Wigan-ner Have A Party
Jan 21st, 2011 by 'holic
“Any victory tomorrow will be a fantastic result for us.”
We all know what the boss means by that. Of course everybody expects us to beat Wigan handsomely, but we know only too well that in our last two meetings with the pie-munchers we have contrived to throw away five points out of the six on offer. Admittedly they were away from home, but Roberto Martinez has got his charges working hard to escape the threat of relegation. They have lost just one of their last seven, although at the same time they have only won one of those games. That tells you they set up not to lose.
Listeners to today’s Arseblog Arsecast will know I am all for small-scale rotation as long as a spine remains. We have a key core of in-form players and I wouldn’t want to see more than a couple of these missing in any one game, regardless of the opposition. Sagna, Djourou, Koscielny, Song, Fabregas, Nasri, Walcottt, van Persie. They are the spine. the backbone if you will. Sagna just had a three match break, we have no suitable alternatives for Djourou and Koscielny, there is no adequate cover for Song. Fabregas, Walcott, and van Persie have rested quite enough this season, thank you. That leaves Nasri. Would YOU leave him out at the moment? Me neither, but he would be the logical one to get a breather this Saturday.
Graft on Szczesny, Clichy, Wilshere, and Arshavin or Chamakh, and you have a side that should be good enough to match Wigan’s industry early on, and pass them to death in the latter stages. Tempo and application should be the buzzwords being drummed into these lads as the pointed end of the season starts to loom into view. No matter who is wearing the red and white, we need to keep pressing, keep the ball moving, and be positive in the attacking third. Sweet mother of God, I am starting to sound like a has-been pundit called Alan someone or other, but you get my drift?
The ‘holic pound is a tricky one. Score early and we could run up a bit of a rout, but I suspect Wigan will frustrate, deny space, defend with rows of four and five, and try to get the home crowd on Arsenal’s back at the half-time whistle. I don’t disagree with the bookmakers. all of whom make a 2-0 home win the most likely outcome. Normally I look for better value than the 11/2 offered for that scoreline, but the profit on a pound will buy a pint of Guinness and a chaser. Not so bad that, eh?
The day promises to be about much more than the football, and I am so looking forward to meeting those who will be turning up to mark a number of different causes in the pub before and after the game. It could get very messy, but very enjoyable. Apologies if you are in the Clock End Upper having your eardrums battered by a big old boy and a couple of willing accomplices. Like the players, we should not be leaving anything behind tomorrow in the quest for three vital points.
Good Luck Aaron and Jay
Dave Jones has obviously got the right side of Arsene Wenger, and has presumably agreed to give both Jay Emmanuel Thomas and Aaron Ramsey some game time on loan at Cardiff. The move is very important for both for very different reasons. Earlier in the season big Jay was very much in the gaffer’s first team thinking, but for whatever reason he has not taken that final step and forced himself into a regular berth. Aaron needs competitive football, and to survive some rough and tumble contests in the Championship to get himself not just physically match-fit, but mentally as well.
I’m sure I’m not alone in hoping they both come back from Wales with much more to look forward to at Arsenal.
Barca Away Ticket Plea
Long shot I know, but a number of friends who didn’t have sufficient credits to get Barca away tickets are still making the trip. If you do have tickets available (at cost price only please, no touts) then could you drop me a line at gooner(at)goonerholic(dot)com, and I will put you in touch with a grateful traveller.
Thanks ‘holics. Have a good one, and if you are on a train heading west late tomorrow night and spot an old boy sound asleep, please wake me, I mean him, at Swindon. Cheers.
132 Responses to “Wigan-ner Have A Party”
I wish I could write as well sober than you do when drunk!
Still I disagree we have to put our best team out against Wigan when we have 5 games in 15 days. We need to have Bendy, Denilson, Eboue, Gibbs, Rosicki in shape, they’re only one or two injuries away from being our saviors, better have them in shape for when they will be needed. Hopefully the concept of A and B teams has been exposed enough so that Arsene will rotate more tactfully.
