Old Feelings Stirring As Sol Prepares To Get To Grips With Rooney
Jan 29th, 2010 by 'holic
Manchester United, at home. It doesn’t get much bigger, does it? Indeed for the first half of the ‘noughties’ the fixture probably shared a billing with ‘El Classico’, so dominant were the two clubs in the Premier League.
It is amazing how many memories that matches between the pair are in the forefront of the memory and take little effort to recall. The main ones for me start with 1968, Boxing Day, and a hat-trick of headers saw Arsenal thump England’s first European Cup winners 3-0.
My first trip to Old Trafford, in 1973, ended in a ditch beside the M6 when coach and motorway parted company, although the game itself was a bit of a blur. Totally unforgettable was the 1979 FA Cup Final, or the ‘five-minute Final’, if you prefer. I was in the hordes behind the goal at the tunnel end as we surrendered a two goal lead in the closing minutes, only for Alan Sunderland to snatch an unbelievable winner right in front of us.
The bad blood that would inevitably surface between the sides over nearly twenty years can be traced back to an FA Cup tie in 1988, and my (perhaps exaggerated!) part in the events that day are already a matter of record on this blog. Just three years on came the infamous ‘Battle of Old Trafford’ for which we were docked two points.
To this day I will argue that not one punch was thrown as twenty-one grown men pushed, shoved, and yelled ‘yah boo sucks’ at each other. More vehement were the chants of the Gooners up and down the land, week in and week out, informing the Football Association exactly what they could do with their two points. Arsenal lost just once in the League, and celebrated the title with a 3-1 win over, you’ve guessed it, Manchester United.
There is no doubt that United seized the moment when the Premier League formed, and only the arrival of Arsene Wenger at Arsenal provided a competing force in domestic football. The years up to 2005 were epitomised by the battles between Patrick Vieira and Roy Keane. I think supporters of both clubs will admit that a bit of the edge has come off the fixture since those two moved on to pastures new, and we miss them both. The fact that United fans still sing long and loud about Vieira tells you how much of a thorn in their side he was.
Keown’s leap on van Nistelrooy, the phantom pizza and soup flinger, Fergie sending a boot into Beckham, the Neville brothers breaking Reyes, and Rooney diving over Sol Campbell to end the 49 match unbeaten run. For a while there I think, no, I know, that I hated United more than the little club up the road.
They have the bragging rights right now. The Mancs became the first team to defeat us in a European semi-final in last season’s Champions League, and somehow won the first meeting of the sides at Old Trafford earlier this season, although only they and Mike Dean will know how they did that.
This Sunday’s game has the potential to rekindle old feelings. Although both sides will be missing key players the fact remains that just a point separates the two title contenders. For me the key will be – can we take the chances we will surely create?
Those who insist that I am wrong to call for a goalscorer to be signed, and that looks hugely unlikely now, point towards our impressive strike record this season. I would argue we have struggled to hit the target against the best defences this season, and the blank we drew at Villa Park in the week has done nothing to deter me from my view.
At the other end of the park I am less concerned by the probable loss of Thomas Vermaelen than I would have been just seven days ago. I’m sure the presence of the in-form Rooney will be all the motivation Sol Campbell needs to roll back the years. The big fella has impressed this week. Keep it up.
We have saved some of our best performances for United at the Grove. They haven’t won at the new home of football in the Premiership, and hopefully we will produce another spirited (but disciplined) performance and keep on the heels of the bus stop in Fulham, who surely won’t slip up at Burnley. Will they?
The ‘holic pound is on the special offered by Paddy Power via a link on the official Arsenal website. If we are to score against United, then Cesc Fabregas will be one of the main suspects, and enhanced odds of 14/1 are simply too good to ignore. Paddy will also refund losing bets if either Cesc or Rooney scores the last goal in the game.
If you are going it looks like we are in for a chilly one, much to the delight of the management who treated me to a thermal vest for Christmas. So if it turns out mild look for the old boy sweating his cobs off in Block 32!
Have a great one ‘holics. COME ON YOU RIP-ROARING!
101 Responses to “Old Feelings Stirring As Sol Prepares To Get To Grips With Rooney”
Fantastic post bro… it’s always special to face(and beat) United and this time it will be no exception. We blew a chance to move above them by drawing with Villa but we have a real good chance to get back the lost momentum by beating them at the Grove. This encounter has provided us with so many memories which you’ve mentioned in your post, here’s hoping by beating them at such a crucial stage of the season we find another memory to cherish…
Gunning for glory, Gunning for life… ARSENAL FOREVER!
Call for a goalscorer to be signed?????????? Wow. Now that could be a subject worth debating???????????????……………………………..
Heh!
