Take Your Seats For No Height And The Seven Dwarfs
Nov 28th, 2009 by 'holic
It’s time to consider the contest I will be witnessing at the Grove. No point in going over those ruled out by injury. The list is well documented. I’m assuming, dangerously perhaps, that we will find a way of getting William Gallas onto the pitch. Without Johann Djourou to stand in (he played in our win at the Bridge this weekend last year) the prospect of the former Chelsea man not making a start is just too painful to consider.
Bacary Sagna must return at right-back, and I’ll go against the tide and suggest Armand Traore will get the start on the left. Frankly I feel if we are to get anything out of this game we will have to outscore our in-form visitors, and Traore has the edge over the alternatives going forward for me. His height may also come in handy at set pieces, an important consideration at this particular time.
The set-up ahead of them will I think be subtly amended by Le Boss. Denilson can expect to play alongside, rather than ahead of Alex Song. Chelsea pose a massive threat through the central area and a little strengthening there may just swing things our way. Cesc Fabregas in a free role ahead of these two, flanked by Samir Nasri and probably Andrei Arshavin, although if the Russian is still in the doldrums ahead of the game I would go with Tomas Rosicky instead.
The striking role comes down to a toss up between Eduardo and Carlos Vela, you would have thought. Only if both have not looked to be ‘at it’ in training would you expect to see Theo Walcott preferred. Can one of these occupy Terry and Alex all afternoon? That is a big question because we won’t want one of them regularly breaking to support their attack.
It won’t happen, but I have to say I see a real gamble. The returned Jay Emmanuel Thomas is probably our tallest healthy outfield player. The youngster is match-fit, having played regularly while on loan at Blackpool. I would be sorely tempted to ask him to give it a go up front and keep the Chelsea central defenders back at home. I would love to turn up and see him on the bench, perhaps giving us that option for later in the game.
Can we beat the confident Blues? Yes, of course we can, as we showed a year ago to the day. Will we win? That’s the big question. I think we have to expect to concede, so the temperament and attitude will have to right. We need to play with tempo and accuracy, and we will create chances. We have players all over the park capable of finishing, although we are likely to be limited to a ground attack given our lack of height. This is a test. Can we outscore top opposition? We have to believe we can.
The ‘holic pound is looking at the odds on one of our midfielders scoring at any time. Cesc Fabregas may well be grabbing the free-kicks with van Persie missing, and 3/1 seems a good offer from Ladbrokes, particularly as the little genius will be getting forward in support at every opportunity. A backup quid is looking at the 200/1 offered at Sportingbet.com for a 4-3 Arsenal win. Well I did say I think we will have to outscore them!
So that’s pretty much it. No mad panic and gloomy predictions here if we don’t get the win. Chelsea still have a bad patch to come, of that I am sure. We still have 25 games left after this match to recover wherever we may find ourselves. That may just be the most significant stat of the lot.
If you are also at the Grove I hope you have a good day. I am looking forward to having a drink and a chinwag with friends old and new, but have bought an extra layer of clothing given the weather forecast. Is it ok these days for an old boy to turn into a hoody?
Take care, ‘holics.
52 Responses to “Take Your Seats For No Height And The Seven Dwarfs”
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No height and the seven dwarfs – absolute genius. I doff my cap to you ‘Holic!
Another large dry white please ‘holic! My nerves are already shredded and it’s still Saturday.
Excellent assessment as usual – a cut above.
I’m pinning my hopes on our midget gems buzzing around the blue juggernauts and leading them the merriest of dances. We will have to take the inevitable chances that we create and hope that our defence can snuff out Drogba and Le Sulk. I reckon Le Boss may plump for Eboue at full back – just for his extra experience – but I would not be disappointed to see Traore out there. I have my fingers crossed that Willie G will play.
My short journey up to the Grove will be a tense one and I’m relying on a few cold pre-match Guinnesses to make it all bearable – I am predicting a tense affair and the Arse to win by the odd goal.
Bartender – please get a new barrel from the cellar in readiness!!!
I shall be wearing a hoody too, as some kind of grand rehearsal 😉
JET? Why not? Very interesting idea.
Anyway, see you tomorrow.
