Gunners Need The Points To Reclaim Top Spot
Jan 12th, 2014 by 'holic
A lot has happened since Aston Villa departed the Grove with all three points back in August. Most of it good if you are an Arsenal supporter. The same cannot be said of Villa, however.
The hosts on Monday night have already lost six home Premier League matches and are finding goals hard to come by at Villa Park. This despite what looks on paper like a decent strike trio, Weimann, Benteke, and Agbonlahor. A week after a shock FA Cup defeat to Sheffield United Villa won’t relish coming up against a bogey team. The last fourteen Premier League meetings of the clubs at Villa Park have seen Arsenal win seven and draw seven, including a goalless affair last season.
We welcome back Olivier Giroud and Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain. There is a chance that Aaron Ramsey and Kieran Gibbs will also make the squad. The loss of Theo Walcott’s pace will be felt, but with the midfield options returning we should go into this one confident of reversing that opening day defeat.
Giroud should step straight back into the side but the others may be starting on the bench. A back five of Wojciech Szczesny, Bacary Sagna, Per Mertesacker, Laurent Koscielny, and Nacho Monreal looks solid enough. Mikel Arteta and Mathieu Flamini provide them with solid protection. It is between that sitting pair and Giroud that the boss has choices to make. He has to perm three from Tomas Rosicky, Jack Wilshire, Mesut Ozil, Lukas Podolski, and Santi Cazorla if I am right about Ramsey being brought back carefully.
Paul Lambert believes this is a good game for Villa “because nobody expects us to get anything“. The ‘holic pound is punted on him being wrong. Very wrong. I have grabbed twelves against a 0-3 scoreline. We need the points to return to the top of the table following weekend victories for Manchester City and Chelsea. If we get the quick passing that destroyed Tottenham going again then this should be another three points gained on the road.
At the time of writing the forecast is for heavy showers in Birmingham on Monday evening. That should help us get that passing game going. It also means if you are going to the game be prepared for a soaking. I have no doubt those of us condemned to television coverage will hear you throughout.
Finally, can I just say again a big thanks to all of you who have left birthday wishes for me in the drinks, on Twitter and Facebook, and elsewhere. It really is appreciated.
337 Responses to “Gunners Need The Points To Reclaim Top Spot”
Top preview ‘H.
Giroud and Ozil in for Theo and Gnabry from the second half team against Spurs would be my guess. Arteta to anchor the midfield.
I would stick with Monreal too. Thought he had a good game against Cardiff and was excellent against Spurs. No need to rush Gibbsy back even though he has been outstanding.
Handsome win tomorrow – 4-0 is getting my pennies.
Thank you, match reporter!
Get me to the top!
🙂
Easy on the sauce tomorrow for me 😉
Damn thought I will be the first drink for a change, oh well COYG all I need is 3pts. Just get it done whichever way!!!!!!
That 0-0 last season was also in very rainy conditions, and it was also the one that saw me and tabs end up in the Daily Fail.
Rain or not this is a game we should win. Like you say, if we get that passing game going we should be ok.
I see a 3-1. Giroudx2 and the improving GGGGnabry!!
I attended this fixture last year and it was a miserable wet night and a very uninspired 0-0. I think this team knows not to give a repeat performance.
Lots of Draxler chatter today on twitter. Hope he comes this month. A little spark to get the new year going!
I’ll take a classic 1-0 to the Arsenal but would be beside tabs with delight if his 4-0 prediction comes true. Off to read H’s pearls.
Fine preview, maestro.
Nutshell.
Go win, Gunners.
No Daily Mail photographers in the away juicer of choice Lars (hopefully) 😉
Like you Bath, I’ll take 1-0 to the Arse all day long 🙂
Domenico Berardi had just scored four goals against AC Milan tonight. This is the first time I see/heard of him. 19 years old, plays for Sassuolo, on loan from Juve.
Sign him up Arsene:)
Great preview, ‘Holic.
I agree, they have decent pace and quality in the attacking trio and we must be fully concentrated and prepared for their counter-attacks. Do the defense right and we might destroy them.
Revenge is on the menu.
tabs: None in my pub either, I should hope!
Lurky, I think you took my Suarez post in the last session a bit too literlly 🙂
“Literlly”? I literally can’t spell “literally”, it seems!
Another fine piece, Holic.
0-3 sounds mighty fine. Hope we play Gnabry or Podolski somewhere or other to provide a bit of pacey thrust. The Ox off the bench would be nice and I’m with Tabs on Monreal. Gibbs has been excellent but I think Monreal is more positive going forwards – less likely to tuck in and pass backwards – and we do need to maintain some pressure to get the win we now need.
Glad to see that the preview skills are still right on the money, even if the reviewing is being given a rest this week. Fine piece, H, find piece.
As others have said above, this game’s all about the 3 points. As, in fact, are all the games this season until the chasing pack have dropped sufficient points for us not to have to keep winning. That may well not happen until some time in May.
So, fasten your seat belts all you Arsenal fans out there, it’s going to be one hell of a bumpy ride.
COYG
@Lurky from previous drinks. I had not heard that about Draxler. Very exciting if true. While we do have a wealth of creative attacking midfielders at the moment, I’d be thrilled to add another. Rosicky isn’t getting younger, and even if we re-sign him (which I very much hope we do), his time at the top level is coming to an end. Our depth and quality at that position is in many ways the strength of the team.
With a dearth of strikers, and with OG’s inconsistency as a finisher, we are very reliant on our midfielders both to create chances and to take them. Without Ramsey, Ozil, Cazorla, Wilshere, and Rosicky’s contributions we would be up shit creek.
Nicely presented Guv!
I am very optimistic tomorrow not just because its a lucky ground but we owe this lot for the three points they purloined from us in August courtesy of Anthony Taylor.
I am envisaging a 2-0 victory and agree with Tabs on the team we are likely to field. Monreal would be a sensible choice as we need to look after Kieran carefully . Giroud will notch as I believe will Mesut for his first away goal.
Talk of Draxler is very speculative but I said that about Reyes and we didn’t have any money then. We need three points and are well capable of taking them
COYG!!!
Lars,
no worries, my bad.
GL,
there was a so much talk about Draxler this past few days, that much that it is becoming boring and I am starting to get suspicious if all those reports are true.
Anyway, Draxler is not important, three points tomorrow are.
Cheers Guvna.
I don’t particularily like these Monday Night games, yet another unnatural mutation forced upon us by the almighty TV companies. The only bright side as I can see is that we know exactly what we have to do, which after futher thought is not that much diferent then what we would of had to do whenever this game was played – win!!
Any margin of victory will do.
I just hope it’s not one of those 88th minute jobs again. Couple of goals before half-time please lads. And if Villa get another pen, I hope it’s because Kos kicked Agbonlawhore up into row Z.
Also, I hope we don’t start with both Arteta and Flamini on the pitch – let’s have one of them and any 4 from Tomas Rosicky, Jack Wilshire, Mesut Ozil, Lukas Podolski, Santi Cazorla and Serge Gnabry. Mesmerise them, Arsene.
As regards transfer speculation, arseblog’s latest news is very exciting.
Thank God. A goonerholic preview to lighten my Sunday afternoon. I was beginning to suspect the onset of an interlull. 😉
Come on the Gunners turn it up a notch.
Hingle McCringleberry is no Alistar Hurrah.
Nice preview ‘Holic. The boys have a steely determination about them now and will put at least 2 past the Villains. This time tomorrow night we will be top of the league…again.
Hurrah is in a league of his own, H2H, while McCringleberry is unproven in the top flight. He may ripen in time, but could also wither on the vine.
Öskar
Time to exact revenge at Villa Park. By at least three.
Öskar
You are so right Arsenal do need the points.
NU were denied a legitimate goal by the ref.There are far too many controversial decisions affecting the outcome of games.The refs chief shd have
a review of every week’s contentious issues thoroughly debated,analysed and prevent future similar incidents.Maybe the rc has it. I don’t know.
I have always believed thatfor Arsenal to win the epl will be very tough.The reason is simple. I believe some of these guys in black and FA are
hand in glove to prevent the gunners winning the epl.
