The Thin Red Line Has Few Options
Sep 27th, 2011 by 'holic
One game at a time. It is said so many times it begins to grate on occasion, but it is nevertheless a necessary approach if you are part of the team and staff at any top club. Supporters can be forgiven for looking just that little bit further sometimes.
In the medium term we need to be ensuring we finish at the top of our ‘group of death’ to improve our prospects of not drawing strongly-fancied opposition in the round of sixteen. There will be some though who have a more short-term view on things. The strength of the squad is again being sorely tested, and on Sunday we will face a game that means so much to so many.
It would appear we go into Champions League matchday two with just one fit recognised central defender. The midfield is missing Diaby, Wilshere, and Benayoun, and not available to raid from the flanks are Walcott and Gervinho. As important as three points are on Wednesday night, avoiding further injuries before the trip up to the other end of Seven Sisters is of comparable significance.
The likeliest to fill the gap alongside Per Mertesacker is Alex Song, although I’m sure Arsene will also consider switching Bacary Sagna inside and playing Carl Jenkinson at right-back. Much will depend on how ready he thinks either Emmanuel Frimpong or Francis Coquelin are to start in the main holding role. Aaron Ramsey and Mikel Arteta will provide options alongside whoever gets the nod.
Assuming Andrey Arshavin is nailed-on to start on one flank the question of who plays on the right is an interesting one. The popular vote would doubtless see Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain starting, but the experienced Tomas Rosicky is likely to be preferred, I would imagine. Indeed he and Arteta could alternate in a fluid formation intended to disorientate their markers.
Given the makeshift look to our line-up I am not inclined to my normally bullish placing of the ‘holic pound. Olympiakos are seen as the whipping boys of the group, and lost their opening fixture at home to Marseille to the only goal of the game. Greek sides may not traditionally travel well, but a combination of disciplined defending by them, and fragile confidence on our part, makes for a difficult game to call. I think we may finish more strongly, as against Bolton, and I have plumped for 3-1. Bet365 offer 11/1 against that, which appears a fair price.
Congratulations Ladies
I cannot let the opportunity go to congratulate the Arsenal Ladies on completing the domestic treble on Sunday. The Gunners beat Birmingham City 4-1 in the Continental Cup Final with goals from Ellen White, Jayne Ludlow and a brace from Rachel Yankey.
Like their male counterparts they turn their eyes towards the Champions League this week. Having reached the semi finals last year, they embark on a new campaign this Thursday, in a Round of 32 tie away to Belarusian side FC Bobruchanka. The return leg is at Boreham Wood FC on Wednesday 5 October, KO 4pm.
Good luck to both Arsenal sides. Let’s hope we are celebrating two significant victories before the weekend.
128 Responses to “The Thin Red Line Has Few Options”
1st ?
Class !
I have a sneaky feeling that Coquelin would get the start ahead of Frimpong.
Well in Trev.
Was an assured defensive performance against bolton from a technical view point so maybe the extra work is paying off. Too big a match for ox to start but expect to see him. One nil would be perfect. The ladies are unbelievable and could give the lads a few tips on winning mentality
the joy of six!
I’m thinking we may see a vote of confidence in Miquel tomorrow night, ‘Holic.
Wouldn’t be surprised if we line up:
Polestar
Sagna, Per, Miquel, Gibbs,
Ramsey, Song, Arteta, Rosicky,
Van Persie, Arshavin
But them I have beeen wrong before, I’m told. Back in 1961 it was apparently. Don’t recall it personally……
I should be there tomorrow. Regretably (for me) the two very fine seats procured by Her Nellieness on my behalf have been consigned to Number 1 son. I’m sure he’ll have a very fine time.
I shall enjoy the digital version and, no doubt wince, with every harsh tackle.
Top 10, makes a pleasant change.
Evening, good day BtM. Will give London’s finest an extra shout on your behalf.
Trev, as discussed, I used to live in P.Bar. ‘Nuff said? ๐
Go on The Basel. Manure don’t like it up ’em, especially at the Old Toilet ๐
Hate to break it to you about Miguel, BTM…..
And clichy justifying his wages at citeh. Karma is a bitch
‘Holic
A score-line with 3 in it is, I think, a good shout. Can we score 3 for the fourth game on the trot and come away worthy and healthy victors? I’ll say a silent prayer and raise a toast to that one.