Great news for Ramsey and JET, Cardiff’s a great club for them to develop, certainly much better than the bench and reserves occasional games!
Here’s hoping for a repeat of last weekend. It’s about time we got a strong result against Wigan.
If I were to bet on it, I’d go for another 3-0 with Arshavin breaking his run of goalless games.
I’m very tempted to have a little punt on Andrey for first goal if he starts tomorrow, Joshua. Thankfully there isn’t much of a queue at the upper tier Ladbrokes at ten minutes to kick-off π
Nice write up ‘holic. Have a great day tomorrow, I have a feeling you will be shouting yourself hoarse and will need that pint of extra cold and the chaser at the end.
Cheers.
And by pint I do, of course, mean “small brewery delivery”.
After my trip very expensive trip to the DW in December I for one feel I am owed a performance tomorrow. The inept display I was served up that night was only tempered by the steak pies that greeted me pre kick off.
I feel we have a bit of a feel good factor after Wednesday night, even after the Ipswich and home Leeds game, It is important we continue that feeling and play with confidence. That is why, Cesc, RVP and Nasri have to start. The rest picks itself for me. But I do think we have a run of games that we can take maximum points from and we need to keep the momentum moving in the right direction.
5 – 0 to the Gunners.
Keep the faith.
Re JET. He has bundles of ability. I just wonder if anyone, including himself has worked out yet what his best position is. A loan spell and games at that level may just be the making of him.
If we strike early I fancy your prediction more than mine Steve. A supplementary half-time bet at Ladbrokes may be necessary π
Sweet mother of god, the ‘holic pound is getting more conservative by the week! By contrast, the bt8bbnn test balloon is going for 5-1 to the Arse. Not for nothing must test balloons be optimistic, but there you go. C’mon Arsenal!
Hah,
Just a bit nervous about the first half tomorrow bt8bbnn. Wigan are not anywhere near as poor as West Ham.
At the moment I don’t expect to be as cautious against Ipswich π
Enjoy your day holic. Would love to join you for a scoop but family matters mean my beer consumption will have to wait until later that evening.
Awake at 2.30 am π
Great write-up ‘holic although I feel your pound is a bit mean with the goals π
enjoy being in the terraces π
Only 2-0? Really ‘holic? C’mon mate, you’ve gotta give me something more tempting than an 11/2 bet (even if I’m still delighted with your Wednesday effort). I’ll let you think about it and I expect a much better value bet to be posted here later! π
Other than that COME ON YOU RIP ROARING REDS! My wife has adopted Wigan as her club and I’m tired of her gloating…
I would have invited others Steve, but I suspect the place will be rammed tomorrow. Lots of different things going on. A good mate saying farewell before fleeing to South Africa, more than a couple of birthday celebrations, and a couple of less happy reasons to sup a bit and offer thanks.
It’s going to be emotional.
Evening all, pint of the black stuff please (not bovril)
Wish I could be there tomorrow and meet you fellow gooners, got a feeling we are really close to displaying our intent this season by going on a bit of a run.
Have a good ‘un.
I am sure we will get to enjoy a beer before the season is done. Have a great day. I hope there are many more highs than lows. Enjoy.
Keep the faith.
Good write up as usual ‘holic. I feel that the rotations for the Leeds game were bang on, as were the subs at crucial times. Cesc and Walcott coming on when Leeds were looking for the last stand, was a kick in the gonads for them and their supporters (Peter Dury et al)
I’ll be at the game and pre- match drinks at the Tollington… can’t wait. Don’t think Arshavin will start, if things are going well, he’ll be brought on (I.MO.)
These things take time don’t they? I’m not sure what I’d do without my old man. I hope it’s a good day for you ‘holic, more happy reasons to sup than less happy ones, have a pint or plenty for us all.
Tollie will be rammed tomorrow Paul. Be patient π
Ox, how are you? Good to see you here.
Always patient ‘holic. Great staff there, never wait long. Enjoy! PS: wINE NIGHT tonight fanks for not pulling me up re the subs: Van Persie and Cesc.
