Arsenal vs. Aston Villa: open thread
by Ted Harwood on May 15, 2011 10:27 AM EDT
in English Premier League
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PrintKickoff: 11 AM EDT
Emirates Stadium
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SBN Aston Villa coverage/PIMP needs: 7500 to Holte
Arsenal: Szczesny, Sagna, Vermaelen, Squillaci, Gibbs, Song, Wilshere, Walcott, Ramsey, Arshavin, Van Persie
Arsenal. Aston Villa. Feel free to comment on all the action below.
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That defence
looks rock solid
Squeezed to Song and Bendtner and Song and Nasri oh lovely lovely lovely!
-Peter Drury, the one time his commentating has ever been acceptable.
Alright, alright, I know what I said...
but I’m watching. Come on Arsenal, don’t screw up AGAIN.
Manager, OnceAMetro.com
Non-Arsenal question
can you please explain the name of the SBN Maple Leafs blog?
Manager, OnceAMetro.com
by Ben Schneider on May 15, 2011 11:02 AM EDT up reply actions
Pension Plan Puppets?
Maple Leafs Sports Entertainment – MLSE – which owns the Leafs, Raptors and TFC are 81% owned by the Ontario Teachers’ Pension Plan. It is a slight on the idea that the owners are a big amorphous group who’s only goal is to make sure they have a retirement plan and there is no vision forward, at the ownership level, to ensure a winning product.
It is compounded by the fact that win or lose, the Maple Leafs sell out even at the incredible prices for any ticket at the ACC.
Aha!
Thanks for clearing that up.
Manager, OnceAMetro.com
by Ben Schneider on May 15, 2011 11:07 AM EDT up reply actions
So, what does everyone think of the recent Fabregas to Man City talk?
Kaka 2.0?
Seriously, just try to buy everyone… they are the new Real Madrid/Barcelona without the political motivation. Now we’ll get three teams talking about how they are going to sign our best players every summer.
It's bullshit anyway.
Cesc won’t leave except to Barcelona.
You'd think Arsenal is OK with having to Qualify for CL
Seriously boys – 4th place is going to SUCK!
What's up with the Villa fans wearing funny outfits?
English holiday of some kind?
Manager, OnceAMetro.com
Can we please release Squillaci over the summer?
I will be pissed if we play a pointless qualifier series.
It's not pointless
that’s the problem.
Manager, OnceAMetro.com
by Ben Schneider on May 15, 2011 11:14 AM EDT up reply actions
It is pointless.
We’ll qualify no problem anyway but we’ll tire out our players and risk injuries. Don’t forget we’re a good team at the start and middle of the season.
Drinking cider in a park (Tuesday Club reference)
and watching the Red Bulls.
Manager, OnceAMetro.com
by Ben Schneider on May 15, 2011 11:21 AM EDT up reply actions
TFC are alright.
RSL are still (probably) the best, followed by us and LA, then Colorado and Philly.
Manager, OnceAMetro.com
by Ben Schneider on May 15, 2011 11:24 AM EDT up reply actions
That's a scissor tackle.
Manager, OnceAMetro.com
by Ben Schneider on May 15, 2011 11:25 AM EDT up reply actions
Yikes - dangerous challenge
Which Reo-Coker waved off the yellow… I hate when players do that. It’s not like it was a hard decision to make.
Spurs up on Liverpool
I thought ‘Arry didn’t want to be in the Europa League.
Manager, OnceAMetro.com
by Ben Schneider on May 15, 2011 11:29 AM EDT up reply actions
Scandalous refereeing
Shocking, huh. The right decision earlier to ignore RVP shooting after the offside call made the idiotic call v Barca burn that much more. Beyond absurd that such a major match was decided by such an astonishingly poor call.
Why is there no option for just crowd noise?
Most commentators are idiots.
Manager, OnceAMetro.com
by Ben Schneider on May 15, 2011 11:35 AM EDT up reply actions
Another touch challenge by Dunne
Slightly through RvP too. I think he’s getting the Carraghar decisions here.
And another one.
Manager, OnceAMetro.com
by Ben Schneider on May 15, 2011 11:33 AM EDT up reply actions
Huge Arsenal fan and this is my first post here
what is wrong with us today?,just started watching the game
Well, I'm at work on a Sunday, which kinda sucks.
Oh… you mean the team. I think its the same old. Loose defense, bad breaks and a general apathy to win or lose since the season is over and pretty well has been for 2 months now.
Welcome
This is what happens when you give Darren Bent a bit of space.
Manager, OnceAMetro.com
by Ben Schneider on May 15, 2011 11:58 AM EDT up reply actions
Thanks
I’ll be here for the last game of the year and much of next season
Question for half time:
The general consensus on Arsenal is brilliant offense with a porous defense and a weak mentality. But, despite a 6-0 drubbing of Blackpool at the start and a brief brilliant run by RvP, has anyone been overly impressed with Arsenal’s offense this year?