About time someone bought the drinks in here *looks for the recovering viking*
Cheers all, a round of whatevers for whoever’s in the bar ๐
Woo hoo The Basel! ๐
Any Swiss beer?
2 Freis scored. Unlike the 2 Andy Gorams they’re not at all related.
Coming right up Noel. Let’s drink to cuckoo-clocks and fondue (but not their feckin refs) ๐
Now, I’m seeing someone missing from that photo, ‘holic.
You didn’t cut out the bit with Emma Byrne on it to keep for yourself, ‘holic, did you? ๐
Miquel out injured from the reserve game just before kick-off last night BtM ๐
Song and Sacks as centrebacks?
And so which Frei scored that 3rd goal?
I think the Arsenal communications department kept all of the shots of Emma, Ollie.
Shame ๐
We drew with the German Champions.
United drew with the 2nd best Portuguese team.
City drew at home with the 3rd best Italian team.
Yet we are in a crisis.
United are trailing after leading at HT 2-0 (can’t hold on to a lead?) against a Swiss team!
City are getting absolutely battered against Bayern, Joe Hart is by far the MoM.
I wonder what the media will have to say today, or will they somehow avoid it…
I remember a frei breaking Irish hearts not so long ago. Of the same clan I would say
It’ll be
Szczesny
Sagna Mert Song Santos
Rambo Coq Arteta
Ros RVP Arsh
Thats my guess. Oxo to replace Rosicky later.
Manchester lose 5-3 – Up The Arse!
Oooh, Manchester Clubs in crisis. Panic. Nail bits of wood at crooked angles etc etc….
No? Oh. How can that be?
Ah I seeeee, meeja hypocrisy. Geddit. Fuggen meeja f*ckers.
Still, good job I don’t care much what the meeja say. Well in FC Swisspharmaceutical and the Bayern Munchies.
Now I can officially become nervous about the (far more) important game tomorrow ๐
Lucky Manc b’stards snatched a late equaliser. Like Snir said, if that was us at home to a side of Basel’s standing, going 3-2 down ofter leading by two goals at HT, we would be torn to pieces by the meeja.
F*ck ’em.
Good points Snowy & AL ๐
Media will blame arsenal for this
Think we need to arrange some of the medicine from our cabinet for the Arsenal medical staff, because the orthodox practices, cures and potions dont appear to be doing much good.
Man City have just been given the runaround and the expensive lesbian is substituted for……James Milner. Oh the embarrassment, eh Samir?
Utd also slipping up tonight, so all things considered, think the obligatory ONTTA will do me just fine tomorrow with a big request to the big guy upstairs, no more injuries PLEASE?
Noel @ 29 – Heh ๐
zico@30: agreed, it seems the medicine cabinet couldn’t do much worse than the medical team already is ๐
Sound medical advice Dr.z. So, the chinless lesbian is now an expensive lesbian? Heh!
Heh Noel @ #29. I can see it now: “Wenger’s French talk of financial crisis and defensive coaching causes temporary hiccup in Manchester’s glorious footballing progression – Fergie and Manckini slam Wenger negativity.”
Zico Lars and TS โ Perhaps Iโm being a bit presumptuous here, but I think I may have identified the issue with the Arsenal Medical team.
They are likely โof a certain ageโ and therefore could well have been subliminally trained by this lot:
http://youtu.be/SAqXKRTarhI
Now, I have to admire the enthusiasm. Top marks there. But Iโm not altogether convinced of their medical credentialsโฆ
๐
snowy
If we’re going down that road…..
Prof, Yaffle = AW
The mice = Our kids in the Colney Creche
Gabrielle = Ricey
Madeleine = Emma Byrne
Bagpuss = Usmanov
OK nurse, I’ll come quietly ๐
I think Oxo would do well starting tomorrow but in such an injury hit side I think Rosicky will get the nod. Saw lots from Oxo last week that I very much liked and thought Coquelin was excellent too. I suspect Wenger will go with Frimpong.
The scary thing is that we have 9 players out and sicknotes Gibbs,Rosicky and Van Persie haven’t signed off yet. We need a first team squad of about 50 to get 11 on the pitch by the end of October.I’m so glad we have state of the art medical facilities or we’d be buggered.
TS – NO! Resist the nurse. Weirdness is the new ‘sane’.
