Looks Like Topless It Is Then
Dec 7th, 2010 by 'holic
“We have no chance of finishing first. Braga might get a draw, maximum. Shakhtar will be top. Before we played at home I said Shakhtar and Braga were good teams, especially at home, and unfortunately against us they showed that.”
Andrey Arshavin is nothing less than honest in his appraisal of Arsenal’s chances of securing top spot in Group H. The Russian is convinced the Ukrainians will not fall prey to a shock home reverse against the Portuguese. That is sort of good for us in one way. We need only to match Braga’s result to progress, but top spot would require an away win in Ukraine.
“What is important is not to focus on the teams we might play, we first have to be very pragmatic and qualify. We will see then who we get. It is not a guarantee that we play Barcelona or Bayern Munich in the next round – there are some other teams we can play and what happens, happens.
Arsene hits a very proud nail firmly on the head, and we can only assume the instruction has gone out to his charges to play with the handbrake off at home to Partizan Belgrade. A vibrant start, similar to the opening half hour against Fulham at the weekend, will keep a nervous home support onside. An early goal would provide a platform from which to go on and win in emphatic style against dis-spirited opponents.
That is it, in a nutshell. Arsenal being Arsenal you know it will either be a nail-biting struggle to squeeze through, or we will win by four or five. I just can’t see anything in between. The team news is almost as expected. We are down to two central defenders although surprisingly it is Johan Djourou and not Laurent Koscielny who is in the van Persie wing of the Grove Infirmary. The Frenchman’s battered fizzog has apparently recovered and although he is only on soup through a straw he will start.
Given the requirement for three points I”m not sure we will see any change to the front six from Saturday. I suppose van Persie could appear instead of Rosicky. I’m not sure he is yet at the level required to justify that gamble, although another thirty minutes or so would get him closer, should the situation allow.
The ‘holic pound follows the most optimistic prediction. Backing an Arsenal win will only secure narrow odds. I have taken a shine to 4-0, although 7/1 looks decidedly skinny it will still bring home a couple of pints if I’m right.
Wrap up warm if you are going. I know True Storey is on his way so let’s hope he is a lucky omen. I was going to console you with the news it will be even colder in Donetsk, but having checked, I would be lying! Never mind. Check out all the bare-chested Serbs in the visitors section, and consider yourselves warm.
Have a good one, ‘holics.
97 Responses to “Looks Like Topless It Is Then”
Shakhtar are Ukrainian not Russian
The forum kentish town for the courteeners tonight. The grove tomorrow. What a great couple me days to follow on from the victory in the early hours. Happy days.
Up the gunners.
What the other one say, ‘holicmr Scotsman ! 😉
Didn’t expect that from you. Something very strong to recover from the shock then please
Sorry iPosting is a crap thing, Iwas referring to post #1
I haven’t heard any of the press conference so what is the story with Djourou?
Van Persie wing, very droll ‘Holic 🙂
I think the Arsenal crowd at home are edgy these days. If we are 3-0 up, its all too easy and we dont sing, and if it is close we dont sing. I am wondering whether this is down to an overall feeling of lack of belief in the team that i beleive a lot of fans are feeling. i just wonder if this negativity is pulling the team back when we play at home. I feel this is part of the reason anyway.
I am not going to the game, I will be at work. Nevertheless, I will go to work topless, if that’s what the plan is.
Ooops on the Shakhtar Russian thing.
We seem incapable of any kind of consistency at the moment, so I’m erring on the squeaky side, but win we most definitely will. Anything else is unthinkable.
Large Baileys, etc.
Cheers GG, I knew that as well, having typed Ukraine into weather.com to get the forecast.
Mental block, is what I am pleading. No excuse. 🙁
The away win also would be in Ukraine;)
Actually, pour yourself a large brandy on me , you need and deserve it.
‘Holic & ‘Holics
I will do my best to be a lucky omen. But bare chested? Bugger that for a game of soldiers.
Barman? Please charge my hipflask for tomorrow night and brass monkeys all round p-p-p-lease 🙁
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I am just looking at the teams we are very LIKELY to up against in the knock out round – Real Madrid, Barca, Bayern and Schalke. The other three groups will be topped by English teams.
So we have to pray we get Schalke basically.
Cheers both subbies. Bad night. I will refund all payments tonight.
gaz, They have to be played and beaten sometime. Don’t mind last sixteen. Would prefer either of the German sides obviously, but we can put up a show against anyone if we have to.
