Bendtner Can Emulate Scoring Feat Of Willie Young!
Mar 8th, 2010 by 'holic
“We know it’s a tricky game, as it always is in the Champions League against an opponent of Porto’s quality, but we believe we can do it. We are confident and are in a good position, so let’s go for it.”
I have to say in just a month Arsene has gone from a man who looked as though the cares of the world were resting heavily on his shoulders, to one exuding determination. Not confidence. Sheer determination. It is as if he is willing his charges to over-achieve in the two months that remain of the 2009-2010 season.
Yes, on 9th March, we have the opportunity to overturn a first-leg deficit of a European tie for the first time in thirty-two years (Willie Young, where are you!), and on 9th May, the curtain will come down on the Premiership campaign at home to Fulham. A fortnight later the Champions League will be resolved in Madrid.
There seems to be a suggestion in some quarters that the longer we are involved in both competitions then that can only be to the detriment of our challenge for both. The last thing we need, say the pessimistic, is to progress and risk another bad beating from one of our two rivals for the Premiership crown. I have to disagree, although that will surprise nobody I suspect.
I will accept that we do not want to be on the receiving end of a bad defeat in the Champions League. That, however starts at the Grove this week. An exit to Porto was not envisaged when the draw was made and we quietly celebrated avoiding some of Europe’s bigger guns. Failure to progress is not a prospect anybody will view in anything other than the dimmest of lights.
The fact that we are not going to risk the over-burdened hamstring of Cesc Fabregas in the critical clash with Porto is not a sign that this competition is expendable. It is a calculated gamble by Arsene to maximise the skipper’s availability for as many of the remaining games as possible. It is a sign of the belief he has in the balance of the squad that he trusts them to progress without the talismanic leader.
Alex Song, suspended domestically, is set to return to anchor the midfield. Samir Nasri and Abou Diaby gelled so well for an hour on Saturday that they will surely combine again. Behind them the most likely change is Sol Campbell for Silvestre, although Arsene faces an interesting choice between Emmanuel Eboue and Bacary Sagna.
The front three is the most difficult to predict. Ironically Nicklas Bendtner, so profligate against Burnley, is probably the only one guaranteed a start. Theo Walcott, fresh and at last showing signs of a return of confidence should hold down the right flank. That leaves a straight choice between Tomas Rosicky and Andrei Arshavin on the left. Either way there may be a lack of help for Gael Clichy in his contest with the infamous Hulk.
Do you believe in fate? The ‘holic pound seeks a topical return. Nicklas Bendtner is 11/2 at Coral to be the first goalscorer, and I am having some of that. Rumour has it he was seen emerging from a musical instrument emporium in Camden Passage clutching a new stringed instrument and looking for a bovine target to practice on.
I’m also having a few pence on 3-1 to the Arsenal which is an impressive 14/1 at Bet365. The oft-heralded ‘handbrake off’ is what I am confidently expecting from a side that may be short of a number of important players, but still looks balanced enough to rip the visitors apart having earned the right to play.
Only that left flank concerns me. (Plus the fact that we do not have a six foot two, ginger headed, Scots centre-half to volley the last minute winner as in 1978 against Hajduk Split while those of us on the Clock End that night prepared to spontaneously combust!)
Have a good one, ‘holics.
74 Responses to “Bendtner Can Emulate Scoring Feat Of Willie Young!”
Evening ยดholic.
If we play our natural game, and donยดt give away gifts like in the first leg, I think weยดll rip through them with ease. They were lucky in the first leg and Porto do not travel all that well.
Cider for me please barman.
Cheers.
What we lack in great big intimidating Scottish centre-halves, we make up for in dirty great fat old Sol. But as he’s already scored once against Porto (and it’s a bit of bad luck when he does score, isn’t it?), I’d put my money on Big Nick. He can’t possibly blow chances like he did on Saturday again. Can he?
Stout for me please, ‘Holic.