Just a hot toddy for me tonight I think.
thanks
Hoody ya do, ‘Holic? It’s come to something when one of the points in favour of Traore is his height! I suspect the ‘Holic tongue was firmly in the ‘Holic cheek there? I do think he is the best choice at LB, although I must say, our one time pantomime prince Mr Eboue had a sterling game against Liege and might just shade it.
It is a toss up between Vela and Eduardo up front. I feel Eduardo has a better total game, covers back well and links superbly with Denilson. Vela, on the other hand, has the pace. My pick would be Vela by the thickness of a tortilla.
We should really feel enthused shouldn’t we? Strength in depth up front was one of the reasons everyone was so cavalier, euphoric even, about you know who’s departure. Now, what would I give for No. 25 to keep BOTH Terry and Alex tied up in bitten fingernails while Vela or Eduardo popped in several around them?
I think you’re right. Even if he’s missing all three of his contact lenses, it’ll take more than a collision with a cannon ball (AA’s head) to keep Willy G off the field tomorrow.
I feel confident! I hope Vela can make make his name with two tomorrow. Double Talisman on ice while I savour the prospect please, barman. And, while I’m at the bar, a similar double for my young friend Snail, who’s cultivating his palate with fine red wines so needs a touch on the tiller. He was instrumental in the Russian pun fun we enjoyed yesterday, so a special “Hoots Mon” for that.
Enjoy the game all. Wish I cold be there.
“No Height And The Seven Dwarfs”
Very funny sir, well let’s all hope that Mr Wenger is highly skilled in micro management.
Enjoy the game tomorrow ‘hollic, a whiskey for me please barman, best make it a small one.
Cheers!!!
Was that the RotorGoat, star of ATvO? Good to hear you last night, maestro.
BtM, don’t lead young Snail astray 😉
Thanks for those kind words Gareth. I’ll be with you on the Guinni.
Ollie, have a good flight, and wrap up. It is going to be chilly, chilly, chilly.
And good evening H2H. A fine, if select, band in the bar tonight.
Drinking a very nice 1986 Pomerol with an 18 year old Cognac coming after it (and to think, I am 18 as well) and hoping for a victory. Great blog, ‘holic, keep it up.
i think that arsene shud go wid rosisky and nasri on the wings and arshavin up front because thats were he played for cska so play him there
‘Flight’ , ‘holic? :s
Silly me, Ollie. Thought you were flying from Madrid. Obviously you are on the train from Paris. Forgive me. I am in a bit of a confused old man state 😉
haho, if any of that Pomerol and cognac is going spare…
It’s fair enough, I was still asking myself a few minutes ago whether I flew back yesterday or today (the answer being today).
Although I did give you enough clues I think, especially as I was offline before coming back 😛
Pomerol, now you’re talking….
Hope all you match goers have a safe trip tomorrow.
We beat spuds, spuds beat wigan, wigan beat chelski, so no problem, right?
Jay Thomas how desperate is that! We are supposed to be a top4 club – we’re kidding ourselves
Been on the gin, nev?
Right, now behave yourselves while I’m at the game, and I’ll let you have a special treat afterwards, when we have won, of course 🙂
Just the advantages of having a father with a fantastic wine-cellar… I’ll see what we can spare:P
Bring it on. Can’t wait.
I think Traore will start at LB purely because of the fact that he started there last week. We need Gallas to play.
Eddie up front to start with the pace of Vela and Theo to come off the bench. Rosicky for me has to start. His quality and willingness to get stuck in could be crucial.
Keep the faith…….
Guys….whatever you do…. DO NOT get near or hit your tv set..The Chelskij epileptic Drogba might fall and the whole Arsenal team will be yellow carded.
Fellow Gooners!
Good Luck today and an ARSENAL VICTORY!
BtM: “what would I give for No. 25 to keep BOTH Terry and Alex tied up in bitten fingernails while Vela or Eduardo popped in several around them?” — why, so he can stroll around like a lazy useless bum like he did all last season, showing his annoyance with teammates when they don’t give him perfect service and waste all our attacks by getting offside all game, making absolutely no use of his height? Have you even seen his recent performances at City? He’s been useless. Get the hell over it, the worthless piece of sh!t is gone due to his OWN conduct and AW’s correct decision-making, and the team is better for it. The dressing room is better for it, Alex Song’s been relieved of his bad influence and has blossomed as a result.
holic, I came here to read your take on this game because I am not at all hopeful tomorrow and you always sound positive while still being realistic. All I can dare hope for is a draw. But blogs like yours help me not to expect the worst.
