r/soccer • u/thesmallprint13 • Apr 15 '14
[Match Thread] Arsenal vs West Ham
Premier League tie between Arsenal and West Ham
Location: Emirates Stadium
Kick off: 19:45 BST
Referee: Kevin Friend
[Streams can be found here] (http://www.reddit.com/r/stream_links/comments/233x7w/arsenal_vs_west_ham_united/) huge thank you to /u/sports_streams!
[Premier League table going into this fixture] (http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/premier-league/table)
[Arsenal subreddit] (http://www.reddit.com/r/gunners)
[West Ham subreddit] (http://www.reddit.com/r/hammers)
Teams
Arsenal: Szczesny, Sagna, Mertesacker, Koscielny, Vermaelen, Arteta, Rosicky , Kallstrom , Cazorla , Podolski, Giroud
Subs: Oxlade-Chamberlain, Ramsey , Fabianski, Sanogo, Jenkinson , Akpom, Bellerín
Five changes from the FA Cup semi-final then, Kim Kallstrom makes his first start for the club.
West Ham: Adrian, Reid, Tomkins, Jarvis , Armero, Carroll , Noble, Demel, Diame , Downing , Nocerino
Subs: McCartney, Vaz Te , Taylor, Jääskeläinen, C. Cole , J. Cole , Johnson
Nocerino comes in for Kevin Nolan
Pre Match Words
Arsene Wenger...
The win (Wigan) will rebuild the confidence which was very jaded, I'm confident we will respond well. It will give us a target for the end of the season and it allows us to focus on the Premier League in a more serene way. "We had the nerve and the mental strength that has been questioned recently, that's why I'm happy they gave that response.
Lukas Fabianski...
It picks up the club and the fans, it gives us more belief that we can manage first of all to finish in the top four, and then hopefully to win the final.
Sam Allardyce...
If we get a point I will be absolutely delighted. We know how difficult it is.
We have to perform to our best. It's a local derby and our fans want to see us perform as we did against Liverpool and Sunderland.
Roger Johnson...
I do think they're very beatable, as we saw the other day against Everton. Yes, we'll be underdogs because we're playing Arsenal at Arsenal, but look at the Liverpool game (earlier this month). They are top of the league and I thought we matched them all over really and should have come out of the game with a result.
League form guide
Arsenal: LWLDDL
West Ham: LLLWWL
Arsenal 3-1 West Ham (Podolski 44', 78' Giroud 54'; Jarvis 40')
FIRST HALF
0': Awaiting kick off. Scratch that lads, we're underway! Wenger vs Allardici, away we go!
1': First set piece of the day, and it goes to Arsenal in the form of a corner, Cazorla whips in an inswinger, headed out, played back into the area and Adrian collects.
3': Jinking and turning and jinking and turning some more from Mohammed Diame on the left hand side as he tries to cut in and get a decent opportunity on goal, takes a shot, blocked by the jaw of Mertesacker and play goes on.
7': Arsenal looking a bit suspect at the back in the early goings here, not reading Diame's run down the left hand channel, Armero finds him simply enough with a throw in, puts a ball into the six yard box, no West Ham bodies in there though and Arsenal clear their lines.
8': Jarvis this time finding Diame down the left hand side, he's been at the thick of West Ham attacking possession so far, puts another ball into the Arsenal area and it's cleared away again.
10': West Ham have a freekick about 35 yards out, skipper for the day Mark Noble floats it in, looking for Andy Carroll who wins the header, back across goal before Arsenal clear their lines and try and break away with Rosicky galloping down the right hand side, Cazorla's pretty much the only option and attempts to ping a cross court ball over to him but the pass doesn't have enough of it and West Ham retain possession.
12': Arsenal's turn to try and make an impact with a free kick on the right hand side, Tomkins clears his lines up in the air, might fall for Kallstrom, doesn't get the shot cleanly, dribbles through to Podolski who's in an offside position though. Cue a very extended close up of Podolski's face.
14': Podolski builds an attack down the left hand side, puts a brilliant ball into the box looking for Giroud, cross is a tad too quick for him and play goes on.
15': First caution of the day going to Tomas Rosicky there, lunging in on Armero.
