"Lets Get Ready To Rumble"

Arsenal v Stoke City Preview

Things to expect:

Mark Hughes will act like a petulant dickhead and get into it with the refs(all 4), Wenger, Players, ball boys you name it, he'll pretty much treat everybody like crap, including the post match interviewer.  H'e'll also make up a story about how an Arsenal player farted in the tunnel at halftime, and how that player should be suspended for 3 matches. 

The Stoke City Fans a bunch of dim-witted dumb asses,will actually boo Aaron Ramsey every chance they get even though he wont be playing, because his leg was broke by an all grown up Robin Arryn AKA Ryan Shawcross

Mesut Ozil will play, and play well, the week to recharge, reflect, and run over photographers will do wonders for Ozil physically and mentally. Giroud showed lastweek what time off can do for a player, and hopefully Ozil can have the same impact against Stoke.

I’m surprisingly optimistic about Saturday’s match.  The team is rested, batteries recharged, and the squad has got to feel like the title is right there for the taking.  Arsenal is so close, and I know its cliche but these are the kind of games Arsenal must win if they want to win the title. And hell why stop at the Premier League title, Arsenal are in the quarter-finals of the FA Cup playing at home against an Everton side feeling the effects of playing a long season with a thin squad.  I don’t want to get ahead of myself but if Arsenal handle business against Stoke City, and come out of the match unscathed on the injury front, then the quarter-final match against Everton would be a great way to exact revenge on a side that came to Emirates and out played Arsenal and got a result.  My only concern for Saturday’s is the ease in which Arsenal brushed aside Sunderland last week.  That match was as easy a match as a team could have in the BPL, and boy did it come at a perfect time.  Saturday’s match will have everything  that the Sunderland match didn't have  in terms of physicality, fouls, cards, and if Arsenal come into the game expecting another stroll in the park, then it will be long frustrating match to watch.  But if the manager, (that’s right the manager) Mr. Arsene Wenger can have the team mentally prepared of what to expect, and have the squad ready to fight from the BEGINNING OF THE MATCH, then I think Arsenal’s class and newly found confidence will be enough to defeat these goons. #COYG "Lets Get Ready To Rumble"

Prediction – Stoke City 0 – 3 Arsenal

Goals (Santi, OX, Ozil)

Peace Out,

Blanco    

A Quick Stroll In The Park

The Good - Ozil not playing was good for Arsenal.  Not because he's terrible or anything like that but because for the past few weeks,the poor guy has looked completely drained mentally.  I commend the Manager for having the courage to leave Ozil out of today's match.  It's amazing what a day off to recharge the battery will do for a player's mind body and soul, if you don't believe me just look what it did for Giroud today. Although rested for different circumstances (Giroud -too much pussy // Ozil - exhausted from football).  Giroud looked refreshed bright and ready go, and the 2 goals he scored will go a long way to restoring his confidence.

Rosicky was the spark /engine Arsenal needed today.  I love the energy he brings to the team, and whenever he receives a pass, his only thought is to attack at full throttle, and push the team forward.  Rosicky scored a beautiful TEAM goal on a beautiful day in which the man, the myth, the legend, Dennis Bergkamp was honored with a well deserved beautiful statue.  

The Bad - First let me say good luck to Sunderland in next weeks Carling Cup final, and I hope they give the Evil Empire(Man City) hell.  The squad should be well rested since the defense did absolutely nothing in today's match.  I thought today's match would be played very physical and at very fast pace, especially considering the fact that Bayern ran the dog shit out of Arsenal on Wednesday night.  Sunderland looked like 11 Denilson's just casually cruising around pretending to mark Arsenal attackers.  The  defensive tactics employed by Sunderland today were non existent, and just what the doctor ordered after such a demanding run of matches for the Arsenal. 

The Ugly - Chelsea's late winner against Everton, which keeps those dirty bastards a point ahead of Arsenal in the table.  I watched the game, and Everton were extremely unlucky not to get a result.  Ever since Chelsea's "Shit Talking Asshole Specialist" manager made those disrespectful comments about Wenger, I want nothing more but for Arsenal to pip Chelsea for the BPL title, just to shove it up Mourinho's ass.

Quick Thought - For those Arsenal supporter's who don't seem too concerned about possibly loosing Sagna next year, today's match should've showed them what a valuable commodity he is to Arsenal.  Sagna played 3 different positions (RB/LB/CB) for Arsenal's back-line without batting an eyelash or skipping a beat, and for a squad thats consistently thin, and plagued with injuries.  A player like Sagna who can step in and professionally get the job done anywhere in the back-line, is player Arsenal should be doing everything to keep.