Marques de Casceras another glass please…
I’m fantastic mate, off to go open the batting for my local club. I fancy being able to teach Phil Hughes a thing or two about technique. Wish me luck!
Shouldn’t laugh really but can’t help it, just been Reading on sky news about harry the twitch getting mugged in Spain, couldn’t happen to a nicer bloke! Here’s hoping him and his team get mugged in Milan as well
Of course, Ox. it’s a summer Saturday in Aus. Jebus I miss cricket, and the craic with good team mates. Have a great game. If you are bowling pitch it up. Every cunt gets himself out. I am old and know!
Have to add to my last post that David pleat would never have been caught like that. If someone got down on their knees in front of him and started to tug at his trousers his wallet would have been in his hand in a flash while he asked how much.
We need some revenge against Wigan but it won’t be easy because they’re in a relegation scrap. Also, I don’t think we will have the advantage of totally confused opposition as we did against West Ham because at least to my knowledge Wigan’s management is not interfering Roberto Martinez’ work as West Ham was doing to Avram Grant the day we happened to be playing them. COYRRRs!
Nice write up holic…and good luck tomorrow
Anyone reckon Rosicky will get a game tomorrow?
Today*
Arse Lads,
Can anyone help me on this one? Why did Song colour his hair/beard? Poor guy looks like a Sasquatch or an oranged coloured Yeti now. Someone should bring this to his attention for his own good. Best holding MF in the league though!
Octopus in the crystal ball says: Arsenal 3 Wigan 0
TvN
I really want Rosicky to get some game-time today. A goal from him would be fantastic, but that’s delving into the realms of the imaginary having looked at recent stats.
TvN
Following in the footsteps of Uncle Rigobert is young Alex.
Boots,
The Octopus in the crystal ball: doesn’t envisage Rosicky scoring.
Greater probability of peace in the middle east and a two state solution.
What’s up with Song’s Bigfoot look? Someone should show him a mirror. Can’t wait to rip Wigan a new one!
TvN
Looking sound for later mate.
Why Cardiff City? Wasn’t Ramsey’s friend badly injured trying to protect him from some Cardiff fans recently?
Not sure if thats the right club for him now. Im sure he could have got plenty of action anywhere else.
“Iam all for small-scale rotation as long as a spine remains” is the key phase in the post.
Fully expecting a hat trick of 3 goals today.Confidence is sky high .
On another matter the terminally ill Danny Fiszmann is thankfully in remission and after many months of being confined to his house in Switzerland,is currently in London and has attended the last two home games.However the main reason for his visit has been lengthy discussions with the board to finalise the price for the inevitable transfer of Cesc back to Barcelona,this summer.Apparently there is a buy back close with first refusal.
Let’s hope that the result against Leeds the other evening wasn’t yet another false dawn.
I just KNOW there is a top class, consistent, winning team in there somewhere just screaming to get out. No more wobbles, no more tentative tippy-tappy let’s get out there and straight down their throats. 4 – 1 to the Gunners. Yeeeeeees, come on up and at ’em.
Taxi on the way. Laters mates.
marbellaron: don’t take this the wrong way, but forgive me if I have serious doubts about the truth in what you say about Fiszman and the board. First off, it doesn’t make very much sense that the board would have to have him in attendance to discuss such a matter, he could just as well participate over the phone or via video conferencing equipment or even not take part at all, for that matter. Secondly, and more importantly, I have yet to see any evidence of Cesc actually having said that he wants to leave. If he really had told Wenger last spring that he absolutely wanted to leave there is NO WAY that he would still be at the club. Arsene would never have been so bullish towards Barcelona if Cesc had said that he absolutely wanted to go. Yes, there were all sorts of people claiming to know (not to mention all the people who claimed they know someone who knows!) what Cesc had said in that famous conversation with Arsene but I seriously doubt any of them really knew anything at all. The only facts that we know are that Arsene Wenger bascially told Barcelona to fuck off and that Cesc is still at the club. Will he move to Barcelona one day? Quite possibly, but I am far from convinced that it will be anytime soon.