Not been to Germany in a long long time.
But let’s qualify first, the draw will take care of itself.
Good luck True ‘freezer’ Storey
I fancy Real… especiallly as Maureen has recently got used to the taste of humble pie.
One day, the entire Arsenal infirmary shall be renamed “The Van Persie infirmary”.
🙂
We do owe Barca though.
I would fancy Arsenal over Bayern and Schalke !Barca would be difficult but if we learnt anything from last year..we can go in with a shout ! Madrid are definitely beatable..there are many loopholes in that team..but Mourinho is cunning..but then years of team chemistry cannot be made up in six months !With Vermaelen back by then..i believe we can beat them at Emirates and try getting a point at Bernabeu..so chill guys..all us not lost…only Barca would be worrying !!!
With a fully fit Squad we can take on anyone
We will get Real..it’s nailed on after AW’s recent comments.
I wouldn’t mind Real as well to be honest with you Holics, I would love to add to yet another misery for Maureen like TS says himself and hopefully we would inflict even more damage than Barca.
Bring on anyone I say, I know it’s rather brave but hey if we have to beat any of those teams above then we beat them in the next round end off.
Let’s not dwell on that though, we have to be 200% tomorrow and wipe the floor with them I want see humiliation and sublime football we play. They didn’t play very well at home against us and we need to take advantage of that weakness.
Interesting Holic Pound but I think we will run riot tomorrow, I have a strange feeling. I would say 6:0 or even 6:1 uhmm very tempting this one. I will decide and let you know later…
In the mean time I’ll have a cup of Lemsip please Barman and something special for yourself kind Sir….people around here say you definitely deserve one 🙂
RvP’s Right Foot
Thats a good shout I’ll get you a double for that one 🙂
Love all the optimism in the bar tonight. Let’s beat Partizan first.
I had the pleasure of visiting Belgrade a few years ago. The Serbs are smart, tough and resilient people. I’m going to assume their football teams sport the same characteristics. They have nothing to lose tomorrow night and will treat the match as their cup final.
The depth of the talent in our squad, especially at home, should overwhelm them. However, this is not a given and respect is due.
COYRRRs
What have we learned?
Best not to count those chickens, etc., etc.
Up the arse.
Iollie @ #9
Sound like a helluva waste of brandy! Or maybe you just prefer to drink it like that? 😉
Barman? I’ll have mine in a glass and whatever way Iollie likes his/hers please, thanks!
I rather liked the “soup through a straw” observation.
Presumably if Bendtner’s playing it’ll be “nil by mouth”?
Topless Serb Women on the Halfshell, please barman.
We could be in trouble against Partizan because I have a feeling Koscielny has only been released from the RVP wing of the infirmary due to Djourou’s apparently more serious injury. If Koscielny takes a hit in the noggin it could be lights out. Could the Partizan players know this as well as us? It couldn’t be …
I have it from a source in Rio that Block 91/Row 33ers are in for quite a treat tonight. To show their mettle, the Brazilian Girls have pledged to come bare chested for the game tonight and take off one more article of fashion for every goal Denilson scores! I can’t promise that there won’t be any red and white paint to add colour and spice to the beautifully bronzed skin base. Whatever happens, they will definitely be worth a peak.
Trev, my video cam is on the wrong side of the equator. Would you mind popping back there and getting a clip for us? Make sure you get Esmirelda in the frame (won’t be easy, except with a wide angle). She’s the one in seat 42/DD.
I’m not expecting to see Saturday’s team, ‘Holic. I fancy:
Scez
Eboue Squill, Schnozzle, Gibbs,
Song, Denilson
Rosicky, Bendtner,Van Persie, Arshavin
Nasri needs a rest. Arsh needs the work. Robin needs a trial start. Denilson needs some goals to make things interesting. Big problem is Alex Song. We’ve only got one. If he gets injured, we have no acceptable DM.
By the way, your comments on poor old Kos’ fizzogare really making me chuckle. I’m back in the land of freeze on Friday and will hope to re-establish prior effort levels in the drinks then.
To be honest, I don’t mind facing Bayern, Real or Schalke, I just DON’T wanna face Barca right now.
Leave them for the final.
The only team I fear is Real. Barca can be beaten.. by Arsenal. Yes we can.
But Real on the other hand is managed by JM. Now no matter how much you hate him.. he has unfortunately always had the upper hand over Arsene.
