Water-Carrier Springs Leaks As New TV Deal Cheers
Oct 18th, 2011 by 'holic
“Our bad start in the championship means we have our backs to the wall in every match… but in the Champions League it’s different… There isn’t the same pressure and the players can go for it a bit more and play without the same nervousness.”
His supporters will claim the wily old French manager is taking the pressure off his side, as an indifferent start to the domestic season gives way to the heat of Champions League matchday three in the group of death. The others will use the poor start to the bread and butter of top-flight football as a stick to beat him with. Let’s face it, Didier Deschamps has been abused before. The water-carrier is now charged with sealing the holes in Marseille’s bucket.
You thought I meant who? Oh, sorry. Easy mistake to make though. The man some of you thought I was referring too is well aware of the shared experience of the two sides this season.
“They’ve had a similar start to the season to us, maybe they find there is less pressure in the European games…These two matches against Marseille will decide whether we qualify.”
The latter part of that quote from Le Boss is probably accurate, although I suspect that Borussia Dortmund will still foster hopes of progressing by taking points off the French club at home and Arsenal at the Grove. Neither of those outcomes is beyond the realms of possibility. A very good side is going to finish third in this group. Marseille put themselves in the driving seat by beating Dortmund 3-0 in the stadium in which they host the Gunners, and then scoring the only goal of the game against Olympiacos in Greece.
Marseille will be without the aptly-named Fanni, red-carded in extra time in Greece, but still boast the likes of Souleymane Diawara, Alou Diarra, Lucho Gonzalez, Benoit Cheyrou, Mathieu Valbuena, Andre Ayew, Andre-Pierre Gignac, and Loic Remy. All those names will be familiar to followers of French football at weekends, or indeed those who keep lists of players Arsenal are linked with during quiet close-seasons. Make no mistake, this will be a test, and an away victory under any circumstances will send out a powerful message.
On the injury front we have, not surprisingly, lost another player. Kieran Gibbs has not recovered from the stomach muscle problem that forced him out of Sunday’s 2-1 win over Sunderland. There is, however, a return to the squad for Aaron Ramsey. It will be fascinating to see if he can displace Tomas Rosicky, who rediscovered his very best form at the weekend, but for whom two games in four days may be a huge ask.
More important will be the question of who gets to start in the wide berths. Presumably Carl Jenkinson and Andre Santos will start as the full-backs, and effective cover, particularly for Jenkinson, must be a consideration. I would not be at all surprised if only one of Gervinho, Theo Walcott, or Andrey Arshavin started the game. I can see Rosicky being switched wide, or Yossi Benayoun getting a start. I wouldn’t object at all. It would give us the option of unleashing perhaps a fresh Walcott or Gervinho against tense, tiring defenders in the final quarter.
One could make a plausible case for all three outcomes in this match. The ‘holic pound is nervously attracted by Paddy Power’s offer of 12/1 against a 2-1 away win. It will come as no surprise to regular punters that 0-0, 1-1, and three Marseille winning scorelines are at shorter odds. Maybe just this once Paddy has been overly generous?
Thank You Thomas Vermaelen
This was unexpected, but undoubtedly wonderful news in the build-up to Marseille. As the Belgian international gets ever closer to a return from injury he will have raised his profile even higher in the eyes of Arsenal supporters everywhere.
“I feel there is a big belief in me from the Club, from the boss and from the fans and that is one of the reasons why I stayed.”
The news put into context reports that Arsene Wenger confirmed players wanted to leave in the summer. Of course in an ideal world Fabregas and Nasri would have been retained, but the other players to whom Wenger was referring are now plying their trade elsewhere. Most of them of course are only out on loan at the moment, with potential suitors unwilling to match their Arsenal wages.
Vermaelen would be regarded as one of our top three players right now, and his extension sends a message out. It would be great if Robin van Persie would do the same, but understandably finds himself in a strong position, and it makes sense for his personal situation to maintain the current inertia. Vermaelen has another big pay-day to come. Having turned twenty-eight in August, this next contract may well be the skipper’s last substantial earner. I wouldn’t rule out him confirming his commitment to the Gunners just yet.
