Malcolm Bliss

Isn't that true for every other club in Europe, with the exception of 8.

W2D5L3 in their qualifying group scoring 7 and conceding 9... they really don't. Of course neither do Panama.

Which transfer thread are you referring to? Not the one here.

I do not agree with Gomez's premise. Poorly worded on my part. I was merely pointing out that his general statement "They knew how to play against that kind of team (though it took Rafa a season or two) " was basically inaccurate not only because we won 2006, but Cup results throughout his tenure don't indicate he ever "figured it out" against lower league clubs. I also agree with you that it was a completely disingenuous statement, for the reason you mention above (BR' first season).

Yeah.. struggled mightily in Rafa second year of the FA Cup. That said, I think we were hit or miss in the Cups, against lower league opposition (League and FA), during Rafa's tenure.

Not really the case is it? Arsenal have West Ham and Brighton to play before us.

I wonder if Rodgers responding publicly is tied to internal / private conversation he and Luis had previously. Probably not, but just a thought.

Harsh on reptiles.

Off the BBC Site: Manchester United manager Sir Alex Ferguson: "We absolutely battered them and we are very unlucky. It really should have been a foul for us in the build-up to their goal. It was just one of those games, he is a young referee, but really, what a performance. "It should have been six point gap today and that is the disappointment. Vidic did not have much to do but what he did do he did well. "Robin van Persie is lucky to be alive. It was a disgraceful act from their player today and he should be banned by the FA. Robin could have had a broken neck."

Arsenal: Szczesny, Sagna, Mertesacker, Vermaelen, Gibbs, Cazorla, Ramsey, Wilshere, Podolski, Coquelin, Gervinho. Subs: Mannone, Rosicky, Arteta, Oxlade-Chamberlain, Squillaci, Jenkinson, Chamakh.

... and from today's BBC Live WC Qualifying text stream: Pat Nevin, at Cardiff City Stadium for BBC Radio 5 live sports extra"Bale has clipped his own heels for me. It's tight, but if there is the slightest contact there it is a penalty kick. Bale has been the best player on the park by a million miles. He's tried to create chances for everyone else who have not been able to take them, so he creates a chance for himself and takes it. He was looking for it, but he got the slightest of touches and went down. And that is what a forward should do." Hmmmm

Wonder if they were chuckling when Huth stamped on Suarez.

Liverpool midfielder Jonjo Shelvey talking about his red card in his club's 2-1 defeat to Manchester United: "I apologise to the fans for getting sent off but no way was I pulling out of that tackle in a game of that importance. I am sorry. "I have also apologised to Manchester United manager Sir Alex Ferguson, just where I come from people don't grass people up to get someone sent off."

I kept waiting to see a post along the lines of Liverpool 4-4 Chelsea (Cobbs strikes again).

JWH = Mr. Slate