Tag Archives: She Wore A Yellow Ribbon

Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain set to avoid ban

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Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain set to avoid ban

It is highly likely that Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain will avoid a ban for his handball during Saturday’s game against Chelsea.

Whilst it was clearly Oxlade-Chamberlain rather than Kieran Gibbs who made the world class save to deny Eden Hazard, it is likely that Arsenal are going to take advantage of a loophole to ensure he is not banned.

According to FA rule 4. (a) Mistake Identity:

If a Player who has been cautioned or sent off in a FTCM claims that he was the victim of mistaken identity in relation to the imposition of such sanction, he may appeal to The Association. The Club on behalf of the Player must, by 1pm of the next working day DISCIPLINARY PROCEDURES 2013-2014 following their game, notify The Association in writing (by fax or e-mail – Fax 0844 980 0626 or e-mail Disciplinary@TheFA.com) of their intention to submit a claim.

This ruling puts it in the clubs hands to appeal against the decision. If they decide to appeal, and it is upheld by the commission, the disciplinary action “is transferred from the record of the Player reported by the Referee to the appropriate identified offender.”

Put simply, if Arsenal chose to not appeal, Kieran Gibbs serves the 1 match ban, leaving Oxlade-Chamberlain free to play.

The decision is up to Arsenal who they wish to serve the ban. With Arsenal having Monreal and Vermaelen both available, they are well covered at full back. Whilst in the middle, it is unlikely Arteta can play twice in such short succession, and with Ramsey, Wilshere, Diaby & Ozil all out, it leaves us with just Flamini, Kallstrom and Cazorla.

It is fairly clear that Arsenal are better off taking the hit on Gibbs to ensure Oxlade-Chamberlain is available to play.

Keenos

Akpom, Akpom, Chuba Akpom

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Yesterday news came out that Chuba Akpom would be returning from his loan spell at Coventry city, and it was instantly made abundantly clear that Nicklas Bendtner, was now even below the Plucky 18 year old in the pecking order for striking options, after his taxi shagging escapades in Copenhagen last week. Where was Bendtner when this news came out I hear you ask? Well, he was rumoured to be in Copenhagen (again) however this time however he was watching the capital team against Randers FC wearing a Copenhagen shirt, he also posted an Instagram photo with the caption “Above it” clearly indicating what he thought of supporting the club paying his contract even though he wasn’t in the squad.Bendtner

Having been at the club since the age of 6 and the news coming out today that Chuba Akpom would be returning from his 2nd loan spell this season, the first being Brentford and the second Coventry City, without a doubt the latter of the two clubs being where Akpom had found more of his success. However when you look at Brentford a bit closer and find out their current manager used to be a city worker its not surprising he took as little risk as possible playing a largely unproven loan striker.

Returning to Chuba Akpom quickly it would suggest that he will be now be Arsenals 3rd striker, although he failed to score in the football league we saw what he was capable of against West Brom at the start of the season (Where coincidentally Bendtner made his come back) carrying the ball a good 60/70 metres before feeding Bendtner who then decided to let the ball run past him and go off for a goal kick.

Although it is unlikely that Akpom will get to see the light of premier league football for a large amount of time, if at all, due to the fact Olivier Girouds body appears to be made of steel (No matter how much rolling around he does) and Yaya Sanogo ahead of him what Akpom will provide is running off of the defender, an element which we’ve certainly been lacking recently and something that arguably our most important player Mesut Ozil needs to show how great he can be, he’s only played 10 minutes in the premier league, against Sunderland at the start of the Season and West Bromwich Albion in the Capital one cup, so teams such as Swansea won’t know what to expect from him, and the thing I believe the fans will love the most about Chuba, is his undenying passion, he has a fire in his belly which could start wood fires on a damp day, ever since I started watching youth football that is the one thing i’ve been unable to not notice, he chases balls for days, he tracks back into the middle of the pitch, collects the ball, picks up a pass and runs, if a decision doesn’t go his way he’s always contesting it with the ref, and if he wins a penalty he’s often very hyped, with high 5’s and chest bounces all over the pitch. He loves Arsenal, pure and simple.Akpom