134 Responses to “Water-Carrier Springs Leaks As New TV Deal Cheers”
First, first in ages?
Thirst!
Darn!!!
Well in Mr.Storey!
Nice diversion tactics from TS – too busy replying to him on Twitter to notice the number one spot was up for grabs!
Evening, H2H! 🙂
Hah! Foiled the dreaded Dr.C and Catalan G in one go. Magnificent!
Your alter ego congratulating you??
Genius.
Warped, but genius!
My alter ego speaking for me.
Worrying.
Heh 😀
Well in TS.
Evening all, I’m a bit busy at the mo, catch up later.
In the mean time next rounds on me.
HELLO Holic and holics!
Im back after a mere 6 months.
how is everyone?
the bar is going well, iv read every post and drink in between but couldn’t comment.
Been tough not commenting on the posts, but no one can stop me now except holic.
Am enjoying this CL campaign, watching the mancs struggle as we rumble on is somewhat churchilian in its stoicism.
come on you haven’t forgotten me have you?
Usama
You’ve been away for 6 months…. our bad form started how many months ago??
Gentlemen (and Arsa e Barca)… we have a scapegoat!
No hello/hi’s Catalan. you people hate me!
Well i read every post but couldn’t comment so practically that isn’t being away, so you cant blame me.
Now then Usama, luckily for you we have just opened a psychiatric wing in The Quackery. Long overdue.
It’s fairly chocca already, but for a nice case of paranoia such as this we can always find room…
im sorry i dont understand you dr c
Ah fucking bollox
hmmm…. more and more interesting.
Nurse!!!!
I think we can blame Usama for that as well
racist.
Diagnosis confirmed.
Nurse – Ketamine, pronto!!
Holy Moly, ‘holic. I just finished reading your list of Marseille’s big names, and it sounds like they have every player we were trying to sign last summer. How can they afford all those stars? Are they owned by an Arab sheikh or something?
They are owned by the same fella that owns Adidas, bt8bbgfg.
Erm…. er…. ah….. no, sorry, there’s no words to explain that exchange except, possibly comedy genius.
usama, I believe it’s traditional that returnees are always welcomed back to our cosy lilttle bar with grace and good humour. A little reciprocation would be polite albeit not mandatory.
Alter ego issues again, #25 was from me. I just borrowed Edwin’s PC 😳
Another great piece of writing ‘Holic.
“…A very good side is going to finish third in this group…”
Couldn’t agree more. I’m quietly confident it won’t be us. I’m equally and quietly confident of some form of result tom night. A massive test for the squad but they’re more than capable if they choose to be.
COYRRRs!
Thanks TS.
The difference between a 2 pint and a 5 pint preview, perchance?
“…A very good side is going to finish third in this group…” – which is handy news as presently we’re only quite good. Group Winners!
Thoroughly enjoyed the Deschamps trickery also – had me going….
Evening, Holic and company, that includes you, usama. Mates, this goofy goonerette was so depressed after reading your comments at Holic’s last post, i was speechless, couldn’t find my voice. LUCKILY for you, i’m back (eh,eh). Problem is you raised some real issues that i’ve swept under the mat. our reliance on RVP (not fair) and our abysmal attempts in set pieces, whether they are corners or free kicks. now, would any one care to explain to me why we can’t play a 4-3-4 formation. just keep in mind i’m not the sharpest tool in the shed, so go easy. BUT, i’m still walking on sunshine and i predict a lovely win tomorrow. mates, usama says he’s buying, so saddle up to the bar and enjoy. cheers!
Greetings one and all. Good report holic. I agree with a lot you say. Cover for the full backs is essential. Think I might have mentioned the balance of the side quite a bit now??? 😉
I would like to see Theo start on the bench. I think he has far more of an impact on a game coming from there.
Great news re TV5. We need his strength and leadership, especially whilst in the middle of a period where Dracula had more success with crosses than our defence.
Here’s to a good moral boosting win in France. Time to kick le butt.
Hello Steve, and thanks.
