Rambo To Impress Back In His Roots?
Nov 29th, 2013 by 'holic
Still my one and only trip to watch us play at Cardiff City remains a 0-0 draw in the FA Cup in 1980, remembered elsewhere. There have since been some memorable Cup Final trips down there, and one less enjoyable, but a league encounter is something that predates even my awaydays, having been a 1-1 draw in October 1961. I was a cherubic four year old. Chances are I was at the return the following March when Highbury witnessed a repeat of that 1-1 scoreline.
The Arsenal goalscorer at Ninian Park in that last league meeting in Wales was one Mel Charles, brother of the legendary John, and as Welsh as they come. His next club in fact was Cardiff. What are the chances of former bluebird (or is that redbird these days?) Aaron Ramsey repeating the achievement this weekend? The boy is on fire.
Mel Charles
The home side have racked up some impressive performances at home this season, taking four points off the Manchester clubs courtesy of a 3-2 defeat of City and last weekend’s 2-2 draw with United. They also defeated fierce rivals Swansea in the South Wales derby. The attitude has to be right if we are to ensure the points from this one.
In his presser Arsene suggested the squad from Marseille remains intact and that Kieran Gibbs is recovered from sickness. I anticipate three changes to the side that won in midweek but that is gut feel and no more. The squad looks as strong as it has been in some time, so whichever eleven starts I suspect the key to the outcome will be our midfield. If they get going it will be a tough afternoon for Cardiff.
The ‘holic pound has to follow that line of thought. I’m taking a best of 15/2 on the 0-2 away win. I’m sure the Cardiff fans will be looking long and hard at the 11/2 against their team winning the match. Generous indeed for a home team these days.
For those hacking it past ‘holic towers to get to the game, have an excellent trip. Cardiff is an excellent city and the new stadium is handily placed these days. Have a great day out.
Cheers ‘holics.
369 Responses to “Rambo To Impress Back In His Roots?”
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Hero Holic
Mel looks anither broth of a loon.
Were you ever cherubic, mate?
3rd!
Nice one ‘h.
Two nil to the good guys sounds like music to my ears, it won’t be a stroll in the park though as the mancs can testify.
Good evening hölics & hölices,
Now after reading, I have realized that the Guv’nor is a good man. 😉
Three changes? Third to comment? Am going for a 0-3! Let’s do what Yanited couldn’t do in style.
Nice one ‘guv. Here’s to the health (and wealth) of the holic pound.
COYG
Wenger for me has to decide between an attacking midfield trio of Wilshere, Risicky, Walcott, or select the combo of Carzola, Ozil, Wilshere. Either-way Jack is a certain starter. I hope Wenger selects the former option but I dare say he will go for the latter which offers less defensive back-tracking ability. A real shame that Gnabry probably won’t get a look-in with the plethora or options to select from. Judging by how Cardfiff performed last weekend Arsenal will need a top-level display to win.
Cheers, Guv, not at all shabby for, I presume, a rushed preview.
I will go with the ‘holic pound and predict a 2-0 win for the mighty gunners. I also expect a few changes to our midfield but with the depth we have in there I’m quite sure the quality of our football won’t drop. Sweet.
Come On You Gunners.
No shortage of boozers the last time I was there, which was “recently”.
That lazy, prima-donna Ozil better DO something tomorrow……
*sarcasm alert*
Actually when did Ozil last create or score a goal…that penalty effort was not far off a sham attempt.
Bar wilshere’s second the other night of course 🙂
We will need a top-level performance to win against Cardiff like we did for every single game we’ve won, drawn or on some occasions lost. But as the enlightened and authoritative ones amongst us know, and we must all accept, Wenger is past it, he doesn’t do tactics and always gets his team selection wrong so if we win please do remember that it’s because Cardiff chose to be shit this weekend and Wenger has fluked it yet again to take us 7 points clear at the top.
I’d wager that that is not Cent.
Wenger hitherto has upped his level and as a result Arsenal a much more functioning unit.
I think the big question is, does AW start Feo?
Im not the only one questioning Ozil; no one can dispute his level has dipped from the Dortmund home match onwards. if Bendtner had taken a penalty as Ozil did the other evening, the boy would have needed a security escort out of the ground. Players should be criticised when they are not performing well. The best thing he does at present is draw opposing defenders on to him, allow more space for teammates to operate in, which is a positive.
17th? Survived relegation…
David, I refer you to the lengthy discussion in the previous thread that you (inadvertently) started but apparently never read. The rest of you ‘holics, lets resist the urge to do that all over again.
Personally, I’d expect Feo to start, H2H. He isn’t at his best yet but the only way for him to get there is to play. Even with him on the pitch we don’t lack creative midfielders (perm any 3 from Ozil, Cazorla, Ramsey, Wilshere, Rosicky) and his pace forces defences to choose between defending deeper (and letting that creativity + GIROUD pummel them to bits, and holding a high line and giving Walcott the space to run in behind. A difficult question indeed.
Feo will be chomping at the bit to catch up with Giroud and Ramsey who have a considerable head start in the goals dept. I’d love to see him Saturday.
Good point goonsterham.
that was @18, but 19 is too.
Holic,
Thanks for the write up! It amazes me how the likes of yourself and Arseblogger can selflessly give so much, to so many, each and every day. Initially this may have been for the love of the club but of course, that has now grown into the love of the micro community that has developed around those blogs. Its long become a way of life for you both, but also to those who log in every day for the daily fix, updates, crack, banter……..and of course to monitor the performance of the Holic pound. I just feel its important to say thanks so much! I will certainly make an effort to contribute a piece or two going forward in the vague and distant hope that it meets the high standards you have set!
On another note, and with your kind permission Holic, I link the following article analysing the strengths of Giroud, Benteke and Lukaku which I found most interesting:
http://www.7amkickoff.com/2013/the-shot-charts-show-why-i-would-love-lukaku-at-arsenal-but-also-why-hell-never-come/?
Well said Joe.
Cheers, Joe! I echo your sentiments.
@18goonsterham knows.
Joe knows.
H2H,
I know Theo is just back from injury, but even before he got injured, he’s been very poor this season. Of course, he does offer a different threat and its important he regains some form, so I expect Wenger will give him some game time because he needs it.
Bath,
A nip of Dallmore toasting your good health tonight sir..!
Well said Joe. You vocalise the thoughts of many of us.
A toast of amber nectar, sir.
Slainte.
That was toasting you @22.
A further toast of HP 18yo, to you sir.
Joe @27, you’re right that Theo has missed some good chances this season and never really got it going. His injury hasn’t helped.
But let’s not forget that he was our leading scorer last season. He’s always been a little streaky, we know that. But make no mistake, he will hit a purple patch (several in fact) and with the service that he’ll be getting, how is that not a tantalizing prospect?
I also refer you to mine @19. Even if Theo isn’t hitting all the right notes, the threat he brings makes us much more dangerous, because his pace forces defences to defend deeper, and thus gets Giroud closer to the goal, where he needs to be. It’s no coincidence that Giroud’s goalscoring pace has slackened since Theo has been out.
