Arsenal To Bounce Back?
Feb 11th, 2014 by 'holic
“I love this group of players, they deserve success, and I think they will respond in a very positive way tomorrow.”
Arsene says it how it needs to be as we prepare to face Manchester United in the wake of Saturday’s thumping by Liverpool. Respond we most certainly need to, and that will fall to the squad that traveled to Anfield plus the largely untried but fit again Yaya Sanogo.
What does that mean for the starting eleven? Well everybody will have an opinion about that, but I am guessing there are only two likely changes given the injuries to Thomas Vermaelen, Aaron Ramsey, and Theo Walcott, plus the suspension of Mathieu Flamini. If he is fit then Kieran Gibbs could get the nod over Nacho Monreal at left-back, and the experienced Tomas Rosicky could come in for Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain on the right hand side. I have seen other, less likely, options mooted.
The selection is made more difficult by the fact that we just don’t know which Manchester United will turn up on Wednesday night. With Mata added to the already potent trio of Rooney, Janusaj, and van Stapleton you would think they will put right that which ails them sooner rather than later. There would appear to be something not quite right about the set-up at Old Trafford in the aftermath of Fergie’s retirement, but you can be sure the visitors will not need motivating for Arsenal away.
United seem to have something of an Indian sign over us at the moment, winning ten and drawing two of the last thirteen fixtures in all competitions. That said though they are having, by their own high standards, a dreadful season, and many Arsenal supporters were disappointed we did not take the game more to them at Old Trafford when a cautious Arsenal surrendered the points to the only goal of the game. The red devils last performance was almost as toe-curling for their own following as ours. 2-2 at home to Fulham (and eight Premier League defeats already) is not what was demanded on the Stretford End.
Their recent successes against us under Fergie have been built on sitting back and hitting us with fast and direct counter attacks. Moyes appears to rely more on opening sides up on the flanks, happy to stand toe to toe and trade attacks. Having watched the game from Anfield will they make more of an effort to pressure us when we have the ball in the defensive third? We know the questions, but must hope that Arsene and the squad have the answers and will indeed respond. To be fair Arsenal have put together very good runs after the three previous reverses in the league this season.
The ‘holic pound (I tried two at Anfield and both were hopelessly wrong!) is tempted by 6/1 against Mikel Arteta to score at any time. United are not as difficult to award penalties against these days and the thought of Santi Cazorla and Jack Wilshere arriving on the end of one or two of our intricate passing movements on the edge of the box opens up possibilities on that front. A back-up pound is ventured on a 2-1 home win at nines.
A word for those making the journey from all points west of the capital, which will include a good chunk of United’s allocation as well of course. It is great to see that the proposed tube strike has been averted, but the conditions and forecast make it unlikely that those having to travel from Wales and the West Country through the Thames Valley will make it both ways, if indeed just one, by rail. Good luck with the alternative which I guess is limited to road transport on a busy M4. Drive carefully and check the parking restrictions before you set off.
Have a good one, ‘holics.
391 Responses to “Arsenal To Bounce Back?”
Cheers barman.
I’ll have what you’re having please!
In your case that will be a babycham
Listen Gandhi…… shut your pie hole.
I’ll see at the black cats match goatboy and I’ll even get you a pink umbrella
Europa in sight?
Now now gents 😉
Midweek, coffee and water only chaps. Sorry…
Lucky number 7 – COYG
Nice one ‘holic.
Hope you’re feeling somewhat better.
Actually I was hoping the Man United team news would be more along the lines of “Open Mutiny in the Ranks” but we can always hope the next few hours will bring it on. 🙂
Fine preview, H.
I’ll take any combo of scorers and goals that yields us three points, thank you.
MUMBD (pace LSG)
Nice on ‘holic! Hope we turn up for this one. Crucial crucial match this
Nice one*
Arsene Wenger’s greatest test is to win against chelshit and the manures in recent times, the same thing he used to do so well previously now seems to be like climbing the everest.
One more chance tomorrow to take the demons away from us, we lose to them in the mind than on the pitch, the corresponding fixture is a grave reminder that even a poor united team could beat us.
We need to turn up, go full throttle, hold them by the scruff of their necks and beat them black and blue. They score first and it could be a long long day.
Win this and the season is back on track, lose/draw and the season may just derail even though mathematically we wont be out of the race.
If nothing turns up the boys for tomorrow then just seeing that little kid should set the blood boiling and wanting to spat on his face and say get the hell out of our turf you moron.
Please Arsenal, win this, this is not just a game, this is our season, beat those bastards, there is no greater joy or greater pain than winning or losing against them, please Arsenal, personally speaking this is my cup final.
Cheers ‘holic. And cheers to the non-regulars for tonight’s cabaret. Cracking stuff lads|!
I’m with baff. 3 points come how they may. Time to show Manchester United that we are no longer scared of them.
COYG
Thanks H2H,
Yes better, but cannot shake off a chest that feels tighter than a ducks sphincter 🙁
A disciplined one nil to the Arsenal would do me just fine.
Want this one so bad…..
Howdy all the sick and the well
Hope yer all sick and well
Me
i’m plumptious
Thanks for askin
Excellent cba,
Good to hear 😉
H, try Karvol or Camphor in boiling water in a basin – head down with towel over it and inhale deeply. Twice per day – it’ll help loosen up yer fluction.
Traditional ‘bile yer heid’ recipe as yer ma will have learnt in her yoof.
Get better soon.
Slid down the street
on me arse
in the snow
two big bags
of
polystyrene packing
the weight of a tuppeny fart
but
the size of house
Dozey bollix
that i am
.
Here’s to a twat splatterfest
tomorrow night
UP THE ARSE
Sounds nasty ‘h. Beterschaap, as we say in the Lowlands.
cba waxing lyrical, nice.
Evening sir. Get well soon greetings from Taytoland.
Thanks all.
I have lots to buy from the chemist tomorrow, it seems 🙂
Stream to watch the Chavs get turned over by the Baggies – ‘twould be Divine justice.
http://www.koisports.com/Channels2/Bein1.html
Oh no – a punt on a 2-1!
I’m sure I’ve never seen you win with a bet on that scoreline!
Doesn’t bode well for us!
WBA striker’s first name is thievy suggesting he could nick one off chelsea.
I’ll take any kind of win tomorrow.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FNitbOzKxyU
Having just fired off an angry memo to Ivan Gazidis about the insistence on playing tomorrow irrespective of a tube strike this subjecting 60,000 people to grave inconvenience in very cold weather( and lots of missed trains ) home . The strike was cancelled! Still he knows how I feel.
