Arsenal, Time To Make Ours A Happy Home
Dec 3rd, 2010 by 'holic
Any other Gladys Knight fans out there? That was for you!
Two consecutive Premiership home defeats. Three in the last five, actually. It’s time to put a stop to the run that threatens the title ambitions of this Arsenal side. To the neutral observer, Fulham is probably one of the sides you would want to face in such circumstances, but both the Cottagers followers and us know that the West London outfit generally make us work extremely hard for the points. They may be looking for a first ever away win at any Arsenal, but it would surprise few if they went close.
When the two sides brought down the curtain on last season our 4-0 triumph was a rare drubbing of a weakened Fulham team who were preparing for their first European final. The previous season saw us claim just one of the six points on offer against them, courtesy of a 0-0 draw at the Grove. Hangeland had already condemned us to defeat on a very dark day at the Cottage.
They have a new man at the helm, and of course Mark Hughes is no stranger to us. His tongue seems as sharp now as his elbows were in his playing days. It will be interesting to see how they approach the game. Under Roy Hodgson they were not afraid to commit numbers to the break when in possession, and should that continue we may be in for another afternoon where some patience will be required both on and off the pitch.
Arsenal have no new injury concerns which means that Arsene has genuine decisions to make about who plays. Four of the back five probably pick themselves, but will Johan Djourou or Laurent Koscielny get the nod to partner Sebastien Squillaci in the middle? I agree with those who think the Swiss should get a run, but I have to say Koscielny impressed with his attitude at Villa Park last week after having his face re-arranged by John Carew.
With Cesc Fabregas still ruled out the advanced midfield role is an interesting one. Last weekend the job was rotated by Tomas Rosicky, Andrey Arshavin, and Samir Nasri. I would be tempted to go with that again, but that would mean no starting berth for Robin van Persie, because Marouane Chamakh surely retains the central striking role. The only space I can see for the Dutchman at present would be out wide, which would probably mean leaving out the current skipper, Rosicky. I don’t see it myself.
The visitors have struggled to score on their travels this season, netting just five times in seven games. In fairness though they have only conceded seven, which will surprise nobody. The ‘holic pound is based on the assumption that they will not outscore us. I’m on 2-1, available at eights with Stan James. I’ll pay half of any winnings to Centrepoint, Arsenal’s charity of the season, who will be the beneficiaries of Arsenal’s dedicated charity day. Those of you who are going to the game, please dig deep for this excellent and worthwhile cause.
With Manchester United’s game at Blackpool already falling foul of the weather, and inconsistent Chelsea facing a committed Everton side at the bus stop in Fulham, we have another opportunity to make progress against our rivals for the top prize. We must make the most of it, and send out a message that our home is once again a place to fear. As Arsene himself acknowledges,
“Our away form got us in a good position in the table but of course we want our home form from now to take off. If we can combine the two we have a good chance and that is our target.”
Have a good one, ‘holics.
106 Responses to “Arsenal, Time To Make Ours A Happy Home”
Just in case…
… a case of what? Fine wines?
Wait for it, TS, wait for it! 😉
Evening all!
Friday evenings are just not the same with out Tom Watt 🙁
Drinks please barman for all in the bar. I’m off out to frequent a local tonight but a G&T sharpener would go down a treat please mate 🙂
PS: Another top post. Can’t stand Mark Hughes, never could. He gets my vote for Hansen of the week. Scrap that, he’s a very distant second behind Sepp Splatter….
Fan-bloody-tastic! A touch of Northern class in their ‘Holic. Cheers 🙂
there (ugh!)
Good post Holic you never disappoint that’s for sure 🙂
Time to prove Emirates can be and will be a Fortress and again a massive opportunity to go top again perhaps for longer now too.
200% effort is required through the whole of 90 minutes nothing less and I get a feeling we will be in for a treat.
No Holic pound on this one Barman?
A warm cup of lemsip for me please Barman.
I don’t usually get to the bar this early…….well that’s almost not true bearing in mind that our government decided to limit our drinking hours to 5pm-11pm (sick SOBs)….
