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Grass Roots

Joined: 07 Jun 2006
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Great game...definately exciting to watch....better than the Liverpool/Man U game for me....

I think Arsenal have become a complacent team and that's costing them HUGE...RVP is nowhere near his best/even average....and I think Flabbergasp and Hleb are performing below par as well....I think Chelsea may have the upperhand in the title race(even tho it's just 1 point difference for now).....would prefer to see Arsenal win it tho.

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J-Axe wrote:
Turned out a very good game. Chelsea deserved the win, the comeback was very strong and resilient.

Grant proved all the Chelski Mourinho fans wrong again and embarrassed each and every one of them.

The difference today was that Carvalho & Terry were excellent whilst our CB pairing were exposed too easily. Drogba helped make that difference as well and Adebayor, well if I could give him a rating it'd be in the minus. -2/10 perhaps? Harsh maybe, but the guy did nothing right - no presence, no real work ethic, every high ball he lost and he gave so many dumb fouls away that gave Chelsea some great breaks in defence.

Almunia and Clichy were our best players. It was really nice to see Sagna score and get a goal and for most of the game we looked the better side until we sat back a bit to defend our goal and Chelsea's strong comeback squashed us.

Drogba immense, but helped by some poor defending in all honesty. What Touré was at for the winner I'll never know.

We aren't out of the race, but I'm not confident we will win it. Man Utd look too strong and Chelsea are getting stronger. Still, it's a great season for us and we're still in a great position in Europe which is a tournament that we desperately want to win.

Another mention to Carvalho as well, he was immense and helped make Terry look really strong as well. Great pairing.


great post from one of the true gooners.. Very Happy

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rachrvp wrote:
Sparkyjinx wrote:
rachrvp wrote:
Sparkyjinx wrote:
Did Gallas sit in the centre circle at the end and sulk?



not today

Its a shame he dosn't show as much passion against Chelsea as he does versus Birmingham. I thought everyone was saying he did it because he cared so much Confused


i reckon he did it because of eduardo. but thats just me Rolling Eyes


everyone's grieving over eduardo.. especially cesc.. i noticed the horror on his face as he's standing close enough to eduardo.. but gallas acted as if he's the one who's feeling worst compared to others.. if you think he did it because of the incident.. that's certainly embarassing.. you lose and win matches as a team..

i can be biased as a Man Utd fan.. but that's just my point of view..

Youth Academy

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mont` wrote:
Stop talking in a condescending manner and implying that anybody who disagrees with you lacks intelligence. Smile

specnur wrote:
That is usually the case.


That pretty much sums you up.

Young Pro

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specnur wrote:
Next time they go on about how great a player like J.Cole,Lampard,Ronaldo etc are, tell them to look at this game and watch a true big game player,Drogba.

you certainly have an obsession towards drogba and grudge against others.. oh right.. i forgot you loved Chelsea.. my bad.. Laughing

This game had more at stake than the Liverpool/man u game because both teams are still in the title race
Drogba played big and Ronaldo still couldn't have his usual performance even against 10 men,what a joke.

erm.. do you expect ronaldo to score a hattrick against Liverpool?.. Laughing

As they say Ronaldo couldn't carry Drogba's jockstrap.There are those that see the game for what it is and those that get distracted by media hype and misleading stats against meaningless opponents.

I think it's safe to say that Adebayor is not in Drogba's league either.

for once.. i agree with your words.. adebayor's not supposed to be among the top-scorer.. in my opinion.. such a shame that drogba's off for injuries in the beginning of the season.. and then his absence during the african cup.. otherwise i could see his name in the place of adebayor.. Very Happy

On another note it seems Arsenal's title race is almost over and now maybe they can try and concentrate on Champions League,but my guess is that the squad is too thin right now.If they were playing a non British team for the Euro crown they would have a better chance but against Liverpool is going to be tough with so many injuries.

well.. okay.. losing the carling cup.. more concentration on fa and cl and league.. then losing the fa cup.. more concentration on the cl and league cup.. now about to lose the league cup.. should try to concentrate more on the cl cup.. what if you don't make it for the cl cup either?.. Razz

Youth Academy

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This turned out to be quite an entertaining game in the end I thought. It was a shame that the other game was ruined by the sending off but this one was a good watch and a much closer affair, which is always good.
Arsenal did well to take the lead but they weren't much of an attacking threat compared to how they usually play; even their goal came from an unlikely source. I'm pleased for Sagna though - he looks like a very good player and I don't dislike him. Following the goal Chelsea really went for it; they were good value for their lead in the end.
Arsenal's central defence was poor whereas Chelsea's was much more solid; Adebayor was poor whereas Drogba had a great game. That was the difference in the end.
It doesn't look like Arsenal can win the League this year but as others have said, it isn't over yet and stranger things have happened. Arsenal are likely to concentrate on their European football now, although I don't really see them winning the Champs League either. I hope they don't anyway. Wink