I am still incredulous that the Bayern game will cost me £163 for my two seats. That really is taking the proverbial piss. As to tomorrow I travel in hope rather than expectation . As Holic points out we have rebounded superbly from previous defeats. Let’s hope it’s not something we have to do again this season. I hope Ozil stuffs the weasel words of the doubters down their throats and fronts up in a big game. I believe he is awesomely capable of doing so.
Sanogo on the bench will be a novelty. I hope he wraps up warmly or given his injury record he may be off for two months with a cold. I’d like to see TR7 starting but I thought Ox was our most willing player on Saturday and I hope a place is found for him. Big game and I pray we do the job well
COYG!
Hope you are on the mend, ‘Holic. Trust you are trying my brandy remedy, regardless of this coffee and water smokescreen.
Best outcome tomorrow: 3 points.
Only other acceptable outcome: 1 point
Not acceptable under any circumstances: 0 points.
Ttg, I thought the Ox had the proverbial game of two halves against Liverpool: anonymous in the first half except for when the ball went over his head for the second goal (too short to be covering the far post at corners); but, as you say, getting stuck in in the second.
Fergie once said you don’t need the whole team to play well to win; just eight players need to have good games, and three can have an off-day. We got it the wrong way round at Liverpool, eight stinkers and only three half-way decent performances. Got to stand that on its head tomorrow.
Excellent Holic. Your usual high standard of previewing, with the added bonus of some sensible advice thrown in at the end.
Any win of any sort would do me.
To the voice in my head that says “Even when they’re having the worst season in living memory, they still beat us” I say “the hoodoo can’t continue for ever!”
As always, I hope for the best and offer up a prayer: please, please, please, Arsenal. I dont want this win, I need it!
Nicely previewed ‘holic. My only thoughts for this match are win, just win – nothing else required. We could do with this for both last Saturdays aberration and too many wrong results of late at the hands of manure.
Hope you are on the mend Guv’nor. Suggest some hot Toddies..may not cure the infection but you’ll sure feel a lot better for imbibing 😉
C’mon then – lets have some favourite memories of home games against Yanited! This is one of mine;
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7Pi91hnmauM
Nutty playing right back and straight in McClair’s face after he misses the pen. Remember coming out of the North Bank, celebrating vigorously and bumping into a squad of their lot (undercover) exiting the West Stand, well pissed off. Happy daze!
Esso- I remember that game. It was tremendous stuff and the game after we beat Everton to reach the League Cup Final. A great night.
That United game should never have been that close as we battered them until halftime. Strange to relate I always expected to beat them then. In fact I did from 1998- 2005. Let’s hope a new run starts tomorrow!
TTG – Yeah, usually expected to be beat them at home in those days, away was a different kettle of phish altogether! We’re due beating them at home like you say, so yeah lets hope we can do the cunts tomorrow.
Nice one Esso.
How’s about this one;
http://www.dailymotion.com/video/xewg0d_fa-barclaycard-premiership-arsenal_sport
H2H
Oh yes was at that one! Scholes the little fouling ginger cunt cupping his ear in front of the North Bank first half. Second half – Freddie’s equalizer, which was a quality goal from start to very tidy finish. And then Bartez – what a muppet Not once but twice. Magnificent stuff.
Well, last Saturday ‘Pool hadn’t beaten us at Anfield since 2007. Time for another run to end. Could be a game of cat and mouse.
http://i.imgur.com/C8XZ87L.gif
COYG
If there is any justice West Brom should get a joke penalty in the last minute
Nice one, Holic –
and what bath said about shifting the chesty substances. If you want to really go for it, you could add a few drops of peppermint and eucalyptus essential oils to the camphor and inhale the steam.
BUT – inhale very slowly and keep your eyes closed. Seriously.
Good luck.
Trev
“BUT – inhale very slowly and keep your eyes closed. Seriously. ”
I’ve always found that works a treat, at important times in one’s life!
Not so long ago: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZK45UmKP0pA
Esso,
Indeed. At most times come to think about it. 😉
@dkg
Oh yeah. For me the first time the new ground really rocked. And we’ve beaten them since then at home, at least twice from memory.
Come on West Brom 🙂
West Brom equalise!!!
Indeed H2H 😉
Thought you were ‘avin’ us on there H2H 🙂
6 minutes added time !!!!!!!!
Special Cunt looks soooo sad.:)
Fuck yeah !!!!!
Thanx Baggies.
This title race aint over by a long shot.
Nice one Baggies, boing boing
Beat MU tomorrow and we go back where we belong…
Ivanovic and Cech nearly come to blows befoore spectating at West Brom equalizer. Mourinho looks pissed, worried and unhappy. Good times. 🙂
Well done Baggies…the little horse is too conservative I think
Anichebe could have won it even!
51 Arsegonian
Ha ha that made me chuckle 😀
Just the extra incentive the lads needed.
Another opportunity presents itself. This is not over until it is over.
COYG.
Mour is apoplectic. Exactly how I like him.
After Citeh beat Spurs they were the best team on the planet. Then they weren’t and Chelsea were after they beat them. Maybe it’s our turn tomorrow. Certainly a win would send morale sky high.
Frankly Chelsea are a pretty boring team. They play with a handbrake and a massive great Krooklok on( remember them?) it’s great fun to see that petulant twat Mourinho down in the mouth.
Sign Anichebe. Well done WBA, fully deserved.
For the Ozil knockers this might make disappointing reading.
http://sheworedotnet.files.wordpress.com/2014/02/mesut-ozil-stats.png
2-1. Good shout.
In a puddle of chuckles
Yeee haaaa
“60mill on one player? How do you see that happening?” (previous drinks)
Why not? I didn’t see AW spending £42.4mil on Özil, but he did. £60mil is only £17.6 more – the price you pay for an average player these days.
I was responding to Peter who suggested AW might not have wanted to spend £93mil on two players. I say our money would have been better spent on a player we needed rather than a luxury we didn’t. Or put aside for the purpose of buying a marquee striker when one did become available.
If you don’t believe Suarez at £60mil would have been a better buy than Özil at £42.4mil I would like to see you justify it.
Öskar
Hey, cba. 😉
And a big grin @21. 🙂
Fine post as usual Holic.Remarked on Saturday before our game to my fellow gooners in Phoenix that we have been the bogey team for the scousers for so long and we owed them one. I get a similar feeling for tomorrow, 10 games and 2 draws among 13 played is an ominous sign that a reversal is on the cards. What better time to do it than tomorrow. Win and we go top having just lost one point over the last two games with Chelsea and City yet to visit Anfield. COYG !