My prediction: 2-0 with Sol to score on a header and Arsenal to burst the bad luck streak related to Sol scoring. Vermaelen the other man on the scoresheet. Sorry to disappoint those betting on Bendtner scoring, but I could be wrong …
paddy power is giving 4-0 odds of 22-1…..im tempting fate,but its a ยฃ5 free bet for me
Nik SCORES AT AWAY GAMES, he rarely scores at home games. He actually has a bit of curse at home games. A lot of that is due to the way the home crowd got on his back last season.
Interesting how people failed to notice that he scored in his last 3 games (all away) yet suddenly dried up the minute he played AT HOME.
Even with all his failure to score and the crowd reaction, Nik never hides and keeps trying. For that I have enormous respect for him, so unlike Adebayor.
And it was noticeable how we lost our shape and momentum the minute he went off.
No use comparing him to RVP, who is 26. Let’s start judging Nik when he gets to be 23.
Don’t remember that goal by Willie Young, but a toast anyway.
Cheers ‘holic.
funnily enough,in your last blog you was on about players being booed and how it never used to happen ,not even with Young(‘we’ve got the biggest Willie in the land’) nor his predecessor ‘Henry’ Terry Mancini who made memorable blunders but was never booed but became a North Bank favourite.
Anyhow going on about tall bald centre backs I fancy Sol toget on the scoresheet amongst others
Dirty Arsenal BC? At least Sol scores.
Let’s not talk about bad luck people. Here’s to a 4-0. I back Emanueeeeeeeeeeel Eboueeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeee to get 1.
I bloomin well love you ‘holic
What a compliment, young Fishwick ๐
Not sure if it is just pure optimism and hope pouring out without an ounce of justification though. We’ll know soon enough, but isn’t it great to have these ‘can we, can’t we’ feelings back all over again?
aha but we do have a 6 foot 4 ginger headed danish striker (who plays like a centre half in attack)
so THAT’s all right!
cheers
Hey Marcus, didn’t Nick tap one in against Sunderland a couple of weekends back?
Nice post ‘Holic. I’ll buy into that 3-1 but, as ever, I am hankering for a win with a clean sheet. Greedy, I know.
Bushmills 10 year please.
Well said `Holic, I share a great deal of confidence in these `Holic pounds.
Bartender a glass of Port to get an early taste of victory ๐
Scratch the Port it’s too disgustingly sweet, tastes nothing like victory. I”ll share that Bushmills bottle with Albo instead if he does not mind.
Holic,
Who would you opt for, the more attacking Eboue, or the more defensive Sagna? Personally I’d like to see us hold a clean sheet, but I would be much more relieved if we pumped some goals in the before the 90th minute.
You’re a brave man with your money. I can see this going one of two ways – a comfortable romp of three or four nil, or a game where we get mugged with a couple of stupid mistakes. Again.
Be my guest, Matt. Leave the bottle please ‘keep.
Quick note on the choice between Arshavin and Rosicky. I’ve talked myself round a couple of times thinking that the team would be best served shuffling them for the Porto and Hull matches. Rosicky a little more robust and gets about more so perhaps keep him for the KC encounter. Arshavin, built for Europe and home matches in particular?
Andy, I don’t worry really about the right side, but Eboue and Theo combined well on Saturday, and I’m a believer at this stage of the season in ‘if it ain’t broke, don’t fix it’.
Ricey, we are pretty close to agreement. I worry about them hitting us on the break, particularly down our left flank, but I’m sure Song and Diaby will have instructions to keep their eyes open to help out over there if required. Please!
Im not soo confident, because for two reasons:
1) We needed a 4-0 win to go top. but we conceeded to Burnley and in the end scored the 3rd.
2) No Gallas and Fabregas- This might make a difference.
I hope not but, it might not be the worst thing if we go out as it would allow our players to concentrate on just one trophy.
In the last few seasons, we have gone for everything and missed out on everything.
I hope we win as it is a disapointment going out to Porto, thou.
A double Whyte & Mackay for me barkeep. I’m backing us to do this the hard way: 3-1.