I wish i was a betting man (woman) i would challenge the ‘Holic pound for a 3-0 to Arsenal if that’s available.
off to enjoy my bed and the game tomorrow……..RVP and Cham29 is intriguing indeed.
Water for me……..just got home from the local.
True Storey
4 of the first 7.!!!!
A world record methinks.
It would be Fucking typical of Schwarzer to have a fucking blinder to prove a point.!!
Onward and Upward.
Clive
Evening all, another fine post Holic got about 4 feet of snow here in Austria and the house down the end of the road is on fire !!! no casualties though so thats good. Jack and Coke please barman and lets hope for a great win from the boys
A licence to (metaphorically) kill. Come on Arsenal – got to beat a Mark Highes team.
Ette, 3-0 is 7/1. Tell you what I’ll do. If that is the score I’ll put £7 extra into the charity.
Your pound is effectively on!
Who’s counting Clive? That’s 5/11 now. I could go on…
At the third stroke, the score will be Arsenal 4 – fulham 0.
Pip pip pip
You’re so on ‘Holic.
Night ‘Holic and ‘Holics.
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TS
I was just highlighting your dedication and appreciation of Holic’s musings.
You are to be commended for it,and by the by, you are not the only one.!!
Stall set out beautifully ‘holic. I have it down as a 3-0 victory too. Not overconfidence, just I think we are capable.
Can of red stripe please barman, to add to the one I’m just finishing.
NB. Give Squillaci a rest. He needs it.
Nice one ‘Holic.
First saw Mark Hughes in the early 80s for the Mancs and whilst recognising a player, my over-riding impression was that he was one dirty b*****d.
Over the years I have grown to detest him even more as player and manager and nothing would make me happier than us giving his mob a roasting tomorrow. If they defend the way they did against Man City, we surely will, but….
hen again we are at home.
I’m still bitter and twisted about the cruel fate that sent 3 years worth of winter weather down in 2 days here, thus resulting in me missing my long planned trip to the Grove for this fixture, but plans are afoot to put that right in the New Year.
In the meantime, I will take 1 nil to the Arsenal and anything more as a bonus.
COYRRRs.
Sorry about the trip, zico. That’s really unlucky. I would put it stronger but I don’t use foul and abusive, as you know 😉
Well I drunk a lot of wine and I’m feeling fine, gonna race some cat to bed now. Is this concrete all around or is it in my head? Oh brother, you guessed, I’m a dude.
A glass of red please Sir.
CoYRRR’s
First there was Gladys Knight and the Pips, then Harry Redknapp and the Spuds, and now Mark Hughes and the Cottage Beetles. C’mon Arsenal let’s stamp our big feet on them Beetles!
The time has arrived. The time where we stop all of this mucking around at home and at last put down a marker for all to see. I am looking for a really convincing performance against Fulham. There can be no excuses. There has to be no excuses. The time has come to stand up and be counted.
4 nil to The Arsenal.
Up the Gunners.
Come on Gunners, let’s start our season tomorrow. Hoping for a great performance and a comfortable victory. Let’s go !!!
Cran and Vodka please Barman. Gracias!!
Great post ‘Holic and appreciate the tune
Come one you gunners..I want to see van persie start today..somehow I hope Le Boss finds a way to start him.
Cheers
Hi Holic,
I may have something to interest you. I am in the process of creating a feed of all the Arsenal blogs I can find in the world, so the fans can check out the posts from every Arsenal site in the one place. I intend to only have sites from real fans, so there will be NO SkySports, Goal, Clubcall, The Sun, Mail, etc or all that “news” and rumours crap.
I have been working on it for a while now, and already have 70 Arsenal Blogs on board. It is not a list of blogs but a feed of all the various posts on each blog. I am going to contact every Arsenal blog around that I can find to ask for permission to add them as well.
All it has is a couple of lines of your post, and the headline will go straight to your website, so each post will link directly to you. You will also have a link to your home page on the contributors blogroll.
If you would like your site added, please send me your feedburner or RSS feed url and I will get it added straight away.
All I ask in return is a simple text link to “Just Arsenal Blogs” somewhere on your homepage or you can have my 120 x 40 button if you prefer?
You can have a look at the site (and the button) here:
http://justarsenalblogs.com
Let me know if you want to join….
