ANOTHER New Footie Thread

[Rishi]

Les & Ed, I agree. I am not sure Ozil will stay either, but then again as good as he is, the team often looks better (as a whole) without him. Maybe it is his lack of defense at times.

As for yesterday, I followed on arseblog instead of watching because I had a feeling they would have trouble. Wenger has been moaning about the schedule for weeks as if he was trying to set up the fan base for a disappointment. I know the team is banged up, and the flu swept through last week, but for a big club we sure don't have many options.

As for Wenger leaving, I get the feeling he will be signing another new contract. When he signed the last one I was hoping it would be his last, but I don't get that feeling. Unfortunately 2 of my top choices are already in EPL now and there is no chance we get them at the Emirates (Klopp & Conte).

Just curious where you think Ozil could end up?

Not many teams can afford his wages; he's 28; already been at Real Madrid (very suprised if they took him back); and most of the other big clubs that can afford him have younger options or will look to younger options IMO. I think Arsenal can re-sign him without breaking the bank. Will probably have to give him a raise, but Ozil won't get the numbers he's looking for. China would be a real option for money, but not prestige. He can still play at a high level, but not for any club that is considered "bigger" than Arsenal (i.e. Barca, Real, Bayern etc.).

Alexis Sanchez is completely different. He'll have options, but he won't get a 5 or 6 year deal. Arsenal may have to give him that 5th or 6th year if they want to hold onto him. He'll also get huge wages (like £300K/wk) and I doubt Arsenal will want to give him that much. The thing that really sucks for Arsenal is that he'll likely get that in the PL. He could plug and play for any team in the league, but I can't make that same statement about the "superpowers". Hope he comes to Chelsea in the summer. He, Hazard and Costa up top would be deadly.

 

[LesClaypool]

I agree w/Rishi's analysis.

I also think Ozil should have his bluff called. He's not NEARLY the player that Sanchez is. Give him a take it or leave it offer and if he doesn't take it, let him play out his contract and walk in 18 months.

 

[nole31906]

Got back from England late last night. I was able to enjoy watching Arsenal beat Crystal Palace and see Giroud's amazing goal. I actually had an excellent view of Iwobi's goal. My seats were looking right down the goal line. Best seats I have ever had at The Emirates. I was not able to see the Bournemouth match as I was on the plane.

However, despite the good feeling, I really do not see Arsenal ever winning the Premier League again under Wenger. Or with Kroenke as the owner for that matter. There doesn't seem to be any accountability of the manager or the players, and the board doesn't seem the least bit concerned as long a they are making a profit.They have a waiting list for expensive seats, merchandise sales are out the roof, and they benefit from the huge TV contracts for PL football. There just seems to be a lackadaisical attitude from the top down.

 

[FSUdawg]

Honestly I don't know where Ozil will go, but I do think he will be willing to leave London if he isn't paid what he thinks he should be paid. If he just wants money he will most likely leave for China. If he wants more than money, such as winning championships he will most likely try to go to a somewhat large club in Germany or someplace else in Europe. It will all be up to him and what wages he is willing to accept.

As for Alexis, I think he is all but out the door at this point. I agree with the assessment by 31906 regarding Wenger and Kroenke, and I am sure players see it as well. If Arsenal were smart they would either get a contract extension wrapped up this summer or sell Alexis for as much as they can get for him.

 

[Rishi]

Honestly I don't know where Ozil will go, but I do think he will be willing to leave London if he isn't paid what he thinks he should be paid. If he just wants money he will most likely leave for China. If he wants more than money, such as winning championships he will most likely try to go to a somewhat large club in Germany or someplace else in Europe. It will all be up to him and what wages he is willing to accept.

As for Alexis, I think he is all but out the door at this point. I agree with the assessment by 31906 regarding Wenger and Kroenke, and I am sure players see it as well. If Arsenal were smart they would either get a contract extension wrapped up this summer or sell Alexis for as much as they can get for him.

Agree with the Alexis stuff in general, but with only a year left on his contract (in the summer) will be difficult to get a lot. That being said, with the way transfer fees are who knows what they'll be able to do.

 

[LesClaypool]

Very classy reception from the home fans for Schweinsteiger at Man United just now as he came on.

