Weekends other Prem games

[Benitez]

Anelka has scored a goal

 

Bolton 2 - 0 Arsenal

 

almost half time

[Guest Ant]

A Awesome goal at that

 

btw 2-1 Ht

[Benitez]

The other day there is a headline on BBC website, something like 'Allardyce says Anelka is not for sale', and I'm wondering why he's talking about Anelka....

 

I keep forgetting he's at Bolton

[anfield]

Bolton kicking the crap out of arsenal. That was some goal by anelka though. Gilberto got one right back. Arsenal getting pretty riled up by Bolton

[LondonLiverpoolFan]

3-1 now

 

Anelka again

[Guest Scot]

Arsenal have a number of reasons to be more concerned than we do, for what it's worth.

[Romario]

Arsenal have a number of reasons to be more concerned than we do, for what it's worth.

I don't really agree. They have a wonderful team that's just not firing. A midfield of Gilberto, Cesc, Kleb, Roskicky and Ljundberg is class.

[Guest Sabre]

I don't really agree. They have a wonderful team that's just not firing. A midfield of Gilberto, Cesc, Kleb, Roskicky and Ljundberg is class.

 

A midfield of Kewell, Xabi, Sissoko and Gerrard is class, especially when you have Luis Garcia, Gonzalez and Pennant to back it up.

[Rimbeux]

Arsenal have a number of reasons to be more concerned than we do, for what it's worth.

 

 

They can blame it on being so young in so many key areas, they can still out play anoyne toe to toe, best v best, and will improve. We on the other hand are a team of now, and nearly now or never.

[Benitez]

I don't really agree. They have a wonderful team that's just not firing. A midfield of Gilberto, Cesc, Kleb, Roskicky and Ljundberg is class.

 

On paper it may be class, but Hleb has flattered to decieve since arriving in the Prem, and Rosicky hasnt got going really yet either. Not on a consistent basis. I'd take our midfield, missfiring wingers an all above theirs.

 

They could still do with some bite in that midfield, and I dont' mean that snidey little fecer Cesc trying to cripple players either He is a class player tho otherwise!

[Guest Scot]

They can blame it on being so young in so many key areas, they can still out play anoyne toe to toe, best v best, and will improve. We on the other hand are a team of now, and nearly now or never.

 

I wouldn't agree with any of that, mate. Arsenal were poor all of last season and it was put down to transition, but they continue to be poor this season. Moreover, they have a manager who has been in place for 10 years and so yes, their team is young, but if you have a very young squad then it's a failure of planning.

 

I don't see why our team is a team of 'nearly now or never'. It's a young group.

[Stevie H]

I don't really agree. They have a wonderful team that's just not firing. A midfield of Gilberto, Cesc, Kleb, Roskicky and Ljundberg is class.

it's a bit powder puff though. they can be rattled by physical sides.

[Guest Scot]

I don't really agree. They have a wonderful team that's just not firing. A midfield of Gilberto, Cesc, Kleb, Roskicky and Ljundberg is class.

 

In theory it may be class, in practice it is not class. It's getting regularly bullied.

[Romario]

On paper it may be class, but Hleb has flattered to decieve since arriving in the Prem, and Rosicky hasnt got going really yet either. Not on a consistent basis. I'd take our midfield, missfiring wingers an all above theirs.

 

They could still do with some bite in that midfield, and I dont' mean that snidey little fecer Cesc trying to cripple players either He is a class player tho otherwise!

Hleb was what I meant not Kleb. I agree with you that he's not been great but he's a really gifted player and I think he'll come really good for them.Same with Roskicky. He was made to play in that set up. Hleb took us to the cleaners the other week btw.

 

it's a bit powder puff though. they can be rattled by physical sides. I know what yo mean but at the same time Arsenal don't really lose many games due to teams being over physical to be honest. They lose by having no plan B. Granted Bolton took all 3 points today but they spanked us too and we're a big side. They have some strong players too and if it was a simple case of hitting them hard then how the f*** did we lose to them so easily.

 

Anyway I often think that size can be over rated really. I mean look at Cesc. Complete class. He's no bigger than Garcia but he manages to run games even when the tackles come flying in. He's a cute player rather than hard.

 

In theory it may be class, in practice it is not class. It's getting regularly bullied.