For the Villa game,don’ t be surprised the gunners are playing 13 guys.And don’t be surprised a Gunner goal is ruled offside,etc.
Off the point really, but would some of you well informed ‘holics give me the background on Nasri? When did he play for Arsenal, why did he leave? Was it an acrimonious parting? Like RVP?
Just like RvP, a mercenary, no loyalty.
Öskar
Peter, Nasri is an overrated, petulant, douche canoe that left for the money. Plus he has no chin. He left 3(?) summers ago.
Peter, we’d be more than happy to fill you in on the gory details, with subtlety and nuance galore. But for the broad strokes, there’s this thing called Wikipedia. 😉
Btw I fully expect Samir to be out for the rest of the season after his injury at St. James’ Park today. From the replays, and his own reaction (he was crying as they stretchered him off, obviously hugely disappointed) it looked for all the world like an ACL. Same deal as Feo. 6 months for him or I’m a Spud.
Ah, but the difference between Nasri and Theo was Theo didn’t cry and he reminded the Spuds of the score while smiling. One is a class act, one isn’t.
ecg, well yes. I thought that too but chose not to type it. People are complicated. Not everyone has the same personality, the same experiences, or the same qualities. Who are we to judge? Personally I don’t miss Nasri in the least. But I’m not going to throw stones at him either.
Part of the difference may have been that Theo had reason to believe it was a fairly minor injury at the time, while Nasri seemed to sense right away that he was done for a while. Pure speculation, of course. The seriousness of Samir’s injury still hasn’t been confirmed, so best of luck to him.
Second time surely will bring us better luck than the first go-round with the Villa. Clean sheet and a couple of goals could be within the realm of possibility.
I hope the FA will relegate the ref in the MC/Nu game ref to the league 2.Me thinks and so do many neutrals he has made a colossal blunder
which warrants his demotion.
Yes 8ball. I’m on a 0-2 Arsenal win. Giroud to score.
I’m on a 0-2 but I’d love to see us put up a crooked number. Eminently possible, and high time. Our biggest wins all year were the 4-1 over Norwich, and 0-3 at Cardiff.
I hope to see Gnabry start on the right. Ox to come in off the bench at some point.
Yes Malaysian, but in fairness it was his linesman who made the decision. I’m assuming that from his angle he wasn’t sure whether it had taken a deflection, or whether Gouffran had impeded the keeper’s view. He took his linesman’s word for it.
You could say he should’ve overruled the linesman, and you wouldn’t be wrong. A travesty of a decision and you really feel for Newcastle. Though they almost certainly would’ve lost anyway.
OG
Santi Ozil Gnabry
Wilshere Arteta
Monreal Kos Per Sagna
Szczesny
Flamini, Ox, Jenkinson, Rosicky, Fabianski, Gibbs?, Rambo?
Whoops Podolski is on that bench too.
Or something.
God it’s been too long since we had any Arsenal.
goonsterham what about Giroud?
Tonight’s game feels like a huge banana skin to me.
Everyone else has won, the pressure is on us (Villa are mid table), and it’s exactly the kind of situation in which we’d have dropped point back in the period where we lacked a little ze mental toughness. Big test of this team, in other words.
I agree with those above suggesting we start Wilshere next to Arteta. I think we need to get after this one from the off, and we don’t want to find ourselves chasing the opening goal in the later stages.
Benteke will need to be watched carefully. He’s clearly desperate for a goal, and will be out to impress the boss.
I suspect we will see Santi start on one flank and Rosicky on the other, given the extended rest period which precedes this fixture and the need for an assertive start. Would be great to see the Ox and Gnabry get some minutes at some stage.
Big performance needed.
COYG
Cheers Holic! Up the Arse!
Hi Trev sorry mate. My point was slightly missed in the last drinking session.
Re: Draxler, N7 you may want to get in on this, as Draxler seems to be your baby. My humour was dry. But, I just meant that the problem with Luis contract was not the fee, but the fact that the so-called ‘release clause’ was conditional. Albiet, The Drax’s contract contains a buyout clause which is slightly a different clause, but eventually, both clauses serve to ‘release’ the player from his contract. The conditions under which, appear to vary. Such as ‘only if the club bidding have qualified for the CL…’ for instance. I believe, Luis current contract now states, Luis can leave ‘if the club (Scousers) do not qualify for the CL…’, which they could very well do at the expense of the Mancs this season (see: the league table). So I guess what I am trying to say, but in the most driest of ways, is that it was our lack of knowledge of the terms of Luis contract which caught us missing and not the £1 which we appropriately stacked. Of course, such a clause could only require 1p, but we are a little more respectful than that. Besides, we are not man city and will not waste millions to release a player unnecessarily. In addition, with such in clause in the contract, ie: ‘..if a or B is to happen…’ then the requirement to release the player could become more costly than just £1, which will trigger such a clause if the club do not want to play ball (See what I did there?). In such a case, the club may have to stake something extra to satisfy the club or as the case maybe, to ease the pain of having to release a player, when they are not contractually obligated to do so.
Sorry about my dryness! But football transfers have become more and more tedious as the vulture agents have sought to take over the landscape of the transfer window. 😉
More about’s tonight’s game when the mood hits me 🙂
H2H @ 25 knows.
The Hurrah deal is crucial.
More important than even the Bale loan deal
N7
I agree. We need to hit the ground running tonight. Never mind defensive records and such. This is another game where we may be called upon to grind out a result. Not losing at Villa since 1998 is not the same as never drawing at Villa. A point is not enough tonight to help to carve out our title credentials.
I am glad Giroud may be back tonight. This is the sort of game which will attract his style. Get in their faces and snuff out counter attacks. Same goes for Artey and or Flamini ‘er excuse me, but where do you think you are going with that, my son?’
Predictions have it that we will turn these lads over tonight. I wouldn’t have it any other way, if the truth be told. In fact, I would put my money on it. But that will not come without effort, grit, determination and support from the away lads tonight, as usual.
Oh and of course and most of all, have fun tonight lads. If you are travelling up to Birmingham have a safe trip and let’s do it the Arsenal way, if permitted.
3-1 to the Red Army, me tinks!
The weather could be more of a player tonight than linesmen/referees. Don’t personally subscribe to conspiracy theories (except maybe JFK) – favour “cock-up theory” myself. But bad weather can be a leveller, a waterlogged pitch can play havoc (at both ends of course).
Great to see Le Boss’s words about Giroud – supporting him as an important member of the squad while still saying he wants to support him with another striker. The sort of man-management stuff which shows what a great bloke he his. It dawned on me the other day that the rumoured 2 year extension to his contract will take him to 2016 – 20 year anniversary.
I’m happy with a win – any scoreline will do. I think AW will put out an attacking line-up and we’ve seen before this season that the squad have the mental toughness. Lambert is calling on the Villa fans to get behind their team, but I think our boys will silence them and all we’ll hear will be the Travelling Gooners (an even sweeter sound than the Wilburys).
“Well it’s all right …”
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cwqhdRs4jyA
COYG
Goonertown @ 46
If Draxler was my baby he’d have been handed an Arsenal kit at birth and sent down the academy as soon as he could walk! 🙂
No idea what the status is re: his clause. I hear there is one and it becomes active this summer, but reliable info is hard to come by.
Regardless of clause, there’s a lot of buzz coming out of Germany that Draxler to Arsenal will happen this summer. I’ve no idea if that’s true, but I have watched the player a few times and, in my view, he’s a world class footballer waiting to happen.
N7 Gooner@44, does feel like a massive banana skin tonight. Lambert, with both Norwich & Villa prior, comes w/a very physical game plan. He’ll be looking to unsettle the Arse early on tonight. COYR’s.
Nice post, Holic. I predict 0-2 to the Arsenal myself, but since I don’t have a pound on it, I’ll hope for 3.
Vinny @ 52
Exactly. I was at the Norwich game two seasons ago when tackles were flying in all over the shop and Bac ended up with a broken leg.