Öskar@67,
While we’re quoting from the last drinks, may I draw your attention to the excellent contribution from D.I.L.Y.@228? I make no apology for quoting it in full:
For crying out loud, it’s only 1 really bad game.
We heard the floggings repeatedly over the last couple of days. No need to regurgitate till eternity. It’s tiresome to some, you know.
The last I look at the table, we are still second and only 1 point off the top. What’s the panic?
As iLonestar said, just win the next game.
Victory through harmony.
I’ve no idea who that drink was addressed to originally, but the cap appears to me to fit rather well. In particular the second paragraph. In particular the last sentence of that paragraph.
It’s still on. It’s still in our hands.
COYG
How can I justify a hypothetical?
There’s no way that you, nor I could know what Suarez would have done if he joined us.
I do believe I stated my reasons why I thought it was a risk, at the time, in the post you refer to.
It’s all a waste a time of anyway, because there’s no way we would have paid that kind of money for him.
If you believe the stats, Ttg, have a look at the Özil ones in this … http://www.bbc.com/sport/0/football/26126864 … especially the comparison of his last 8 games with his first 12.
And in your own stats please note that Suarez is ahead of Özil in three of the four tables – the three that matter: Assists, Key Passes, and Successful Through Passes.
Öskar
Oskar
I am merely saying that those who keep slating Ozil, most of whom are not present in the stadium to see him play, should look at cold, hard facts. I don’t wish to get into a discussion of whether Suarez would have been better than him because I don’t believe Liverpool would EVER have sold him to us and if he joined us he would be the next marquee player to flutter his eyelashes at Real Madrid or Barca as he almost certainly will in the close season. I would have loved to sign Suarez but the pursuit of him cost us Higuain and he would have been attainable.
Ozil has not played brilliantly in a number of his games but even so these stats show he produces immense value. Were his stats down in the lower quartiles I would accept he has not done well. If he plays brilliantly tomorrow the press will take the stance that he has proved the knockers wrong, conveniently forgetting they were the knockers!
Oskar, I know where are you coming from. I would like to see Suarez here too, as are most of us.
However, I want to ask you a question. Do you think that Ramsey brilliant form has something to do with having Ozil opening space for him in the middle or it is just a coincidence?
Just to remind you, after Ramsey was injured, somehow Wilshere and after that Ox started scoring some goals from the same position.
If you didn’t see Ozil when all of them were scoring, that is because he is usually wide on the right, dragging 2-3 defenders and creating space in the middle.
Clever player he is, don’t underastimate him. Ever.
If Wilshere and Ox learn to find the right timing when to run into empty spaces, like Ramsey did, and if Giroud learns to make early runs behind the defenders, if Walcott solves his injury problems, next year we could be unstoppable and you will realize what powerfull weapon is having Ozil in your team.
Don’t worry, Pangloss, I still remain optimistic regardless. With the chavs dropping points today, if we win tomorrow we’re back on top having completed two of the hurdles in our ‘horror stretch’.
I’m just totally arsed, H2H, that we spent so much on a luxury player when our real need was elsewhere. When it comes to the decision it’s the player (and/or his agent) that decides and if we’d made the offer to Suarez attractive enough I have little doubt he’d be banging them in for us now. Perhaps £60mil wouldn’t have been necessary if we’d offered the right terms (plus CL football ) to Suarez. I believe we missed a real opportunity.
Öskar
Öskar
It really is pointless to go through this over and over again. Has anybody ever heard Luis say that he would join us?
I for one think that we did not miss out on a buisness because there never was a seller or an article in the first place.
Oskar, I couldn’t agree more that we needed/need a striker. I just believe that your over simplifying the Suarez situation.
Throwing money, no matter how much, doesn’t always solve a problem. Liverpool want to break into the Top 4, last year we finished fouth. Maybe Liverpool saw us as the most likely to fall out of that elite group. They made it abundently clear, by showing their contempt in the press, that they had absolutly no intention of selling to a direct rival.
End of story.
Fact is Liverpool never indicated they were selling. Anyway, why are we talking last summers transfer window and next summers transfer window? There is this little thing tomorrow I like to call a football match. You know … The real reason we all follow this great club.
Exactly H2H
As much as we like to think that BR is a clueless twat, I’m pretty sure he knew where he wanted to go with his squad and that LS is a “must keep” in this puzzle.
Howdy trev
always a treat
to hurl a howdy
your way
hope
yer knees
aren’t rattlin
Two sorely
Arsegonian
I just tried to close that book once and for all 😉
It makes just no sense to go through the shoulda woulda coulda in the middle of an extremely tight season where there is nothing we could do about at the very moment.
Nice page you got yourself by the way 🙂
Wanted to let you know that for some days now.
Feck … just managed to lose a lengthy post, grrrr. Trying again…
Lurky … In previous drinks I have said repeatedly that I believe Özil is a marquee player of real quality. But I have also pointed out that in the past few weeks he has looked disinterested, never wanting to get stuck in, and useless in defence.
Take a look at his stats for the Pool game in the link I posted earlier … http://www.bbc.com/sport/0/football/26126864 … 45 passes in the game with only four in our half, all close to the centre line. Giroud our CF is a much better defender.
I acknowledge his gifts, but his attitude stinks. And while you want to credit Özil with Ramsey’s improved play this year I could equally well point to how poorly he’s played since Rambo was injured. I believe Rambo has simply matured into the fine player we saw glimpses of in his early days after finally getting over possibly the worst leg break in Premiership history. And I cannot wait to have him back.
Öskar
Of course I’m simplifying the Suarez deal, H2H, but if we really need a striker AND have limited money (as everyone keeps reminding me) WHY spend £42.4mil on a luxury? Shouldn’t we have kept our limited money for what we really need? Because if spending that much on Özil means we have to limit what we spend on what we need, what’s the point of him?
Öskar
Ttg @ 73 & earlier posts has the Suarez situation summed up perfectly.
And may I say, that the only man who can be reasonably trusted when it comes to Transfer news (Geoff) has gone on the record to say that we actually bid 49m for Suarez after the infamous 40+1 bid – and they still said no. As Ttg said, it wouldn’t have mattered what we offered. Liverpool played their hand well. They bode their time, gave him an increased deal and guaranteed a significant return….when he eventually leaves. And I think thats just a matter of time, even if ‘Pool qualify for 4th place.
Its a long season yet. If we can maintain our past form this season, we’ll win the league. Need to believe and show up with the right attitude.