Stop that now, Steve. 😉 The drinks on the last post make for a fantastic read.
Thank you all for some terrific contributions and all the differing views expressed succinctly and respectfully.
I owe you all.
Very much looking forward to the game. Feeling confident. I am hoping that the mid week game against Citeh will have knocked the stuffing out of them. Rooney is in fantastic form but as for the rest??? I do not think they hold the same fear as Manc teams of old. I think if we can get at them early then the 3 points are ours.
Enjoyed your nostalgia trip. My particular favourite is the Keown incident. Perhaps not something you should condone but in the light of Van Nistlehorse’s antics, perfectly understandable. Great to see an old war horse with a bit of fight and passion. I am told that the stain in Nistlehorse’s shorts remains to this day.
3-1 to the Gunners. Chavs drop points at Burnley and we are off and running again.
Keep the faith.
We were considering attending on Sunday, not that we have tickets, but we could catch up with some chums in a nearby hostelry, but I suspect it will be too cold for us to venture so far, so we will watch it from the comfort of the armchair.
Cheers ‘holic.
My forecast for Sunday:
1. Non-tackler Scholes will play & get his usual yellow/red.
2. Rooney will enjoy a red mist and get HIS yellow/red.
3. Giggs will spend the game telling the ref how to do his job.
4. Fletcher will foul all over the pitch and get away with it.
5. Manic Utd will not repeat the jammy win they managed at OT
Snail, send your competition entry to ATvO tonight and win a couple of tickets 😉
whats the point of having a big profit margin ad a empty trophy cabinet football is a sport aswel as a business we aint got that balance right too many gooners happy with 4th evry year
So ‘too many gooners’ are wrong.
Oh dear.
You know holic I was astounded to hear we have only won 3 of the last 16 matches against the Mancs. That really pisses me off, because I think the influx of certain quality players could have changed that. Anyways I think this weekend will be our time.
Greetings ‘holic. First time poster, all the way from the home of the 2010 World Cup!
Here in SA, this is THE game that everyone looks forward to. I will probably be watching in a bar filled to the brim with ManYoo fans, but as the saying goes: always outnumbered, NEVER OUTGUNNED. Extremely nervous as always, but unusually confident. Got a feeling the Russian midget will explode into form this Sunday. Enjoy the game fellow Gooners! VICTORIA CONCORDIA CRESCIT
Holic, there is no better place for me…I feel at home here!
In 1973 I couldn’t even speculate on what The Almighty Arsenal will get up to…let alone go to the first game at Old Trafford (I have now better names for it), the fact is I wasn’t even planned then for the next five years let alone my parents probbaly knew jack shit about Arsenal and UK then! Anyway times change so do people as well. I will not go into the deep ends of my growing up but I followed Arsenal when I came to the UK in 1991 and since I remained.
Funny enough my life took me into different things and at some point in 2001 when I got back from the Oz I actually worked for the Chelase box office for 2 months…how crazy is that? The most amusing thing I didn’t mind it too much at the time beacuse they were shit 🙂 I dont want to get carried away here so I shall stop here now. It was only a temping job.
I think I’m getting a bit sentimental here ….oh well …at least we are all human here!
A superb post, you deserve a large Brandy, or perhaps a flask smuggled in for half-time?
With Cesc and Song in midfield I have no fear. (I hope we go with Ramsey or Rosicky over denilson)
Arsenal 3-1 winners with Bendtner to net twice.
Interesting article, especially his comments:
http://www.goal.com/en/news/1717/editorial/2010/01/29/1766661/manchester-united-comment-darren-fletcher-is-as-good-as
I’m tipping that no, Fabregas does not like being kicked. Hence being a football player and not a kickboxer.. or a rodeo clown. Really hoping Cesc teaches him a football lesson now!
Sod that ‘holic, I have entered a couple of competitions already this week to win club level tickets for Sunday and to no avail, this despite my willingness to promote/endorse any products on the day, like the filthy marketing tool I am!
Oh well…
😉
Here we go again.
Another battle with our best of enemies Man ioU.
My fav has to be the ’79 final, It was my first Wembley final, I had a ticket for ’78 but my mum deemed me too young to go and promised that if we got there again that I could definetly go. At the time she thought it would be a safe promiss to make seeing that we hadn´t reached too many finals in the previous years, little did she know that we would be there again so soon. She wasn´t happy to let me go, but God bless her, she kept her word.
As fate would have it I too was behind the goal at the tunnel end at the Wembley final of ´79, (just above the tunnel and to the right) thanks to my program coupon filled card. To be honest I don´t really remember too much about the game, but I do remember bursting into tears when McIlroy equalised and while the tears were still flowing absoulotly losing it when Fuzzy Bear, my name for the dodgy permed Sunderland scored the fantastic winner. Without a doubt the most emotional moment of my young life, no Christmas morning or birthday would ever have been able to match the pure excitement and euphoria that I felt at that moment, the tears kept streaming long after Pat Rice held the trophy aloft, It was pure Arsenal Magic.