Lambert is of the “they don’t like it up ’em” school of thought when it comes to Arsenal, and I’m certain that’ll be the tactic this evening, doubly so if it starts to rain heavily.
The lads need to stay focused and play through. If Jack starts he can expect to be targeted – as he will continue to be until he demonstrates his temper is under control.
All games are potential banana skins. But as long as we do what we are supposed to do then we’ll win tonight. Just go in there, work hard and get the three points, please!
Our first January signing
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Anouk_Hoogendijk
Top, top quality!
Sounds like there’s a lot of nervousness around.
I feel strangely serene :).
Fully agree Vinny @52 and N7 @54. We can expect significant assault and battery from Villa tonight. We will need to be on our mettle.
N7
My point exact. I have watched the player myself and he is extremely good and would be an asset to any squad, especially ours. 😉
Apparently somebody in Germany reckons Schakle will entertain ‘silly offers’ this window. But that language does not excite Arsenal FC and also does not fit the profile of the player, as indicated in his statements of recent. It would make sense to try to secure some sort of deal whereby the player is paid for now, with a clause stating ‘pending the activation of said clause…’, as such indicating to the player and his agent that it makes no sense signing a new contract at this stage, as £40 mil is a good business price.
I guess we still have Theo’s temporary absence to deal with and I believe the manager is working hard with the current squad to maintain the right balance within the team, going into the final stages of the season. I do not think it will take much. Just a reliable finisher will do. If they can place a good level of competition on to OG and provide crosses into the box, then that will be a bonus. I believe that if any business is going to take place during this current window, it is going to take some shrewd attentive negotiating.
@56 …. Definitely 😉 and probably better than Eriksen too
@57 …. I’m feeling 100% confident. I’ve been speaking with a villa blogger this past week doing research for my match preview ( http://www.arsegonian.blogspot.com ) and they are a wreck. Lambert has lost the dressing room. Supposedly villa players had a late night strip club romp after a home defeat on Boxing Day. Their supporters are bracing to be steamrolled.
@61 “Their supporters are bracing to be steamrolled.”
By us or the strippers’ tits?
Lurky – top quality indeed, I would dare to say Giroud equivalent in ladies squad and I am sure her ball handling skills are of the highest order 😉 *could not resist*
Good work Arsegonian 😉
Oh and of course Lurky 😉
Not a great feeling for the game and the weather there isnt helping. Villa will try to hit us on the counter and lay deep allowing us all the possession in the world. Ozil wasnt there that day you Villians and you give him time and he will hurt you bad. Weather and gabby is the worry, or will benteke rise up to make his case again?
A win matters even if its not something to savour and write eloquently about.
Can I bring a bit of reality back to some fans who seem to believe since the Ozil deal that we are ready to spunk £40 million on any half- decent player that takes our fancy. It is a colossal some of money, especially for a club run on prudent lines without an Oligarch or a rich Sheikh to bankroll us.
Draxler may be very good and I am sure the transfer is highly possible. I was in Germany last week and several people mentioned it . He has also visited the training ground which may imply that there is a lot more substance to the deal than in most of the potential deals we are linked with. But in spending that money you need to be absolutely convinced it is the right deal. I think we need a top striker more than another midfield player and I suspect we can’t ( or won’t) afford both.
If we do sign Draxler it suggests to me that any striking purchase will be more modest or that we might see the departure of Cazorla at the end of the season.
Just a question ttg, why on earth we would part our ways with Santi because of Draxler?
Santi si magnificent player and is just playing himself back to the form he has shown last season.
I agree that there is very small chance of us signing Draxler now in this transfer window and your whole summary of the transfer situation. Also as far as I see it, Draxler for Santi si not exactly piece for piece as they bring different kind of qualities.
Also would not be surprised, should we buy him, that AW would try to convert him into much more advanced role, false no. 9 or even a pure striker (we have played Gervs and Arshavin as striker in the end…not that it was much of a success but this kid looks like a real deal).
Really just cannot wrap my head around why would departure of Santi even come up. He is our gem and other teams would bite our hands off for such player. The fact that we have him _AND_ Özil is a such a great thing and a luxury that only few other teams in world can boast with such talent in their midfield.
Even Tottenham fans will be wanting us to win tonight.
Villa are, after all, in 11th place in the league and Tottenham want it back. 😉
@ TTG
Totally agree that the notion we will chuck big money around now is farcical.
I think Wenger will pay for top class talent. Players who are, or might become, world class. He’ll also prioritise the medium to long term over the short, as he always does.
The above is why I don’t see us buying Costa or Martinez. Neither is a world class player, either would cost a packet. Costa looks to me a very good striker in the form of his life, but equally someone who might come to England and score 10-15 goals a season. He’s not a proven world class striker, and he’s too old you be considered a project.
Draxler is the only big name I see us being linked with who makes any sense to me. Which isn’t to say it’ll happen, just that it sets my Arseneometer tingling.
In terms of who he might replace, I suspect the answer is Rosicky. Not next season, but perhaps the season after – i.e. Draxler might join in the summer, we’d have a year of them together, and then Tommy would make his exit in a little over a year’s time, at the cusp of turning 35.
In terms of Cazorla, I can’t understand some of the stick he’s got since his return – clearly a top class player working his way back into some form – but nor do I think it would be a huge shock if he were to leave us in the next year or two. He’ll be 30 this year, and it’s not as if we have a long and proven track record for hanging onto players well into their 30s. I suspect the boss will be looking very carefully at players like Santi, Arteta and Flamini and working out what the roadmap looks like to replace them – maybe not this summer, but in the not too distant future.
In short: I can sort of see where Draxler would fit the squad.
@ Eandy
Any idea where this notion comes from that Draxler can play the number 9 role? I see it being discussed online all the time, but I’m not aware he’s ever played there in his professional career (possibly an oversight on my behalf), nor expressed a desire to do so.
While positional changes do happen (e.g. the King), they are very much the exception, particularly when players have been bought for huge money.
I haven’t honestly seen that much of Draxler but what I have seen has been impressive.
Perhaps the most impressive thing was against Chelsea in the Champions League a couple of months back. Picking the ball up deep, he ran right through the middle of the Chelsea team. Ultimately Schalke did not score, but that run has stuck in my mind.
If he has the ability to do that to a team like Chelsea, we might have found a new Vieira-like midfielder. That, of course, is “if” he can do it consistently, and “if” he comes to Arsenal eventually.
As said, I’m no great student of Draxler, but his physique does not suggest a winger to me, if that is where he is currently being played. Maybe Arsene Wenger is not the only one who plays his central players out wide for a while so that they learn to take on and beat opponents in confined spaces.
Good as they are, and I really like both of them, Arteta is now 31, and Flamini is approaching 30. Sooner rather than later, AW is going to have to look at that central midfield area.
Costa Packet, N7 ? Sign him up ! 😉
Eandy, N7 & Trev
Ich bin damit einverstanden
I put my hands up to using google translate!
🙂
N7 & Trev
Couldn’t agree with you more about Costa N7. He’s overhyped in an Atletico team that works its ass for for one another and vastly overpriced. He most certainly is not the alternative option ala Suarez / Higuain that we’re seeking. While Martinez seems to be more mobile, I don’t think he’s an answer to provide something different (than what we already have) either.
Draxler is young, ambidextrous, tall, highly skilful and quick. At 20, I believe he is a complete talent already and someone who would instantly improve the squad. His value will only increase and he has all the makings of becoming a super player. I think he could play anywhere and if there’s one thing that Wenger seems to be developing with this group of players its fluidly and flexibility. We now have a top class group of players that can play in most positions across midfield whether its in defence, attack or on the flanks.
The European game is much different to the English game. I feel that Wenger is developing a squad with Europe in mind where midfield possession is so much more important. Manu won the league last year without any midfield per se!
Morning from a warm and sunny Auckland.
Very remiss of me not extend the most happy felicitation’s on the occasion of your 35th birthday Guvnor. Have one on me. May I recomend the Laphroig.
Bacon sandwiches are being readied as we speak in preparation for this mornings big game, at an agreeably civilised kick off time of 9am, local.
Screw work and other meaningless diversions. Nothing less than three points today please lads.
