Liverpool Provide The Next Real Test
Nov 1st, 2013 by 'holic
On Saturday evening a quarter of the season will have passed. If you had suggested to anyone in Manchester in August that Arsenal versus Liverpool would be first versus third in the Premier League at this stage, and that the two would be separated only by Chelsea, you would have been subject to some laughter.
It says something about the recent cup defeats that the table-toppers go into the game with the manager on the defensive somewhat. Once again questions are being asked about the Gunners ability to sustain their challenge.
“It is down to us to prove them wrong. It is a continuation of what we started in early 2013. If you take a bigger perspective of our situation, it is not a coincidence we are where we are.”
Two teams who have both surprised with their start to the season come face to face and the form strike partnership of Suarez and Sturridge will be tested against the best midfield in the top flight, minus unfortunately Mathieu Flamini.
Mikel Arteta is back from suspension and I would imagine will pair up with Aaron Ramsey behind Mesut Ozil. Perm any two from Santi Cazorla, Jack Wilshere and Tomas Rosicky to play wide and that is still a formidable set-up in an area of the pitch that could swing things our way.
The ‘holic pound backs that midfield to eventually triumph, but not without a real contest. Liverpool at home has been a tense and close encounter more often than not down the years, but I do see a more open game this time around. A 3-2 home win can still be backed at 28/1 and I am on it.
This is the start of a month of games that will tell us a great deal about where Arsenal really sit right now. Let’s get behind the side as they bid to keep us at the top of the pile for another week. I’m looking forward to seeing a lot of good friends pre and post match tomorrow. It could be a proper day to remember.
Have a good one ‘holics.
351 Responses to “Liverpool Provide The Next Real Test”
Drink!
Prospect of 3-2 has me drooling. See you ramorra – and look forward to that.
You too BtM?
Excellent my friend. I owe you a beer.
I think it will be a cracking game regardless, neither side wants to draw so it should be a very open game that our midfield can prosper in.
Hope all who are going have a great time, with an even better result for all of us.
Good luck to the rip roaring free scoring never boring GUNNERS!!!!
Respond to defeat as we have done both times already this season, will do nicely.
17 30 kick-off though suggests for once the Tollie doors won’t be getting knocked off their hinges at 10:55 😉
Penalty Shoot-out Blues.
And one, and two, and one-two-three-four….
A cautious preview, maestro.
This one will certainly show what the un-crocked residuum of this squad is capable of.
Let’s do it Arsenal.
We owe this lot for their low-class behaviour this summer.
Cautious indeed master. Nothing taken for granted here.
First of all: Aussie, “Austria” in the last post was an honest mistake from me. Apologies for that, no sarcasm or anything meant.
3-2 does not at all sound beyond the realms of possibilites. Let me put it like this, I’ll be very happily surprised if we manage a clean sheet tomorrow so we better score a few ourselves. Would really have wanted Flamini on the pitch for this one, but then again that would almost certainly have meant he would have got his fifth yellow and been suspended v ManU… On the other hand, we don’t yet know if he’ll really be back for next Saturday.
Anyway, onwards and upwards and up the Arse. Home from the pub now after a couple of beers, think I’ll make it an early night tonight. Been a really busy week at work so I am pretty much a spent force at the moment and want to preserve some energy for the big game tomorrow 🙂 An hour doing bugger-all in front of the telly and then off to bed will be just what the doctor ordered.
Wise as ever Guvna.
I’ll see you under the brollie ramorra, pal.
Since the turn of the year Arsenal and Liverpool have been the two best teams that play exciting football so it should be a good match.
Arsenal just really have to worry about SAS but Arsenal have goals all over their team, that might be the difference. But one match won’t decide where they both finish so hoping for an exciting match.
Holic, NBC has the hosting honors and with LFC’s name recognition, should have a large audience. Big opportunity to spread the gospel 😉 We’re still top of the injury list at the PhysioRoom .com with 8 players out, sharing this honor with WHU. Not making excuses here, but hopefully one of the TV announcers will mention it. 🙂 Eh, not doubt this will be most memorable!!! C’mon you Reds!, Arsenal Red, that is 😉
Apologies, I am a tedious obsessed wanker who won’t go and visit my doctor
Would be very happy for you to land your long-odds pound with a 3-2 win, ‘Holic. The monks at Castle Ned have a 1-1 as the most likely outcome, followed by a 2-1 either way. But they have yet to get a scoreline right this season, so let’s hope for three points safely secured regardless. Keep the supply lines to Suarez and Sturridge cut off and we should be OK.
Apologies, I am a tedious obsessed wanker who won’t go and visit my doctor
This marks the real beginning of our season, imo. A win here and a decent result next weekend and I’ll be feeling a lot more comfortable about the rest of the season.
What I hope to see tomorrow is all-out attack on Pool’s goal from the outset, and maintained at least until we’re comfortably ahead with just minutes to play. If the ball goes backwards from the kick-off and we start that slow build-up from the back business I will fear the worst.
2-1 either way looks most likely, but 3-1 to us if we play the positive stuff we’re capable of.
The fly in the ointment is that other major hurdle between the two prem games…
Öskar
I know we only get 3 points for a win regardless of opposition but 3 tomorrow would be a huge moral boost and act as a nice springboard for upcoming games,nerves are kicking in already.coyg.
Apologies, I am a tedious obsessed wanker who won’t go and visit my doctor
Lurky bath and aersnic – good points all from the last drinks.
Hard to disagree – tho methinks somebody might!
Cheers all. Tonight have one on me.
Will be a huge 3 PTS if we get em. One of chelski or
Man U could slip up before hand. The one downer about being
down under is that I am now awake on sat morning and ready to go but
I still probably have another sleep in me as the kick off is not until 4.30am Sunday (11 hr diff). If only I could have my breakfast and then
make my way across town to the Cuban or the tollie and get bang on it!!! Good luck at the game gents!!! Double from OG!