As for tomorrow I have everything crossed including the dog’s front paws. Manure have had some kind of hex on us for years, but on form we should muddle through. Let’s hope we do, and Dennis please spare me the usual last half-hour angst…
Öskar
Joe … I’d love to know what Poo did offer Suarez to stay. He could have been playing CL football this year, so it must have been something other than the freedom to move next summer. Some huge amount of money that prevented them from signing anyone else I hope!
Öskar
Guys, we all know that we needed a striker this past summer. Truth be told I feel we messed it all up with pursuit of Suarez. Maybe we could have gotten higuain, maybe not. Most important thing is how we deal with the remaiing of the season, starting from tommorrow. I hope liverpool make the top four because they will mist likely lose suarez maybe not to us. Look at the difference in starting a season without losing someone of importance to the team. In as much as i would have loved having suarez, we all know that he will be asking to leave as soon as the season is over with. Ozil, i feel needs guys to start making runs, that was his bread and butter at real madrid. He will be fine, guys just calm down and enjoy this season. God knows its been ages since i have looked forward to a season at this time of the year.
1 in 4 households
queens greatest hits
merciful hour
was joey ramone ever born
Thank you very much Datsyuk. Give the score predictor and squad predictor a whirl.
short-sights gettin shiter
gonna need
phone adapters
on me creepers
or
big spectaculars
on me peepers
.
W.B.Arsed
(1960somethingblablaharumph – 2014getscoat)
Heh, cba – that might just be your best yet. 😉
wba
you are just a young whipper
snapper
😉
So it seems
cba’s visuals
are poor
in the residuals
and with his
ailing sight
he cannot see
quite right
so wandering
round the farm
he must beware
the harm that could result
from stumbling
without glasses
right up his
cows’ arses
‘cos then he
must be cast
as the newly
‘has been arsed’
*also gets coat*
Are we still talking about favourite wins over Manure?
How about the win at Old Toilet in 2001-2002 season?
Epic…
http://youtu.be/hRDJNoax8p8
cba’s no poetaster
deriding us with
cheesy thumbings
But another lowercaser
reminding us of
e. e. cummings
Öskar
Bugga, I put a capital ‘B’ in there! Saw it but couldn’t stop my finger on the submit button. Hate this system which doesn’t allow edits or deletions… 🙁
Öskar
*doesn’t sink to the bait*
*parp*
Oooh
a red parp card
lovely with a simple lemon sauce
Well in me
Nope
yer outta here
Ya self assistin cunt!
*slopes off the pitch*
Don’t forget this one too!
http://youtu.be/1p7jAO-Wpfk
In other news
non arsenal
imagine that
Through no fault of my own
i’ve grown a beard
a full face ronnie drew
but
apparently
i looks ridiculous
don’t think
i’m gonna die from it
though
so
hey ho
Well well. A win tomorrow and we’re back on top. Given we’re a club in crisis I’ll take it. 🙂
Ivanovic got a few livid “fuck offs” to his manager in front of God and everybody today, after disagreeing very publicly with Cech. Nice to see. I’ll add one more, Branislav. “Fuck OFF, you slimy prima donna cunt!”
Nervous about tomorrow.
Cannons @105. Enjoyed that.
Jeez +
15 louises
I can’t hang about here
til 190
for the prospect
of
a nonchalant goal
.
I’m a busy man
.
though – no 200 !
.
Walk softly
and
Carry a big stick
.
for the rest of your life
.
Night ‘hols
🙂
Forgot to add, on a positive note, that I was more than glad to see the Chavs drop two points today. I chuckled out loud in my Arctically frigid local boozer once WBA equalized. And it was in front of a Chav supporting lover and his girl. But I did not care a bit. For I am an Arse and proud of it.
Beat those mangy Red Mancs tomorrow — please.
Up the Arse!!!
Forget Lonestar Gooner’s facile sentiments. I agree with bathgööner wholeheartedly:
I’ll take any combo of scorers and goals that yields us three points, thank you.
MUMBD
Good grief.
Full moon last night?
In honor of Baff…
MUMBD
That is all.
good morning
monsieur zico
even though
we often do
disagree
i firmly
do believe
that we
both
agree
to stick it
up those
mangy manky
red Mancs
today
and
i say so
before
you know who
deletes
all of my
kind
heartfelt
well wishes
up
the
arse
!
!
!
Jebus cba, don’t leave me that kind of mess to tidy up again, ta 😉
Well, well, well? What is this I awake to hear? Maureen drawing? Oh no, surely not I hear the meedja saying!
Could old Goonertown’s crystal ball be working again?
Doom-Sayers, hear me out!
We have a lot we can put right tonight and I’m not talking about calling off the tube strike. That’s only the beginning!
To start:
1) There is the small matter of a whodo, to take care of, with immediate affect
2) we are at home godamn it! In the words of Delia Smith ‘let’s be avin U!!!
3) it’s the Mancs for god sake, they are a mid table team hel-lo?
4) the return of purse-strings anyone?
5) the chance to go back top (dare I say it)
That’s just 5 I can think of right now
Well, let me just settle down for a few seconds and get my mind straight here!
In the words of Arnie!
I’ll be back!
Let’s do this Goonahs.
@Oskar Ozil is a world class player. One has to take into account the fact that he’s never played this many minutes before at RM where he was primarily a first half impact player before being inevitably subbed.The only legit fear I have is him turning into Arshavin with his level of disinterest at least in his body language.
I never thought that Suarez would be having such a barn storming season.For all we know this could be a complete one off.
Great preview Holic … Thank you. I’m going with 3-0 myself. Though I’m buying into the opposite theory that this team has quit on Moyes and a major clear out is on the way. Vidic is already a goner. Any number of Ferdinand, Evra, Valencia, Hernandez, Shrek, the Cunt, Kagawa will follow. Moyes is a prehistoric manager. 84 crosses in a match? What Juan Mata was thinking is beyond me. Thanks in advance to Moyes for playing Mata on the wing instead of tucked behind RVC and granny lover. As always check out my preview on my site if you like …
81 crosses actually. More than my old maths exam papers 😉
A word on Suarez vs Ozil.
Both quality players, but those who criticise Ozil for failing to show up in the big games and go on to champion Suarez might want to take a look at where Suarez has scored his goals this season. Hint: it ain’t in the big games, most of which – until Saturday – Liverpool have lost.
I’d have loved to have added Suarez in the summer. Great player. But I think you have to factor in that his rep is built on slaughtering the week; he doesn’t have Ozil’s champions league experience, for example, and he’s had less games to play this season, given suspension and Pool’s absence from Europe. You’re also comparing Suarez’ third season in England with Ozil’s first – go back and take a proper look at season one Suarez and you may reconsider your position.