Have a great day holic. I might stick a pound or two on Arshavin to score first too. 3-1 to the Arsenal.
Lars, no offence taken. I am an avid reader on here,but post infrequentlly, and certainly not to sensationalise a story.
A very close friend of mine over here has a son who I have met several times,and he has worked for Fiszmann for over 10 years primarily looking after the upkeep of his boat,and moving it all over the world, and currentlly it is moored in Cannes.
I met him yesterday and though you are quite correct that any negotiations could be done by phone,what I have been told I believe to be correct.
By being in London at this very moment attaches the importance of the pending deal and Fiszmann still has a major say as to various matters at the club and face to face maybe in this scenario may be important to him and the club.
Holic. I’ll put out the feelers re tickets. Obviously can’t promise, as I struggled for myself… but you never know. I’ll be in touch if anything comes up.
Have a great day – raise many pints for all of the reasons necessary.
Morning All
To all The ‘Holics going to The Grove today, have a fantastic day, shout yourselves hoarse and get behind the team no matter what. One request from me, if AA is playing or comes on as a sub give him an extra shout for me, thanks!
Marbellaron,
good to hear Fiszman’s health is improving. I had heard that he would not recover but great to hear that he has turned a corner. I’m with Lars, however. A man of his posiiton would normally only travel for business if it was essential. Of course, watching a couple of games at the home of football is a massive incentive :-). Like Lars, it’s probably fair to say that Cesc will go back to Catalonia one day but I also think it will be after a few years (of big success at Arsenal). Can Farca really afford him right now? Could they even guarantee a first team place? Can we hold those Qs & As back at least until the summer please Ron?
Cheers and drinks to all in the bar!
COYRRRs! It’s got to be 4-0 today.
Marbellaron,
That last bit may have come across as a little trite. Of course you and anyone has the right to discuss Fab4’s future whenever you/they want.
What I should have said is that while we’re in the process of trying to bring home 4 pieces of silverware can we please put-off discussing what might be inevitable to some but could detract from the required, collective focus to win competitions.
Hope that’s clearer and a touch more courteous.
No problem,True Storey, I just thought it may be of interest,but as you say let’s concentrate at matters nearer to hand.
Have to work today and am gutted but at least my ticket is going to a gooner who can’t generally afford a trip to THOF.
About the rotation, while Samir needs a rest playing Arshavin would be suicidal today, While he scored and set up at Wigan he also left our defense well overexposed to N’Zogbia. Would prefer Theo on the left or even Clichy and Gibbs in tandem as Kieron loves to get forward and could have a Bale like influence, then start Arshavin on Sunday.
I smell a big win regardless, have fun ‘holic and the others at the game and sing loud and proud!
Another great post, Goonerholic.
On JET, Arsene continued to rave about him in his latest interview on ATVO. “He has not talent, he has exceptional talent”. When the interviewer asked the obvious question, ie so why isn’t he playing, AW replied that was because of a) fierce competition b) all our games being crunch games so he couldn’t ease him in – same problem with Ramsey, c) JET hasn’t nailed down ONE position though he has got good experience in many. (There was a fourth reason, which I can’t remember!) And that Cardiff is his opportunity to show what he can do while under pressure to get the points.
I am a huge fan of the player and I really hope he can do a Wilshere and make that final step.
Glad to report that we’re not rotating one bit.
Team to play Wigan: Szczesny, Sagna, Koscielny, Djourou, Clichy, Song, Wilshere, Fabregas, Nasri, Walcott, Van Persie #Arsenal
I fancy the looks of that!
Toby,
#1 side, superb.
No excuses now.
Come on you Mighty Reds!!!!
not too happy, but also not surprised to hear about Arsene’s programme notes – doesn’t want to buy a defender as it might harm those he already has,,,,,
Come on Robin bring it onnnn yeeeehaaaaa!!!
