This made me chuckle a bit, from another Arsenal forum. Luke The Gooner - we should have sold Fabianski abroad Calum - We didn't sell him His contract ended last summer and he went to Swansea for free. Luke The Gooner - should have forced him to sign a new contract in his sleep and then sold him abroad
Wenger is the worst loser there is. Even a blind man would have known that we were going to the Emirates with no fit striker so were going to play a 4-6-0, be hard to break down and try and catch the Gooners on the break. Yet Wenger couldn't predict this nor think ahead on how to combat it. All he can do is whinge. Yes we were lucky they hit every shot straight at Fab but to whinge like he does is just boring
Brilliant 3 points - outstanding from Gomis to come on so late and make two big contributions with his 3 touches. Jazz forced on thorough injury did as well in defence as anyone especially as he seemed to be attacked or crowded by two or more Arsenal players at all times. Barrow came on I thought it was a mistake as we couldn't hold on to possession (Fab looked mightily cheese off at one point) and were under the hammer, but it paid off so well done Monk - inspired or lucky doesn't really matter. On another night that could have been a drubbing ... go with the euphoria for now but hope to hell we don't try that against Citeh (think Chelsea). Fab - Didn't put a foot / hand wrong all night - 9 Rangel - did well and provided some decent attacking opportunities - 7 Fed - Got in the way a lot but also seemed to give away possession when there was little pressure 6.5 Ash - back to his best - 8 Taylor - good and bad, positional play was mostly effective, attacking was (when he had a chance) mostly good, linking with Montero mostly good, defending no so effective and got taken to the cleaners a few times. - 6 Cork - another solid game where he got through a tremendous amount of work - 8 Siggy - maybe it was me but the game seemed to pass him by. TBF he wasn't a centre forward, false 9 or 10 and it was evident he didn't know his role, personally I would have favoured Emnes) but he did look busy for a while but ... 5.5 Jonjo - worked hard, made a few interceptions & attacks, like others he tired in the second half. Not a game for midfielders to shine but he tried TBF 7.5 Ki - same as Jonjo. Would have subbed Gylfi rather than Ki but that seems to be the plan of late - 7 Dyer - tried all night but was very tired when subbed - certainly showed some class is returning but with no one to even aim at up front was always on the defensive even when attacking!! - 7 Montero - special, just very, very special when going forward - defensively .... . As with Dyer had no one to aim at until Gomis came on. - 7 Jazz - 30 minutes where he was targeted and Arsenal weren't allowing us to keep possession - did OK - 6 Barrow - added pace at a time when there were big spaces opening up in the Arsenal half and kept their defenders wary 6 Gomis - only touched the ball 3 times (according to reports this morning) but those three touches from memory were all pretty good. His goal was of Bony standard, not much pace on the ball so he had to generate the power and it was exquisitely placed. (Getedte as backup ) - 8 Did I enjoy the game? No. Do I take the three points? Yes.
Our 14th clean sheet, equal first, was earned by a solid game plan. Our defence was committed to the clean sheet and this earned us our goal from the now inspired Gomis. Our game plan was to attack in defence. Without the ball, as a team we attacked and harried the opposition, we were sharp in the tackle, quick to close down, nimble and aggressive and pressed Arsenal all over the pitch. We did tire in the last 10mins and Fabianski stepped up, positioning himself superbly to save everything that came (straight) at him. This was because the Arsenal forwards had no time to pick their spot, they were rushed into a quick decision by a harrying defence and midfield and subsequently snatched at their chances. Bob Agree with majority of your post but thought Taylor and Fernandez in particular deserved better. I'd put Taylor on 7, he was solid all game, but Fed I'd give an 8. For me Fed was immense making at least two critical tackles in our box just as their forward was about to pull the trigger. He could have panicked and dived in on both occasions risking a penalty or worse as the situation was desperate but he didn't. He was cool, making clean, impossible tackles at a desperate time for us. Outside of the box he put his body on the line, as did everyone, and blocked a number of shots on the 18yd line. Thoroughly enjoyed the game, very exciting with a twist at the end, superb. Bring on the Citizens.
