Sturridge and Sterling are pretty damn strong also. I actually think the retirement of Gerrard, Lampard etc.. has benefitted us tremendously as the team looks hungry again. I would like to see this side... -----------------------Hart--------------------- Stones---Cahill----Jagielka----Bertrand ----------Wilshere-----Henderson--------- ---------------------Barkley------------------- ------Sturridge----Kane-----Rooney------ Bench: Walcott, Sterling, Wellbeck, Carrick, Smalling, Forster.
Van Persie scores an own goal to kill any lingering chance Netherlands had of qualifying for the Euros
The fall of Van Persie has been unreal, this guy could have been a legend at Arsenal, but now he is basically hated at Arsenal and most United fans are just indifferent towards him, he has also been having a torrid time in Turkey it seems. It's interesting really, think about all those so called 'stars' that left us between 2007 and 2014, and I would seriously argue that none of those players went on and showed the form they showed at Arsenal for a consistent period, yeah they all won trophies, but none of them improved as players and proved that they were one of the best in their posistion. Now Van Persie is struggling in Turkey, Fabregas is having a stinker of a season at Chelsea, Nasri,Sagna and Clichy are all squad players at City, and lastly you have that clown Ade, who still does not even have a club to play for.
It's great to know that Wales have qualified for the Euros (finally! Woo!) and signed off with a win. It was a shame that Bale and Ramsey played the whole game, but at least Ramsey scored, which will hopefully give him confidence when he comes back to us ready for the league - fingers crossed he can start chipping in with a few goals now...
Let's hope that Ramsey brings his form over to Arsenal and cracks in some goals. Also it will be good to see a home nation play some entertaining stuff for a change. With all of England's talent, they do play some drab stuff. At least with Bale, you're guaranteed to see some fireworks.
I was thinking last night that the refreshing thing about watching Wales play now (as opposed to 18 months ago and the 5 years before that) is that they play as a team, and you can tell they are willing to lay down and die for each other, even Bale, even though he's one of the top 20 or so players in the world, he still runs his heart out for the rest of the team. You watch England and they all play like individuals, each trying to do something amazing instead of playing in a team mate, and instead producing something quite average. But I definitely hope that Ramsey starts scoring for Arsenal soon, though imo he needs to improve his performances for both Wales and Arsenal.
Spot on. The England team looks disfranchised and it's just another paid day at the office. You can see the passion in the Welsh players, especially Bale. I've been impressed with Bale, he plays for one of the best teams in Europe and gets paid a shed load of money, but still looks humble.