Both great players, both slightly different and therefore hard to compare. For me, Ozil is the superior talent, but Suarez was probably more the type of player we needed at the point of purchase.
Personally, I’m very happy with Ozil and I think those who moan about him are looking for things to complain about – if you think he’s poor then you must know better than Wenger, Mourinho and most of German football. I suggest you jack in whatever you do for a living right now and start applying for scouting jobs, because you clearly have a gift.
Anyway, fuck all that – cannons out, let’s end Utd’s season.
COYG
Let the unbeaten run start again till end of the season with a resounding victory today. COYG.
81, 84 … Either way that’s some one dimensional stuff. I think I heard previous record was 55. That’s like a Bob Beamon level increase. I have a pretty long train commute with tons of time to kill surfing the net or working on my site. Sometimes I get in a mischievous mood. Anyway, Wanna see something funny? Go check out a United blog. 🙂 Makes Le Grove seem like an uplifting experience.
What the plums
did i do
‘hol
Was it feed:ng the troll?
Man alive
I’d some m:nkey nuts
Goin beggin
By the way, I’ll be recording the match because of work so I’d appreciate it if everybody could refrain from talking about the match until about 8 hours after it’s completion. 🙂 Good Night …
That’s a big ask!
You’ll forgive us if we disregard that request right? 🙂
But then again, depending on the result no one will be talking about it anyway …heh
Bath,
I see Barclay has mentioned you!
🙂
http://www.standard.co.uk/sport/football/patrick-barclay-mesut-ozil-must-pick-up-the-pace-if-he-wants-to-inspire-this-arsenal-side-91229
Bricking it for tonight. Just bring it home boys…
Heh, Joe.
cue song
Just backed my talk with a stake on the game. 2-1. Need to see a hard fought win. Back to winning ways. Blood sweat and tears.
Couldn’t get my West Ham tickets. Had the fourth row but only the little ones membership was active. Will try again for the newcastle and West Brom games!
Need to cheer the boys over the line mate! 😉
Thanks for the preview ‘H, and I hope you’re feeling better.
Read most of the fallout from Saturday’s debacle with interest. Thank the Lord for N7,Clive and H2H amongst many others for managing to find some perspective amidst the more rancid offerings of the usual group of poltroons that appear to revel in defeat.
Time to get back on the horse Arsenal, and shut the gobshites up. 2-0 with “bottler” Ozil getting both.
And great to see the emerald philosopher cba back in the drinks. Howdy Sir, Us lowercasers gotta stick together 😉
Afternoon all.
Had the pre match jitters all week. This is the game that always worries me, even if, at the moment, they are shittyer then old Mr Ploppy MacPoohencrap, they’re still Man Ufuckinited and only a fool would completly write them off.
They’ve got players that always seem to hurt us, one’s that up their game when we meet. Rooney has terrrorised us for years, from the moment he was a teenager with a full barnet at Everton, to his baldy days as a 23 year old all the way to now with his nappy pub’ hairdo. That child swallowing, shirt swapping dutch bloke, whose name escapes me, will again be looking to act the cunt, while their latest midfielder come winger also has a good record against us, we must snuff out their threat.
However, behalf from maybe Janusjazzyajai (whatever) I don’t see much of anything decent in the rest of that team. Their midfeild and defence puts the meh into mediocre and should be seen as a starkwarning to any england supporter harbouring hopes of success in Brazil in the summer. Jones, Smalling, Welbeck and Cleverly are all seen as good as on the plane to Rio and are all average at best. Evra is becoming an old man amongst the boys, although still a whippersnapper compared to Giggsy, De Gea must be the most overrated keeper in the league, Solskjaer swapped Fabio for Rafael when no one was looking and Vidic is already eying up his last big pay day elsewhere.
On the touchline, the greatest club manager of the PL era has been replaced by a guy whose greatest achievement was to get Preston promoted, I thought it was a strange appointment at the time, but I’m really warming to him, he makes me very happy. My Schadenfreudeometer is always ticking over towards max, with every record he breaks (for his opponents) a pixie is born from one of my tears of joy. Long may he reign.
Seriously though, I thought we missed a trick when they got the better of us up at Old Toilet earlier in the season. We showed them way too much respect, they were there for the taking if we had taken the game to them, as almost every other club in the PL have highlighted, but we stood off them and gave surrendered the points cheaply. We must not, under any circumstances, let that happen again, it’s time to put this big game hoodoo to bed, tuck it in tightly and smother it to death with a pillow. I don’t care who plays where or how, I don’t care who scores or by how many, I just want us to win by hook or by crook.
FUCK, I’m nervous, time for a drink.
One on the bar for anyone choosing to join me.
Cheers.
H2H knows. I shall join you at the bar, mate. Slainte.
“Man United are not as difficult to award penalties against these days”
Agree with the sentiment however it remains “26th NOVEMBER 2011” since they last conceded a penalty in the premiership.
75 games. 6,750 minutes. 405,000 seconds and counting…..
Conversely, the law of averages suggests this Man Utd team will have to concede a Premier League penalty one day soon and so I agree with you Holic, tonight could be the night.
Arteta 6-1 Anytime G/S.
I’m on.
Nervous, worried and absolutely no hope, frankly thats what i am feeling and i for one hope the reverse psychology works.
The more i look at the game, the more i feel its who grabs the initiative, both teams will be tentative but the game maybe decided or atleast will open up because of an individual mistake, remember bacs silly penalty last season against that cunt!!!!!
Even i am crossing all i can, heck i am crossing the road as many times as i can if that is considered a good omen, win this one guys please.
Lastly Ozil, he is the finest player we could have had in this season, we got him the whole world doesnt, he is ours, he is our pride, he will succeed, he is soo gooooooooooooooooooooodddddddddddd.
H2H, There isn’t a club that Rooney has scored more goals against than us – 12 in 28 games, plus 7 assists. He has been on the losing side only seven times.
For comparison, Rooney goals
11 in 24 v Man City
9 in 31 v Chelsea
4 in 21 v Liverpool
On the other hand, Moyes’ record against us is abysmal. Especially at our place.
Nice one tabs.
Some fine research from the monks @ castle Ned, although I’ll take solice and pin my hopes on Bath’s stat. 😉
Afternoon all. Just finished back drinking. I have stayed away from footie for a few days. I could not bring myself to watch the MOTD highlights and have avoided Sky for the same reason. There are some things you just do not have to put yourself through.
First of all, two great write ups holic. Balanced and proportionate in both cases. I do hope that you are over your manful. Lord knows how us blokes suffer. I’m not sure if wives/girlfriends actually realise how much we suffer? Just as well we don’t ever moan about it.