A pint of Cider and a tissue please barman.
Cheers.
Can’t wait for Sunday. Fab @ 14’s is a great bet.
http://tiny.cc/0qE5G Ouch!!! O’Neill rips into Wenger
Nice writup `Holic. Which one on that 1989 picture is you? Or is it doctored, you’re a grandad and in 89 you barely had any facial hair?
Anyway I think we can make it but we must be mindful that we will face the top scorer of the league in the form of his life. The exteremely good rumour is that Vermy looks like he will be back for the game. Anyway Bendtner better find the net quite a few times if he is to win us the title single-handledly 😉
Forgot a couple things:
– Bartender, Four Roses single barrel no ice for me please!
– GO GUNNERS!!!!!
Lets raise a large double scotch for Holic!
@ Matt
I have a double to that one!
Holloway2Holland
That must of been one in a lifetime mate!
To bring back old memories Holic.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=isj77IJNZ2g
Top man stonroy 😉
You can even lip-read Choccy saying to Nutty, “Don’t kid yourself pal, that was ‘holic did that to me!”
22 Arthur
´
It certainly was mate, unforgetable!
But just as a sweet remider;
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RDPOUB0EPEY
Got the tissues at the ready.
Steady at the helm captain, while we make the mancs walk the plank! Yo ho ho and a bottleful of rum, barman.
That was a dive if ever I saw one, no touch by Michael Thomas. he pulled away in the last second. Well done Holic you restored the natural order of things.
I HOPE SAGNA GOES TO INTER BECAUSE ARSENAL HAVE NO REAL AMBITION TO WIN ANTHING OF CONSEQUENCE.ALL THEYRE INTERESTED IN IS FINISHING IN THE TOP FOUR SO THAT THEY CAN GET THE CHAMPIONS LEAGUE MONEY.
You know I was just watching a different video of the 79 final and two things struck me;
1) God you forget how amazing Brady was.
2) Lifting the cup at the end it feels like I haven’t seen that done in way to long. We need to lift a cup. i want to see little old Cesc lift a cup and see Andre’s face in some gleeful smile running around the place. I really hope we can do it this year.
Shayne – YOU LEFT THE SHIFTLOCK ON 😉
Be fair 74, he could hardly turn it off while the nice nurse was giving him a huge sedative injection.
No:20 Shayne…. WTF?
lol….He must be having a good time…
Guys with all do respect i wish i could live your times and that is honest form the heart!
No lest go and Kick the Mnac if we cant play them 🙂
You know what I mean?
apologies about those silly spelling mistakes…
It won’t be quite the classic of old, however I read that Fletcher has been expounding views of kicking Francesc up and down the grove. I know Arsene has strong views about this little shit and his persistent kicking/ fouling. Not sure who the ref is, but he better have a good game.
Have you noticed how teams single out Cesc for treatment? It’s getting worse. But I still love the way Rosicky tries to even things up 🙂
well here’s to Shrek’s 99th goal and Scholes 99th red card.
Oh did I mention Fab getting a brace?
‘Holic my middle name is fair. I think it’s only fair to single out numpties 🙂
….yet sadly left the shitlock off
agreed about the ST need ‘holic. taking into account past injuries, players on the market, and also the keeping Cesc factor, I thought we’d nake a run at Tevez or even Eto at around 20 mil over the summer. Kranjcar also seemed a reasonable price and couldve been another body in the DM spot. but that is all in the past. Sunday seems so far away.
Work’s been getting in the way of Goonerholic! Unforgiveable, I know.
I hadn’t been to St. Louis before Wednesday. Turned out I hadn’t missed much! Slingbox on the iPhone malfunctioned, so I didn’t even see the Villa game until a couple of hours ago.
Thought we failed to exert any control over the mid-field at Villa. Started really slowly. Quick balls that would normally stick to feet were bouncing all over the shop. In the absence of a stable, commanding mid-field platform, the trio up front were largely anonymous until the latter third of the game. Cesc could have won it, Rosicky probably should have. Overall, not a bad point, but disappointing to lose two. Thought Sol did well, Gallas was superb and delighted to see the Great Dane back, Scooby Doo.
I sense cautious optimism on your part, Professor Holic and share the same in anticipation of Sunday’s shindig. Although much will be made of our back four’s vulnerability to Rooney and our mis-firing front three, I think the key to the outcome lies in mid-field.
