Attitude The Key For Arsenal At The Cottage
Sep 24th, 2009 by 'holic
For the last two seasons I have previewed the trip to Craven Cottage with these words;
‘I don’t want to be disrespectful to Roy Hodgson’s charges, but this contest is all about which Arsenal turns up in West London’.
Nothing has changed, but we are all aware of just which Arsenal turned up thirteen months ago. My match report reflected an anger that was widespread amongst Gooners.
‘For the second time in three seasons we have departed Craven Cottage a beaten and dishevelled side. In all honesty Fulham thoroughly deserved the three points, and what hurts more than anything is that they didn’t have to play all that well to get them.’
I have to say I am far more confident about this Saturday. Fulham, enjoying involvement in the Europa League, are possibly held in higher regard than a year ago, but I think it is fair to say that Arsenal have shown a more determined approach this season, even in the two defeats at Manchester. That improved attitude should earn points at places where last season the Gunners appeared not to give a monkeys.
Andrey Arshavin is fit to return, which you have to say will be a bonus. Theo Walcott too is available again, but possibly facing a place on the bench, at best. Interestingly the manager had a nervous smile when explaining that Manuel Almunia is again missing, and that ‘normally’ Vito Mannone would deputise. Was that a hint that Wojciech Szczesny would be retained after an excellent performance against West Brom in the Carling Cup?
I’m absolutely chuffed to say I am going, and it is the first time I will have seen the Gunners there since the ‘swinging sixties’, although I have to confess to being there again a decade later for an Anglo-Scottish Cup meeting with Hearts. Like many Gooners I have always had a bit of a soft spot for the Cottage.
A dinner appointment on Friday evening means an early prediction for the ‘holic pound, so I am having to discount any Friday surprises. I’m going to be bullish, which I’m sure will not surprise you. I think there will be a determination to banish the memories of a year ago, and am backing the visitors to win 3-0, which is a tasty 12/1 at Ladbrokes.
So that is that. At some point of Sunday I will surface, although I suspect a report on the Saturday teatime game may be delayed by a combination of a fuzzy head and a list of jobs from the management! What was that? Am I man or mouse?
Pass the cheese…
Oh, and I nearly forgot. TO ARTHUR! Happy 250th, Guinness.
18 Responses to “Attitude The Key For Arsenal At The Cottage”
[…] Goonerholic: Eat, Sleep, Breathe, Drink, Arsenal goonerholic.com/?p=1867 – view page – cached Goonerholic: Comment and review from a lifelong fan — From the page […]
‘holic you remember when was the last time there were only 4 draws in the first 6 weeks with 56 matches played. I mean the draws to games ratio is freakish.
Fulham were good last season. Pressed well for 90 minutes and took their chance. But they haven’t fired so far this season. I was getting excited by their extra time against Citeh before realising that Hodgson had changed the whole starting eleven.
To Arthur!
to martha
To Babar!
their second string played better than their first. fulham should be beatable. i will go for 2-1 to the arse.
To laughter!
Amen to that Mollusc 🙂
i’ll like to see what is like having rosicky and arshavin on both flanks, and also how walcott can mix it with them…. but most importantly eduardo has to start up front.
hello people long time no comment,,,i was just wondering and i stand to be corrected but ever since arshavin has been bought we havent lost a game while he has been on the pitch…..i would welcome any suggestions otherwise but every time he is on the pitch we are not losing …only when he is subbed do we lose …case in point the manchester united game we were winning but after he went we lost the game ….can please someone look into it ???
To late. Good luck and enjoy, ‘holic
Right on ‘Holic, this time we rally ought to win this one. 3-nil even better. Enjoy yourself!
Arshavin is a great player but he is not the only jewel in our team. My hope is that coming back from injury he will play for 60-70 minutes and then he will be subbed for Vela. That kid has everything to become one of the game’s greatest players ever. Seing a bit of Walcott would be nice too.
As much as Szczesny had a great game, Mannone was good too against Wigan. He doesn’t deserve to be dropped yet.
To Arthur’s wife!
There is a sense of intrepidation approacjing this game based on a couple of the results @ the Cottage over the last few years. However, we should have too much firepower and ass u ming that THE ARSENAL show up, a healthy victory 2-0 would suffice very nice.
Enjoy the game ‘holic!
‘Holic – I did go watch the press conference to see Arsene’s comments on the goalkeeper situation you mentioned.
“Normally” Mannone would be the starter with Almunia and Fabianski both out injured/sick/out-of-form, but he did have a mischievous expression, and the press corps were clueless not to follow up on it.
Szczesny did look great in the League Cup, although that’s just one game.
Arsene clarified that with 48 hours until the match, there was still time to select the keeper. I think it’ll be Mannone, but I’m very curious what the training sessions are like that would leave open the possibility of the 4th choice keeper moving up the pecking order on the eve of a match.
Arsene didn’t mention Szczesny, but your speculation seems sound to me.
We need the best keeper we can get in there, and both of these guys are good, young prospects. Hopefully Arsene gets this one bang on, and hopefully one of them, and maybe Szczesny is more likely, will quickly establish himself as a world class keeper.
I shall catch up with all the ‘holic blogs I missed when I reach the other side of the pond.
A brandy for me please, to be consumed after dinner.
Enjoy a great day out by the Thames! Here’s to 3 points.
Thanks Ollie, and all, for your comments. Time to get all the lucky gear on 😉
Don’t forget the lucky pants ‘holic – you know the ones with the frills 🙂
I’m banking on a 1-3 win…..will do just nicely to celebrate at the family BBQ tonight.
A cup of herbal tea for now ‘holic (I know…big girls blouse and al that)….I’m saving myself for the rum punch and cocktails later 🙂
NB. A goal from our strike force will be welcomed. Nice to see goals coming from across the team but the strikers need goals which equals further confidence.
NBB. Interesting Carling Cup 4th round draw against Liverpool?!