How on earth is it still only 1-0?????
Bloomin’ Manure now have 2 π
OK, this is making me nervous.
We should be out of sight by now. Is this going to be one of these days?
It is NOT going to be one of those days. It might take a while but we’ll score another, even if we let one in. I just can not see us lose this game, with this team. It is not happening.
*those
Oh, and I would like dearly to believe you, Toby. Its just that, you know…we are…Arsenal.
I’m trying to convince myself as much as you, RvP. Have a pint. God knows I will now.
Theo should have just shot…kill the game off!! Then have some fun.. Wigan have been totally outplayed….I hope one more chance falls to van persie…it WILL be 2-0
The Crap Invincibles are already 3-0 up.
That’s exactly what the score should be at the Grove.
Attempts on target
Arsenal: 11
Wigan: 0
Attempts off target
Arsenal: 2
Wigan: 0
At least we’ve been pretty accurate this far!
Wigan as well, I guess, they haven’t missed a shot.
Oh, they just did. Now, instead, they’ve got 100% miss rate.
This is nuts!
I’d take the 1-0 nil right now.
I’m so nervous I’m making typos everywhere.
RVP!!!!!!! Man is on FIRE!
Could easily be 5-nl
Thank Henry.
π
We’ve got our best team out on that pitch, bar Vermaelen. We’ll be fine.
YESSS!!!!
Oh and Van Persie.
To make the evening even better –
1612: RED CARD Stoke’s Ryan Shawcross
Cracking voice from the home support. ‘Holic must be leading things.
I don’t know if it’s the Leffe (thank you Toby for the suggestion btw) or the second goal, but I’m starting to feel a bit better right now π
And Newcastle just scored.
Our pressing is more lovely to watch than the goals, almost. More of this!
Glad to see RVP back!!! We just need, Theo start having a go at it!
COME ON NEWCASTLE!!!! LOL
Leffe or the second goal, I’m sure the answer understands a little bit of flemish!
Loved Cesc’s attempt at goal from the ground. Would have been brilliant had it gone in.
Penalty…Blatant foul! RED on Caldwell!!
RVP missed? OMG
Penalty to Arsenal. And a red card for Wigan.
I KNEW he’d miss.
We are Arsenal!
He should have taken it with his right foot π
meh!
Was about to go for the same joke, Mr Right Foot.
So close from RVP! Hit the post!
Nearly by RvP
Arshavin, from Russia with love!
Come on Arshavin! Get your head back in IT!
Hat-trick π
Hat-trick RvP
With his ….
Let me hear it ‘holics..
π
There you go, with the right foot.
Josh beat me to it, but you’ve earned hearing it twice – with his right foot.
He heard you guys and said, right foot it is!
Move on up!
Nine goals in three games, only one goal conceded (a once in a lifetime strike at that). I’ll take that.
Lovely game, still a bit wasteful but so promising for the remaining of the season. And the love’s back at the Grove, our friends will have enjoyed the day for sure!
Don’t say you didn’t notice Clichy and the defense playing better.
4 (!!!) consecutive clean sheets in the league and 1 conceded in the 5 games he didn’t start.
Excellent display by the whole team.
Too bad we couldn’t improve our goal difference.
Does anyone know what on earth happened to Cesc in the last 5 minutes? He looked as though he’s about to cry when everyone was laughing around with RvP.
He = Arshavin.
Love him, but we’re better off without him on the team. He can bring magic but so can Samir, and Theo offers something different to the side.
Not sure what happened, with Cesc. Any news on that?
What is this about Cesc?? I didn’t see anything…
What an exhibition!! π I m happy today
Guys what a game, had my sister over from Down Under during the week we watched the Leeds game together and then we got a bit loose if you know what I mean.
Trip to Oz in April for the wedding he’s a Gooner so all the better π
Great game we outplayed them without a single doubt, could be more clinical but hey 3:0 speaks for itself and I don’t think they had a single shot on goal!
Come on you REDS!!!!!