Terrific title for the post ‘holic. And, thanks for that bit of wisdom (25 matches still to go) at the end — that puts things in a better perspective.
Having said that, we really owe them for the FA cup and last season’s home defeat and I hope that we will be pumped up and flying into tackles the whole game. Also, if Wigan and Villa can beat them, so can we. Go Gunners.
I’m here, and it is persisting down! I hope our boys are big enough to keep their heads above the waterline.
Marcus,
OK so our one of the boo brigade who got on his back and resulted in the departure of one of the best and most entertaining strikers in the league. Well done. Pleased you’re happy. Are you also on Bendtner’s back by any chance? Could we do with him now? You bet. Big time.
Yep, I was at the game in Manchester when he was superb against us, scored a great goal, was the main reason we lost that day. Yep, saw him break the deadlock with a superb, trademark, power header against Liverpool just last week. Sounds like you’ve still got the blinkers on mate.
I would take the 25 goal average provided by your “worthless piece of shit” No 25 over his last two seasons with us any day. Also planning to fly over to see him play at The Emirates when Citee visit
Holic,
Maybe AW should hold off on the pre-game watering of the pitch?That extra millimeter might make all the difference between submergence and emergence as contenders. Maybe we’ll be known as the red submarine after this game? Enjoy. Wish I was there. Persistently yours.
P.S. you must have the laptop with you? Or have you become a crackberry man?
Marcus, we missed the “Worthless (25 million) Piece of Sh*t” today. Front line quite puny without his power. Were you booing Eduardo?
Maybe, just maybe the “Worthless Piece of Sh*t” can do the necessary next Saturday for City and annul the three points lost today. I’m hoping so.
Now that Arsenal have been comprehensively beaten I wonder AW has got to say. No more excuses. I believe it stems from his beautiful passing game.The personnel deployed maybe technically in a class of its own but are midgets in the football world. I’m sure all gunner fans must have seen how the Chelsea players overpowered the gunners.
Arsenal maybe the top scorers but against a water tigh defence had no answers.that in truth tells you what you need to know about Arsenal ;ballerinas who can easily be turned over.
The corner jicks and high balls to the box are easily smothered. Yes Arsenal have been hit by crucial INJURIES BUT so are other teams.AW has a lot of pondering to do and his boast that Arsenal builds rather than buys successs
will come back to haunt him.
I wonder how long fans have to put up with this state of affairs.In short his policy aint working with the buying of wc promising kids.
In the meantime Chelesa and MU will win trophies after tophies. I can guarantee that the eS will become a white elephant if the gunners find success elusive for another few seasons thanks to the beautiful passing game.
comprehensively beaten?
i might be in denial here but had the arshavin goal stood and were we given the penalty for the challenge on vela,no matter how inexperianced we were on short or whatever the hell, it would have benn 2-2 and game on… hell evan 2-1 it would have been game on
its funny how when we play the big four at home the ref makes it look like we’re playing away from home. sure we were crap…but we could have had a fair chance still if the ref gave us a chance
theirry once said we’re not a big club. well we still arent
keeeeeeeeeeep the faith
BtM, I did NOT boo Ade, I never boo our players (interesting that you automatically assumed that). I detest anyone who boos anyone in an Arsenal shirt. And no, I don’t boo Bendtner, I’ve been defending him for over a year now, when everyone blamed HIM for causing the incident with Ade at WHL. I suppose you know better than Wenger — it was HIS choice to get rid of Ade, since Ade himself put a temporary stop to the City transfer when he saw he couldn’t get interest from a bigger club and begged Arsene to be allowed to return to Arsenal. But Arsene said no. It’s hilarious to think that Arsene makes football judgments based on FAN opinion.
Just exactly what did Ade do against Chelsea at the 4-1 loss to them last season, or the CL games against Utd????
And you actually believe Ade would’ve helped us today, given his performances v. Chelsea and Utd (and several other teams) last season? He certainly didn’t make much use of his strength and height wen we needed it last season.
And BtM, guess you haven’t been paying attention but City have been incapable of WINNING games lately, all they can do is draw. Yes, Ade has been useless. Interesting that you can only mention his game against us and Liverpool.