I am really not at all sure what the front five will be tomorrow. We know he will sit Song in front of Szczesny, Jenkinson, Mertesacker, Koscielny, and Santos, won’t he?
We know the skipper will be the focal point. Arteta is likely to be in I would imagine. That means perm three from Ramsey, Rosicky, Arshavin, Walcott, Gervinho, and Benayoun.
Interestingly a point would guarantee second place at the halfway stage, with our hardest two away games completed.
Good piece ‘holic – interesting when you put all their names together.
But they’ve only managed one win in their first ten games in the league.
Also, Cignac is just back from injury and a weight loss clinic according to the paper yesterday.
Just trying to boost confidence 😉
And this Water-Carrier Deschamps – I remember the name but I can’t quite pitcher him. 😉
Personally, I’d go for Benayoun, Ramsey and Rosicky to start as they will give the best defensive cover. We have to be solid at the start don’t we ?
I can’t quite pitcher him.
Brilliant, Trev.
Have a great Wednesday all, perlease…
Thankyou sir!
Here’s to your 2 – 1.
I am looking forward to seeing more of Santos. He looked good on Sunday. I could actually see a situation where both Gibbs (when he is fit) and Santos both playing on the left. Both like to get forward and both can defend. Build an understanding and you never know.
There’s a horse running around in Sydney called “The Verminator” and it’s winning some pretty good races. I bet the owners are pleased with the resigning of the man.
our history in France bodes well for us, no worries. sometimes i think Warren Barton has more faith in our team then some of our fans, what’s up with that?
Evening Holic and Holics,
I didn’t know adidas was owned by a French sheikh!?
As a matter of fact I though Adi Dassler was German?
No matter I’m a Brooks man myself and with that in mind I’m sticking with the Gunners. besides some of these so called “big names” sound like Premiership rejects to me. What’s the matter they couldn’t sign Paul Dickov??
Nevermind, whip ’em whoever they be or um, were.
COYG!!!!
Bring on whoever, we’ll take them down with a left hook from our red glove and an uppercut from our white glove…hic
*drinks a vodka-redbull for more Dutch courage*
Sounds like we do have our work cut out for us but I figure if we start Gervinho and Arshavin we should have speed and guile, bring on Theo/Oxlade and we can attack lagging defenders at pace.
@30 arsa e barca
“……would any one care to explain to me why we can’t play a 4-3-4 formation.”
I’m no expert, but I think it may have something to do with the rule that states that you can only have 11 players on the field. 😉
====
Nice preview ‘holic, should be a good game tomorrow, two clubs whose league positions doesn’t reflect their quality.
I like the idea of Theo as an impact sub and I think Rosicky might have to make way for Ramsey. I’d also like to see Bennygoon starting.
A swift nightcap before I hit the hay and one for the bar please.
Don’t knock the 12 man team H2H, desperate times call for desperate measures 😉
Have a Stolichnaya on me for sweet dreamings of victories in croissant land
CL is our comp. Little bus parking and no up and under hoofing. Some of those balls from Mignolet in the Sunderland game onSunday should have come down with snow on them. When football is played, we can compete with the best of them.
LCG @ 40 and others: The late Robert Louis-Dreyfus, who was chief executive of Adidas-Salomon from 1994 to 2001, was the majority owner of Olympique de Marseille from 1996 until his death in 2009. He took over after Bernard Tapie and the infamous match fixing scandal. Robert Louis-Dreyfus’s widow, Margarita Louis-Dreyfus, is now OM’s largest shareholder. Incidentally, the Seinfeld actress, Julia, is (was?) his cousin.
While I am at it, Margarita Louis-Dreyfus is a wealthy woman. She owns 61% of the family commodities trading group, Louis Dreyfus. It is one of the world’s biggest rice and cotton traders, with revenue of £48 billion last year on which it made more than £500 million of profit. I don’t think she yet counts as a billionaire owner, but she is certainly worth hundreds of millions.
Maybe it was because it was in blue, but I actually did get that the Holic was referring to Deschamps with that first quote 🙂
Agree with SteveT@37, Gibbs in front of Santos could be interesting, but would of course require us to play 4-4-2.