RvP’s right foot is having a tremendous season. Maybe I should change my name now.
How about … Clichy’s defensive ability?
Or… Arshavin’s form?
Or would you prefer Denilson’s Tackling?
What do you think ‘holics?
RvP’s Right Foot
I like your original one keep it like that my fellow Gooner! π
Loft, his price just doubled. π
Great display,great team, a joy to support.11 winners out there today.
I would like Rosicky in the subs bench at least……He is a fine player who has got excellent touch IMO…wonder why hes not getting his chances of late
RVP @ #99
How about Arshavin’s Arse?
@TS:
Why on Earth would you want Arshavin’s arse to improve?
Wait..DON’T answer that question.
RVP,
Ahem, missed the point completely.
How about Arshavin’s maudlin outlook?
Does that work fella?
or…..
Jack’s brushes with the feds?
…. that definitely needs to improve / stop.
‘Holic
With a fine bunch of mates amd hostelries around you, that first-class performance that you have just witnessed and knowing what you’ve been through recently, I fear that you may wake up in the sidings in the wee hours somewhere around Penzance.
Have a great evening and try to remember to buy some
Red Bull @ Paddington before you depart π
Look forward to reading the match report.
you can almost feel the domination running through this team. That was a clinical team performance!
Guys stop over reacting please!
Do you like a win ?
You got win can please still complain? I belive most of you should keep youe gums hursh………………………
A win IS NOT ENOUGH?
Go and get heads checked !
I fee; sicj with some comments on here this is very srange!
You must be very sad and I FUCKING HATE YOU!
Sorry Holic but my blood is the way she is……………..
you win 3:0 and you get some cock!
Quick… another Vodka for ATG!
another clean sheet,Chezzer in goal and no Arshavin to start with,is there a pattern here?? Clichy does look much much better when Arshavin is’nt in the team.a very accomplished performance again today and we were never in danger,all 11 starters where super and with scummy city loosing it’s now down to us and the other manc scum to battle it out for the title.i thought Wilshire was immense today and just gets better and better
A pint for Gaz, please.
From what I saw on my stream we were fantastic. Just got to keep the consistency. Would be nice for Theo to start getting the goals flowing again… but he has come on so well this season, and I am sure that there is more…
Streams Catalan!!! How yesterday! My local has sky sports from Italy showing the game live. Have a Bulmers on me,me aul flower.
No such innovations out here Gaz. I’ll gladly take that Bulmers. Anyone else joining us?
Could someone tell me the date for the home game against Barca? I need to block off the patient list!
Oh and Holic hope ye had a great day by the way.you never know we might cross paths down arsenal way before the end of the season! that’s if ye can put up with my moaning!!!
Catalan – it’s Wednesday 16th Feb
Now that’s what I call a comprehensive win. Anyone of us in this bar could probably have kept a clean sheet today, did Wigan have a single shot on goal? I can’t remember any.
A bit drunk after having had a great afternoon/evening down the pub, but I hope I can make some coherent points anyway!
Those who complained about Song going forward too much in the beginning of the season would do well to consider his performances of late. Now he’s found the right balance between attack and defence, and he has also improved his attacking game significantly and this was the whole point of giving him licence to attack. The way he set up the first goal was really, really good and his pass for Cesc that created the penalty was just brilliant. Just as many of us said at the start of the season, this has now given us another option in attack without sacrificing the defensive side of things. Our opponents simply don’t know if it will be Song, Wilshere or Cesc who will bomb forward, but whoever does it we still have cover.
Four clean sheets in a row now, and Szczesny has still only conceded one goal in the Premier League. We are definitely improving defensively. Djourou and Koscielny are starting to form a very interesting partnership.
Good results almost all round today, the only bad one was that ManUre won. We are now eight points ahead of Spurs which feels very good. And if Chelsea win on Monday at Bolton, then the gap between fourth and fifth will all of a sudden be three points and until just recently, people were actually talking about Spurs being title candidates but two games later they are ten points adrift and not even in the top four anymore. Let’s hope reality is starting to catch up with them and they will soon start their journey downwards through the league table!