And Snir, I didn’t get a chance to reply to your comment in the last drinks about things weird as I was off trying to get a job today. But now I’m back…
Weirdness is a skill to be welcomed*
Many years ago I was told that I should cultivate eccentricity from a young age, on the basis that if I did that I wouldn’t be sent to a maximum security old folks home later in life on the basis that I’d “always been that way”.
So, think on son, think on ๐
* For the benefit of fellow ‘holics, you may be reassured that I didn’t mention this in the interview…
Evening Holics!
Both Manc teams didn’t have such easy games after all, especially the one that was playing at home! Oh dear…
Shame about Miquel the lad has definitely got talent!
Drink for everyone in the bar please Landlord! It’s still early hours!
snowy @ #37 – Wonko agrees!
ttg @ #36 – Easy now fella, remember we have ‘a massive squad’ ๐
TTG @ 36 – in addition to the ‘massive squad’ TS reminds us of, we also have….The Mice on the Mouse Organ !!!!!
Some of whom are likely to be playing tomorrow of course. So we’ll have to raise the chants a few octaves to ‘squeak’ level. Otherwise they’ll never hear us.
However, moving on to matters less murine, anyone else utterly loving the “Tevez issue” ?
About time some other team took some flak for a bit, it’s only fair after all…
๐
I guess the top earner at basle takes home must earn the same as a championship player?
If they can go to old Trafford, score 3 and come away with a point how does that reflect on our performance there?
Great evening’s entertainment. Lovely to see the Manc clubs laid low. And what a very familiar performance from Nasri too. He’ll be picking splinters out of his arse by May, just in time for the Euros.
Re: Tevez, wonderful that Mancini has so quickly located the source of his side’s poor performance, nothing like a manager showing some accountability is there? Who refused to sell him in the summer Roberto?Who dropped Dzeko for him the other week when the former was finally finding his feet? Who picked Kolo Toure tonight after months out of the game?
I find it unbelievable that Arsene gets the stick he does while this scarf toting mug escapes the critical eye of the press. His subs were shocking tonight too.
Anyway, that’s enough schadenfreude. I’ll end by saying Carlitos – come and play for a proper football team and come on you Gooners for tomorrow night. I fancy the little Russian to remind us what all the fuss was once about and the skipper to get started on his next century.
UTA
heh at Tevez (some credit given for not wanting to be at City), Nasri (for continuing his 2011 run of form), Manure (with their legendary defending), and the Mercenaries (not paying them enough, I wonder).
Eerie Parallels,
Utd had 8 players on the treatment table and are held at home 3-3 by a journeyman Swiss team,they were expected to beat easily.
We have just as many players out,and are playing a journeyman Greek team at home,that we are expected to beat easily.
On the subject of central defense,my 1950’s steel capped footy boots are polished,along with my bonce,and i am waiting for the call.
cheers
The sweeper
Clive my man get in there! ๐
Geoff @ 41 โ a very good question. I donโt have much in the way of insight here, but the fact that, before this season, the last time the Arsenal put more than 1 in the net at Old Toilet was 1984 says as lot about how disciplined and โup for itโ Basel were. Happy to be shot down in flames here because I didnโt see the match and I donโt know how the squads lined up or who was missing for ManUre. Or anything else about it really. Just the result.
And as for the skills of Basel, I may be wrong here but from speaking to folks who now work in Switzerland, I have a thought that they start their season a bit earlier than we do. I freely admit that I know six tenths of nine eighths of fuck all about Swiss football, but Iโm fairly convinced that a team thatโs had ten or twelve properly competitive games together likely has something of a rapport, the like of which we can only dream of at this stage in our disjointed season to date.
Oh, and the Granny shaggerโs hair transplant didnโt play. So that says it all ๐
Dunno what point Iโm really trying to make here but, on balance, I think they may have been in a slightly better position travelling to that whiffy hideous old shed than we were in some weeks ago.
And Clive โ Iโm voting for you to play tomorrow. You and the steel capped beauties and your bonce. Look after โthe Miceโ for us ๐
Anyone else with the sneaking suspicion the captain will start this one on the bench with Park up top? Probably just me. I just think despite resting in the Milk Cup he has been logging a lot of miles so far this season. Wouldn’t mind seeing him available as an impact sub with
Chezzer
Sagna Mertesacker Song Santos
Arteta Rosicky/Ramsey Frimpong
AA Park AOC
Hey Arthur,
How’s the little fella ??