Lets face it .. he knows how to beat Arsene.
Id prefer.
1. Schalke
2. Bayern
3. Barca
4. Real .. in that order.
I know Barca are all world stars and all.. but they are definitely beatable.. by a near full strength Arsenal team.
@ sajit # 31.
i might get some stick for saying this… personally i prefer if we play a the tougher teams [re: barca, real madrid] as early as possible in this year’s campaign. we have always had a good run in the champions league, i feel that we have ended up focusing on too many places and ending up with nothing.
given that we have a strong case to go all the way in the beer cup and are at top of the heap, i would like us gunners to focus on the domestic front and treat the champions league matches as they come.
yes, the matches vs barca/real will be huge and we might not be the favorites. but imagine the boost it will give the boys if we can pull it off!!! even if we do knocked out, we can focus on the league, the fa cup etc.
in my opinion this is a better situation to be in, rather than beat the likes of schalke only to be faced with the possibility of playing barca/real/chelski/manure in the quarters/semis and have a queue in the arsenal infirmary
but first as Lonestar Gooner said earlier “Best not to count those chickens, etc., etc.”
We will nver beat Barceloina with this defence. I know we are all trying to be courageous and all and saying we can beat anyone but deep down yu all know the truth. We should have nver been in this situation at all. But thanks to Wenger, He fielded weaks teams when all we needed to do was get draws to secure top spot and finish top. Manu, Chelsea, And Totenham made sure they finished top coz they wanted to avoid Barca and imminent exit in the round of 16.Wenger fucked up big time.
Anywhere we are always in the champions league to make money and not to win it. ANd yeah we must be thankful to Wenger that we have been in the champiosn league for so many years even if we came close to winning it only once. Dont think we will get any closer this year.
Take a look around jena…
Pedro, Xavi, Iniesta, Villa, Messi , Ibrhamvoic, Pique, Caveman, Alves…
Are they really that better than
Cesc, Nasri , Van Persie, Arshavin, Chamakh , JD, Squillaci, Bac ?
As I said, I dont for one moment doubt that a near – full strength Arsenal team can beat Barca..
But beating JM is a different cup of tea altogether.
Nice post Holic 🙂
Kos is fit all of a sudden? and Djourou out? Boy, I didn’t see that coming. 🙂
The crowd has a part to pay tonight especially if we don’t get an early goal tonight.
A comfortable win tonight please, Arsenal.
@TS Hope you really are a good omen 🙂
Cheers
Morning ‘Holic & ‘Holics
@ Harsha – I hope so too. If it’s any consolation I don’t think I’ve ever seen Arsenal lose on the occassions that I’ve been fortunate enough to go to The Ems and I’m sure I’ve only seen victories in the CL. Having said that, it’s been a bad season to make predictions based on the rear-view mirror, the worst of which was having to reset the ‘Holic doomometer.
@ BtM – I thought I was the member of the bar that belonged in the corner that is naughty? Regular teasing with promises of Xmas video footage is cruel, which Xmas were you referring to BTW? 😉
Love your team choice, think it’s spot on. However, can’t see Wojciech being given a chance in goal tonight, which is a shame, and I think Bendy is still in the naughty corner but as long as Na-Na- etc.-Nasri figures in the squad somehow, even for a cameo appearance, then I’ll be a happy bunny. Looking forward to an exceptional Manure preview from you – it’s the big one! No pressure then…
Tonight I think we’ll continue our march into Europe. We have even bigger fish to fry on Monday.
Beverages all round please barman and one for yourself, of course.
Just in time for the apéritif, TS, now that the brandy has all seeped in. 😉
Sajit –
With our squad fully fit we drew against Barca.
At their place our squad diminished and we paid the price.
Personally I would prefer avoiding one of the big teams in the last 16, just because we will have a better chance of progressing to the final (See: This years Carling Cup). Don’t get me wrong, all teams in the final stages of the tournaments are strong. But another advantage of not facing a big team, is that we can also place more emphasis on the other tournaments.
However saying that, give me at least the Carling and a decent finish in the league minimum and I’m a happy Gooner!
TS – You sounded like you were having a merry old time in the bar last night
Have a good time at the game tonight
Thanks GT, I will. Whisper it, a small hipflask will help to ensure that just in case the boys decide not to win tonight.
Ollie, think I’ll join you in the flambé section, the heat will be welcome 🙂
TS good idea! I’m expecting nothing less than a good night live on terrestrial land with the Joneses watching! ; – )
Wouldn’t you know that sly old fox, BtM, would keep in touch with the girls from Ipanema.