And one for Arsenal_101 there too. Calm down laddie, a short while back, we weren’t supposed to be challenging for anything this season, so I suggest you kick back and enjoy the ride.
First goal will be vital. I know the Cesc loss is a big blow but let’s be honest here. I thought his performance in Porto was probably the worst I have seen him play all season. We can cope with his loss. The middle of the park will be Daiby, Song and Nasri. That should provide enough strength and allow Nasri to play his natural game.
Nic worked hard on Saturdy, held up play well and made good runs. There is no way he can be as wayward again. I think your first goalscorer bet is a cracker.
It is vital that we take control of the game and stamp our authority on things from the start. I think if we do that they could fold very easily. Let them play and it could be a whole different ball game.
4 – 1 to the Gunners.
Keep the faith.
Or John Jensen.
C1 Gooner, I agree with you on Eboue that he might just add his name to the scoring sheet if Arsene Wenger starts him! I believe Walcott could also surprise us. His regained confidence over the last Burney match may very well boosts his performance this Tuesday’s game against Porto. Both are oozing with self belief and confidence!
Having to go out of one comp to concentrate on another is ridiculous, but I do get the point though.
If the boys really want it, they will go out and get it.
The Daily Mail says Gallas reinjured himself in training and he will be out for another month. In Campbell and Silvestre we (must) trust!
Willie Young! Fantastic stuff, Mr Holic.
Thanks Albo!
@Steve T: Independently of his performance, the injury to our Captain Fab is a good opportunity for the other lads in the team to take responsability. Too many times you get the feeling that some players are overshadowed by him and play below their potential as a consequence. It also happened during TH’s last couple of years at the club. A good win against Porto would restore some balance to the team and it could do wonder for some players (Nasri, Denilson and Rosicki in particular).
Bad news about Gallas if that’s true. We need him for the QF, Porto exposed Sol already and a good team would find even more opportunities against either of Sol or Silvestre.
I know this is not the time to post this but Liverpool’s only hope to play in Europe next year is to win the Europa League (and good luck to them if they meet any team as strong as the mighty Wigan). Considering the insane amount of money pumped into Citeh, Spurs, and Villa in the last couple of years and looking at their financial situation Liverpool is about to disintegrate next season.
Long time reader, first time poster here ‘Holic. Your blog is a consistently enjoyable read, and a much needed tonic to the plastic fans who inhabit so much of Arsenal’s cyber-world. Keep up the good work!
Here’s how I think we’ll line up:
Almunia
Sagna Campbell TV Clichy
Nasri Song Diaby
Walcott Bendtner Arshavin
I don’t think the loss of Cesc is as dramatic as the press would have us believe. Nasri has hit a purple patch of form, and his ability to both run at defenders and distribute the ball will stand us in good stead. I get the feeling we’ll see a masterclass from the little Frenchman on Tuesday night.
I also feel that one of our real strength this season has been our depth, and with a bench boasting Rosicky, Denilson, Eduardo, Eboue and Silvestre (hmmmm), we have players capable of turning a game on it’s head. I am, for one, so glad to have TR7 back to full fitness. The man is pure class. 2-0 to the Arsenal and onto the last eight. A pint of lager for me please barman!
Come on you gunners!!!
Cheers ‘Holic.
Just one thing though, Hulk would be on Sagna’s side and not Clichy.
Varela is on Clichy’s side.
As I said before, I’m really not worried about their attacking options as they showed us they needed 2 gifts to score on a night when our defense was awful, so don’t see them scoring again.
We just need to get the early goal so the lads won’t get pressured.
I’m sure we’ll go through, I just hope Cesc is Ok for hull cause that can be an obstacle without him and Song.
“Rumour has it he was seen emerging from a musical instrument emporium in Camden Passage clutching a new stringed instrument and looking for a bovine target to practice on.”
That is genius!
Willie Young used to play for Spurs….