When we start with the triple-T of Fabregas, Denilson and Song, we perform. With the balance of Alex’s defensive shield, Deni’s passing precision and Cesc’s “Cescness”, we achieve a mid-field potency and fluidity that’s tough to challenge. It’s not a game for Ramsey. Diaby for Denilson would be OK, but not optimum.
I will send positive mental vibes to Manuel in an attempt to boost his mojo. Back four is likely to see Sol in for Tommy V. Up front, I’d start Nasri, Bendtner and Arshavin. I’d also make the lads sit through a video re-run of last season’s CL semi-final to stir their blood.
Here’s to some more burst blood vessels in the old purple nose on the famous red grouse come this time on Sunday.
Very cautious optimism, BtM 😉
Welcome back, you were missed by many yesterday, but they stepped up to the plate and I can recommend a review of the excellent arses.
I’m hearing everything will be done to enable Tommy to start. That’s the headline gone for a burton then …
this week I learnt that O’Niell is a big fracking Moron:
http://www.guardian.co.uk/football/2010/jan/30/martin-oneill-arsene-wenger
Funny how just as you start sympathising with a team (really wanted Villa to finish 4th) they turn out to be a bunch of tits, managed by an even bigger tit.
I’m really liking the optimism here. It’s a bit infectious. I’ve been really nervous about the game on the weekend but there’s a bit of excitment there as well.
We all need to be positive. We have no reason to fear the mancs. None at all. I think that if we play like we can and are not intimidated by them then we can teach them a lesson. Get Sol to do a Big Daddy Splash on Rooney and the game is ours……
I’d feel a little more at ease if we took sol out at the end and let sylvester give a good whallop. ; )
Holic
I can go back a further 10 years than you to Feb 1st 1958,52 years almost to the day,when we played the famous Busby Babes at Highbury.
My dad took me to that game,i still have the programme which cost sixpence.!!
I don’t remember anything about it ,i was only 8 at the time,
but through all the seasons since that famous game,my Dad always maintained that that Utd squad was the best he had ever seen.
Sadly for all football followers many of them perished in the cold and snow of the Munich air disaster.
The game itself was a real topsy turvy affair,although my Dad thought Utd were toying with us for most of the game.
Utd scored 3 times in the first half and made us look pretty 2nd rate as a side,which to be fair we were in those days.
But Utd relaxed after half time thinking the game was won and obviously having one eye on the Euro game they had coming up.
Anyway early in the 2nd half from nowhere we suddenly unbelievably scored 3 quick goals to level up at 3 – 3.
But it was all a dream as Utd went up 2 gears and scored twice more to lead 5-3 and although we scored again right at the death,there was absolutely no disputing that the best side won.
A look at the league table from that day had Wolves top,5 pts clear of Preston and West Brom with Utd 4th,dear old Luton Town were 5th and we were 12th,one place behind our old friends from down the road,the Spuds.!!
For all thos Old Gooners like me that are still following the Club and are of my generation,the Utd team that day was as follows.
The great Harry Gregg was in goal,Bill Foulkes and Roger Byrne were the fullbacks,Eddie Colman,Mark Jones and the incomparable Duncan Edwards were acroos the middle of the park,and up front the wingers were Ken Morgans and Albert Scanlon,and the 3 musketeers,Dennis Viollet,Tommy Taylor and Bobby Charlton rounded out the attack.
So here we are 52 years to the day,playing Utd in yet another do or die game,it seems to have been forever thus,that over the years the 2 Clubs have been involved in some of the defining matches of many seasons past.
Even the most one eyed Gooner would have to admit that Utd on many occasions in those match ups,have proven to be our Nemesis.
Let’s hope that on Sunday the boys can redress the balance slightly by knocking off the Old Enemy.
Let’s hope Ronnie doesn’t dive again and claim he is against diving lol
wow Clive, that comment really makes you think. I was born in ’92… gunner since I was 10. forums like these bringing gunners from years and generations apart to discuss the one thing that brings us all together : The Arsenal
@ Clive – Jees mate, you’ve done well to know how to work a computer, or have you got a great grandchild typing for you – LOL.
I only go back to 1971, but what a good year to start my support. I was only 7 so can’t recall much of it – But I do recall my favourite players being John Radford and Frank McLintock. My first really vivid memory was losing the FA Cup in 72 to an Alan Clark header. Best memory of that era has to be FA Cup in 79. When I think how easy the game was for us and then somehow out of nothing they score two. The Mancs are such lucky shits… Some examples are, Ryan Giggs in the cup semi against us (good goal but not the game should have been over by then), their two goals in injury time to win a totally undeserved Euro cup, and the game away earlier this season – HTF did that happen?!?!?
