No Way Through

Online Ed: Gunners fail to find a way past Sunderland



No Way Through


“In this calendar year, we’ve been the best team in Europe” – Theo Walcott

“What do you think they're smoking over there at Emirates?” – John W Henry

I was struggling to think of a way to start this particular post-match piece until my neighbour, at about the 75 minute stage, pointed out that Sunderland’s tactics were a bit reminiscent of Jose Mourinho’s Inter Milan when they played Barcelona at the Nou Camp in the second leg of the Champions League semi-final in 2010. Basically, every outfield player either in or within two yards of their own penalty area to attempt to prevent an opposition goal. I pointed out that Inter’s defenders were somewhat better than those that Sunderland had to offer which, for some reason, brought Theo Walcott’s recent quote to mind.

There is hype, and there is delusion.

Sunderland, quite obviously happy to take a point, set up to do just that, and Arsenal hammered away at the door, but were unable to outwit them. The performance did not augur well for the remaining matches of the season, but at least the draw means it would take something spectacular to drop to fourth place. United winning by six, for example and Arsenal losing to West Brom. It’s unlikely, although the Gunners would do well to sort themselves out rather then relying on the Hull defence if United get an early goal on Sunday.

The Gunners did create chances, but their finishing was generally woeful, the closest they came to scoring being a near own goal that cannoned off the upright and had nothing to do with an Arsenal attacker. Surreally, Sunderland had two excellent chances to win the game themselves as the clock wound down, but their inability to put the ball in the net from a simple chance echoed that of their hosts. At times, it was almost farcical.

A lot of season ticket holders opted to stay at home and either watch it on TV or do something better. I’d be surprised if the crowd was in reality over 50,000. It reflected the importance of the game. People aren’t that excited about whether the club finish second, third or fourth now that the hallowed top four spot is now secured. I suspect there will be a similar number of absences against West Brom. And that partly is the problem at Arsenal home matches these days. There aren’t really too many games that actually feel like they really matter, where anything significant is at stake. And it’s a high price to pay to watch something that is, although at times entertaining and aesthetically pleasing, without tension, the experience is far less intense.

It would have been a different experience for the travelling supporters, who had plenty at stake. Their seeing the bombardment on their goal and their own man hitting his own post would have not have been an easy watch, but credit to Dick Advocaat’s players for their sheer will to scrap a point.

Arsene Wenger started Jack Wilshere and Kieran Gibbs to give them some game time. One imagines Monreal will start the final at Wembley, in spite of a couple of key lapses recently, although there is a feeling Wenger actually favours Gibbs when everything is equal. Playing Wilshere as a wide attacker might make sense against a team with a marauding left back, but against Sunderland? Arsenal needed more width and when Walcott came on, it seemed to improve things a little. Rosicky was a very late entrant, but at least looked hungrier to do something than many of his colleagues. There seemed an edge missing from their game.

So an end of season late spring evening 0-0 that will not live too long in the memory in North London, but on Wearside, they will have a different memory. It’s all about perspective…

PS – Petr Cech is almost certainly coming to Arsenal… if the Gunners meet Chelsea’s asking price. That is apparently the only barrier, as the keeper wishes to remain in London and the club will not prevent him moving wherever he chooses. Cue a long summer of pontificating and arguing the toss over the last penny. Cech is 32 years old.

I am now on Twitter@KevinWhitcher01.

The current issue of The Gooner will be on sale at Sunday’s game v WBA (with a free yellow ribbon for female purchases until they run out) and can also be bought online here.

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  1. maguiresbridge gooner

    May 24, 2015, 17:15 #71422

    Where's wally? I guess the interviewers and TV cameras are to busy filming and interviewing real winners.

  2. maguiresbridge gooner

    May 24, 2015, 16:33 #71421

    jj, wally will sprinting for the nearest TV camera at full time (to hell with the lap of failure)to tell the gullible how good he is and how we're going to kick on from this and win it next year and of course it'll be lapped up and believed.

  3. jjetplane

    May 24, 2015, 16:03 #71420

    Any announcements from Theo at half time? Anyway - Liverpool - now that is shaping up nicely with Stirling on bench, Gerrard's last, last game before he gets sent off in California and Brendan ... If Stoke could get 5 more we could have some media fun. Why can't Arsenal be this exciting. poor old Spuds are being dragged screaming into the Europa though still say that is a better bet for Arsene's FA Cup specialist's. Ya gotta walk in order to run .... PL What a circus! Poor old WESTIE must be in a right old tizz with the bets. Now if the Baggies score 4 .....

  4. jeff wright

    May 24, 2015, 13:31 #71419

    ... even calendar year !

  5. jeff wright

    May 24, 2015, 12:57 #71418

    After all the Klopp has flopped while Arsene is doing great posts from the deluded AKB's on here, he ended up with a Wenger calender year champs type run in the league storming up the Bunders-liga from down at the bottom into the top part of the table and Dortmund are deja vu us in our domestic cup final favourites to win the German domestic cup final next weekend to allow flop Klopp to depart on a winning note waving some silverware around. Shame our flopper doesn't do what Klopp is doing and follow suite after our domestic cup final........ So financial corners have been turned have they at AFC , that's great news. Are ticket prices coming down then >? No ,oh thought not ! As though money was ever the problem with Wenger anyway,other than him being reluctant to spend any, while accumulating millions for former shareholders now departed with it safely in their bank accounts while making himself and the likes of Diaby millions as well . Any news yet Colesorebore on how Diaby is progressing >? You couldn't make it up.

  6. jjetplane

    May 24, 2015, 12:21 #71416

    NICK that was exactly what Chelski did as Ruud Gullit pointed out very well on MOTD. As someone remarked earlier you wait for your chance based on the opponent's reaction and eventually something gives as in that case with Overmars against Coventry. Now there was a player who knew where and when to act to infict maximum damage. His goal at OT. Now it's Sanchez (good as he is) playing without and script and then the likes of the aging Walcott who obviously cannot understand the simplest instruction. You can just imagine him on the great bake ..... Wait a minute! And then there is COLEYS lying on the floor as the WOBS march all over him ......

  7. Ron

    May 24, 2015, 11:22 #71414

    Ronnie Koeman is my manager of the yr. JM being top every week in the season and two Cups is impressive but to take Saints to these levels after losing so many players has been wonderful. Been to St Marys twice this season. Good place to go. Its lacks the bile towards and resentment of the opposition team and fans that exists in so many grounds while still having a good atmosphere. Keep it up Saints (and keep them freebie tickets coming Josh!!)

  8. Nick

    May 24, 2015, 11:08 #71411

    There has got to be a way to counteract park the bus teams, they are expecting you to drive forward all the time , what about taking a period where you deliberately cede possession and fall back into the same.formation as them , thus making them attack YOU , this might then give us the chance to catch them with a quick break,if nothing else it would surely give your opponent's pause as they wonder what the hell your up to , it may even shame them into actually trying to PLAY FOOTBALL,failing that start with a high tempo , use the flanks , long balls , and mix it up , but don't try passing through a brick wall when you either don't have players with guile enough to find a killer pass or players intelligent enough to make runs to initiate said killer ball, oh yeah and dont pass just one more time when taking a shot is not only the best option but the blindingly obvious option !

  9. goonercolesyboy

    May 23, 2015, 21:26 #71408

    I think you popped yours ages ago jj. As for you muguiresbridge keep your tiresome posting to yourself in future. Thanks. And Bard, yes the financial corner has been turned and that ain't balls mate.