Trev@33: brilliant pun 🙂
Good man, Ned. I didn’t realise he had popped his clogs. Thank you.
Morning all.
Allez!
Pasted this from previous drinks, sorry…off to read the post!
Great job done by all.. Especially you holic. IMO I don’t think I’ve seen anything out of TR7 that we haven’t seen except for the times fab an the cunt were on the field together or not… Now again IMO Arteta doesn’t have that fire in his belly that we need moving forward that even yossi has after so few games. Don’t get me wrong OUR-TETA was an intrical addition to the squad and will come to fruition but he knew in this game he had to take charge which was (from what I’ve read) fine by us. If you watch the last few games and contrast it to this you’ll see a TEAM that was (for most of it) understanding and willing to play together but at other times needed a spark, hence the goal after Benny the goon and little aa23 came on. Maybe it was just fresh legs but, a win is a win is a win is a win so satisfied with the points and out of the drop zone, thank god… But my friends, it’s all up from here. ( toot toot) wish you all well the HT MKII is here better grab my drink and hop on I’m here if you need me….
TS & Dr C I’ve followed you on the Twitter if you don’t mind…
Let’s drink up to OM tomorrow and enjoy
Hello all,
Nice preview ‘holic
I don’t know how I will watch the game tonight as the channel which it is being shown on is taken off the cable. And since we recently moved, no internet yet
I am definitely wanrming up to a performance tonight
Come on you gunners!
Oh harsha tsk tsk, should’ve done your homework friend.
Gibbs in front of Santos wouldn’t be too strange or surprising as AW has been doing that with gibbo for the last year or so. Albeit clichy was on the field instead of the bench…
Steve T @ 37 – Hmmm! Yes that would be interesting.
Cheers – mines a cup of tea (at the moment).
Marseilles, Marseilles, Marseilles – bread-stick, i get the pitcher – gagging for it already…
ComONUReDSSSS!
(Joins along in the bar craziness)
…Ohhhhhhhh Arsenal We Love You!
We Love You Arsenal, We Do! We Love You Arsenal, We Do! We Love Arsenal, We Do…
Have donned the overalls and put the little hat on at a jaunty angle. Big leather gloves on my paws, rollie hanging out one side of the mouth and shovel at the ready.
CG reporting for stoking duty on board the HT Mk II!
If the other holics could just make sure the coal container is well stocked, and for that matter the HT Mk II’s engine room mini-bar – with a continuous supply of Zywiec, Lech or Tyskie.
Not sure why but I’m going to be exclusively fuelled by beverages of Polish extraction tonight. Ah yes, just remembered…because I’ll be watching from the comfort of my mate’s sofa, and Sainsbury’s Local do a good line in said drinks.
Come on you mighty reds: Let’s go in, get the job done and fuck off!
Lemon, ginger and honey teas all round.
Hi ‘holic, good post as always. Considering our patchy form, I wish the team could match football-wise, the consistency of the quality of your posts. Would definitely make me less anxious about tonight’s game.
But fingers crossed… I hope we come out on top.
We’d need to be very wary of Marseille on the counter. Thats how come they beat Rosicky’s old club 3-nil despite Dortmund having the lions share of possession in that game. I hope Le Boss gets his tactics & selection spot-on & the boys turn up with their best game.
Anyone who speaks French in the bar?….How do I say ”Come On You RIp-Roaring Reds!!!” in French?…
Allons les putains rouges?
*I failed French*
Oops, pardon – Marseilles, Marseilles, Marseilles – bread-stick, i get the pitcher – but can’t wait…gagging for it etc.
BUT comonu, erm – BLUES – i just read somewhere. Naaah, don’t feel right. Much more, ahem – comfortable with UpTheARSe!
How about “vamos los estupendos rojos”? Spanish is the only other language I speak…
Up the arse = en el año!
Whoops, ‘ano’…
@North Bank Ned
Thank you Neddy bach.
I knew someone here would know,god knows it’s not me.
BTW teach, who scores the first goal? (counting remaining few sheckles).
If You Don’t Want to Be Here…. you are very welcome.