Peace Out,
Blanco

Oh So Naive

The Good – The first 30 minutes of tonight’s match was excellent.  You really felt like this was going to be a classic match from an attacking point of view.  Arsenal came out the gates strong, and really took it to the Bayern.  It took a little bit of time for Bayern to get into the match, and at one point Bayern looked rattled and eventually gave away a penalty.  As an Arsenal supporter, I was instantly optimistic, watching the first 30 minutes.  I started believing Arsenal would not only get a result but they could actually win.

Arsenal’s defense when they went a man down and then one goal down was tremendous.  I commend them, they worked hard for each other, and the whole team was switched on and down for the cause.   You could actually feel and see that “good team spirit” Wenger’s always bloviating about after losses.

The Bad – Ozil’s attitude after the missed penalty was so disheartening.  You could see it in his “lizard boy” eyes the disappointment and I don’t think he ever recovered from the miss.  I thought Wenger should have taken Ozil off instead of Santi because Ozil was crushed mentally after the miss.  I felt Santi would’ve help out poor poor Monreal on that right side more effectively than Ozil.  I like Ozil, I still think he’s world class, but the poor guy looks completely drained physically, and its clearly starting to effect is play.

The Red Card was a bit harsh, and ruined what could’ve been a classic match.  I thought Robben’s touch was heavy and Sagna would have got to it.  Was it a clear goal scoring opportunity?  What if Robben scores with that touch, does the ref wave off the goal, and still give the penalty and red card? Can we make an argument that Ozil had a clear goal scoring opportunity?

The Ugly -   Arsenal’s Naivety was again on display late in the second half.  Jack took an early free kick from damn near the center circle; after his team had just been ran ragged for the whole 2^nd half.  Jack proceeds to kick the ball to the only person on the team crazy enough to go after it and take on Bayern defense by himself (Koscielny).  The worst part about this free kick is that Jack kicked the ball straight to Bayern’s Keeper (Neuer).  Koscielny is now out of position, running around like a mad man trying to win the ball back by himself, instead of getting back into position.  Bayern then simply avoid Koscielny’s one man press, and calmly and methodically pass the ball around and score that crucial 2^nd away goal.  Its déjà vu all over again, Arsenal give up a needless goal late in a Champions League knockout match trying to score a goal they didn't need.  Losing 1 nil to the defending champions with 10 men would’ve been a great moral victory for Arsenal, especially after what happen last year in Munich (Munich 0 – 2 Arsenal).  It was naïve for any Arsenal player at that stage in the match, after what happen last year, to think about anything else other than defending.

Final thoughts   if you watched the first 30 minutes of tonight’s match, then you know how good Arsenal can be at times.  At times Arsenal can be extraordinarily scintillating, a joy to watch, and then at times Arsenal press the proverbial self-destruct button, usually in big matches against big clubs.  The gap in talent between Arsenal and Bayern is not wide.  Arsenal can match up with any team in the world physically, it’s mentally where Arsenal are still having the hardest times breaking through and winning things.  The difference in mentality between the clubs is Arsenal was naïve and switched off for about 2 minutes and gave up the 2^nd away goal.  Whereas Bayern knew it would’ve been naïve to think a 1 goal lead was safe to take back to Munich.  Bayern knew it would be naïve to attack recklessly and potentially give up a counter attack goal to Arsenal, so Bayern probed and prodded, kept the ball and calmly and patiently waited for an Arsenal mistake to pounce on and score the precious 2^nd away goal.  

Peace Out,
Blanco

Oh So Lucky

“If one is lucky, a solitary fantasy can totally transform one million realities.” Maya Angelou

I must be honest, but I didn't see that coming.  I thought for sure Arsenal would lose today, for the simple fact that Liverpool destroyed Arsenal one week ago, not by luck, but with pure quality. Today’s FA Cup tie was an enthralling affair from the opening whistle, and if Daniel Sturridge had his shooting boots on in the first 10 minutes, then I’m pretty sure Piers Morgan’s head would've blown up while tweeting his disgust with Wenger.  Damn you Sturridge! Arsenal has played some really go sides this year, and never has our defense been carved up the way this Liverpool team carves it up.  Maybe it’s a case of styles make fights, but hats off to Liverpool, they are a great attacking side, that clearly has Arsenal's number.  I’m glad we don't have to play them again until next year, and hopefully by then Arsenal would have bought Suarez.