Pint of orange juice please, I’ve had enough beer for today!
Enjoyed the game even if it was a tad chilly. First half was arsenal against Al-Habsi. That said I thought we were very wasteful at times. We definitely need to be more clinical.
Not sure about some of you nervous bunch. Whilst we were wasteful I really could not see Wigan scoring. I think chesney only touched it once in the first half and that was a header.
A great RvP treble shows he is back firing. His 2nd was pure class. His pen was a complete shocker I must say.
Agree with the comments above. I think both full backs played well and looked strong. Jack has so much ability for one so young that it is frightening. His movement, especially off the ball show maturity well beyond his tender years.
On to Tuesday night. Looking forward to it I must say.
Keep the faith.
Cheers Charlie!
Forgot to say. Song of the day came from block 4. To the tune of the chorus of yellow submarine……
“Garth Bale peels bananas with his feet, bananas with his feet, bananas with his feet.”
Made me laugh. Let’s be fair, he is no looker.
Now that RVP is on a run let’s keep feeding him because he is really top class and his return has elevated our entire game. With him banging them in, it should do nothing but help provide more good opportunities to the rest of our impressive cadre of goalscoring suspects. Barman, drinks all around and a glass of Glenmorangie for me if you will. Onward and up the Arse!
Absolutely fantastic performance today! Good technique. Proper focus. Clean sheet (sweet). RvP 3 (first EPL hatrick … hats off). Song was great and a Rock of Gibraltar (stop with the blonde ambition though … you’re not Madonna Song). Didn’t need a goaler today (should have charged him admission). Great to see Tot and ManC drop points! Now, hopefully ManU can lose a bit too.
Love the Bale song! I think I saw his uncle starring with Charlton Heston in Planet of the Apes.
Barman, dos cerveza por favor.
We still have NOT proven that:
1) we can break down a defense where we canNOT pass, such as when ManShitty came to ASHBURTON GROVE (not f88king emircrap!), or
2) when we were at ManUre, who were tactically better in dealing with breaking up our passing or
3) when we need to be in a defensive hold, such as when the Scum came to visit.
When we can do these three things well, we can win the title.
Good progress today, however.
Don’t be so negative Guns. A little positive thinking goes a long way. We’ve got a favourable schedule forthcoming. It’s time for a roll of form and points.
Barman, a pint for my negative friend Gun. If only to cheer him up a bit. Make it a Guinness.
TvN
I had to wait for the 10.15 Sky extended highlights and I couldn’t even find a live radio commentary to listen to. Excellent performances all round against an admittedly poor Wigan but we haven’t always succeeded against poor opposition in the recent past.
Cesc looks to back to his imperious best, as is RVP – please, please, please let him stay fully fit, crap penalty though. Jack gets better and better, I think the rest has done him good. Theo shows much more awareness now, but he will be looking to improve still further. Nasri? Our most improved player surely. Kos and JD also improving although they weren’t under any real pressure today from what I saw. Both full backs looked solid and the goalie didn’t have much to do. Song also continues to add to his game.
With better finishing from the opposition we could have conceded one or two goals so we must strive to concentrate fully defensively at all times, but I don’t want to dwell on that today and detract from a mature, confident and stylish performance by the entire team.
Arsene has long said that he has confidence in this team and that they can win things and perhaps some recent performances suggest that this is true, the players just need to maintain the necessary work rate and level of concentration – even against ‘lesser’ opposition for this to happen. Bring on Ipswich Town, let’s get the job done and get to a final.
Getting back to our defence,I really hope Chezzer keeps his place when Flappy is back fit because the 4 defenders look alot more calm and controlled when he is between the sticks.Kos doesn’t look anyway near the nervous wreck he was when Flappy was behind him.I know yesterday the keeper could have gone for a pint in The Gunners and come back and they still wouldn’t have scored but he seems to have instilled new found confidence in the 2 centre half’s.