Mel Charles was in the first Arsenal team I ever saw at Highbury. He never fulfilled his enormous potential
mainly because of injuries( sound familiar?) but he had some fine moments in an Arsenal shirt.
Tomorrow we have a great chance to start a charge to nine very attainable points before 10 days in which we play Napoli, Citeh and Chelski. Let’s hope Ozil can orchestrate a fine triumph tomorrow. If we do take nine points we will be in a terrific position come mid December
@31 ttg, oh how I’d love Erzil to score a couple, make a couple tomorrow and silence all the redonkulous doubters.
It’s like Arseblogger said recently. First world problems.
http://arseblog.com/2013/11/problems-in-perspective/
I have next to no doubts that we will win by a comfortable scoreline, I’m in a bit of a funk at the moment so have kept away to spare you all my moaning 😉
We all know Ozil has been below par for a few games, but he still manages to have an effect in each game even if it is just to draw players away, he is probably knackered and taken back by just how physical this league is and he is far too good not to rediscover that early excellent form, keep faith fellow gooners.
Here’s to opening the best present this Christmas, Arsenal sitting at the top of the tree. 🙂
H2H, 12 is me.
Well in Joe! It is pretty amazing the sub culture that holic and arseblogger have created through their love of our great club!
Let’s hope we get the 3 points tonight. If we win the next 3 the gap should open up before we then play citeh after the Napoli game. We play Napoli on the Wednesday in Naples then citeh 12.45 on the Saturday. Citeh will have the luxury of resting players for their final champs lge game. If we can get at least a draw then we will be flying going into the chavski game a week later…
Well said goonsterham, Joe @various.
Pretty decent for a hurried preview Holic – actually very interesting, hurried or not. 😉
On Özil, I am happy to accept the opinions of just about every top player that he is one of the finest five or so in the world.
Time will prove it …… It will.
G-Lincoln,
I’m one of the very few on this blog, who have grave reservations about Theo. While I was delighted with his performance last season, and happy to be proven wrong, I still think he has so much to prove. His performance last season was the first time he delivered in 8 seasons! And if I’m being completely honest with you – I think he’s a valuable squad player, but he most certainly is not (in my eyes) a first team player for many different reasons.
I don’t subscribe to the theory that top teams will defend deeply against us solely because of Theo’s pace. Top teams will defend deeply against us irrespective of whether Theo plays or not. Watch how Chelsea will play us – much the same way Manu did – deeply.
I’m with Trev on Ozil – top 5 player in world footie for me.
Joe, fair enough. I don’t think Theo will ever be our best player, and I think his game has always been a little too inconsistent and relies very much on his pace, a problem he needs to sort out if he wants to continue to be relevant after he loses a step, two steps, three…(see Fernando Torres).
But I still think he is a first team player for us right now. It’s tough to sit last year’s leading goalscorer on the bench. His finishing has improved drastically over previous years, and if he can return to the form he was in last season he will be a very dangerous weapon for us indeed. As I said above, even with Theo in the line-up our team has no dearth of inventive midfielders. He give us another dimension. Without him (and in the continued absence of Podolski and the Ox) we don’t have any natural wide men. Despite our lofty league position, I’d argue we’ve missed them.
Of course it’s all very subjective. In the end of course it’s not up to me or you. I trust the boss to get it right, and I’ll support the hell out of whoever he decides to put out there.
Good post Holic, rushed an’ all 😉
It will be a difficult game, Cardiff have been in good form since winning the South Wales derby but if the lads play the way we know they can, then I can see a very happy gentleman celebrating his successful wager come 4:50pm or so 🙂
You’ve created a monster that people want to be a part of, ‘holic, a bit like Mark Zuckerberg. Your only mistake was not figuring out how to make the same kind of money out of it. 😉
1-2, or 1-3 if Theo and/or TR7 start.
Öskar
Nice preview scrabbled together Guv’nor….fancy a 2-0 to the good guys as well, but they will make us fight all the way
To join the Theo discussion, he looked well off the game pace in his 2 substitute appearances since his return ….back to the old habit of watching the game go by as he sauntered around. However he is the type of player that does need game time to get back up to speed and involved – he can only do this by being on the pitch – but of a catch 22 situation. Of course when he is on song, he is a marvellous asset to the team.
TTG, I remember the Mel Charles signing – a big money deal then of £43000. Many of us were hoping he would get close to the level of his mega star and mega talented brother John. Alas it turned out to be another one that fell by the wayside during that dismal era for AFC. He was not helped by being injury prone, but did score a few cracking goals when he was fit.
Joe.
That is why I believe that the inclusion/exclusion of Feo is the big question this weekend.
I too have been pretty sceptical about him over the years, his stats make excellent viewing, but a lot of the time what you actually see tells a different story, it’s wierd. It’s definetly like there are two Theo’s, as he said himself, he is “consistant in patches”
At this moment we need everyone firing on all cylinders, it’s tough getting to the top and even tougher staying there, we have no time for passengers, which may sound a bit harsh, but I wouldn’t mind if Walcott was used as an impact sub, bring him on for the last 25 mins or so, when he can use his pace to get behind tiring defences. At least until he’s proven he is up to speed.
Nice write up Holic. Tomorrow will be hard fought but we should have more than enough to get a result. It will be interesting to see if Theo gets a start. We have a fair few matches in the not too distant future and will need everyone firing on all cylinders.
David, I’m guessing you don’t get to too many games if you don’t recognise Özil’s quality. The penalty on Tuesday was poor. I don’t know anyone that has said otherwise. Turn up once in a while and watch is movement both on and off the ball. Your opinions might change just a little.
3-0 to the mighty Gunners.
Keep the faith.
Blimey H2H. We do think along similar lines.
😀
Top comments H2H@42, and Steve T@43. Couldn’t agree more. Worth sitting up with insomnia for. 🙂
Insomnia Bath???? Don’t worry. Time to get excited. Only two sleeps to Christmas?????
😀
Indeed Steve mate.
Cheers Bath, sir.
😆
Heh …….I think it was the bottle of red wine……must have had caffeine in it.
Best open another just to check…..
Nah, drinking alone is a slippery slope…..watching Troy and hoping it will induce somnolence.
H2H,
The Happy Train always has room for passengers.
This is Cardiff chaps, it’s taken them over 50 years to be able just to play us in the league again.
Now just man up with the score predictions and all the stuff about tough games and hard fought battles.
They will boo Aaron Ramsey as he thumps home a brace. They will ouse envy as Özil zips in for his fourth Gunners goal and provides Ollie Giroyd with his twelfth.
Oh yes, 0-4 to the rip roaring as we show the Mancs how it’s done.
Good grief, we almost beat them with the remnants of our injury ravaged squad struck down with a severe case of the screaming ab-dabs.
0 – 4 to the Gunners I tells ya ! 😉
Ok, Ollie Giroud. ( Giroyd ?? )
One of these days we are going to really ruin some team, an old-fashioned hiding to the tune of 7-0 or so. I imagine it’ll be at home though, and Hull City seem as good candidates as anyone. At Cardiff I like a cheeky 0-3.