Tomorrow as we all know will be a very big test for both sides. We will have to work very hard to subdue a superb strike partnership and they will have to play out of their skin to control midfield against us. I expect a very good game and any sort of win will be excellent. We have the ability to beat them but I’d love to see the Flamster out there. Funnily I think tomorrow will be more difficult than next Saturday but the heat is on now and we can expect a chorus of derision going into a very tough Dortmund game if we lose tomorrow. Wouldn’t it be nice to see a crestfallen Hansen on MOTD tomorrow if we do beat them? That really would add to the gloss of victory.
COYG!
Nice one, Holic.
If I were a betting man I’d join you on that 3-2, especially at 28/1.
See some of you tomorrow.
Ttg, what was your Podolski rumour ?
This is a throw-back to over 20 years ago when these were the top two sides in the football league. Quite simply no matter where Liverpool are in the league table, Arsenal should be winning this fixture, especially at home. Like on Tuesday, defensive errors could well be crucial – a clean-sheet for us should produce a home win, especially if Carzola and Ozil have half-decent displays.
Nice one ‘holic.
I think it will be a nervy affair tomorrow, neither team will want to lose. We can test their flat back three, but we’ll have to get our balance right as their front two are pretty much doing the bizz, our defence will have thier hands full with Bitey McTool and the worlds worst electric wave b boy.
Still, we are the Arsenal and they are the bin dippers;
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5esm3QjxNd4
Enjoy your day all who are attending.
Hey holic. Little gnome on the shoulder sez we gonna win tomorrow. 🙂
a big match indeed in a big few weeks for arsenal.
a clean sheet from arsenal should be enough to see our midfield + Giroud do the job at the other end.
Hopefully Arsene has the defensive duties of the team foremost in his pre-match team talk and the central defensive pair provide no “unearned” opportunities for Suarez and Sturridge.
looking forward to seeing Ozil really stamp his class on the EPL in a big way and put in a big shift to drag young Ramsey and Wilshire with him to another level.
cant wait !
Lars – typo noted all good.
First of the three very very important games.
One game at a time though
Hopefully we’ll be up for it at home
Come on Arsenal!
Morning Holics
What Aussie said.
Very very big game tonight, but while three points would be quite massive it would still only be three points. Conversly, a loss would be a big blow but far from fatal. The league will not be decided either way tonight so for my part I shall try to keep some perspective regardless of the result and just do my best to enjoy the hell out of the day. After all, the big games at the summit of the league table is what we have been longing to get back to being part of for a few years so why waste the day being worried about the result before a ball has been kicked?
Come on, Arsenal!
Big match day for certain.
Any type of win (not Pyrrhic) will do for me.
Come on you Reds!
Morning All
We are going to have to work extremely hard when we haven’t got the ball and hopefully move it quickly and accurately with it. Lately we have given the ball away far too easily and left ourselves open to the counter.
There will be goals, 3-2 to the Arse is not a bad shout. Everything crossed for 3 points and a jolly journey home on the 20.45.
As always COYRs
A couple of particularly good points from ttg@21. I feel much happier having read them and think that a win to the good guys would be no sort of surprise. Making Hansen look even more like the pillock that he is should actually serve as an incentive to the Liverpoo team never mind the Arsenalistas.
COYG
Still away with the saucepans so sadly I’m missing this one.
Big test today and one I would expect us to overcome. We will need to keep Suarez quiet and Flamini will be a miss in that respect.
A big bright and breezy day holics. For those attending enjoy, and sing your hearts out.
It could be a very interesting weekend of football. Whilst Liverpool fans are raving about their partnership, SAS, Suarez & Sturridge, Man Utd fans are still trying to think of what they can call theirs : Welbeck, Anderson, Nani, Kagawa, Evra, Rooney.
If anyone has any thoughts on the matter I’m sure they would be gratefully received.
Very good Steve T @34, Very good !
Looking forward to watching Hansen on MOTD squirm in his seat explaining the 2-0 defeat inflicted on his lovelies.
COYG
Steve@34: 😆 😆 😆
Hard work with high pressing off the ball. Focus on eliminating errors.
No diving in on their strikers in the area (this esp for you Kos).
No unnecessary risks in defence or midfield – row Z if necessary.
Rapid recycling by Mikel to turn defence into attack.
Pull their defence out of shape by rapid one-touch passing and use of the flanks.
Patience. Resilience. Belief. (for the players and the crowd)
Simples.
I see a tight game and would love a clean sheet but suspect the Guvna’s call of 3-2 may be accurate. That’ll involve a few flutters and bitten nails.
COYG
Massive heh ST@34. 😀
@ Steve T 🙂 🙂
Steve T – 😆 😆
zico –
You won’t be able to do any fence painting today – Lars is sittimg on it ! 😉
Come on you rip roaring !!!
SteveT@34. Nope can’t think of a suitable name. ;-/
Steve T 34. Join in a Mahoosive 🙂
100 % focus and mental approach will send the dippers back home empty handed.
COYRRs
What time is the holic crew hitting the pub?
By beer O’clock on the dot.
I think some will be there already, mate. I can’t get there much before four.
Off to the pub. UTA!
Oh Steve T @ 34 You spelt ‘wanker’ 😉 ! See, I got it 🙂
LJW crocked and out of today’s squad?
The Arsenal Gentleman is in good form again over on Arseblog if you have access to the interweb during a long train journe.
Or, indeed, if you are sat at home unable to attend the temple this afternoon, it still makes a good read.
Just off to the train now to meet some stout fellows – in every sense of the word. 😉
Newcastle leading Chavs, 15 to go.
Just when the Mourinho media wankfest was starting to pick up speed. I wonder whose fault this will be if they lose it – presumably not his.
2-0! Way to go Toon!
Fingers crossed, could be 5 clear by day’s end.
COYRG!
N7 and Bayonne J knows!
I feel like I just awoke from a beautiful dream where Chel£ki lost 2-0 to Newcastle, oh if only such a world really existed.
😉
Added incentive as if needed for the fine fellows of Arsenal.
Well done the Toon.
Off to the Tollie.
Must not lose. Good enough to win IMHO.
COYG
Laters Holics.
The look on Moanrinhos face priceless ha ha ha
Looking forward to 17:30 let’s get behind the lads! It certianly won’t be easy. We need to make we don’t gift them anything.
Come on Arsenal!
I hate typing on a blackberry 😉
hahaha!
