Your Says of the Day: Jekyll and Hyde Arsenal; Bamford hope
Which is the real Arsenal? Should Patrick Bamford be given a chance at Chelsea? Can Liverpool make the top four? And are Tottenham the real deal?
If you have anything to add on any subject, you know what to do – post on the Your Say forum now.
Jekyll and Hyde Arsenal
You never know where you are with this lot, do you? Against Southampton, it was an Arsenal we’re all probably more familiar with than we’d really like to be – starting to look like, just maybe, all the pieces were slotting into place, only to put in a performance like that.
Then 48 hours later, a good, composed performance against an in-form side. Anything else. when you’re playing at home, against a side still firmly in the bottom half of the table, would have been unforgivable but, after Saturday’s debacle, it was a very welcome, professional, job well done.
Thing is, even if you’d just start watching Arsenal at the start of this season, this would be a pattern you were already very familiar with.
In a season where Leicester and even Spurs are looking good for a top four place, we’re unlikely to get a better chance.
Of course, all the praise is rightly being aimed at Ozil. He was absolutely outstanding last night and it wasn’t the first time this season. Wenger keeps comparing him to Bergkamp and it’s hard to argue. Unbelievably, Ozil’s stats are actually better than the Dutchman’s, aside from the goal count. Let’s be honest – there will only ever be one Dennis Bergkamp, but we are blessed to have another player who’s even comparable.
Can’t help feeling that once Sanchez is back, Theo should go back up front. He’ll benefit more from Mesut’s service than Giroud. With the German’s eye for the perfect pass, a front three of Walcott, Ox and Alexis would give us the pace to take full advantage.
I actually thought Ox was getting back towards his best last night – he clearly just needs game-time – but I want to talk about Chambers and Gabriel. Both are fringe players who don’t get a lot of time on the pitch. Chambers was a bit shaky at times, but overall, a good performance and again, with game-time, he’ll only get better.
Gabriel always impresses me. It can’t be easy to be in and out the side all the time, but I think it’s fair to say that he was a worthy deputy for Kos.
Finally, just a word of congrats to Cech on breaking the clean-sheet record. Whatever Ozil, Sanchez and co do this season, if we were to win the title, it will be in no small part to finally having a world class keeper between the sticks again.
Bamford the man for Chelsea?
Given our issues in front of goal and the fact that Bamford is to end his nightmare spell at Palace. Anyone else think we should give him a shot in the first team? Falcao is a flop and Bamford can’t be any worse. Remy isn’t getting a chance and looks like he could be leaving in January, leaving us short in the striking department. So maybe Bamford should be retained and given a first team opportunity.
Liverpool looking up
If we beat Sunderland, we will be 5 points from 4th. While no match is easy, we have a more favorable home fixtures against the top teams in the second half of the season. A lot will depend on whether we will strengthen during the transfer window, and whether the team especially Sturridge can stay fit. During Rodgers’s term, we usually play much better after January and I think Klopp will match that.
Spurs no longer Spursy
What’s happening guys?
A Spurs team showing character? A goal difference more in keeping with the Manchester and West London, sugar daddy clubs, and positive…well almost positive…comments from some of our most hard to please supporters on this page. (Clearly I no longer include myself in that category, given my recent conversion to Poch’s style of management and to the delightful Mr. Levy’s stewardship of our Club)
Seriously though, it really is a pleasure to be a supporter at the moment isn’t it?
Finally, Sota and Riddler, there isn’t a question in my mind that young Eriksen is indeed the real deal, as I’ve no doubt he will begin to demonstrate over the coming weeks.
Such unmitigated positivity has left me quite exhausted…time for a little lie down me thinks.
No respite for Rooney
I watched the game last night and I thought you were a little unlucky. However I cant believe how bad Rooney was. He seems to be a yard slower and has trouble controlling the ball. How he was made man of the match on BT beggars belief.
As for Depay, £25m! Crickey – not much of a clue.
If it wasnt for De Gea you would have lost. He was clearly man of the match.
You dont want Giggs as manager either.
What do you all think of Schweinseiger? Looks too slow to me
Future looks bright for Leeds
Our future lies with the youth. I would love to see Cook, Byram, Mowatt, Taylor and others develop together There were som brilliant flashes of movement from yong Cook yesterday. With harder work on the training ground and greater levels of concentration these lads are going to improve.
I’ve made the point constantly. We MUST sign a Strachan-like figure to play as role model-mentor to these youngsters. Somebody who can inspire and lead the way. Somebody who has been there, done it at the highest level and still has enough petrol in the tank. Remember, when young Bremner, Eddie Grey, Peter Lorimer were coming through they had the likes of wee Bobby Colins – a giant of a half-a-pint if ever there was one!
So Johnny, me New Years wish would be an old hat com in and take over as military general on the battle field. Otherwise the young uns are going to struggle. Any names com to mind, then?
And oh, if we could offload no-goody Woody and let Erwin off the leash at some point.