Mails: Arsenal fans are in love again…

You know what to do – mail us at theeditor@football365.com

 

Confused by Walcott
There must have been a subtle shift in the space time continuum because Theo Walcott looked really, really good at football last night.
Andrew (he’s going to pull his hamstring this weekend, isn’t he?) Stevens

 

We love you Arsenal, we do
A brace for the rejuvenated Mr Walcott last night as Alexis had an apparent off night (not really, I’d call it good goalkeeping; as 2-0 really was flattering to the visitors!).

Arsenal are back to their irresistible best, playing with venom, intelligence, pace and heart all over the pitch. Another true team effort.

Keep it up lads, you’re a joy to watch when you play to this standard!
Chris, Croydon

 

Well that was impressive…
So, it’s 2:45am and I’ve just got home following our game at the Emirates earlier (I live up north; I haven’t just been wandering around Islington all evening). The following are a loose collection of thoughts that I had on the train home. Apologies for their slightly rambling nature:

– That was really rather good. As I’m sure most football fans, whatever their persuasion, would agree, Arsenal are not a team noted for their consistency. We have a bad habit of putting on a great performance, then following it with a pretty average one. It was therefore great to see the performance from Saturday backed up by another impressive outing. Yes, Basel may not be European elite, but they aren’t mugs either. But for some slightly errant finishing (the “worst” part of the performance) and some solid keeping from Vaclik, it could easily have been five or six.

– As with the weekend, the first half was incredibly effective and we then ‘managed’ the second half well. Most Arsenal fans I talk to joke that we’re only confident about winning once the final whistle has gone (and even then, not THAT confident). The last two matches have shown a side confident in doing what is necessary, without alarm or panic. Again, that hasn’t always been the case with us.

– It’s been said by far more knowledgeable (and eloquent) people than me already this season, but Theo Walcott’s form has been a revelation. More than that, his attitude has been outstanding. He’s chasing lost causes (like Alexis), he’s putting himself about in the tackle (like Alexis) and he’s even apparently learnt to head the ball (like Ale…you get the idea). He’s still prone to occasional Theo-isms, but in general it’s been excellent and let’s hope it continues.

– Pretty much all the team had a good game and the usual suspects (Ozil, Alexis etc) were as excellent as ever. But just wanted to say a word on Mustafi and Xhaka. Mustafi, especially, seems right at home already, which is exactly what you want from a new signing. Both have added some steel and style to the team. We do seem more ‘solid’ at the moment than we have been in a while.

– Does this mean anything for the season as a whole? Probably not. The trophies will be handed out much later and we’ll see if we are still in with a shout of one or two of them by that time. Still, it’s promising and something to build on. Cue losing to Burnley at the weekend…
Ian, AFC

 

…* That first half was breathtaking. Wengerball at its finest. We could have scored five in the first half itself. Reminded me of Napoli three years back.

* Walcott. What is up with him? Why didn’t he play like this all these years? Even his crossing was superb today and could have got an assist if Iwobi had shown more conviction to get to one particularly good cross in the first half. In years gone by, he would have probably mistimed his run and still hit the ar*e of the first defender even though the said defender had stopped defending because the linesman has already flagged for offside.

* Xhaka plays beautiful football. Even though he looks like a lizard.

* Iwobi has one of the best first touches in our team. The way he opens up his body when receiving the ball makes it very easy to play the ball with the second touch. Notice it the next time you watch him.

* When we signed Mustafi, I thought he was more Per than Kos. Turns out he’s more Kos than Per.
Franco (Ospina chews gum better than Fergie and Fat Sam) Goa

 

Wenger for England
Wenger is the complete package for the English managerial job.

He is a good manager – experienced, calm and has a professional aura that surrounds him. England need a man of his charisma especially after Sam Allardyce. He should have won a lot of trophies for Arsenal had it not been for his spending and the general financial status of the club. But imagine Wenger without the burden of buying players and with the many English players to choose from? This man can win you everything.

Let him see through his Arsenal contract and then secure his services come May 2017.

Thank me in 2018.
Joram Kioko, Arsenal, Nairobi, Kenya

 

Problem with a poll
Putting the next England manager choice out to a public vote is obviously such a bad idea. The reason? Because, knowing the internet these days, the runaway winner of any such poll would be one Harambe McHarambeface. Still, he’d probably be better than most of the previous lot.
Ted, Manchester

 

Out of the frying pan…
So where did Big Sam jet off to yesterday morning to get away from all his fellow Englanders?

BENIDORM.

He sure is on roll with these errors of judgement.
Vinnie, Glasgow

 

Port, Vimto, water and Vardy
Just a quick suggestion for you guys for your Mediawatch image: Rather than a stock image of some fine port in crystal port glasses, maybe something which would have been a bit more apt was popping to Lidl, getting a bottle of the shi*tiest bottled tap water you could, emptying, and then filling it half full of some sh*tty, gut destroying port – then taking your own picture.

After all, if you’re going to drink port out of a plastic bottle, the only thing inaccurate in that picture would be the absent Mr. Vardy himself.

Oh, and if Mr Vardy is reading this, here’s one for you. If you like Ribena, I’m guessing you’re probably a fan of Vimto too. Simply reduce the quantity of port by half and fill the rest of the bottle with WKD blue. I reckon that’d be right up your alley. And, as it goes, it’s drinking vessel is officially an empty bottle of water or Lucozade sport.

No need to thank me,
Rob, London