Lets hope we’re not bemoaning their luck again tomorrow because we are now definitely the better team!!!
keep on the heels of the bus stop in Fulham, who surely won’t slip up at Burnley. Will they?
sorry but what does the above mean ?????
Morning ‘Holic
Allow me; before I moved to the “sunshine” I lived in a little area of London called Putney. If I wanted to sample the bright lights of central London I would hop on a number 22 bus. This crossed the river into Fulham.
As it progressed through (but still in) Fulham towards the cool bars and girls that would never talk to me it passed by a horrible edifice to new money. A team called Chelski played football there. The stop right outside the gates was “Stamford Bridge”.
Interestingly, 5 minutes further down the road you passed into the area known as Chelsea.
Hope that clears things up?
The story has a happy ending; I found a girl who couldn’t understand me and moved to Spain! Unfortunately here English is now rather fluent….
Would love an English pint…..
PS… I THINK I remember the 78 semi-final. Not sure. Definitely remember the final. I actually took it better than any subsequent defeat…! Missed Sunderland’s 79 winner as I had left the room in a tearful strop….
An unfortunate serious illness to my dad has prevented me from dropping by this consistently excellent blog over the last week or so ‘holic. Your opener, as always sums up the proceedings beautifully and many of my thoughts have already been mentioned by others so I’ll spare you the bytes.
However my only comment would go back to the Villa game, aimed at Martin O’Neill. What a sanctimonious, highly strung, hypersensitive old snivler!!! Did he take the time to actually listen to what Arsene Wenger had to say about his side? Dear me!!!!
@ #46 Steve D ~ baring a few minor details, you could be me. 1979 Alan Sunderland still holds for me a special memory 🙂
Re tomorrow, if we put together a playing performance non too dissimilar to the first outing earlier this season, I see no reason why we can’t take all 3 points.
Keep on believing Gooners.
NB. Any linctus that may help to rid me of this cold I’ve had for the last 3 weeks barman….topped please with a wee dram!
I rambled back through posts I’d missed this week. The “to buy or not to buy” debate was great with some excellent points being made pro and con. This season has been characterised by a high scoring rate. Post-RvP, this rate has been maintained, principally, by midfield strikes.
I would prioritise a new DM as a first purchase. Strange? Not really. Alex Song has emerged as the team’s second choice player after Cesc. He provides superlative cover for the back four. His deep ball winning triggers new attacks. In his absence, the team under-performs. And, of-course, at a pinch, he’s a super centre-back.
No one else in the current squad has his defensive talent. (Cesc is next best). All the other mid-fielders are great going forward, but defend poorly. If Alex suffers a long term injury. Well…don’t ned to spell it out.
Inler hasn’t had a great season, but is quality. Melo’s unhappy at Juve I hear.
I’m with Holic on the need for a striker. The striking squad we started with looked OK. Without RVP, injuries to Bendtner, Nasri and Walcott, under-whelming performances from Dudu, Theo, Vela and long periods of frustrating anonymity from Arshavin, it’s no surprise the strike rate their has been insipid.
I would take a flyer on Saha or Babel (ducks as chorus of boos cascades downward from peanut gallery at mere suggestion of the dutch flyer). Saha is real quality. Babe’s talent has a long climb upward ahead, but needs a new, re-vitalising opportunity.
And of-course, I was one of the two Gooners who never wanted to see the great Ade leave. We’ve missed him, particularly post-Robin. His intro in mid-week almost turned the game for Citeh.
Great defending back, great pass out to Bellamy and sprint to the box for Teves’ goal. Great movement right across the field and, the thing we’ve missed all season, great ball winning in the air and knock downs that resulted in 10 of Robin’s goals last season. 5 foot 4’s strike rate would likely have been higher with Ade working hard for him and setting him up.
I hope Nasri plays wide right tomorrow and neutralises Evra’s attacking threat. I hope Clichy’s eye is in against Valencia on the other side of the field.
Bergkamp’s the Man is spot on. ‘Holic indeed must be a Professor.
Ahh there you are BtM. Can I put you in the spend stand? It’s where I sit. You don’t seem to think we need a keeper? We missed out on a shoe in with Shay and as I said before – I would break the bank for Buffon!
Burnley just equalised!!!!!!!
On a different note who here has plans to see the game in 3D? I would love it if someone could describe the experience here after our victory.
i agree with u goonerholic we really need a STRIKER. for these reasons especially:
1)Bendtner: is just back after 3 months. players often get other short term injuries due to being out for a long time.hamstring,etc.
2)Eduardo: isnt hitting his stride yet.and is injured again.
3)Walcott: how much hope and expectations we had and will have for him,he is just plain dreadful nowadays.surely must take some time.
4)Vela:too young and not getting a run in the side.