I’d like to see the Gnabmiester start. Failing that,new signing McCringleberry would really put the shits up the villians.
Agree with other posters that have expressed a preference for a couple of blood pressure reducing half time goals.
0-17 for me,this one.
I haven’t seen enough of Draxler to make a judgement myself. I read somewhere he had problems with Schalke management with being shuffled out wide and wants to play through the middle. The same article then went on to compare him with Cristiano Ronaldo – size, strength, speed, skill. I say sign him and let Arsene take care of the rest.
Hey all:)
streams popped up so here for those in need 🙂
http://www.wiziwig.tv/broadcast.php?matchid=236149&part=sports
and
http://livetv.sx/en/eventinfo/209171_aston_villa_arsenal/
Also Gnabry and Özil to start 🙂
Many Thanks Eandy!!
No Rosicky and no Arteta
Gnabry starts
Oops beat me to it Eandy 🙂
Strong bench aswell, I like the looks of this side, just wondering whats up with Mikel.
For anyone interested so see Draxler potential, this is an excellent new video of his performance vs Basel in CL.
http://vimeo.com/84055648
But will Serge gnab one??
Come on Serge – get at them!
COYG
Big game, this.
Arsenal: Szczesny, Sagna, Mertesacker, Koscielny, Monreal, Wilshere, Flamini, Gnabry, Ozil, Cazorla, Giroud. Subs: Rosicky, Podolski, Oxlade-Chamberlain, Fabianski, Jenkinson, Gibbs, Park.
Arteta apprently having calf injury …oh well :S
Starting to get nervous here. I want it to start and I want us to win this!
COYG
Just seen for what the Liverpool was given the pen against Stoke…think back to games against Cardiff and Chelsea and watch our players being fouled in the area…nothing given…absolutely baffling.
Strangely, I’ve started to feel very unnervous before the games this year. I feel so calm and confident.
Last year, before the game….
Arteta is missing!!!! WTF. We ARE DOOmeEEEd. PANic!!!! WHAAAAAAAAATTTTTT GIBBS TOOO?!?!?!!?! Ok THAT;S IT. I am not watching THIS!!! FUCK FUCK. STUPID CAT GET OUT OF THE ROOM. FUCK IT.
This year, before the game….
Arteta is missing. Ok, we have Flamini, he will be good. Oh, and Gibbs is not available, we have Monreal and I really don’t know who is better of them both. What? Park on the bench as our backup striker? We will rest Giroud after we establish the 5-1 lead and Park will come in and score a brace.
Heh,
One change in the AVFC line-up. Anthony Taylor has been replaced by Lee Probert.
Park,bench?!
Make your own jokes up.
No McCringleberry?!!!
Heh @ Lurky.
That’s Lamberts first mistake.
Lurky that cannot be a good thing for Villa. I hope!!
Stream on http://janlul.com/stream/index2.html is good.
It’s all Dutch to me though.
Cazorla to score. Not sure one or two, though.
come on you rip roaring and very wet REDS!
Away Gooners COMPLETELY drowning out home support on my TV.
Where’s Vermaelen?
Bam1
Dkg, think that Vermaelen will be back for Fulham.
Come on!
COME ON YOU GUNNERS
dkg, that stream is about a minute behind nutjob’s.
COYG!
Neil Swarbrick referee.
Yep, definitly a different ref.
Yellow for AV already.
TTF in fine voice again.
love gnabry. brought that crossfield pass down gentle as a baby’s kiss.
First yellow for cuntishness on Jack..surprising
oooh, og. damnably close.
OOoooooo Giroud
Damnit! Giroud…ohhhh!
apparently my stream is two minutes behind -_-
Sagna’s getting some crispy crosses in.
gee, is giroud a climing frame?
well, at least swarbrick is giving appropriate yellows this game. maybe we won’t have to worry so much about their 12th man.
so glad delph is cack.
Serge knocks someone out with his shot lol
Broken nose?
Time wasting already.
Poor guy doesn’t look like he’s getting up.
that was a wicked shot, arsegonian. hopefully he’ll be ok and it’s not a neck or anything.
Well that answers my question if Gnabry can generate similar power on the shot like Ox does ..
It look like Baker’s going off to be replaced by Bacuna. That should open up their defence a bit.
not a good sign, bringing out the oxygen 🙁
I would prefer Baker to stay on, he is their worst defender.
Bacuna has a scary shoot, scored couple of free kicks earlier in the season.
definitely something broken on his face, they had a face splint or bag over it held on by straps…ouch.
Thanks for the stream link dkgOOner. It’s top, top, top quality.
Looked like Baker was also in a couple of collisions with his own team mates on the way out.
You’re welcome TS.
kozzer bosses agbonlawhore.
AV parking the proverbial schoolbus
Serge super strong
Gnabry plays with no fear.
Nacho takes one for the team
Silly Nacho
Agbon La Whore
Get in!
JAAACKKKYYY
jack!!
What a ball from Ozil!
Get In. Giroud!!!!!
OGGGGGGGGGGGGGGG
GIROOOOUD
Get in there Jack!
girouuuuddd
Mesut’s ball just sublime!
jacroud!
jack’s wasn’t half bad, either, eh dkg?
Peach of a 1st touch from Giroud!
Jack and Giroud then get in there
wow my stream is too slow..just seen Jacks goal and you are already OGing!
boy, ya blink against arsenal and suddenly you’re down 2-0. that was sweet.
what a first touch by OG!
Can’t type the “get ins” fast enough.
We love you Arsenal we do
Yeah scruz – missed the goal live typing about Mesul.
Game over – we win.
away fans the best/loudest by a country mile…i can hear them from my house here in myrtle beach, SC
Even Bergkamp would be proud of that 1st touch from Giroud.
GAME OVER !!!!!!
agreed, cent @159. the second touch was pretty damn good too.
dkg@157, me too!
Some of our passing is absolutely superb! Very much love this 🙂
i’ve been on a conference call nearly 3 hours, and suddenly started laughing when i saw OG had scored. my coworkers were wondering why i laughed and i had to cover 🙂
A match has two halves, not just one.
cheeky backheel by jack, santi nearly got to it.
ok, ref, how can you not give that for santi when you gave it against him, same thing, a moment ago?
Word for a ref, competent so far, early yellow very much helped the match to tell AV players he is not going to tolerate any bullshit.
Keep it serious lads, to relaxed approach last 10 minutes.
H2H
So I hope that gives us two more goals 😉
Anyway, you’re right. 2-0 is far from over
yup, need to keep focus for the whole game.
We need to rack up the goals!
What a run from OG to get the ball back
We’re totally in control – as the Dutch commentator said “comfortabel” (© google translate).
Eandy @171. Spot on. Foot back on the gas pedal Arsenal. We need our killer instinct to kick in this second half.
Game’s not over. We need supreme concentration to score AND avoid injury.
This match could be an opportunity to send a message. We should seize it.
Win the next half.
BMBD
good first half. brilliant two minutes. passes from özil and jack, goals by jack and og all excellent work. some defending to do, but mertescielny handled delph and benteke with alacrity. one worry on that snapshot by delph, and he’s cack. more of the same in the second half, lads, including two more goals for the boys in yellow!
What H2H said @165!
Arsenal have been very sloppy since scoring the second goal.
The reason that Man City have such a positive goal difference is they keep going with the same determination to score to the end of the game. Some Arsenal players look like they want to hand out the cigars.
If they concede a goal, the complexion of the game changes. Fortunately for us, Villa look like they couldn’t score in a brothel…..
Scruz knows too.
Lonestar, agree. Game not over, we need to stay focused and send a message.
If I remember correctly 0-2 was the same result for Villa-City game earlier in the season. City lost that one!
Keep the tempo and kill them.
Revenge is on the menu.
and i am thankful, as eandy says, for a ref who takes his job seriously and shows an above-average level of competence, or so it was for the first half. let’s hope he keeps it up for the second.
Totally agree cant relax in this we need to push forward!
Win the next half!
What zico said.
Villa had more pocession in the few minutes after our secound goal then in the whole time before our first.