Arsenal were very lucky on the day, and could’ve easily lost 6-3 (Santi should’ve made that sitter when he came on). As an Arsenal supporter I have no shame in admitting Arsenal were lucky, it’s just an honest objective assessment of the match.  Besides isn't luck what the FA Cup is all about. The luck of the draw, the refs, a team’s form, and look no further than last year as Wigan beat the billionaire boys club Man City to win the FA Cup.  Do you think Wigan supporters get angry when people say that got lucky?  

The Good – Fabianski was brilliant on the day.  Hands down his best performance in an Arsenal jersey, it’s a shame he’ll be leaving in the summer, but he won’t have any problems finding a team.  

Ox provided the drive and pace in attack, that's usually provided by Rosicky.  He did a hell of  a job, with a calm finish, and a beautiful assist.

Sonogo is a beast, early in the match; you could see him getting manhandled by Skrtel and Agger, but after about 15 minutes of their bullshit, Sonogo entered beast mode.  It’s like he said to himself, “Oh so this is what the physicality of the BPL is all about, OK I can handle this.” The kid really did put in a good shift, worked his socks off, and setup the first goal.  Sonogo’s performance could not have come at a better time, with all the drama surrounding Giroud.

The Bad – Daniel Sturridge’s finishing was atrocious.  Doesn't he play FIFA 14?  If he did, then he would realize, you can’t go around the keeper and score, you have to shoot first time.  Wouldn't it have been awesome if every time Fabianski made a save, he got up and did that dumb ass dance Sturridge does?

Giroud apologizing on twitter for cheating on his wife is probably not the smartest move.  It’s embarrassing, and it puts a chink in the “good Arsenal team spirit” armor, and most of all dumps a tremendous load of pressure on Giroud’s shoulders.  I can hear it now, after every missed shot, “Giroud scores off the field why can’t he score on it.”  What’s wrong with privately apologizing to the team, and his wife?  Voila nothing else needs to be said, no more questions, and no more media distractions.

2^nd half was the longest 2^nd half in the history of 2^nd halves.

The Ugly – Howard Webb had a howler.  How is he considered the best ref in England?  I've seen CONCACAF ref better then this guy(maybe), he got every big decision wrong in today's match.  Standing 3 feet away he missed a blatant penalty on Suarez.  He missed countless fouls on Sonogo.  Gerrard should’ve been sent off in the first half.  He should’ve received a yellow card before receiving his first yellow card at  the(42’), and to top it all off Webb didn't give Gerrard an obvious second yellow card in the second half.  I hope FIFA watched today's game and Webb doesn't get to destroy another World Cup final.

Peace Out,

Blanco

Pure Exhaustion

     Pure exhaustion, that’s how I would describe Giroud’s performance last night.  The poor guy looked absolutely spent by the end of the game, mentally and physically.  Can you really blame the poor guy?  Giroud pretty much plays every single game.  I remember sometime in January, the manager mentioning the fact that not only does the fixture pile up cause tremendous strain physically, but the mental toll is much more strenuous on the squad.  Giroud’s mental exhaustion was on full display last night.  After every missed shot, you could see the mental fatigue written all over his facial expressions. The dramatic histrionics, the cries to heaven after every missed shot really showed the mental anguish, and pressure Giroud is under.  As Arsenal supporters it would be nice just to see Giroud get on with it after missed shots.  In comparison if you look at RVP, he missed a couple a great chances, his response was to blow a snot rocket out his nose and be ready for the next opportunity.  

     

     Can Arsenal supporters really blame Giroud for succumbing to this tremendous weight of mental pressure?  Since the last campaign ended, all Giroud has heard is, “Arsenal need to buy a striker”, and this past January, those same cries became louder and more desperate.  The cries came from Arsenal supporters, pundits, grandmothers, even people who don’t support Arsenal were screaming for a striker.  Unless Giroud lives in a cave without the internet, how could he not mentally be worn out by it all.  Giroud might also need to play with ear plugs, because after every missed touch, pass, or shot I’m sure he heard the all moans and groans on display at the Emirates.  If Giroud didn't have bad luck, then he wouldn't have any luck, not only does he have to play every three days, score goals, hold play up, be physical, defend corners but he has to do this with the whole football universe emphatically suggesting he’s not the striker who will win Arsenal the title.  Whelp there’s only one person Giroud can thank for taking the brunt of Arsenal supporters frustration, yep you guessed it Mr. Arsene Wenger.