I have a lot of respect for how he's carried himself, under the circumstances. Clearly the Manc Faithful do as well.

Respect!

 

[seminoleed]

Love the FA Cup. Hopefully, Preston North End doesn't score of the big "Cupsets" today.

 

[seminoleed]

Well, this is absolutely embarrassing. Atlanta United could beat this Arsenal side. Preston North End? Seriously?

Disgraceful first half.

 

[LesClaypool]

A win is a win is a win.

Na na na na na na na...Giroud!

 

[FSUdawg]

I agree, a win is a win. However, The Arsenal looked terrible today and they can't even say it was because they played a lot of second team players. Most of the guys on the pitch were part of their main core of players. Hopefully they just went in thinking it would be an easy game and tried to coast through it.

Next up Swansea in a week.

 

[SoddyNole]

Watching this game at the moment and while not being too knowledgeable of the premier league, I am always amazed how sponsors name takes up the majority of the jersey and one has to look close to find the club logo, especially when they are on the field and looking from a far.

vs

Is it just me or is cooperate advertising run amok in professional soccer. Not to mention the giant flashing LED billboard that runs the entire length of the pitch. I don't know how these guys concentration on the game lol.

Arsenal killing Swansea 3-0 in 67min. Swansea defender scored 3rd goal, one of those days.

 

[seminoleed]

4-0 now. Swans have two own goals, and look horrible. The Arsenal has been totally dominant.

 

[LesClaypool]

4-Nil to the Arsenal on the road. I'll take it!

 

[Rishi]

Anybody see the new Juve logo? Just disgustingly awful.

Here's their twitter feed to introduce it:

 

[seminoleed]

Ugh. Things that make you want to hurl.

 

[LesClaypool]

This is what happens when you get bored from winning the Scudetto year after year after year.

 

[seminoleed]

If The Arsenal would win the Prem year after year after year, I think I could
live with an alteration of the logo.

 

[Rishi]

If The Arsenal would win the Prem year after year after year, I think I could
live with an alteration of the logo.

So what you're saying is the logo isn't getting altered.

 

[LesClaypool]

So what you're saying is the logo isn't getting altered.

Ziiiiiiiing!

And Ouch!

 

[seminoleed]

Touche! Clever riposte.

 

[LesClaypool]

Swansea #*%*!

They go up 2-0 in the 2nd half on Liverpool and proceed to hemorrhage 2 goals in no time.

2-2 now in the 73rd minute.

C'mon you Swans! Hold on for the draw at least!

 

[LesClaypool]

And just like that, Gylfi makes it 3-2 to the Swans!

Hold!!!

 

[LesClaypool]

Liverpool's first home loss in 26 matches!

Well done, Swans!

 

[NoleLizards]

Liverpool's first home loss in 26 matches!

Well done, Swans!

Good day so far for us fans of Arsenal or Chelsea. Go Citeh!

 

[seminoleed]

And City is winning at the moment. Anyone see Rooney's wonder strike to break Charlton's record. Seems a pity it couldn't come at Old Trafford. The supporters would have gone wild.

 

[NoleLizards]

I'll gladly take the 2-2 draw...especially in light of how poorly MC had been playing lately.

 

[Rishi]

Going to be interesting to see how Spurs react to losing Vertongen and possibly Alderweireld. They looked to have something with their switch to a back 3, but that was predicated on using Dier, Toby and Jan. Not the same with any one of them missing.

 

[nole31906]

Well, I guess Arsenal is about to find out how it is to not have Wenger as their manager on the sidelines. LOL.

 

[LesClaypool]

Yeah, he's going to be gone for a LONG time. This is his second offense. So he's a repeat offender or which will not bode well for him.

 

[NoleLizards]

Didn't look like much to me, but obviously you aren't able to touch an official like that. Gotta give Arsenal props once again for pulling out a result at the end which seemed unlikely at the time. You guys aren't out of Chelsea's rear view mirror yet.

 

[Manch.]

Yeah, he's going to be gone for a LONG time. This is his second offense. So he's a repeat offender or which will not bode well for him.

I missed it, what happened and with whom?

 

[NoleLizards]

I missed it, what happened and with whom

Wenger "shoved" the fourth official as he was trying to escort him off the pitch. Hopefully the link works....

http://www.skysports.com/football/n...r-pushing-fourth-official-says-graeme-souness

 

[Manch.]