Come on you rip-roaring goal-scoring GUNNERS
Interesting point re: Theo H2H @42. I hadn’t thought about it quite like that before. It’ll be interesting to see how the boss uses him in our newly reconstituted/augmented midfield attack. The same will go for Podolski when he returns, though he was used frequently from the bench last year, even when healthy.
I still kind of lean toward a fully fit Theo generally being included this campaign, for the reasons I’ve already given, but you’ve made me wonder. We’ll have to wait and see.
Seriously nobody realized I was been sarcastic @12?
Oh and please stick me firmly in the give-Theo-games camp. He will deliver, as someone pointed out earlier, he scores in batches and when he is on song he is unstoppable.
Szczesny has kept 50 clean sheets in his 125 appearances for us. Quite a good record.
Looking forward to seeing the arsenal train rolling on again and would be happy with a 2nd gear 2 nil win or a 4 nil mauling in top gear just for fun.
Don’t care who is in the middle or out wide, it will be good enough and arsene has more than enough fit players available to rotate properly.
I would like to see monreal given his chance to keep Gibbs out as he has done nothing wrong and deserves his chance.
Go you good things and hope most holics continue to support ozil as he is something special for this team.
1-0 to the Arsenal today.
My Fifa 13 told me so 🙂
Cheers Holic! Duty calls and you never let us down.
Thanks all. Means a lot. You are a great bunch.
Top o’ the morning ‘holic. Thanks for your continuous commitment in providing us with top class reading material.
Pint o’ plain for you Sunday week at the Toffees?
Let’s wade into the theo debate 🙂 He’s not the most cultured that’s for sure,he will never be the most clinical, He will defo be infuriating at times but he has the one attribute we are missing searing pace, If other teams flood the midfield to stop us which they have been doing of late playing with a high line he will have an absolute field day- watch Ozil rack up even more assists with balls behind a back line. As for Ozils penalty Meh some you score some you don’t I’ve seen better players take worse !!
Tricky game today will need to be at it from the get go,
Up The Arse.
Cheers ‘holic.
Here’s to 3 points, 2 goals the right way and a good day for all!
Cent, re yours@12. I think you’re a very naughty boy and came close to troll-feeding. If I follow your argument correctly your target is given far more houseroom than I think he deserves. I have resolved to ignore him and feel much better for it. I recommend you apply the same tactic.
I’ll still be happy with 0-2 to the good guys, but Göönsterham Lincöln’s 0-7 thrashing would be good fun too.
COYG
Cent @12,
I was onto you, even with H2H’s warning, as we’ve seen you do similar before.
Özil’s penalty was bad for sure but pales into insignificance compared to the rather masterly ” combination” effort that Monsieurs Henry and Pires contrived at Highbury against Man City.
Not sure who looked most embarrassed – Thierry, Sir Bob or the fans. 😉
Here is a link in case anyone hasn’t seen it. :redfacedthingy:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xzPMvAIrtQs
Oops !
Don’t worry Cent, your sarcasm was spotted straight away but quite frankly he ain’t worth the effort – it probably went straight over his head.
Trev…I still cringe whenever I see or even think about it, although by now I should just have a chuckle and move on 🙂
Good drinks today guys. Haven’t much more to add – endorse göönsterham lincoln @19 (and @18 for that matter).
Theo needs game time to get him match fit for some tough contests ahead and I think he should start the next two, if not finish them.
Don’t think the 7-0 will come against ‘ull – they will have plenty behind the ball. Maybe against Chel$ki 😀
But 2 or even 3 nil to the gunners today sounds reasonable provided we come out of the traps quickly. Aaron will be raring to get a goal.
Another massive game. Win this and we send a real signal and take the pressure off heading into a tough December.
Bench looks very strong today.
COYG
Hoping to see 3 juicy points at the end of a tough day. COYG!
Pangloss @66, haha, I didn’t mean to feed the troll, I actually intended to indirectly tell others to not engage him.
Trev @67 and Uply @69, well spotted.
I’m currently in a race against time(I’ve already boarded a tricycle) to get home, have a hurried shower and get to the viewing centre before the game kicks off.
Come On You Gunners!
Traffic jam. I’m five minutes from home though.
We’re moving.
Engaged in my own pre-match routine here in Oxon – watching old MoTDs that I have recorded but not yet deleted. Just seen us beating Southampton and Liverpoo, both 2-0. I don’t know whether anyone here has noticed, but Arsenal are looking a bit tasty this season, and that Aaron Ramsey’s a bit good. This new German fella knows how to play the game too.
A good result in Cardiff would set us up nicely for a good result in our next match.
COYG
Good luck with your epic dash, Cent.
Sorry Cent, must of had my Sarcasmometer turned off. 😉
Just in on time, phew.
Surprised that the Flamster doesn’t start, but still good line up, with super strong bench.
the squad does look strong, holic, though the image of you with a bow shooting love arrows makes for a top, top quality post.
good morning, all, let’s watch our gunners bag all three points!
Another chance for Lee Mason to unjustify my seething distrust of his motives. Not much chance I’m afraid.
Hi gooners. Holic, enjoyed your ‘guest post’ link.
Should be one to remember. Good luck lads!
COYG!
COME ON YOU YELLOOOOOOOWS
Hey all!
and come on you reds!
or ..yellows rather!
What a start from Jack!
OOOOooooo LJW
oooh, the woodwork again!
ooh Jack!
OUCH
ouch, bfg got a sagna to the face.
darn Mert down, not looking good
looks like tv5 is coming in?? no? we got a big tough fucking German!
BFG’s hard as nails, he’s back!!
He looked like he was out cold 🙁 Hope it is the right decision to let him continue.
flicks it with the outside of his boot towards the box…
don’t stop!!!
WHY DID HE STOP?????
wtf who whistled?:(
Because he thought the linesman was going to raise the flag.
horrible.
that backheel flick from Ozil was sublime…should have really scored there 🙁
Nursie, the first thing you are taught as a kid is that you always play til the whistle.
Bad mistake.
always play to the whistle. 9 times out of 10 he goes on and shoots anyway, but not this time. ugh.
Now watching the game.
Arguably it was offside, linesman did not notice Ozils touch, but OG should play to the whistle, hopefully this error is not going to come back and bite us in the ass.
Cardiff has set out a nice stall, at least defensively. we have to guard against the break, though.
Sagna’s taking everyone out today. 😉
heh, h2h.
Lord the commentators on 5live are dreadful; Clive Allan obviously still bears a grudge and the other guy is just incompetent. Thank you, that is all.
I love Per!
RAAAAMSEEEEY
aaaaron!
Get in!
H2H @78, no worries, mate.
Pangloss @77, thanks and cheers. Now watching the game goooooooooooaaaaaaaaaaalllll
Ozil, beautiful assist to Aaron. Well done, lads!
Cardiff supporters still respect Aaron.
Aaron!
what a ball from özil. shoulda benched the lousy German.
Aaron who? 🙂
How good was that pass and the finish?!
rrrraaaaammmssseeeyyyy!
that was a great free kick by Cardiff.
