Arsenal

[The Fox]

Podolski and Santi were utter shite today. Again. I think one of them needs to be sold in the summer really, play Ox-Ozil-Walcott as general first choice, ideally with another wide forward in the squad who likes it played in behind so that we're not quite as reliant on Theo.

Couldn't understand the booing of the Podolski sub at all, totally baffling. Anyone know why that was? He'd done absolutely nothing, even by his lowly standards. Sanogo still looks like Bambi a lot of the time, but he was at least getting involved in a lot of the play. Lad needs a loan or something, get more games under his belt so he can work on his first touch and composure.

Hmm other players....Arteta was shit first half, bloke near me was calling him Denilson The Second which made me laugh. Second half he was loads better I thought. Ramsey was about as good as you could realistically expect after 4 months out injured, fair play to him for lasting so long.

[Larsen B]

From what I gathered in block 519, everyone was booing Podolski because he was walking off when we were a goal down. Or they were booing Wenger because he was a striker going off.

Arsenal fans are hard to parse.

RE: Sanogo, it's a bit unfair to say he can't buy a goal when he scored against Everton and it was wrongly chalked off. I also think he's either pretty rubbish or shouldn't be anywhere near the first team but he was robbed of his first professional goal.

[humdrum]

I like sanogo, I honestly think when he gets his first goal he will go on to do really well. Its a big step up and his still learning, which is why I think his been given the cup games to do that.

A loan away might be nice for him to go and learn the english game and I wonder if that was the plan but with us failing to get another striker it would have been crazy to let him go.

lets not forget last two games, he scored against everton but had it ruled out, he hit the post with a header yesterday, and also held the ball up and laid it off to the ox who's miss hit shot led to the equaliser.

[Rev]

Sanogo would be a great player to have on the bench were it not for the fact he's identical to both Giroud and (lol) Bendtner.

"Our slightly rubbish at finishing big man up front isn't working. I know what'll solve it..."

[Steve007]

The winning penalty yesterday, filmed by me!

[The Fox]

Guys if anyone is going tomorrow night, it might be an idea to take your boots with you just in case. I reckon you could get a game in midfield.

[Steve007]

I wonder if Arsene has Glenn Helder's phone number?

[The Fox]

It's bonkers though innit. Arteta is old and knackered and played 120 mins. Ox played 120 mins. Ramsey played for a dangerously long time given how long he's been out (Wenger gambling with people's fitness yet again). Kallstrom is going to have to start, and then I suppose we'll try and get 50-60 mins out of Arteta before bringing Ramsey on.

I tell you what though, this is the second time this season we've been left short on numbers because that retard Flamini has got himself suspended. His tackling is so unbelievably shit, but for some reason he's got a reputation as being better at it than Arteta. It never ceases to amaze me how easily people believe media narrative ("Flamini's tough tackling is exactly what Arsenal have lacked!") over using their goddamn eyes and brain.

He puts in less tackles per game than Arteta (or even Ramsey), yet gets booked far more often. Does that scream 'good tackler' to you guys? Because to me it screams 'dipshit'.

[humdrum]

Isn't there a stat that Ramsey has completed the most tackles for us this season and his been out since boxing day.

and our second top scorer I think.

[The Fox]

There was, but it wasn't factually correct. Arteta is our highest tackler by some way, though it would probably be Ramsey had he not got injured.

[Rocafella]

So we're getting 25k tickets for the final, as are Hull. So that's 40k going to FA 'volunteers' and corporate seats apparently. Ridiculous.

[The Fox]

Standard though, sadly.

[The Fox]

Pedro LeGrove hasn't attended enough games to get a Cup Final ticket.

[The Fox]

You need an ST & 3+ away match credits to get a chance at a Cup Final ticket. I have the latter, but no longer the former, so ahm oot.

On the plus side, we can all pile into the Grove to watch it: http://www.arsenal.com/news/news-archive/20140414/club-disappointed-by-ticket-allocation

edit: Daley says he qualifies for tickets. Steve/Anders -- how about you guys?

[wev]

Going back to the Flamini, Arteta, Ramsey tackling stats for a moment (purely because I dont have the opportunity to attend a bog standard match let alone anything else), it used to be the case that Arteta's interception rate was fairly high wasn't it? He didn't tend to need to actually tackle a player from what I recall as he was usually in the right place at the right time to get the ball anyway.

[anders limpar]

If you're on the away scheme or have three away credits from the last two seasons and an ST you're guaranteed one.

The rest (assume this would be about 20k tops) are then raffled to ST holders without the credits so you've got a 50/50 chance pretty much. I've got two STs so should hopefully get one, but have also started the process of rinsing contacts who might be able to blag one. I think Art Vandelay (formerly of this parish) has a mate at Santander and a mate of mine who works for Activision got a freebie off Microsoft for the semi, so I'm getting the kneepads out.

[wev]

If you're on the away scheme or have three away credits from the last two seasons and an ST you're guaranteed one.

The rest (assume this would be about 20k tops) are then raffled to ST holders without the credits so you've got a 50/50 chance pretty much. I've got two STs so should hopefully get one, but have also started the process of rinsing contacts who might be able to blag one. I think Art Vandelay (formerly of this parish) has a mate at Santander and a mate of mine who works for Activision got a freebie off Microsoft for the semi, so I'm getting the kneepads out.