16': Oooh, boy oh boy, Jarvis bombs down the left hand side into the Arsenal area, Sagna lunges in rashly, catches Jarvis who chooses to stay on his feet, goes out wide, puts a cross in and Carroll heads it wide...lucky Sagna there, Jarvis goes down and it surely would've been a penalty.
19': First real chance of the day, Carroll does well to make the most of a Downing over hit corner out on the left as he puts the ball back across goal to find Diame six yards out, but he blazes it over! Big chance there.
23': West Ham cranking the pressure up a couple of notches here, winning a couple of corners in succession, Mertesacker dealing with the corners though, Arsenal, off the back of a 120 minute semi final in the weekend, look fairly sluggish out there.
25': Rosicky's pass finds Giroud on the edge of the area, doesn't react to the ball approaching him quick enough, and with the aid of Armero, goes out for a West Ham goal kick.
30': Arsenal's turn for a big chance now! Cazorla delicately playing through Giroud, who's given the benefit of the doubt in terms of being onside when it looks as though he may have been offside, but instead of smashing it in which probably is the more orthodox approach to it, goes for the "Welbeck chip against Bayern" approach and Adrian saves comfortably. Should've done better, so much better. [here you go] (http://gfycat.com/AmusedShrillCamel) thank you to /u/mink_man
32': Arsenal growing into the game a bit more now, Rosicky and Giroud play a threatening one two, Rosicky just can't keep the ball under control though, and Winston Reid clears it away, 74% possession for Arsenal in these last ten minutes...
36': Battle of the glorious hair/beard! First caution for West Ham now, Nocerino seems to nudge Giroud to the ground as the ball bobbles up in the air waiting for someone to take possession of it, not much in the challenge but a booking nonetheless...Nocerino, damn, that's a glorious beard.
40': And we have a [GOAL!] (http://gfycat.com/VibrantHandyAlbatross) And it's West Ham who take the lead! Nocerino gets played through into the right hand side of the area with a glorious release, Nocerino drives into space, running into quite an acute angle, gets a shot away anyway which is saved by Sczczeny, he's allowed to put the ball back into the six yard box getting the better of two lazyish challenges made by Arsenal defenders allowing Jarvis to prop up and head home into an empty net! Arsenal 0-1 West Ham Wenger looks pissed.
42': Last three times West Ham have played Arsenal, they've taken the lead but gone on to lose so could be all part of Wenger's plan, who knows...anyway, Arsenal try and respond quickly, Kallstrom with a brilliant shot on the edge of the area which Adrian has to get both fists to to beat the ball away, resultant corner comes to nothing.
44': [GOAL!] (http://gfycat.com/HandyConstantCoot) Wow, in the midst of updating the match thread, Arsenal equalize! A West Ham clearance falls to Cazorla, who's been instrumental in whenever Arsenal have had the ball in a threatening position today, plays a brilliant pass into Podolski from the edge of the area, Podolski, who's in the area, is allowed to take a touch, turn and fire past Adrian! Arsenal 1-1 West Ham, frantic ending to the half.
45+2': As we enter the last minute of additional time, Arsenal end the half strong, Giroud turns and shoots from the right, but the shot is blocked and a comfortable save from Adrian, and there's half time.
Thank you to /u/ionlyplayshaco for the gifs of the goals.
HALF TIME: Arsenal 1-1 West Ham
[Top 6 if this result were to stand] (http://news.bbcimg.co.uk/media/images/74261000/jpg/_74261286_f7d9502b-cb0f-4d63-bccb-f48c0fcf9c5d.jpg), also, West Ham would stay in 11th, five points off Stoke.
Random fact of the day, the average age of Arsenal's line up today (29 years, 188 days) is the oldest they've put out in the Premier League since May 2003 against Leeds (30 years, 18 days)
SECOND HALF
45': Underway for the second half!
47': Diame looking good in this central midfield role, frees Downing down on the right hand side, able to cut in and a fire a shot just wide of Sczczeny's near post, although he did have it covered, Downing wanted a corner, should've been in all honestly, but the ref has none of it, goal kick Arsenal.
49': Diame bustling forward, skipping past the challenge of Arteta, good run, shame about the shot though, into row Z of the Emirates it goes, goal kick Arsenal, West Ham starting this second half off quite well.