Regards
Pat
3-0 To the Arsenal.
Nasri, Chamakh, Arshavin/Van Persie.
A song for Jackie Boy…
To the theme of Dick Barton Special Agent.
Jack Wilshere, Jack Wilshere, Jack Wilshere he’s a Gooner!!!
dun da lun da lun da lun da lun dalun etc
@ Clive
Sure, it was just banter, of which I know you are aficionado.
Care to join me in a strong morning coffee as we ponder a victorious scoreline today of some description?
I have a feeling that we will win well today. However, ANY margin of victory will be just fine. A cleansheet for us would be a very welcome change. Bring on The Cottagers (phnar)!
Little bit of an update. Supplementary pound planted on 3-1 at tens.
I take it we all enjoyed the cricket? Well, when I say all obviously our friends in Aus may take a slightly dimmer view of proceedings…
TS
A mug of extra strong flat white for me on this cold December morning.
I know we should win easily today against a very average Fulham side,but they haven’t conceded many goals on their travels this season,so an early goal for us would settle the nerves.
I wouldn’t put it past Schwarzer to have a blinder just to show us what we are missing.!!
cheers
clive
Two nil and no fingernails is my prediction 🙂
Gotta luv this club 🙂
Yes Holic I am another Gladys fan. My aunt had ‘Claudine’ on video and her and my elder sister would watch it repeatedly and laugh at their favourite scenes, ie; ” hurting my mama will cost you a quarter of blood” (classic).
Firstly Holic I would like to start by saying this is another concise and to the point thread.
I am with you on your cautionary approach to Fulham, especially taking everything in to account (history between the two clubs, coaches and our current home form and personnel).
To be honest I am not too worried about us against Fulham as much as I am about our performance in this years Champions League. Losing once was bad enough but twice was unforgivable. I know there were circumstances, but we are now relying upon luck in the knock out phase provided we beat Partisan next week. I will take any team apart from Utd, Barca, RM and Bayern at this stage. Yes we need to beat everybody to win but an early exit could be a major upset for us. I know I’m thinking way ahead at the moment and really should just be concentrating on today’s fixture so I will.
As stated before I will bet on at least 2 goals. I also fancy Nasri to continue his fine goal scoring form. Just a note on Schwarzer signing a new 2 year deal at Fulham. I supported our approach for him last summer. However saying that, I would rather have our two in form Poles than stretch the budget again unnecessarily. That goes for any other Keeper out there at the moment (see: Barca put five past the best Keeper in the world in the El Classico, granted the defence were poor)
As always, I will be donating towards our charity throughout the season, which I am proud Arsenal promotes with gratitude each season. Centre Point helps alot of youngsters who through no fault of their own need assistance and support.
Holic, I’ll go for a Volvic Lemon and Lime for now!
See you guys on the other side!
Early tip for stream hunters. Fox sopcast stream on Channel 90521 already up and running.
this one is going to be another draw mind you…(talking about cricket). hope we crush fulham!!
Usama – have confidence man. We’re going to pulverise them into the dirt (about the cricket!).
Nervous about Fulham.
A pint of something for Lonestar, please barman. Nothing for me except black coffee. Too much mother’s ruin last night.
One game at a time, Goonertown 🙂
If we finish second in our CL group, which is likely, we have four possible opponents- Barca, Real Madrid, Bayern/(Roma?), Lyon/Schalke. Tough fixtures. Hope by some luck we can finish top.
Come on you gunners!!!! Dont’t slack off at today!
Cheers Holic I’m tuning into this one as I type this, a pint of black stuff I take it?
COME ON YOU REDS!
Bottom Veetle link at MyP2P.eu is working just fine.
A mug of Lemsip for me please barman 🙂 I almost forgot
COME ON ARSENAL!!!!!
Na na na na na na na na na….Samir Nasri…..Nassriiii……Samir Nasri
Na na na na na na na na na….Samir Nasri…..Nassriiii……Samir Nasri
Na na na na na na na na na….Samir Nasri…..Nassriiii……Samir Nasri
Na na na na na na na na na….Samir Nasri…..Nassriiii……Samir Nasri
Na na na na na na na na na na na
Samir Nas-ri
Nas-ri
Samir Nas-ri 🙂
Guys….please….any links to streams? Struggling at the mo.