This was after losing the away leg 1-2
And immediately after winning a league match 3-1 a team beginning with a ‘B’ – Bristol City
Split is a port city, as is Porto
Hadjuk Split are known as ‘the whites’ and Porto are known as ‘the dragons’
A fantasy book called White Dragon was published in 1978! (seriously)
The match vs Split took place just 6 months before a certain Dragon became prime minister in May 1979
so….we are either looking at a 1-0 win with Sol getting the goal….or a new female prime minister….or both
I’ve got your omens!!
3-1 sounds just as good to me….
keep the faith
I wasn`t sure if `profligate` was some sort venereal disease contracted by out of form strikers, so I looked it up….relief it only mens `wasteful`. Rest easy Nic.
Water! please `holic and a glass for my teeth.
I watched the Liverpool game last night and saw Torres miss several sitters, a la Bendy on Saturday. So it seems even the best can have off days and Nick has hopefully had his now!!!
Ah, there’s a holic. Since it’s dead elsewhere, I hope the pub’s open early. Can I have an Irish Coffee to wake me up please?
And I’m not so worried if Rosicky plays, he’s not adverse to tracking back and tackling. More than Theo in fact, so I’m a bit surprised with ou for once ๐ And with Clichy much improved over the last 2 games, the left flank doesn’t look so bad IMHO.
MAN im really nervous about this one………we keep getting hit on the counter attack.hopefully we dont concede in the first 20 minutes. please let us qualify!! We cant afford mises like saturday!..any thing to chher me up?
Hi,
Here is the footage I got from Burnley inc those lovely banners,
applogies for language when 1st goal goes in
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Hp22E1DVIhM
Morning all
I feel without Cesc we still have enough quality to win this, I agree with Wenger why risk a torn hamstring on our captain and loose him for a month. Of course we will miss him but any team in the world would miss a player of his genius.
Song,Diaby and Nasri will do just fine. Song sheilding the defence and what a fantastic job he has been doing as well. Nasri pulling the strings and Diaby charging forward taking on all comers. I seriously believe we will win tonight.
I would go with Theo, Arshavin and Bendtner the pace and ability in that line up would scare anyone. I can also see Bendtner having a cracking game. Holics pound well spent again I think.
In defence I would leave Eboue, his form of late has been outstanding and if Porto watched the video of the game on Saturday their left winger will be to scared to go to far forward. Sol over Silv, I just prefer Sols pure power. He will turn the hulk back into bruce banna in no time. I think Thomas and Clichy are a given, Clichy is showing all the signs of getting his form back and it couldnt come at a better time.
So heres to a 3-0 win with no injuries and a good night at the Grove all round.
Come on Arsenal !
@ Goonerholic
When it comes to Arsenal bets, you are usually on the ball, so I’m going to stick ยฃ3 on Bendtner to score the first goal (5-1 odds at Paddy Power)
If Nasri plays as well tonight as he did on Saturday there will be no worries about Cesc not playing.
If we can believe in the cliche that “they don’t travel well” then I would most certainly leave Eboue in place – Sagna, much as I admire his ability to defend, cannot cross a ball – and almost without fail never gets it past the first defender.
I think it is up to us to impose ourselves on the opposition from the start though, and not worry about what they might do to us.
Having watched Nik miss all those chances on Saturday and then watching him miss them all over again on Goals on Sunday I am convinced he will score tonight. 5-1 as first goalscorer is generous and I am going to have some of that.
Come on Arsenal – I’ll be happy with 4 ๐
Albo, my mistake, Nik did indeed score at home v. Sunderland.
Anyway I never said he “never” scores at home. Most of his goals are in away games. He’s suffered lots of abuse from the home crowd, I’ve always thought that’s why he’s had a harder time scoring at home.
The thing that worries me about Gallas’ injury is how our unbeaten run collapsed last season when he got injured. Gallas is very important to us. However, this season we do have Campbell, who’s certainly a better stand-in than Silvestre.
I think we can do it tonight but it will be a nervy game.
Nice little piece in today’s Daily Express by Mick Dennis, reference Chris Twaddle. Dennis points out –
“Waddle’s claim that Theo Walcott does not have a ‘football brain’ is only the latest in a series of carping comments.
