Arsene Wenger and the Arsenal fans were understandably delighted by the Gunners win over Hull City at the KC stadium last night. Not only did it herald an early St. Totteringham´s day celebration for us Gooners, it confirmed another season in the Champions League and almost certainly without the early season nuisance of two play off games.
But perhaps it was the manner of the win, away against a team playing well and fighting hard to avoid the drop, that was the most impressive. It certainly seems to have struck a chord with the former Man United and England defender Gary Neville.
Just a few days ago the Sky Sports pundit issued a damning appraisal of the chasing pack, including Arsenal and his former club, once Chelsea had confirmed the title for this season. But after seeing the Gunners blow Hull away with some stunning football, Neville has changed his tune and given Arsenal a really good chance of becoming champions of England next time, as a BBC report reveals.
The man who won an amazing eight eight titles and two Champions League trophies has proved since retiring that he is a great reader of the game so for him to see the progression and the right balance in this Arsenal team, while still keeping the wonderful fluid style that Wenger is famous for, is very encouraging. He did have one piece of advice for the Prof though, and that was to find a truly world class number one.
He said, “”I look at David de Gea and he has won five or six games for Manchester United with important saves.
“If Arsenal get a keeper in, they can be a championship-winning team.
“That was the best 45 minutes I’ve seen Arsenal play since the days of Patrick Vieira and Emmanuel Petit (1997-2000).
“It was a ‘wow’ performance. They popped the ball about, they had runners in behind, the work-rate, the togetherness, the vision… I just thought it was magnificent. I think this is a different Arsenal team. We’ve seen them play beautiful football before, but that was a winning-big-trophies type of football.
“I hear Arsenal fans all the time saying they want to change the manager and bring in somebody like (outgoing Borussia Dortmund boss) Jurgen Klopp but you just have to marvel at the way Arsenal play.
“I’ve watched Arsenal for a number of years and have been frustrated at times but what I saw in the first half at Hull was a team that actually played winning football. They defended deep and with discipline and attacked with such speed and quality.
“I think it’s vital Arsenal finish second. Even though it probably means nothing and it’s not a position you should be proud of, for the first time they are showing signs of progression.
“Of all the sides in the top four, apart from Chelsea, I think they are the best equipped to challenge next year.”
Do you agree that we need a new number one? And do you think Arsenal will prove Neville right by winning the Premier League next year?
Guys Where can I watch monday night MOTD? I never find it anywhere.. I can see the other MOTDs. Please let me know.
Thanks in Advance
And Please don’t say BBC site.. It doesn’t work in Australia
Try footytube
It only works in UK bro
Off Topic——
Tot I saw Usmanov somewhere around here recently…
Usma!!! Usma!!!!
Damn been a long while I heard from that guy. Whatever Stan’s done to him…
Dear Neville we know u are a deep rooted Man U fan and u always take a dig at us and criticise us.And so we trust Wenger more than u and we don’t need ur advice.
Leave Neville alone. If u must. Listen to anybody, it should be the real Neville: Aaron Neville (sweet voice he’s got).
Day.to
I think Ospina is good enough. We have been on a long unbeaten streak as opposed to the beginning of the season when we only won 2 matches out of the first 8 matches. Ospina has made very good saves for us. Also, the goalkeeper is the last line of defense behind the defenders and DM. So we should think about strengthening those areas. Like getting Schneiderlin or Kondogbia and bringing back Jenkison and getting a third LB.
Ospina is a top quality keeper. If he plays poorly next season we can get a new keeper in January but I think Ospina will do great next season
Ospina stats: Apps 14, Won 10, Draw 2, Lost 1 (London is white_LOL!)
He made 7 clean sheet in the process. I bet the Mr. Clever Neville didn’t know that before took the shoot.
Cech stats: hasnt conceded a goal all season when he has played for chelsea….rather cech between the sticks and ospina has his number too
Yes he has.
Schezny was golden glove winner with Cech last season but I bet you still want him sold
Beating Hull in May
after the title was
won in March is not
“proof” of any thing.