Lol-ski went down 0-2 to New-and-improved-Castle 😀
Sing on Geordie army! Newcastle played great and erased the smile gone from the moaner’s face. Two jobs accomplished in one stroke. Come on Arsenal, bring home the bacon!
Perhaps Chelsea’s first team are not as good as their reserves!
–great opportunity for us today
Newcastle proving they are serious title contenders by winning 2-0 against the pundits’ Champions-elect.
Huge opportunity this afternoon. Put some space between us and the Chavs, maintain the gap with Utd, put the pressure on the LWCs (who have a tough game tomorrow) and take the pressure right off our trip to Old Trafford.
If you’d told me at the start of the season that we’d have an opportunity to go five points clear at the top in November via a home win I’d have bitten your hand off. Don’t pass this one up lads.
COYG
Begovic currently has as many league goals from open play as Soldado.
Mad goal fests going on in other matches at the moment. Holy Shit!
N7, too bad Begovic didn’t cost above €30M, the LWCs would have preferred him to Soldado.
N7: And one more than Jermain Defoe!
Expecting a good showing from the lads today, although I suspect that if we win, people will still belittle it with comments like, ‘Well they’re not that good so it’s not a proper test’ or they’ll claim Liverpool made it easy for us or some such guff.
In the spirit of Prince George in Blackadder, I pre-emptively say to the inevitable moaners: ‘Oh bugger off you old fart!!’
Arsenal FC @Arsenal 30s View translation
#Arsenal team to play Liverpool: Szczesny, Sagna, Mertesacker, Koscielny, Gibbs, Rosicky, Arteta, Ramsey, Cazorla, Ozil, Giroud #AFCvLFC
Arsenal FC @Arsenal 40s View translation
#Arsenal subs: Fabianski, Vermaelen, Monreal, Jenkinson, Hayden, Akpom, Bendtner
So Wilshire is out injured as rumoured this morning.
Bench starting to look a bit light again, as the injuries mount up. As fucking usual.
I thought the same Esso. We need to start getting some of these players back, it’s getting daft.
Query again whether Wilshere should have started the other night.
Houghton is gona get fired in the morning!
Some real footbll please?
We are going to trash them. Have a really good feeling about this one that is all I can say.
Martin Jol to be gone before Hughton I bet!
Evening everyone,
here are the streams for the game http://www.wiziwig.tv/broadcast.php?matchid=226894&part=sports
I want some of your confidence Lurky ..really nervous about this one.
Yeah, we looking short changed on the bench! Strong first 11, although the same players will probably need to back up 3 times this week before the cavalry arrives…
COYR’s
Ta Eandy.
Am going to put the streams to the test by trying them on the glacial 1.3meg ADSL line at my folks’ place. I know, I couldn’t believe people still had them as well!
Porco,
I used to have adsl line up until very recently, not living directly in Prague so it took time till vdsl reached my humble abode:P
1,3 line is fine for majority of flash streams I guess 🙂
Lurky @ 72. I share your inexplicable confidence. Liverpool are an ok team but our midfield is head and shoulders above theirs, as is our defense. If we are up for it emotionally and physically (and I think we will be), we can run the show in midfield and deny service to their 2 in-form strikers.
Of course the narrative of a game can change in an instant over a defensive mistake, a sending off, what have you, but I have a good feeling about this one.
We are better than they are. If we play disciplined, focused football we should have three points, and be 5 clear at the top of the league by bedtime.
COME ON YOU GUNNERS!
Back in, just in time.
Line up looks good, still think that this is a game that would have suited the more natural wingers, but we’l have to work with what we have.
COME ON YOU REDZZZZZZZZZZZZZ
I’ll be watching Ramsey and Giroud particularly closely. Ramsey’s energy and industry will be crucial to our dictating the pace of the game in the middle of the park, and denying them the chance to service Suarez and Sturridge, and Giroud will need to be clinical when the chances come up top.
COME ON LADS!
good morning, all. COME ON YOU REDS!!
Oooo Rosicky, nice move.
well worth the corner
Ohhhhhhhhhhhh Tomas! Arsenal corner! C’mon lads! Hey holics 🙂
*waves
🙂
Need to keep the pressure on Minoglet. he’s a good shot stopper, but a bit poo under pressure.
Ref setting the tone, fair tackles allowed.
Kick him harder next time Kos.
grah…wanted to update my bloodzeed stream to not be like minute behind and it fallen down completely *nervously scrambles for another good one*
SAAAANNNTIIIIIIIIIIIII
Number 1
Santi!!!
Fuck yes! Santi Goal! Love Bac Too!
YEEESSS!
fucking get in!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
cazorla!!
Briliant one two with the post. 🙂
Only Santi can score from his own assist 🙂
We’re going for it!!!
Oooooooo sweet on a reboung as it can be, santi
oooh almost
keep up the pressure, lads.
Lots of good looking holics here today 🙂
Well done Sagna, took one for the team.
Well saved Woj
Very good save!
good try aaron!
Again their chance came from our set piece at the other end.
We really have to be careful with that.
Don’t want to jinx us ,but we’re picking their pockets quite easily!
beautiful play…great touch by Giroud. too bad it didn’t come off!
Cissokho is out of his depth.
You dont come to emirates with a 3-5-2 formation…keep dreaming liverpool….SAS my foot!!
Stand up Sturidge you crap dancing, cheating shitbag.
Giroud is exceptional tonight
did Sturridge really try to dive now?
Maybe he was gonna bust into a catterpillar. 😉
XD
Our passing is so crisp and sharp, you could get whiplash watching! 🙂
OOooo santi.
wonderful football by our lads!
Delicious, Nutritious! The arsenal, coming to a grocer near you 🙂
great half of football. did liverpoo get a shot on goal??
How good Girouds first touch is …never stops amazing me.
What a cracker of a game that was. Real end-to-end stuff! Good to be ahead.
Have to say we look thoroughly excellent in this game, a few misplaced balls aside, a solid performance thus far, come on you gunners!!
aab – Many thanks as that made me giggle through my flu induced fever 🙂
heh, abb…
That first half FLEW by!!’
I wonder what’s going to happen in the second half…
Not bad, not bad at all.