Great defending boys 🙁
Just as I was saying to my mate that we could concede any minute now and be punished for our inevitable bad defending, 5 seconds later: BAM!Utterly predictable.
COME ONE ARSENAL!
http://www.show-sports.net/ Try that Don
Fuck sake the game should be over after 30 minutes then what was that defending all about and the rest of it?
You could say we are unlucky not to be ahead and lucky not to be behind!
Come on Arsenal…
Time to improve this complete shyte!
Sopcast 82153 is perfect. FSC HD.
Arthur, read the preview again 😉
This is not entirely unforseeable.
An entire half to go. Come on you Gunners!
What the hell was squillaci doing??? Fuck!!
And Rosicky should shoot once in a while….!
Come on Arsenal!!!
Thanks for the link ‘holic.
True gentleman you are sir! 🙂
Na na na na na na na na na….Samir Nasri…..Nassriiii……Samir Nasri
What a goal. Nasri has to be up for footballer of the year. Stunning goal. What a fucking genius.
nasty nasri strikes again
Looks like a nervy ending!!!
Come you REDS!!!
Na na na na na na na na na na na
Samir Nas-ri
Nas-ri
Samir Nas-ri
like i said on september… this is a massive season for sammi nasri
Both goals were sensational. Footballer of the year indeed.
Nail chewing time.
Djourou has got to start more regularly from now on.
…and Clichy is being his usual self…
🙁
In other news, Brums equalize agianst scum… and everton against Chelsea.
hold on fellas!
Top of the league
As I said, entirely forseeable 😉
we are top of the league!!! we are top of the league!!! we are top of the league!!! we are top of the league!!!
COME ON YOU GOONERS…….what a game Dr Catalan more pills please….
Chavs are drawing 1:1 with Everton
hold on.. few more minuts of added time left at SB./
7 min of added time is ridiculous.
My fingernails! They’re GONE!
And a good win for Centrepoint by the ‘Holic Pound.
Na na na na na na na na na….Samir Nasri…..Nassriiii……Samir Nasri
Na na na na na na na na na….Samir Nasri…..Nassriiii……Samir Nasri
Na na na na na na na na na….Samir Nasri…..Nassriiii……Samir Nasri
Na na na na na na na na na….Samir Nasri…..Nassriiii……Samir Nasri
Now I can breathe 🙂 . full time at SB
WE ARE TOP OF THE LEAGUE, SAID WE ARE TOP OF THE LEAGUE 🙂
What superb goals by Nasri!! Genius!! Did he injure himself slightly, while he scored the second one??
Yay-
Thanks for the link Holic! I tuned in just in time to see Na Na Na Na Na Na Na Na Na Na Na’s second goal! Sublime!
RvP’s Right Foot
None of them left since the start of the season…
Arsenal go top!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Well gentleman, a toast to the leaders, heartattack making though it was!
And another round for our man of the match, NANANANANANANANA!!!!!!
To all ‘Holics
Warts and all…. OURS IS NOW A HAPPY HOME! 🙂
Never mind anything else, refer back to ‘Holic @ #74.
Champagne tops all round please Mon. Barman and a massive cheer for Samir Na-Na-Na-Na-Na-Na-Na-Na-Na-Na-Nasri!
Looks like I picked a good week to make Samir captain of my FF team. 24 points!
Are we getting too reliant on Nasri nowadays?
I don’t know, and for 2 more hours..I DON’T CARE!
Barman, drinks for everyone! I’ll have a Leffe, please, and one for yourself 🙂
Sajit, you still alive my friend? Have a drink!
@75 think Sami is nursing an injury (hamstring?) since the last match, reminds me of Cesc last season playing blinders but suffering in the process
stilll what a 2nd goallllllllllllllllllll
must have a strong one to calm the nerves – make it a pint of the black stuff for all the stressed out ‘holics
djourou looks like he deserves the start.
thanks Pik, Alive and kicking 🙂 now for some partying..cya folks :0
Yes, I need a strong one too…coz WE ARE TOP OF THE LEAGUE 🙂
Barman I’ll add another bott of Bubbly for the lads!