Not at all
In fact, we’ve conceded the same amount as last year but have scored 14 less.
Since we lost the Carling Cup, we’ve been shit attacking wise
Squeezed to Song and Bendtner and Song and Nasri oh lovely lovely lovely!
-Peter Drury, the one time his commentating has ever been acceptable.
by Aidan Gibson on May 15, 2011 11:56 AM EDT up reply actions
Is the offense actually brilliant
or just strong on ball-control and possession in the offensive end. Part of the recent book on Arsenal also revolves around their tendency to look for the “perfect” shot or “perfect” goal
Without trying to be that guy who yells “SHOOT!” at every opportunity, perhaps a few more chances results in a few more goals, swings some games or at least adds to their point total?
There have been years where Arsenal have swept competition away with cutting and dangerous play. Think last years 3-0 against Spurs, or any number of 5, 6, 7 goal games. There used to be a real decisive edge to it that even though many chances went begging, you could call up goals where it all went right.
I’m struggling to do that this year. All I really remember are a couple of beautiful games and a lot of frustration.
First half at Newcastle
felt like one of those rampaging, invincible games. Of course, the second half was probably the worst 45 minutes played by Arsenal in a long, long time.
Sebastien Squillaci
what a quality defender
Squeezed to Song and Bendtner and Song and Nasri oh lovely lovely lovely!
-Peter Drury, the one time his commentating has ever been acceptable.
Leadership
The more I watch Arsenal play, the more I think that they are no longer confident in their manager. They don’t seem to think they will win, and wouldn’t believe Wenger if he told them he could see the future and they had won. The more I watch Arsenal play without Fabregas, the more I think people are wrong and that he is a good leader and captain. When he’s out there, Arsenal seems to at least have a direction or a game plan. Without him, they just look like a bunch of little kids kicking the ball around with no awareness of their teammates or the other team. Exception is RVP. He’s at least trying to do something.
I don't know if it's Wenger
but we need serious accountability. Call people out when they’ve fucked up for the tenth time and cost us points.
Manager, OnceAMetro.com
by Ben Schneider on May 15, 2011 12:01 PM EDT up reply actions
Brilliant analysis by the talking heads
Should it have been a penalty?
Yes, a penalty, Dunne sent off and 2-1 with the visitors right up against it. But Aston Villa didn’t deserve that, they’ve been brilliant.
Sorry what? Their player commits a professional foul which in any other game would result in a penalty and a red card, but they don’t deserve it???
Top quality analysis.
Was that the former Newcastle guy?
Manager, OnceAMetro.com
by Ben Schneider on May 15, 2011 11:59 AM EDT up reply actions
I think you mixed your metaphors a bit there.
Manager, OnceAMetro.com
by Ben Schneider on May 15, 2011 12:07 PM EDT up reply actions
texting
He was texting his agent to start the ball rolling on a transfer to either Inter Milan or Bayern Munich.
by Diana Gumpel on May 15, 2011 1:36 PM EDT up reply actions
Birmingham down 2-0 to Fulham
Putting them at real risk of a final day relegation. Glory to the Carling Cup Champs.
Chamakh was looking to see if he was offside
then missed the pass from Andrei because of it. And was offside.
Boos for Bendtner as he comes in.
Nearly lays one on for Unlucky, who was unlucky.
Manager, OnceAMetro.com
Irrelevant
GET THE DECISION RIGHT
Manager, OnceAMetro.com
by Ben Schneider on May 15, 2011 12:36 PM EDT up reply actions
He brought that same fire
In his run at the start of the year before he faded away in winter. Overused maybe
This ref
is having a shocker.
1. clear penalty denied in Dunne-Ramsey incident
2. phantom foul on RVP when Dunne tried to trip him on edge of area
3. giod goal disallowed for slightest of “push off” by Chamakh
I think he was referring to the foul not given when Dunne went through RvP slightly just before the shot, not long after he did the Ramsey foul, rather than the foul given to RvP for being fouled by Dunne.
Basically
Dunne could have been sent off at least once. Possibly more than that.
Manager, OnceAMetro.com
by Ben Schneider on May 15, 2011 12:43 PM EDT up reply actions
I know Gooners have a reputation for making excuses, but this game has been terrible officiated.
We are warranted in complaining this time, but no one is going to care. So get it out now, boys.
I'd walk out right at the final whistle.
Fuck off with your Lap of Appreciation.
Manager, OnceAMetro.com
Some people suggested turning their backs.