  10. Seven Kings Gooner

    May 23, 2015, 19:06 #71407

    Westflower: Do you think Sunderland would have got a 0-0 at Chelsea or Man City by parking the bus? no me neither. It is about quality players who can work it out for themselves, lets go back to a warm August evening in 1997, Arsenal are home to Coventry and the sky blue bus is well and truly parked. Coventry have doubled up on Marc Overmars and every time Overmars received the ball he played the way he was facing or played safe. Some, around us wondered what was so special about our Dutch winger, until late into the second half, when the Coventry defenders anticipating the inside ball from Marc got caught a yard too far forward, instead of the inside ball, Overmars turned, tore the full back a new one, crossed the ball from the by line and Wrighty tapped it in. It was a supreme example of what makes a world class player, some of our players just don't have that footballing ability to create goals in these tight situations and our inability to change the way we play is a blinding weakness!

  11. maguiresbridge gooner

    May 23, 2015, 17:33 #71405

    Well it's come round again, it's AKB day tomorrow a big day for the AKB's in their calendar (whatever calendar that is)they'll be coming out of the woodwork from all over where they can pay homage, bow and kneel and shout we love you arsene to their messiah on his usual lap of failure.

  12. jjetplane

    May 23, 2015, 15:07 #71404

    Ohhhh Westie Westie/went to the Emitates once/and hes never been back (repeat) Now come on, you can not like them that much if you you don't even support them in the flesh .... We are still in the 9th but has we were newly promoted to that tier from the 10th! i look forward to the friendlies (Dorking are coming!) starting in July. Quite quintessentially English old bean. It has been an awful PL this season and that Arsene's grinning idiots could not even hold on to Bridesmaid tells us everything about a club who's only concern is making money through a culture of low risk exhibition football where the corporate handbrake is applied at the first sign of a nosebleed. Rubbish. This season leaves me with that unforgettable performance from Mane for Southampton. To knock in 3 in record time is one thing but to display even more intelligence as a playmaker in the same performance reminds me of Dennis. Incredible to think at the last count Wenger must have at least 10-15 players who are all sub standard DB10 replicants and between them not a whiff of gamechange to be seen. You know it WESTIE - the south coast is coming .... Saints and Cherries all the way! - oh and that Barca forward line. Have a good summer kid and let's enjoy that final. Koeman is the real manager of the season.

  13. maguiresbridge gooner

    May 23, 2015, 15:04 #71403

    TOF is telling the gullible we want to finish on a high tomorrow(he must intend to give out free drugs) and for the fans to go home happy, full of hope for nest season, yes full of hope for next season, You couldn't make it up.

  14. Westlower

    May 23, 2015, 14:52 #71402

    @FJ, A nightmare scenario developing in North London, Arsenal are staying there! Much to the chagrin of our inferior neighbours. Welcome back Baddie. Good job Frank isn't playing today because he'd be slaughtered for losing in so many finals. The 'experts' would be telling us he lacks something.

  15. Finsbury Joe

    May 23, 2015, 14:44 #71401

    A nightmare scenario is developing for Arsenal. De Gea to Madrid, loris to Utd, Wenger haggles and dithers over Cech, Spurs step in to take the Chelsea number two. You,read it here first.

  16. Badarse

    May 23, 2015, 14:01 #71400

    radfordkennedy, Frank's sequence began in '61 as a losing finalist. In '63 he added another. I was there that day and watched as Denis Law produced yet another, 'Game of his life', getting maximum points from the Sunday rags. It was the first final under the new roof; a close overcast day along with the peculiarity of the dimmed shadow from the roof gave an unusual effect to a Wembley regular like myself. He joined us the following season. Frank then registered a loss in '68, and once more in '69. His epithet of the player who was, 'always the bridesmaid but never the bride', was well earned. He beat the hoodoo in '71 in the best of circumstances, but still had enough in the engine to return the following year to lose yet again. Five losing Wembley finals is perhaps an unenviable record but probably helped to mould the skipper he was, and the man he became.

  17. maguiresbridge gooner

    May 23, 2015, 13:40 #71399

    Hiccup, yes indeed, the specialist in winning has been awarded MOTY, i'm sure the AKB's were secretly thinking/hoping their specialist in failure was in with a shout or indeed should have got it (damm conspiracies)for all this good work he's supposed to have done/doing, whatever it is.

  18. Hiccup

    May 23, 2015, 13:10 #71398

    I see Mourinho has been named manager of the year. Funny how smashing City by a country mile to the title with a lower wage bill, isn't talked about as over achieving? Nigel Pearson keeping Leicester up isn't deemed as over achieving either? The only time we hear that 'over achieving' nonsense is for our serial loser finishing 4th every year. Makes you wonder what counts for underachieving? If 4th is over achieving, then can we assume dropping to 5th is the acceptable requirement? Then would that make 6th as under achieving? Or is there some sort of standard deviation allowance whereby between 4th and 10th is acceptable? The AKB manifesto has never really explained this.

  19. Westlower

    May 23, 2015, 12:07 #71397

    @Seven Kings, If our opponents 'park the bus' what's the alternative to tippy tappy? Long balls played into the heart of their defence are meat & drink to a well packed defensive unit. Attempted dribbling eventually comes to grief as defenders queue up to stop the attacker. Pace down the flanks seems the best option. Walcott & the Ox give us our best chance with one on each flank. Sadly because of injuries we have been denied this option & this pair haven't featured in the team together this season. Ramsey has had to fill in which doesn't bring the best out of him & leaves him frustrated. At least by playing tippy tappy, we retain possession which limits the number of counter attacks that can be deployed against us. 'Park the bus' football is labelled anti-football, because it is exactly that. Sadly it's effective, because we haven't scored at home in 3 consecutive games against Chelsea, Swansea & Sunderland, who all successfully parked the bus.

  20. Seven Kings Gooner

    May 23, 2015, 10:20 #71396

    Westflower : I have made this point many times on this site and I will make it again. When we won the league in 71 the one thing me and my mates were really focused on was despite the emergence of Liverpool and Man Utd (winning the European Cup in 68) that night we held the record for the most Div 1 championships - Eight! We have gone downhill since 1971, please remember that, we have allowed Liverpool and Man U to overtake us. Another fact to digest - none of those titles were won playing "tippy tappy" - none of our thirteen titles have been won by playing "tippy tappy" they have been won by having defenders who can defend, forwards and attacking midfielders who can in a blink of an eye stick the ball in the "onion bag" The very second we decide to abandon this barmy possession football we play is the moment we head back in the right direction towards winning real silverware. The board should appoint the next manager with a mission to win the PL and the CL within five years, anything less will signal a complete lack of ambition to it's overcharged supporters.

  21. exiled&dangerous

    May 23, 2015, 9:29 #71395

    Haven't read all the comments, so apologies if already mentioned, but ManUre don't have to win by six, if we ship two or three.... I just want us to avoid that extra CL tie, for too long now it's been the excuse for not strengthening the squad, by which time it's too late. Do the business early for a change. Now if you don't mind I'm going to saddle up my unicorn so I can try and catch the pig that just flew past my shed.