I am not saying we are desperate for a striker,but we should. if bendtner gets injured again we will suffer as our stikers are not scoring goals. we dont want history too repeat itself.07/08 anyone?
Heh, Matt.
I’ll have Fergie in 3D right in front of me. I am so looking forward to this.
Can I rely on you ‘holics to post my bail?
BTM. We were right to sell Ade just because of who he had become. However we do miss him. Right to sell but we should have brought in an adequate replacement.
Holic. If you are right behind Fergie then I am a few blocks to your right. Every time Fergie goes to stand up start that vile song that they all sing about AW, and use his name. Perhaps then he my be a little more proactive in chastising his own support.
Why am I the only one thinking that the best solution for RvP’s injury is Agbonlahor? He is EXACTLY what we need.
Other than that…? I really can’t wait… Have a really bad feeling that UTD will pull something off even though we’ll be 10 times better, as usual.
RE Agbonlahor
1. He is English, at an English club, so there would be a ridiculous price on his head.
2. Villa don’t need the money and have a fairly small squad.
Pretty sure it won’t happen.
There was some mention in the press about 3 months back of him being worth £18-20mill. I can’t see Wenger spending that amount of loot on Agbonlahor.
Plus, I believe he has said, in the strongest possible terms, he has no intention of leaving Villa. He is a Birmingham boy through and through, plus is currently paying paternity to a not insignificant number of pregnant young ladies down that way (although, come to think of it, that might be a good reason for leaving!).
Anyways, I’m also pretty sure it won’t happen.
I fully expect TV5 to line up alongside WG10 at the heart of our defence this afternoon.
There is no schedule late fintess test, therefore he must have been ruled ok.. unless there is a very last minute hiccup ( maybe during the pre-match warm up )
With GC3 having had a couple of games under his belt since coming back from a lengthy spell on the sidelines.. the back 5 should have a familiar ring to it.
The key men today are Alex Song and Nikki B.
The strength and height they bring to the spine of the team is immense.
NB’s touch was nowhere near as bad as some made out when he came on against the Villa.
His shooting boots need not be on today, he simply needs to focus on bullying the fuck out of the weak evans, in order space and time is created for Fab4 and the rest of the light brigade making the charge from midfield.
I would prefer to see Nasri on the bench, he is fantastic impact sub, always comes on and runs at tiring defenders and opens up space for others. Young theo can learn a lot from him in that respect.
My midfield trio preference would be Song, Fab4 and Ramsey.. however, i am convinced Ramsey will be replaced by Denilson.
He is certainly a better CM than a DM imvho… so there is hope he can make things happen in the engine room.
Great time to be playing the mancs, they had a massive high, a massive amount of energy expenditure on weds night… they can only be on a comedown since then.. that is the first proper local manc derby fergie’s manure have EVER played.
Therefore they will not be experienced in dealing with the emotional and physical comedown.
This is not typical gooner rose tinted chat.. but if TV5 and NB52 are in the starting line up come 4pm…
I expect manure to get a lesson.
3-1 is my prediction.
I sincerely hope you’re right Stringfellow Hawke. That would be immense. How big does this game feel? So excited!
Agree about Bendtner too, today he doesn’t to have a delicate or subtle touch, he doesn’t need to be scoring, he just needs to be a bloody nuisance! The rest of the team can benefit from that. C’mon!
He done a grand job this time last year against the mancs… he just needs to do the same again.
I recall him being on his knees through exhaustion last year at the emirates game.. he was subbed after about 80 mins if i recall correctly… that is an issue, as there is no way he will see the whole 90 out after 3 months out.
I have an outside fear he may be used as a sub.
We’re the better team, I can’t see us losing. We outplayed them earlier this season away from home and we’ve got a lot better since. But then again it’s United and they always find that bit of luck/cheating/ref help.
We really should do it today.
please let us win god…………..my dad and brother are united fans……………cant bear united winning!!
Re: #67: Usama, my man, I know how you feel. Just over a half hour until kickoff now and my nerves are shot. Good thing I’m not playing, at least! C’MON ARSENAL!
Great stuff holic, now here’s to the right result.
Come On You Gunners!
super sub nikki b
I really hope we give them a good beating at least 3-0, they’re due one after last years champhions league semi and 07/08 fa cup old trafford drubbing,
I cant remember when was the last time we beat them more than 3-0.
1998 i think… freddies debut.. he got a goal off the bench.
its halftime.. and can someone tell what the FUCK was denilson thinking on both goals. strolling around the pitch defensively..
Anybody still thinks we do not need to spend? We must be watching a different game. The money is there. No competition for places. Way too easy for Manure.
But hey, what do I know…..
Yeah Chicago, he did the same thing against Stoke for their second goal! Grrrrr!!!