Snowy
I have enjoyed reading your post match comments from our away games this season,unfortunately with only 1 pt to show for it so far,the journey’s home have been less than enjoyable.
I know the feeling,having done my time in the 50’s/60’s and 70’s with the Old Fella.
Of course we didn’t have the luxuries today’s modern travelling fan has access to.
Bone rattling old trains,rock hard seats,British Rail tea and a choice of stale ham or cheese sandwiches,and very very dubious Pies.
Every carriage a complete fog of, smoking/beerswilling/farting/belching Gooners,
desperately hoping that the journey home would be better than the one before,as we lost far more than we won back then.
Those were indeed the days
cheers
The Sweeper
How is it possible for us to have so many on the treatment table already? This happens every season. I am genuinely starting to think that this is not bad luck or coincidence anymore. It is getting ridiculous.
Taking everything in to account it looks like we’re resting playerโs tonight lads!
A skeleton team will play which should be capable of topping the table provided other results go our way!
The line up should be as follows:
Chez
Bac/Mert/Song/Santos/
Our-te/Coqelin/Ramsey
Rosicky RVP AA
We should see Chamakh/frimps and Parkie come on!
Good day to you all peeps!
Although we may see the return of Johan!
Good day to you all!
2-0 should be the scoreline…
Scorers: Ramsey and RVP of course! 10/1 with B65 Drinks all round in advance!
Cheerio all
N7 @42 – nice one.
Hey Clive @44 –
as long as you don’t pull anything in the warm-up (ask Wolfie for clarification), you have my vote for the CB spot. They won’t like the old steel toecaps up’em!
Have just finished laughing at the sight of the Citeh bench tonight –
Nasri – stunned, vacant, 1000 yard stare, trying to avoid the antics of Tevez – little boy on the naughty step, stropping, refusing to play
Dzeko – throwing tracksuit top to the floor, spitting, cursing
Tevez (again) – wittering in bloke next door’s ear about his shocking plight while bloke next door also employed the 1000 yard stare, trying not to get caught listening to him.
Combined cost of these rebels ? Can’t be arsed to work it out, but stratospheric.
Newspaper headlines ? Van Persie – contract rebel.
Right.
Gyro sandwich with tzatziki please barman. Retsina to wash it down. Manchester City full meltdown now in progress: http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/football/15085003.stm
I posted my (guessed) team on the previous drinks, couldn’t believe I forgot Rosciky, but after a little reflection I’ve decided it could of hapened to any of us. ๐
From 8ball’s link @ 52;
“A combination of the fee wanted by City for Tevez and the player’s salary demands seem to have warded off potential suitors.”
Now there’s a suprise, no team is willing to pay around 30mil plus wages of approx 1mil per month for a total orc mecenary? Really? What’s the world coming to?
Man City are going to be confronted with this problem time and time again, you only have to look at the Adebabyore situation, with the club having to pay over half his wages so that he can play for a rival PL team, to see how totally ridiculous things are geting there.
If they manage to worm their way around the new Fair (cough splutter) Play rules with their bogus stadium rights deal then it’s the end of the game as we know it.
Surely UEFA will have to tak a stand?
Although I won’t be holding my breath.
Next round’s on me.
H2H,, You are a fine thinking, drinking gentleman and I will take you up on your offer. Manchester City Meltdown cocktail please, barman. ๐
Also from the same article:
Dzeko showed his anger at the change, shaking his head at Mancini.
“He [Dzeko] was disappointed but he played a bad game,” said Mancini. “It is the last time any player at this club does that.”
Mancini has got to be losing it, issuing a public ultimatum to Dzeko the same evening he declares Tevez has played his last game for the club. Are you listening over there in Abu Dhabi? It could be time to find someone who can manage your billionaires a little more effectively. ๐
Meltdown is also Foxnews’ word of choice to describe City’s situation at the moment:
http://latino.foxnews.com/latino/sports/2011/09/27/city-meltdown-caps-manchesters-bad-day/
‘holic, A 3-1 home win sounds like a good prescription to me. I am expecting Mertesacker to show his value and Chamakh to get on the scoresheet. Frimpong / Coquelin battle to fill the boots of LJW perhaps the most fascinating drama in the team at the moment. If called upon I think we can depend on Alex Song to do a big job at the back.
