Strictly The North London Derby Has The X-Factor
Oct 30th, 2009 by 'holic
‘So you are leaving at half seven, and you won’t be back until midnight?’ The management is still coming to terms with the North London derby and exactly what it means. There were occasions in the last century when Tottenham actually won this fixture, and I would go home quickly. In the last decade, however it has been a case of lengthy post-match debates over a refreshing pint or two. You win some, you draw some!
There is no doubt in my mind that this game will be no different. Arsenal are playing so well at home (and with a couple of exceptions, away) that the, albeit improving, Tottenham will face the same issues that have seen all visitors thus far blown away.
In goal, the Gunners will field… I don’t know. Fabianski was in line to play but is ruled out with thigh knack. There are three options, and Arsene won’t share the news with us until an hour before kick-off. Ahead of the problem position I think the line up is fairly predictable. The back four must be Sagna, Gallas, Vermaelen, and Clichy.
The starting midfield trio will be unchanged, I think. Fabregas, Song, and Diaby deserve a start, but the latter in particular will need to play at what Wenger would call ‘a high level’ with Nasri and Ramsey breathing down his neck from the bench.
For me the only decision will be who partners van Persie and Arshavin in the front trio. Normally against a side in the top four (yes, they really are!) I would expect Eboue to get the nod ahead of Bendtner. The Ivorian has gradually won a lot of his critics over this season, but he had done so last year before getting a stupid red card at White Hart Lane. I wouldn’t risk him in the cauldron that will be the Grove tomorrow.
Tottenham have problems of their own, although I’m not sure that the twitchy Redknapp hasn’t perhaps exaggerated them. They will obviously miss Modric and Defoe, definitely out. Then there are the walking lame, Woodgate, King, and Lennon. The former pair are likely to start, but the latter is likely to give way to one David Bentley. That has to swing things our way!
Up front Crouch and the laughable Keane are likely to get the nod, although Arshavin’s international mate, Christy Brown’s right foot, will be hoping to play some part. Crouch will be a concern in all honesty. We know we have our problems to set pieces launched into the box. This may well be another very good reason for including Bendtner in the starting line-up, in my humble opinion.
So where does the ‘holic pound go, I hear you ask? Well Ladbrokes are situated in the ground and offer a very tasty 11/1 on a 3-1 home win. That looks irresistible to me. I may just have a little of Arshavin to open the scoring at 6/1 while I’m at it. While the management takes in Strictly and the X-Factor I hope to be having a beerfest on the bookies.
2 Halves
Those who are going tomorrow will also have an opportunity to pick up the result of a lot of hard work by a number of people, and notably the excellent Gunnerblog. 2 Halves is a free newspaper that will be distributed in a number of locations around the ground and is required reading for fans of both clubs. Half of it is written by Arsenal fans, and there are also contributions from Paul Kaye and Danny Karbassiyoon.
Fans of Arseblog, East Lower, Goodplaya, and someone a little closer to home will recognise some of the other Arsenal contributors. Make sure you get your copy tomorrow. You will enjoy it, honestly!
That’s it for now. I’m hearing a rumour that Tottenham have been to seen in the Vatican having an audience with the Pope. Anybody have any ideas what the Pontiff may have said to them?
I’ll see some of you at the game.
31 Responses to “Strictly The North London Derby Has The X-Factor”
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Two blog posts in two days. Getting busy , holic?
Is there going to be a copy of the paper online? I would like to print a bunch to take to my local pub here in the US. We got the local pub to open early (at 8:30am) for the game and there is a solid Arsenal crew that will be there as well as a few spurs fans and it would be nice to have the articles available for the game.
Medeski, suggest you drop a mail to Gilberto Silver here…
http://gunnerblog.com/?page_id=302
‘holic old mate, did the Pope by any chance tell the cunts to FUCK OFF?
just read a couple of articles from the mirror and man what a bunch of fuckin twats they have working 4 them ive never read so much shite
4-2 win. THIS time we’re going hang on to that scoreline…
old, I believe that may well have been the gist of the pontiff’s message 😉
all the hype from this week just makes me think this is going to be a boring 3-1 arsenal win. i saw boring because, you know, these days anything less than 4 at home seems like underachieving. (and we can’t keep a clean sheet to save our lives.)
‘holic, the cunt on the left of your paper logo.
He’s got a twitch ain’t he?
27 – 0 to the rip roaring, free scoring, glorious Gunners.
I think the Pope just explained that he had spoken to the big fella upstairs who had said that healing the sick and feedng 5000 was easy. Get the spuds to beat The Arsenal????? Don’t take the piss lads.
Let’s not forget, they all smell a bit funny too.
Where you drinking after the game holic?
Keep the faith.
Allegedly, old, allegedly.
Everywhere, Steve 🙂
Tollie, somewhere on Holloway Road, Paddington, the last train buffet car back west…
‘Holic: are you trying to boost your audience? It’s a pleasure to read you, mind you. But we like it because it’s cosy here, you know?