Arsenal have been really unlucky this season. I don't see them getting regularly bullied at all. I see them in kind of the same light as us right now. Gerrard and Henry both off form. We've played games where we've been s**** and lost. Arsenal have played brilliantly in europe only for the ball to refuse to go in.

 

I think Man U and Chelsea have been lucky this season that both us and Arsenal are underachieving so much. I have no doubts that Arsenal will be up there next season challenging and I hope we are too.

[Benitez]

Hleb may have played well against us, but he has flattered to decieve, in the year and a half since he's been there, you wouldn't disagree with that? One game doesn't change it. He just hasn't got anywhere near to justifying that that huge price tag at all yet. Put it this way, I'd expect a whole lot more from him, it's about time he starts performing. He's had more than a settling in period now.

 

Time will tell for Rosicky as to whether he'll live up to expectation. Cesc of course is a gifted player, no arguemnt there!

 

But I wouldn't really look at that midfield with any sort of awe.

[Rimbeux]

I wouldn't agree with any of that, mate. Arsenal were poor all of last season and it was put down to transition, but they continue to be poor this season. Moreover, they have a manager who has been in place for 10 years and so yes, their team is young, but if you have a very young squad then it's a failure of planning.

 

I don't see why our team is a team of 'nearly now or never'. It's a young group.

 

 

Fair enough, you can point the finger at the planning, lots of miles in that, but the reality is still that they have that greeness, which is by far the biggest factor in them this season and last, failing to press for the title for the first time under Wenger. Time may dictate these players not being good enough, but they were in a game to be European Champions 6 months ago.

 

Our squad is more mature, probably more mature than Man U's even, but I couldn't argue we are ahead of Arsenal, or that they have more work to do or have less room to improve or grow. Many of theirs can still improve greatly with experience, form permitting, we have what we have to a large extent.

Edited November 25, 2006 by Rimbeux

[Romario]

Hleb may have played well against us, but he has flattered to decieve, in the year and a half since he's been there, you wouldn't disagree with that? One game doesn't change it. He just hasn't got anywhere near to justifying that that huge price tag at all yet. Put it this way, I'd expect a whole lot more from him, it's about time he starts performing. He's had more than a settling in period now.

 

Time will tell for Rosicky as to whether he'll live up to expectation. Cesc of course is a gifted player, no arguemnt there!

 

But I wouldn't really look at that midfield with any sort of awe.

I look at the football they play as a team and am in awe to be honest. I love watching them play. I agree that Hleb hasn't been what he should be but I still think he'll get there. As for the price tag, well I agree it was crazy but I guess if he's the exact player Wenger wants then he'll pay whatever it costs if he thinks he's the missing link. He hasn't been so far but we'll see.

[Sir Tokyo Sexwale]

Anelka playing well against former team shocker. He'll revert to type next week

[Benitez]

I look at the football they play as a team and am in awe to be honest. I love watching them play. I agree that Hleb hasn't been what he should be but I still think he'll get there. As for the price tag, well I agree it was crazy but I guess if he's the exact player Wenger wants then he'll pay whatever it costs if he thinks he's the missing link. He hasn't been so far but we'll see.

 

 

their 'amazing' football hasn't really served them that well last two seasons though. Maybe it's something to do with them not having enough quality in their midfield

[Bailo]

Think Arsenal, as any other team would, missed Henry, Van Persie and particularly Gallas last night. They're striking cover seemed weak with only Baptista as cover for Adebayor and he's never convinced me.

[Will]

Anelka playing well against former team shocker. He'll revert to type next week

He hid when he played for us against them

[Benitez]

Today's games:

 

First up on Sky Spurts:

Newcastle v Portsmouth, 13:30

 

Man Utd v Chelsea, 16:00

 

Also:

Tottenham v Wigan, 15:00

Edited November 26, 2006 by Benitez

[CarraLegend]

Pompey should be winning already thanks to Bramble, Kanu couldnt finish though. Bramble now gives away a corner for nothing.

[Benitez]

that 'clearance' that ended up being a corner =

 

Nol Solano is having to play as an emergency right back for them, and he's 100 times the defender Bramble is.

 

And WTF is up with David James hair?

[Benitez]

this game at the moment: