Sam Old Arsenal – Nervous But Top
Dec 4th, 2010 by 'holic
It’s a bit unnerving to have called it perfectly in the preview. Fulham are a much better side than their league placing suggests. They have experience, organisation, and desire, although for the best part of half an hour this looked like being a stroll in the park for Arsenal.
Even if you are not an Arsenal fan (in which case you probably won’t be reading this) you have to say the way we started the game was just glorious to watch. Apart, of course, from the finishing. Arshavin was denied by a great block by Schwarzer as the visitors defence was pulled out of shape by mesmeric movement. Rosicky and Chamakh exchanged one pass to many as the Gunners played with breathtaking pace and movement.
The inevitable opener arrived when Arshavin won the ball and fed Nasri who danced around a couple of challenges before drilling the ball home. The marauding Song, and Chamakh, twice, failed to add to the scoreline, but the football was a joy to watch. Fulham surely wouldn’t sit back and take much more, but they needed a spark.
It arrived when Squillaci’s cast iron head flew at pace into the already battered bugle of his centre-back partner, Koscielny. Had the latter gone straight down the referee would have been obliged to halt play and allow the head injury to be treated. For a few seconds the big man stumbled around in a daze, Kamara danced past him and for the only time in the match managed to stay on his very unsteady feet to apply the finishing touch to Dempsey’s through-ball.
Fulham now set about contributing to an absorbing encounter as nerves frayed. Twice before the half-time whistle Fabianski showed just why we don’t need his aged opposite number, although his best save was reserved near the end of the second-half. That gripping half finally swung our way courtesy of a few moments of pure and sublime genius from Nasri. It was fitting that the game should be decided by something special.
Arshavin and van Persie conspired to feed Nasri for a mazy dribble, and although he looked to be heading away from goal after rounding Schwarzer, he steadied himself and slotted home from an acute angle. It was a goal worthy of claiming the top berth in the Premiership, although we had Everton thank for denying Chelsea the three points that would have kept us in second place. What a way to set up our next Premiership contest, at Old Trafford, on Monday week.
The final word though, a selfish acknowledgement. Centrepoint will be the beneficiaries of half the winnings from the third successful ‘holic pound in recent weeks. Yes, it was more than a pound too! I suspect the charity would have picked up a few more donations from relieved Gooners at the whistle. Spare a thought too for Fulham. I’m confident they will survive, and it feels so wrong that they are perched nervously, three points off the foot of the table. I hope Hughes will keep their approach positive.
101 Responses to “Sam Old Arsenal – Nervous But Top”
Top of the league!!!
Vodka shots all round please.
Cheers.
‘Holic, thank Jebus for your PG rated blog π bad names could have come your way π
Fabianski and I needed a clean sheet and one more goal.
Still love the view from up here though.
Haha, sorry ette, but if it is any consolation Centrepoint get more wonga from half of my bet than all of yours π
Very much same old same old. But 3 points is not something that has come our way recently at home so we take them and move on. But we so miss Tommy V and I have yet to hear anything encouraging about his return date.
Nasri again outstanding. He could be very important as the season gets older. But we need to sort it out at the back because if we don’t then all the wonderstuff that goes on further up the field will count for nothing.
Top of the league and grateful for that. But we need to build on that and learn from our mistakes from the previous weeks. If we can do that then we may just be onto something.
Biggup NASRI!!!!!
Real squeaky stuff after scoring the second but props to the lad for helping us get the 3 points and end the 3 game rut we’ve had in the league playing at home. His song was sung throughout the nite here at the LIZ in wee tiny Singapore.
Johnny Walker with Coke for me please. π
There or there abouts after Christmas would be great. Silverware looks to be coming our way, even if it’s only the Beer Cup. I suppose Barca is preparing a bid for Nasri to be leaked any day now! Cheers
And Fulham are top of the fair play league too but we are top at the right end of the right table
Nasri has been in that position 4 times now! Scored against Spurs, missed against Villa, missed against Wigan, scored against Fulham!
I don’t wish to be negative after we’ve just clinched top spot, but we really do need to tighten up at the back, we were exposed and opened up far too easily, if it wasn’t for a few dodgy offside calls from the linesman we may have been in real Barney.
I must admit we did look more able to cope in the second half when Djorou was on, but I still think work needs to be done and it wouldn’t be the worst thing in the world to add a bit of experiece in there, it would be an assit in the later periods of the season. I would also like to see Song resume the role he played last season, that of defencive midfielder, I’m happy for him that hes grabbed a few goals this season, but with all due respect I don’t think he should be maurading forward quite as often as he does.
On a positive Arshavin looks like he’s getting back into the swing of things and young Jack and our man Samir is just getting better.
Once again apologies for the negativity, it’s just that I think we’re so close I can almost taste it, with a few tweaks we will be there.
Same again please barkeep.
Cheers.
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We were quite iffy in the last like 15mins of the game where we did not go about stringing proper passes and making proper runs whilst attacking. That caused quite a number of panicky moments at the back due to us losing possession in the midfield. I think Song had a usual poor day going by his past records in games versus Fulham. We were not winning the 50/50 balls, especially the headers from the middle and the back. Us conceding was yet another sample of how a simple cock up of heads almost caused certain misery.
Gonna leave it to the boss to settle that side of our business. Sometimes we gotta win it scrappy anyways. On to the next match! COYG
Good game, and a relief!
But still very nervous about meeting a Man Utd team that’s in a goal scoring form.. If we beat united at Old T, it will make my season! lets just hope our away form is good enough to beat them.
Hope Djourou starts.. he is amazing in the air! and I can see Verm and him leading the back line in the years too come! + we haven’t lost with him on the field this season! a good sign..
Go Gunners!
H2H @9. I agree completely. I just wish Arsene would address the problems in Jan, although it appears that is not something on the agenda
Why are we sparing a thought for Fulham again ? I know they’re historically the definition of inoffensive, but frankly the day you employ the deeply obnoxious Mark Hughes, you deserve everything you get !
Top of the league…Come on you glorious Gooners !
Good call on the Holic pound. Congrats!!! Strong coffee with a couple shots of Baileys please …..
Big month coming up for everyone really – Chelsea have Spurs, Man Utd then us in the next three games, we have Man Utd, Chelsea and Man City in the next few games, as well as visits to Wigan and Birmingham. We don’t have to be top by this time next month, but so long as we’re there or thereabouts still I’ll be happy.
I really don’t understand why Djourou doesn’t start. He had two nervy moments when he came in but apart from that was very good. He wins everything in the air is always improving on the ground.
Djourou is immense in the air…Fabianski you could argue won us two points today and Nasri is having a season that we’ll talk about forever if the current table position can be maintained. 85 points wins the league…faith being kept.
Congrats on the punt ‘holic….2-1 seemed so apt.
Happy days….and it needs to be said – Clichy had his most alert game of the season thought I…..
im still amazed why more praise inst been given to nasri- am i the only one who thinks his 2nd goal should be up there for goal of the season?
a hard worked victory which should have been easy only if we had taken our chances. but no complaints from me. go gunners!!
p.s: congrats HOLIC!!
Only managed the second half but it was dazzling stuff for 30 minutes then a little panic set in as if we were waiting for the final whistle. I have been critical of Arshavin in the past but his work rate and involvement today was superb and along with the `magician`Nasri was deserving of MOTM. Fabiansky did well but I`m still not sure of him, he seems to get lost at times in the six yard box when it`s crowded.
All in all a pleasing and entertaining match. Fulham are no mugs and earned our respect.
Yeah, good stuff.
Letβs enjoy the moment but do not become familiarly complacent, as its business as usual on Wednesday and not to mention our next away game @ Old Trafford! Although our away form is on our side!
I’ll take a Remy and Coke please Barman!
@h2h
totally agree with you on all counts. i had the same slightly negative reaction. the league is there for the taking this year with chels struggling the way they are and utd not looking as good as past years. tightening up the defense will make the difference between winning the league or not. if tv isn’t coming back then it is time to get the checkbook out in the january window. neither squillaci nor kos inspire much confidence in me. jd has been very good, and with a good cb partner we will be in good shape. as you said, song needs to play right in front of the back 4. he doesn’t have anywhere near the quality going forward as our other midfielders
Did anyone see what eboue was wearing today? freakin hilarious!
We’ve only come to see Eboue π
usama
Whatever he was wearing made me piss myself…
A win is a win and vital three points for us, top of the league we are and I’m enjoying the moment so far, long may it continue I pray.
We all agree Defence needs sorting and if Le Boss can’t see it I hope Pat Rice is ready to say it to him in 23 different languages perhaps then he might do something. Seriously though Holics it doesn’t take a brain surgeon to figure this out with your own eyes.
I completely agree with most who said if Verminator is not back by Jan we need to spend on a CB no questions asked and I wouldn’t mind an EPL player for that matter.
I think Song can’t make his mind up sit back or go forward hence losing his touch a little recently he did have a fair few misplaced passes today. I like Song don’t get me wrong but I think he hasn’t been the real Song we all know. To his defence he did improve in second half but made terrible decisions in front of the goal but hey it’s easier said than done.
Sadly when Walcott came on he made no impact whatsoever, he’s let himself down big time when he picked that pass on the right flank had plenty of space to run into and didn’t even get a corner for his efforts ,I was a bit disappointed I have to admit. Walcott needs to start improving his deciosn making today was not there today. Come on Theo it’s time to step up!
I’m not bitching or anything just my thoughts on the game besides, I’m a VERY HAPPY GOONER TONIGHT….
NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA..SAMIR NASRI….NASRI….SAMIR NASRI
A cup of Lemsip for me please Barman and a drink for anyone still in the bar and of course one for yourself kind Sir
Only come to see Eboue meself. Didn’t see the game but I’ll do my best job of imaginiing what he was wearing. Despite an announcement of settlement by Chelsea, the Ray Wilkins curse continues to flame. I think and hope we’re in for a real performance v. Manure. Come on Arsenal!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
all wenger has to do is work on defending alot more and things will fall into place,if he keeps overlooking it we will continue in this vain.
Koscielny
http://www.espn.co.uk/football/sport/story/60698.html?CMP=OTC-RSS
As you were π
Having reviewed Nasri’s goals on arsenalist.com I have to say he’s one cool cucumber and knowing how close the game was maybe it’s best for my nerves that I didn’t see it. I’m reveling in the result now though. I love the the close wins the most of all.
Just a thought…if we get a win at Old Trafford – being top with arguably our 3 most difficult away fixtures all played (that one, Chelsea and Man City) must put our destiny in our own hands. I know December is too early for such a pronouncement but I also don’t think we’ve truly reached top gear yet this season.
if anyone has eboue’s pic please post its simply awesome!!
dedicated to eboue:
Emmanuel Eboue is Agent 0027.
“From the Ivory Coast With Love.”
“You? Only Touch Twice.”
“On Boss Wenger’s Secret Service.”
“The Man With the Golden Boot.”
“The Right Back Who Loved Me.”
“The World Cup Is Not Enough.”
Courtesy of of Arseblog on Twitter
http://twitpic.com/3cuevn
What a great result! Top of the table and well deserved i reckons lol great two saves by fabianski, also both our fullbacks and jd played brilliantly. But what about super samir, that 2nd goal left me speechless π how long till those barca c*nts try to unsettle him??
Although it seems like we have depth, I feel like an injury to Song could be disastrous, even with Ramsey coming back. Id love to buy a squad player that can fill in both DMF> Perhaps an old head at the end of his career like Marcos Senna? Would be nicer to have someone who could fill in at CB as well if Tom Vermaelen stays out longer. Im sure there are some cheap experienced players that can fill in both positions for a year or two tops if needed. I really think this is the only weakness in the squad.
usama, You are on a roll tonight! The Right Back Who Loved Me indeed.
Top of the pops is feeling pretty good. Time to shovel some manure to make sure we stay here. (Manure shoveling noises)
TS – Remember what you said about being top of the league by the 27th of December after the match with Chelsea at the Emirates? Well, to be honest, I followed through on that by considering Chelsea is as deep as a children’s pool, next week will be the more important match.
Win at Old Trafford and you’re starting to run away with it (especially because of the fact that United play Chelsea at the Bridge a week after and you play Stoke).
Enjoyed the post, ‘Holic. Excellent prediction on the HP.
Asia’s tropics are beautiful, but watching Arsenal on decidedly dodgy streams is not their primary appeal. I hardly saw the match, so I’m in no position to comment, other than to say that I did see both Samir goals. Quite brilliant.
There’s a lot of “glass half empty” in the bar’s comments tonight. I hope to continue, for the rest of my days, being firmly in the glass half full brigade.
For me, top of the league is poetry in motion, the bogs dollocks, lovely biscuits, and more. I’m enjoying the moment and not sloughing in the despair and depths of “but we might have lost it because Fulham put our back line under pressure”. Come on lads – we could have/should have scored four more making the odd Fulham attack irrelevant.
I’m not for buying and stacking more high priced CBs vertically on the bench. I’m not sure that the CBs are the issue anyway. Alex Song is the only good MF defender we have. I would be interested to see Gibbs and Djourou tried out as DMs. Both defend well and are dangerous going forward. Not likely to happen, I know, because AW knows better than I do.
Anyway, great to be top, even though we’re not firing on all twelve cylinders. Man IOU have made a habit of winning things that way over the last few years. No reason whatsoever why we shouldn’t – without getting into 700 million debt in the process.
Holic’s,
What gives? Reading these comments, if I hadn’t seen the game myself, I would have we were played off the pitch. These are the kinds of gritty wins you have to get to take the Prem.
This was solid. Nasri was out-of-his-mind (I must admit, whenever he gets the ball, I get more of a man-crush). Fabianski continues to improve. Arshavin is contributing. Djourou was massive. Clichy got off the schnide. Yes, we were a bit shaky, but this will be the character of our team until they get some silverware. The first trophy is the hardest.
WE ARE TOP OF THE LEAGUE! What’s better, we can afford to hang back in 2nd or 3rd and keep the margin close in preparation for the home stretch. Enjoy it boys and girls. Get behind the boys and enjoy this for a minute.
Up the arse!
It was really hard to get up at 7 this morning after a tiring trip but I knew from the get-go it was the right decision: the crowd was vibrant, the best jolt one can hope for at dawn. More of this please because it feels so good!
The next 2 hours passed by in a blur of positives. Hard to find the right superlatives for Nasri’s performance, I must have watched both goals 50 times throughout the day and found them breathtaking every single time. At this level he will win us every other game and that’s without counting on the fact he will continue to progress, he’s barely coming of age.
Arshavin has been slowly waking up from his hibernation and finally starts to put his talent to good use, it won’t be long before he wins us games again.
Fabianski has again produced top saves when it mattered. It would have been a shame if his only blunder had tarnished his otherwise excellent performance. And well on the upwards trend too.
The full backs had very solid games both of them and contrarily to others I was satisfied with the defense overall. We have our best second string central defense since Toure and Sendenros and they would walk in the most first teams of the league. Djourou and Kos are young and already immensely promising, Squillaci is a very good backup too, since the start of the season he’s adapted really well despite the rotations and this game was not characteristic of his performances so far.
My only concern is the offense, we play an exclusively attacking football and we are bound to concede goals because of it. It doesn’t matter as long as we score more and earlier but again today we missed too many opportunities (Chamakh, Arshavin, Rosicki and Song). However possibly the best news of the day was to see RvP showing glimpses like his control from Arshavin’s pass for the assist. With him, Cesc and Vermaelen back for the second half of the season we have no one to fear but injuries and ourselves still.
Above all WE ARE TOP OF THE LEAGUE! A profoundly enjoyable occasion to pop the bubbles. Champagne for the bar on me bartender!
joshua!
thats what im talking about!!
I can’t add much. Nasri is simply amazing and I hope he stays injury free.
Both full backs were excellent, showing energy, pace and tenacity.
Fabianski made one bad decision as I recall but got away with it and overall he is doing pretty well. He also made a good save at the end which saved two points.
AA is working hard and I think does contribute to the overall game a lot more than he is often given credit for.
Song is a decent player but perhaps needs to be a little more disciplined in his positional play. He always shows great drive and enthusiasm but I would like him to play more of a defensive/holding role more often, so giving the centre backs more protection.
All three CB’s were good I thought. Kos and Djourou will get better with more game time. Squillaci is a solid, I think third choice and I would welcome back the Verminator any time.
We simply must continue to show the hunger, desire, commitment and down right bloody mindedness never to give up and not to lose if we are to stay top.
A little worryingly Lansbury played for Norwich and apart from one or two moments of class seemed a bit disinterested and almost lazy – but I’m sure Paul Lambert will address that issue. Young Henri can’t be at all complacent or idle if he is to play for the Arsenal and he needs to follow Nasri’s example of work ethic, talent alone isn’t enough. Watching Barca hammer Real M the other evening I was impressed not just with the talent on display but with how hard every man jack of them worked – especially when they didn’t have the ball – and therein lies the solutions to most of the problems Arsenal have had in recent seasons.
Morning ‘Holic & ‘Holics,
Isn’t the view great from the top?
Snir – Totally with you. Assuming that we can and will lay the Manure demons of the past few years to rest next Monday, then that should give the team all the confidence they need to go on a decent run of consistent results or at least good enough to gap the others.
Enjoy the rarified atmosphere boys and girls. We’ve been trying to sniff this sweet air for a while now so not to enjoy it would be missing the entire point.
BtM – I’ll drink a glass half full of anything with you.
Another celebratory, morning after round for all please barman.
Not sure that I am totally in the mood to have a drink after yesterdays performance. Although, that has to be one of the most magical games I have seen Sam play. Far too many wasted oppotunities. This is a game that should have been over in the first half. Not sure what Theo is doing these days!
Props to Fabianski as well. It’s astounding how many times I’ve said that over the past few weeks.
As opposed to others, this is something I meant to write but couldn’t find the time.. I am 100% sure Alex Song marauding forward is an order from AW. It happens because Song is not regarded an attacking threat as the likes of Samir, Chamakh, AA, Cesc et al. therefor he’s not marked as tightly or seriously and gets to excellent positions in front of goal.
This also happens because of Arsene’s trust and confidence in his other midfielders to cover for Song. Jack, Cesc and Denilson all do it wonderfully.
He is forward more this season because he improved his fitness and stamina. He can run the whole pitch for 90 minutes easily, so most of the time he does come back and cover..
I may be alone in the bar in wanting Song to continue this style of play but I think it gives us a lot more options offensively and I trust the rest of the midfield to cover as happens most of the time…
Snr I agree that it must be AWs permit that allows Song to come forward, and yes the others do cover midfield when he goes forward, but it is his ability to cover at the back and tackle when needed back there which is his important role, which the others cannot currently do.They are all capable of falling back but would you rely ontheir tackling there – IMO no
BTM – we all have dodgy streams and yesterday was no exception
At one stage it was like a Question of Sport, with a frozen frame on the screen for 2 minutes showing 2 defenders on the floor and 2 other looking lost – it took me a while to spot the ball in the back of the net, with Sami’s feet in the top corner of the frame
It was such a pleasure to see the replay on MOTD
Worth a large pint barman – To Sami Yeahhhhhh
Cheers geraldinho.
Steve T. @13
Yeah mate, and I know you’ve been saying that a few ingriediants have been missing from our almost perfected recipee for a while now and I also agree with you that it would be tantamont to a crime not to rectify these shortcommings especially now that we have ample recources to do so. I just hope Wenger is playing a mind game, keeping his cards close to his chest so to speak and will surprise and delight us with what could prove to be the missing link (not the Joey Barton kind) in January.
BTM, sir, I too consider myself as a glass half full gooner, yet with a few small tweaks my cup shall runeth over. “could of/should of” is the mantra of a runner up, we want to be number one and we don’t have to break the bank to do it.
A round for the bar please guv.
Cheers.
Well done, ‘holic. For some reason I thought the pound was on 3-1.
Some warm drink for me please.
Sorry Snir, I’m of the complete opposite opion. Song had come on in leaps and bounds last season and was becoming a class DM. He doesn’t have the required vision or touch to play such a forward thinking role.
Think about it, Arsenal or on a break in a 3 on 2 situation, who would you rather see in the passing/recieving role. Jack or Alex?
—
Did anyone else see young Jack shouting at Alex to get back defencivly for a dead ball situation yesterday? Good stuff.
Read about Aaron Ramsey’s move to Forest (and return to the Championship):
http://www.footballfarrago.com/2010/12/npower-surge-welcome-return-of-aaron.html
Have missed the blog this week – just too busy, but most keep assuring me that is a good thing.
I did make it to The Grove as ever, yesterday though, and what a strange infuriating game it was; at least, if you’re a Gooner.
A brilliant opening half hour, and a fantastic opening goal from Na-Na-Na-Na-Na etc.
Fulham then score with their first chance, as usual, and our performance disintegrates for the next half hour.
The worst element of their goal though, was the complete and utter stupidity of it.
Poor Koscielny seems to spend at least some part of every game flat out on the pitch dazed, if not unconscious, and yesterday the damage was done by his own partner.
I am at a complete loss to understand how it was allowed to happen between two top level professional footballers.
Firstly, we can assume that the two of them did not communicate at all. One shout of “mine” or “yours” would have done the job nicely.
Secondly, I assume Squillaci did not bother to look and see what was going on 5 yards away from him, in the centre of his own defence.
If he did, why the hell didn’t he just get out of the way of his partner who was coming out, away from his own goal, instead of crashing into his face as he (Squillaci) was running back towards his own frigging goal.
Honestly. We already have our No.1 centre-back out indefinately, and the other two are knocking each other unconscious during the matches.
This is, unfortunately, symptomatic of the panic in our defence at all times.
I have already commented on here, more than once, about the 2006 / Keown coaching situation, and won’t bore anyone who may have bothered to read it before.
If Arsenal can’t or won’t re-hire Keown to sort out this farce, then another of our famous back-five, namely Steve Bould, is already at the club and doing a great job with the 18 year olds.
Surely, he could be utilised to coach the defence without any embarrassment to the management – if that is the problem.
Our attacking players must be completely pissed off with producing such magical chances and goals, to see their efforts constantly undermined by the shambles at the back.
They must wonder just how many goals it is going to take to make a match safe.
Sorry for the negativity, and I know you don’t like this ‘Holic when we have won, but the mood of the crowd after yesterday’s game said it all, I’m afraid.
We had just fought hard to win a match and go top of the league, and actually produced some more fantastic football.
But the win was so precarious with the constant expectation that we would again throw the lead away, that everybody seemed to feel as though we had just lost!!
However, we are top, Sammi Nasa-ri is magic, and Johan Djourou put in a tremendous performance, again.
But please, Arsenal, the blood pressure can’t take much more of this!
Back home in Stockholm after a weekend of bouncing back and forth around Sweden including a visit to my old home town. Did manage to get to see the game courtsey of my iPhone and the TVU app, and while I was watching the game my dad switched on the tv and on a movie channel there was a British movie from the early eighties on. It started just about kick-off or, as you could perhaps also put it, around tea-time. There was some unfortunate bloke about to be stoned to death in one of the opening scenes.
And just as Robin van Persie was about to come on, the magic words were uttered on the tv screen:
“He is not the Messiah, he is just a very, very naughty boy!”
And of couwse, fwom then on it was Naswi who tuwned things back in ouw favouw.
We very much deserved the win, though. And I have to say, on my stream it looked like offside for their goal – but I’ll have a closer look on the MOTD footage which I am just about to watch.
We made it more difficult than necessary, but there were obviously a lot of shaky nerves in our team. We desperately needed a result at the Emirates after recent failures, and hopefully this win will have eased the tension a bit.
Pint of John Smiths, please!
Lars, you wascal! I’ll join you if I may.
Bartender? Another JS for Lars and I’ll have a pint of Wed Stwipe π
Hansen and Shearer both sneered when asked if Arsenal could win the league on MOTD.
That’s a fine endorsement right there.
We will really need to get our discipline sorted out though – I mean assaulting our own players. (Arsene didn’t see the incident π
If Hansen and Shearer back the Arsenal I want them to stop…immediately….
No danger of that and long may it continue.
Their sneering will help us to win silverware π
H2H – That’s the whole point, he’s very useful when we’re not on a break but when we’re attacking a sitting team. I think that Jack and Denilson both have defensive awareness and can tackle, and I’m willing to sacrifice a couple of breaks a match that Song wouldn’t be the furthest back of the 3 midfielders and the break would be dealt with by another player.
It’s the added advantage he gives us when we’re struggling against a sitting team (and make no mistake about it, we struggle against teams like that without Cesc in the lineup and his killer passes).
Snir cesc or Nasri!!!
nez – Cesc, without question.
I love Nasri, I really do, but my only (!) criticism of him is the fact that when needed he didn’t issue the killer pass (maybe it’s more of acknowledging he isn’t there yet) against Liverpool and Chelsea when they were defending with numbers. Both matches were in our complete control be we never made any real scoring chances.
Other than that, Nasri is exceptional, once he implements the ability to rip defenses apart with his passing, that would be the day the squad would no longer need Cesc at all costs.
One good thing about this great and deep squad is that for the first time in years, no matter who gets injured, we can always replace him (maybe Vermaelen is the only one we’d struggle to replace) for instance, Cesc, RvP, Clichy, Diaby etc’. The only ones we’d have trouble with are Chamakh (if RvP is injured too) and Song but we’re getting there too with Jack, Denilson and in due time, Frimpong.
Looking at it again now, RvP was a bit offside in the build up to the goal.
But who cares? Top of the league and staying there for a long while.
Hi,
We deserved the win of course. But, I have to agree with holics above who say our defense is in panic mode all the time.
Re:Song- I think he needs to stay back. If we are struggling to break down teams then it’s a different thing. He could be given the license to go forward in the second half. But,we should be able to take a 0-0 than losing 0-1 after throwing everyone forward in those situations. Braga comes to mind.
We are top of the league for now and I’m loving it.
Cheers.
Just watched the game again and concentrated solely on Song, and didn’t notice too many times he was caught forward with no one to cover for him like you describe it here in the bar, I think you’re way over doing it.
I think the fact that the victories have been coming harder has made people more critical of defensive performances because other than Kamara’s shot that Fabianski saved they didn’t have any other chance caused by a defensive mistake (and don’t point to Gera’s shot late in the game, shots from outside the box are not a defensive error).
Harsha – You were struggling to break Fulham down and Song didn’t play against Braga. You didn’t have everyone going forward once in this game. He got the license to go forward strictly because of the fact you were struggling to break Fulham down.
You call it panic mode, I call it maturing, cause I’d rather have them hoof the ball out of the box than start trying to play their way out of trouble in the 90th minute in the box like they used to (and people criticized them for that when it happened, so it looks like a lose – lose situation, doesn’t it :)? ).
Hi Snir π
Yes, I know Song didn’t play against Braga. But, as a team we throw everyone forward unnecessarily sometimes like against Braga.
Song wasn’t at fault or anything against Fulham. It’s just that sometimes he ventures forward and we might pay against better counter attacking teams like Man utd. It’s a fear I have that’s all.
But Arsene knows π
Anything for Snir please, Barman
I was a AKB until today when I read about the Wenger defensive philosophy, ie couldn’t care an arse about Song’s rampaging forward ” leaving us exposed in the middle of the park”, ergo forget winning things, even 4th place whilst he continues to adopt this losing tactic.
@68 Tal – with you all the way – AW has to ensure that we can always outscore the opposition, if he wants to win, and this he cannot do.!
We score brilliant goals, but against good defences this dont work, and Song is not good enough to outscore our other midfielders or to provide assists as well as the others can
we may finish in 1st 4 with this tactic, but we wont win
AW you are wrong wrong wrong – Song is not Viera
Stowey, cheews for the beew!
Our defending is not the best, but only three teams have conceded fewer goals in the league – and we have had our best defender out for virtually the whole of the season so far. There’s nothing massively wrong with our defenders, I think it’s just a matter of fine-tuning and building confidence.
And as for why Djourou doesn’t play more often the answer is that Wenger doesn’t want to push him too hard. He was out for a year and it takes a little time to rebuild your fitness so much that you can play twice a week.
Jazz funk, soul fans.
The soul merchant is on Mondays 8-10. Proper Gooner too.
http://www.jfsr.co.uk/
Evening ‘Holic
Which one of the DJ’s is the “soul merchant”?
S’OK, just figured it was Steve James
Rob even
Rob it is TS. Top fella, but then that’s obvious. He’s a gooner π
It’s D-Day in Adelaide people. Tomorrow it’s Arsenal, but tonight has been 23 years in the making. Perleeaaase.
‘Holic you’ve got mail….
…. and yes, top sounds, top fella. I noticed their chat room was full of lively types too! π
A night-cap for me please Barman and one for yourself too.
PS from TS:
Just been chatting to a vey good mate who’s a long time Chelski supporter. Some very worrying (from their perspective) and serious talk going on regarding Abramovich’s real agenda and the complete loss of morale at the club since Wilkins-gate.
I’m thinking we should really be drawing comfot for the way our club is managed at the moment. It might feel like a culture nurtured by old Ebenezer himself when it comes to the transfer market but compared to the traditional big 4 we are the only ones who are not staring into the abyss.
And on that sobering thought, I’m chucking myself out of the bar – there’s no place for sobriety here π
TS I’ve been reading the same about Chavski of late. Seems like comrade Abramovich may need to start paying back some of his laundered money to Uncle Putin.
Maybe Russia getting the World Cup has a silver lining? Putin wants Roman to pay for at least one new football stadium, and not at Earls Court!
TS, I’ll have one of those sobriety cocktails since it speaks to the facts of our club being the best run out there. I’ll take a Jack Daniels chaser for the heck of it since we have a long weekend coming up. Up the Arse and lets get on with the Manure shoveling!
Speaking of badly run clubs, what is it with Newcastle sacking Chris Hughton one month after beating Arsenal and one week after drawing with Chelsea, as well as sitting in a respectable 12th spot in the table? I know the Georgies were fuming with Mike Ashley a couple of years ago but they have plenty more reason to be fuming with him now. I’ll settle for stability all the way, and I wouldn’t be surprised to see Hughton managing a much more successful club very soon.
It seems Eboue had some fun at Drogba’s charity party π
Any team news ahead of Partizan Holics?
@8ball: agree, Newcastle sacking Hughton makes absolutely no sense whatsoever. He took over a club in complete meltdown and managed to get them promoted again at the first go, and with much the same squad that was relegated they are now as you say in a very good position and let’s not also forget their 5-1 demolishion of the Mackems and thrashing Villa 6-0 at home.
“Demolishion”? My spelling this morning seems to be about as good as Mike Ashley is at owning football clubs.