It’s been a good week!
Does anyone know if Koscielny is OK???
I won’t even try and bother right now to figure how we’re top of the league when I’ve been either on edge or depressed most of the last two months. Just goes to show what I know…
Glad Thierry was there to celebrate it with them!
Fantastic, Nasri! Glad to see Arsenal#1!
Top of the league, and a near heart attack for good measure!
Wooooo!
Thought it was going to be one of those games then another brilliant goal from Nasri, then a Brum equaliser, then an Everton equaliser brilliant last 15 minutes for us all around the country.
WE ARE TOP OF THE LEAGUE
Need something strong after that one a schnaps please barman.
#89 TS – not heard anything yet about Kos. Let’s hope he is ok.
Two absolutely incredible goals by Nasri. Another assist by Arshavin again (as well as RVP for the second).
Great team result…..that had to be worked real hard for.
IMO…Djourou needs tp start ~ although we’ll probably be forced with the injury to Kos.
It certainly looked like Nasri was holding his knee I may be wrong on this one. Perhaps that knock against Wigan came up again not too sure.
How’s Koscielny anyway?
Now as predicted by Holic himself and other regulars here this is going to be one full of suprises season. Chavs loosing ground at the end of the game again and you will pleased to know that we’re not the only ones.
Fabianski did well again his one on one save and that last shot was well saved in my opinion.
Our defends need to start believeing in themselves, Johan was immense in the air towards the end!
Come on you REDS
A round is on me Barman, something from teh top shelf is required because:
WE ARE TOP OF THE LEAGUE, SAID WE ARE TOP OF THE LEAGUE
Yeah is Kos ok?? It looked like he was hurt very badly!! Hope nothing serious..
It was horrible to look at..
Fabianski’s save in the first half was crucial I thought…
And I’m still smiling watching Nasri’s goals!!!
followed by:
Na na na na na na na na na….Samir Nasri…..Nassriiii……Samir Nasri
Cracking goals by Sami. Here’s hoping we have him on a long contract! Shows what a numpty the last French manager was leaving him out of their world cup squad. Maybe his improvement this season reflects the benefit of both a rest in the summer plus the drive to prove what an error that was. About time Theo demonstrated the same phenomenon. Mine’s a pint of Guinness and have one for yerself barman. Glad you fleeced the bookies again!
Another good game for Fabianski. For all our conceeded goals in the last few games, I don’t think he was responsible for any of them. I am more than happy to say Fabianski is proving me wrong. To think we almost had that other guy.
Also nice to see Arshavin playing well again. He nearly had a goal to match Nasri’s.
All I can say is: http://fanchants.com/football-songs/arsenal-chants/samir-naseri/
Cheers, Arthur! I’ll have one. How about a cheer for Arshavin, who seems a rejuvenated player these days! Just as I was starting to seriously be annoyed just seeing him, he’s turned around to become immense in the last couple games. Well done.
Right on, Joshua. Didn’t see your post. I agree about fabianski in terms of solid performances and non-responsibility of late for our conscessions. I’m not sure that your earlier views of him were exactly wrong though. Only more time will tell who he grows into, but it’s looking bright, especially with his second in command playing confidently himself.
Agree about both Fabianski and Arshavin. Fabianski’s 2 stops at 1.1 and 2.1 arguably as vital as Nasri’s brilliant solo efforts. Arshavin’s best game for a while.
If the blog was not PG rated i would have called ‘Holic some very bad names…:-)
You trounced my bet.
😉
Top of the league!!!!!
Vodka shots all round please.
Cheers.
As someone said to me afterwards, there would have been a riot if Fulham had got an equaliser at the end there given our total lack of ability or inclination to hold the ball or chase down their defenders. Walcott in particular was desperately poor. Fans leaving at the end were singing: ‘We’re shit and we’re top of the league.’ Heh.
That said, both full backs had great games, Sami showed once again why he should start in the middle, Fab did OK, and Djourou was a Dgenius. Now if we can only win 1-0 (Van Persie – No11) at OT, then we’re guaranteed to win the league.