     First of all let me preface my comments with a disclaimer, I love Arsene Wenger, and I don’t want him fired.  Its shame I have to do that, but us Arsenal supporter are a very sensitive bunch when it comes to the old man.  With all that said, I can’t trust Arsene anymore to do the right things to win titles.  If as a manager you know you do not trust your back up players to play at all, barring any injuries, then a VERY thin squad becomes cadaverous.  Is Bendtner, Sonogo, or Podolski ever going to play if Giroud is healthy?  If the answer is no, then a team fighting in three competitions with only one legitimate striker, has no chance of winning anything.  As a player it’s nice to know that a manager has faith in you, but also as a player it’s nice to know the weight of the world is not on your shoulders, and that you do have help.  At this point in the season, none of Arsenal’s strikers can relate to either scenario.

     I was one of the supporters begging for the manager to bring in a player, but not a striker, I wanted Wenger to buy a central defender for OBVIOUS reasons.  I figured Arsenal could continue spreading the goals around offensively, and the team just needed defensive cover; but after watching last night’s game, it’s clear a striker who Wenger would trust to play in any situation is what the team needs. Signing a striker who could legitimately compete with Giroud would have done wonders for this team, the same way signing Ozil was a big lift for moral in the early part of the season. 

     Does the manager honestly think that the squad as it is right now will not have any more injuries, or suspensions?  I know I know would've could’ve should’ve, it’s over now, get on with it, but hindsight is not 20/20 in this case because every game will be a glaring reminder of what needed to be done in January. For the ticket holders that’s got to be extremely frustrating and for players like Giroud, Koscielny, Mertesacker, and Ozil the mental and physical pressure unbearable.

     

     It’s a shame because this group of players deserves better, they've worked so hard and given everything, but their exhausted mentally and physically.  It’s been a long hard season and its only February, and the players, supporters, and competition are aware that no help is coming.  Right now, Arsenal is a wounded animal, and the footballing universe are vultures circling, waiting to pounce, and unleash every tired played out Arsenal cliche possible.  As supporters all we can do is support the team and hope for the best, and lots of luck.  Arsenal supporters can pretend all we want, but we know how this movie ends, we've all seen it before, and so has Arsene Wenger.  The one man who could’ve done something to prevent the inevitable, but he chose to do nothing, the same thing he always does. What does doing the same thing over and over again, and expecting different results mean? Insanity.  COYG! Give them hell.

Peace Out,

Blanco

A Must Win?

Today’s game against Manchester United is a must win game. Arsenal has to win this game, if they are serious about winning the title; there is no other way around it, especially with the upcoming 2 games against Liverpool (FA Cup) Bayern (CL). I love Arsenal, but I’m a realist and Arsenal will not win either game, thus making today’s game extremely important for Arsenal’s title challenge, and the confidence of the Arsenal supporters. If Arsenal loose today and then the next two matches, then it’s here we go again just like last year, Arsenal drop out of all competitions with in a weeks’ time. I know being a point behind Chelsea with 12 matches to go, wouldn’t be a bad thing, but as an Arsenal supporter, would I really trust the squad and the manager to push through against all odds and win the title, only if they defeat Manchester United, and then put every last egg in the “win the title basket”.

Some supporters feel a point would be sufficient, but to me that would let this team off the hook and send the same message, that Arsenal supporters have been bombarded with all season. “Arsenal can’t handle the pressure.” “Come February Arsenal will fade.” These are just a few of the countless remarks that have been thrown around. If Arsenal wants to win the title, they have to win today. If Arsenal wants to show everybody they can handle pressure, they have to win today. If Arsenal wants respect they have to earn it, and going out and defeating the defending champions at the Emirates, will go a long way in earning some respect. Defeating a Manchester United team that will be absolutely desperate for points, a Manchester United team that’s beaten Arsenal, at a time in the season when Arsenal were in much better form. Arsenal can kill a ton of birds with one stone (win) today. Arsenal can earn respect and let the world know that they will be in the hunt for a league title that they won’t fade, they can handle pressure, and best of all completely destroy Manchester United dreams of Champions League football.

For the past 10 years as Arsenal supporters, we’ve seen this movie before; we know how it ends, and so does the whole footballing universe. That’s why when anybody other than an Arsenal supporter speaks about Arsenal’s title challenge it’s with callous disregard, a joke, impossible. Impossible for all the same reasons, too thin, too many injuries, not enough mental strength, and no leaders on the team, and last but not least Arsenal can’t handle the pressure. There’s a scene from the original Karate Kid that sums up why Arsenal need to win, to earn balance and respect.  Karate Kid scene

Peace Out, Blanco