Well I must admit that was a very enjoyable trip down the road to North London. I live in 40% Spurs 60% Arsenal land and I think I was the only one with a spring in the step getting off the train last night
Me too Valley. He was asked to play out of character and to close down, harrie and harass. This game is unfamiliar to him but he played it well. He ran himself into the ground and deserved the plaudits and a 7.5 for me.
My humble opinion on this was, this was by far our best performance in recent times. To think we could go to a team like Arsenal with a plan to stifle them and close space and try and counter and for it to work with a clean sheet was pure genius from GM. I go back to the saints game where we did win and tried to do the same, but we looked all over the place. Last nights discipline from all who started and all who came on was superb and fully deserved the win. Chelsea actually used the same tactics a few weeks ago and came away with a 0-0 and all the pundits were saying what a genius Mouriniho is. Wenger is the worst loser I have ever seen. Maybe it is the arrogance of top clubs again in that surely we should have just gone there and allowed them to score 3 or 4 as that is what was expected. Wenger take your head out of your arse you were out manoeuvred last night. For all involved last night, take a bow, you did your club proud. Lets build on this now. Valley I agree with Siggy as well, I had thought he had got a bit lazy in a few games this year. Last night I thought he worked his socks off and didn't stop. By the way thank **** for goal line technology, because that goal would in no way have been given at the Emirates. Even if the officials might have thought it was in would never have given it for fear of getting a decision wrong against a big club.
The one thing that stands out this season is monk has installed a never give up attitude in the players and the ability to believe in themselves, Our defence was well marshaled by ash and Fab ...well what can i say.....He was determined that the ball was not going to pass him all night....a superb display of goalkeeping by any standard...I saw everyone play their part and monks game plan (that Arsen as usual criticized) worked a treat and his timing of his subs was done to perfection.....A job well executed that no pundit gave us a chance but monk and the players made many ex Arsenal players look like fools for underestimating just how much we are improving each and every season......
Last night's match was the 36th this season. Add the 14 games that Monk was in charge of last season, and Monk's record after 50 PL games reads Played 50 Won 21 Drawn 11 Lost 18 Points won 74 So a win percentage of 42% Points won percentage 49.33% Average points per game 1.48 Not too shabby!
please log in to view this image So Fab is in the European team of the week. Pity Garth Crooks couldn't wait until Monday to name his team of the week!
@Footy_Updatez Swansea are now 16 points better-off than their identical games last season http://www.myfootballfacts.com/Premier_League_2014-15.html … pic.twitter.com/ACeYrY8z4T Next best, in comparison with last season, is Man U (+10pts) followed by West Ham (8pts)
It was a good 5c warmer than Swansea when we arrived, a pleasant summers evening in London. Plenty of red and whites wandering outside the ground two hours before kick off savouring the pre match atmosphere, but the only wandering we were doing was to the away friendly Drayton Park, just over the bridge from the ground. It was full of Swans fans as usual, along with friendly Arsenal fans no problem. One guy from Brittany had come with his two sons to support Arsenal, but I told him he should be supporting the Swans and fellow countryman Gomis! In the ground the guy sitting next to me was Brazilian and said he was a neutral supporter,I noticed there were quite a few near me who didn't cheer the Swans,so assume Ticketline were selling away tickets to anybody. Great atmosphere and great away support again, the travelling Jacks must be the best supporters in the PL. The team did us proud,Arsenal didn't have a shot on target until the hour mark,great defending. A nail biting last half an hour with everyone hoping we could hang out for the draw as Arsenal peppered our goal,so what ecstasy when Gomis headed the winner near the end. We were in line with the goal and could see the ball was well over,but definitely agree it would not have been given by the homer ref without goal line technology. So an exciting end to the season,contrary to the belief only a few weeks ago that the players were already on the beach after the Leicester showing. Roll on the Man City game!
Surely not! How can that possibly be with Monk in charge? Are you absolutely sure of your facts Taff...........