  22. Westlower

    May 23, 2015, 9:00 #71394

    @Ron, I'm sure when push came to shove you wouldn't relish Arsenal being dragged into a relegation struggle, just for a short term buzz. Between the championship winning years of 1953 & 1989 we only won the league once in 1971. One win in 36 years, how must our neighbours feel now it's zero championships from 54 years? In our 35 blank years I used to celebrate whenever we reached the 40 point level as it guaranteed that we wouldn't be relegated. Even in the years when Forest & Villa were winning European Cups we were finishing 4th, 5th & 7th in those seasons. Even those moderate positions were relatively good for Arsenal. In my formative years the only badge of honour I could be proud of at school & my early working years was that Arsenal were/are the only club never to be relegated from division 1. Our present consistency is something to be admired as we've achieved it without a £890,000,000 'loan' & the spectre of being relegated no longer exists. We have become financially strong with astute management rather than receiving hand outs, aka Man City & Chelsea, albeit we still have a £240m loan to repay for the ground move. I confess to celebrating being in the top 4 year after year, as historically no other club has ever achieved this over an 18 year period. It's something to be admired not criticised & confirms our status among the elite. If that makes me brainwashed, then I'm happy to be so. There is no joy to be found in moaning about Arsenal on a daily basis as some seem committed to. Don't forget to drape your yellow scarf over the TV next Saturday. What did she wear? @JJ Did your local team get promoted to the 8th tier or is it more of the same for you next season? Never mind, there's always Bournemouth to fall back on. Come on you Cherries!

  23. Bard

    May 23, 2015, 8:43 #71393

    Wallieson; whats wrong with pansies, they are beautiful flowers? We have loads of them in the current team. In fact the current squad are a gardeners delight, beautiful but fragile. Now the wobs are really 'ard bastards, they grow and thrive in the bleakest of places. Colesy mate I didnt think anyone would have the balls to post 'we have turned a corner' again without inviting ridicule. My view is that we are 'on the cusp of being off the shoulder' which I interpret as being the distance I would be behind Usain Bolt if I ran against him.

  24. Jason B

    May 23, 2015, 0:28 #71391

    If the Cech signing comes off, it won't before the end of transfer deadline day. Chelsea will drag it out.

  25. maguiresbridge gooner

    May 22, 2015, 23:21 #71390

    The funniest thing about Wednesday's woeful performance and result along with the couple before it (no not the tippy tappy going nowhere like headless chickens)is the AKB's will be taking comfort out of it and using it like their little blankie and convincing themselves that it happened because their messiah was/is concentrating on the final, God love them, they know no better.

  26. Tony pepe

    May 22, 2015, 22:45 #71389

    Same old Maguire. Positive to the last. Boring stuff. Give it a rest idiot.

  27. John F

    May 22, 2015, 21:42 #71388

    Bit of a dilemma up here in Hull land half of them seem to support Utd as well as hull.They could see their fav team sending down their home town club.Strange how these smaller northern teams have supporters that follow two clubs Grimsby is the same.My bet Hull,West Ham win Arsenal to draw.Man u won't want to upset the ever growing Bruce,Fat Sam revenge and West Brom are on form.

  28. radfordkennedy

    May 22, 2015, 21:21 #71387

    Smithy sorry for late reply so so busy today I've taken a bus load of Canadians around Normandy today and they all got half cut around Juno beach and I felt like that bloke on one man and his Dog trying to Shepherd them all back on the bus....anyway, my god I forget about the limeade the food police would ban it now just because of the colour of it! And as I remember there was enough money back on the bottle to buy a jumble...Ron.. Was that the start of Frank Macs bad run of luck at Wembley and yes we all picked a team on final day didn't we,except I remember in 70'when nobody wanted Leeds to win anything

  29. maguiresbridge gooner

    May 22, 2015, 19:03 #71386

    jj, OGL must have been following your advice over the last months (or somebody has) and watching Bournmouth apparently we've joined the race for their Striker Callum Wilson, i've never seen him but i'd say he couldn't be any worse than the cart horse we have, and put more effort in than some of the pampered pre madonnas we have stinking the place out.

  30. Ron

    May 22, 2015, 18:06 #71385

    JJ - Charlie Brooker should be invited to make a DVD about Arsenal. You speak in jest JJ, but theres truth in that scenario that youve just painted. AFC is one big illusion and the recipe for what the masses want is manufactured and sold to the brainwashed who remain convinced that what they're told to like is the only thing thats worth liking. Step up Charlie. AFC awaits.

  31. maguiresbridge gooner

    May 22, 2015, 18:04 #71384

    Exeter, or stand back and allow him to do it.

  32. Ron

    May 22, 2015, 17:53 #71383

    I hear you Westie and agree. The truth is though thats its all measured differently now and the cost of it influences perceptions, not to mention the obscenity of the wages they earn. We are entitled to our revised perceptions as a result in my view. To be honest, 'yo yo' is better than the mundane repetition of the fake 'success' were brainwashed with now.At least yo yo brings excitement and unpredictability. Im not sure yo yo truly summarizes what went before though. Yes we ve had poor periods. Hasnt everybody. By and large we ve been a competing Club, 60s aside. Nobody will persuade me that what we do now is 'competing'. For me, we exist in our chosen level, content to feed off the scraps the others throw. Do you think that befits a Club like Arsenal? I dont mate. Im convinced if we were better managed under a rather more enlightened ambitious Board, we could match Chelsea and City. We ve settled for 'also ran' and thats where your good self and i differ in the main. Im so bored stiff with them, i reckon a battle v relegation would be a welcome change in my view and once more offer to us games that matter! That stadium has never bothered me too much. It was a novelty at one time. Its more a mausoleum now. It smacks of what football has become and worse still smacks of what Arsenal have become and i dont it one bit to be honest, Its so damned 'plastic' now.

  33. jjetplane

    May 22, 2015, 17:49 #71382

    WESTIE's Last Stand. That is the funniest post I have seen for ages. I can imagine a conference centre with big bland logos and people sitting down with note pads as WESTIE takes the podium with a room sized backdrop showing Arsene with his new haircut. Across the screen read the words careful what you wish for and then the faces of GG and Bertie Mee and Mr Chapman appear and the room is full of boos and hisses and then a light falls to stage left. There is a hush as Sir Theo Walcott and Mayor elect Sol Campbell walk into the auditorium and a tear falls from WESTIE's right eye as the screen goes back to the all knowing Arsene Wenger. The crowd are in raptures and some are falling backwards only to be held up by AKB Sheriffs wearing fetching red helmets ......

  34. Westlower

    May 22, 2015, 17:25 #71381

    @Ron, Unless you go back 80 years you won't find a period in Arsenal's history where this club have remained at or near the top over such a protracted period. If you regard that as failure then fine. Remember where we were in 93 - 10th, 95 - 12th. Who has played a prominent part in establishing Arsenal in the top 4 since his arrival? I hope our younger supporters never experience some of the mundane dross we lived through. Yes, we had some brilliant highlights but we were never able to sustain a successful period as you well know. When you and I were growing up, more me than you granted, but we could only dream of Arsenal being at such a high level for so long. Whether people like to hear it or not, we were a yo-yo club bouncing around in mid-table for many lengthy periods. We didn't morph into a top 4 club by chance and we didn't achieve it on oil money, plus we now have a world class stadium, usually sold out to 60,000 fans. Winning silverware is cyclic and our turn is nigh.

