Dr Gloom

Arsenal's fan base reflects the club's catchment area. One of the most ethnically diverse parts of the country innit.

I went to a few pre-season games and he was our best player in those games, and the two games we've had so far this season we haven't exactly tried to play a passing style or went for it. Although his determination has really impressed me, as well as some of his basic passing play. Once Ben Arfa is back, we hopefully get another striker and the likes of Marveaux play, I think he'll be massive for us. Makes a huge difference having those kind of outlets in front of you. That's kind of the problem though innit with shola our front line striker.

Who is going to get the goals though? We're way weaker now for goals than we were last season. Cabaye might turn out to be a better in the engine room than nolan, but that still remains to be seen. Early days i know but I haven't been massively impressed so far with him. I'm more concerned with who will get the 20-30 goals a season that Nolan and Carroll would have got between them. Shola never gets into double figures and ba usually misses half a season.

Was Nolan really carried? Tiote did a lot of his running I'll give you that but we're talking about our top scorer here. Hardly a passenger.

I can never get past the face itch, have tried a few times but usually doesn't last more than a week or two. Then you face the prospect of a skin burning shave to get rid of the bastard. Strange too as not shaving suits my lazy tendencies but Id rather the faff of it every other day ahead of the hassle and discomfort of an itchy chin and ingrown hairs.

Story of their tour. Though you have to give the English bowlers a lot of credit for nullifying some top class batters. Dravid was the only one to do himself justice. 'Very Very Special' Laxman and Sehwag were piss poor.

Apparently AP was sat with EP's agent at the match. Im sure he was trying to do a deal. Sturridge on loan still looks possible. where do you even get this nonsense? I'm fucked if i know. His Dutch source must have told him about that and about expecting a deal to be done either way by Wednesday. I swear this kid just posts what he wants to see happen, based on fuck all, then puts out his preferred squad, often including players we haven't signed yet. We could all do that tbf. So, hey guys, I think we'll sign Paulo Maldini by Wednesday. Getting Enrique back from Liverpool on loan is still an option too. He should slot well into our new look formation. I think that deal will be done tomorrow morning. Anyone want to see who i think will be in our next match squad, including the subs bench?

Hard to say given we've seen next to nowt of the new additions in our colours. What I would say is Carroll, Enrique and Nolan were all massive players for us last season and I'm not convinced any of those three have been adequately replaced. Certainly the case with Enrique.

Two great results. We haven't been convincing in either game though. My expectations for the season haven't changed, despite the surprisingly good start. Unless we get the extra bodies in i can see battling in the lower end of the table.

Yeah, our transfer policy is just like man u

Barton would need a spectacular drop in form for him not to make our strongest 11. Last season he was arguably our best player.

I'd love for us take this competition seriously for once. If we're honest, it's our only realistic chance of a day out a wembley. Put a strong team out for every round.

Seen some alright films recently. City Island - 8/10 Source Code - 7/10 Brothers - 6/10

Leazesmag getting butt fucked once again

Not even up for debate is it? They're just seething they couldn't even beat us in our current piss poor state after spending a fortune.

Agree with ksa - a little harsh. Not a total donkey. At least he's got a bit of chevy chase about him... Not good enough to force Barton inside mind. Id like to see us revert to the 442 that served us well cast year, with Barton out wide. Just need target man now to replace Carroll. Oh yeah, that's shurla and ba innit

For me, he's got to be played out wide on the right. Didn't look anywhere near as effective today playing more centrally as he did last season after hughton converted him into a right sided midfielder. Maybe doesn't have the pace or tricks expected from a winger but neither did beckham and he was always at his best on the flank. Barton's delivery from wide areas can be beckham-esque. Get him back on the wing. That's all assuming he stays, obviously.

Fwiw, i thought Connor whickham looked a total donkey in his brief cameo.

I agree about jonas having a class game. He spent so much time deep in his own half helping out Taylor defend but still looked dangerous when he was able to carry the ball forward. We still looked way more threatening down the left flank than the right even after the departure of Enrique. Shame Taylor isn't much of a footballer because he's got a sweet right peg. Best taker of a dead ball at the club by a country mile. Barton didn't do much today. In fact, i thought most of the midfield were poor apart from jonas. Shola and obertan both chasing shadows for most of the game. At least obertan looks to have a bit of pace about him.

that was too funny. they are blatantly the better side but we nick one off a set piece and fair play to the back four, they defended well.

they look far the better side. i'd take 0-0 at this stage happily. cabaye looks off the pace. shola feeding off scraps up front. midfield over run and giving possession away way too cheaply. they're pressing way better than us and we're resorting to long hoofs up pitch way too often. to make matters worse the setanta stream i was watching fell over and i have resorted to watching a french stream.

krul looking a solid shot stopper

some shockers both way tbf

we're more in the game now. did well to see out that opening ten minute burst from the mackems. good chance for them there mind

got to be odds on for one of barton or catermole to be sent off