Phew, that looked dangerous.
Ramsey did well there.
Let’s keep it together and try to nick another
very dangerous ball
good response to the goal, Cardiff have stepped up their game.
santi running his legs off!
That pass from Ozil to Gibbs, just one of many examples, that set him apart.
Whst a tackle by Jack!
Sagna under lots of pressure from Kim, disrupting our ability to use the right flank…
agreed, abb. and cor!
Thanks Professor Scruz 🙂
Scruz good one @119
You can even say it’s almost Kimpossible to use the right side even 😉
how is that not a foul? if not, Kim touched the ball out and it should be a corner!
Arrrrrgggghhhh! Unlucky
hows that not a foul on Sagna?
Cor, What a battle between Kim and Bac, very entertaining!
Nice ball OG, unlucky Aaron, maybe should of hit it first time.
Lovely recovery by Mikel!
Unbelievable tekkers by Arteta there 😀
Good first half, should have been at least two up
Decent enough half, pretty much in control, but we need to show a little more ruthlessness.
Wrap this one up lads and we’ll be sitting pretty.
With a Theophile on the pitch I think Wenger is being mean not letting Theo get his adulation properly from a true fan 🙁
abb, professor of pedantry with a subspecialty of the obvious, at your service 🙂
cheers, cent! it had to be said. didn’t match yours at 12, though.
a decent half, I’d like to see rozza and flamini on first. arteta and cazorla have been really quiet today.
depressed, agreed. I chuckled when I saw his name, thought rogue the same thing.
Good intensity throughout. Defence solid as ever. Commentators as crap as ever. Why is that they make a call, the replay proves them wrong, and they continue to maintain their call was good? Brainless.
What a ball from Özil – useless waste of money.
Morning all. We are in control but they are dangerous on set pieces. Lovely assist by Özil.
Keep it up Arsenal!!!
Özil aüt!!!! 🙂
You back in London, Norcal? 😉
Come on guys, lay off Ozil, he will eventually come good, the assists and stuff are not what football is all about, he has to be sold on for a profit in 24-36 months 😉
Still @LHR Norcal? Say it ain’t so.
Heh @ Depressed
Ozil now leads the league for assists. And he’s widely regarded as being off form.
Just wait until he gets going.
Oh, more folks popping up at the bar, that really makes my day!
Safe fight NorCal and try to enjoy it!
They are completely congesting the middle on defense (not a surprise) maybe a Gnabry or theo out wide would be good. Ah well. Let’s keep up the pressure
Good 1st-half, the boys are working their socks for each other. More of that and more goals for us in the 2nd-half is what the doctor ordered.
I’m home. Glad to have spent my time in London but glad I was home for Thanksgiving.
Cheers all.
Very much a team effort thus far in my eyes. We knew The Bluebirds would be up for this. Keeps us on the edge of our seats, doesn’t it lol. Agree, want Flamster out there, see what he can get up to 😉
NorCal, that was quick!!!
OOoooooo Giroud.
Top work Ramsey
Lively start by us!
ooo unlucky OG!
I think Cardiff play too deep for Theo to be fully effective, NorCal.
What a save!!
Brilliant save by Woj, whew!
Santi is very quiet today
And another save by him!
Great from szcz. But poor from Gibbs.
Save! Arise Sir Chez!
WOJ! massive save!
Höly shit! What a save!
Santi has been lively in my eyes, Eandy.
lots of pressure by Cardiff ATM. top save, woj on fire!
Santi is getting bullied off the ball too easily. Come on arsenal!
COME ON ARSENAAAL
Too many passes going astray Cent, but I might be judging him by the freakishly high standard he set for himself over the course of the time he is with us.
Another save by Woj. Good defending by us!
santi is working hard, not particularly effective though.
Lee Mason, get your specks on. should have been called a foul on Giroud. Good effort by him on taking that shot!
Slightlest push done by OG judged as foul by mr. Mason, same situation three minutes ago was not …baffling
Eandy, OG thinks so too, judging by the look he gave Mason.
That was a bit Mutch. Dirty git.
That challenge was a bit Mütch eh?
Cardiff to bring on Peter Odd and Whingey.
heh, h2h and cor.
That was a corner ffs
Crap officials too.
O.O no corner?
There is a battle brewing between OG and Mason. Hope Giroud keeps his cool (though OG has every right to be pissed off!)
Eandy, I would say he has been a bit in-efficient with the ball.
triple sub prepared by AW? Theo, Flamini and Monreal warming up
Weak, unlucky Santi.
damn, that was a chance…
Great play by Jack, Santi just needed more umph!
Hehe yeah Cent, can settle with that.
Huge twenty mins coming up here…
where’s rozza?
anyone else getting just BPL logo on stream now?
COME ON YOU GUNNERS
COYG
Heh – great minds H2H
🙂
Kim’s off, now maybe the right will open up.
Cardiff have now taken off their best two players.
Heh, guess who’s replacing Kim?
No one.
Sleeve chopper for sati.
Mathieu on for Santi.
Matty for santi.
*santi
Ever alert our keeper!
Come on ref ffs
god how I hate lee mason.
C’mon Arsenal!!! Love excitement, but a little reassurance would be lovely right about now 😉
Theo should be brought on, Cardiff are adventurous and they would not push that up with him looming on the half line.
Nacho for LJW
nacho for jack.
aaron working on it, abb!
Mason looking for every opportunity to give Cardiff FK
Yeah scruz, he sure is. Just that they keep on coming at us, relentlessly! Exhausting game to watch!
What is wrong with Lee Mason?
FLAMMMI
Never in doubt
COYG
Get the fuckity fuck fuck in!
there it is, again from ozil. well struck, matty!
Flamini!!!!!!!!’
Mesut flukes it. Again.
Ozil to Flamster! Hopefully this puts to rest any silly talk about Ozil!
FLAMSTER!
Get the fuck in!!!
What a useless buy he is.
What a brain-dead commentator Stewart Robson is.
WE ARE TOP OF THE LEAGUE, SAY…….
heh, cent. crappy player, should be on the bench.
Weeee shaaalll nooot, we shall not be moved!
Weeee shaaalll nooot, we shall not be moved!
Feo for Ozil
All bow down in the church of Flamini.
theophile is to be made happy. mesut off, to the bench where he belongs.
Only two assists for Özil today ?
Pah …….. 😉
What a fantastic result this is.
Tough away ground. Seven points clear. Two Ozil assists. Clean sheet too.
No quarter for the chasing pack – just try and keep up with us lads. And Utd/LWCs will be a pleasure to watch now; whoever drops points in that will be virtually off our radar.
Love this team.
COYG
yesssss!
Rambo again!!!
Aaaarooon
There goes the ‘holic pound
OMG Theo to Aaaron!!!! Fantastic!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Perfect performance.
Fück yes!!!!
second for Aaron!
Porn? This early?
great exchange timing theo and aaron, who finishes it off in the top corner. outstanding!
Well I did say 0-4 last night ! 😉
Ooooo unlucky Feo.
