Saturday, April 9, 2016

Proof that you should watch what you say on Twitter - Dedicated to Leicester City, the Club's Fans and Especially the EPL Manager of the Year Claudio Ranieri


Being a big Twitter user for football related matters, I distinctly remember the reaction to Leicester City's appointment of Cladio Ranieri as the club's new manager. The negativity and vitriol was almost universal. Before a ball was even kicked Leicester seemed to have already been relegated by pundits, betting sites and fans.

 Well Leicester City fans this one is for you to enjoy. Perhaps you'll even want to print it out and hang it on the wall. We all know that social media can be dangerous as everything you say (or tweet in this instance) is permanent. Well what follows is a collection of some of the best anti Ranieri and Leicester to be relegated tweets. What will make reading this even sweeter for Leicester fans is seeing that these tweets have come from fans of "title contenders" Chelsea, Arsenal, Manchester United, Liverpool and Tottenham. There are even tweets from fans of club's who are currently scratching and clawing to stave off relegation while Leicester are sitting pretty at the top of the table.

 Claudio Ranieri must have some thick skin. I hope that he's getting his middle finger ready for a big salute to those that doubted him when Leicester eventually lift up the EPL trophy. Where egotistical, it's all about me managers such as Jose Mourinho get stroked by the media; Ranieri has been vilified.

 So while Mourinho was sacked and now sits on the sidelines, he gets to watch as Ranieri guides his underdog squad with nothing but grace and class. I hope Mourinho is watching as Ranieri and Leicester lift the trophy while his former side languish. Funny how the the "great" manager was sacked months ago, while the manager predicted to be sacked first continues to rack up victories.

 So congrats to Leicester City, the fans and especially Claudio Ranieri. It's great to see that fairy tales can actually come true in real life!


In the meantime enjoy this look back at some of the tweets from last summer when the season was just getting started.




 From Manchester United fans


From Arsenal fans



From Chelsea fans



From Spurs fan

From Liverpool fan



From a couple of guys about to lose their homes
















Never go with these guys' predictions 







In the midst of all the negativity and anti Ranieri tweets, there were those that didn't buy in to all the pessimism and were believers from the start. Kudos to them:






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Saturday, April 2, 2016

Arsenal 2015-2016: April

Saturday April 2, 2016 Arsenal vs. Watford 10AM EST


 You can call this one a grudge match. The last time these two teams met at Emirates Stadium Watford stunned Arsenal by booking their place in the semifinals of the FA Cup. It was a humbling and unexpected defeat and the team has pretty much been treading water ever since.

Arsenal continue to confound fans and pundits. They can come out and put on a masterclass in how to play football...then they can come out and look completely inept while allowing lesser competition to get an advantage. Which Arsenal will show up today?








Today it was the good Arsenal that showed up. With 69% of the possession and almost three times as many shots on goal as their opponents, Arsenal's dominance resulted in a rather easy 4-0 victory.

Alexis Sanchez gave Arsenal the lead early on with a fourth minute goal. Alex Iwobi was given the start up front along with Danny Welbeck and repaid his manager's faith in him with a great performance. He scored his second goal in as many games and worked hard for the team.

Arsenal's 2-0 half time lead became 3-0 within three minutes of the restart. Hector Bellerin's shot deflected in to the back of the net. Theo Walcott came on as a sub in the 74th minute and finished off the scoring in the 90th minute.

In addition to Iwobi's performance, new midfielder Mohamed Elneny had a match high 127 passes with 96% of them completed successfully.

 The hope is still there for a miracle title push, but there is no room at all for slip ups.








Saturday April 9, 2016 Arsenal at West Ham 10AM
West Ham have had an amazing season and currently sit 7 points behind Arsenal and just three points off of the top four. As for Arsenal, this match is a must win if they have any chance of pulling out a miracle finish and winning the league. Regardless of results elsewhere, Arsenal need to take care of Arsenal first. Despite what West Ham have achieved this season, Arsenal have the talent to get a result.

Petr Cech is back in the squad but Ospina gets the start and Alex Iwobi and Danny Welbeck are up front while Giroud and Walcott only get a place on the bench.

 Let's hope the "real" Arsenal show up.









If ever a match summed up this season, this was it. It all started out well. Back in the starting lineup, Alex Iwobi proved that he's one for the future. He played provider for Mesut Ozil who scored Arsenal's first in the 18th minute. In the 35th minute Iwobi passed to Alexis Sanchez who slotted home Arsenal's second.