As the dust settled I noted several mentions in despatches. Thank you for those to one and all. H2H, love you too man. I look forward to your next trip over here. It was funny reading all of the posts and noticing that as time went on how they all seemed to veer in the same direction. The vast majority seem to think that we are still 3 or so players short of being a top top side? For those that feel that way you will understand why I was so frustrated. I have been saying the same thing for years now. The big difference in recent seasons for me is that in my humble opinion we could have done something about it all. I firmly believe that we have had the resources to sort it. This year was the best chance that we have had in ages of really doing something. I firmly believe that The Chavs, Mancs and Citeh will all be stronger than they are this year. So there you go. Enough said on the subject.
Interesting comments re Ozil. Personally I think he has been a great signing but that there is a lot more to come from him. Expectation levels run high when you carry that sort of price tag but I do think that he will become an outstanding player for us. That said, I do have say that I understand totally Oskar’s comments about him being a player that we have spent a bucket load of cash on to play in an area that we already seemed to have ample cover.
Bath mentioned from the previous drinks about how the game would go on regardless of a possible tube strike. The suggestion was that fans set of in the wind and the gales and hike from mainline stations. Yes my old friend, money now rules and fans count for very little these days. But as I was delightfully informed, we don’t have to renew our tickets????????
It was very interesting listening to AW’s comments re RVP. Read into all of that what you will.
Re tonight. For me this is definitely a must win. It is certainly a must not lose. The Mancs are probably at the lowest they have been for years. If we are to take anything out of the Liverpool game it has to be that we can not be so lethargic and complacent and expect to get away with it. We need to be focused and fire for 90 minutes. They have players that can hurt us. We all know that and we need to be more than aware of it. The weather is going to be dreadful. It is already howling a gale and coming down in stair rods here. I can’t see it getting much better before kick off.
I would love a convincing win but will take 3 points any which way they come. For all those travelling, stay safe. It really is crap out there. Any regulars heading to the Tollie first off? May nip in for a cheeky pint or two. It would be rude no to.
Come on The Arsenal. This has to be our time. No passengers, just get in and get the job done.
We shall prevail. Nuff’ said!
Might be there for a very early one 5-ish, Steve. I have to meet Miss B in Stroud Green at 6.30.
Have a good one tonight Steve and Bath.
Thanks H2H. Will have a second to toast your next visit.
Nice roundup @141, Steve.
Cheers H2H.
Might be a tad early for me I’m sorry to say. I will see how the times go. I hope you and Miss B enjoy your evening.
Sorry to say I won’t be there tonight. Can’t face another hike to Finsbury Park after the game yet. I’ve done it twice but a late night trek on crutches in “Superstorm Darwin”, by all accounts, is a step, or a couple of thousand steps, too far.
I will be getting soaked though, as it’s a swim followed by the big screen in the bar for me.
Hoping to make it on Sunday when, oh yes, there are no trains again on my line. The drive to the tube at Cockfosters – steady, Wolfie – beckons. I hope the players appreciate all this dedication to the cause. 😉
Have a great night all who are going.
Here’s to three luvverly points. 😉
Bath taking thirsty Kirsty, I see.
Have a good one. 😉
Steve T,
“Holic …………. I do hope that you are over your manful.”
I say ! 😉
Evening Trev. 🙂
I’ve joined the limpers since my ski trip. An Arteta on the right calf on the last run of the last day. Strapped up to walk. Lucky it wasn’t a knee twist probably.
Sorry to hear that, bath.
Piste again, I guess.
Always liked Anders limpers 😉
Strangely I thought it was Ozil’s fault for not being there to catch me. 🙂
He made no discernible effort at all to save me even though anyone could see that I was in trouble.:S
You’d expect more for 43mill. 😉
heh@Baff and H2H
Did you guys see that Arseblog just posted that he has it from a good source that Bac contract talks are at a stalemate and a summer exit is likely. I would be a sad gooner if it happens…
There have been a lot of alleged “defining moments” in our season so far. This is the first one that genuinely feels like the real deal.
Win, and all will be rosy and we can dare to dream of a title run. Lose, and we won’t be out of the running, but we’ll have a real mountain to climb.
Draw and… well, the Sunny Siders will see the sunny side and the Doomers will bitch and moan. Nothing will be properly resolved…
…it’s going to be a draw, isn’t it?
Hopefully not.
COYG!
N7 is back at jinxing it again I see 😀
Hey all,
same as Steve above I took some time out from the media and gunnersphere in general, there is some things you do not have to go through and the meeja jizzfest about that game at Anfield was just bit too much to take.
This one is going to be tough one, I do not see us bombing forward at least in first half and expect careful approach. Not conceding will be first thing in players mind I think and understandably after conceding five in previous game. I am very fine with that, since I think that with our quality we might just nick it by late goal or two.
If you offered me draw right now, I would probably take it as it would still keep us in the race but win would be really magnificent.
Give ’em hell, Mesut, my man.
Give ’em hell.
Leaked Moyes’ plan of attack : http://talksport.com/football/picture-leaked-david-moyes-tactics-board-arsenal-match-14021279514
😀
Nice drinks from all the normal culprits. Enjoy the match and the pre & post match bevvies for those going to the usual watering hole.
The boys need to come out fully switched on and up for it right from the kick off…no first half lethargy tonight please.
The storm has passed through my neck of the woods mid afternoon, hopefully it will have passed by THOF by kick off otherwise the playing conditions will be extremely difficult making it a real leveller, favouring the less skillful team ( Yanited of course ). A win by any means is all I ask for.
MUMBD
Well here we are 2 hours away from a game against them Cunts containing an Ex Cunt and plenty of other cunts, Please Please Please beat them tonight !!
Up The Arse !!
man u shited
my Arse!
.
COME ON YOU REDS
I see you have an upper case Arse tonight, cba ? 😉
GLOVES ARE OFF
TREVY BABY
Manchester City v Sunderland OFF due to high winds.
Arsenal FC @Arsenal · 46s View translation
#Arsenal team to play Man United: Szczesny, Sagna, Mertesacker, Koscielny, Gibbs, Arteta, Wilshere, Rosicky, Ozil, Cazorla, Giroud #AFCvMUFC
Did you reach u cunt? do you remember the place? yes the very place that made you a player and more so a human being than the effant terrible you were at feynoord. Did you you meet the boss? no not your moronic one, our boss, the very man who stood by you when you were lying in a heap all those 7 years? Did you meet the players? most of whom played for you and who supported you all throughout and the very players who you turned your back on? lastly do you have the balls to look at any fan in the eye? The very ones who sang your name in the turnstiles and cared for you more than themselves.