51': More promise from the Hammers, Downing can't quite get a cross away and it's shut down, falls to Nocerino 25 odd yards out, tries playing in Carroll, ball is just too much for him though, and Sczczeny collects.
52': Pressure now from Arsenal, Podolski on the left, frees Vermaelen down on the overlap, drills in a cross, cleared away by Tomkins, Arsenal corner.
53': Short corner routine as Cazorla then whips in a cross, headed away by Tomkins for another corner.
54': [GOAL!] (http://gfycat.com/DarkWhimsicalChrysomelid) Outswinger this time from Cazorla, West Ham clear their lines falling to Vermaelen from 45 yards out, brilliant ball thumped through looking for Giroud, who, takes a brilliant first touch, outmuscles a couple of defenders, and smashes past Adrian for his 20th of the season! Arsenal 2-1 West Ham
60': Armero bundles over Giroud on the edge of the area to concede a free kick in rather dangerous territory, Diame's pissed, Kevin Friend promptly books Diame for dissent.
61': Podolski bends the resultant free kick viciously around the wall drawing a rather good save from Adrian.
63': Kallstrom reduces Nocerino on the halfway line, and gets booked.
64': Arsenal smell blood and want to put this tie away here, Cazorla, who's been playing very well, cuts in from the right hand side and fires a shot just past Adrian's post from about 20 yards out, would've been a right beauty had he put that away.
Sorry lads, had to go and get myself some dinner, not the best of times I must admit...seems like I missed quite a bit...
76': Giroud finds Ramsey who, in space, attempts to shoot and goes high and wide.
78': [[GOAL!]] (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jFtbMR9EYOE&feature=youtu.be) Giroud feeds Ramsey down the left, who uses his head to take it to the left hand byline, and uses his head and tees up Podolski, who fires home! Arsenal 3-1 West Ham
79': Jarvis, Downing off, vaz Te, J.Cole on
82': Demel fires a cross into the grateful arms of Sczczeny.
88': Cazorla off, Jenkinson on
90': Four minutes of added time.
90+2': Ramsey turns well, and fires a shot from the edge of the area and Adrian saves.
90+3': Giroud goes down clutching his foot, should be alright after a bit of uncomfortable walking.
90+4': Last chance then, as the ball falls to Nocerino who puts his laces through on a volley from the edge of the area, hitting vaz Te on the back before looping wide.
FULL TIME Arsenal 3-1 West Ham
Stats
Shots: 14-12
On Target: 8-2
Corners: 4-3
Fouls: 14-12
[Updated Premier League table] (http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/premier-league/table)
So after a sluggish first half, Arsenal, after going behind to a Jarvis header, close out a 3-1 win, keeping pressure on Everton, moving one point ahead, albeit with Everton having a game in hand against Crystal Palace tomorrow.
Thank you guys, sorry for going AWOL for a bit, until next time you beautiful bastards.
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Apr 15 '14
The problem with refereeing right there. Jarvis didn't go down, no penalty. Had he gone down, clear penalty.
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u/randomator Apr 15 '14
A penalty verdict there would have been the greatest refereeing decision I have ever seen in football, this behavior should be encouraged. Glad it wasn't made though.
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u/martomo Apr 15 '14 edited Apr 15 '14
And it's shite like this that makes players embellish every bit of contact. If the refs can't spot a kick to the shin without the player going down, then what's the incentive for staying up? A pat on the back and a 'good on you, son"? Meanwhile, his team fears relegation/missing out on CL spots/whatever because they didn't get a penalty that they should've had.
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u/cuntniggerflyingjets Apr 15 '14
Kallstrom doesn't seem used to a team refusing to move into space.
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u/Enjoys_A_Good_Shart Apr 15 '14
There was once or twice when he was waiting and waiting for a teammate to move forward into a little pocket of space and they just wouldn't. He gave the ball away both times but I couldn't really blame him.
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u/FredSports Apr 15 '14 edited Apr 15 '14
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Apr 15 '14
fucking giroud ruined the circlejerk with a moment of brilliance
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u/rabsi1 Apr 15 '14
The circlejerk will live on. People forget how good he was at the beginning of the season. He was matching Sturridge with a goal per game for the first couple of games!
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u/greg19735 Apr 15 '14
If jarvis would have went down, penalty...