  35. Ron

    May 22, 2015, 15:04 #71380

    R/K - scarves on the top of the TV, wearing the kit, the TV on the team coach, then talking to the players on the pitch and then later the solemnity of 'abide with me' at which point the nerves would kick in and the David Coleman to commentate ....nothing worse than conceding and hearing the simple " 1-0" from DC. Then later straight outside to play like the cop final players. I reckon it was the one time of the yr when if the Gunners werent involved we could actually become 'supporters' of one of the teams. Earliest one i recall on the TV as a kid was Man Utd v Leicester. 3-1 to Utd. 1963. Frankie Mac played that day for the Foxes.

  36. smithy

    May 22, 2015, 14:50 #71379

    RADFORDKENNEDY- Good shout about cup final day and Corona cherryade- love the stuff and wish I could buy it today! The limeade was good but the cherryade from the pimpled glass bottle was out of this world!

  37. Ron

    May 22, 2015, 14:20 #71378

    Hiccup - top posting. AFC are relegation candidates in their own mini league within the PL. The smoke and myths etc that Westlower expounds is the one that says Wenger is successful. My view is that is harder for a Club with AFC s resources to fall out of the top 4 than it is to stay in it. Pardew Monk and Pulis for eg are all 'successful', if Wenger is on the basis that we re not gauging success just by Cups won which is the usual AKB chant.

  38. Hiccup

    May 22, 2015, 13:44 #71377

    Not a big fan of parking the bus myself. But I do love to see the playing with the handbrake on style that Wenger Invented. A handbrake on team will never lose to a parked bus team.

  39. Truth Stranger Than Fiction

    May 22, 2015, 13:23 #71376

    Moanio did with Inter!

  40. Made Up Stat

    May 22, 2015, 13:17 #71375

    Why not park the bus every game? Apparently you can win the Champions League by doing it.

  41. Hiccup

    May 22, 2015, 13:13 #71374

    Ron, how ironic. When the wobs used to reflect on the good old days when footballers were men and the game was played with a bit of gusto, we were told to stop dwelling on the past, move with the times, and enjoy the game for what it is today, or move on and find a new hobby. And now dear old Westie is moaning about the boring, lethargic, energyless procession that the game has become? You couldn't make it up. The game was a lot better in the 70's because you had teams in the top flight all with quality players. The Ipswich team, WBA with Regis & co. West Ham had some some quality. Forest and even Watford who had come up from the 4th Div. if these teams beat the best team around back then, Liverpool, it wasn't no big surprise. Teams back then lost several games in winning the league. There was none of this massive gulf from 4th place to the rest of the league. Which again highlights that Wenger ain't performing miracles as claimed by his followers. And now the league is just flooded with overpaid average dross on 5 year contracts taking home £100k/week, with what incentive to put a shift in? Playing in morgues can't be very inspiring either. Bring back the old days eh? Even the AKB's are converting to this idea.

  42. Exeter Gunner

    May 22, 2015, 13:06 #71373

    Everyone should play open football... players should be 'left to their own devises'... essentially, Westlower, you're saying that everyone should have to do it just like Arsene does.

  43. maguiresbridge gooner

    May 22, 2015, 13:01 #71372

    Torbay gooner, i told you they'd be along, one anyway, there's always one, it has taken a day or so to think about it and make it up but he's here.

  44. maguiresbridge gooner

    May 22, 2015, 12:47 #71371

    Ah Jamie's back, the celebrations after Wednesday's game must have been some blow out thirty five hours or so? one can just imagine the whooping and high fives, and up so early.

  45. Ron

    May 22, 2015, 12:45 #71370

    Wdt argue on the 'smoke mirrors and hype' Westie, its why ive largely switched off from football but the type of team you describe havent existed since the 70s. Personally i think comic book, keystone cop, kamikaze defending and s- h - i - t e gaolkeeping as happens in every game in that so called 'premier' league is nauseating and tedious. One of the biggest myths though is that AFC play' beautiful' football. Theres no such thing and if there was, Arsenals brand surely isnt it.

  46. WeAreBuildingATeamToDominate

    May 22, 2015, 12:43 #71369

    Re; parking the bus. OK, it's up to the better side, be it they home or away, to find out a way to defeat it. But long term? Are supporters going to keep on forking out upwards of fifty quid to watch that every week? Perhaps the time has come for a Premier League 1 and Premier League 2. With only one side going down and one coming up.

  47. Westlower

    May 22, 2015, 12:22 #71368

    @Seven Kings Gooner, We both know from our life times experience that if it can happen, it often does. My cynicism has served me well betting on football matches. I've cleaned up in the past few games, backing a 90 minute draw against Reading, a 0-0 correct score + the draw v Chelsea, backing Swansea to beat us & the icing on the cake, taking 21/1 about a 0-0 correct score v Sunderland + 5/1 the draw. Looking ahead to the Cup Final, I've backed Villa at 12/1 before they played the semi final. All bets fall firmly under 'what's the worse thing that can happen' category. Mind you, I lost a packet when we put our recent winning run together. When Arsene has a smile on his face, I'm usually writing begging letters to the rich & famous. You can't have it all in life. What's more satisfying being happy or being rich? It's a lucky man who is both. @Ron, There's enough drudgery in life without watching it on a football field. 'Batten down the hatches' teams put out by cowardly coaches are joyless, inexcusable, brain numbing & cheat the paying public. It's about time coaches were confined to the stands and the players left to their own devises. If a professional footballer can't work out how to play, why are they being paid in excess of £100k a week? It's all smoke, mirrors & hype. By the way, which top, top player are the media linking their darling Man U with today. Different day, different player, the bullsh*t continues to thrive. SKY is the new way of thinking....I think!

  48. jjetplane

    May 22, 2015, 12:01 #71367

    Actually think Ozil is the perfect fit for Arsene FC. His play replicates the whole present philosophy of why shoot when you can pass? Deep metaphor but you get the drift. To Wenger Ozil must be art of the highest order. Best player for me at the moment has to be Mane at the Saints. What a ****in player! Next season should be fun to see if Saints, Everton, Bournemouth and Palace can kick on. The rest is just a great big yawn. Hope Coquelin survives having carried Arsene FC on his back since he came back. Onwards and upwards if you know what I mean. Great site this!

  49. Ron

    May 22, 2015, 11:46 #71366

    Nick - they speak of legacies, thats Wengers youve mentioned - A litany of constant pathetic excuses never heard before from any Coach. Hopefully when he does us all a favour and goes, we ll never hear such as his like again. The guy has become a pathetic figure these last few years hasnt he. Has he ever given an opponent any credit save for the odd grudging and couched acknowledgement? Say what they like about what Fergie was like and what Mourinho is like now, theyve never been slow to say their own teams have been garbage after defeats from time to time. Hiccup - these pesky teams that so unfairly fight and battle ought to be made to play with 'run back' keepers and be subject to fines based on minutes camped in their own half? That would soon sort them out and ensure that Barca lite have their deserved rewards! It must be terrible for Westies 'entertainment' richter scale musnt it.

  50. Wear Your Colours

    May 22, 2015, 10:48 #71365

    Frustrating evening, but I thought Le Prof got it right tactically. Knowing that Sunderland would park the bus a la Swansea and Chelsea he correctly assumed their would be little need for Coquelin, hence, he replaced him with Super-Jack; He also replaced Monreal with the more attacking Gibbs.The only failure was to get that early goal that would have opened them up. Sunderland were very disciplined in their 'Pro-zone'defensive set-up and we didn't get the lucky deflection our persistent probing merited. I hope we are saving-up a clutch of goals for the trip to Wembley. COYG!