We need to keep the ball, we need to dictate the pace and the shape of the game.
Then, and only then will it be game over.
It would also be nice to get a few more goals in the plus column.
COME ON YOU GUNNERS.
Come on Arsenal!
Have a feeling we’ll see a Napoli like second half here. Sit back and conserve energy
Oh and by the way ..I think that Santi is immense today.
Did anybody see Arsene struggling with the zipper on his coat again? It’s hilarious to me that he can’t zip a coat.
or that Nike provides coats with fucked up zippers Arsegonian:D
Santi has been shit. We should sell him. I expect more from Özil for £42.5M and Jack shouldn’t start. I’m just getting ready for Oksar’s arrival.
Oskar’s entitled to his opinion mate.
damnit!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Cannon’s always point out during a game.
almost ott to serge…nice little passage of play. i think they’re pissed off 🙂
nice shot by santi, covered by guzan.
Never said He wasn’t. He and I have a friendly disagreement
But he’s not here to defend himself.
Not looking for an arguement, just saying like.
======
COME ON YOU GUNNERS
glad to see our macho nacho man is running freely after that kick.
Wonder who will come on as sub, I suppose Gibbsy is given if we are going to defend what we have ..would like Ox and Poldi given some gametime…and of course TR ..but not enough room for them all 🙁
and, on cue, in comes kieran.
Gibbs for Nacho.
He’ll back drink it and respond in kind I’m sure lol …. Anyway I love all the holics and no I haven’t been drinking 🙂
I have, 😎
ox in next? for…santi, i hope. if only because i’d like to see ozil in the middle and gnabry/ox on the flanks.
That was probably by design anyway to get Gibbs some fitness back. Doesn’t necessarily mean an injury
isn’t that a given, h2h? i mean, like you saying “i’m breathing”? you’re awake, ergo you must be drinking.
rozza for serge. good call, mr. w.
or also might be precautional aswell Arsegonian…that ankle stretch looked pretty nasty for Nacho..and if we have Gibbsy, no need to make it worse.
Heh scruz.
TR7 for Super Surge
I’d like to see Poldi for the all German 3 behind Giroud
iirc, the “correct” response there, h2h, is “ergo fuck yourself”.
stolen shamelessly from “argo”.
Oops I’m behind about 6 minutes. had to pause the DVR to take a work call
I hope Arsene keeps his powder dry as in usage of his final substitution.
You haven’t missed much. Bit of a slur really. FF it.
OOoooooooo Giroud
oooh, og wide past the post.
nice spell of possession there.
fuckity.
Fuck.
fuck.
Sloppy….!
That’s why you got to keep playing.
Looked a bit offside though.
maybe *that* will wake us up?
Bollocks!
I predicted 2-0 on http://www.arsegonian.blogspot.com but no money on the line for me. How bout a late goal for the holic pound?
Nevermind …. Fuck
Was just about to write that I want us to score a third to avoid a nervy last ten min! FFS
Far too casual even as early as the first half. We should have battered this shower.
Starting to feel nervous.
No one to blame but ourselves for that, we’ve let them back in it due to our lethargic aproach.
Santi should booted it upfield …
We need to get a grip here! Come on!
We’re defending too deep…!
Release the OX
give ’em the ox the ox the ox the ox…damn, glad he kept his powder dry, eh h2h? hope it’s not anything broken for tomas.
Here’s where we miss walcott………. could use that speed on the flanks for counters!
We had it with Gnabry …
Black eye for Tomas in the morning
we need to presure the ball out at the edge of the middle third. that’s where they’re bombing from.
6 mins ET
COME ON ARSENAL
14 minutes added time this match … Wow
Why can’t we keep the ball?
keep the ball deep, damn it.
game ovah. YES!!! top of the league…
Now it’s game done.
WE ARE TOP OF THE LEAGUE, SAY…..
Yes!!!!
Important result
Not good for my heart.. too many of these sort of games.
Any away win is a good win in the Premier League. I’ll take it ….
too fucking NERVY the last twenty. we have to sort that out. silliness when we had the ball deep, and no pressure on the passer when they were lumping it up. thank god for mertiscelney. and chezza.
Looked like a comfy win but we made it extra difficult for ourselves!
2:1 to The ARSENAL!
Top 7 teams won this week i think.. another week another top result 🙂
scruz – did that janlul stream keep working for you? – couldn’t get it going after half-time
We don’t keep possession anymore to kill the game. The strategy this season is 10 men behind and sit deep. It’s been working but not good for the heart.
arsegonian – I hate that too. The best means of defence is attack and score lots of goals – still some arrogance in this squad which needs a rocket to blast it out of them
But they held on – 3 points is 3 points.
We need to kill teams off I believe we had enough rest but we looked knackered in the last 20 minutes!
Defended well when we needed to, but we need to ask about the mentality of our players if they think that games are over just because they score a couple of goals.
Really sloppy stuff from Cazorla ALL night and it was no surprise that it was him that gave Villa the lifeline.
Must do better. I’ll be there on Saturday for an on-the-spot inspection.
Laters, Hoiics.
dkg, yep, all the way to the end. mac/chrome.
arsegonian, too right. we’ve GOT to do better, or someone with actual qualitee will nail us to their mast.
Yeah, we’re a little rusty but thats cause so many of our players are just coming back from injuries.
Hopefully we’re up to speed come next week.
3 points is 3 points and a win is great, however……
I can’t for the life of me understand why we let them back in with a chance, they were totally pants before our second goal, but we switched off and let tem take control, a better team would of punished us.
Since when are we a long ball team? The last 10 mins, plus a big chank of ET was hit and hope, lose the ball and let them come, that’s a suicidal tactic.
We really need to be more ruthless and learn to go for the jugular.
Ofcourse I’m delighted that we’re back on top, but still food for thought.
H2H knows.
Seen too much of that this season. It seems silly to complain when WE ARE TOP OF THE LEAGUE but they really need to go and finish these teams off instead of resting on their laurels.
Mind you, I was saying “job done” at half-time too.
dk and scruz.
Heh, you was watching a JanLul stream?
That’s Dutch for JohnPenus
Too nervy, my stream lagged like 3 minutes behind the game so resorted to liveblog since I just wanted to be up-to date.
Can only blame ourselves and as sublime as Santi was in first half, his mistake gave them lifeline. I am all for highly confident tippy tappy in their half as confidence is major part of the game and lot of stuff just comes off for you if you are flying high mentally.
But I hate when they are trying being too clever in our final third, passing inwards hoping that it will come off..should have just boot it long.
Massive 3 points and hopefully a reminder that you cannot lose your focus for the whole game, or you get punished.
I remember when Brazil knocked out England 2-1 in 2002. England barely touched the ball the last 20 minutes. We have the technical quality to do that, not sure why we don’t. Once again, it’s been working but all it takes is a bad penalty decision by the referee.
Off topic – Ronaldo won Ballon d’Or, harsh on Ribery but as it is individual trophy, there have been hardly better player than him last year.
As much as I dislike him as a person, I just have to rate him as a footballer…which he is magnificent.
Well we got 9 points out of the West Ham, Newcastle and Aston Villa games by putting all our resources into defending ugly, including repeated hoofs upfield to relieve the pressure. Lucky if you ask me. It’s time we put our pedal to the gas.
The above refers to what we did after we gained leads of course. Especially today I saw no reason to change tactics after going up 2-0.
H2H Well he didn’t have much of hard-on in the second half.
Had to go searching around for other streams – poor quality stuff most of it.
Ronaldo seems a douche bag but our guy Mesut says he’s an awesome person. I can only judge him what I see on the pitch and no doubt he’s amazing. Congrats to him ….
If we are keeping 75% possession in the first half, why not more of the same up 2-0 the last 15 minutes.
bt8 – I think we’re pretty unanimous on that here. 2-0 is something to build on, not to sit back on. They upped their tempo after half-time and we didn’t match them. Needs some words said in the dressing room. Arsene looked as nervous as us and BFG threw a fit at Santi after their goal.
Cazorla is wasted on that left wing. It is not a coincidence that he suffers since Ozil arrived.
