It's Hammer Time, And MC Is On Song.
Oct 30th, 2010 by 'holic
Marvellous, isn’t it. I haven’t missed the Irons for years. I’ve seen them become the last visitors to win at Highbury and the first to win at the Grove, and a few more upsetting afternoons as well down the years. Today it seems the world and his dog are expecting a big Arsenal win against the strugglers and I will be stream-hunting. Bah!
Anyway, the biggest guessing game in town is just how does Arsene fit his in form players into a starting line-up? Someone, or more specifically possibly more than one will miss out. Sadly for the provider of the excellent preview last night I have a feeling one could be the unfortunate Denilson. Surely Theo Walcott has earned a start with his performance at Newcastle? That means Samir Nasri, on fire at the moment would be likely to drop into midfield in a role between Alex Song and Cesc Fabregas.
Nicklas Bendtner is also likely to discover that goals in successive away games should not get him a start ahead of Marouane Chamakh, the complete team player. Then there is the puzzle that is Andrey Arshavin. His stats belie the feeling of a number of Gooners that he is not at his fittest and with Tomas Rosicky back to his influential best Arsene faces a real headache on the left side. I suspect the little Russian will get the nod.
At the back we know Gael Clichy is safe thanks to the unfortunate knee-knack that befell Kieran Gibbs, and likely to feature alongside Sebastien Squillaci plus one other. Laurent Koscielny impressed at Newcastle, but I seem to be in the minority that thought Johan Djourou too looked good. I’m not so sure about right-back. For my money Emmanuel Eboue is close to taking Bacary Sagna’s berth on current form. Those are words I could not contemplate putting together a year ago. Am I wrong?
The ‘holic pound will not find value today. The bookies, almost to a man, are offering very skinny odds on any potential Arsenal goalscorer or winning scoreline. I do have a feeling that, being a London derby against a bit of a bogey team, the anticipated slaughter may not arrive. If West Ham are disciplined and organised they really could frustrate for long periods. I have a sneaking feeling for 3-1, and that is the “holic pound for today, but at very poor odds of around tens.
The serious punter may look at around evens (with Stan James) on Marouane Chamakh to score at any time. He is on fire at the Grove and could add to his tally. I would check the team sheet an hour before the game to ensure he is picked and hope that price is still available.
So that is it. Thanks again to BtM for his excellent preview yesterday. Make sure you have digested it before moving on. Get behind the boys today and show some patience if we do not make an early breakthrough. This may just be one of those days when a result is earned by our matching the opposition for graft in the opening hour before opening up a tiring team.
Have a great weekend, ‘holics.
82 Responses to “It's Hammer Time, And MC Is On Song.”
First.
Good stuff, ‘holic.
Standard 4-0 prediction from me π
Blimey, Nelly. That was quick!
Irons are more often than it should a hard nut to crack but if we want to challenge this is a 3p must.
A glass of Jack for me please.
Here’s to a good win of 4-1 with Cesc rampant…after going 1 nil down a la Birmingham at home inevitably!
2-0 to The gunners with Chamakh getting both goals.
I disagreed with a lot of your post for a change!
I think Theo will be on the bench, and if he starts, Nasri will go to the left and Arshavin will be left out. The midfield will see Song Denilson and Cesc I feel. Eboue is definitely not a good enough right back to take Sagna’s place at the moment. Sagna was very good against City anyway. Djourou has shown the tendency to get turned or beaten by his man quite a few times. It’s just that we’ve been lucky to not be punished so far. I hope Squillaci and Koscielny start.
The bit I agree – Chamakh will start in front of Bendtner. I have no clue where RVP will be once he’s back!
Morning All.
An early pint for BtM if you will squire for yesterdays fine fine effort π Im one of those that think today may rain goals so I’ll go for a White russian first followed by 4 chasers, 5.1 North Londons finest which will stick in the throat of our visitors from the the east like an uncooked ell.
Up The Arse,
No problem with disagreeing, A. Le boss may decide to play a mix-and-match side and we will all be wrong π
Morning Chippy. I do hope you’re right, but I think the cheeky chappies will raise themselves for this one and make life difficult for at least a half.
Not sure they will be able to keep that up for ninety minutes though.
Greetings,
Can’t disagree more on the Sagna-Eboue claim. Sagna was fantastic against City and the only reason you’re on the Eboue bandwagon is because he performed admirably at left back against Newcastle. The primary concern of a right back is defending and Sagna does it a lot better than Eboue.