Hola Holics,
Como Vai?
Hawaiian Punch and a corn dog for me. If I can’t rival 8-balls dietary panache I can at least keep on budget.
I see Santos on the left, Jenkinson on the right and young Ignasi next to Per tree. Up front I think Young-Park will get the nod.
His premiership in-experience will be no handicap and his work rate is first rate. Arteta,AA,Frimpong,Song in the middle and ???? in goal.
Do we have a second reliable keeper?
Where’s Seaman when you really need him?
Probably up in Yorkshire with a good pint of stout.
Ate a proxima dudes.
COYG!!!!!!
leftcoast as in leftcoast of Brazil? Some of these expressions sound distinctly Brazilian, if you ask me. ๐ And what is it with the Hawaiian Punch? Maybe you should take some drinking tips from Seaman, dude. ๐
Smiley testing time: Looking at ‘holic’s picture of the Arsenal Ladies celebrating, their common expression seems to be ๐ฎ
I really don’t think that Kos, Gervinho and Theo are injured.
I think AW is resting them and he doesn’t want to say it so the team won’t be too nonchalant and think the game is already won.
Because of the fact that I don’t think AW is particularly concerned about Olympiakos, I think he’ll let Coquelin start as his offensive abilities are a bit better.
No games in Champions league are easy despite our home record in this competition being excellent
A win and three points, never mind the scoreline in this one
Harsha, this might sound as overly confident but I don’t rate Olympiakos at all and I have seen them.
Maccabi played them last season and beat them on aggregate in tge 3rd round Europa Leauge qualifier.
Camberwell, haven’t seen you at the bar recently but wanted to thank you!!! Got an A ๐
*the, League
Sorry Ollie ๐
Sage Snir, I won’t contradict you on this then ๐
But, I think all our ‘injured’ players are really injured. I don’t think AW would rest Kos if he was fit for tonight
I thought FC Basel played a decent first half as well yesterday, they spurned a few golden chances. Manure were lucky to get away with a draw in the end
And heh @ Shiteh
I dunno about Kos. My theory is the one @61.
I just have a feeling and to be honest, I’d really prefer RvP to be benched today.
We didn’t get Chamakh back from the bodysnatchers but Olympiakos’ defense is very poor.
I just can’t think of the slightest chance of us losing RvP to injury with so many important games coming up, the first and most important one being the derby.
This might sound naive but United is gonna play at Anfield in two weeks from now and then host City. That’s our chance. I know we need to think one game at a time but we HAVE to win at Shite Hart Lane (aside from the prestige of the derby and all I’m talking table wise, this is our chance to come back ๐ )
I know this sounds extremely optimistic but that’s why I’m part of the HT train and not Le-Grove, right ;)?
Bah, so much for Holic’s one game at a time advice ๐
Happy new year (Shana Tova) to any Jews out here.
Morning All ,
Good preview Holic .
When will all these injuries ever stop ? AW will go with his strongest side available tonight , he won’t be resting anyone . To suggest , Snir , that he is saying people are injured when they’re not , as some sort of elaborate cover-up , is , I’m afraid , paranoia gone mad .
From Saturday’s team , I would think the missing wide players will be replaced by AA and Rosicky , Song to fill in at the back , and Coquelin/Frimpong to come in for Song . Other than that , Santos might get a run out at LB .
If AW doesn’t want to lose Song from the midfield , I’m in the camp that wants to see Clive given a run out ๐
Best way to prepare for Sunday is a win , any kind of win .
So 2-0 to the Arse tonight .
Trev and H2H summed up the situation perfectly re Man City . Last night’s farce will continue to occur when the primary reason the players are there , is that they are being paid double their market rate . City will no doubt enjoy some short term success because of the quality of their players , but the whole enterprise , from the finances to their ethos is completely unsustainable .
Tevez – stick him in the Reserves for the rest of the season , and fine him every time he speaks to the press .
Morning all and I’m finally back in the land of Blog. Cyprus says hello and best regards to all holics, and I’m just relieved to be connected again.
Football-related highlight of my internet-starved week? This text from my best mate:
“3-0 to the Arsenal! Fuck you Bolton.”