And btw, Ade is a player who’s now left THREE clubs under a cloud — ask Metz and Monaco fans (and club staff) what they thought of him. Not to mention his problems with Togo — the manager once had to be restrained from physically assaulting him. Ade will always become a liability everywhere he goes.
I’ll wait for the ACN to pan out and then I’ll splash some cash on Ivory Coast being the first African country to win the WC.
We had as many chances to win this game as Chelski would have had without both Drogba and Anelka. We matched them easily up to the 2 goals but we looked more porous once Song was subbed.
In the grand scheme of things the point we should have secured today will not hurt as much as the Sunderland defeat but AW will have a lot of morale boosting to do to get the team back on tracks. We’re going to see of what material captain Fab is made in the coming weeks.
The result today did not surprise me at all, it’s what I expected. I never fear playing against Utd but since Abramovich arrived, AW has had no answer to Chelsea. The only time we’ve had luck against them is when Drogba & Essien were not playing and they had a poor manager. All the same old problems — dominating possession, clueless in front of goal (same problems when we had Ade in the squad), poor crossing, failure to close down consistently — all the same problems that Ade NEVER solved.
And I don’t remember Ade helping us ever beat Chelsea. Ade fans are really delusional.
And one more thing about poor poor Ade: it is a HUGE HUGE myth that he was horribly abused by gooners all last season. Fact is, he wasn’t. He actually got little abuse, about the same from the home crowd that even favorite players like Cesc occasionally got. The away crowd always supported him loudly — that same away crowd at City. Nothing that Ade received was any worse than all players get occasionally from all fans at all clubs.
The players who got the WORST abuse last season and deserve to complain about fan treatment were Bendtner, Denilson and Eboue. But what did they do? They put their heads down and worked hard, concentrated on winning back fan support. They chose to MAKE AN EFFORT and act like professionals. They succeeded in winning back that support (for the most part — our home crowd is unfortunately full of idiots). But they didn’t whinge to the media and play the poor poor victim like Ade did. They didn’t talk to the press before a CL quarterfinal about being in constant contact with Milan, saying how much they want to play for such a glamorous club. They took responsibility for their performances and worked hard for the team.
And they NEVER EVER went onto the pitch during a game against the scum in which we’re being humiliated in front of the world and–instead of rousing their teammates to concentrate and work to get rescue the game–went to a teammate to insult him (“I’m on because you’re sh!t”).
Sorry to have hijacked the blog about this but the continuing idiotic delusions among a few gooners about Ade is something that needs to be shot down because it’s based on MYTHS and revisionist history. And Ade MOST CERTAINLY would not have rescued us against the chavs today — he wouldn’t have cared enuf to try.
Even in defeat the ‘holics debate and argue, but don’t abuse. Fair play all. I am in a temporary trough on the train home, but you are helping.
Hey ‘holic. Hope you didn’t get too wet and cold. It was a bit depressing watching the game, Chelsea looked like we did at the end of the 80’s, well organised, physically big, closing down the space and very professionally went about their evil business. We on the other hand not only looked short, but short of ideas as well. It is hard to pull defenders wide and open up space when there are six or seven of them. They were content to sit back and close us down. When thy did come forward we did’t do the same, and I( think that is where our main problem is. Earlier n the season we did that, we closed the opposition down, denied them space and looked well organised. I think we have too many free role type forwards who don’t want to get back and help.
It isn’t the end of the world, by any means and can be fixed. If you take our luck with injuries out of the occasion then we could have competed more with a fully fit and taller squad, but that’s just the way the cookie crumbles.
Safe journey home.
Marcus,
Yours delusionally, BtM. Lighten up.
T’was horrible, Snail, sat next to the lowest form of human life, the modern chavs. Ugh.
Urgh. They showed some shots of them at the end. Dispicable, bought the league, no-mark muppets. They’ll always be a Division 2 side to me, even if they no longer have a railway line, cars parked by the pitch, running track stadium.
PS. You reached Didcot yet? 😉
Arsenal played really well right up to about 20 yards from Chelsea’s goal. Song, Denilson and Fabregas made the highly acclaimed Chelski diamond look little more than base carbon.
We failed in two (really rather important) areas. Defence – Big Willie G will find both goals hard to watch on MOTD. And attack – we succeeded in making Chelsea’s defense look a lot better than they are through a combination poor crosses, overly hopeful flicks and back-heels, poor control in the box, oh yes and a big dollop over elaboration.