  51. Nick

    May 22, 2015, 9:52 #71363

    Tiredness is NO excuse the double side of 71 played in excess of 61 games on pitches that would make Wenger wail in despair with a squad of 16 first team players,Mclintock was so knackered after the cup final, he was in a zombie like state when collecting said trophy, that team played for each other and for the supporters with a never say die attitude, the same cannot be said for todays outfit, Wenger is a master of the excuse, the pitch was bad , we were a little bit tired , we lacked a little sharpness, the officials were awful, time for the excuses to stop, failure to win the FA Cup , and either defying the odds to finish 4th or clinging on by scraping a draw vs WBA or a narrow defeat will NOT be the spring board for a genuine title challenge next term, nor will indecisiveness and parsimony in the transfer market , we ALL know this if Wenger doesn't then he is not fit to manage a non league team let alone the Arsenal!

  52. Seven Kings Gooner

    May 22, 2015, 9:33 #71362

    Mr Westflower : As president of the "what's the worse thing that can happen society" let me tell you I was inaugurated at Wembley in 1969 by Don Rogers and was made chairman after "Nayim from the halfway line" in 1995. Finishing fourth is top of the list of the things that could happen to us on Sunday.

  53. Hiccup

    May 22, 2015, 9:02 #71361

    To be fair, the AKB's do raise valid points that the game is dying. This process whereby garbage teams like Sunderland turn up at the Emirates with the intention of taking something away from the game just isn't very sporting. Something needs to be done. Arsenal fans are leaving the ground unhappy that tactically we can't break down such teams, so the laws of the game need to be changed to balance this out. Would 4 points for a win help our cause? The FA need to start looking in to this. I think government legislation could help. I actually voted for the Green Party in the election as their manifesto had some good policies on tackling this 'parking the bus' epidemic that is rife at the Emirates. They suggested a congestion charge for such buses parked in around the penalty area. Start fining these teams, and I'm sure we'll see the same effective results that FFP was intended for. My answer to the problem would be to map the lines of the pitch the same way as the old subbuteo pitches. That line that was drawn across the pitch that you had to be past to score should be used, but the opposition must at all times keep 3 players over this line away from helping out the defence. If after 60 minutes of the game and we still haven't scored, a 4th player has to cross over the line and maybe another player after 70 minutes? Some serious thought needs to go in to this. Rule changes to offside and the back pass rules have worked down the years, so anything that makes it easier for arsenal to score should be welcome too.

  54. radfordkennedy

    May 22, 2015, 8:29 #71360

    Glad to see the BBC are back covering the cup final with coverage starting at 08:30,aah memories memories,sitting with my brothers in front of the telly with a bag of flying saucers and when a bottle of corona meant cherryade!..great days indeed

  55. Westlower

    May 22, 2015, 8:25 #71359

    For any fully paid up members of the 'what's the worst thing that can happen' society, a £10 double on Man U (5/4) & WBA (8/1) pays £202.50.

  56. Ozzie

    May 22, 2015, 6:49 #71358

    When a player says "God answered my prayers" what the player is really saying is that he answered his own prayers. Who else hears us but our self? Time to give all this superstitious nonsense the shove and be responsible for our own decisions instead of using a scapegoat. Just a thought.

  57. Joe S.

    May 22, 2015, 0:18 #71357

    So Ozl is the culprit again. fair enough he has had a string of poor games, but Arsenal knew wat they were getting when they signed him.He needs agame plan and inspiring players around him to do well. he has also switched off at Madrid and while playing for Germany.To point the finger at him smells. Sanchez hasn't done much recently and who wants to pay good money to see the likes of Giroud, Ramsey, Wiltshire and Tho go around together.

  58. Know Man

    May 21, 2015, 23:07 #71356

    @maguiresbridge Gooner, please shorten your name!! You made me lol mate. You're right, players need to acclimatise. How can we expect a £42m player to produce top class performances instantly, that's simply insane. I mean Alexis and Costa are evidence of this. Wenger has spent around £70m on Alexis & Ozil and we're still not the finished article. It's incompetence of the highest order. Playing Ramsey, Jack, Santi all out of position to accommodate Ozil is not only annoying me, it's destroying team moral. We needed a striker all summer & AW decided to buy Ozil. He doesn't know what he's doing, nor does AW!!!

  59. maguiresbridge gooner

    May 21, 2015, 22:40 #71355

    Know Man, i agree, but didn't you know according to some AKB's it takes a player two, three, four, five, six, years to adapt, and some that to get fit.

  60. goonercolesyboy

    May 21, 2015, 22:06 #71354

    The continuous manager bashing is still tiresome. He has at least two more years in charge. We will finish third and are in another cup final. Of course like everyone else I want us to win the premiership and the Champions League and whether you believe it or not we are not that far squad wise from achieving those aims. I use to buy the gooner magazine but it's negative articles were a reason to stop buying it. This site I thought might be different but unfortunately it is just the same. I appreciate the last ten years have been tough but the corner has been turned and the available money will get us on a more even footing with the bank rolled clubs. Onwards and upwards.

  61. Unchives

    May 21, 2015, 21:35 #71353

    Its nothing we haven't seen before. How can this manager expect to win the league next season with this team, when they cant even finish second with no pressure? My fear is Pep Gurdiola will become available for a second time, only for us to stick with the specialist in failure.

  62. Martin

    May 21, 2015, 21:23 #71352

    Ok, ok ,last night was a bit frustrating but let's face it the league finished some time ago so it's not surprising performances have dropped a bit. Let's all get behind the gunners and see them lift the cup! 20 seasons ahead of Tottenham,! Cheer up you miserable gits, up the gunners!

  63. I'M WORRIED ABOUT ARSENE

    May 21, 2015, 20:48 #71351

    Please lay off the Old Gentleman boys. Did you not read that he would not know what to do without his Arsenal career? I feel for the guy & would like to tell him that, being 10 years older than OGL, I now wonder how I ever found the time to go to work. ANR are today predicting another 10 years of his regime. Personally, I think if he suddenly changed his miserly ways and his Arsenal team comprised the world's best 11 players, old Arsene would still find a way to finish in second place. So send your retirement suggestions into Arsenal HQ as soon as possible. However, please do not suggest the Old Fool retires to Cornwall because, with my luck, I might run into him at my local and I am sure I would literally be bored to death as a result.

  64. Arseneknewbest

    May 21, 2015, 19:36 #71350

    Last night exemplified the culture of mediocrity at the Arsenal these days. Do just enough to be on the right side of acceptable, at least until the going gets too hard. I don't share the cynicism about finishing fourth because the game against WBA has got 0-0 all over it (although there were two very close calls in the second half for the mighty scumderland last night which could have made it even more embarrassing). The villa game is starting to give me the wobbles, so much so that I may watch it from the behind the sofa in a darkened room. I need some klopptimism.

  65. Highbury Boy

    May 21, 2015, 18:52 #71348

    I blame Liverpool,Spurs,Southampton and some of the other clubs for letting us get the Top 4 Trophy so early and so there has been no pressure on us.