He is absolutely more relaxed and dangerous when in the middle. It’s like watching two different players.
However, I can’t say that this formation suits Ozil too.
We are winning of course and are top of the league, but we can be even better. Arsene needs to find a different solution to suit both his best creative players, maybe try with a different strategy and formation in which both will be utilized more appropriately.
BFG was fuming with Cazorla, Wenger was going mad too! We really need to sort it out!
Very nervy 20 minutes we are better than that!
Problem is in absence of both Arteta and TR7 we don’t control the tempo of the game well and don’t bring that calmness in the midfield in this type of situations. And in their absence we miss Rambo roaming around covering so much more space and doing defensive tackles so well. Jack, Santi and Ozil are all a bit gamblers with the ball and the day when the passes are not coming off and they are sloppy in possession they cannot easily switch to a different mode.
The passing just went off totally in the second half. Both Giroud and Ozil made some horrible missed passes which should have been two more goals with us counter attacking. The game was crying out for composure and slowing the tempo down with possession but we attempted one low-average move after another, whereas all we needed was to calm their enthusiasm for a while and then regain control.
I think second half performance was our worst after Napoli.
Also, what’s up with Poldi? Not fully fit yet? Or not ready for physically intense matches? Villa took a deliberately physical tactics…and because of our hubris almost paid off.
Agreed there Lurky that Santi and Mesut have yet to find a way to complement each other and sometimes it looks bit like they cancel each other out.
I would like Arsene to try going more attack minded 4-3-3 with Poldi on left, OG through the middle and Ox/Feo/Gnabry on the right.
Santi and Mesut sitting behind them with Flamini/Arteta as defensive anchor.
And then our back 5.
Might give both Mesut and Santi freedom to roam in the middle and thread through balls for onrushing Poldi and whoever plays on the right.
dk, agree that one of the telling moments in this one was captain BFG pulling a Tony Adams as soon as that header went in. An absolutely spot on reaction, one that you’d expect from a real skipper.
(When) Do you figure AW will make the armband a Per-manent part of the BFG’s kit?
Both Jack and Santi were rather good in first half, just as poor Santi was in second half and wasteful was Jack. Except for one or two nice passes Ozil was way off.
For next match one of Santi/Ozil is going to be dropped, but I won’t mind Ozil on the right, Santi centrally just in front of TR7, with Jack resting and Poldi starting on the left. Gibbo-Poldi-Santi-Giroud triangles work very well.
Good question BJ – he’s certainly worthy of it. So much passion under that calm exterior.
Interesting that the relegation zone in the PL is now the bottom 11 teams which means that next weekend, all the top 6 are playing relegation candidates.
You could see for the best part of the second half we had switched off always dangerous even against dross as one goal completely changes the game – Luckily and with a fair dose of 2 class centrehalfs we held out. Not pretty but job done roll on Saturday 🙂
Up The Arse,
Ps we still so need a pacy alternative up top !
Eandy, using Santi as Barca uses Xavi? My idea exactly.
With that formation, we gain creativity, fluidity, pace on the flanks, possibility of quick one-twos, playing in triangles, opportunity for more through balls down the middle of the pitch etc.
However, we lose at least one of our fullbacks who will need to be far more focused on defense, we lose Ramsey’s engine, defensive stability, balance etc.
.
Our recent record with giving players the armband isn’t that great
I’d rather keep Per with us, in form, safe and sound thank you very much. 😉
I thought Gnabry had a very solid game, if a bit unadventurous at times. He has pace but doesn’t use it like Theo. He doesn’t have Theo’s eye for a goal chance either. Maybe it will come with time.
Good game to give him a PL start in today after his FAC success against the Spuds.
I’d like to hear what sort of injury Rosicki has – broken nose maybe? He took one hell of a clout from La Whore. But if he’s OK, I’d like to see him back against Fulham who are going through a really bad run and will definitely bring several buses to park.
We’re going to have be patient again. I don’t think this team are going to slaughter anyone this season – that’s OK as long as they keep winning. One thing for sure, we’re not going to win it on goal difference.
Arsene: Doesn’t know if TR7 has a broken nose. Doesn’t know about Nacho’s foot (possible broken metatarsal).
On Jack’s goal celebration: I don’t speak that language. (Me neither can anyone give a translation?)
@270, 273 and everyone else …. Without going too Jonathan Wilson on everybody, how about the Christmas Tree ( 4-3-2-1 ) It’s a wingless formation but without Theo, we don’t have a lot of outside pace anyway. The width comes from the fullbacks. It’s meant to house two playmakers behind the striker and is even more solid in front of the back four than a 4-2-3-1. Something like
Sagna – Per – Koz – Gibbs
Arteta – Jack or Rambo – Flamini
Özil – Cazorla
Giroud
It also gives us Jack or Rambo in that deep lying playmaker Andrea Pirlo type role. Just a thought ….
For Jacks celebration, The A symbol for his son Archie perhaps
Banana skin avoided. Villa weren’t much cop, but we spent long spells in first gear, and what an awful goal to concede.
Thought we missed Rambo tonight. He sets the pace and presses all game, something we failed to do properly in the second half.
Good win, back on top, job done.
But we need to start moving up the gears. I want to see a relentless battering of Fulham this weekend, and some points dropped by Chelsea vs Utd.
COYG
https://twitter.com/acopemail/status/422861057208492032
Rosicky nose definitely broken.
Doctor Faustus, agree on Jack. He came good with two decisive moves, but was very poor for the rest of the game. He just can’t learn to simplify his game. I remember Ramsey was having the same problem, but he overcame it.
It seems that Jack still feels like he’s playing for younger categories, when he dribbled past opponents with ease nine out of ten times. Well, he needs to learn that this is PL and he gets dispossessed nine out of ten times for trying the same. Constant dribbling into cul de sacs is what bothers me the most.
Can’t explain to myself. The kid has extremely good and precise range of passing and he constantly tries to dribble.
Also his defensive awareness needs to improve rapidly if he wants to play in this position (box to box or whatever it is called) in his career. For me his best position is still number 10, keeping him as further away from our goal as we can, because of his tendency to frequently lose the ball in dangerous positions.
Having said that I have no doubts that he will learn and come good of course. He is a natural footballer with that special football instinct in him. Some things he does cannot be learned on training, it is pure talent.
Hard to be critical when you win and go back to the top I know but we were sloppy at the end. We should be slaughtering sides like that. Goal difference could end up being crucial. 4 shots on target??? That type of return is getting all too regular for me and is something we need to address. We must become more clinical.
As I said, 3 points is 3 points. Top is still top. But I can’t be the only one feeling a little frustrated?????
Fulham???? Bring it on.
Arsegonian@262: which is exactly what happened in the home game against Villa.
Lurky @ 286: Agreed totally about Jack, but one interesting observation I would make is that neither Arsene on the touchline nor any of the senior leaders in the team actually tells Jack to cut it down but rather when he is dribbling you will see someone always around for the lost ball. I guess, and this is just a conjecture, young Jack has been given the license to perfect his turn and dribble game to become a really unique weapon to our side, someone who can take on the first series of defensive screen with the ball on his feet from deep within our half.
As you said, his passing and movements are steadily improving and I think once he has improved his dribbling say even 30-40% then he can become really canny and unpredictable with his choices — passing wide, passing forward, or simply run with the ball — and would become much more effective.
If Wenger really doesn’t intend to buy a back- up striker we are dependent on Giroud to a ridiculous extent. I think we all love his wholeheartedness and deceptive skill but he must be the slowest striker in the Premier League and when he is isolated forty yards from goal the contrast with Theo is amazing. If we don’t get people around him it is so hard to break and this was part of the problem we had .
Some lovely moments from Jack and Santi but some wasteful second half play
The Star apparently believe that the Sagna and Mertesacker contract extensions have been agreed. If so this is terrific news as they are both terrific defenders. Also lovely to see the Ox back. His drive will be very welcome and he and Gnabry give us great pace out wide
Evening all. Important, but not critical three points. Proud of the boys for sending yet another message.