Jesus Christ, what a performance.
Goonah on the moonah
top of the freaking league. beauty today, just a fantastic outcome.
job well done, great display, resilient. Glad to see Theo contributing even in this short of time, I think he is going to start against Hull along with Tomas and Nacho.
Great performance by the team, excellent support by our travelling gooners! Never in any doubt, although I thought my 1-0 prediction was coming through 🙂
Happy to be wrong though!
Classic Stewart Robson:
“Arsenal not a good side defensively despite what their record shows.”
In other words: “My biased opinion is more important than the facts.”
If I did my job as badly as him I’d be out of work tomorrow.
Couple of years ago I said RVP was a superstar and we had him.
Feel it is quite safe to proclaim Aaron Ramsey as world class. And he will never leave us.
Eändy: starting line-up against Hull – you could well be right.
Nice to see Theo get an assist and almost break through for the 4th goal.
Great that Cardiff have a player called No-one.
Careful abb – careful.
No worries with him, dk. Aaron has great character. Robin turned out to be a ‘character’. 😉
dk – The commentators on 5Live can give Robson a run for his money. They were truly woeful. To be fair to the Beeb, they were (approximately) the fifth string, but I would be surprised if they made the step up. Despite the quality of the radio commentary, it struck me as a perfectly routine 3-0 to the Arsenal. God, it’s fantastic to type that last phrase and mean it.
COYG
Great game 😀
Unlucky to the maestro though, he had the holic pound within his grasp, then one Aaron Ramsey strode downfield… 😉
Dk @257, I doubt you would have gotten the job in the first place.
Cardiff had a strong 7-8 mins in the second half, other then that we were in almost total control. But as it always is with one nil leads, you’re sitting on tenderhooks until the second went in.
Ofcourse it could of been different, that save from Woj was absolute class, Campbell did everything right, got power in and aimed the header down, it literaly bounced a whisker for the line, not only did Woj keep it out, he managed to push it out to safety so there was no chance of a follow up, brilliant!!
well, time for breakfast and see what the day has in store. enjoy the afterglow, dear holics!
Great team performance….withstood the pressure when we had to – yet again crucial saves from Woj. Aaron Ramsey heading for player of the year….magnifico!
DKG, if Stuart Robson is commentating I simply turn the sound down rather than listen to that bitter & twisted knobhead.
“Say, We are top of the league, we are top of the league”…. 🙂
So lovely to see the team working all over the pitch…..time to believe if you didn’t already. We’ve got a keeper – he deserves so much credit yet again.
Robson is a jealous scumbag
Lovely to see Ozil do so well today.
His cross for the first goal was superb.
Mutual respect all around. Cardiff fans cheering ramsey and he did the ayatollah celebration in response.
Thats football. Respect to both Cardiff fans and Ramseyyy..
And what to say of Ozil.. super quiet for large parts and bangg two wolrd lcass assists.
Totally agree H2H,
that save was something else and it clearly shows how important it is to have in form goalkeeper.
Word for Mesut, even though his body language might be deceiving, that lad is really starting to find his feet in the league. Both assists were incredibly good, perfectly weighed. When you realize that there are still better things to come from him..and whole team, it truly is a great time to be a Gooner.
All who were wondering what’s wrong with Ozil, please crawl back into your holes. This means you, Mr. Robson….
That Ozil fella should be dropped immediately. Never does a bloody thing. Hides all game long. Diabolical waste of money. Wenga ahht.
Oh?
Like I predicted @5, we’re where we belong.
Guvnor, may I suggest the match report?
‘Cardiff RAMmed’?
‘The RAMmer keeps arsenal aloft’?
Another weekend of made for the love of guinness.
Terrific goals. Happy the Flamster got his name on that sheet. 🙂
Good call on the result goonsterham @ 54! 😉
SZCZ is definitely a keeper who will win us games. I reckon that’s 3 critical match-saving saves this season at least. Who knows what would have happened if that had gone in. A keeper in all respects.
COYG
If only I’d put real money on it.
Bath @273,
A bit harsh ! 😉
Honestly though I thought at the time I was being a tad optimistic, something I’m occasionally accused of where the Arsenal are concerned. Not this time!
ouch!
^*Another weekend made for the love of guinness.
And did I forget to mention the Szczer & BFToughG? In fact, all gooners who played, watched, cheered and wherever they were.
Fair play to Rambo & Cardiff fans. Football at it’s best.
I wonder whether the Ozil-critics have crawled under their foetid little stones with their tails between their legs?
How can these people survive in the modern world with the need for critical decision making and judgement calls every day when their judgement is clearly so flawed? Do they have to be helped across the road?
Is that strong enough, Trev?
Never in doubt. But if Cardiff continues to play with this much energy and discipline they would stay up.
What a save by Szczesny! It is now 3 or 4 matches in this PL where he pulled out saves like that in crucial moments. But today’s tops the list. With the ball just bouncing in front…
The referee had a horrendous game. An obvious corner was missed. A barrage of fouls on Giroud went unpunished and towards the end for a while it was free for all physical challenges.
First time in the season Giroud looked lethargic…hopefully against Hull him and Rambo can enjoy a break because after that three tough matches.
The weight of the pass from Ozil on Flamini’s goal was just extraordinary… but I really liked the first goal where from a patient build up play a very simple plan was executed with superlative quality: off the ball run from Giroud to drag defenders away, a nice lofted pass and a brilliant header. Speak volumes about the variations in attack this team can execute.
bath @ 281: Survival comes in many shapes and forms. Never underestimate the survival intelligence of the irrational. 🙂
The Ozil criticisms from an Arsenal fan comes from a place of insecure paranoia about self-worth. It is a form of meekness that masquerades as aggressive behavior … a look around in the political wilderness would tell you some of that type survive and thrive.
Bath, Trev – Ozil has already made an enormous contribution to our club both on the field and off it.
He’s raised the bar in training and now everyone’s fighting to start in a team that features two of Europe’s best players (Ozil + Aaron Cruyff).
On the field, he’s the first player that all the others seek to pass to when we break out of defense or in general build-up play. Most of our attacking moves pass through him.
…. and he’s not even at his best yet.
‘Holic – Your ‘pound’ took another beating today.
You must be delighted? 😎
Ozil is shit, That is all.
Fully up the Arse,
3 Points everyone else under pressure tomorrow Happy Days 😉
In whole of November Arsenal conceded only 1 goal in all competitions !
When was the last time we had a November like this?
Ozil idles his way round the field, occasionally closing down defenders when they have the ball, occasionally tracking back to cover the oppo attacks then makes a couple of game winning passes to top off a masterclass in ball distribution and [b]people think he’s a great player!!!!![/b]
What are these people smoking?
Clearly needs a rest and a month of acclimatisation to real English rough and tumble.
Should be dropped immediately.
bold fail
Stuff of champions today! Woji made an absolutely critical stop to keep the lead in favour of Arsenal . MOTM after Ramsey who got a great homecoming reception from the Cardiff fans.Was great to see that.Ozil did nothing and yet provided 2 glorious assists.This guy plays below his best and yet pops up with the goods.Can’t wait to see him hit his peak with us.