I presume that you are not the Cattle Trader from St Petersburg that is following me?? Most confused by that one…
@Camberwell Gooner
O a bajo tus calzones.
Leftcoast, “under your pants”?! Do you think the original message might be getting lost in translation? Or my translation is wrong, one of the two….
No your translation is correct.
I’m just getting out there as I am quite naturally disposed to.
Had a exam today so had to run yesterday. thank you for the greetings 🙂 . Hope we win today.
Its raining here(2 hour drive from Marseille) but the weather forecast for this evening in Marseille is cloudy with the chance of a Mistral (strong north wind) picking up later.Iwill be leiving home in about an hour to get there nice and early ,check into hotel(things to do in Marseille tomorrow) and get to the ground(walking distance)and see what this 2 hour before kick off business is all about.Luckily my work got rained of today ,so getting there early is not too complicated.Really up for this match ,been waiting for us to be drawn against OM for years.Nearer and nearer draws the time
Leftie, quality…
How about: “Arriba el culo!”
H2H WHOOPS! i’ve done it again. that’s the great thing about being a gooner fan, you don’t have to be an einstein to feel welcomed. good thing for me. Cheers!
@Camberwell Gooner
i Si pues, con calabasa grandote!
Have to say, I quite like their stadium. Kinda reminds me of one of those places where they have those really fast bicycles and race them round and round a kind of track-like thing and try to get the best time and stuff like that.
Now if I could just remember what one of those things is called…
Leftie, now you’ve lost me. Calabasa, que es? Plus I still don’t get the word ‘pues’, how it’s used etc…
And I’ve only been living with a Latino bird for the last 5 years!
CoR @ 43, sneaky mate, do you think the ref would notice. bartender this round on me. Cheers!
Quite busy, but time for one important message:
Come on Arsenal!
Pues in this sense is like the german word doch it means more or less “while your at it”. It’s used (as doch is) often for rhythmic effect.
As in kommt doch mit. (one could accurately say Kommt mit mir) And Calabasa is a Gord or squash. Here in California it usually refers to what the Italians call a zuchini.
que significa grandote=really big.
I grew up in a Portuguese ESL family,learned Spanish when I moved out west and married a German.
(what was I thinking?)
Camberwell, Just don’t shout “Arriba el Culo” while walking down the streets in Barcelona and you’ll be fine. 🙂
I’m at home with the daughter, whose school idiotically declared some kind of holiday. So to occupy her we’re headed out to the cinema to see some idiotic kiddie flick but the good news is that while we are out, Marseille v. Arsenal will be recording on the DVR for later viewing.
Arriba el Culo.
Afternoon all.
With kick off fast arriving the pre match jitters are setting in, I’ll be heading off down to the bar soon to drink the nerves away.
As I’ve previously mentioned I’ve been a bit busy lately so I’ve had little time for the internet thingy, so I’ve just been catching up on the past few days events (with other PL teams etc.)
This is a bit off subject, but it ties in with a discussion I had with a few here over a certain player that I do not hold in high regard, so if I may……….
Well, surprise, surprise the true nature of Suarez is starting to dawn upon the masses, I told you he was a prick.
Firstly refs are starting to wise up about his diving and play acting and now knobhead supremo Evra is upset that Suarez racially abused him.
I hate to say I told you so, but…. fuck it, who am I trying to kid, I love saying it;
I told you so,
I told you so,
Na ner na na na ner na
I told you so.
Voddie shots on me.
Come on you gunners!!!!
Hey, Washedup, I am most envious. I went to Marseille 4 years ago for the RWC quarter finals and fell in love with the city. Have only seen rugby in the Velodrome so far and unfortunately work will keep my nose to the grindstone till 8 tonight. However, have a great time, and eat as much “coqiuillage” as you can afford.
“Marseille… still boast the likes of Souleymane Diawara, Alou Diarra, Lucho…”
“…I just finished reading your list of Marseille’s big names…”
Leave it out lads? Just sounds like a good night out down the Local Indian on Banquet Night to me 😀
Clowns they are. The LWC’s of France.
1 -2 to the Top Guns 😀
COYRRR’s
allez les rouges furieux
Kom op u brullende rood!!!!