With regards to Djourou, he was okay in my opinion but compare him to Koscielny for a second. The latter was more assured and his timing of tackles is a lot better. Djourou mistimes a lot of his challenges and often misjudges bounces (stooping for a header against Newcastle, which ended him hitting him on the arm. He’s fourth choice for me but you never know, with more games and some form, he could be challenging for a starting role.
The same team and formation against man city is what we should adopt today to beat this wounded westham team. With the exclution of djorou and arshavin replacing them should be KOSHIENLY & WALCOTT. 4, 1 score line is my prediction today. A BOTTLE OF LARGE STOUT PLEASE MY HOLIC
Holic,
I know where your coming from and would normally agree but from the little I’ve seen of the bubble blowers this year the work and team ethics of past sides seem to be missing and at the back they make us look like maldinis Milan π As long as we safely tuck away 3 points I’ll be more than happy!! Decided to re visit the Emirates so have safely secured a Chelsea ticket over Xmas if your about I’ll buy you that pint. I’m off out have a good day all and come on you rip roaring Reds,
If you are a real gooner holic you shouldnt stream for arsenal matches you should buy an international dish and follow all the arsenal games like me PS the match is shown life on Satanta Ireland ! good bless Arsenal..Balygooner all the way
Morning ‘Holic & ‘Holics
Great post as usual ‘Holic, good to have you back in the driving seat after your highly able “vice captain’s” post last night π
The embarrassment of riches right across the park that is giving Arsene such powerful headaches at the moment is, I hope, the sure sign of greatness in our team and (whisper it) a clutch of silverware that we all crave.
West Ham at home was my first ever match way back when Billy Bonds, Clive Best, and Frank Lampard Snr were first team regulars…. aah the memories.
I think we won 2-1 on that day (not sure) and I’m expecting much bigger margins today and a clean scoresheet for us but you just never know and overly optimistic expectations can often set you up for a big disappointent. I’m betting that The ‘Ammers will treat this like a cup final and look to get their poor season back on track. So, all I hope is that we turn up with a Man Citeh level of performance and I think the rest will pretty much take care of itself.
3-0 would be wonderful. 1-0 will do us just fine. If Blackburn can retain some of the points today as well that will be the cherry on top of the iced cake for me.
I’ll be stream hunting with you (Mr. ‘Holic) thanks to some excellent pointers from our good friend Mr. Geuli.
Come on The Arsenal, just play today like we all know you can.
PS: I think Djourou is just a few games away from being another cult hero. He just needs a lttle more time, patience from us a supporters and the confidence and match fitness will surely return. It’s important that we back him especially as we have no clear timeframe for The Verminator’s return and then he will need some games to get match fit too.
Nothing less than three points will do today, of course. Just hope the boys learned something from the West Brom game.
Pint of Boddingtons, please.
Morning Lars, you on the Boddies already? I like your style π
@12 dino there’s more options with a motorised dish 80cm min and a suitable set top box, some of which have extra facilities not to be mentioned here – the language may not be english but the pictures of the gooners speak for themselves.
with that dish I only stream 1 match in 5 at the moment, this being painfully slow in the backwoods!!
I felt that against the Magpies some of our defenders were bullied , possibly illegally and Bacary and JD will be an important part of todays team
Up front it is difficult, but if Cesc improves towards his best, (by which I mean looking up front for runners) then AA and Chammy for 60 minutes then Theo and NB can lead a line with immense potential
go go go
Storey, don’t forget I live in Sweden – we’re one hour ahead of England so it’s already past 12 here!
Lars, thank you for the correction. In that case I’ll join you if I may? π
Barman? Is the barrell fresh? If so, a round please and one for yourself of course!
Oh, please do, Storey! Have one on me.
Barman, put Storeys’ next drink on my tab!
Morning all
I’m in the same time frame as Lars, so will join you for a quick lively one before heading off to lunch with a 6 foot blonde Argentinian.
@ Catalan – And what’s his name – boom boom! π
Holic the game is live on setanta Ireland
Thanks Sean. If only the buggers broadcast in the West of England π
@ Lars, thanks mate, you’re a gent.
I’ll have a pint of cooking lager please – fizzy, cold and cheap!
‘Holics
Can anyone please confirm that it is a 3PM kick-off today? I read something earlier in the week about the match being pushed back to the early evening becuase of TV rights/deals?