It looked as if Arsenal were going to roll and that the outcome would be a victory. That was until the 44th minute. Within a two and a half minute period Arsenal's ugly side appeared. It should have been easy enough for Arsenal to tighten up the defense and go in to the half with a two goal advantage.

Of course this being Arsenal that's not what happened at all. Instead, Andy Carroll scored twice before the half time whistle blew. He was given too much space in both instances and instead of a two goal advantage it was all even at the half.

Within seven minutes of the restart Andy Carroll had completed his hat trick and Arsenal trailed. Laurent Koscielny got one back in the 70th minute but in the end it was another two points dropped and another frustrating outcome for supporters.









Sunday April 17, 2016 Arsenal vs. Crystal Palace 11AM EST


Time is running out for Arsenal if they are to have any chance of catching Leicester and even more upsetting, Tottenham. If the Gunners don't get their act together this could be a year without a St. Totteringham's Day. That in itself would be a disaster.

Crystal Palace are currently in free fall sitting just above the relegation zone. A home match against a bottom of the table should be no problem for Arsenal. Three points are a must. Anything less and there will be anarchy at the Emirates.









Well, so much for that easy match at home versus a bottom of the table club. Alexis Sanchez got Arsenal's goal just before half time. It was only the second shot on goal from the home side and it went downhill from there.

 It was yet another typical Arsenal match where they dominated possession by a huge amount, 72% versus 28%. YES that was 72% to Crystal Palace's 28%. Shots on goal was dominated by Arsenal as well with 21 to Crystal Palace's 7.


Despite all the domination, Arsenal couldn't score a second goal and it was inevitable that Crystal Palace would ruin the day for the home crowd. That they did, when Yannick Bolasie scored an equalizer in the 81st minute.

This one was pretty much the final nail in the coffin for even the slightest chance of catching Leicester. At this point, finishing in the top 4 is once again the best that Arsenal can shoot for. With five matches left in the season, let's hope that Arsenal can at least accomplish that. 








Thursday April 21, 2016 Arsenal vs. West Brom 2:45PM EST
It's Arsenal's game in hand and we're running out of ways to say this is a must win. With Man City dropping two points at Newcastle it is a vital lifeline that Arsenal must take advantage of to secure a top 3 finish, let alone a top 4. 


In the reverse fixture back in November Arsenal ended up on the losing end of a match that they should have won. Of course all these months later we've become used to these type of results.

The fact that ManU is just one point behind us (despite having played one extra game) pretty much sums up the dire situation Arsenal find themselves in. ManU have been absolute shite this season and yet there they are right behind us. That pretty much sums up how bad Arsenal's form has become.

WIN. That is the only result that will be accepted by a disgruntled and fed up fan base. Anything else and it will be all out anarchy in the land of Arsenal.








It was the Alexis Sanchez show as Arsenal were comfortable 2-0 winners in front of a rather empty Emirates Stadium. The Thursday night kick off was very unusual, but disgruntled fans used the occasion to make a point about how disappointed they were with the team by not showing up. 

Sanchez helped to keep the atmosphere from turning truly ugly by scoring an early and exceptional goal from a Mesut Ozil pass in the 6th minute. The Chilean left Sandro in the dust and ran through three other West Brom defenders to beat Ben Foster in goal.

Then in the 38th minute, Sanchez took a free kick which perfectly eluded the West Brom wall and left Foster standing motionless as the ball flew in to the back of the net.



In the end that was all that Arsenal needed. Once again the Gunners dominated possession 71% to just 29% for West Brom. Finally, however, this domination resulted in an Arsenal win.

It may be too little to late for the title, but with Manchester City dropping two points at Newcastle earlier in the week, it means that Arsenal are back in third position in the table.










Sunday April 24, 2016 Arsenal at Sunderland 9:05AM EST


A trip to relegation challenged Sunderland should be easy. Nothing less than three points will be acceptable from this match. The way the season is going though, you never know which Arsenal team will show up.








So much for an easy three points. Instead it was another disappointing performance and two points dropped.









Saturday April 30, 2016 Arsenal vs. Norwich City 12:30PM EST


Arsenal face another relegation challenged team this week with Norwich coming to town. As has been said a lot recently, a win is an absolute must. If Arsenal are going to finish above Spuds and celebrate St. Totteringham's Day then they need to win matches such as this.







Danny Welbeck scored in the 59th minute with an assist from Olivier Giroud. While not quite a vintage Arsenal performance, the win gave the team the three points and shut up some of the Wenger Out brigade for the time being.