Nah, that just sounds stupid in Dutch.
Ta CG – the tres handy en el ano has been duly noted. Will endeavour to drop it in to polite/sophisticated and/or multi-lingual conversation whenever the hopportunity harises. Now do excuse moi, am orf to imbibe a wee nerve soother as the old ano is getting a little twitchy pre-match.
UpTHeARSE!
Like Lars, really busy today.
Just a quick hello to all in the bar and hope to catch-up in the drinks post match.
Come on you Rip Roaring Gunners!!!
BTW teach, who scores the first goal?
Not a bet I would recommend in a tough European away tie, maestro.
You could lose your money very early to an opposition goal, thus making you feel worse.
Last goal maybe. Who do you fancy to appear from the bench?
Well time for the nerves,
Bartender, scotch and darvon please. Better make it a double.
i Andarle los Rojos, vamos a garnar!
Hi ‘holics in the bar…
Nice try to everyone who’s tried to translate ”Come On You Rip-Roaring Reds”…
I don’t know a jot of French but i like the sound of ”Allez Les Rouges Furieux!!!”.
Don’t need to know much French to know what Furieux means.
So come on you gunners lets ”Furieuxly” rip Marseille a new one!…
Thanks Holic but I already put 20 USD on Arshavin.
That’s where my mouth is,so goes my moolah.
anyone has any links? please be free to share
Szczesny, Jenkinson, Mertesacker, Koscielny,
Andre Santos, Song, Arteta, Walcott, Rosicky,
Arshavin, van Persie…
@usama
Try here dude.
http://www.lshunter.tv/
thanks left coast
Is it me or has Song’s discipline gone to pot?
Blatent handball
Forget a defensive coach we need a crossing coach.
Also how is Arshavin able to get a game for us?!?
It’s like we are playing with 10 men. AA disinterest is a disgrace.
Is Santos smoking crack? Oh to have Keown in the dressing room.
Well a nerve-wracking if sloppy half.
@North Bank 1 I put 20 on Arshavin to score first.
I should have listened to Holic but alas…
I really have no idea why Theo got the start over Gervinho.
He can’t cross and doesn’t take people on, and he doesn’t get passes in behind the CBs because the midfield is playing it a bit more cautious.
What’s the point?
Marse Arse looking tight…
UpTHeAno!
Sorry to be doom and gloom…rest of the team are doing well. Just AA playing like he’s been on the vodka last night. Thought that ended with Merson.
@ leftcoast, I’ll take take that bet all day long. I’ll even give u 4-1….
Argh, will I ever hit a century?
Short odds on a sending off i would say
So who’s the right back cover for our right back cover…or is that a dumb question?
A centre back
Please please please end our suffering and sub Arshavin. Please.
It’s really worth the 20 bucks to see him go.
Hahahaha, surely we’ve gotta loan him to a championship team in Jan. To be honest he’s not even average championship level at the mo.
Ahoy-hoy ‘Holics,
No need for the glum faces and comments… the boys will come good in the next 10 mins or so.
Up the Arse!
BMBD.
Yeeeeeeessssssss
There’s only one Aaron Ramsay!!
See, I told you so…
BMBD!
Get in there Ram!!!!!
Goooooooaaaaaallllllllll!!!!!
Ramboed!
Rambo, Rambo, he’s our man… if he can’t do it, RvP can!
BMBD.
Its been long in coming….Finally a huge slice of luck for us…..
My what a win…
That’ll do….scrappy as all fuck but a huge win. Don’t downplay that being a very tough place to win in Europe. Man of match….effort/belief
Well done lads. Well done.
Great to win ugly for a change
Yay! Get the fuck in!
😆
Terrible game.
Briliant tesult.
1-0 to the Arsenal , top of the table, I’ll take that any day of the week.
Let’s get the drinks in!
Good result. Interestingly if Milan were to avoid defeat in their return game against Barcelona (and though you’d still fancy Barcelona to win that, it’s not impossible that Milan could get a draw) they’d probably top the group – would there be a stampede in the final set of group matches to not finish top of the group if that happens!