  66. Colin

    May 21, 2015, 18:42 #71347

    Ozil has now been at Arsenal for 2 seasons.Anyone really think he is worth £42m? he has had maybe half a dozen good games at the club.Our best performance of the season away to City he didnt play.But Wenger will never drop him and has had to play Ramsey on the wing to accommodate him.So many Gooners are blinded by the fee and are afraid to say what we can all see.No more excuses

  67. Know Man

    May 21, 2015, 18:30 #71346

    The following fans should be applauded, Daryn, John F, Dartford Gooner & Torbay Gooner. I've been banging on about Ozil all season. Simply not good enough. If that's what 42m gets you, looks like we'll need to spend triple that in future to obtain a decent player.

  68. Hiccup

    May 21, 2015, 18:18 #71345

    Good stuff Kevin. No mention of what the Racing Post has to say though?

  69. jjetplane

    May 21, 2015, 18:16 #71344

    Just watched OT highlights and see Ollie (the laughing donkey) is back to his pampered (Emirates poodle Salon) best by way of acknowledging he gets the joke but as he is paid well it beats the 'end of the pier' stint that awaits him at West Ham or maybe Leicester. Also looking at Mane for the Saints and Koeman has a diamond and a half there as does Pardew with Bolasie. These guys are strong, quick and technically gifted. Ollie who is spearheading an attack at one of the richest clubs in football smiles a lot and is just plain DAFT. Also heard Arsene saying how his team with great speeeeereett dominated the 2nd half - and scraped an own goal for 'the effort.' The look on Lord Walcott's boat when he could not add that one to his fading CV. Must say Sherwood looked most unwell which puts this game at 'the home of football' on a level with ...... erm something.

  70. Daryn

    May 21, 2015, 18:11 #71343

    Ozil not worth 42 quid let alone 42 million what a waste of space

  71. John F

    May 21, 2015, 18:07 #71342

    Sherwood must be rubbing his hands in glee watching that yesterday and knows exactly what tactics to deploy in the final.We should of started with Rosicky and Wally for Sanchez and Cazorla.I think Ozil just decides to take matches off when he feels like it.Should of used old Herberts statue instead of him.We could of placed it just out side the D and pinged balls of it.It would of made more contribution then ozil did.

  72. maguiresbridge gooner

    May 21, 2015, 17:24 #71341

    Torbay gooner, you can be sure there is, they just haven't got up yet after a long night celebrating 3rd place.

  73. Alsace

    May 21, 2015, 17:10 #71340

    I remember another keeper who our London neighbours considered surplus to requirements. He was called Pat Jennings. The best keeper I have ever seen put on an Arsenal (washed) Jersey.

  74. Barnaby

    May 21, 2015, 16:58 #71339

    When we play against the park the bus teams you need to mix everything up, go down the wings and cross for giroud, some tippy tappy aswell and shoot at any angle when we are around the opposition box. Get it on target and goalie might spill it

  75. Seven Kings Gooner

    May 21, 2015, 16:30 #71338

    Westflower : you could just see it, Utd into 3rd place on goal difference and then suddenly in injury time, Huddlestone scores a blinder from the half way line to see us home.

  76. jeff wright

    May 21, 2015, 16:29 #71337

    WeAreBuildingATeamToDominate , yes most managers do tend to be a bit OTT regarding their teams but the problem with Wenger is that he appears to believe the nonsense that he puts out. You only have to look at the bewilderment on his face when things are not going to his plan to see that. Most managers by now would have sussed out by now ( 19 years) that to keep making the same mistakes is not a good idea. Wenger though just carry's on regardless.

  77. maguiresbridge gooner

    May 21, 2015, 15:37 #71336

    David, Shussssssssssss, not so loud the AKB's might hear you, (wherever they are) we've supposed to have made progress even if it was only for a week.

  78. WeAreBuildingATeamToDominate

    May 21, 2015, 15:31 #71335

    Not defending OGL but don't all managers say that the spirit is good, we played some nice stuff blah blah blah. Brenda at Liverpool praises his team even like after shocking defeats at West Ham and tame 0-0 draw at Everton. They're all as bad as each other in that respect.

  79. chris dee

    May 21, 2015, 15:06 #71334

    I know we still have W B A to play,but let's face it, all thoughts are now turning to the FA Cup final. And at least we are certain that Arsene will play his best goalkeeper in such an important match won't he?

  80. jeff wright

    May 21, 2015, 14:59 #71333

    Yes indeed MG, Dick was weeping with joy .The one Million bonus he won for keeping the Black Cats in the Prem no doubt contributed somewhat to Dick's joy.Wenger himself was also happy saying that,we are in a strong position to finish third'. Wenger likes to use words such as strong and mental strength great speeeerit and what not to try and pretend that results and performances are better than what in reality they actually are.No mention though from Inspector Clueless as to why he was with his strong side unable to finish second when it was possible for them to do so. You couldn't make it up.

  81. maguiresbridge gooner

    May 21, 2015, 14:28 #71332

    jw, indeed a more direct approach would have been far more beneficial last night, i bet Advocaat just loved to see us continue tippy tappy through out he must have been laughing his head off it was so easy, maybe that's why he was crying at the end.

  82. Ron

    May 21, 2015, 14:17 #71331

    Change the record Westie, yrs is cracked! Defensive football is very legitimate and its a challenge and great to see a quality attacking team try and break it down. Its been that way since football started. Theres nothing in the rules that dictates how a team plays. A solid team is worthy of pride equally as much as is a cavalier team in my view. If Chelsea are 'anti football', youve much to learn about the game. Deserved Champions and the UKs only hope of euro glory. Yr obsessed with yr dislike of them? Their fans are a rum and rotten lot granted (always have been and they do seem to attract a certain type) but theres nothing wrong with the team as i see it.

  83. jjetplane

    May 21, 2015, 14:13 #71330

    RON it really is a gaping problem from top to bottom at Arsene FC. Nothing will change as they are are no more than a cog at the financial top of world football. Amazing to hold such a position without winning a single major trophy since .... Bringing in 3 players and thinking 'we are to go' is more blinkered rubbish. The new ground, it's influx of day trippers nad a bunch of players who would play for any club as long as the money is good. Like you say - no one is forcing people to go but it beggars my belief that people still do. Have heard just snippets of Arsene's past few games (since some people on here calling them the best football side to watch anywhere!) and they are according to all pundits truly boring in the worst sense. I reckon even on a poor day there was more passion in any GG team or a Bertie Mee team who also has become another pet hate of AKBs president elect .... JAMERsON must be busy instilling a work ethic in the new slave cohort ...

  84. Website Editor

    May 21, 2015, 14:11 #71329

    @Westlower - I'd have some of that 100-1 were it not for my recent decision to depart the gambling field for an as yet undecided period of abstinence! Worth a tenner just to make sure the Gunners finish 3rd and save me £50 on a qualifying game...

  85. Westlower

    May 21, 2015, 14:06 #71328

    Now that Maureen has made anti football acceptable, expect the majority of the away teams to play this way next season. Oh joy! I'm sure Sky will find a way to justify the mind numbing negative tactics. Gary Neville will be in raptures watching the hairy arse defenders destroying the namby pamby forwards. Lee Cattermole is worth the admission price alone. He'll make a great pub team captain when he retires from playing in the greatest league in the world. @Seven Kings Gooner, Hull 0 Man U 6, Arsenal 1 WBA 2, bet landed!

  86. maguiresbridge gooner

    May 21, 2015, 13:59 #71326

    If we'd have had a point for every time we feinted having a shot last night alone only to carry on tippy tappy going no where, we'd have won the league by twenty points or more.