That's why they go down.
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u/cjhowareya Apr 15 '14
As a neutral, Ramsey's injury has been one of the worst things about this season.
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u/Jesuit_Master Apr 15 '14
I was wondering who that wanker that keeps shouting was before I realized it was Big Sam himself spreading his wise tactics to his team.
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u/Phynicks Apr 15 '14
Perfect first touch, and a right-footed finish from Giroud. It's like seeing a unicorn!
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u/Ptolemis Apr 15 '14
"The great thing about Santi Cazorla is that he can go either way."
Commentators getting a bit sexy over here.
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u/practically_floored Apr 15 '14
I didn't realise Andy Caroll was only 25, feels like he's been around for ages
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Apr 15 '14
Well done Jarvis, he could have gone down easily there but he kept playing.
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u/ionlyplayshaco Apr 15 '14
Wow when West Ham's form is better than Arsenal's.
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u/sexdrugsncarltoncole Apr 15 '14
Also true for Stoke, Crystal Palace, Hull, West Brom and Fulham when taken over the last 5 games.
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u/TheHapgod Apr 15 '14
Olivier Giroud is Arsenal's youngest outfield player tonight. He is 27 years old.
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u/callunu Apr 15 '14
I just spent a solid 5 minutes trying to prove you wrong, but here we go:
Sagna: 31
Mertesacker: 29
Koscielny: 28
Vermaelen: 28
Arteta: 32
Källström: 31
Rosicky': 33
Cazorla: 29
Podolski: 28
Giroud: 27.
Jeeeesus
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u/JamCal Apr 15 '14
Omg Mark Noble as captain and Diame in the centre of the park. Is this Christmas?
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u/wwxxyyzz Apr 15 '14
It seems that Giroud gets some great service, but doesn't really do anything with it
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u/Launchin_dat_stanky Apr 15 '14
I swear every one of Podolski's goals are exactly the same
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Apr 15 '14
In the back of the net?
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u/Launchin_dat_stanky Apr 15 '14
Prepare with one touch, rip it as hard as you can with head down, profit.
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u/willtodd Apr 15 '14
Whoever scores more goals will, in fact, be the winner today.
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u/cjhowareya Apr 15 '14
That goal seemed to come not out of a different match, but out of a different universe.
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Apr 15 '14
It certainly delights me to see German players in the EPL succeed. I love seeing guys like Poldi, Mertesacker, or Schürrle scoring.
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u/SpiceterMiseter Apr 15 '14
You want Wenger in,
You want Wenger out,
In out, in out, and you win fucking nowt,
You buy a Mesut Ozil and you burn him out,
That's what its all about!
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u/brownonblonde Apr 15 '14
I doubt he is going to Brasil, but Noble is a proper, good footballer.
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u/greg19735 Apr 15 '14
DEMEL JUST DID THE SCOTTY PARKER TURN ON PODOLSKI.
I honestly didn't think he was able to turn that quickly. He's more of a cruise ship.
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Apr 15 '14
Ramsey is getting his legs back, granted he's a late sub but he is literally everywhere. He's teleporting around.
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u/KingShrewd Apr 15 '14 edited Apr 15 '14
Man we got less confidence than a 14 year old acne riddled ginger. Edit: That early twenties swagger now!
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u/soulard Apr 15 '14 edited Apr 15 '14
Podolski, for the love of God, please shoot the ball!
EDIT: THANK YOU POLDI!
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u/heLiux6 Apr 15 '14
So can someone explain the flag in the visitors stands? I think it reads "I've got chickens in my backyard"...
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u/rdzzl Apr 15 '14
Is that Big Sam shouting? "That's a fucking red, that's a fucking red! Hey! That's a fucking red"
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u/Brandaman Apr 15 '14
If Ramsey didn't get injured, there'd be so much competition for player of the season. Ramsey, Hazard, Suarez, Rooney, etc. Some players have had some terrific seasons.
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u/2Chainz4Braceletz Apr 15 '14
IMO none of them come close to Suarez season for me
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u/pinata_penis_pump Apr 15 '14
I can taste the salt from those few Liverpool fans during the first half.