Tight game, not much in it but I think we are pretty good value for our lead. Liverpoll aer set up very defencive, more of an 8-2 then a 3-5-2, there’s a massive gap between their midfield and the forwards. we have to be aware of not leaving room behind the lines, because they break fast. we also have to be careful with defending, as I see our backs going to ground too quickly.
Other then that we are playing some good stuff, Arteta is a beast.
I can’t type while I am watching our game, I get too involved.
So I’ll be back at the full time whistle gentle goonerfolk 😉
Come on Arsenal. Let’s see a great second half.
http://i.imgur.com/q43eN5P.jpg
Espn hahaha 🙂
Depressed,The flu ? Big sigh 🙁 Glad you enjoyed it though! 😉
Hey there scruz! And everyone!
if Suarez drops deeper to link up the play from pools midfield, man mark him with arteta. we just need to hold serve, and hit them as opportunity arises on the break.
COTRRR’s
howdy, abb…
L’pool switch to 4-4-2?
scruz, our lads are making us proud!
better from poo this half. careful lads…
COME ON ARSENAAAAAL
wake up lads
they are, abb. coutinho’s introduction and poo’s change of shape are getting the better of us ATM.
But our lads have eyes in the back of their heads!
ooooooooohhhhhh g.
OOOOOOOOooooooooo Giroud, that should of been two
Nice move, COYR’s.
OMG OG! Next time son!
again, great break. loving our work rate now…
aaaaaaarrrrroooomnnnnnnmmnnnnnnnn!!!
RAAAAAAMSEEEEEEY
Number 2
Aaron Ramsey, GOAL of THE WEEK! 🙂 🙂 🙂
Game over. Take a bow son Aaron lad
Ramsey :’) FPL Captain 8)
what a player.
Ramboooooooo!!!!!!!!!!!
how good that was?:O
Gosh almighty, just listen to our fans. Our holics are there, singing their ♥’s out!!!
yeah abb..even my CEO from work is there (envy him to no end now)
It’s not over yet.
Come on lads.
Giroud being a beast.
lol, Gibbs…
Nice try Gibbsy.
Agreed H2H
Someday soon Eandy, your time will come lad!
agreed, h2h. way too much time to get complacent.
will Moses be the one to part the Red Sea? I think not 🙂
Kos doing the bizz!
Come on the holics!!
Nacho for TR7
keep defending, boys!!
Well claimed Woj
COME ON YOU REDZZZZZZZ
ooozil…
Monreal to Ozil, almost1
Oh Gibbsy, good try, lad!
The Verm for Gibbsy.
Hopefully nothing serious for Gibbs
Unlucky Gibbo. Hope he comes back soon
Brave Woj!
Top man Woj.
and again.
Szczesny!!!!!
getting dicey, well done chezz.
Woj of the Rovers!!!
Corperal for Santi.
jenks for caz, well done santi!
The Corporal on for Santi! Good luck, son!
Where is TommyV playing?
Chezzers, big kiss earned there!
lee Dixon sounds like he takes no joy from arsenal beating pool.
Fucking hell Woj, that was lucky.
Whew, got lucky there!
Come on lads, keep the clean sheet.
Scruz@190 – He’s a Stoke City supporter, what do you expect?
…… It will piss off Hansen even more.
özil, lazy. not the place to give a foul.
Holy shit! Don’t fuck about back there!
Nice try Ozil!
3 minutes added on.
wake up lads!
Jenks taking one for the team there 😉
Özil looks knackered to me..totally knackered.
come on boys…clean sheet…listen to that crowd!!!
WE ARE TOP OF THE LEAGUE, SAY, WE ARE TOP OF THE LEAGUE
Eandy, Ozil had a virus when we played Dortmund, took a lot out of him.
yes!!!
Let’s not get carried away until we play someone decent. 😆
Like Southampton? Lol
I can already see some “fans” belittleing (not sure about spelling here heh) this victory that it is only Liverpool and whatnot..but fuck them..absolutely brilliant performance from every single one of the players in Arsenal shirt today..happy days!
5 points clear! let’s see all the “can’t beat top teams” fuckers grovel back in…but they won’t, eh?
Thank Heavens the two Manchester clubs bullied a load of goals past a couple of poor teams, or MoTD might have to give some time to Arsenal’s humiliating failure against the first “big” team (apart from Napoli and Dortmund[1]) they have faced this season.
Props to David ans AussieG when they turn out to defend their negative predictions.
COYG
[1] We don’t count Middlesex-based teams, obviously. I mean, it’s not even a proper county any more.
We never really let up on them, full steam most of the game. 9+?gibbs out on injury list. Yet no one mentions it on TV coverage.
Man fuck those pundits, they’re full of shit, especially Hansen. Let’s see what they have to say now the cunts
Well without being big headed, I did say to abb a few days ago that I was not worried about this game at all 🙂
abb
Sadly, I thought it was just a cold but it got worse 🙁
Don’t get too triumphalist, people. If Manyoo can beat us next weekend, they will close the gap on the league leaders to only 5 points in the middle of November. They’ll certainly be motivated.
COYG
Top of the pile,5points clear…we are the arsenal!!
Buzzing! Don’t think I’ll be able to sleep now 🙁
Superb performance all round. Ozil not himself, maybe still not recovered from his virus but his team mates more than compensated, Arteta MotM for me. Five points clear of the pack, Arsenal We Love You !
SAS completly taken out by the *KGB
*Kos, the bfG and Bacary. (Gibbsy too ofcourse)
A bit nervy at times, but a very good game plan and what a splendid performance by the midfield (except Ozil, uncharacteristically poor first touches today).
Where are all those naysayers about Arsene’s tactical abilities now? Had Brenda and his 3-5-2 in his pocket for the first half and forced Liverpool a formation change.
Giroud worked manfully but some of his touches didn’t come off and that opportunistic goal he should really have scored.
Any of Rambo/Arteta/Santi/TR7 MOTM. Maybe Rambo for that quite brilliant striker.
Top of the league with five points gap!!!
well, great mood to go and work out in the yard. have a great day, holics, wherever you are!
One of the worst tactical formation from a visiting team I’ve seen in Emirates in a long time.