Arsegonia @ 282: Interesting team but somehow I don’t think fullbacks alone cannot provide width. Gibbs has his best attacking games whenever playing with Poldi and there is a reason for that. Same with Sagna — his attacking game improves with Theo around, and we will see how much it improves with Ox/Serge …
Width just doesn’t necessarily mean old school ManU style hugging the touchline and delivering crosses. It is equally important to create pockets of spaces for more central players to operate and then to have defenses open up in angles from which wide players can score. Both Theo and Poldi are much better scoring coming from wide position than centrally, and I think same goes for Gnabry.
Arsene’s reluctance to play both Theo and Poldi together is well known and understandable. However with Theo out I would like to see Poldi start games. He and Giroud and Santi have very good understanding and he can score a lot from the left side. Another thing he is very good at is crossing and cutbacks from wide left while running without having to cut in or change direction. Once a defense has that threat constantly it also opens up for Santi — or Rambo or now even Jack — to make effective attempts at goal just outside the box. At this point of time we are trying our best to fit Ozil in our formation but maybe for a while we should also try him out nominally on the right and Santi centrally with Poldi on left. It will give us more goals in the short term of this season. And Ozil and Santi can always switch mid-game.
Interesting observation about Jack, Dr Faustus. If so, what Jack needs to do is pass once he has dribbled through the first bank of four and got between the lines.
Have to beg to differ with you ‘Holic on the value of the three points. I think it was critical to get back on top of the league. Sends the message that if anyone else is going to take the title, they will to dislodge us. Otherwise it just becomes a race of near-equals.
Belated birthday wishes Holic.
er… will have to dislodge us…
My idea is more of a stopgap then permanent solution. Özil has played in a 4-2-3-1 for years with club and country ( Mourinho and Low both use it ) so he is comfortable with it. However, My feeling is you need at least one guy filled with pace for it to work properly. Theo is that guy. I don’t think Arsene will give Gnabry starts in the bigger EPL matches for defensive reasons. Without somebody to get behind its a bit more of struggle.
Got to say, I’m a bit concerned as to our handling of Poldi.
Came back at West Ham, turned the game. Lacklustre showing up top vs Cardiff and now he can’t appear to buy a minute out on the pitch.
Clearly Arsene has reservations, and that’s OK, except that he’s our back up striker now. He showed signs tonight of being pissed off when Ox was sent on (see arseblog), and that has to be a concern – if Giroud gets hurt then, in the absence of new signings, it’s no exaggeration to say it will virtually all be on Podolski.
I hope to god we start him on the left against Fulham. He need to be allowed to play his way into some sort of form sooner rather than later.
Assist?
How about the Ox for that role, Arsegonian? There are four games he could share the duties with Gnabry to get him back to match fitness before the run of death.
Thank you, Cent. Surprised me as much as anyone.
Evening all. Just in from class and catching up on the match. Any news on Monreal?
Well in, Ned!
Bath, nothing on Monreal yet.
@nbn … I’d love Ox out there. Just a bit worried that he won’t get a chance because Arsene keeps saying over and over he’s sees him in the center. Without Theo, our pace comes down to Gnabry, Ox, and Miyachi ( not going to play ). If the pace doesn’t come from the wings then we need a pacey striker to complement Giroud. I’d love Arsene to get a true winger, preferably left, that can give us another look. We looked so much better against the LWCs with the threat of Theo’s pace. A lot of people like to give him grief but Theo is a massive loss for us.
Just seen Rosicky’s injury. Why was Agbonlwhore not carded for that assault? – straight red would have been reasonable.
Good first half, lack-lustre 2cnd half but worthy winners nevertheless and we are back on Top of the League! Don’t believe some of our competitors had flawless wins either at the weekend – keep the faith.
Bath, EPL refs don’t do ‘reasonable’.
P.s. I think the ref did well overall tonight, I’d go as far as saying he was the best we’ve had in a while.
I do wish someone would sort Arsene’s coat zip for him.
Agreed Cent.
well done the Gunners! watched the last 20 mins plus the full length movie 6 mins stoppage time…what a tense time was had by all, eh? that Benteke goal just changed the match…I don’t know if it will be the lack of a ‘striker’ that will halt the march so much as the willful propensity to simply lose the ball…so many times that happens that my ticker is not going to hold out…Le Boss really should address that in this transfer window! anyways, still top of the league 🙂
Poldolski did look pissed but truth is we have nobody to back up Giroud until Bendtner comes back. It’s a risk to play them together in case of injury
Bath,
Agreed. I couldn’t understand how that little shit Agbonlahor got away with such a deliberate and obvious elbow on TR7.
Very pleased to be back on top but it was a very poor second half. A stupid goal to give away – see BFG’s reaction – and then we just sat deep and lumped the ball up to nobody. Every time we got the ball down we were in control, so why the lump-ball and invite them onto us for 20 minutes. Allowing the Villa keeper to walk half way up their half and launch the ball into our box was mystifying to say the least.
What started as a comfortable, good performance ended up quite unnecessarily nerve wracking and frustrating.
Top is top but we made hard work of that one.
Re: Arsene’s coat zip. Out of control. It seems he needs a zip consultant.
Nervy end to the game but we held out and got those valuable three points.
I’m pissed off that Agbonlawhore could break Rosicky’s nose and receive no card, or us no free-kick, but to be fair, when I saw the incident it looked pretty inoccuous as well so maybe the ref didn’t think much of it…especially as we played on? Let’s hope for a speedy recovery to Super Tom.
As for Podolski, I am baffled. I think Ttg said that if Draxler comes, it’s to replace Santi but surely it’s to replace Podolski?
Unless he’s carrying an injury, I see no reason why he’s sitting on the bench. I much prefer Podolski on the top left with either Santi or Ozil in the centre.
I don’t know if it’s tactics, or maybe he’s still not over his ankle injury, but I’m wondering whether there’s something else going on behind the scenes with Lukas…
I hope he comes back against Fulham because we do need some more goals in the team…
I just don’t understand why he can’t get back into the team :/
NBN @ 293: Exactly! That, or play quick one-two with the closest player to him. To be fair he sometimes does that well — his exchanges with Giroud in advanced third are good — but when he gets on to the ball relatively deep and evades the first line of defense he holds on to it for just a bit longer. I think that is precisely the aspect he is working on. I think we will see the best of him yet next season.
N7 & CoR — Share your concerns. IMHO Poldi is our best left sided attacking player — Santi can be good there, he used to play there in Villareal but Santi played his best football in Arsenal colors from the middle — and is actually very well rounded: can of course score, can cross, can take free kicks and corners, can do one-twos with overlapping left back, can cut in and do one-two with the central players, and can defend. However I do agree with Aresne’s open comments about him not always giving maximum of his abilities on the pitch…maybe this is just a challenge to Poldi to prove himself more in the next chance?
Question to all the sports medicine and injury experts: assuming the worst for TR7 (broken nose) and Nacho (broken toe) what is the typical time to recuperate? I had a deviated nasal septum surgery — following a minor ski accident — in my twenties and I was not allowed to play any sports or swim for nearly three weeks…hopefully it is no longer than that for super Tom.
Maybe he can appear in one of those exquisitely odd and somewhat violent looking masks? A pressing Hannibal Lecter down on your toes would add a bit of scare to our game…maybe with Flamini adding a running (and screaming) commentary about the upcoming dinner at every conceivable opportunity. 🙂
Rosicky could maybe wear one if these Dr F!
http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-0VmG0u7EJoc/T96IlN84A0I/AAAAAAAAAO8/OyZdp1bvLUE/s1600/Niclas+Bendtner+mask+foto.jpg
We need to get our focus back.. next few games against weaker teams are crucial.. need to win them all!!
Well. A good result but not the style points we all wanted. A cautious/ careless last 25 minutes could have ended in a draw. But….. It didn’t, so no need to dwell on the bad. Move on and win the next one.
As far as TR playing with a broken nose. Yes he can play, but my guess is he will be out for a couple weeks.
Monreal, however will be out for a minimum of 2 months if he indeed broke a metatarsal. That is a worry because Gibbs is not the sturdiest of players.