@ Snir – Congratulations sir! And glad to be of service, would have given it an A myself…
Every time I have travelled to London lately I have checked the Comedy Store web page to see if Ian Stone will be on when I am in town, having heard him on Up for Grabs/The Tuesday Club I thought I’d like to see what he is like as a comedian. So far it has never happened, but as it happens I just read on Twitter that he is on his way to Sweden for some shows so I have now booked tickets for me and the management to go see him tomorrow here in Stockholm. I am for this reason now building up my courage to shout “UNLUCKY THEO!!!” when he walks onto the stage ๐
Have to agree with previous speakers re: the City turmoil. It will be really interesting to see how they will perform at Blackburn on Saturday, what was a sure-fire three points have all of a sudden become a very pivotal game. Losing or even dropping points could set them off on a rather slippery slide, I think.
As for tonight? Well, who we play in the back four shouldn’t really have to matter too much so include me in the Clive clamp! It’s all about making sure we can attack them enough anyway, I mean. Playing Ramsey-Song-Arteta behind Rosicky-RvP-Arshavin or even Rosicky-Chamakh-Arshavin should be more than enough for that. We could probably also use Coquelin or Frimpong instead of Song without losing too much attacking power.
Barman, a round for all in the bar!
Woe is me.
On a train – decidely unhappy train – to Aberdeen and have just learned that the earliest I can expect to be home is 8:30pm.
Sky + it is then…… ๐
Looking forward to seeing The Sweeper making his first appearance of the season tonight ๐
Happy new year, Snir and all the Jewish ‘holics.
Great shout Lars, go for it. He’s a great fella and he’ll love the thought that his Swedish audience knows him that well.
Unexpectedly poor planning there zico. Most unlike you ๐
Welcome back Camberwell. You have been missed.
Good to see you appear to have sobered up at last Wolfie ๐
Harsha, the team have to do it. Right now I don’t mind admitting it is Sunday that is holding more of my attention than tonight.
Up the Arse!
‘Holic, what’s this ‘Round-of-16’ shite? Please don’t follow the media in ceasing to call the Last 16 what it is!
zico, not just unhappy – it seems to be a very, very slow train too…
‘Holic: Ok, if I get an opportunity to make myself heard I’ll give it a go!
Right, lecturing duties out of the way, now an afternoon of ‘admin’ to take me through to 5.30 then start getting geared up.
Happily I will be taking a bus right through Finsbury Park on the way to the battle cruiser so will have the heartening experience of seeing the streets crammed with Gooners.
On a side note, I have to say the fairer sex do make me chuckle sometimes. See this perfect example, recorded this morning in Chez CG.
CG Management: What are you doing tonight hon?
Me: I’m off up to north London to watch the game with my mate.
Her: You’re not cycling are you? If you’re going to be in the pub I’d prefer it if you took the bus.
Me: Of course not babe. I’m leaving the bike at home.
Her: Don’t get drunk, OK?
Me, mentally: Er, that’s exactly why I’m not cycling…
@ Holic – I agree bad planning – employers have no sense of my priorities ๐
@ Lars – everyone’s a comic ๐
Camberwell – Good to have you back . Whilst you’ve been sunning yourself , I see the Boy Racers have plummeted to 15th , with even the sorry mess that are the Green Tin Rollers looking as if they might overhaul you . I’ve heard of mid-season breaks , but 6 games in is surely a sign of weak management . Have you considered your position ๐
Holic , heh ๐ , fighting fit and ready to take on the column of beers that await tonight .
Dr Z , poor planning indeed , but to every problem there is a solution , and I’m here to help . Might I suggest you get yourself in a “granite” juicer for let’s say 7.45 ish , and then after a very enjoyable gallon of the good stuff and a spectacular home win , get the last (happy) train home . Roll in , in the early hours , muttering something about “slave to work” and if necessary ” needlessly boozy clients” . Works for me ๐
Lars – may I request digital evidence of the part you’re about to play in your evening out tomorrow ? ๐
Spoke too soon . The Speedo Massive have 6 injury worries for the weekend . Taking the field with 9 players ? Cripes ! The heady days of 3rd suddenly seem a long way way away . ๐
Tabs – Bugger! Totally forgot about my beloved Boy Racers. Reports that the manager was resting on his early-season laurels appear to be bang-on accurate.