Holic, you have mail….
I think we should take a moment to appreciate Arsene’s genius – by cleverly throwing the last two games he has ensured a full house and raised level of pressure for this game. Thus ensuring that the players are going to hit Old Trafford running on Monday.
In marked contrast to the non-events of games last night.
Such foresight! Truly astounding.
Ahem….
Dr C,
Have you been imbibing on your own medicine? 🙂
Don’t like reading speculation about who we are going to get in the knock-out games. We’re not through yet, and I hope the players realize this. I am REALLY nervous about this game, an early cock-up and a goal for Partizan and there will be eleven panic-stricken Arsenal players out there, make no mistake about that. Partizan have nothing to lose and can play without any fear whatsoever and that kind of opponent is very dangerous. We will have to hope that the fact that they don’t have anything to win either (other than not finishing with 0 points) will mean that if we score first they won’t be too bothered trying to getting back.
Of course, an early goal for Shaktar wouldn’t do us any harm at all either. That would probably settle nerves almost as much as scoring ourselves would.
Alright, back to work…
TS.. never prescribe something you wouldn’t take yourself. 😉
Heh! What a response 🙂
TS
You better wrap up warm and put some top shelf stuff in that hipflask of yours, it should keep you even warmer.
Lars,
True words and I agree with you let’s do the job tonight and let’s do it well, I don’t wanna see both CB’s runnig around in a panic state.
Lars –
How you doing mate?
Call me Optimistic but tonight’s game will hinge upon who Wenger plays. History tells us if we play a weakened side in the CL and we could be made to pay.
To be honest I reckon Partizan are pants. They’ve scored one goal in the whole tournament, which I think was against us and that was because we conceded a penalty. We then went on to take them out on their own patch.
I expect a strong Arsenal side, considering what is hanging in the balance and the fact Arsene knows how to work on the team Psychologically (see Jack Wilshere on Twitter, or Arshavin on A.com), I believe we should despatch this team no problems tonight.
Granted it will not happen if we just turn up. We will need to play and treat them with the respect they deserve. So with that in mind, early goals (and lots of) should ease the nerves and do the job.
I’m going to go for at least 2 goals one of which
will come from Arshavin or Samir Na na na na na na na na!
Samir Nasssrriii…..Nasriii…..
Afternoon gents.
To be honest, if we don’t stuff these guys then we have no business being in the next round, with all due respect they really are not very good and with home advantage we should toink them.
As for the next round, well, we’ll get who we get and shouldn’t worry about that untill the draw is made. I would sacrifice a good run in the CL for a premiership title any day of the week.
COYRRR.
Pint of cider to whet the appetite please squire.
Cheers.
Arthur what are you drinking mayte?
lol@h2h-toink them! I’ll get that Cider Barman!
Goonertown: oh yes, they are without a doubt rather pants and if we play to our potential and go for it for the full 90 minutes then we could reach double figures. But if they manage to score first and we start to panic… that is something I do not wish to experience.
Lars- I hear you! I cannot afford another disappointment, espcially live on Teresttrial!
I was wondering ealier actually guys, say we don’t win the CL, but go on to win the Carling and the FA would I be happy?
Hell yeah!
H2H @52, right you are and it’s time our true quality gets an airing.
True Storey, the home support has been lagging so we are relying on you to increase the decibel level singlehandedly.
Come on Arsenal!!!
I second Nasri..come on TS..cheer away!!
I have to stream hunt tonight as they are showing the inconsequential Chelsea match here on tele!!
did anyone see what jack wilshere did on scnezy… twitter account?
Yeah come on TS, come on Arsenal…
..Usama,yeah they’ve been winding each other up!
Chamach* and RvP start
spelling
Any linkage ‘Holic ??
http://www.espa.tv/embed.php?channel=amor9&width=780&height=560
WTF happened there to gibbs? GOD it looks bad.
Van the Man.. 😀
He’s got a sweet left foot, Van Persie.
🙂
What have we learned?
Not much, LS…Not much at all.
Arshavin has been absolutely woeful this evening, take him off Arsene
THEOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO
YES!
Nice touch and excellent finish.. now finish them off please..
Nasri. Get in.
And Nasri does finish it off.. or does he ??
We surely will miss Sagna meeting Barca or Madrid.