In 2008 when Walcott became the youngest player to score a hat-trick
foe England, Waddle made the extraordinary suggestion that he should not play in the next England fixture.
Walcott was 19 when he bagged those three goals in Croatia. When Waddle was 19, he was mixing seasoning for sausages in a meat
products factory and playing non-League football. But Newcastle United
understood that he would improve with age and signed him.
By not extending the same generosity of judgment to Walcott, Waddle tells us much about his own brain.”
So there it is – grew up in a sausage factory, but turned into a Spud. Amazing how it gets to them isn’t it?
Holic,
Great minds and all that, I put up on another Blog this morning Fancied Bendtner 3-1 lets hope the Holic pund is joined by many friends come 10pm tonight !!
Up The Arsenal,
Watcha ‘holic.
I agree completely Trev. In other words….Chris Waddle should look a bit more closer to home, at who is the real dunderhead!
Onto tonight’s game, whilst I admire the very evident positivity surrounding the game on this blog amangst blogs, I can’t help but feel we have to be a bit more patient as well as a bit more cautious in our approach. Porto are no mugs and will have a game plan. We are missing Cesc and although Nasri has recently come into a rich vein of form…..I would feel better with a fit Cesc in the squad.
But then again I could be totally wrong and we could comfortably walk it!!!
I’m calling a cautiously optimistic 2-0 to the mighty Gooners. Arshavin and Diaby on the scoresheet.
Keep on believing ๐
A cool & lite afternoon shandy for this soft southerner please chap, as I’ve got a few projects to tidy up yet still!
Heh ‘holic. That part about Bendtner, the musical instrument and the bovine target was pure gold. Just for that you deserve to win your bet tonight. Add me to the people rooting for a Bendtner first goal and of course an Arsenal win.
Awesome as usual ‘holic! I was trying to explain the difference in Arsene earlier today and after reading your first paragraph i finally found the words I was looking for, heh.
You certainly do write the best previews of all the arsenal blogs (and I read about 15 blogs at the time of preview…)
It is a good decision to sit Cesc, I know we need him tonight, but we need him for the run in till May and his hammy’s are stretched pretty thin right now…. The only thing that scares me about tonight is giving up the early goal and our heads drop and we slank about the pitch. Remember a few seasons back when that big lug Alex scored on us at home to win the match, albeit it was late in the match, but we still gave up that away goal and it sent us packing out of the CL… That is the ONLY thing that scares me, even though FC Port-o-Pot isn’t top notch they still have enough to knock one past us especially if Almoooonia is at his flapping worst. I know that sounds a little doomy and believe me there is no-one on here that wants the Gunners to win more than I, no-one, well I’m sure we all can say that. It’s just that darn early goal, and the “away goal” rule that scares me, I’m totally confindent that we have enough fire-power to produce the goods this evening, I really wish we wouldn’t of given up 2 at Porto, 1-1 would’ve been nicer but ya’ can’t have everything. Anyway I’m gonna go for a 3-1 scoreline with us going on to the next round, and If we do I predict we will get Barca in the next round, bring on Zlatan and their overpriced bunch of “Turd Burglers!!” Up the Arsenal!!!
Jebus ‘holic. King Midas is looking fir one of his tea spoons. Any ideas?
heh, also praying for 3-1, snail, which would treble my already tidy tickle.
Well I’d rather Porto did not score at all, if that’s ok?
Nasri agrees wiith Snail and so do I!
What a fucking goal!!!!!!
Sorry ‘holic! Whoops.
Hahaha
2111: Er, bear with me a bit here folks…
2110: GOALFLASH Arsenal 4-0 (agg 5-2) Porto (Eboue)
2109: GOALFLASH Fiorentina 3-2 (agg 4-4) Bayern Munich (Robben)
2108: GOALFLASH Sunderland 2-0 Bolton (Bent)
2108: GOALFLASH Arsenal 3-0 (agg 4-2) Porto (Nasri)
2104: GOALFLASH Fiorentina 3-1 (agg 4-3) Bayern Munich (Juan Vargas)
Are you bound to the BBC goal flashes, Matt?