Pride in the heavily-modded, neon-enhanced strip will be restored, starting from this weekend. And my strict adherence to NSC regs will turn out to be well-founded.
tabs – what you suggest will be red ragged to Roxette – I like it ๐
Dr Z – you know it makes sense ๐
Just watched Arsene’s press con with Arteta . In excellent form I thought . Loved the way he constantly referred to old red nose as “Ferguson” , notwithstanding that the questioners called him “Sir Alex ” throughout .
Also thought his admonition to Arteta “not to speak too much Miguel” , when Arteta was asked about AW’s qualities , showed his usual comic self-deprecation at its best .
Camberwell , as of course a fellow proponent of NSC regs , Smallballs will be holding a press con soon in which you will get his support . Managers that play the right way must stick together .
Right , off for a bit , but will try and get back for the century ๐
@bt8bbgfg
Mom’s from Bonfim, Dad’s from Boa Vista.
Hawaiian Punch and corn dogs courtesey of Santa Cruz(my fair city)CA. beach boardwalk.
The loss to blackburn led to the consumption of a quantity of Jack Daniels which in turn ignited a drunken brawl with two Manu(re) fans which resulted in my ejection from the only (English) football friendly tavern in our tiny county. Thus the return to tea and soda pop. Too much indigenous blood in my veins for the British habit.
Nuff Said????
Lefty.
PS. I am at liberty to say I(or Jack) handily won the brawl.
What legal implications lie on the horizon however is unclear.
“Till the we shall lay low and observe more civil customs.
Que le Vayan bien dude. (is that better?)
I fully expect us to beat the greeks tonight with minimum fuss, Rosicky and Coqsy to start and RVP to do an hour. Am with holic that the mind has already turned to sunday, was disgusted reading articles by so called journos yesterday claiming spuds are now better than us, its like groundhog day with these muppets..aint gonna happen. That said it will be tough on sunday and I hope we discard the high line for this one. Tevez story has taken away from the fact that city and manure were shite last night which probably suited most journalists as slagging of these two bloated whores is sacrilige these days. Rant over…have a good day all and enjoy the match if your lucky enough to be going
Right, leaving in 10 mins. Me and the lad stopping for hot dogs and then the shop for a new school bag.
TS, thanks for the e mail but not going to get the time to make the pub.
BtM. Shame your trip was canc. Next time maybe.
Onwards and upwards to a large Arsenal win. We have not played with a proper back 4 for years now so a few centre backs light should not make the slightest bit of difference. ๐
Happy days.
Heh, nice one Steve (back 4) ๐
Enjoy the match.
U reds!
Olympiacos goalkeeper
โArsenal are always a dangerous team but this season they donโt offer so much fear as in the past. This season you can see that Arsenal are more vulnerable and Olympiakos could win if we play with intelligence.โ
I’d go with as strong a line-up tonight as possible even with all the injuries. It’s obvious we don’t hold the same fear we once had over opponents and this game has all the ingredients of a potential upset. It’s important to win tonight going into Sunday’s game.
Really happy for the ladies, another amazing achievement from the best woman football club in the world!
If anything the 9 injuries underline how much more depth we have this season. We still are discussing what is the best lineup, any season before we’d be lamenting.
@SteveT: Have a lot of fun, I’m sure I’ll be hearing you on my stream ๐
@NZ Gooner: I can’t agree more with you on Mancini who’s been so underperfoming with the budget at his disposition it’s laughable. The only reason Citeh are in the CL is Tevez and for all their big signings this summer they’ll suddenly find it much harder without him.
Lars! I had no idea he’s coming to town tomorrow. Will have to check out the prices tonight. Might see you there!
Evening all. Lots of drinks to catch up on. Just got to finish off (so to speak) the last few patients so that I can run home to the TV….
Trust that you are all well?
Heh Trev earlier —— re the headlines. Brilliant!
Szczesny, Sagna, Mertesacker, Song, Santos, Frimpong, Arteta, Arshavin, Oxlade-Chamberlain, Rosicky, Chamakh
Should be interesting
@ bernard 88
Hola mate,
I’m not sure it’s a good idea to base our team selection based on quotes from the opposing keeper. I don’t care how fearless they are or are not. What I want is three points this evening and a fresh,well rested 11 for the derby this weekend.
Whatever selection will best suit these purposes is the one I’m for and the greek goalie can go hump his own leg.