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Wednesday, March 2, 2016

Arsenal 2015-2016: March

Wednesday March 2, 2016 Arsenal vs. Swansea 2:45PM EST
Optimism has been replaced by irritation, frustration and disgust. In one of the strangest EPL seasons ever, Arsenal have regularly wasted opportunities to take advantage. In a season where Chelsea, Manchester United, Liverpool and Manchester City are underachieving and pretty much out of the title race, Arsenal still find themselves third behind Cinderella club Leicester and even worse Spuds.

Arsenal are out of excuses. Anything but a win and three points and they can kiss any chance that still remains of winning the title goodbye.

Swansea have been our bogey team in recent years. I can still see Bafetembi Gomis doing his ridiculous lion roaring celebration as he led Swansea over Arsenal in both meetings last season. Then there's goalkeeper Lukas Fabianski. The Arsenal castoff was known as Flapianski for his error prone play. Of course there's the good chance that tonight he will play like a world beater. Arsenal have a habit of making mediocrity look great.

There's nothing else to say. Win and get the three points and then get ready to defeat Spuds on Sunday. Anything less and the frustration level will just continue to grow.











Well that was an absolute travesty.  Just another typical wasted chance from Arsenal. All started out well and when Joel Campbell scored after 15 minutes it looked as if order had been restored and Arsenal would continue to score and put the game away early.


Of course this being Arsenal things aren't always what they seem. The stats said one thing: 63% possession and more shots on target for Arsenal. The final score said another: Arsenal 1 Swansea 2.

 Arsenal are fighting for the title and Swansea are currently treading water just above the relegation zone. Based on this performance you would think it was the other way around.

 The bottom line is that Arsenal are going through a prolonged period where they are unable to score despite lots of possession and plenty of passing. Add to that, the fact that the Arsenal defense is often left looking foolish and gives up cheap goals to the opposition.

 Twitter exploded after this one and the vibe among Gooners is about as low as it can get.









Saturday March 5, 2016 Arsenal at Tottenham 7:45AM EST



Enough is enough. Win or put a fork in it. Any North London derby is a big deal, but this one has more significance than normal. Not only are Arsenal running out of chances to keep their fight for the EPL title alive; but Spuds presently sit above Arsenal in the standings. Hearing the pundits and the media kiss Tottenham's butt while ragging on Arsenal is hard. Arsenal need to restore proper order and reestablish the fact that North London is red.

Moral is at an all time low coming off of that debacle versus Swansea at the Emirates. Fans are turning on the manager and the players. The players need to turn up and show that they have the mental strength to turn things around and get back on to winning ways.


















How to explain this one? Was this a wasted opportunity to take all three points and put a dent in the Spuds title charge? Or was this a moral victory to come back from a losing position and insurmountable odds to get a point? Did Coquelin cause us a win? Or did Alexis give us a major boost?

Usually a point away to the hated Spuds would be a good point. However, Arsenal really needed to take all three. However, when Coquelin committed a stupid foul on Harry Kane in the 55th minute with Arsenal up 0-1 everyone knew it was going to take a miracle with 35 minutes still left in the match.

Within seven minutes of Coquelin's red card, Tottenham scored two and were in the lead. Pretty much every Arsenal fan watching could feel the defeat coming.

Alexis chose a perfect time to get back on the score sheet with an equalizing goal in the 77th minute. Despite being down a man, the momentum shifted to the Arsenal side. It took an amazing block to keep Aaron Ramsey from scoring the winner late in the match.

In the end it was a point each and it was Spuds getting the negative press afterwards from not being able to take advantage of the extra man and hold on to the lead.

Another positive was the superb play by keeper David Ospina filling in for the injured Cech. After his howler back in the group rounds of the Champions League, Ospina had come in for a lot of stick. With nine saves in the match, Ospina made the most saves of any Arsenal goalkeeper since 2009.

So is the glass half full or half empty. I suppose today we'll try and be positive and say it's half full.















Tuesday March 8, 2016 Arsenal at Hull FA Cup 5th Round Replay 2PM
Arsenal have to win this. Period. Arsenal dominated Hull back at the Emirates but somehow didn't score forcing this replay at the KC Stadium. Arsenal have not won since defeating Leicester back on February 14th. Team morale is low, fan anxiety is high and the only outcome of this match that will keep a tsunami of angst from coming to shore is a win. A decisive win would be great. However, at this point any win is what is needed and expected.











 Well that was more like it. Having made it hard for themselves with a replay at Hull, the players put in a solid performance and easily dispatched Hull and moved on to the sixth round.


It took a while to get going but a defensive error by Hull gave Olivier Giroud a golden opportunity the 41st minute. Arsenal went in to the break with a 0-1 lead. Of course this being Arsenal, a one goal lead does not settle the nerves of fans. It was important therefore for Arsenal to pad on to their lead.