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specnur wrote:

Chelsea will beat man u there is no question about that,after watching man u struggle against Liverpool who basically had nothing to really play for and are obviously concentrating on Champions League in a few days.If Chelsea keep their form they will beat Man u and if you are intelligent enough you could actually see Chelsea winning the league.They have a deeper team no real injury problems and have momentum,not only that they are all experienced players with age on their side.


your post really cracks me up.. Laughing

how can you be so sure that the blues 'will' beat us?.. i've got a question.. what if i suggest a decent draw out of a good match?.. Very Happy
we're not struggling to score.. it's your Gunners team struggling.. Razz


well yeah.. based on the yellows for the Liverpool players.. they hardly had nothing to play for.. oh please.. couldn't you see that they're trying to score too?.. Laughing

i shall keep that in my mind.. if we finally give away the league title to the blues.. i'm obviously not intelligent enough to see what's coming.. Razz

specnur wrote:

But yeah,Chelsea will beat United and you can quote that after the game.
You are completely delusional,even though Liverpool didn't really threaten Man U's goal they did a good job of maintaining the score until they got tired and man U scored two quick goal which backs that up.


Laughing

we're tired of attacking too.. fortunately our hard work paid off.. well.. with two quick goals.. Razz


specnur wrote:

Intelligence that's what wins games.


Gunners players were not intelligent enough.. that's why they lost.. aye.. Laughing

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Sorry im seeing these comments in the wrong order lol

conner99 wrote:
you only have to be an Arsenal player and he would be scum in your eyes and most other Tottenham supporters ..


What would you think of him if he decided he wanted to leave Arsenal now and threatened to score own goals if you didnt let him out of his contract?

rachrvp wrote:

keane throwing his top down after being subbed was very silly! but i find it more silly simply because he plays for Spurs...i'd laugh it off if van persie had done it. you'll never like something an Arsenal player does, thats the way it goes! Smile


That didnt happen, what are you on about? Confused

Grass Roots

Joined: 16 Jan 2008
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Really gutted by the result. I was somewhat hopeful of Arsenal winning the game before. But... *sighs* Sad

I couldn't watch the match after 10 mins as my mom complained of chest pain and I took her to the hospital. But when I watched the news today morning, I was really gutted.

From the comments here, it seems like it was a good game and Chelsea played really well to come back from 1-0 down... I respect them for that and congrats to them and the Chelsea fans. Also happy for Sagna to score a goal. Good for him and he played really well for us this season. Smile

We really have thrown the title away. We can make excuses like too thin squad, injuries, etc. but IMO they are useless excuses. We didn't play well when it mattered and so we paid the price. I don't think we can win the title now even if we win all the games from now on as I don't think ManU and Chelsea will drop enough points. Maybe we can fight for the second place. *sighs again* Sad

I think the team now has to concentrate on CL and atleast try their best to win it instead of trying their best to lose it(like in the league). If they put their minds in, they can do it IMO. After the great plays by the guys in the season, it'll be a shame if we don't win any silverware this year. Here's hoping for the best. Smile

IMO we lost our momentum when we lost the game against ManU in the FA cup. That brought our downfall till now. Although we played well against Milan and won, we suffered in the League from then on and we never found our way yet. I'll be really happy for them if they win every game from now on even if we don't win the league(I know they are capable of, but can they do it???). *sighs for one last time*

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Good post Immortal, 4 points from the last 15 possible really is throwing the title away IMO.

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i seem to recall a few Arsenal fans saying they were pleased with getting a point at Wigan and Villa.

still think thats the case!?

wenger has blown it and i couldnt be happier. he does not deserve any silverware.

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Big Jono wrote:
Sorry im seeing these comments in the wrong order lol

conner99 wrote:
you only have to be an Arsenal player and he would be scum in your eyes and most other Tottenham supporters ..


What would you think of him if he decided he wanted to leave Arsenal now and threatened to score own goals if you didnt let him out of his contract?



well i agree that would be disgraceful for a professional footballer ....it was only alledged by Chelsea that Gallas said those things though ...nothing could be proved ....what can i do though anyway ....he plays for Arsenal now ...we have to support our players ...i know we have players who cheat and make controversial statements and make terrible challenges ...but i am not going to say they should all leave Arsenal ...we only want decent honest footballers at Arsenal ..it would be impossible to achieve .

