***The Official Arsenal Gunners" Thread***

[NaturalSelected]

Quote: Originally Posted by cdawg44

Three points at Newcastle with no Ozil. Nice! Time to get some guys some rest with Cardiff at home on New Years. Also we don't ever need to do a five man back again. That was horrendous at the end

I didn't agree with the tactic, but the team did a great job of keeping their shape. A very, very important three points psychologically.

[rsnomar05]

Quote: Originally Posted by NaturalSelected

I didn't agree with the tactic, but the team did a great job of keeping their shape. A very, very important three points psychologically.

Huge win, given the players injured, and this really shows to me what a different, resilient Arsenal squad this is. In prior years during our trophy drought the injuries would mount, morale would dip, and form would drop along with points, but this is a gritty side that refuses to let bad circumstances get them down. This is my favorite Arsenal squad to watch since the Invincibles.

[XXstormmXX]

Quote: Originally Posted by Krebstar

I didn't get to see a second of the game, but I like what I'm reading. Walcott with two, and not only is Podolski back, but he's scoring. It's about time we take some pressure off Giroud up front. Now let's hope for a draw between City and Liverpool.

Let's hope Walcott is as fast as he is in FIFA 14.(99 speed)

[bad_philanthropy]

Saw this on reddit. Someone said they found Ozil on the shelf in the toy store.

[Krebstar]

Quote: Originally Posted by rsnomar05

Huge win, given the players injured, and this really shows to me what a different, resilient Arsenal squad this is. In prior years during our trophy drought the injuries would mount, morale would dip, and form would drop along with points, but this is a gritty side that refuses to let bad circumstances get them down. This is my favorite Arsenal squad to watch since the Invincibles.

We're so much tougher mentally than in past years. We're physically tougher, as well. It started last year with the defense improving, and us not being afraid to tackle as hard as we were being tackled. I'm sure having Bould work with the team defensively helped.

Now this year we're even better in that regard, and I'm sure Flamini has helped. His presence on the field, and the mentality that he passes to other players really shows. We don't put up with the same **** that we used to. If a referee isn't going to stop bad tackles, we'll give them right back.

Which brings me to the officiating today, which was terrible. The fact that we had three yellow cards is not the issue on it's own, but when you realize that Newcastle didn't have any is when my head starts spinning. Absolutely ridiculous.

- - - - - - - - - -

Two more things after seeing analysis from the game. First, more praise for Flamini. He's the first player in a long time for us to truly protect the defenders behind him. Arteta has done a good job in that role, but Flamini is the type of player we were missing for years. Song never did it that well.

Second, we're tied with Everton for the least amount of goals conceded at 18. So happy with our defense this year. That is quite the stat for Arsenal.

[NaturalSelected]

Quote: Originally Posted by Krebstar

Second, we're tied with Everton for the least amount of goals conceded at 18. So happy with our defense this year. That is quite the stat for Arsenal.

Going on two years of solid defensive stats. It can no longer be ignored.

[Krebstar]

Quote: Originally Posted by NaturalSelected

Going on two years of solid defensive stats. It can no longer be ignored.

It's pretty impressive. Last year we finished second to Man City (34) with 37 conceded. Damn. What an improvement. And we're currently on pace with 18 to finish one below last year with 36. Yaaay.

[Krebstar]

Well, we just got hit with a string of injuries. Hopefully Tomas and Jack are both fit for today.

Quote:

Midfielders Tomas Rosicky (calf) and Jack Wilshere (ankle) both face fitness tests later on Tuesday, as does England forward Theo Walcott, who picked up a shoulder problem in the 1-0 win at Newcastle. The full-back Kieran Gibbs definitely misses out because of a calf strain, while fellow defenders Nacho Monreal and Thomas Vermaelen have both been laid low by illness. The midfielder Aaron Ramsey is expected to be unavailable for around three weeks with the thigh problem suffered in the win at West Ham on Boxing Day, while the German playmaker Mesut Özil is also sidelined, with the club awaiting results of a visit to a shoulder specialist.

http://www.theguardian.com/football/...t-cardiff-city