Be ashamed be very ashamed of yourself and when they sing that song for you, cringe you asshole, you know why, because we are not classless in singing that song, its you who made us do that, you see even we can change direction afterall you dint believe the direction we were heading towards, whatever be the result you twat, never ever say you were our player, never.
Arsenal FC @Arsenal · 2m
#Arsenal subs: Fabianski, Jenkinson, Monreal, Oxlade-Chamberlain, Podolski, Sanogo, Bendtner #AFCvMUFC
Howdy cba….”gloves are off” – giving the animals a rest tonight are we?
I can just picture you sitting in the parlour in front of the peat fire, glass of heavy in one hand, remote in the other, with your furry friends alongside, eyes fixed to the screen. 😉
Why almost all the pundits expect United to take away the points?
This is what Cross just tweeted
“Fancy Man United to get a result. Arsenal nervy and weary. Moyes needs it, RVP fired up and looking to seize on #afc tension.”
Not that I care, but come on, give us the deserved credit. In fact, we are the team that was top of the table for the most of the season.
We can’t be that bad!
I mean, United might win, they have strong squad, but to predict them to win only because Arsenal look nervy before the match?!
And RvP is fired up?
You serious?!!
And Moyes needs it?!?!?! Like I should care if fucking Moyes needs it. And if he needs it, what exactly can he do about that? Can he score a goal? What?!
I was not angry before I started writing the post, but now I am fuming. God damn pundits.
Just as well Van Persie wasn’t angry and Moyes didn’t need it vs Fulham, eh?
Hey guys,
streams
http://livetv.sx/en/eventinfo/215267_arsenal_manchester_utd/
and
http://www.wiziwig.tv/broadcast.php?matchid=241740&part=sports¨
Like the line up, lets do them cunts!
Looks like Arsene got the lineup right.
171 uply
you peekin under my door ?
brilliant – cheers
🙂
.
NOW
LETS BATTER THESE BOLLIX
Right. I’m up,Showered and shaved. 8.09 here in Aukland, with the game a little over half an hour away. Already consumed a pot of coffee. Day already hot and sultry.
Coffee and nerves combo already affecting the Lower GI area (thats my arse for the unmedical amongst you).
Come ON!
This really feels like the biggest game of the season, especially after The West London Paupers First Eleven dropped points to the baggies.
Tingling all over!
That might be the cheap deodourant though……………
Isn’t Wilshere a surprise for you Arsegonian?
It is for me. When Ramsey is not available I would start Chambo/Rosicky over him any day of the week. Rated him highly before injury, but haven’t seen anything this season from him that is overly pleasing, quite the opposite in fact.
Anyway, Arsene knows and I don’t, so watch him scoring a brace tonight.
Lurky, with a name like Cross, he’s bound to prefer Moyes’ tactics. 😉
@Lurky … You must have peeked at my site. I did predict Ox but I’ll settle for getting Rosicky and Gibbs in there.
I love Jack but I think he needs a spell on the bench to rest and get his ankle ( head ) right. For me Ox is more ready to play tonight. Plus he is one of our few with pace.
Agree completely, both on Ox’s speed and Rosicky/Gibbs.
I always feel more relaxed when Rosicky is in the squad.
Prematch interview suggests AW agrees with Lonestar.
“Win the next game.”
Wisdom itself, but who thought of it first???
I think TR7 needs to start.
Jack is too unrelaible and way too pugnacious lately.
ManIOU may be pack of twats, but that pack of twats know Jack’s temper and they will try to inflame it.
I’d look at the united fans to see what they think and not a blog out there thinks they can get something from this match. Lots of gloom and doom 🙂
Looks like my own posts and spellings are “unreliable.”
Drat.
Jack needs to relax. Everything he does seems like a bat outta hell. If he could just slow down a bit he would be a very nice player on the left side of the 2 in the 4-2-3-1 with Aaron next to him.
Vinay and Lurky, love the rants boys!
Commmmmmmmmme Onnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnn!!!!!!!!!!!!
Coooooommmmmeeeeeeeee oooooonnnnnn ARSENAL!
COME ON YOU REDZZZZZZZZZZZZ
COME OOOOON!
Arteta come on WTF!!??
Thank you Woj!!
WTF! Arteta…come on!
OG so close …. Jack as well!
1-1 should be the score there now!
Bloody hell
Right – Liverpool and Citeh have shown the whole world how to undo our lot. Come out of the gate at light speed and a quick goal will totally put Arsenal in mental breakdown.
Let’s hope this side learnt their lesson.
Nice try Rozza
They have no rhythm! We got to push up now!
Just don’t concede first boys 😉
Our marking has been woeful..!
Come on lads!
come on! shoot!
Agent Toure working his magic for us in the other match 🙂
We need to find our rhythm again!
The Cunt scored … No, the other one
Come on guys!
RVP should have had a hat-trick already.
We look lively but conceding possession far too easily, especially Rosicky.
Feels like we just need a moment of magic.
WTF giroud… come on! Get it on target!
We’re running rings round these cunts!
We need to score one now before halftime!
COME ON ARSENAL!
Use the flanks seems to be working better than through the middle!
Why does a professional footballer with the entire universe to aim the ball at, hit the only defender standing just 10 yards away. Again and again.
Afraid to say we look slow and predictable.
Fuck you Moyes you clueless gargoyle.
Valencia didn’t even get the fucking ball
Yes we seem a bit lethargic.. but a goal now would cure that ..come on!!!
We do miss theo.. that quick counter down the flanks…!
We need to sort this out they are therefor the taking!
COM ON ARSENAL!
Nasty looking fall that.
Yes we are playing a bit with the handbwake on. If we make it to the second half without conceding, there could be a change of events!
Fuckin ell nearly
It’s just not happening for Giroud at the moment..
Why were we waiting for half time whistle??? Fuck sake!
Half way there!
Need to improve in the second! Come on Arsenal!
Goonertown you are such a sunny sider 🙂
apart from the early fuck up it is pretty even game, OG needs a bit of luck, also very very pleased to see Mesut putting in a very decent shift. Need to improve in second half, more intent in attacking third required.
If the plan was to get through the first half without conceding to steady the ship and raise the confidence levels, then mission accomplished…..just.
Woll need to show a lot more n the second half to get anything out of this one.
Come on lads, top of the league beckons.
Well, if possession equals control we have controlled the first half.
Haven’t exactly threatened though.
Come on Reds !!!
Fulham 1-0 Liverpool at HT !!!
Bloody football, eh !
lower case looms
trev
@233 Trev …. More proof that Saturday was a freak result.