Arsenal finished last season with two proven world class strikers who’d be first pick in most of the big teams in Europe. Both have power, ability to lead the line and move the opposition’s defense around. One is great in the air.
Neither are now available (I won’t light old Marcus’ blue touch paper by elaborating). That’s a pity and its a loss. A bit like Chelski losing both Dogbreath and Le Sulk. Imagine that for a moment. Was it a risk to sell one and go with the other? In my delusional opinion, events have proved “abso-delusionally-lutely”
Marvelous prospects as they are, Walcott, Vela, Bendtner (and unfortunately JET, ‘Holic) are patently not yet ready to substitute. I think we’ll see several more games like this before the end of the season unless AW buys a replacement for Robin. Alternatively, he can grow the aforementioned trio and watch another season roll by. Eduardo and Rosicky have a way to go before they’re back to 100% and neither can lead a line.
Problem is, quality front men don’t come cheaply with “sacks of sh*t” changing hands for 26 mill even though they’re worthless, useless and lazy (apparently). Never mind, we’ve got 40 mill in the bank. Maybe we can identify and afford a WORTHY “sack of sh*t” for that?
That David Villa is meant to be good.
Oh oh, Huntelaar just scored twice when he came on as a sub for the Rossonieri. Probably just took himself off the market and out of our price range. Do you think Everton would do a deal? Phil Senderos plus 26 mill for Jo (plus a sack in case he turns out to be worthless)?
Holic just sighted passing Oxford, Snail.
Oxford? Uh oh, he is on the Birmingham Night Train.
Aresene is a genious manager, but even he cannot win the league with kids. Buy the additional two three experience, then the world is yours. Else you live in your world of excuses:
1. Injuries
2. Ref
3. The month (November 🙂 thank God it is over )
4. Internationals,
5.
For once I did not sleep past my station, but too knacked and emotional to write that up objectively. That is a job for tomorrow night. Cheers all. Keep the faith.
“And one more thing about poor poor Ade:”
Can we please, for the love of God, stop talking about that tit?
We’ve enough concerns as it is without bringing in someone who has nothing to do with our Club any more.
11.38 ‘Holic? Doing the Time Warp again?
BTM, just to continue on the Ade front if, as you seem to be suggesting, he would have walked into most of the big teams in Europe why did he end up with the very rich but still manc-lite mob?
Gotta say I’m with Marcus on this one.
I agree with you in current circumstances we need another striker but can’t help feeling a bit more variation on the tactics side would not go amiss.
The slavish adoption of 4-3-3 is starting to unravel
Oh I see, someone didn’t reset their clock
Wrote something very long here on the phone and it all just went. Modern tech for you. Ill be back tomorrow with a computer, a sober brain, and all I have to say. Till then – keep the faith. Around 75p yet to play for and all cups wide open.
Didn’t even notice, G. Now I have fixed it there will be some temporary confusion.
Time to finish this scotch and rest my weary napper. G’night all.
BTM. I normally agree with a lot you say but your Ade love in is way over the top. I agree with Marcus.
We need someone to replace him but I for 1 am glad he has gone. A great a palyer as he was at times he had just become too big even for his ego to digest. More trouble than he is worth.
Today was poor in my opinion. Sometimes you just have to hold your hands up. We were beaten by a better team. We defended poorly for their first two goals. For some reason we decided that Cashley was alliowed to cross balls in unchallenged.
However, what disappointed me the most was that their attitude and team spirt seemed better. We at times struggled to close down, failed to pick up players and hardly ever won the second ball. They would throw themselevs at everything. They lost the ball up front and what happened? Drogba and Anelka chased like mad. We lost the ball up front? Arshavin sits on his arse for 10 minutes. We were not out fought today but sadly they were better almost everywhere on the park.
BTM “we failed in 2 areas, defence and attack.” Now I am no Arsene Wenger but my thoughts are that that makes the game a tad tricky to win.
ANyone know why Song went off??? Please tell me it was tactical and not because we have picked up another injury????
Chums,
Despite the dissertation on roast pig that followed my note, I said:
– We’d be more potent with Ade today (hypothetical, I agree)
– We had 2 world class strikers at end last season. Currently none.
I’m sticking with both despite your colourful persuasion to the contrary.