Brenda just don’t have a clue. They left the whole midfield for us and Arteta was doing what he wanted and when he wanted.
Was that overrated penalty shooter Gerrard even playing?
If we weren’t that wasteful in front of the goal like we were, we were going to trash them as I predicted. Not that I care that we didn’t.
Top of the league, Saturday night. Going out for some food and wine tonight, have a good time and take care ‘Holics.
Stupid NBC TV channel here in US was still showing Red Sox parade — and I am a Bostonian — when the game started so had to quickly get on to the NBC streaming … missed the first five odd minutes.
We need to up our game a good bit more against Dortmund, but this victory would give the requisite confidence that may have had a dip since the last two home defeats.
Any chance of Gnabry/Theo to be back?
I looked at the table and had another laugh at Chelski. Haha! Always shit on the west side of the Thames
#220 even with the “bad” game from him, what an effort. He always did the running deep to create space for others, every time Szczesny got the ball he did a run on either wing. Could’ve gotten the ball in more dangerous situations another day. Can work harder on going physical in defence, but he’ll get there.
Monreal looks more and more like a real offensive threat. And he keeps the width which gives him alot of space when the masterminds pulls the defence to the middle.
Just lovely to watch all around, great teameffort.
…say we are…
Just wait for someone to try and write this victory off.
Fuck me, if we can ever, ever get out squad fully fit, we’ll batter any cunts.
-t
+r
They already are Porco.
I saw this on twatter, made me laugh: “We won’t know if Arsenal are true contenders until they play teams in the outer galaxies.” – All Pundits.
Funny because it’s true 8)
Ramsey – what a goal – not bad for a “mediocre” player.
Kos also a candidate for MOM but personally I’d give it to the whole team – not a man who didn’t give 100% out there today.
…say we are….
… top of the league
say …
we are top of the league
say we are
Only loser is ‘Holic – lost a pound (money, that is).
Am I the only one feeling like he/she is suspended on thin air? I know I’m lying down a couch but I swear it feels like I’m lying down on the air.
Wojciech very commanding today as well – really liked his positive taking of crosses.
Thought the one-two with Sturridge was a bit cheeky though :o)
It’s called levitation Cent – very common after an epiphany.
https://scontent-a-ams.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-prn2/1385030_456216981159828_2033011961_n.jpg
CoR@230 Heh
I am going to watch this over and over and over again tonight http://arsenalist.com/f/arsenal-vs-liverpool/video-ramsey-goal-2-0.html
I’ve just watched the goals on arsenalist.com”. Was that an absolutely superb pass that Sagna ran on to before crossing? Who played it, Arteta? Bloody amazing.
The second was pretty impressive too.
I’m a little over halfway through Stillness and Speed, and those two goals certainly seemed to me to have something of the divine DB10 about them.
COY table-topping[1] G
Only until we play some quality opposition, obviously.
Holic lost a pound? Has the cunt been on a diet?
Balls. Bum link. Obviously, I meant arsenalist.com.
Depressed, You deserve a rainbow, son xx
Esso, Ain’t that the truth!
Cent, Me too! What a performance!
Lovegood #225: Yes, great effort by Giroud, and actually grown better with the ball as the game progressed. Looked a little jaded in the first half. Physically not going to get easier for him especially with France’s very important double-header against Ukraine coming up in the international break. Wish Arsene could give him breaks through early substitution etc.
Now that’s what am talking about. Yep yep yeaaaaaaaa top of the league yes sir
…and a quote from the Telegraph report to please abb:
COYG
Somebody get inside our dressing room and play ‘I believe I can fly’ by R-kelly, for the boys.
Love you ABB, now and forever Darling!
think ‘smoke on the water’ would do well right now in that dressing room;)
Awww, thanks abb, now I’m slinking off to bed on a gunners high, nighty night all 🙂
Oh Esso, be still my ♥ !
Pangloss, Thank you for that! Fellas, how admirably our team has fought on, with injuries decimating their ranks. Please Lord, take care of them xx
I’m going to back-drink now, might be back when y’all have gone to bed/work, where ever you are, ‘holics, enjoy this moment for as long as you can, suck it all up. let the joy go with you throughout the week and infect others with it. Up The Table Topping Arse!
…and Amen.
Great win. Everyone worked their socks off. I am just a tad worried that we were a bit too open even after going 2 up. We have almost the same X1 playing every week. Fatigue will catch up with Ramsey ozil and Giroud. Podolski and Walcott cannot come back sooner. Let’s hope we get through next 2 games with at least 4 points.
Tomas fucking rosicky.
Huge huge tonight. B
God … I love beating liverpool.
Big big win today, mostly in the momentum/confidence department. Would’ve been tough to travel to Dortmund and OT and be at our best with anything less than a convincing win today. Thankfully the fellas delivered just that.
Our midfield was so obviously head and shoulders above theirs today, denying meaningful service to their forward duo. Wenger too deserves massive credit for his tactical beatdown of Brendan Rogers. Liverpool could not connect their midfield with their strikers, and that was down to our superior quality and their tactical shortcomings. It was also due to our impressive work rate and desire, which outdistanced theirs by some distance.
All the same we were lucky not to concede at the end on a couple of occasions, when I think we may have been guilty of coasting a bit, with one eye on the trip to Dortmund. But all’s well that ends well.
Brilliant and joyful drinks above, I see Nurse Abb was in form during the game, this gem made me chuckle ‘delicious and nutritious Arsenal coming to a grocer near you’ you know, Nurse, you know.
Enjoy the win, ‘holics, we deserve every ounce of happiness we can get from Arsenal.
Well my red and white friends, I am well amd truly on the way to getting totally wankered.
5 points clear and a treatment room full to bursting.
We are the Arsenal and fuck all the rest!
zico, why not? Here’s another on me.
It’s a great time to be a gooner. I feel privileged to enjoy it with you all.
Lovely win bossed it,not much more to say on young Arron but thank god he’s a gunner bring on ze Germans we owe them cnuts.
250th Arsenal game for Bac and after delivering the cross that produced our goal he went on and made Coutinho shat himself https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-twvmAlCQq08/UnVUKiigEXI/AAAAAAAABB4/GSxb9FVR-4Y/w506-h281/sagnagoesatit.gif give that man a new contract!