 Giroud's goal celebration was a tribute to his new baby boy that had been born earlier in the week. He was joined in the celebration by Calum Chambers, Mohamed Elneny and Alex Iwobi.


The goals kept coming in the second half. Giroud scored his second with an assist from Theo Walcott in the 71st minute. Then Walcott did himself a favor and got on the score sheet himself with a brace.


 In the end it was a solid Arsenal win. Despite that, some fans chose to display a ridiculous Wenger out banner following the match. This caused arguing among fans on Twitter and from what I read, all throughout the Gooner universe. So, it's on to the next round and a meeting with Watford.










Sunday March 13, 2016 Arsenal vs. Watford FA Cup 6th Round



Less than a week after defeating Hull 0-4 in their FA Cup 5th round replay, Arsenal play host to Watford with a return trip to Wembley at hand. Arsene Wenger has been receiving a ton of abuse this week from some supposed fans and a win today would go a long way in calming things down.

 Arsenal are going for their third FA Cup title in a row which would equal a record set 130 years ago by Blackburn.

Despite a visit to Barcelona looming later this week, today's match is more important. No one is expecting Arsenal to pull off a miracle in Spain and the FA Cup is within reach. Arsenal are still in the hunt for the EPL title, but with Leicester ahead of Arsenal by eight points, it may be too much to realistically catch up. Therefore the FA Cup is Arsenal's best chance for silverware this season.

 A win is a must.










The dream of a third straight FA Cup is over. Somehow the good Arsenal of last week took the day off and the pathetic and inept Arsenal showed up. No disrespect to Watford but this was a game that had victory written all over it. A home game at the Emirates and a chance to move on to the semi-finals should have been enough motivation for Arsenal to put in a strong performance. Apparently, however, it was not.

 In typical Arsenal fashion, the team dominated the match but walked away losers. Check out these stats: 71% possession, 20 shots to Watford's 7 and 7 corners to Watford's 1. This pattern of dominating matches, yet losing has become regular thing this season. Losing stinks no matter what, but losing when you dominate the match is just plain embarrassing and inexcusable.

In the end it was a combination of Arsenal's shaky defense and a lack of finishing that doomed the Gunners. 

 So, while Arsenal fans argue back and forth and vent their frustration, the team now gets ready to fly out to Barcelona for the second leg of their Champions League meeting with one of the best teams of the world. Sadly this comes after losing to one of the most mediocre teams in the world.












Wednesday March 16, 2016 Arsenal at Barcelona 3:45PM EST Champions League Round of 16 Second Leg



For one of the first times I can remember, Arsenal go in to a match with fans pretty much knowing they have no chance of winning and just hoping that the team don't get totally embarrassed. The morale can't be any lower and the fighting between fans is making things even worse.

 Of course miracles can happen and the match needs to be played out. The pregame weather pretty much sums up the mood as the rain is pouring down in Barcelona.











When the only good thing that one can say after a defeat is that at least they didn't get humiliated, you know that the expectations were pretty low.


The highlights were some great goalkeeping from Ospina filling in for Cech and new boy Elneny scored a great goal for Arsenal. Other than that, it was as expected, a easy win for Barcelona who go through on aggregate 5-1 and it's another round of 16 exit for Arsenal.











Saturday March 19, 2016 Arsenal at Everton 8:45AM EST



 Back to the league and a win has never been more important. Anything less than three points today will result in even more vitriol than what's been spewed this week towards Arsenal and Arsene Wenger.

The club have nothing left to distract them from the remaining league fixtures. There's still hope that Arsenal can catch Leicester and potentially win the league. To be honest, that hope is beginning to look less and less likely, so there is no more room for slip ups. Also important is to not allow the impossible to happen....that is to go a season without a St. Totteringham's Day. To see Tottenham finish above Arsenal would hurt worse than not winning the league.

 No ifs, ands or buts....time to get it done today Arsenal.












A much needed win it was. Add in the fact that it was a rather comfortable victory and the mood around Arsenal has been uplifted a bit. After exiting from the FA Cup and the Champions League earlier in the week, the fans needed something to feel good about.

Alex Iwobi was given his first league start along side Danny Welbeck. The partnership worked well with Welbeck being gifted a goal from an Everton mishap in the 7th minute. Iwobi added to the Arsenal lead in the 42nd minute with his first goal for the club.

Everton never put much pressure on the Arsenal goal and the final 0-2 scoreline stood. While it didn't take away the pain of exiting the FA Cup and Champions League, the victory did ease a bit of the tension surrounding the club and its fans.







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