Thanks!
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Storey: it is indeed 3PM today. It is the away game in January that has been pushed back to 5.30.
Thank you Lars, ‘must stop all this scan reading stuff. Have another one on me π
Cheers, Storey!
It’s Wigan at home in the next round of the Carling Cup. No disrespect to Wigan, but that is a game we should win. The other games are as follows:
Birmingham v Aston Villa
West Ham v Man United
Ipswich v West Brom
Yup. Semi-Finals, here we come!
Morning from Sunny Miami Folks!
Just like Wenger and his embarassment of riches on the pitch, we have several choices on which to watch the Gunners pick apart West Ham. Do you prefere your commentary with a Mexican accent or an English one?? Odd that we get so many channels to watch football here while ‘holic is stream surfing….
Regardless, after I go for a dip in the warm Atlantic I plan on seeing a 4-nil thrashing with goals from Chamaaaa(2), Theo, and Nasri.
Theo should get the start and I would like to see Squill and Kos lined up in the back.
Holic, Eboue is not the man that Sagna is….at all. Banish the thought of him usurping the right back spot!
Life is good, but it is better when Arsenal wins!!!
Team news is in and, horror of horrors, one of the SSS is missing – Arshavin starting and Theo on the bench. All I can say is the Russki had better put in a performance today. At least the TTT is intact so BtM and the Brazilian lovelies should be happy since Denilson is on schedule to fire in the first. Updates later. C’mon gunners!
Bad news. Matt didn’t get his ticket in the Pins. π
But he did get one at the Supporters Club π
He’s in.
the only problem we have is left back .. is Clichy gonna survive until Christmas don’t know who elce we have there till gibs is back even tho I dont trust much his fitnnes ..maybe its time to call traore !
Not surprised to see Hammers have raised their game. We look good though. Still happy with my pound though at this stage.
We need a goal, obvious I know…. π
What a move between Song, Sagna, and Cesc. Great save by Green.
Good to see Fab bossing the skipper in the box.
Sagna steaming down the right more than once. Think we’ll see Walcott sooner rather than later after the break.
…& congrats to Matt of course
Nearly the opener for Seb. Hopefully those who doubted West Ham’s ability to lift themselves for a game at the Grove are now realising the error of their ways.
TS, did you manage to find a good stream ?
Is it me or Arshavin is having a bad game?
I agree with Holic West Ham are never a walk over, last season we won 2:0 but we had to play crooked Cesc if memory serves me right.
I’d like to see Walcott on for Denilson and Nasri pushed inside where he is more dangerous. So expect Arsene to hook Nasri any minute π
Wouldn’t mind Bendy or Rosicky for Arshavin.
When is this prick going to book Parker?
What a free-kick, Sam!
Walcott at last!
Post Theo π
Come on you REDS!!!
Green another great save. Why always at the Grove?
Fuck me, Green again π
SONGHINO!!!!
Come on you REDS ong my baby!
Song my baby !!!! π
Not the cautious substitution again…
You gotta grind those ones out. Well defended Hammers, well persisted Gunners.
Yes………….Yes………..Yeeeesssssssssssssssss π
We Love You Arsenal We Do …
We Love You Arsenal We Do …
We Love You Arsenal We Do …
Ohh Arsenal We Love You!
Lads left it late for my own likeing but vicroty tastes even sweeter now!
Come on Holic and Holics I need to rest my nerves now π
Drinks are on me!!! Barman please……
I feel like I just had a baby… ughhhhhh that was exhausting…
Koscielny is a gem…
If it wasn’t for Green it would of been a different sotry!
You are SO fucking wrong Arthur!
Drinks are on ME.
…but of course, since you offered, you can have a few extra.
that was a freakin rollercoaster wtf………….thank god a billion times we won love u song!!!!!!!!!1 rob green the cunt!
I missed the 2nd half sounds like we deserved to win and by a bigger margin, am I guessing right?
TS, this was an exact copy of the Wolves game at the Emirates last year.
The only difference is that West Ham defended with 10 men behind the ball and Wolves defended with 9 because Henry was sent off.
An exhausting game, but a good win.
Koscielny an absolute gem, Cesc was bad… His touch was way off…But a good – DESERVED win.