2-0 to the Arsenal. Probably with a few goal-line clearances and a few good 1-vs-1 saves from SCZC.
COYRRR
Our OX in the box strikes, dare i say the anti- teeo
Well done, Ox…
Come ON, Redsss…!!
My prediction looking really good at the moment… And not just the 2-0-part!
Toby @99 = agreed. You beat me to it!
Captain Scarlet to the rescue http://youtu.be/kwJWr_Zk1R8
nice nice nice
Well done, Santos…
Come ON you, Redss…!!
Pele’s old side pops it in – uReds!
Now my prediction is living dangerously again. Oh well, think I can live with that.
AA is looking good.
Holics, do you realize this is our 2nd teamers?
Both scorers won’t be guaranteed a place in the first 11 throughout the entire season.
I like our depth this season!
Correct me if I’m wrong, but haven’t we seen this from a corner before?
Brian Little creaming himself over their goal…you would swear we were being hammered….wanker
We’ll be fine.
Wierd half that.
We must keep procession better.
Schoolboy stuff in defense again for their goal. We can expect some vitriol from Steve T in his match report.
Frustrating inability to do what we do best, hold the ball. Sagna, Rosicky, Frimpong, Arshavin and Chamakh all guilty of just giving the ball away. No one will want to hear this, but we’d be stronger here with Denilson for Frimpong, Rosicky and, (marginally) Arteta. Deni’s willingness to make himself available for a ball, hold and distribute is noticeably missing here.
Rosicky’s defensive play is a nightmare! Shades of his penalty at Newcastle in the 4-4. He can’t tackle and watch his positioning for set plays Woeful.
Having said all of that, we look good going forward. Btter keep doing that.
Come on You Reds.
Let’s hope we keep this new habit of having better second halves.
Dunno about other holics but I suddenly find these guys a little niggly and cuntish
Ramsey for Ox? Has he not been our best outlet this half?
@Camberwell Gooner
Perhaps a little more than a little.
@Bergkamp’s The Man
Denilson??Wowsers dude for real. Why not put Squillacci back out there with Fumblehanski in goal and get it over with.
Gibbs for Arshavin. I think this is more like it.
Patty’s doing a fine job on the touchline.
R U watchin’ Manchester…
Up The Arse!
Moving up.
Thank fuck that’s over.
3 ugly but delicous points.
Scary at the end, mentail frailty all over, and that’s including Szczesny with one needless punt upwards when we needed to do keep ball.
But then the second time it’s the defenders who didn’t offer him an option, when there was only one minute left.
But well, we won.
Can’t see how Marseille apparently won, but do not get worried, they are absolutely shite.
Up The Arse!
And goodnight all.
Slowly,slowly learning how to win again.
Well done all.
On to effin What Knot Lame.
Well done lads! Priceless battling performance after an absolute cakewalk in the first 25
Victory Europe and the green shoots of a bring back Denilson campaign –
quite a nite
Up The Arse!
More points in the CL this week than the other three English teams combined. Heh.
Re: Toby @95: Make that SZCZ, please. I just learned it so please don’t confuse me now. ๐
BtM – I can’t believe you just wrote that. I’d have anyone of them before Denilson.
Denilson doesn’t lose the ball because he doesn’t try to go forward.
Frimpong’s number of tackles and interception is amazing, unlike the lazy Denilson.
@BT8BBGFG,
Heh, and I THOUGHT I knew it. Well usually do. Been at the office, working towards a deadline which is why both my watching the game (Thank DB10 for streams!) and my posting here hasn’t been up to the usual standard. Now I’m battling autocorrect on my way home on the bus.
Since I didn’t watch the game with both eyes I’m not really sure how to respond to that, BtM. I can see where you are coming from, but I’ve seen Denilson just stick out a leg as well. He can be a good player in a game such as this, but I’d rather drum some movement into the players that were on the pitch today. In the end, the only way to do that is to give them games and wait for Wilshere. I do see your point if not your conclusion. Have a pint on me for continually speaking your mind, good Sir.
So we are in crisis?
And yet we win again.
If I could have transported myself directly into the Sky commentary box, they would have been one employee short tonight. Whoever that trumpet was, he needed a good kick in the gonads. And you would think every now and again, Smudger could at least try and stick up for the club.
BTW, I thought Alex Song was immense second half.