Everyone keeps saying this but Giroud needs a breather.Poldi back to being fit again can’t come soon enough..
CMD @ 291: I think against Hull at home we may see TR7-Theo-Jack to start as the front three with Theo down the middle. I won’t mind seeing even Gnabry start ahead of Jack, he has shown enough abilities and maturity in the limited chances he has got.
Flamini-Arteta-Ozil/Santi to start as the midfield three. Giroud, Rambo, Ozil/Santi on the bench.
We would need to rotate before the Everton-Napoli-Man City games within seven days.
Exactly bath, all I can add is “Özil can do one along with that other horrendously slow, useless German bloke, and Wenger AAHHHTTT !!!”
The Clash on the juke box and Ozils still shit 🙂
Yep another 3pts in the bag, I hope people keep underestimating this team till April and boom Arsenal is still top to the league. Let’s keep rolling under the rader I am loving it!!!!!!!!!!
Top of the league
Ok…that Mesut fellah can dink a ball with perfect weight onto the toe or head of anyone he chooses but it’s all about winning innit. Oh…………..
Bath 290. Bold fail = Spuds
Bould success = Top of the League. 🙂
Dinks it Ozil precision like into the box……who wants it???
Lurks in
Agree Dr. Faustus.
Would not like to underestimate Hull City but, that game should be a perfect opportunity to rest Giroud and give Theo a chance up front.
Rosicky and Nacho should start as well instead of Ramsey and Gibbs.
The question remains, would it be to risky to start Gnabry and give Ozil a rest.
It will be a great achievement is we could rotate 4-5 players and still manage to win the game.
Great save by Woj from Campbell. A keeper who wins you six to eight points a season by saving a win from being a draw or keeping a draw from being a loss is the difference between winning titles and not.
Great day. Enjoy it all. We are Top of the League, say….
Giroud is way to isolated and he suffers for it. Giroud needs his team mates to support him otherwise he’s as useful as a chocolate dildo.
Just talked with a big Real Madrid fan. Was sure to thank him specially for the gift of Mesut. His comment. “He’s a brilliant player, so influential. He was our best but for Ronaldo. He has flashes of genius…his highlight reel is incredible but he did tend to go missing for stretches of the game.”
Thought it was an interesting enough comment to reproduce here.
Ozil showed why he is world class, creating goals that matter when they matter. The cross for Ramsey’s header and the through ball for Flamini’s goal couldn’t be bettered.
Giroud had one of those hapless days all strikers have when not much goes right — the offside/not offside mix-up, the goal line clearance when any scuffed shot would have scored, the deflected shots given as goalkicks etc. But he still put in a shift as ever.
Whatever will be will be we are challenging thats all I can ask – Oh and Londons calling Happy Days 😉
Quite a bit of pressure on Manchester Rowdies tomorrow, playing a team that their neighbours trounced 6-0 last Saturday. Anything less than a 4-0 win is going to look as though they are completely in the shade of their oil-funded rivals.
The spuds have a bit of pressure on them too; they probably should have made some moves in the summer transfer window. Looking on the bright side for them, there’s another transfer window opening in just over a month’s time when they’ll have the chance to bring in some decent players.
Interesting to see how Southampton get on playing their second tough match in the capital in the space of a week. Tomorrow, of course, they are playing against a proper big team that has taken points off their rivals, not some penny ante chancers who kept their hands in their pockets over the summer picking up a squad player here and there on a free.
COYG
Cent@12, I hope you’re watching
🙂
Pangloss @309 haha.
Yes I’m looking forward to tomorrow’s fixtures as well. Nothing would please me more than a Southampton win, and more misery for ManU.
goonsterham@306
I think that was a very helpful comment.
I think Ozil is a very unusual player, one we’ve not seen before. Not a modern workhorse but a player who can change games with flair and vision. His ball for Ramsey was quite excellent and the ball to Flamini was not far behind. He is a luxury player but one that we can carry because of the work ethic in the side but his stats can’t be denied. I must admit that I have found him difficult to work out but I was very impressed today.
I would take issue with those who believe Giroud will be rested on Wednesday. He will start every game he is fit to start until we can get back- up for him. He is a very fit guy but we must pray he doesn’t pick up any serious niggles.
A good night for all Gooners but an even better night for all Gooner Badgers. Top of the league and the cull over. Does life get any better?
Full 90 minutes coming up on Sky – be interesting to see if we were as good as we looked on my stream……
Cold beer in the fridge, Management out and Arsenal on the box…..
If Carlsberg made quiet Saturday nights in……
‘Holics, a word of advice, if you would. I need to send a bottle of good single malt to a London address. Can anyone recommend a reliable online whisky retailer in the U.K. who could fulfill the order?
I agree with TTG, as in I can’t see OG being benched, Ozil neither. Ramsey maybe, which I think would be a mistake. I know the games are coming thick and fast, but what;s that saying about what you shouldnt do to a winning team?
I thought Santi wasn’t quite at the races today, was knocked off the ball far too easily way too many times, but to give him credit he never stopped running and never hid.
Ttg @ 315, oh you are a soul mate after all. Badger cull waste of resources and so cruel.
Abb /TTG….the badger cull is like the spuds spending spree – both a forlorn waste of money. Mind you some of my neighbours complain mildly that “visitors” from the nearby set eat their plants during nocturnal visits. Unfortunately the motor car is their biggest danger.
Now if they extended the cull to Chel$ki supporters……..;-)
Well in, H2H for the 3rd century.
Pangloss, good work @309, the bit about Sp*rs and the transfer market had me in stitches.
321 – now that’s a proper cull Guv’nor .
Mesut on twitter – “3:0 away. what a game. I love this team and this Club. ”
This team really is something special and he seems to fit in seamlessly.
*blushes and waves his appreciation to cent@323*
Evening all, been celebrating St Andrew’s Day so report will follow at some stage of tomorrow, unless someone fancies a bash at it overnight?
Thanks for all your kind words today. Really appreciated right now.
Raises glass to all those of the northern persuasion.
While not wanting to take anything away from the assists, let’s not forget the runs by Ramsey and Flamini to give Mesut someone to aim at and the manner in which they each took the opportunities offered to them. Just as the assist for Jack’s second in midweek came from a great run from Mesut which Aaron picked out perfectly. There is so much skill and vision in this team, as well as the way they work for each other. And it was Mesut’s replacement today who provided the assist for the third goal.
Hope Theo gets to start on Wednesday.
Aaron Ramsey goes from strength to strength, not just this season but since the turn of this year. And it couldn’t have happened to a nicer guy – modest, hard worker, team player.
The exact opposite of a certain TGSTEL who looks like he’s pulled on the shirt for the last time. AW’s comments midweek about not knowing where he was in his head and today not even making the bench. Sad really – what a waste. Time to pay him off and get him out of the door for good. After all, there are teams queuing up for his services.
Just seen that Aneke scored Crewe’s winner today.
Great day, very important win and nearly perfect display from our boys!