The fact is all clubs have these sort of players ....it is part of the game ...unwelcome maybe but it will always be there ....while money is the key ingredient in the game anyway .. and also while the refereeing is the same inconsistent standard we have seen this season ..

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What morons a certain amount of Cheslea fans are. You are 1-0 down in such a big game with a lot of time left, and they then begin to chant the name of the former manager. Thats really going to inspire such confidence in the players and Grant isn't it? I hear Chelsea fans as well calling up radio phone ins saying that anyone with half a brain would have thrown on Anelka and someone else at that point, so it does seem as though Grant simply cannot win. He brought Belleti on for Ballack so Essien could take up a place in the Midfield and it worked. He played it cool, did not panic and stuck to what he thought was right, which i respect.

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I'm yet to find a Chelsea fan that likes Grant. I'd be pretty ashamed if I were a Chelsea supporter and my fellow supporters were treating the manager like they are.

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I agree certainly. They are now second in the League and are going strong still in the latter stages of the Champions League. Not a terrible first season for them under Grant by any means. Are thy going to do this to future managers also should Grant lose his job sooner rather than later It's a dangerous precedent.

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Steely Hill wrote:
i seem to recall a few Arsenal fans saying they were pleased with getting a point at Wigan and Villa.

still think thats the case!?

wenger has blown it and i couldnt be happier. he does not deserve any silverware.


Laughing

Any Arsenal fan who said that can't fool us, no way. Yes, they've had a good season up to recently and exceeded everyone's pre season expectations yadda yadda yadda...but after being in such a strong position they'll probably end up third now. They've completely bottled it, Kevin Keegan style. As I predicted ages ago, Arsenal's challenge would die out and Man Utd will win the Premiership - they haven't yet but I'm in no doubt that they will.

I have to praise Avram Grant here. The poor man has received lots of stick recently and most of it deserved, but his substitutions came off brilliantly here. He brought on Belletti and Anelka for Ballack and Makelele - Belletti set up the equaliser and Anelka teed up the winner. You can't argue with that! He was a tad lucky mind: three Chelsea players were offside for the first goal...but fortune favours the brave as they say and he made some bold changes there.

Arsenal aren't out of the title race mathematically but based on form and momentum at this critical point of the season I will rule them out. Chelsea are hanging in there just. It's a 5 point deficit on leaders Man Utd but in reality it's 6 points - they won't make up that goal difference.

World Class

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I bet Grant doesn't get anywhere near as much praise as he should.

I head before the game that Chelsea haven't won in their last 9 league games against the other big 3.

And out of those 9, Grant was in charge for only 3. The 1st of which was under circumstances which never really gave him a chance against Man Utd.

The other six were under Mourinho, but did he get criticised? Did he [beep!]!

Lost to Man Utd, lost Liverpool, should've lost again to Liverpool if it wasn't for the worst penalty decision ever, and drew with Man Utd and Arsenal twice.

Grant is doing a brilliant job.

I'd like to know how many points behind Man Utd they were after his first game in charge. Anyone?

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Sticky T wrote:
I bet Grant doesn't get anywhere near as much praise as he should.

I head before the game that Chelsea haven't won in their last 9 league games against the other big 3.

And out of those 9, Grant was in charge for only 3. The 1st of which was under circumstances which never really gave him a chance against Man Utd.

The other six were under Mourinho, but did he get criticised? Did he [beep!]!

Lost to Man Utd, lost Liverpool, should've lost again to Liverpool if it wasn't for the worst penalty decision ever, and drew with Man Utd and Arsenal twice.

Grant is doing a brilliant job.

I'd like to know how many points behind Man Utd they were after his first game in charge. Anyone?


Are you related to Avram Grant? Serously, every time he wins you come on here almost beating yourself off about him, and when he loses you're always the first to offer excuses for him, blaming the referee or players instead. I recall the Carling Cup and FA Cup threads in particular.

Grant is doing OK, but certainly not brilliant. He's doing well enough in the league, I'll credit him there, but in the Cups he's been poor, despite having a ridiculous amount of luck of the draws. Olympiakos then Fenerbahce to reach the CL semis? Come on!!

PS - when Mourinho left Chelsea, they had 11 points from 6 games (exactly the same as Man Utd - 11 from 6) and were only 2 points off leaders Arsenal. Yes, they got lucky with the penalty at Anfield but then one could argue that they had a perfectly good goal ruled out against Blackburn, which would have meant they'd have only been one point off Arsenal at that stage, and one point ahead of Man Utd. But it's all ifs and buts.