Too bad Blackburn couldn’t do the job against Chelsea but maybe the Kop will…
Thanks Snir and for your email. No luck with streams, gave up in the end – life’s too short π
If El Capitaino can have an off day, an underdog like WHUFC have a good day and we still win, that’s a great sign for the rest of the season.
And yes, bugger those Chavs, they were 1-0 down as well!
Citeh lost – heh!
Lets hope Manure and LWCs grind out a goal-less draw π
So Song scored from a Clichy cross, who’d have thunk it? All you Clichy bashers, hush now.
Did we have Chamakh and Arshavin in the heart of defence? π
TS, don’t give up next time, either give me a call on Skype, email me or text me…
Clichy’s cross was an absolute beauty, although it was his first good cross of the year π
going through united’s team sheet for their game against spurs..
& wondering what the hell ordinary midfielders like carrick, park, fletcher, and even nani have to form a side that constantly challenges for titles..compared to the quality that we have in nasri, rosicky, cesc, arshavin & why we fall short…
AND THE 1ST 3MTS of the ongoing game ANSWERED MY QUESTION – 3 shots from direct play by united producing 2 saves from gomes …
AND then I wonder what our players could achieve IF WE COULD MIX A BIT MORE DIRECT Play with our tippy tappy…we took 20 minutes for fabregas to produce arsenal’s first shot on target…
mind you today’s Goal Was due to clichy cleverly attacking the box directly and feeding an inviting cross…
I must admit, sopcast was the only reliable server again today. I was stop/start on the iMac.
OK Snir, thanks again
Tried sopcast, no joy, hey ho, 3 points in the bag, bloddy marvellous.
Drinks all round please barman and let’s crack open a cheeky bottle of DP ’75 to gte the mood going. party time?
“bloody”
Phew, that was a relief. At times I thought it was gonna be one of those days, you know the ones I mean, the regreted missed chances days.
The Spam definetly raised their game today, Rob Green played a blinder and Scott Parker raised himself from slighty irratating kretin to full blown c^ntbucket with all the trimings. But our lads stuck to the plan and on song, Alex, popped up to save the day. Massive three points!!!
Lager please guv’
Cheers.
TS, when sopcast doesn’t work, try atdhe.net…
It was great today, saw the whole game through that website with no disturbances at all.
Whoops the neighbours!
Interesting to hear the boss saying this after the game, regarding Song:
“He has got the taste to go forward, even if I think a little too much sometimes for a holding midfielder! But that is part of our game as well”
Heh.
Oh yeah, todays result means we nave kept three clean sheets in a week.
I’ll drink to that!!!
Toby the more the merrier! π
I’ll drink to your next round he he
I’m still shaking my nerves off, we did leave it late and I was having a go at Clichy at times and Song as well. This certainly wanst the vintage Arsenal but hey we know we can win ugly too!
Ref…you don’t know what you doing was my moto the bloke can’t handle games like these!
Fair play to Clichy he made up for his mistakes Fabianski solid Koscielny was awosme Nasri was running the show too.
Don’t get me wrong here but Arshavin needs to kick the ball away not try to back heel by your own corner flag, terrible decision my son. He works hard but complicates things for himself even further. I want to see Rosicky on that right flank next time!
Either way I will still scream his name out!
Barman any Wisniowka under the counter?
@ H2H #77
Good point, even Arsene admits he’s not used to that!
Lovely lovely lovely…..when did we last keep 3 consecutive clean sheets? It’s so nice to see us defend all over the pitch.
@69: ‘Holic, try using ADTHE.net mate. Streams are usually well reliable, atleast they are for me. Requires a vshare plugin but it’s worth it. Used it most of the season and it’s been by far the most reliable site so far.
Anyone else think that Arshavin was a waste of space today? He got himself in some great positions at times and had good opportunities to have a pop at goal but too often either dawdled on the ball or made the wrong decision. The main effort that sticks in my mind was when he was one-on-one with Green in the 2nd half, could have easily gone for the curling in-step right foot shot but for some reason tried to get it on his left and totally screwed it up. Just about summed up his day. He also never seems to want to run at his man either, where is that lightening pace he used to have?
It’s hard seeing him in the line-up when an obviously hungry Theo Walcott is riding the pine. Methinks the Russian needs to be dropped for a game or two just to remind him that his place on the left flank isn’t a given.
Kinda feel bad for moaning about one guy when we got a great result in the end today. Credit to the lads, they never gave up and kept fighting for the result.
Iraq goals aint bad.