AFC substition: crap on, crap off.
Fawlty is not letting us down (ironic).
ohh well there’s always another season
always next yearrrrrrrrr
season isn’t over guys…
What troubles me is that Cesc will leave if we are not meeting his expectations regardless of his contract.
Well done united with a make shift defence. They more or less did what Chelsea did. Sat back and waited for us to self destruct.
Felt sorry for our centre backs. No protection from midfield. How many times did their players run from midfield into our half untracked?
I don’t think we need to spend on Centre Backs, no number of world class defenders would have been able to defend the second and third goals, as they too would have been totally exposed by a weak midfield. What we need, is a world class defensive coach to come in and shake up our ability to defend as a single unit and not individuals.
Our midfield which just was not prepared to work. Denilson needs to consider what his role is in the side – after all that is two games now where he has jogged about without any impact on the game. Far too casual. It wasn’t just him though. Where was our work rate? You cannot fault Manure for theirs. Every time we had the ball they were in our faces. When they had the ball they had the luxury and time to spend finding a team mate. We tried to take the game to them but they had a bank of four and a bank of five players which we could have played until Christmas without getting through the centre.
I thought Wenger was tactically naive today. We should have played Bendtner from the start and been more 451 ourselves as opposed to 433. Our fullbacks were exposed to Nani and Park’s forays, and the only reason they were so free was because of our ability to get sucked into the middle of the park and get neutralised by Fletcher, Carrick and Scholes. This also allowed their fulbacks to push on. We have a wide pitch and some pace in Arshavin, but where was it? Stuck in between their centre backs and of no use.
All credit to Vermaelen and Gallas though as they ran their socks off.
Anyway, on the day the team with the better tactical game plan won without too much trouble. Sadly it wasn’t us!
Good shout Snail. Snail by name only!
Yes I think our centre backs cannot be blamed.
I think 5 years is more than long enough for a work in progress?
SNAIL ON THE HEAD
I can take losing but what really gets to me is a lack of effort by those players playing for our team.
In terms of trying I think only a very players can hold their heads up high.
After the third MU goal there just was not enough effort at – bar TV, WG, AA and SB – even CF looked uninterested and accepting of the loss.
We had plenty of time to score three or more but not without trying!!
Wenger was completely out-thought today by SAF:
1. why not ask Denilson to man mark Rooney – everyone knows the form he is in
2. what is up with Almunia????!!!why is is still playing week in week out – where’s Mannone?!!!
3. why wait to sub on NB until the 70 plus minute? when we needed someone to win headers and hold up the ball?!!!
4. Nasri was invisaible for most of the game – both in attack and in defence
5. why can’t we cross the ball????!!! These are players with supreme skills but can’t cross to save their lives!!!
I am just so pissed off with the lack of effort!!!
What is Wenger thinking of??
Apologies for the numerous typos but I am having trouble typing straight!!!
This is the most abject performance all season!!!!
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We were outclassed today when it truly mattered. AW’s gamble of throwing the towel in for the FA Cup, so as to focus on the Premiership, has come back to haunt him. This squad is not good enough to win the Premiership and will certainly be torn to shreds in the Champions league. There is nothing positive I can take from today’s performance, we did not perform as a team or as individuals. Our attacking and defensive play was shambolic, and in some cases bordered on incompetence. AW may have blind faith in this team, but I believe he needs to renew the squad. I also think it is time AW moved upstairs to become “director of football” and that we find a manager who will do whatever it takes to win. Because I don’t see that hunger in him or this team. I don’t want to play beautiful football anymore, I want to win!
You picked a very good name for yourself, No 88. You are.
Well until we improve sad I will stay… Unless of course No 89 you thought our performance was brilliant and that we lost because the fates were against us or that MU were not the better team on the day. Has the day come when we are not allowed to criticize our team when they play badly? Even AW after the match had a go about today’s performance. Nice to see that he has identified issues; however, I also think he does need to also look at himself; let’s hope he has the solutions because the next match we will have to win.
A little unfair BtM. I don’t agree with le boss moving upstairs. However Sad Man makes some interesting points. We clearly did not perform as a team and as I said earlier united deserved to win “we were outclassed”. Where I disagree with Sad Man is that I don’t think it’s a complete hatchet job on this team just a few additions to complement. And did I mention a new keeps?
A few days ago some of us enjoyed a healty debate about our squad. Was it good enough? Right balance, right personel etc etc.
My views were these. I felt we were 3 players short. I felt that the squad had great talent, great potential and I loved the way that we brought players through. However I felt that we needed a new striker, a new top class keeper and another holding player in midfield. I was concerned that we were nearly there but not quite. The last thing I wanted was for us to fall short with large amounts of cash sat in the vaults. Well having just returned from the game all I can say to those that were against me is what better evidence do you need me to produce? Today was shocking. At times I have never witnessed such a lazy bunch of players in my life. No heart and no passion with the exception of the odd few.