Manager, OnceAMetro.com
by Ben Schneider on May 15, 2011 12:46 PM EDT up reply actions
I can understand that and the frustration
But I’ve always been a support the team guy. I suppose I should have picked Fulham or something … way to optimistic and positive to be a Gooner.
TV5
injury not his fault, sure he is gutted to have missed so much. He is an Arsenal player, and we ought to welcome him back and cheer his return to health.
I understand.
Happy to have him but I’m not one to honour a season to forget. I’m sure next year can’t come fast enough for him.
RvP
not a beaut, but a goal. Exactly what I was talking about earlier with the scintillating offense not being there this year.
Well, let's all look on the bright side.
They wouldn’t have won the title anyway. Here’s to Man City draws and the elusive “next year.”
Embarrassing
Honestly, I’m a bit embarrassed to be an Arsenal fan over the last few weeks. You tell other soccer afficionados you support Arsenal and they either laugh at you or say they’re sorry. Not looking forward to next year, seeing as I doubt Arsenal will have neither Nasri or Fabregas. Past two weeks have shown our squad without them. Pitiful and uncreative.
I think Nasri will sign
That’s what he’s been saying in an interview in a magazine recently, and I don’t think Barcelona can pay enough to get Cesc.
Hopefully, Wenger will improve the squad.
Squeezed to Song and Bendtner and Song and Nasri oh lovely lovely lovely!
-Peter Drury, the one time his commentating has ever been acceptable.
by Aidan Gibson on May 15, 2011 1:04 PM EDT up reply actions
Cesc will be one of the most interesting stories of the summer in the market
I really wouldn’t be surprised if he and Wenger had come to some sort of understanding on the situation last summer, but regardless it will be interesting to see how he handles the inevitable speculation in a few weeks.
by Stephen Schmidt on May 15, 2011 2:28 PM EDT up reply actions
Well, City's interest could drive up the price
But at the end of the day, the only place he would go is Barcelona.
And for me, it comes down to how much Barcelona want him.
If Carroll is worth £35m and Torres £50m, Cesc is definitely worth £50m at least.
Do Barcelona have that money?
If they offered that much, I’d sell him.
Squeezed to Song and Bendtner and Song and Nasri oh lovely lovely lovely!
-Peter Drury, the one time his commentating has ever been acceptable.
by Aidan Gibson on May 15, 2011 2:31 PM EDT up reply actions
Nothing to feel sorry about or embarrassed.
Teams have good runs and bad runs. Some are long, some are short, some don’t even exist. You can watch to enjoy winning only, but losing happens. It’s apart of being a fan.
You don’t have to always be boisterous and proud of your team, but they are your team. We do this to be a member of something, to feel the same as others. It is fun and it is pain. I’m not embarrassed in the least to be a Gooner and I make no apologies for supporting this team at any point.
by Learn2Leaf on May 15, 2011 1:05 PM EDT up reply actions 1 recs
Long time fan
Been a Gooner fan since 1985, so I know about following your team through everything. And despite this, I’ll still follow and cheer for Arsenal next year. But sometimes being embarrassed about your team is okay. It makes you twice as happy when the good comes around.
by Diana Gumpel on May 15, 2011 1:13 PM EDT up reply actions
We need to find a way to win after being behind
If the other team scores first, they just park the bus against us and try to hit us on the counter the rest of the match. Allowing us all the possession we want, but little chance of an end product. We just can’t play the way we want with so little space to maneuver in the last third. I don’t know what the solution is, but this has hurt us on too numerous occasions this season.
Solution
The solution is to change up tactics and plays, something the team and manager have either not concluded yet, or refuse to do. I’m not sure which. Even just a little changing, while still remaining true to the game of keeping possession and quick, short passes, could have yielded better results. And even if it made no difference, at least it whould have shown that they made an effort and tried. They just look to be consistantly hitting a brick wall over and over, expecting different results each time. Sometimes you have to make the results by changing your tactics and stop hitting the brick wall.
by Diana Gumpel on May 15, 2011 1:34 PM EDT up reply actions
It has
I think there are several reasons why this has been affecting us in recent weeks:
1. Players tired (perhaps demoralised after Carling Cup), and lacking the energy to play a high tempo game.
2. Predictability: Today, and in recent weeks, we’ve looked a lot more threatening when we’ve brought on Chamakh and gone a bit more direct and had the option of being able to change the play up.
3. Luck: Against Sunderland we should’ve had a pen and had a goal disallowed. The same today. Against Bolton, Juuskelainen made a point blank save from Nasri. We’ve also hit the woodwork so many times too (22 times this year).
Squeezed to Song and Bendtner and Song and Nasri oh lovely lovely lovely!
-Peter Drury, the one time his commentating has ever been acceptable.
by Aidan Gibson on May 15, 2011 1:38 PM EDT up reply actions
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