Boring, boring… with little Welsh nugget on top.
Suck on this, Didier!
We battled, we fought and did not play great. But we managed to win scruffy. Happy days. Great result. I thought Kos and Per were rocks at the back.
Get in there RAMBOOOOOOOOOOO. Probably the dullest victory possible, but does taste awful good..
COYG
Player-wise I think it is a major positive to see 2 consecutive solid performances by Rosicky. If he can maintain this level we will be fine in midfield.
Take away that German wonder strike and we would be as good as through.
Superb result, great to win ugly as countless others have said tonight.
And another fantastic game for Kos — he really held it together: was always the first to the ball and aggressive in his marking. It will be interesting to see what happens when Verm is available.
I love Gervinho — he always looks dangerous; was a little disappointed that RVP found himself offside more often than onside (but mustn’t grumble about our best player…)
But Jesus: sorry to moan, but I can’t see the value that either Arshavin or Walcott bring to this team any more. The media has grumbled about our defence for the last 2-years, but for me, the real problem is on our flanks.
Anyway: Great results. Up the Arse
Indeed Steve, but 4pts from 2 away games is not to be sniffed at.
Agreed on Rosicky – he looked the most industrious/creative player on the park once again.
Though Kos was our best defender – we could really do without Jenkinson being out too…any news on that?
Was worried sick when Song got that yellow within 3 minutes but after that he played really sensible football.
Excellent game, I feel 20 years younger 😉
Hopefullly we’ll carry on with this kind of defensive displays, it would help us catch up with the Scousers much sooner than expected. I thought that kid on the right is playing really well for a guy who was in league 53 last season and Santos turns out to be a hell of a substitute.
As Steve said, we should already be qualified if it wasn’t for that wonder shot in Germany. We’ll have to wait another game, still much better attitude than last season by the look of it.
A theory based on nothing (but circumstantial evidence): The Arsenal bench spot that the Marseilles right-back gets sucked into the middle of the park when we attack down their left. They send Rambo on in central midfield but gen him up re the right-back , telling him that if he delays his run slightly and drifts to the left from midfield he’ll end up arriving in their penalty area unmarked … bingo, bango, bongo, Rambo – GOOAAALLLLO!!!
Arsene Wenger tactical genius
Great result
And now a lie down
UReDDSSS(Usually)!
Solid performance from the team defensively. Chuffed to bits for the win. Rambo took that goal solidly to match his one against the LWCs. I desperately want him to score against The Munsters on Sunday too, preferably whilst Sh*wcr*ss does himself a mischief trying to tackle him.
Apart from Song and Kos (my MoTM) was very impressed with Santos and DJ when he came on. I thinks TV’s got a job on his hands getting back into the team at this rate which is exactly as it should be.
Only downer, Andrei’s somewhat “give-a-f*ck” performance. Was surprised he wasn’t pulled-off when Flipper went on.
Great result! Bring on the mutants from The Potteries!
On, and drinks all round 🙂
@Matt(2) #127
I’m starting to hear it more and more and it’s true. Our lack of consistant goal scoring(RvP aside) is putting the defence under tremendous pressure. The game v.S**** is a case and point. If Gervinho and Walcott finish with open nets we win. But outside of Robin the confident stroke has been missing.
BTW I heard Ruud Gullit call Ramsey’s goal lucky on the CL review show. Bitter feck I hope he lost his drawers on the French side. Serves his arrogant ass right.
Evening Holics
A diabolical game to watch but a great result. Neither side could string a series of passes together and there was little goal mouth incident. Did Szczesny have to make a save?
As on Sunday, we had loads of corners in the first half and failed to take advantage, their keeper punching away most of the crosses.
We need LJW back in this side to drive the team forward and provide some inspiration, roll on February.
Mert and Kos did well and Ramsey and Gervinho livened things up when they came on. Theo and our little Russian were non existent and the midfield found it difficult to impose themselves on the game.
We can only hope the Jenks knee is OK, the lad played well and we don’t need another casualty.
Thank you Rambo for being in the right place at precisely the right time, the 92nd minute!
As always COYRs