Cold and rainy day here, staying at home tonight, Mrs Lurky is watching some James Bond movie, I am reading Arsenal related news, happy to share a couple.
Happy to see that our ex GK Mannone with a second clean sheet in three games as a starter.
Glad to see Belerin MOTM performance for Watford earlier today. I have high expectations for the Spaniard, our future RB.
Aneke with a winner for Crewe as DKG mentioned.
Strong rumors that Madrid’s Alvaro Morata have agreed to come on loan in January. Would be really great to have such a talent with us and maybe Arsene could persuade him to join us permanently.
Currently we are second best defense and second best offense in the League.
Gareth Bale (the name sounds familiar, wasn’t he playing for some small London club in the PL not that long ago) scored his first hat-trick an added an assist for his new club.
Delighted!
Abb/ Uply
We have them from time to time in my garden and they do nasty things to the local hedgehogs but they are infinitely preferable to Chelski fans. My only exception is that greedy badger in Manchester !
Sturridge out with an injury – possibly long term.
“Bellerin MOTM performance” – is that a joke Lurky?
Watford lost 3-0 to fookin Yeovil.
We will have more money than we know what to do with in January if we sell the greatest striker that ever lived – even Lamela cost the Spuds £30million – Hahahahahahahaha
Uply – several hehs! above. 🙂
I know others have alluded to it already but ARSENAL ONLY CONCEDED ONE GOAL IN ALL COMPETITIONS IN THE ENTIRE MONTH OF NOVEMBER. Dating back to October 26 we have kept 6 clean sheets in our last 8 games, over which period we have outscored opponents 12-3.
Oh to be a GOOOONER
gl@331 Can’t be true – I have it on the very best authority that “Arsenal are not a good side defensively.”
dkgÖÖner
This is from Belerin’s twitter account.
“Bittersweet debut for me tonight. Grateful for the fans who gave me Man of the match. Gutted for the result though. Thanks for the support.”
Much as I’d love another Spurs humiliation tomorrow, I’d be happier with a Spurs win. They don’t pose any real threat to us at the moment, and the quicker Man United drop completely out of the title chase the happier I will be.
It’s a win-win really.
To think just a couple of months ago people were bigging up the Spurs. This was going to be their year.
dk: the very best authority. 🙂
All I have to say is, keep up that poor defense fellas. All season long.
Sigh, time to settle down in front of MotD to listen to “the experts2 explain why we’ve been wrong all these years; the table does lie.
I had dinner with a keen Watford fan last night. We’ve lent you a good’un I said, referring to Bellerin. We need it he said but at least we should beat Yeovil tomorrow!
Glad in the carnage Bellerin seems to have played well. My mate predicts the imminent demise of Zola who seems to be going the way he did at West Ham. It must be bad he thinks Almunia is one of their best players!
I agree its a Spurs win tomorrow that’s best for us. All points dropped by United are very useful. Spurs are an irrelevance to us again!
Indeed, göö l,
November had become an annual nightmare for us not so long ago.
In general, it is amazing to look at the players across our squad now and where the team sits, given that this summer was the first time we have been allowed a net spend for around a decade.
I have to say that I treated BtM’s claims, a year ago, that Ramsey would become an Arsenal captain as pure bravado, and I think he has admitted that many of his remarks were made with the tip of his tongue in cheek.
Would anyone now bet against that eventuality ?
Another class performance today – please note, RvP, his post goal scoring behaviour – and lovely to see the mutual applause for ex-player and fans at the end. Richly deserved Aaron.
So pleased to see that he has been able to really fulfill his potential, and that is said as someone now looking at a knee replacement after mine was wrecked by someone deliberately stamping through it off the ball.
It is a hell of a long way back from an injury of that seriousness. I never made it, and I was never aiming at the levels that he has fought to achieve.
Good on him, and good on Arsene Wenger for being one of very very few who maintained the belief that he could do it.
Did I mention that I love the Arsenal ?
Cheers for the heads up btw, Zico,
I watched the Sky full replay and can now spare myself the annoyance of MoTD.
Just laugh at them, Pangloss. 😉
göönsterham lincöln
About tomorrow’s game, I have a better scenario
A draw with couple of red cards, season long injuries for Rooney and … well I was thinking of Sp*rs player good enough to wish him get injured, but there isn’t any, Kaboul punching RvP’s face changing it’s shape, but doesn’t get red carded because he is shyt and I want him to continue to start for Sp^rs as long as he can, AVB decides to commit suicide but after serious consideration decides not to, because I want him too to continue being their manager, Moyes finding it hard to be humiliated and second best to Fergie so he finds him in the audience and shots him with a shotgun, just before vertical pitch-sized earthquake accompanied with a pitch-sized meteor strikes the ground for the complete pleasure.
No Hansen again, ofcourse not.
Lineker seems to be the only one who takes us seriously. Murphy praises us but says we can’t be taken seriously because we haven’t played the big boys, would that be the big boys who dropped points away to two teams that we put three past at both their grounds?
7 points clear but still pretty much under the rader, you gotta love it.
Trev, one quibble.
I appreciate Ramsey’s restraint after scoring because he still loves Cardiff, quite rightly so, and they still love him. He left a Championship club as an unproven teenager to go to one of the biggest clubs in Europe, and there were no hard feelings either way. His non-celebration was completely genuine. Anyone who follows him on Twitter knows he still watches Cardiff’s games and cares genuinely for the club. He grew up just outside there I believe.
RvP, on the other hand, left one big club for another, while at the very top of his game, for purely financial reasons. He doesn’t give a flying fuck about Arsenal (as the manner of his departure made abundantly clear), and we don’t much care for him either. So celebrate all you want, RvP, and don’t make us all sick by pretending you still love the Arsenal. (To his credit, he did celebrate his goal this year, in typically self-aggrandizing fashion, having evidently got all that bullshit out of his system last year.)
Did you notice, though, Ramsey’s reaction when Flamini’s goal went in? Both hands immediately high in the air. 🙂
Haha, yes Lurky that would be ideal. Clearly my scenario wasn’t nearly ambitious enough…
Good stuff, Trev.
Aaron is an inspiration to me. Growing up, I knew the chances of me playing for The Arsenal were lower than anything that has ever been low, but that didn’t stop me from dreaming about it. When Aaron signed for us and I got to know we are age mates I naturally started living my dreams of playing for The Arsenal through him.
seeing him flourishing against all odds, having overcome that most horrible of injuries warms the innermost parts of my heart. Hopefully he will keep getting better and better till he eventually becomes the best in the world. I had dreams of been the best in the world wearing Arsenal colours.
Cent you are seriously Aaron’s age? Man
Sound advice, Trev, but sadly I couldn’t follow it.
Credit to Linneker, “I keep being told, in this studio, that Arsenal can’t win the league this year. Well, it’s almost December and they’re still top of the table. Why not?”.
Two answers from the third string pundits (they couldn’t find any “experts”):
o They haven’t taken any points off their main rivals; and
o What happens if Giroud gets injured.