The fact Akpom didn’t score in the Football League does not give the full story, as the loan had a temporary recall clause he was recalled by Arsenal 3 times in the period of his loan whilst also making 5 appearances for Coventry City and I believe missing 2 coventry games. So not only was he having to adapt to league football he was also constantly travelling between Coventry and London, not to mention before his final Coventry appearance against his former loan team Brentford he had flown to Barcelona on Tuesday and back the day after, this might be expected of premier league hardened footballers however in League one, this is just unheard of (Obviously)

Finally, although Chuba Akpom failed to score on his loan times he didn’t fail to score in the last 2 games he played for Arsenal U19 against Barcelona and against Everton in the FA Youth cup. Furthermore the loan has been very influential to Akpom, not only has he increased his tactical awareness and overall game play, he’s stronger, fitter and perhaps most important for the premier league, faster. Should anything happen to Giroud or we have to rest him before the FA Cup Semi Final, do not be afraid to put your faith in the very passionate young Englishman, we could do a lot worse.

Kieran

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Proud to be a Gooner

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Ok, we lost 6-0, more about that another day. It has been done to death by blogs today, and will continue to do so until we spank Swansea 8-0 and everything is sunny in the Arsenal garden again. Yesterday, despite the defeat, I have never been prouder to be a Gooner. Prouder to be an Arsenal fan.

What happened yesterday was a thing of beauty, and you had to be at the stadium to understand it. From the first minute to the last, and beyond, the atmosphere was electric. At 3-0 down to 10 men, the clock turned 30, and it started “49 49 undefeated” and it continued. The noise decibels only reducing for half time.

As the Chelsea goals went in, the singing got louder. A mark of defiance. I remember a few years back when we played Leeds United at Highbury. Leeds lost 5-0. It was Arsenal’s unbeaten season, Leeds went on to be relegated a few weeks later. But their fans did not stop singing. It sent a shiver down my spine, making me realise that ones love for a club is over and above anything. As Leeds fans stood shoulder by shoulder together, I released it was this resilient attitude that allows the UK to be a world power despite its size.

Yesterday was our ‘5-0’. The circumstances might have been slightly different. The score was 6-0, it was all but confirmation of us being out of the title race than being relegated, but the feeling was the same. A feeling of defiance.

Throughout the second half, the majority of fans stayed. And backed the team. No matter opinions on Wenger and the board, there was a realisation, we needed to stand up and be counted, even if the players are management shirked the challenge.

Whilst Chelsea fans sat on their hands, only giving it every now and again (One mug wearing a Sky Blue SuperDry hoodie – you’re 40, stop wearing hoodies, asked the guy sitting next to him “who’s that” when Salah came on, despite ‘giving it large’ to Arsenal fans), Arsenal fans did not stop. Leaving at least something to be proud of despite the scoreline.

Yes, it was not perfect. I saw a couple of Arsenal fans getting attacked for singing ‘One Arsene Wenger’ in response to Chelsea fans singing ‘we want you to stay’. Likewise, chaps who unveiled a small black BSM flag were also abused, showing that there are tossers on both sides of the fence. Overall though, the crowd came together as one against a common enemy.

And it did not stop at the final whistle. Walking down the Fulham Road, Arsenal fans were not quite. On the platform at Fulham Broadway, the noise continued. On the train to Victoria, it was bouncing, and in the Willow Walk after the game, the atmosphere, the defiance, remained. We might have lost the battle on the pitch, but off it, victory was ours.

The men and women at the game yesterday standing side by side, backing the 10 men for 90 minutes, are the real hero’s. They are the ones who would stay with the club throughout all scenarios, through relegation, and who deserve success. They are the fans who I would happily be in the trenches. It makes me very proud to say I was one of those fans. I am a proud Gooner.

Keenos