Could be worth getting the shinpads out too...

[humdrum]

Raffle as in random draw? Or a waiting in the box office queue bum fight that happened for the semi final?

[anders limpar]

Random draw - you apply to go into the ballot.

[humdrum]

Have I missed an email or something?

[anders limpar]

No email out yet but this went up on arsenal.com earlier:

http://www.arsenal.com/match/report/1314/tickets/first-team/fa-cup-final-ticket-policy

The Club will be given significantly fewer tickets by the Football Association than it received for the semi-final and the 2011 Carling Cup Final. We recognise that demand for tickets from our members will far outweigh our allocation and we have developed our approach based on previous consultation with Supporter Groups.

Policy

The allocation will be based on three basic principles:

1) Members of the Away Scheme (Away Season Ticket Subscription) will be guaranteed a ticket, provided they are registered members during the relevant season of the particular cup final and so long as they purchase in their priority period.

2) Platinum and Gold members who have attended three or more away fixtures registered to their current 2013/14 membership, will be guaranteed a ticket as long as they purchase in their priority period. This will be based on the past two consecutive seasons from August 13, 2011 – April 6, 2014.

3) The majority of tickets will be allocated to the balance of Platinum and Gold Members. Successful applicants will be determined by a random ballot.

Process

The process will be similar to the Carling Cup Final 2011, when a registration process was implemented. Thereafter, successful applicants will have the facility to purchase tickets both online and by telephone. Specific details concerning the registration and purchasing process will be available at the appropriate time.

Tickets for our registered Disabled Platinum and Gold members will be allocated on similar principles as outlined in the above policy. Full details will be announced once the Club has been advised of the confirmed ticket allocation.

(Full ticket details will be advertised on arsenal.com in due course)

[humdrum]

Cool thanks

[Rev]

I'm properly dreading tomorrow, probably more than the semi. There is a very real danger we're going to get battered if we don't get an early goal (which we won't). It's exactly the wrong sort of team to play when you're tired.

[BlinkyBear]

You need an ST & 3+ away match credits to get a chance at a Cup Final ticket.

Daley says he qualifies for tickets. Steve/Anders -- how about you guys?

In which case that motherfucked owes me a programme at the least I reckon; pretty sure he's not got those away credits by getting battered in the Tolly during home games ;-)

Brilliant news about Pedro LeGrove though-also means a lot of middle tier dick heads will be without tickets. Lol and that.

On tomorrow's game, I haven't seen what Wenger has said about players and the squad, but saw that the U21s got battered by Leicester with a large part of that seemingly because we had a makeshift team, suggesting a few will play tomorrow for the 1st team.

[humdrum]

I thought the players where rested last night as they had the second leg of te cup against Chelsea coming up?

[Steve007]

So we're getting 25k tickets for the final, as are Hull. So that's 40k going to FA 'volunteers' and corporate seats apparently. Ridiculous.

I don't meet the criteria for first go on the tickets as I don't have enough away credits. I've never missed an Arsenal final in nearly 25-30 years so I'll be gutted if I can't get a ticket.

If it's anything like the League Cup Final, supporters who do meet the away criteria will take the bulk of the tickets and they'll be a lottery for remaining tickets for Platinum/Gold members who register interest and there's 40,000 season ticket holders who meet that criteria.

[BlinkyBear]

I thought the players where rested last night as they had the second leg of te cup against Chelsea coming up?

Ah, that could be it. Like I said, didn't see what Wenger said about the First team though, but it's fair to say we'll see the likes of Gnabry and Akpom at least in the squad tonight.

[Steve007]

I know people say the same thing each year, but 25,000 tickets for each team is a fucking disgrace. Let's not forget that this was increased a few years ago to 25,000. If the FA could get away with it, each team would get around 18,000 if they were lucky!

I understand that sponsors should be allocated a few thousand tickets but this "football family" shit does my head in. Basically these tickets go to local FA's and other people who just turn up for a jolly. Meanwhile 1000's of real fans miss out. I know it won't be changed and it is what it is, but it's still ridiculous.

[BlinkyBear]

I know people say the same thing each year, but 25,000 tickets for each team is a fucking disgrace. Let's not forget that this was increased a few years ago to 25,000. If the FA could get away with it, each team would get around 18,000 if they were lucky!

I understand that sponsors should be allocated a few thousand tickets but this "football family" shit does my head in. Basically these tickets go to local FA's and other people who just turn up for a jolly. Meanwhile 1000's of real fans miss out. I know it won't be changed and it is what it is, but it's still ridiculous.

I completely agree. 100% Giving 27,000 tickets to the FA 'Family' is disgusting and really hits our fans.

BUT, we shot ourselves in the foot by not giving Liverpool and Everton their fair share of tickets for the home games in earlier rounds. Not giving Spuds their allocation made sense, because we didn't want/need 9000 pissed up CockHeads taking over the Clock End, but using the same excuse, citing 'Safety Reasons' for the Liverpool and Everton was just petty. Haven't got a leg to stand on now when it comes to making noises at the FA for not giving us the tickets we want now.

[The Fox]

The FA send tickets to all sorts of weird places. Sunday League teams and stuff. Really bizarre.