But that’s a problem for later! At least we’re through! Glass half full.
Maybe we should play Bendtner in defence?
Apart from some mental lapses from the back (so what else is new), I think this was a good win for the boys. We showed good resilience after the equalizer. We didn’t start as efficiently as we should have (again, so what else is new), but we have qualified.
Up the Arse.
So…is there a designated place where we’re all meeting so that we can collectively let out that sigh of relief?
Wonderful finish from Theo, more proof that he’s better without deliberation.
And Nasri…*swoon*
For anyone who wants one, a Racer 5 from Bear Republic, on me. Best IPA produced on this side of the Atlantic.
THOSE PLAYERS NEED TO LEARN THAT A LOT OF FOLKS FORK A LOT OF MONEY ON THESE GAMES!
TS A WIN IS A WIN BUT THIS WAS ALFUL DISPLAY….
the head spin was not too good!…………….
Dazed and confused until Arshavin was replaced by Walcott. Maybe the little Russian’s time has come to shape up or ship out? Eboue was good tonight and he can do a job for the suspended Sagna in the next round. Without Cesc I think we need to play Nasri centrally. Diaby is going to be needed at some point, if he’s ever healthy again ….
Dadric, methinks this is the place for that!
And yes please! Always up for trying a new IPA. I’ll buy the first round. One for Nasri as well! He must be able to shake of one beer before Monday?
Sagna sending off means it will be Eboue against either Ronaldo/Iniesta/Ribery/whoever plays for Schalke on the left … Not inspiring ..
But happy enough to qualify.. Not lets beat those #@#&# from manchester..
COYG
‘Maybe the little Russian’s time has come to shape up or ship out?’
Are you kidding? Arshavin can be infuriating at times but his moments of genius more than make up for his shit games I feel.
Gooners and goonerettes, I share many of your fears, but we’re Top Of The League (TM), In the CC-semi against a Championship team with two legs to erase any possible (probable) mistakes, and in the last sixteen in the Champions League. We’ve got most of our players fit and we haven’t even had the chance to screw up the FA Cup yet.
It’s a great season to be a gooner both in terms of results (as of yet!) and in terms of exciting roller coaster rides.
I want to see happy faces all around!
Amen, brother Toby. Amen.
Hopefully the lads were saving their energy for Utd on Monday. In which case it’s a tactic which paid off!
Shame we fell asleep against Braga away. Now we’re all talking about that damn next round draw!
Nasri – I understand Diaby and Fabregas are both back in training but could be short for Monday!
Toby, correct you are on all fronts. I could add that Sp**s being one of the other 15 clubs left in the Champions League we could have a wonderful opportunity to send them back whence (the mother of all piles of shite) they came.
Here’s mine Toby.
😀
We cant play a club from England in the 1st knockout stage.. Spurs will have to wait..
Charlie, to use your term I’m looking for a little less of the infuriating Arshavin and I would love to be shown that I’m wrong to criticize him. But the fact is he has to show more than the occasional burst of energy or brilliance.
So it’s Barcelona, Real Madrid, Bayern or Schalke in the next round, and that’s in reverse order of preference! So if we’re lucky it’ll be one of the latter two and if we’re not – well I’d rather take on and lose to Real (even with Mourinho there) or Barcelona than an English side at a later stage. It’s nice we can put Europe to one side for a few months now anyway.
How much longer do we have to listen to that c*nt Richard “knuckles-dragging” Keys commenting on our games. I fucking hate him, I really do.
Just got back to the car. I am frozen. Little today apart from the result has done much to warm me i must say. Average at very best.
Arsenal won again. F*ck.
Couldn’t wait to slag off the players. Nevermind there’s always room to be unimpressed.
Jokes aside, pint please barman.
I don’t think we can beat Barca or Real with the current crop of players we have. Bayern I think we could do and also Schalke but lets not forget Schalke have Raul, 33 yrs young but still good and Huntelaar. Thomas Moeller and Mario Gomez will cause us problems but we should still overcome. In January we get – Given, Mexes, resign Diarra and nab Benzema (hat-trick tonight) before Man U or AC Milan do and we could get the treble of – PL, CL and CC. Thats all folks.
That little experiment of putting RvP in the Cesc role and Chamakh up front didn’t really work. Should choose one of the two.
As you called it, ‘holic, it was either going to be easy or nailbiting. After that first half my nails had gone. Thank Wrighty for Nasri!
Bring on the Mancs…