Can't see him choosing Finland. Unless he feels more Finnish than English which I think it's safe to say he doesn't then the only reason he'd chose Finland is if he knew he wasn't ever going to be good enough for England. I'd be shocked if he picked Finland.

Frankly if he remains consistent all season he'll easily be in the top three and might even upend the likes of Glen Johnson, Micah Richards and Kyle Walker. He's only 20 years old, all the time in the world. Hasn't put a foot wrong this season. Can't praise the lad enough.

Yeh not doubting him in the future but there will come a time where he has to choose. And with the list ahead of him it's a tough choice.

What a goal by Giroud! We really need to put the ball onto his head more.

Arsenal would have won a few titles over the last 5 years if they crossed the ball. They don't learn.

We cross a fair bit actually, but never in the air. Most, if not all of Theo's assists last year came from crosses to RVP.

Yep, we would've done a lot better if a) we used the cross more when we had players like Adebayor, and RvP as well who is actually more than decent in the air and b) our players actually knew how to cross. Our fullbacks, with Jenkinson being the exception, cannot cross to save their life. Our wingers are a bit better, Podolski's delivery is pretty good and Theo's has got much better over the years.

With someone like Giroud who is so ridiculously good in the air I really hope we use toe cross more often, and actually work on it :lol:

No point crossing the ball when there's only one up front. 4-2-3-1 and 4-3-3 like formations simply don't provide enough men in the box. Man United get loads of goals when crossing and that's because they've always got a midfielder dashing in, possibly a winger and two forwards even when one has dropped back. It doesn't matter who scores them, it just creates confusion. We get the ball wide fast enough, we just don't get enough in the box at the same time.

I think we'll get better at it when Jack Wilshere is back in the side, he's got the stamina and the mentality to dash into the box and create a bit of confusion. We need to pack the box more.

Yep definitely agree, although I was more just saying how we should utilise it a bit more especially when we've got someone like Giroud upfront, just a shame we don't have many players who can put a great cross in consistently.

As for getting bodies into the box, 100% agree with that, although we have been better at it over the last year or so. Definitely, like you, think when Jack comes back he will definitely be one of the players who has that ability to make those lung bursting runs into the box, just like Cesc used to do so successfully. Also think Santi and most definitely Rambo also have that ability.

Miki is also the type of player to be able to do that, but don't think we'll be seeing much of it with this new role of his.

Edited by sydneycroatia58: 17/10/2012 08:41:57 PM

Sandro Rosell has came out and basically said that our only attraction to youngster's is cash. Bit rich ( no pun intended) that splashes millions on players every year and relies on bank grants to stay sustainable. Hate that club so much.

:lol: He's just got sand in his vagina about us taking Cesc away from them for so long and how many young players have decided to leave them for us recently :lol:

Who?

Jack and Bacary both made it through a full 90 mins against a Chelsea XI last night. Match ended 2-0 in Chelsea's favour.

Edited by gooner4life_8: 18/10/2012 07:58:13 AM

Great to hear on both counts. Bac will be back sooner rather than later. For a guy who's been out injured for 4 months apparently he looks like he's never been away.

Jack has apparently said he's ready to play this weekend, while I don't think he is, I would be inclined to at least have him on the bench. Just having him back in the squad will be a big confidence boost for everyone.

In other not so good news, it seems the GK injury crisis of a few years ago is back, although not as bad. Szczesny has been wearing a protective boot for his ankle and is still 2-3 weeks away from a return to training. While Fabianski has now been ruled out for 3 months after rupturing ankle ligaments in training.

The reason I say it's not so bad as a few years ago is simply because we don't have Almunia anymore :lol: Just means Martinez, who apparently is a very very good keeper, will be on the bench for the foreseeable future. Not to unhappy with Vito continuing as #1 been pretty happy with his performances so far.

Yepp, apparently Martinez is rated really highly. Jack among the subs will be, as you said, a massive boost for our club. Really cannot wait to see him back.

I really enjoyed wengerknowsbest latest tweet about Lopez. Very reminiscent of Cazorla.

I miss Afcamden

Jack.Is.Back.

Fixed :p

3am kick offs are the worst though.

Arsenal's record is decent in that timeslot...

glad to see jack being back . A massive boost for us

It's probably because I'm in bed, I'm a bad luck charm. I think we get our best wins while I'm asleep. Honest.

Maybe on saturdays, not sure we do as well sunday 4pm?

That is the worst timeslot when things go to sh!t... I remember copping a loss to Crystal Palace in this timeslot years ago. Always makes me anxious... Call me uncommitted but I may just IQ tonight. Hoping we smack 'em 4+ win always good to restart after the Intl break with a bang.

Poldi apparently out with an ankle problem, 17 year old Serge Gnabry comes onto the bench.

That's not confirmed btw.

Jack is back



Edited by sydneycroatia58: 21/10/2012 02:32:36 AM

Forget that about Poldi, he does start. Jack is back, well back on the bench at least :P

Starting XI: Mannone, Jenkinson, Mertesacker, Vermaelen, Santos, Arteta, Ramsey, Cazorla, Podolski, Gervinho, Giroud

Subs: Martinez, Djourou, Coquelin, Wilshere, Oxlade-Chamberlain, Arshavin, Gnabry

You look at that bench and you think Jack will get some time on the pitch today, I can't imagine Arshavin, Djourou or Gnabry coming on.