We really do have the worst luck when it comes to injuries. At least the window is still open! 😉
Sorry to disappoint you, Arsegonian, but I was more than happy with Özilla today. Okay, he didn’t score and the killer pass never materialised but he worked his ringelsocken off today, popping up just about everywhere terrorising the Villa defence. It’s the hardest working I’ve seen him in a game.
And Jack showed some sheer class with his turn and away movements. He still needs to stop biting off more than he can chew and move the ball on quicker at times, but his play was also much improved today.
Can’t say the same about Santi though, he still loses the ball too much and is too short with too many passes (their goal resulted from one). Yes I would sell him, but only in the unlikely event we could secure Mata or Silva or Hazard. Short of them Santi is still potentially our best bet. I just wish he wouldn’t start him alongside Jack.
Oh, and GAME OVER you reckon (Arsegonian #160)??? Love your optimism, but 2-0 is always when I start worrying … worrying that they will sit back, as they always do, and allow the opposition back into the game. As dkgÖÖner said at #253, the best form of defence is attack, score lots of goals and I can’t for the life of me understand why they believe defending is more their forte. It’s just asking for trouble, imo, as I have complained many times before in this bar.
Still, we’re back on top so it can’t be all that bad, aye. And young Gnu looked very promising. He’s a future star in the making.
Öskar
As for Poldi. I think tonight that AW wanted to get the OX a little game time, seeing that he was just returned from injury. I also think he kept OG on the pitch as we needed his hold up play to see out the victory. That means no Poldi today. I also think he has to be careful with Poldi and giroud because they are the only strikers we have. Protected Poldi tonight on a rainy night in B’ham so that he can be fit to beat Fulham again on Saturday.
Well that’s my opinion at least
NorCal, I hope it’s not that and just a slight sprain but it did look bad.
I was wondering who we had at leftback in the reserves so I checked out the official website and noticed that we have predominantly centre backs! Only the epicly named Brandon Ormonde-Ottewil seems to be a left-back and I doubt he can make the step up now.
Another interesting thing I noticed is that we have so many strikers in the reserves who all have names that start with “A”!
Akpom, Afobe, Ansah, Aneke, Austin, Alex….
Holy Alliteration Batman 😀
@321: If true, we would get to see a repeat of this 🙂
http://www.fanatix.com/news/gif-arsenal-striker-podolski-doesnt-like-being-touched-by-hangeland/141876/
Banana skin avoided. 3 points. Top of the Table. Fulham next. COYR’s.
Just to emphasise how daft we were to allow Villa back into the game in the second half, did you know that Villa have score the least number of home goals this season of any team in any of the four divisions? And we came close to conceding two to them!
Öskar
Cannöns I’d rather see a repeat of this.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7KFgUzBp49s
Interesting point about our A-Force, though. 🙂
It looks like the young man is ready to hit the road to “find himself” while the rest of us look for someone else to be the object of our laughs. Maybe he can find some time to get a shave in the bargain.
http://www.football365.com/news/21554/9114656/Villas-Boas-To-Take-A-Break-From-Football…
@325 Oskar … I did know that about Villa’s goal scoring ” prowess ” …. http://www.arsegonian.blogspot.com …. Who is that smart guy anyway? 😉
Is that your blogSpot, Arsegonian? Looks nice. But you did predict 0-2 … 😉 Or was it something else I was supposed to see?
Öskar
Aah, right, you mentioned Villa’s woeful home goal-scoring record. And before I mentioned it here.
Well done!
Öskar
I’m only two posts into my blogging career so I have a lot to learn yet. Obviously, the Goonerholic is the standard … Thanks for taking a peek though. I truly appreciate it.
I agree with Oskar.
Repeat. I agree with Oskar.
Cazorla was piss-poor yesterday – continually gave the ball away and kept looking for fouls that weren’t there.
However, he is still a class act and anyone looking to sell him must be clearly out of his mind. 😉
Morning, league leaders!
First things first: I don’t think it’s the least bit strange that Poldi hasn’t played in the last two games. Yes, he was very good v West Ham, but much less so v Cardiff. Then it was the Tottenham game in which we were forced to make an early sub when Vermalen got a knock to his knee, and then efter subbing Flamini on for Jack (a very logical sub to shore up the midfield) and I am quite sure the idea was to bring Poldi on but then Arteta had to come off so Özil was really the only option we had in that situation. Yesterday was pretty much the same, we had to sub both Monreal and Rosicky because of injuries and while you could argue that we could have put Poldi on out left and moved Cazorla into the middle it was just as understandable that Arsene wanted to give the Ox some time on the pitch. It is also possible that Arsene wanted a pair of fresh legs in the middle instead of a more tired Cazorla.
And Poldi shaking his head can mean many things, it could of course mean he was pissed off that he wasn’t subbed on but it can just as well mean “fucking hell, how did the ref not give a red card for that elbow?” or “I can’t believe this, how many injuries are we going to have?” or something else completely. Maybe someone in the stands said someting to him and he just went “what a wanker” to himself.
Arsegonian also makes a good point about perhaps not wanting to risk playing Poldi and Giroud at the same time while Bendtner is out.
As for the rest of the game, a very good first half and a slightly less good second half. We became a bit too cautious, I don’t mind us playing to close out the game but we dropped a bit too deep last night. We will have to hope that we learn from this. Having said that, though, let us also not forget that Villa had noting to lose and threw everything forward and did actually play quite well for part of the half. We should still have done better, mind, but we did get the three points and getting these more ugly wins is something we have become a lot better at in the past year or so.
In my eyes Villa should have had two red cards. El Ahmadi should have seen his second yellow for the shirt pull on Gnabry (or was it Jack?) and like many have said before me Agbonlahor should have walked for the elbow on Rosicky. When you see the replay from the camera that was in about the same angle as the ref was it’s clear that it’s a very deliberate elbow and that is a red card every day of the week. Swarbrick should have seen that, in my opinion.
Right, need to go do this “work” thing now…
A TaBS special >>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>
>>>>>> 🙂
Ah beat me to it ‘H 🙂
Agree about that elbow on Rosicky. The tell-tale sign is that if it was accidental, the offending player usually goes back to the player being treated and apologises. La Whore steered well clear. And how the ref could go over and wave play on when it was clearly a head injury is beyond me. Apart from that, I thought Swarbrick had a reasonably good game – missed Vlaar wrestling OG to the ground in the box but I guess you can’t get ’em all right.
Disagree with some comments on Özil giving the ball away and not giving the killer pass. I would like to see the stats but Mesut struck me as his usual tidy self. A couple of ambitious long passes went astray but if you never try them … And the pass inside the full-back into Nacho’s run opened up the whole defence – that was a killer pass. A CB had to come across to challenge Nacho, OG’s dummy took out the second CB and Jack moved into the gap.
I thought we were fine up to 2-0. Jack, Santi and Mesut were swapping positions all the time behind Ollie and we were comfortable at the back. But there’s something that gets into this team – I’ve called it arrogance before, Dr Faustus said hubris – whatever, it’s like they think it’s easy and take their foot off the gas. When you’ve got your opponent on the ropes, that’s the time to move in and smash the living daylights out of him, not to step back and let him get get his breath back while you admire the damage you’ve done so far. It concerns me that we don’t finish opponents off. All credit to Villa for their comeback, but they shouldn’t have been allowed the chance. That’s the big difference between City and us.
Benteke deserved a goal. He gave Per and Kos more to think about than any other single forward I’ve seen this season. I don’t think he’s an Arsenal player. He’s a “big, strong boy” but Ollie does that job for us with more finesse. But Benteke certainly had a good game and my heart was in my mouth the last 20 minutes. All it needed was a ball to fall right for them and that was 2 points gone. Fortunately, our tenacious duo, aided by another all-action display from Flamini, made sure it didn’t happen. I thought Matty was very disciplined yesterday, covering, cajolling, intercepting, harrying and making himself available while still patrolling that space in front of the back line. Still prefer Arteta because Mikel has more forward momentum but good to have the Flamster around.