  87. Seven Kings Gooner

    May 21, 2015, 13:37 #71324

    Westflower : Arsenal 100/1 to finish 4th! That has to be worth a tenner of anyone's money - if any team could lose 3rd spot with a + 7 goal advantage Wenger's warriors could be that team! - WBA are certainly playing well enough to beat us.

  88. Peter Wain

    May 21, 2015, 13:32 #71323

    Why when OGL says we have a large and strong squad did we not start Walcott?. The lack of pace up front was only matched by Mertersackers lack of pace at the back. Why if he is worth £40 million did Coquelin not start. Why did Cazorla start when he was so poor against United? How are we going to challenge for the title when we cannot beat poor sides like Sunderland and average sides like Swansea? OGL is complaining we were tired - then make changes. You say the squad is strong so make changes. He says we have a strong squad but we had no striker on the bench. I can see that this transfer window being a joke with little change. We need pace up front, another holding mid field player and pace at the back. On last nights performance what we do not need is a new keeper as he was our best player.

  89. AMG

    May 21, 2015, 13:20 #71321

    I couldn't muster the will to give a f' what happened last night. This is what Wenger has done to the club, his biggest failing, complete fan apathy. Will be a different story for the cup final, although probably not on the pitch.

  90. Ron

    May 21, 2015, 13:19 #71320

    Hi Kev. Petr Cech s well past it. Chelsea wdt be releasing him if he wasnt. Mourinho is doing a great job bulling him up to increase the price though. AFC need far better than him. Im sorry guys but ive no sympathy with all this 'forced to pay a kings ransom' stuff to watch Arsenals laborious efforts. Youre not forced, you choose to do so. The garbage of last night has been a feature for at least 8 years. Paying to go, keeps this lunatic Coach and 2nd and 3rd tier players in jobs. Very true Kev when you say none of the games there are ever that vital. They never will be at a Club with no ambition to stretch themselves. It amazes me what the punters want? Do they expect things to change? Do they suddenly think mediocre players will develop new facets to their game? Do they really think, the Club and players will go the extra mile to try to genuinely challenge for the top titles? The last 8 years has been purgatory, the same old tedium and same old featureless, uneventful football. The Clubs is so desperate for a change of direction and change of personnel from the top to the bottom from the fans perspective. Its tragic really, but still the Club sells a pup and still the fans go and buy it. For heavens sake, people really need to wake up to what AFC have become.

  91. maguiresbridge gooner

    May 21, 2015, 13:12 #71319

    Kev, no wonder your review is short, tippy tappy going nowhere proved yet again, and AKB's call Chelsea boring?

  92. Dartford gooner

    May 21, 2015, 12:40 #71318

    Another poor game for Ozil. He was awful at o/t, giving the ball away and ending up on the deck after every tackle. People say he covers a lot of ground in matches but how many tackles does he make , how much help does he give to the back four.Last night most of his passes went sidewards, what about his shooting or lack of it. Even when he does get into good positions to shoot he looks to pass. For 42 million thats not good enough. No striker on the bench makes the give away of Afobe for 2 Million even more silly, plus Akpom loan to Forest another bad mistake by Arsene. Santi and Sanchez running on empty, both need a rest on Sunday, Tom and Walcott in the Coq back in for Ozil. Then hope we can find the net in the final. No ticket for the final, first one I have missed in 47 years it will feel strange not to be there.

  93. Torbay gooner

    May 21, 2015, 12:35 #71317

    Is there anyone out there to put a positive spin on the last three dire performances? We seem to be playing as we were for the first half of the season, tippy tappy it into the net. As Nick said why not play Rosicky and Walcott from the start and give Sanchez and Ozil a break. Sanchez has hit a wall and Ozil frankly rarely does enough to change a game. The final is looking like one very tough slog. Villa have better players than Hull and somehow I don't think our manager will have any great masterplan up his sleeve, if we start off at our usual snail's pace!

  94. jjetplane

    May 21, 2015, 12:18 #71316

    ..... Yawn and that goes for both clubs where one has been boring it's fans to death for 10 years to reach moneyland top four and once it is banked the results are of little relevance. The other lot have been boring their fans to death for 9 years just scraping back into the trough of PL money. And for that their manager cries! while ours does a smirk or two and hangs up his duvet for the summer. Still next season with a spine of BFG, Cezh and Giroud will really have JM quaking .... Hoy! JAMERSOn, WESTIE - let's be having yer!

  95. David

    May 21, 2015, 12:17 #71315

    Statistical reality: No other side in Europe has finished in the top four in their league for 11 straight seasons without also finishing in the top two for at least one of those seasons. Arsenal are not chasing a top 4 finish, but 3rd or 4th every year. This makes us the Tim Henman of English football.

  96. Know Man

    May 21, 2015, 12:16 #71314

    When Ozil has a bad game it's never his fault, it's everyone else's. You have to laugh. He contributes nothing. Gave the ball away on numerous occasions and is playing in his preferred position but does not have the guile, hunger, skill, desire or strength to win us a match. He was bought to unlock tight defences, make a difference when it's needed most, yet he flatters to deceive. But let's blame Giroud & Santi for Ozils inefficiencies.

  97. Westlower

    May 21, 2015, 12:16 #71313

    Kevin, if you're having doubts about Arsenal finishing 3rd, Betfair are currently offering 100/1 to £11 stake. The bookies are no longer betting on 3rd spot. Your anxiety is overriding your better judgement.

  98. johnnyhawleyloovinggooner

    May 21, 2015, 12:06 #71312

    .had a couple of chav fans in with me today.they are not happy bunnies about losing their keeper to anyone.would prefer we keep the 10mil and add 30 to it and offer it to the tots for their keeper.it would be an offer they cant refuse.weV still cannot cope with pressure.

  99. jeff wright

    May 21, 2015, 11:56 #71311

    One way to beat these park the bus sides is by going wide and putting in crosses for a big lad up front to nod down for a second striker or midfield player to get on to. Then the opposition a goal down and needing a point has to come out and play thus allowing the midfield technicians to work their magic. It's not rocket science this but tippy - tappy obsessed Arsene insists on his midfield gnomes, bearded or not, to just indulge in intricate ball on the floor passing to feet moves to try and walk the ball into the opposition goal through the massed ranks standing in front of it. All very slow and yawn inducing predictable and very easy to defend against. Wenger's often failed for donkeys years now to find a way of breaking these park the bus sides defences down when a bit of old fashioned hoof-ball route one mixed up with a winger out wide who can cross the ball properly bombing in crosses at a target man could work the oracle . We have that target man in the shape of big clumsy needs 60 chances to score 14 goals big dense Oliver . He who is completely out of his depth trying to fit into a fluid passing to feet Barca lite type of tactical set-up would be more at home in a target man role. Danny Boy was another bad signing he is just another Walcott neither a proper striker or a winger ,one wally in any side is enough for anyone. As I have said before Wenger does not have the players to perform like Barcelona do and the Prem is a much tougher league than La Liga and there are no easy games . A more direct approach at times such as in last night's game would cause the park the bus opposition more problems than than the weak tippy-tappy does. We were fortunate in the very first game at home v Palace to beat them in injury time having struggled just as we did last night to pass the ball into their goal all game . Next up it's the baseball cap wearing fingers in his gob whistling Tony Pulis who had he not resigned from Palace just before the game would have been in charge of that first game of ours at home. His ghost though lingered on in it. No prizes for guessing how he will set out to play against us with West Brum, who beat Chelsea 3-0 the other night . No prizes either for guessing how Wenger will set out to play against Tony . All I can add is ......Yawn.