Nasri,
One can only guess at further hidden agenda or plain old clashes of personality. Looking form the outside in, it’s very hard to comprehend Houghton’s sacking based on service and performance. He might be an ex-LWC but he did a sound job for The Toon through some really rough patches. Where are those Geordie interlopers that graced our bar after their “famous victory” when you need ’em?
Pete,
Quite. Some say that (self-imposed) re-patriation might be on the cards as Russia builds it’s own footballing elite into a genuine EPL contender. Do you think Roman’s built the right contact base and gained sufficient knowledge over the past few years to do it? π
Lars,
No need for you to apologise. How many of us could spell demolition correctly in Swedish?
Coffee? π
Storey: not many I guess, but you could easily learn – the direct translation of “demolition” is “demolering” so it’s actually easier to spell in Swedish than in English π And you could even probably pronounce it quite well, the “ing” sound is exactly the same in both languages – just put equal amount of emphasis on the all syllables and you’re there! Apparently, by the way, at the time of the vikings, Swedish and English (or rather what later became Swedish and English) were so similar that the vikings and the people on the British isles could actually understand each other without ever having heard the other language before.
Not really a coffee man myself, I prefer tea with a shade of milk π
Lars,
Tack sΓ₯ mycket for the Swedish lesson. Barman? Tea please for our Viking Gooner.
…. and look forward to the demolering of Partizan.
You even got the letter “Γ₯” correct – I am offically impressed!
I really prefer not to think too much about the game tomorrow. Failure to win that one would be such a massive disappointment. Please please please, Arsenal, just win it!
I wasn’t in work yesterday.
Everyone hates me today though. They are all saying it won’t last for long!
I don’t care, I’m not gloating!
All I know is “We are top of the league said we are top of the league”
‘holics,
One of ours has a spare ticket in the North Bank upper for tomorrow night, and I can put you in touch if you drop me a line to gooner(at)goonerholic.com
I will mention this in the preview later if the ticket has not gone by then.
Cheers
Holic
I would love to but still recovering from last time π
Goonertown
All my LWC collegues have disappeared somehwere underneath those little stones…small stones? Small club….small supporters π Need I say or type more? I don’t think so….
TS & Lars
Try it in Polish lads
Rozbiorka – http://translate.google.com/#auto|pl|demolition
Newcastle sacking Chris Hughton is just plain wrong and Mike Ashley is a complete idiot, he got them relegated in the first place as far as I know and he may well do it again.
Barman a lemon tea for me please…. also a tub of vicks, towel, hot water and big bowl to mix it all up please
Spare now gone. Thanks ‘holics.
Arthur –
I was going to ask actually. I can’t sniff a LWC around the office down here at the moment either. In fact all of the clubs have gone mute!
Just been on the Twitter to be nosey and Jack Wilsh has been having a convo with Rio Ferdey and they are both outraged about Chris Hughton.
My view is that Chris was doing a good job, so if it isn’t broken…Mike Ashley has a short memory and that he almost lost that club making similar types of decisions.
Also Jack declined to stay out with Rio on Monday night after the game as Wenger won’t allow it…now that’s what I call dedication…Cu’mon!
Got the feeling we might get intimidated and robbed down there on Monday, but other than that it should be the RVP, Chamakh and na na na na Nasri show!
Barman I’ll get that tea for Arthur!
Goonertown, – don’t like the sound of Wilshere consorting with the enemy (in any shape or form).
It must make him feel unclean, surely?
Lars and TS – Demolering – love it!
Zico-
I know how you feel! Declining the offer to go out made it seem better for me!
By the way JET is getting some stick about his tweeting! Surely everyone around the Arsenal camp must know what he is like. He captained a double winning youth side and is highly thought of by Wenger and Brady!
Zico – Sounds like ripping out teeth doesn’t it? Either way, we need to make them hurt, just for a change.
Check-out Little Andrey’s CL press-conf – very frank, very Russian, very funny. For any of you who catch the weekly Arsecast there is more than a passing resemblance π
TS – I love Andrey’s interviews. I love when he explained on A.Com how he reacted to hearing Russia had won the bid “When everyone jumped up to celebrate I stayed in my seat…I didn’t celebrate” (Class!…He’s 5 foot 4)!
Another PS form TS:
If any of you fine ‘Holics are going to the match tomorrow I’ll be in the Tolli pre-match around 7PM and possible for a swifty afterwards too.
I can only see one result tomorrow but if the worst does happen at least we’ll be able to focus on three pieces of domestic silverware.
Where’s The ‘Holic pound when you need it? π
GT – che is meerkat, no?
TS – He didn’t go through all of that to give us cheap deals on our car insurance!