Anyway today I’d like to see some changes to your team selection. If Nasri has recovered from Tuesday’s game I think he should start. He “deserves” it too…
The other player I’d like to start is…. Senderos. I think we can’t wish for someone better as a 3rd CB. He played very well against Pool, it’s time to give old Gallas a bit of a rest and get Big Phil to show his talent to the forgetful fans.
And I’d rather have Bendtner than Eboue. Eboue is an excellent RM but Bendtner is better in that attacking position on the right.
Above all, I do hope that Ramsey and Merida will figure at some point in that game. And of course Vela if he has recovered.
Hey Matt,
I think I heard mention today that Nasri had ruled himself out of starting the game at today’s press conference. It has been a big day so I haven’t kept track of everything personally, but that would make sense. A reserve game and a Carling Cup tie is not necessarily great preparation for full participation in this particular game.
Agree wholeheartedly about Nick starting ahead of Eboue, as you might have guessed. I would be very surprised if Merida was involved tomorrow.
Have a good one tomorrow ‘holics. Time I was trying to sleep. Goodness knows when I will be sober enough to do a report. Maybe Sunday night 😉
We normally start in the Tollie. Nice pint of IPA on offer.
Not sure this is the type of game to start making changes at CB. Both will need a rest at some stage, just don’t think this should be it. Big Phil is somewhat of an enigma for me. Great when going forward. Great when going back. Ask him to turn and I have seen milk do it quicker. That has always been his problem and why he seems to get caught out a lot. I agree about Nic starting though.
Our pace could be the key. They will not know how to cope. Neither King nor Woodgate will be fully fit. Pace and quick feet will murder them.
Let’s hope we all enjoy a good one.
We go 2-0 up.
Spurs peg a late one back. 2-1 Arsenal
Keane doesn’t get a penalty in injury time.
Spurs fans complain for the next year.
Bendtner should start over Eboue. He is a better fit in that position, plus his height can only help when having to deal with Crouch during set pieces. And if a change of pace is needed, Eduardo can come on for him. I’ve grown to appreciate Eboue and his uses as a utility player, but there is no need to start him up front.
I can remember when all this was open space.
Not there today thought I may be, but the lets hope its as good as last year
Vermaelan and Song played *PERFECT* games.
Belatedly……happy 60th Mr Wenger. Permit yourself a glass of red tonight and sit back and bask under the sunlight of having beaten that rubbish in N17…..to put us within a gnats whisker of the top of the table.
Fantastic team display, rallied by a young captain who (alongside Clichy who I though played very well today) I honestly believe fully understands the ferocity of the intense rivalry that exists between us and them lot. Go figure from his celebration after scoring the 2nd goal – one for the fans.
I have enjoyed a few too many San Miguels at my local this afternoon but I suppose another won’t hurt please barman.
Keep the faith my dearest gooners 🙂
Oh yeah, Clichy was terrific. I also thought Diaby was everywhere. Generally a good game for everyone. Congrats to Sagna on 2 assists as well.
Benetiz making the whole world LOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOL.
Good day all round.
Benitez is a chump….and with the nation’s press in his back pocket…..still!!! Hopefully after today, they will see the light….he is not at all as cracked up to be!! Although I doubt it – they’ll still think Liverpool can win the league.
Finally, a word for Almunia. I don’t know what is really going on behind closed doors but want to publically acknowledge his very credible display in between the sticks today…..in support of the team. Started a bit nervously but I thought he did well overall.
On the train home, pissed as a puddin’ Report unlikely. ‘holic, bbc news, thames valley!
but I can confirm that Harry does indeed have a twitch…
Early finish ‘holic?
Glad you had a great day and the weather was kind too.
More importantly though we won and that’s all that matters!
So I’ll join you in a glass of something from the top shelf.
Cheers.
Early finishes are the best ones, congrats `Holic
Game was way too early here (before dawn) but so worth it. I’ll have an early break though, a bottle of wine at 11am is a sure bet for a nap.
1) Who said Sagna can’t cross?
2) AW is a genius. RVP is becoming Mr 1+ goal/game. Our next TH?
I agree with Rednakpp: “On 42 minutes I felt the crowd were getting onto them”
http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/football/eng_prem/8330353.stm
“I hate being a Spurs fan,” writes Myles Nester. “3-1 against Man Utd with a player sent off, 3-0 versus Chelsea and Arsenal, and never a sniff of anything except humiliation in any of those games. Even if a miracle happened and we got in the Champions League would it be worth the weekly pounding by a quality side?”
http://www.guardian.co.uk/football/2009/oct/31/arsenal-tottenham-hotspur
Only 24 out. Never mind
Comedy spuds turned over with ease in their cup final. I have already ahd the “this time next yeae” texts…….. Blah blah blah.
Just think, if we had actually got out of second gear and had our shooting boots it could have been a cricket score….
Up the Gunners.