Well, I remember several years ago – probably around 1998-2001 – Arsenal always doing really well in the big games and not winning the title because they didn’t turn up “on a cold night in Stoke” or Blackburn, or Barnsley, or wherever. So you don’t actually have to beat your rivals if they draw against the poor teams and you beat them. Also the main reason we haven’t taken points off Man ¢ity and Chel$ki is because we haven’t played them. Granted we lost to Manyoo, but – don’t laugh at the back there – we have played Liverpoo and what’s their name, you know the ones, play at the far end of the Seven Sisters Rd, and we beat them.
As for Giroud, I’m genuinely puzzled by this one. For years people have criticised Arsenal, and Arsène, for being unwilling to change our style by bringing in players off the bench. Now, when the starting XI at long last starts delivering results week in, week out (the table doesn’t lie) people complain that we’re over-reliant on one player and will be in trouble if and when he gets injured. When it’s pointed out that we have other players either just back from injury or just about to be back from injury, it’s “No, no they don’t count. You can’t play them without changing your system”. Sheesh, there’s no pleasing some people.
Thanks for reading; I’m glad to have got that off my chest. One last look at the league table, a quick attempt to work out whether or not it lies, and I’m off to bed.
Night all.
Goonster, yes I am.
Good stuff Pangloss.
Sorry, H2H, let’s get that straight,
Murphy says we can’t be taken seriously ……
Zico, can you turn those italics off please. Just in case. 😉
I do love MOTD.
Can’t even spell Wilshere’s name correctly. Also got another round of “they’ve played no one and what happens if Giroud gets injured?”.
On that latter point, what i’d guess will happen is that the 90 cap German international who smashed goals for fun at his last club playing centre forward – you know, the one who’s arguably the best natural finisher at the club – would return from injury and play up top. In front of a midfield that would still include the likes of Ozil, Rambo, jack, Santi, theo and rosicky, and which will presumably keep scoring goals even if he doesn’t.
I love the handsome French bloke, but the fears over his fitness were only really urgent when Poldi was still 2-3 months away. Don’t get me wrong, I’d prefer Ollie up front every day of the week, but to me Podolski is a better plan B than Eto’o, Sturridge, Defoe and probably even Negredo. So maybe MOTD would like to cock off and ask how some of our rivals will get on if they lose their first choice striker.
Hope they keep on with this line of argument. It’ll only make it all the sweeter if we do somehow nick the title.
Oh my word, how they make you sweat. I was yelling at the laptop/Arsene to get the Flamster and Monreal on 30 mins before the end, AW took his time in shoring up the back.
As it turned out I need not have worried but we do leave it late. The mid-field looked great in the first half and we would have been further ahead but for the woodwork and Giroud not playing to the whistle, a most curious incident.
Cardiff and the crowd did get going for a spell in the second half but a truly great save by TPIG at the foot of the post and a stirring performance from our back four saw the danger pass.
All three goals were a delight. A great low cross from Ozil was met perfectly by Rambo, whose header was directed into the top corner. The second goal saw the Flamster racing on to another assist from Ozil, the ball being thumped into the roof of the net. Rambo’s second, in added time, another great strike from Feo’s run and unselfish assist.
Ramsey did not celebrate either of his goals and was given a great reception from the Cardiff crowd.Our fans were fantastic, I could hear them singing throughout the 90mins.
Things are looking good, top of the league and 7 points clear. My main concern at the moment is the threatened tube strike on Wednesday. If it goes ahead I will need to make a very speedy exit well before the final whistle to make it back to King’s Lynn. Come on you tube workers.
Trev 338. ” I was never aiming at the levels he has fought to achieve” – you shurely weren’t aiming to play for the spuds 😉 Seriously though spot on synopsis.
GL….the Dutch skunk is just another ex player mercaniary,unfortunately not the first and won’t be the last.
H2H…..not having to listen to that bitter & twisted scots scouser is a bonus whatever our result 😉
Cent…you may not become an ace player for “The Arse” but you are already an ace supporter 🙂
Cent, didn’t mean to be smug. I am 27. Thought I was the youngest one on here!
You’re a few years ahead of Wind too, goo linc. 😉
Hehs @ Trev and Uply.
Indeed N7, indeed.
Thanks and Cheers, Uply.
No worries, Goonster, and as Trev pointed out young master Wind is the baby of the bar.
*hides from Wind*
Young Wind is wise beyond his years.
Steve T is wide beyond his ears. 😉
Just home. Or, to be precise, just home and having watched our highlights on MOTD and then very drunkenly fastforwarded to the Football League Show. Oh yes, we’ve had our Stockholm Xmas part today and it was a smashing success! (where “smashing” means we all got smashed, that is)
Too currently-drunk to back-drink right now. Will do that later. Like tomorrow or somink. But at this stage I’m orf to bed… Zzzzzzzzzzzzz…
All November passed and we conceded only one goal in all competitions? Holy shit! That is unbelievable after you consider who we played.
‘Holic @322, I’m on it, half-way through it now. Just send me an E-mail address I can send it too.
H2H @356, agreed.
Heh@ Trev.
Good stuff, Lars.
8ball, the prospects of this team are really scary. Fingers crossed for them.
Only 7 points clear? I blame everyone. Where will it all end….
Öskar
@292 Dr Faustus – That has got to be the lineup. More than capable of besting Hull who have played well under Bruce in the few games I’ve seen them play so far with Huddlestone their key player. I’d much rather we play like Spain without any strikers rather than play with Theo through the middle where he’s at his most ineffective.Bendtner could start this match and I really want him to be back to the level he was before his bust up with Adebayor which to me at least was the starting point of his spiral downwards.Let’s not forget he has a decent goal scoring stats to back it up:45 goals in 83 appearances isn’t bad by any measure.
http://www.arsenal.com/first-team/players/nicklas-bendtner
@326 Fat chance that Morata would be sent on loan to us or to any other team considering that he’s their only backup striker after Benzema.Reminds me of Morientes a lot though.Good poacher though and would gladly take him as our backup without any qualms whatsoever.
@349 N7 Out of your list of strikers none of them presently can be considered as a plan B for their respective teams! Sturridge starts regularly with Suarez , Negredo has also started most of the games with Aguero.Eto’o is Chelski’s main striker now that Torres is injured; Demba Ba is plan B for them and Defoe can’t even come on a substitute in the games that Spuds have played so far ,so to call him as a plan B is going too far.
Looking forward to a interesting Spuds vs Manure game today.If Spuds have a modicum of pride they need to bounce back with a display that shames Manure and puts them further back in the title race.Manure winning is also good because that’d heap further pressure on AVB who I still rate as a fine coach though he needs to take some responsibility for the way his team plays instead of blaming everyone else.He can’t blame the fans who have a right to expect that their team plays better attacking football rather than the dour sh*t they peddle presently.Draw also would suit us just fine.
360 Cent. gooner(at)goonerholic(dot)com
Thanks my friend.
Sent, Maestro.
Some great drinking going on here. More power to your elbows, holics!
Cheers Cent.
Morning Esso.
Seven points…
Cent writes 🙂 >>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>