  100. theopants superstar

    May 21, 2015, 11:56 #71310

    5 Games ago we were favourites for 2nd place and the manager was saying that it was important to keep going, as much for the message it would send out for what we will do next season, as this one. 1 win, 3 draws and a loss later I think we all know what the message is: This team will never be good enough while the same stubborn manager that refuses to see the obvious is in charge. R

  101. Westlower fan

    May 21, 2015, 11:53 #71309

    Don't be so pessimistic. People will turn up on Sunday. It's the last game of the season!!

  102. Where's Wally is a Gooner

    May 21, 2015, 11:18 #71308

    Cech would be a good start but if anyone thinks Arsenal can win the league next season with Giroud up front,they are crazy.He's a very decent pro but no-one would back him to finish if he had a one on one to win us the Premiership.On the basis that Wenger is backing him to the hilt and seems unlikely to do much transfer business in the summer,expect the club to be more fearful of being relegated from the top four,than aggressive in pursuing first place.

  103. Seven Kings Gooner

    May 21, 2015, 11:07 #71307

    The slightest pre match pressure on any Arsenal team over the last 8 years normally results in failure. I would not be the least surprised if United tanked Hull (who are shot to pieces as a team) and we end up having to hang on for a point against WBA to secure third place.

  104. Bench Warmer

    May 21, 2015, 10:46 #71306

    We knew that the last 3 teams to come to the Grove were going to park the bus for different reasons. This is where Wenger's tactical implementation shows him up. Where we need pace and width he brings in players guarenteed to go through the middle and play 10 yards either side of the D. Agree Walcott made a difference and Rosicky did look hungry but then he is looking for a new club, but good to see runs behind the defence. I hope against Pulis WBA we inject some pace and play a proper CDM as why should Santi be our CDM when he can dictate the flow of the game further forward? Other teams would have picked us off last night as I thought Kos was a one man defence at times.

  105. WeAreBuildingATeamToDominate

    May 21, 2015, 10:45 #71305

    Credit to Sunderland. They went to a top four outfit and defended as a unit to get the result they required. A certain Mr Wenger might want to take note of how to approach away games against better sides. Then again, we all know he won't.

  106. Nick

    May 21, 2015, 10:35 #71304

    I commented after the manure game that we would be in for another frustrating evening against the black cats, so it proved, it was obvious they would park the bus and try to nick something, on seeing the team Wenger picked i assumed he thought we were playing a team that needed to WIN, yet again no real width or tempo to our play , the usual patient yet mind numbingly boring pass , pass pass, lose possession, regain it pass, and pass again , Giroud had one almost clear chance and one decent effort otherwise he was below par, Ozil seemed either to have no ideas or no movement from others to find a pass to unlock a stubborn defence, as usual Wenger waited too bloody long to change things, Walcott and Rossicky should have started this game, the difference they made when finally brought on was obvious, the third goal less home draw in a row was secured, yes Pantillimon played well, but we made him look better than he actually was with inept finishing, and yet again waited too long to raise the tempo of the game, it doesn't look promising for the match vs WBA, although for them it is a nothing game , they can neither drop or go up a place, we could in the worst case scenario drop to 4th , it is hugely unlikely though, unless both Hull and ourselves utterly capitulate, a defeat or a draw in that game will have more effect on confidence, which could be disastrous for the cup final, i only hope that Oxlade Chamberlain is fit for both , we miss his directness and willingness to run at defenders. Wenger showed all the attributes that i dislike in last nights game , no willingness to change tactics, or make significant changes in personnel and an infuriating unwillingness to make changes to a game "plan" that clearly isn't working ,or to LEARN from previous failures , also his decision not to start le Coq almost cost us all the points, his performances over the last four games have been more abysmal than Girouds finishing of late, please , please, please Wenger either buy a real striker and a proper winger in the summer or tear up your contract do the honourable thing and WALK !

  107. Charles

    May 21, 2015, 10:34 #71303

    I am absolutely livid about the failure to learn anything from the Swansea game. How could anyone have watched the performances against Swansea & Chelsea and thought that the solution was to put left-footed Wilshere on the right wing? can't someone tell Sanchez to try going outside instead of cutting inside to run into more defenders every goddamn time? WENGER OUT.

  108. 1971 Gooner

    May 21, 2015, 10:29 #71301

    It looked at times as if AW had seconded Ray 'My Word' Wilkins himself onto the coaching staff, such were the number of lateral passes across the pitch. Rinse and repeat against WBA at the weekend one suspects.

  109. Jezzer

    May 21, 2015, 10:22 #71300

    Wenger maintained, all week, that he was aware of how Sunderland would approach the match, result he had the team set up exactly the same way as against Swansea who played the same. So he had days to come up with another option and he did nothing different what a strategic genius, looking forward to the same approach in the cup final ...be afraid !

  110. lance peters

    May 21, 2015, 10:18 #71299

    jack Wiltshire on the right wing?. cazorla,ramsey,ozil,wiltshire all central attacking midfielders in the starting 11?. but they cherry on top is giroud plays with his back towards the opposition net , our creative players have no option but to pass side or back. PATHETIC

  111. King Jeremy

    May 21, 2015, 10:15 #71298

    Sunderland parked the bus. Yes they did, but the time has now come to ask why teams do this against us. The reason is it is effective 9 times out of 10. And why is this? because 9 times out of 10 we play exactly the same way and 9 times out of 10 our manager does nothing to change that. Another example of why fresh blood is needed at the helm. I fear the worst for the final. Sherwood will have Villa set out to copy the Swansea/Sunderland model and in Benteke they have a forard to really trouble us on the counter/set plays. As slow a start as in last year's final cannot happed, but then that said we all thought we'd learn from the Wigan semi final and didn't.

  112. Mike Collins

    May 21, 2015, 10:04 #71297

    This was another uninspiring performance and another diabolical one by Santi Cazorla, who seemed to be operating as a 12th man for Sunderland (but who appears above criticism in these pages). OK, we should hang on to third but I fear for our top four place if this sort of form carries on next term. Agree with those who feel some of their season ticket money is wasted - it patently is.

  113. dirkus

    May 21, 2015, 9:59 #71296

    What a woeful, toothless performance. This team can't turn it on when there's any pressure. Cech or Casillas? Both passed their best so let's snap them up. Joke

  114. goonerbeau

    May 21, 2015, 9:58 #71295

    Cech is actually 33 but hey he'll be good for 5 more years at least

  115. Fozzy

    May 21, 2015, 9:49 #71294

    Dear Arsene, Since your lot secured the Fourth Place Trophy, neither you nor your squad have given any thought to your fans who have paid a king’s ransom who have been forced to watch three woeful performances. The past three matches against Swansea, ManUre and again last night were truly dreadful. You have been rightly criticised in the past for not having a Plan B. Well, last night you didn’t even have a Plan A. Sunderland needed just a point to stay up so it was blindingly obvious what their tactics were going to be. Every one of our attacks were so slow and predictable that they had ten men behind the ball before we reached the edge of their box. I would love to know what you see in Ozil, the Marty Feldman of the Premier League, who is lazy and refuses to track back when he loses the ball. May I suggest that you put on the bench on Sunday to teach him a lesson, and please give Sanchez a break before he injured himself. Otherwise The Goblin King will have you over yet again.