Fantastic performance from the boys.
I love the way this team quietly go about their business without mouthing off to doubters.
Onwards to the next ‘big team’ in England!
I would just like to dedicate tonight to Mr John Henry – since you ask, we are smoking big fat cuban cigars.
Smells like victory. 8)
Dr Z….the team is smokin’ !! Sending the bin dippers back to scouseland empty handed smells very sweet. Fuck em all…we are the Arsenal and we are top of the league, and oh in case I didn’t mention it we are top of the league.
Just back from a very happy HOF. I sat two seats from a little lad of 5 watching his first game with his Dad and he was thrilled! He picked a good one.
I thought it was a rather untypical PL game today mainly because they gave us much more space than most teams do because of using the two strikers. Their midfield is pretty mundane. Alex Ferguson would have been right about Gerrard today!
Very good performance from the whole team.Ozil played much better than some people suggested in blogs I gave seen. You could give plaudits to our whole team but Arteta was immaculate today,he did a great job in shielding the defence and initiating play like his great ball to Sagna for our first goal. TR7 was his usual busy and positive self ,he is a really valuable player, Kos and BFG were very strong today. BFG gave a very passable Bobby Moore impression today and upfront Giroud held up the ball quite superbly. He missed a couple of very good chances as he is won’t to but he is a tremendous focal point for the attack.
This was a decent test passed and we could have won more easily but we could also have been punished near the end. It was good to see momentum continuing in the league. A point in Dortmund and a nice triumph at United might seem like the stuff of dreams but both results are eminently possible.
and zico, I think kozzer still has a little Uruguayan in his pocket, for later 😉
Cent 263. Great clip….Bac is a great warrior for the cause, sign him up asap.
What Uply said.
Hehs @ zico and scruz.
MoTD time, let’s watch Hansen squirm.
Crap, they’ve given the twat the night off. 🙁
Dr. Z, we smoked his whole team.
Ttg, good to see I’m not the only who thinks Mesut had a good game.
Cheers, Gents.
How come Hansen is not on MOTD tonight? What a plonker!
A drink for everyone in the bar tonight please boss….
My official birthday is on Monday but I’m celebrating tonight with this sweet win!
Come on you REDS!
Many Happy Returns Arthur.
I’ll have another malt.
Happy B-day ATG
NO HANSEN
The cunt bottled it.
YOU WANKER, HANSEN
Just like when you played (ponced about, actually) for Scotland, ya bastard.
Never in any doubt from kick off, actually.
That was the most complete performance that I have seen in many a long year.
Invidious to choose a MOTM in truth. They were all heroes. Not a single weak link.
Suarez: You should have signed for a big club.
Gerard: Look at Ramsey and see what you should have been.
Rogers: You are just a cheap Harry Redknapp.
Arsenal I love you.
Happy Birthday Arthur…plenty of good cheer and vodka to you.
280 Bath knows.
And a Moet for everyone still standing in this bar….I am only standing by virtue of a rail I can cling to……I blaim Bergkamp the Man for corrupting me with the Black Nectar.
Great to meet up with the marvellous Holic and Holic community.
err should read 278….blame the alcohol 😉
Happy birthday Arthur….many happy returns…..hic. 🙂
The best of arsenal turned out tonight. Fast accurate movement of the ball. Giroud without scoring adds so much to our midfield style of play with his first touch. he is really becoming very enjoyable to watch with his back to the line linkup style of play.
Out midfield completely dominated liverpools mid and i dont even remember mr gerard in the play.
Cazorla is efficient and ramsey is growing every match.
I am truly pleased to also be eating a big slice of humble pie today as our central defense duo kept a clean sheet from SAS ably assisted by sczezney.
To the regular holics and arsene himself who i questioned and doubted we could hang with the big teams, after the midweek loss, i am so pleased to be wrong and i tip my hat to you all for showing the faith i couldnt muster.
To the holic himself, your regulars were right to be so steadfast in their belief as we are now truly heading the right way.
Our first 11 looks very tidy indeed.
Happy, relieved and humbled aussie.
Again, what Aussie said.
Delivered as requested earlier.
Happy bday ATG. What Mk is the happy train on anyway? Think it might new a new one soon if this continues.
Props to you Aussie. It shows a certain generousity of spirit to apologise. Maybe more than I have shown on occasion.Have one on my slate.
I also doubted that we would keep a clean sheet. Very solid performances from all at the back, plus Arteta who showed that we don’t have to worry about Flamini’s absence.
I think that was the best I’ve seen Arteta this season. The ball to Bac to set up the first goal was majestic. But it was his work along the front of the back four that stood out – he was everywhere, sniffing out danger, firm and solid in the tackle, winning ball. And still found time and space to come forward. Not bad for a so-called “panic buy”.
Guess I should go pour that whisky otherwise I’ll chunter on all night.
I feel blessed.
Thank you lads.
AKB.
Happy Birthday AtG
Nice one Aussie.
They had to have an ex- Liverpool man on MOTD. It’s in their charter.
Sadly for BBC he broke ranks and praised Arsenal! Even if they fail to recognise we are genuine title contenders on this form. Alan Shearer is Phil Mitchell without his charm or intellect.
Thought they were going to rake up the free kick disallowed goal for Liverpool but even BBC know when they are on a loser. I thought Atkinson refereed very well today. Both sides had a good attitude and he let the game flow. I tend to think he is one of the egomaniac referees of whom there are several ( but none as bad as Graham Poll was) but he did a good job today by and large .
Unbelivable how the MotD pundits continue to contradict themseleves. #cotradickheads.
Wow, just saw the tackle in the Hull-Sunderland game, not the sending off one but the stamp on the leg one….horrific, potential leg braker and the player should have been banned for few matches for that to say the least..shocking stuff.
Right. Finally here. First big game I missed for years (well, pretty much first game I haven’t watched in any shape or form in ages) due to some trouble and strife. Things are looking up though, and seeing the result (and the goals) have cheered me up immensely.
Say we are top of the injury table!
