Arsenal 4-1 Bolton

[Natasha Whittam]

Is it though? I'd say a team of our quality going to a team of theirs, it's a 90% chance of defeat, possibly higher. If we go there and defend for 90 minutes, we have about a 1% chance of winning, because we can't counter as quickly as we could under Allardyce. And with their quality going forward, they will always break us down at least once so it is almost certain defeat. Not embarassment, but zero chance of points.

If we go for it though, yes there's a chance we will get well beat like we did. But there's also the chance we can give them a bloody nose and get an early goal or two to defend like we did in January. Alright we messed up actually defending the lead, but you can't argue that the start we made was rapid, and it gave us every chance of getting something.

I know which I would prefer to see us do, but it is usually irrelevant because of the chances of us losing whatever we do.

If we'd been 1-0 down with 5 minutes to go we'd have had a chance to get a point. That's why it's better to defend at the big teams, as thrashings are bad for morale.

[Chris Rabz]

A defeat is bad for morale, 1-0 or 4-1 the posts on here would have been negative. You can bet on that. But as you saw often with Megson last year, we applied the "bend-don't-break" principle every time against the old big four and we never got anything except dull 1-0 or 2-0 losses. It was predictable, easy to play against, and a sure-fire loss every time.

Their win against Braga makes me feel a little bit better anyway

[Le God]

Their win against Braga makes me feel a little bit better anyway

Nah, i still feel like shíte about it.

[Natasha Whittam]

A defeat is bad for morale, 1-0 or 4-1 the posts on here would have been negative.

I'm sorry, but if you think a narrow 1-0 defeat at Arsenal would have the same impact on morale as a stuffing I can only think you have never played any team sport at any level.

[Jamster26]

"I won’t say that Bolton’s approach was a surprise, but they went above the limit a few times. As well as that tackle there were the ones on Jack [Wilshere] and Laurent [Koscielny], which were not nice to see either.”

I can understand Cesc and Arsenal being upset with the Robbo challenge; fair enough. But Davies went for the ball as did Wilshere' it was a 50-50 that tackle. As for the Lorient one; is he talking about the clash of heads?
Anyway who is he to talk about fair play? You see him (well infact the majority of the Arsenal team for that matter) going to ground from the slightest gust of wind. Hardly angels themselves.

(http://www.sport.co.uk/news/Football/43749/Incensed_Fabregas_calls_for_potential_leg-breaker_punishment.aspx)

[Le God]

I'm sorry, but if you think a narrow 1-0 defeat at Arsenal would have the same impact on morale as a stuffing I can only think you have never played any team sport at any level.

I was once a goalie for an under 10's team and managed to concede 23 goals in 2 games.

you could say that hit me pretty hard.

[Chris Rabz]

I'm sorry, but if you think a narrow 1-0 defeat at Arsenal would have the same impact on morale as a stuffing I can only think you have never played any team sport at any level.

Obviously I know 4-1 hurts more than 1-0. But it isn't as simple as that, its 4-1 but having a go at them. At half-time we were level, but because we had showed we can fight back from behind, not just because they haven't broken us down yet. The minutes where we went 2-1 down and a man down changed the game completely, up until then it was anyone's game, and had LCY been given a penalty it would have been 2-2, with 11 v 11. It didn't and we ended up getting a good hiding, but that's always likely with ten men against a quality side.

Whereas the sit back and invite the 1-0 loss would have admittedly probably kept them at bay for a while, but there's no chance it would have lasted 90 minutes and it is just waiting for the inevitable. If the first goal comes with more than half an hour left, its a 2-0 defeat at best, and we get at best a shot from distance at goal.

Strange that you seem to be standing that side of the fence for this one, I'd have thought you would prefer to see us have a go at sides rather than sit back and await our punishment.

[Natasha Whittam]

Obviously I know 4-1 hurts more than 1-0. But it isn't as simple as that, its 4-1 but having a go at them.

For someone who claims to go to all the games you have a very strange opinion of the game itself. From where I was sat it was one way traffic and if the score had been 10-1 I don't think we could have complained.

We did not "have a go at them" as you claim.

[Chris Rabz]

I can't comment too much on the game itself because while I was there in body, it was a very drunk body I was in. And I didn't even get to see it on MOTD since it was deleted off the V+ box before I got to it. Oh well, I can't think of many games I'd rather not have much memory of.

[traf]

Black Sunday.
Wembley v Tranmere
Home v Aldershot

[Sluffy]

Abou Diaby is upended by Paul Robinson at the Emirates


Stop the man: Andrey Arshavin is scythed down by Bolton's Gretar Steinsson

Read more: http://www.dailymail.co.uk/sport/football/article-1312740/So-does-Arsene-point-Sportsmail-looks-Wengers-claims-Arsenal-need-better-protection.html#ixzz0zjmwNqIl

[Manny]

Somebody said it elsewhere, football will be a non-contact sport in five years if we carry on as we are.

As for Diaby, we've been here before too. They dish it out but can't take it.

First this:
http://www.thesun.co.uk/sol/homepage/sport/football/37546/Demolition-Diaby-OK-by-us.html

And then this:


Case closed.

[Big_Sharps]

Black Sunday.
Wembley v Tranmere
Home v Aldershot

Dark Sunday Traf, dont be offensive.

[Jamster26]

Fcuk off Diaby you winy gangly frog.

[traf]

Dark Sunday Traf, dont be offensive.

Apparently it's now PC to say black again.

[Le God]

[Big_Sharps]

I am feeling an incredible urge to dropkick.

[traf]

They need to kick football out of racism.

[Le God]

I don't understand why you would be annoyed by such a positive and unifying message.

[Diana Prince]

They need to have a wash & dress properly instead of protesting willy nilly.

[traf]

I don't understand why you would be annoyed by such a positive and unifying message.

I assume that was aimed at BS.

[Big_Sharps]

I don't understand why you would be annoyed by such a positive and unifying message.

The slogan has me thinking about long hair, jumpers and backpacks.