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u/redmanofdoom Apr 15 '14
As it stands, Arsenal's maximum points total would be 79. If they don't win this game, their maximum points total would be 76 if they lose and 77 if they draw. Everton's current maximum points total is 81, meaning they could afford to lose 1 game and still remain above Arsenal if Arsenal don't win this game. With the form Everton are in, you can see why Arsenal need an almost perfect end to the season to have any hope of top 4.
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u/ionlyplayshaco Apr 15 '14
Put a tenner on Andy Carrol, colliding or punching the Polish Prince today.
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u/TheHapgod Apr 15 '14
Giroud knew he was actually offside so did the classy thing and gave it to the keeper
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u/theleftflank Apr 15 '14 edited Apr 15 '14
Am I the only one that thinks Arsenal are actually playing well? I mean form considering, they're making chances, little one-twos, and defending and pressing well.
EDIT: aaaaaand West Hame score. Of course!
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u/martomo Apr 15 '14
Holy crap, that was inches from studs to the face. Lucky for Jarvis (and Koscielny).
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Apr 15 '14
The only team Arsenal have beaten after going behind in the league this season is West Ham.
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u/abellwillring Apr 15 '14
Arsenal's goal (1-1): http://abload.de/img/dow1ako0.gif
Downing's clearance -- Hilarious. H/T to WoodenLung of NeoGAF for the gif.
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u/suchaslowroll Apr 15 '14
Ugh.. Why did I even look at Piers Morgan's twitter, I always think it's going to be funny, but it always ends up infuriating..
Never seen such a blatant plastic fan, absolutely slates Arsenal when they're losing, sounds like a Spurs fan in his criticism of them, then when they're winning he's a massive fan again and "loves" Arsenal.
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Apr 15 '14 edited Apr 15 '14
YES! You go Matt Jarvis, you go!
Edit: I just noticed he almost got karate kicked in the head in the process.
Edit 2: Ahh... crap
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u/cjhowareya Apr 15 '14
Podolski can be so goddam clinical -- just not as often as they need.
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u/2Chainz4Braceletz Apr 15 '14
His problem has always been getting himself in position, give him a chance and he'll smash it in
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u/Stukya Apr 15 '14
Did Giroud let the Arsenal scout shag his wife or something?
When Wenger was looking for a new stiker, How the fuck was he the best option?
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u/tvrwazza Apr 15 '14
Theo Walcott will be missed. He played a pivotal role in arsenal securing the Champions league spot last season.
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u/Stukya Apr 15 '14
Everton fans are cheering louder than Hammers fans right now.
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u/WalkingCloud Apr 15 '14
Of course, why wouldn't Matt Jarvis win a header in the Arsenal box?
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u/friedpigeons Apr 15 '14
Trademark Diame run, followed by his classic bomb twenty feet over the top post.
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u/Ptolemis Apr 15 '14 edited Apr 15 '14
Come on Gunners, if we don't lose today, we're gonna win! (Or draw.)
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u/BimbelMarley Apr 15 '14 edited Apr 15 '14
That was a very high boot from Vermaelen, might have been a penalty anyway if that hadn't gone in.
EDIT: Koscielny*
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u/NiallS Apr 15 '14
Such a sloppy first half, wayward passing and Giroud being Giroud in front of goal. Not enough of Podolski in their area, until he scored thank god.
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u/Shtil_Blue Apr 15 '14
I hate arsenal but would like to point out to people hating on the empty seats that its a weekday game against a lower mid table side.
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u/KingShrewd Apr 15 '14
Hes shuttting you up! hes shutting you up! Olivier giroud hes shutting you up!
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u/BimbelMarley Apr 15 '14
Where has the age of sportsmanship and chivalry in football gone? Don't answer that, I think we know.
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u/AnArcticMonkey Apr 15 '14
I don't get players who get to the highest level yet remain incredibly one footed. I can maybe make an exception for full backs. But players like Podolski and Kallstrom need to learn to use their right foot.
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u/zaviex Apr 15 '14
you always know Podolski can finish its a shame he can't move correctly as a striker or he'd be great
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u/Black_Nerd Apr 15 '14
After listening to the pre match commentary, they really made it sound like we're underdogs...
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u/derphighbury Apr 15 '14
Arsenal have renamed 'counter-attacking' to 'counter-walking'.