I just read in the Telegraph that a 6 to 10 game ban would be appropriate, if Arsenal won, I don't see the need to get that testy, but in the heat of the moment, who knows.

 

[FSUdawg]

The worst part about it is he was arguing a call which was correct. Coq stuck his leg out, got nowhere near the ball, and tripped the Burnley player...it should have been a penalty.

If he wanted to get all bent out of shape he should have done it earlier when Moss missed a blatant penalty in the box which should have been a penalty for Arsenal.

Personally I don't see where him missing games is going to be a big deal. He will most likely still be in the locker room before the game and at halftime, he just won't be on the bench. Maybe he does more than I think while on the bench, but it usually doesn't look like a lot...other than fight with the zipper on his coat.

 

[LesClaypool]

The best news to come out of Wenger's impending suspension is...that's right...you guessed it...we all get to see more of Steve Bould's legs!

I couldn't find a good image but I think Arsenal fans will know what I'm talking about. It can be 8 degrees outside, Wenger phumphering with his coat, and there will be Steve Bould, in his shorts.

 

[FSUdawg]

Wenger has officially been given a 4 match touchline ban, starting with the FA Cup tie tomorrow against Southampton. The other 3 matches he will miss are EPL matches against Watford, Chelsea & Hull. Of course since the ban is only from the touchline, he can still be in the dressing room, or in the stands, and he can communicate to the bench via phone or runner.

Reading various comments the 2 overwhelming things I am reading are...

1. it doesn't really matter because he doesn't do much from the bench anyhow. He can still send word to the bench as to who his first sub will be in the 70th minute.

2. This sucks now that it is getting colder because we won't be able to see him messing around with his jacket zipper for 10 minutes.

 

[Rishi]

This sucks now that it is getting colder because we won't be able to see him messing around with his jacket zipper for 10 minutes.

Arsene's never living that down is he?

 

[LesClaypool]

This week if Chelsea beats Liverpool and then Arsenal, the title race is over...on February 4th...which is incredible, but true.

Liverpool is putrid right now, so I thoroughly expect Chelsea to thrash them.

I think Arsenal can win at the Bridge, but I'm not holding my breath.

On a side note, Alexis Sanchez came on today with Arsenal up 3-0 in the 65th minute. He DID have 2 assists, en route to a 5-0 final, but the far more important takeaway here is that Alexis CLEARLY decides his own fate. He's calling all the shots until he signs (or doesn't sign) a contract extension. Absolutely ridiculous to bring him on. Noone in their right mind, 100% of people, would NOT have brought him on. He basically just decided, "Hey, I wanna play today." So he got to. It's never good when one player has that much power or control. It doesn't ever end well.

 

[seminoleed]

Maybe Arsene should extend his ban himself. The Arsenal today was clinical in destroying Southampton 5-0 (and it wasn't that close). Meanwhile, the Peasants lose to.....Wolves? LMAO. Now, THAT'S putrid.

 

[Rishi]

This week if Chelsea beats Liverpool and then Arsenal, the title race is over...on February 4th...which is incredible, but true.

Liverpool is putrid right now, so I thoroughly expect Chelsea to thrash them.

I think Arsenal can win at the Bridge, but I'm not holding my breath.

On a side note, Alexis Sanchez came on today with Arsenal up 3-0 in the 65th minute. He DID have 2 assists, en route to a 5-0 final, but the far more important takeaway here is that Alexis CLEARLY decides his own fate. He's calling all the shots until he signs (or doesn't sign) a contract extension. Absolutely ridiculous to bring him on. Noone in their right mind, 100% of people, would NOT have brought him on. He basically just decided, "Hey, I wanna play today." So he got to. It's never good when one player has that much power or control. It doesn't ever end well.

Chelsea did the same with Costa today - he came on in the ~ 75th min.

re: Liverpool game, I'm a bit worried that Mane might play (Senegal was eliminated in the ACN on Saturday). It's not coincidence that's Liverpool's struggles started when he left for the ACN.

I'm hoping Egypt make the finals so that there's no chance that Elneny is available for Arsenal next weekend (considering all the injuries/suspensions to the deep MF for Arsenal at the moment).