Oh, and also the league!
cheers, Aussie, good for you. have a xxxx on me.
atg, a liter bottle of pototcki is open on the bar for your (early) birthday pleasure.
still flying this evening…
Just want to say that, though Atkinson refereed the match well generally, his decision to stop the quickly taken free kick was poor, pedantic and pathetic. However, it was clear from the replays that Woj was playing to the whistle – he would certainly have cut out the cross to Henderson fairly easily otherwise.
Evening all,
What Bath said @278.
Scintillating performance all round today. Brilliant, brilliant football.
Only one thing missing in the whole afternoon for me – and that was a round of “One Arsene Wenger ……”
There IS a fantastic spirit in this squad and the football today was truly remarkable. You do not have to be an “AKB” to marvel at what the manager has produced.
Back home now with no voice and a fairly sore throat, but that atmosphere at The Emirates is building into something fairly special.
Tosser of The Month award goes to Hansen for not turning up on MoTD. I wondered how he was going to put that performance down, and he did it by running away. What a winker 😉
Nothing too serious I hope, Toby.
Aussie, well said, mate.
And to expand on your Giroud point – how many really good defensive headers did he get in at set pieces today.
He is turning into one hell of a player with a second-to-none work rate.
Naaa na na na na na na ………..
Bath@278: Fine words, sir. Agree with every one of them.
Bang
Tks for the assist, Trev. On a day like today if you hit them they just go in…
Good goal Ned, I’ll never match TABS.
Hello everyone! This is one very jolly Swede drinking away as best as he can. I am… shall we say, slightly drunk at this point in time. Just caught the highlights on MOTD, such a shame Alan Hansen wasn’t there to squirm and moan. But fuck it, we beat the scousers anyway!
That was a fucking great game on our behalf. The only wobbly moment was when Szczesny for once midsjudged the distance to the attacker and hit the ball straight at Sturridge. And speaking of which, there were a few moments where him and Suarez looked to be everything but best mates. To quote Nelson of the Simpsons: HA-HA!
Also: Aaron Ramsey.
Don’t think I need to say much more than that. I fucking love that man. I mean… In a totally footballing context, of course. Yeah. Um. Yeah. Not at all jealous of his dazzling good looks and ability to score bloody brilliant goals. Oh no.
Would be good if Everton could at least draw v Totnom tomorrow. Unfortunatley though I think that game will suit the penalty-dependents as Everton will look to hold on to the ball and attack so Totnum can win it on a break from a dodgy penalty.
I’m sure I have another million very intelligent things to say, but for now I shall watch the Football League Show and relax for a bit, safe in the knowledge that we are top of the fucking league.
UP THE ARSE!
A word on streams.
I’ve been using http://www.footballstreaming.info/streams/todays-links/index.html and then choosing the feed from VIP Box – it’s been excellent the last 3 or 4 games.
Aussie, big props to you for that post@284. Have a drink on my tab!
Cheers for asking H2H. It’s always serious when you are having a bad spell with someone you really care for, even if it’s just a, erhm, massive blip. And this might be more. We’ll see what happens. One day at a time. I WOULD like to say that it puts the win today into perspective, but it doesn’t really. I mean, of course I’d take salvaging my relationship before a win against Liverpool, but I also know life doesn’t work like that, you can’t trade like that. So having something to cheer and something that is always there really is a good thing.
And I love beating them scousers, me.
Also, if worse comes to worst, I will then be free to marry Ramsey.
Stay strong, Toby.
Shearer, on MoTD, stands by his judgement that Arsenal will not win the league because “they haven’t yet played the BIG THREE of Chelsea, Man City and Man Utd”.
Apparently we still have not played anyone who is any good.
Shearer, see you next Tuesday. 😉
Fuck off Toby, he’s mine 😉
Kidding aside, really hope you manage to work it out with the missus. My honest best wishes for you.
Trev@309: I noticed that too. It seems “the big teams” change depending on what teams we beat. So I suppose that come approximately 6 PM next Sunday, ManU won’t be a “big team” anymore…
Toby,
Shoes are the answer.
Zico told me. 😉
Good luck.
A study in managers’ reactions.
Hughton: Well, I’m the manager, it’s down to me.
Jol: As manager, I have to sort it out.
Mourinho: Some of my players are lazy.
“Special one”, my arse.
Night all.
Indeed, Lars.
Marseille away, Napoli, Tottenham, Liverpool – all non-entities.
According to Shearer, the only “proper” teams are those who are financially doped by enormous debt, oilygarchs, or gazgarchs on ego trips playing ‘who’s got the biggest wallet’.
And, as we all know, Lars, you have. 😉
The naysayers are right,
Arsenal have played 10 games but we have not met any serious title contenders yet!
Shearer’s punditry really is a pile of stuttering obviousness, while he sounds like he thinks he is actually delivering such expert insight.
MoTD is so hard to watch.
We.Fuckin.Creamed.Them!!!
Hello folks — I’m looking for a bloke called David — anyone seen him?
I am so chuffed!!!
This was surely our best eleven. Sod the injuries!!!
Up the Arsenal!!!
Cheers,
mec
Sorry, meant to add, that was absolutely sex on sticks!!!
Anyone who thinks that Rosicky hasn’t been our absolutely best performer over the last “whatever period of success” needs to have his head examined. I absolutely love that eleven we put out today.
Without a doubt, sex on sticks!!!
Cheers,
mec
Top class!!! That was worth staying up until 6.30am to watch! Would love to txt my 3 good Liverpool mates, but that’s what they would do…will give them a day to reflect on how good we are 🙂 was hesitantly saying that Rambo could be as good as Gerrard a couple of years ago after watching him develop on the flanks, but now lets assume he has the potential to be even better. And that’s not to say Gerrard hasn’t been immense for the pool over the years.
The only thing that was annoying was listening to that prick Robson and his sidekick champion on commentary. Robson even suggested that Gibbs should have got a yellow for coming onto the pitch after he did his calf…you can’t make it up. Also no mention of Woj playing to listen with the Henderson tap in. Like listening to climate change deniers!!!