Arsenal v Chelsea
last week is the game
we should study.
For once i’ll agree with you here david…
Though we’re only most likely going to most likely face Chelsea three times next season (i’m including community shield. possibly a cup game as well) they did employ a tactic that a lot of mid-table and lower teams employ against us.
Now… I know it’s blasphemous.. And it’s the only thing i think i’ve ever agreed with.. But Mourinho was right, Giroud should never have been taken off. In a crowded box he’s the one in our current squad most likely to score IMO, as his strength allows him to create a yard where others can’t and his first-touch and layoffs are first class. When a team is defending that deep, Welbeck’s one and only strength over Giroud in his pace is nullified. If he had’ve brought someone else off and thrown Welbeck in the box it’s another story..
I see a lot of names thrown around… And though they’re brilliant names and in seasons to come may be an upgrade on what we already have (Lacazette/Dybala for example) they don’t really bring much we don’t already have, just a slight upgrade with potential to be a larger upgrade.
Our attack is loaded at the moment and if we are truly in the market to improve our squad.. I think a pure poacher would have a massive impact. Someone with similar qualities to Chicarito. Has a knack for being in the right place at the right time in the box, and from 6-yards is lethal. A real game-changer if we desperately need a goal
Hes right, we need a top top goalkeeper, someone who can match de gea and lloris.
Ospina has been great but to win d title we need to go a step ahead. Without de gea manutd wudnt hav even challenged for top 4. And dey also beat us 2-1 at emirates in a match where we felt we will beaat dem by a few goals, but de gea didint think d same!
How many gooners didn’t know Ospina EPL stats? Don’t be lazy fool! Click Opta and find out!
My football knowledge isnt based on stats. Stats are for lazy fools!
Szseczny did great last year behind a solid back four but suffered miserably dis season because of koscielnys continued absence. However, manutd had a fair share of dere defensive injuries and had no organistion at d back yet de gea ensured dat d team never went into crisis.
Really ? Are you going to ignore our 20game unbeaten run
Arsenal is just 2 players away from being champions again and even competing on the highest level for the Champions League. Am not a manager or whatever but it is evidently clear that all we need is a striker that will score goals from the glimpse of it with just half a chance and also a DM to rotate with Coquelin. Keeper position is fine for me.
I would also like to say with a few pre season games Gabriel should be almost ready to partner Koscielny. Also Walcott, Welbeck and Chambo should be enough to cover RW.
apart from a new number 1 we need players to roatate with Shitroud and Sanchez as well
4 signings and we be good
Agree wingers we have plenty.
Goal scorers?
Nah we already have 21.
Giroud Wellbeck Sanogo Akpom
Sanchez Ramsey Wallcot Ox Gnabry Ryo
Ozil Cazorla Rosicky Podolski Campbell
Monreal Gibbs Bellerin
Mertz Kos Gabriel from set pieces.
Is it safe to say we have the best midfield in England ?
Bob- Think you are getting your Nevilles all mixed up. I don’t think you will find Gary Neville has “changed his tune” – his brother Philip however is playing a different tune.
I “think” the team in 2nd
is closest to the no1 team
Neville.
The man is a genius 🙁
Ridiculous! ……..considering This Neville have been one of those who never saw a single positive in Arsenal…… Manure have been doing poorly for close to two seasons now, and he’s said nothing… He may be Legend there ,but right here at arsenal, he’s one big troll ….. He knws Arsenal is quality and loves the club, but he just can’t bring himself to say this (pride)…….until then, he’s highly ignored!
Can we test city for Aguero? He’s the one striker i know will fully complement Giroud and make us fearful all over Europe. His tricks, pace and penchant for scoring goals will make us an European force. If Wenger buys just schneiderlin and aguero, we have it all.
Maybe Wenger needs to get his south american scouts to work and get us a good cf rather than waitin on this overhype europeanz ppl aclaim world class. I personally don’t see any world class striker likely to be available in the market except cavani if reports are through about his willingness to leav psg. Others are doing fine in their clubs and will not want out