Grant did well yesterday but keep your pants on - he hasn't delivered anything yet.

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Johaldo8 wrote:


Are you related to Avram Grant? Serously, every time he wins you come on here almost beating yourself off about him, and when he loses you're always the first to offer excuses for him, blaming the referee or players instead. I recall the Carling Cup and FA Cup threads in particular.

Grant did well yesterday but keep your pants on - he hasn't delivered anything yet.


Hahaha you make me laugh. I mean that in a good way.


I'm not related to him, but my step brother was/is friends with Les Reid's son.Mini Reid had a bet with some of his mates that his Charlton would beat Tottenham when his dad was in charge... I'm sure you can remember the Johaldo?! Laughing Laughing Laughing

As for Grant. I don't particularly like him, i just think he has been given so much unfair criticsim, tht it's only right he gets some praise. That's why i give him praise. I think he really deserves it, especially under the circumstances. It's like he has never really been given a chance.

After he took charge for his first game, Chlsea were5 points behind Arsenal. And despite Arsenal having their best season for years, he has guided his team to second place - ahead of Arsenal. ?Chelsea weren't supposed to have a chance this season - but even late on they are still very much in the hunt for the title.

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Sticky T wrote:
Johaldo8 wrote:


Are you related to Avram Grant? Serously, every time he wins you come on here almost beating yourself off about him, and when he loses you're always the first to offer excuses for him, blaming the referee or players instead. I recall the Carling Cup and FA Cup threads in particular.

Grant did well yesterday but keep your pants on - he hasn't delivered anything yet.


Hahaha you make me laugh. I mean that in a good way.


I'm not related to him, but my step brother was/is friends with Les Reid's son.Mini Reid had a bet with some of his mates that his Charlton would beat Tottenham when his dad was in charge... I'm sure you can remember the Johaldo?! Laughing Laughing Laughing

As for Grant. I don't particularly like him, i just think he has been given so much unfair criticsim, tht it's only right he gets some praise. That's why i give him praise. I think he really deserves it, especially under the circumstances. It's like he has never really been given a chance.

After he took charge for his first game, Chlsea were5 points behind Arsenal. And despite Arsenal having their best season for years, he has guided his team to second place - ahead of Arsenal. ?Chelsea weren't supposed to have a chance this season - but even late on they are still very much in the hunt for the title.


Glad you don't take offence at my comedy Sticky Laughing Wink

Yeah to be totally honest I thought Chelsea would finish 4th after Mourinho left so Grant has exceeded my expectations - certainly from a Premier League perspective. I believe that he's been smart and chosen not to tinker too much with Mourinho's winning formula. The fundamentals in Chelsea's play are still the same - controlled possession in defence and midfield, the ability to nick goals on the counter, the majority of the play going through Drogba etc.

I guess the crunch time will be at the end of the season when the trophies are handed out. He certainly shut up the pathetically fickle Chelsea fans who were chanting Mourinho's name at 0-1, then suddenly switched when Drogba got his double. If they wanted to voice their opinions, leave it till the end of the match. Until then, they should be backing their players and manager all the way to the end. That's my take on it anyway, although I respect the fact that the fans pay their wages and are entitled to voice any opinion they wish.

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You say making the play go through Drogba, but he has been away for much of the season, which gives a better indication of the job Grant has done.

Last season without Drogba Chelsea would've been well off the pace. Oh and let's not forget that Grant coped just fine without Lampard, and all the African's when they were away.

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Johaldo8 wrote:
Steely Hill wrote:
i seem to recall a few Arsenal fans saying they were pleased with getting a point at Wigan and Villa.

still think thats the case!?

wenger has blown it and i couldnt be happier. he does not deserve any silverware.


Laughing

Any Arsenal fan who said that can't fool us, no way. Yes, they've had a good season up to recently and exceeded everyone's pre season expectations yadda yadda yadda...but after being in such a strong position they'll probably end up third now. They've completely bottled it, Kevin Keegan style. As I predicted ages ago, Arsenal's challenge would die out and Man Utd will win the Premiership - they haven't yet but I'm in no doubt that they will.


Arsenal aren't out of the title race mathematically but based on form and momentum at this critical point of the season I will rule them out. Chelsea are hanging in there just. It's a 5 point deficit on leaders Man Utd but in reality it's 6 points - they won't make up that goal difference.


well of course i was not happy with a point in our last four games ....but at the time it was better than nothing .. I know we have thrown away our chance of the title and it really hurts as we were in prime position just 3 or 4 weeks ago ...only a Champions League win will stop me from judging this season a major dissapointment for Arsenal ....