*the whistle
mec — whenever TR7 plays well the team plays well because he always ensures that there is the right pace and intensity in the game, may it be upping the tempo when needed or pressing when the opposition seems to enjoy comfort in possession. That characteristic half-turn and sudden acceleration always gives the team a few seconds’ advantage while counter attacking. This season his otherwise superlative passing has fallen off a little bit though, but I expect it would be back more he plays with Ozil-Rambo-Santi.
Rambo’s goal today reminded me of the kind of goals TR7 used to score in his earlier days.
This team will get only better as the midfield play more and more together.
Gosh, what I only saw was the best, really determined, forceful Arsenal performance since, maybe Milan away, a confidant performance. Tonight, they took my breadth away. Almost every possession we toyed with them, to whom would we pass? If we couldn’t see, neither could they… And thus our scintillating second goal, to put the contest to bed.
Cheers,
mec
Impressive @ 318: That poster was going on incessantly about Arsene’s tactical shortcomings — a cheap shot often taken by the negative minded critics without recognizing the delicate balance between playing positive football and a game-reading maturity from the team that requires time and experience to build — and Arsene tactically was so much superior to Rodgers.
Well obviously my dad (gooner Terry) is up there straightening the team out! Im so excited 🙂
Good job Dad :p
Its good to be back up on the top of the League Table….isn’t it?
Well played boys…
Hey, Ria, he’s doing ok. 😉
Hope you all are too.
Ria – If you’d find me on Facebook, I can share some talks your father and I had about you, I’m sure you’d appreciate hearing them. 🙂
As for The Arsenal.
Champions in May.
299 trev, agree, i don’t think giroud misses too many first time headers that would normally just be 50/50 balls.
He has had a bloody tough gig trying to somehow be the so-called replacement for (Rvp who).
He has made our midfield look even more dangerous and hard to mark as they move so well between the opposition lines with these amazing close range triangle and diamond passing movements.
We could have easily had a few more from link up passes that were only inches from defence splitting perfect.
the home crowd singing in the last 15 mins sounded great on tv.
319/320 Mec,
Totally agree that was an awesome arsenal 11 and i still cant believe how much we dominated and bossed Liverpool all over the park.
Also thought arsenes subs decisions were spot on.
Cheers to the holics above for the shouts. It is a hot and sunny sunday here in Aus so i will enjoy each of them on what could be a long afternoon at the bar.
Apologies, I am a tedious obsessed wanker who won’t go and visit my doctor
Apologies, I am a tedious obsessed wanker who won’t go and visit my doctor
@ria – called to the almightys side at just the right time for his opus 🙂
Six subs encourages the opposition to attack you, gustav? You’re only allowed three, and we have an important game on Wednesday. If we’d been allowed six I’d have put the other three on as well. It would have made no difference with this Pool side.
I agree with you dkg, no way would Sir Ches have let the ball reach Henderson had Atkinson allowed Suarez’s quick free. He wouldn’t even have had to dive on the ball, it was only a couple of paces away from him. He simply let it go, playing to the whistle. The way the commentators on Arsenal TV went on about Pool being denied a goal makes you question their ‘expert analysis’ frankly.
Öskar
Apologies, I am a tedious obsessed wanker who won’t go and visit my doctor
Was apprehensive before the game and did not watch all the buildup. So I saw a bit of Fever pitch on youtube. little did I know the scoreline would be an omen.
25 out of a possible 27 in the last 9 games. thats wonderful stuff and long may it continue. hope that our injured players are super motivated to work back into fitness.
the spirit inside and outside the club is magic.
Anyone know how much longer Walcott and Poldi are out?
COYR!!!
Guys I’ll say this very loud and clear.
Atkinson was RIGHT to delay the restart after a foul as he decided to book Sagna.
Those are the rules. It’s in page 122 of Fifa’s Laws of the Game.
I tweeted this earlier.
@Snir_Geuli: This is to show you must delay the restart when you issue a booking,so Atkinson was right to delay till he booked BS http://t.co/74ngyYwF5a
Sorry if that came out a bit patronizing but I’ve seen that everywhere from everyone so it got on my nerves a bit…
No worries, Snir, all the talk about the scousers ‘disallowed goal’ got on my nerves too, Jon Champion and Stewart Robson went on about it all game long. Thanks for clearing it up.
Sorry Lads
Can’t sleep anymore my house looks like a tornado came through!
Management wont be happy!
We are top of the league we are top of league I keep singing!
Well said IF.
Kudos to Aussie Gooner for admitting his negativity was misplaced.
Can we expect the same from serial whinger David??
Nope, he clearly hasn’t got the balls. I knew it.
David, if you’re watching (as you cry into your prawn sandwiches, I bet you hate it when Arsenal win) see you next time we lose.
Top of the league. 5 points clear. Grinning my arse off.
Given the difficulty of reffing a Premier League game I thought Atkinson was excellent today. The game flowed cos he let it. And Gibbs tried to get back to his place by running on the pitch and then found he couldn’t get there. This seems to have evaded the Scousers. You’d almost think they were thick up there wouldn’t you?
Ria, a treat to have you in here and we owe your dad thanks for guiding us to another storming performance!
All the best to you and yours.
According to Sherear we will not win the league!
WTF………….
This Chelski business is making me sick!
And going through the drinks Aussie Gooner must have taken what Zico had ………………….and Lars paid for it!
Haha hahahhaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaa
Love you Holics over for now and out!
Morning holics,
still basking like basking basker from baskerville and just came across this https://fbcdn-sphotos-a-a.akamaihd.net/hphotos-ak-prn2/1402435_535863023162199_2018150893_o.jpg which frankly makes me smile like a total idiot:D
eANDY … Logo mark….
PERFECT!
Kudos to Aussie.
Good to see you around, Ria.
Many happy returns, ATG.
Ttg, I agree with you on Atkinson.
Gentlemen, I know we all feel the need to stick it up some people who were not as positive as we were but I feel we shouldn’t be calling people out if not for anything else to stop the constant barrage of ‘I told you so’ everytime we lose/draw/win a game, I feel the right vs wrong debate is what divides our fans most, let’s all bury the hatchet and just enjoy our team’s progress. Turn the cannons outwards.
Can we settle this before hand: is manure a big team or not?
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>
We are the Arsenal
We are the best
Simples