You simply must see Nasri’s goal when you get a chance.
Bendtner hatrick. Get in!
You’ve only come to see, EBOUE!!
I was glued to my stream Snail! I almost threw my laptop in the air when Nasri scored!
What a great game! Our players were fantastic today. Just perfect from start to finish.
This team is clicking and nothing’s impossible for them now.
Great result. Great game. Fantastic team.
Did I ever tell you lot, I bleeding love the Arsenal, me ๐
what a performance!!! No Cesc, No Gallas, No RVP and still we put on such a show!!! Really proud of all the guys standing up and showing what they are made of.
Its as if all the players also believe in themselves as much as Arsene does!!!
What a great performance. Plaudits all the way ’round. Everyone worked their arses off (how many times did Vermie look like a ghost as he sprinted back?) Nasri was impeccable. Bendtner…absolutely brilliant and he still left some goals out there. Arshavin was top shelf… Song – fabulous AND Almunia looked like he knew how to command the back. F*ckin’ great performance!
‘Holic, this round is on me!
I agree Matt. All the talk of missing Cesc was completely unfounded. Nasri can shine in that role as he did tonight. Bendtner has really stepped up to the plate and he is showing that if you can consistently get in the right place the goals will come. A proper striker. He can only get better.
Every one else looked solid for me, the Verminator is turning ito a collosus and he has some pace as well. I even thought Sol showed flashes of pace as well. Clichy was slightly suspect on his positioning once or twice, but for the most part he showed for the ball and made some really good interceptions. Sagna put in some great crosses and really supported the attack. Diaby looks better when he is carying the ball than when he is looking for a pass, but he really does look so much more commanding. Song and Arshavin did what we know they can do, and Andrei shows he can create just as well as he can score, although whether he is happy to do just that I am not so sure.
I thought ROsicky was our worse player on the night, but I think he is carrying a knock. looked tired and didn’t go for the ball as well as he might have, but still had a decent game when going forward.
Manuel… a clean sheet will hopefully do his confidence the world of good. Didn’t have much to do, but did well and made sure that most of his clearances went further down the pitch!
All in all, who wouldn’t be happy with tonight’s showing?
I have a glass of cheap Martell. Cheers.
Line ’em up barman.
It’s party time!!!!!
Has anyone seen Robben’s hair?
No?
Well neither has he.
I thang you.
Oh Joy.
Nice tip as well ‘Holic NB52 first goalscorer ๐
Never in any doubt. Heh!
I’ll have a sweet Rosey Lee ‘keeps and a choccy digestive – I’m feeling a bit giddy!
Just wanted to say: To all the Arsenal fans at the game against Burnley, who decided to sing for Bendtner instead of booing him – THANK YOU!
Vintage Arsenal tonight. Pure vintage footballing that can only make the mouth water.
Congratulations goes to you Mr Wenger ๐
At last – pages are being served.
Just fantastic tonight, got an awful migraine and i could not care less, I was still screaming my head off everytime we scored, and we could have had much more.
Seriously starting to gain belief that we may actually win something now this season, the way we played at the start of the season is how we are playing now and I love it
I don’t feel sorry for Porto , I dont feel sorry for anyone except for Eboooeeee and B52
You know why dont you
– just look back up this blog and work out how many people bet on 4-0 and then saw with absolute horror the Eboue run and trip and then had to suffer big Nic putting it away
Boy oh boy ‘Holic how I am enjoying my Cognac tonight
Awsome performance from everyone tonight. Bendy showed he’s just had one of those days against Burnley, not too bad for a Hatrick in a high profile game like this.
For me the man of the match goes to Samir Nasri, how did he do that? He took three defenders and scored from a such tight angle it was unreal to watch!
Arshavin looks he needed a rest he was fresh tonight yet again and it proved that he still has it in him.
Verminator was huffing and puffing. Eboue’s finish was top class as well!
I’ll have a neat ice cold vodka please barman and something fruity to wash it down with, please barman.