The truth is that we batter sides below us and struggle against all those above us. We are the Graham Hick of the footballing world. Flat track bullies who when it really counts are just not up to it.
You know Steve T, I think there’s still some mileage in this discussion. We are all not about to fall out over this, but today was very transparent for me. And some of us have got to take those rose tinted specs off. And equally some of us have got to get a little perspective….what’s that sooty I hear you say? AFC1974 is sitting on the fence? Never!
Right I’ve calmed down a bit.
What were the positives from today?
1. TV is an o/s player both in terms of ability and personal drive (I understand fully why he was made captain of Ajax at a young age).
2. Song/WG/AA – all also o/s players in terms of ability and personal drive
3. we had strength in depth in our subs
4. we continue to make clear goal scoring chances
5. we are a financially sound club (unlike so may others)
6. Wender is always patient and gives players plenty of time to make amends in a game
7. we had a (very) bad day at the office but haven’t suddenly become a bad team
8. we have Diaby to come back
9. titles are never won or lost in games against the other top (four) teams
Anyone care to add to the list?
I will give to 2 examples of what I mean. Clichy loses the ball half way inside their half. To whom I hear you cry? To their one and only striker Rooney. The break is on. Nani I think it was burst down the right. Cue Roney. He then runs fully 80 yards plus. Who tracked back? No one. Who went with him? No one. Who tried to get challenge in? No one. The ball comes over and he scores. And do you know what? He bloody deserved too as well.
Sometime later we broke. We pushed 3 on. It was Cesc, Arshavin and Nasri I think was the other. Just after we had crossed the half way line they already had 6 behind the ball. What really disappointed me was the lack of passion and the lack of fight. We have a midfield that contains 4 players who all want to play the attacking central role behind a striker. We have no width. My god how we have no width. Does anyone else get that yet? We are so narrow it is untrue. Because we are so narrow the centre gets over congested. And we wonder why we find no space?????? I have not seen the stats but how many shots did we have off target? And we dont need a striker????? Did we make Van De Sar make a decent save???? And please do not ger me started on Almunia.
@94dharg.
You manged to get 9 positives out of that game. Take a bow son. You deserve it.
@96Steve T
I did my ranting at comments 85/86 and it was either try and get back to a positive outlook or drown in my own misery!!
I have just watched the Park goal again. I do not remember having ever witnessed such schoolboyish defending by an Arsenal side.
Due to circumstances beyond my control I could neither be there or see the game but everything I’ve read just brings me back to the point I’ve made over and over again – GET A DEFENSIVE COACH.
P.S. – spend some money (they don’t have to be big name players, as I keep saying) to cover the usual suspects . . . .
I as opposed to other do believe that this team is the best in the premier league as far as ability is concerned, problem is – teamwise we were way outclassed today, and not because Man U is a great team.
Few pointers.
1) Gallas should get fined for thinking he has the finishing ability we’ve been lacking and going forward irresponsibly leading to the third goal which was an outrage since Clichy the poor fella didn’t know if to go to Rooney, Nani or guard the shot from Park!!! He was 1 on 3, it was horrible, and all because of our naive play, it was the 2nd goal from Pienaar all over again.
2) Denilson should get thrown to the sharks, I’m usually very patient and not a doom and gloom guy when losses come by but the guy has been awful (in terms of effort which is the most important)! That jog against Sidibe was a disgrace and so was the jog today in the 2nd goal, how the hell don’t you run your socks off when Man U is on the fast break?! Disrespectful!
3) So NAIVE!!! O.K, I accept the fact the first goal was once in a career as far as Nani goes, excluding that laughable effort from Almunia who should go in the same path Denilson goes, but to get 2 goals on the fast break after a set piece? Who do you think they are? Hull? How can Clichy be the ONLY(!!!!!!) one who was waiting for the counter attack? Haven’t you learned anything from last year’s 3rd goal in the CL Semi-Final in May 09? It’s the same goal, The saying “you don’t make the same mistake twice” is nonsense to you guys?
At least you were on 3D…
Really shattered from this display, can’t see us going back to the title race without a win in Stamford Bridge which is close to impossible with the morale right now in the team.
It’s a shame, it shoulda been our year.
And one last pointer – Andrey Arshavin is really starting to piss me off, he is so selfish, it’s really starting irritate me.
It started VS. Bolton when he didn’t pass to Theo to make 5-2 and resumed today when he shot 3 times when he coulda put someone in a better position for a shot when it was still 0-0…
Selfishness which is really untolerable.