I don’t think we’re going to get through the middle we need to use our flanks and perhaps bring Bendtner on ooops I said it!
1-1 Pool equalized..
You’re a right case, you are, cba. 😉
We justdon’t have speed on the counter.. so i guess our only option is to press higher up and hope we can finish it off!
I will said this once again like fycking mantra.
Santi is wasted on the wings.
Wilshere over complicates. It would be nice if Arsene put him on the right wing, where he is more dangerous to their goal and less dangerous to ours.
Would prefer Rosicky in the middle with Arteta.
Arsegonian,
Afraid to say it was not merely a freak result.
I don’t like it one little bit, but it was the result of tactical and technical ineptitude on the day.
Simply denying everything will never bring about any improvement.
Taking responsibility might – and, hopefully, it has.
Saw a table that breaks it down into first and second half. We lead the second half table and have a 33-15 goal differential compared to 15-11 in the first half. Sunny Sider view 🙂
Come on guys!
trev
indeed
past imperfect
though
when
just outta the barber
pluperfect
COME ON YOU GUNNERS!!!
Come on you REEEDDDSSSSSS!
Ferdinands’ on… now’s our chance!
Yes it was ineptitude but that doesn’t mean that’s what will happen every match from here on out as some have suggested. Every match is it’s own universe. What happens on Saturday doesn’t necessarily happen on Wednesday. Case in point Chavs yesterday
Lets press em up as well!
Arsegonian @242 –
If that is a reply to me it’s completely irrelevant.
Maybe we are just cross-posting.
Nice one Kos.
Arsegonian,
I did say “on the day” if you got that far.
@trev … 242 was me rambling. And I said ” as some suggested ” Is it me or are your cannons pointing inwards during a match?
We have no pace to counter.. it’s like a training match….
Arsegonian @ 229
It ain’t easy
😉
COYG
COME ON ARSENAL!
Comeeeeeeeeeeeeee onnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnn!
Too static! Come on!
Arsegonian,
It is you. I’ve been cheering my head off for Arsenal for forty years, and i would be there tonight if i could walk at the moment.
So please cut the condescension. I’m as sunny sided as you, but being blindly non-critical helps noone.
Maybe we could watch the thing now ?
Just found the match – in am airport.
Afc looks sloppy.
Why the fuck do we boot it forward!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
You don’t have to defend yourself here, Trev mate, ever!!
Top Gooner.
OX
i know me cattle
come on de fuck boys
Ref is a ccccccccccccccccccccccccccccccunt!
We need Podolski and OX on now this isn’t working!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Nearly
Cheers, H2H.
Free Özil on the wing and noone takes the run…
So close…
Come on Arsenal, that’s better
UTD are crap… we should be 3 up by now…. come on!
264
+1
(plus a moooo)
Much better.
how is that not a pen?
We need to press them come on!
Ozil off, Podolski on
Giroud off, Bendtner on
Please.
This is positively the worst UTD team in decades… we have to beat them on general principle alone!
WTF is Jack playing at?
How is that a foul??????
Clattenberg you tart.
as usual .. officials are all against us again…
SUBS PLEASE!
Chammmmmmmmmmmmmmbo …hurry up!
Where is Podolski?
Ox for TR7
OOOOOhhh??
Fuck sake! Come on Arsenal!
Ah well.. time to get philosophical…
Damn it, might not get a better chance then that.
COME ON YOU REDSS
ooooooo
Fuck sake
TOP STOP WOJ!!!
New underpants please.
Wilshere is a liability…
jesus that was close!
World class save!
More subs please!
save of the season there!
Jack stop losing the ball for christ’s sake.
since fuckin when
did
fulham
become
the mighty
er
fulham
Watch out diver on the field!
Santi Cazorla
Hoooly sheet
OOoooooo santi
We can just nick thisone….
Jacky boy!
PODOLSKI!!!!!!!!!!
Owens the new Collymore!
What a twaaat!
I cant believe we are not using fresh blood against these cunts!
We are playing a team 16 points below us on the table at our home ground whilst we are playing for the top spot.
This team needs some sunnysiders itself.
ozil to score…
I’m sorry but the OX sub did not make any difference!
one last attack…
Mmmm?
What time is it?
THEY FUCKED IT!!!!!!!!!!!!
plums
game done.
Bit of a damp squid, a draw was what it was worth.
WHO WOULD HAVE TAKEN A POINT LOOKING AT THAT FEBRUARY SCHEDULE AND DONT FOOKIN LIE?
Well.. we may not win anything with these perfomances.. but i am still hopeful! Could have gone either way. But UTD were really poor!
We are going to see an improvement? We almost lost it too!
This was a time where we could really beat them and we only made one sub!
Podolski with a thundering shot on the bench!
Tactic’s and team selection none existent!
Last week has had a knock on effect!
Redemption during the cup on Sunday?
That was without a doubt the worst Man Utd side we’ve faced in many a year, and we bottled it as usual.
Two world class saves and one goalline clearance, I understand that attacking intent was bit muted but for me at this stage two points dropped, will reevaluate after the feb schedules.
A draw? With United team that sucks rats bollox this season?
Come on let’s get real two points dropped.
The passing at the end rather embarrassing cos we could have lost it too!
Come on doom sayer’s, bite sized chunks. You know the deal 😉
starting to get that sinking feeling… want to be upbeat but kind of hard at the moment. this is a ManUre team ripe for the pounding and 1 point wasn’t enough. i really wanted to see man u bleed, but i think the slow bleed is ours at the moment. everyone looked dull and we needed a spark from somewhere at the end… never came.
Goonertown
I’m sorry am I not entitled to an opinion????
Woj man of the match for me.
I know many will be (overly) disapointed, but it was of paramount importance that we didn’t lose, the clean sheet will also go a long way to restoring a bit of confidence.
Anyway Woj man of the match!
Surely Owen forgot he was at the ems and nearly handed it to De Gay!
Tosser!
United were indeed poor but on the other hand Szczesny probably kept them from sneaking a bloody win. This result is more tolerable of course because Chelsea slipped yesterday. If this is our cool period then let it end now, we don’t look much like scoring at the moment.
Fuck we’re missing Ramsey.
H2H
For me it was a game to overcome this fucking curse that is hanging over us against them!
On top of that they are shyte this season and we should have beat them!
ATG?
What on gods green earth are you on about?
Still unbeaten at home since Villa and another clean sheet!
One questions what is the point of Podolski?
After last nights result a draw wasnt the end of the world – That game was two sides lacking confidence, We are so slow and ponderous at times its scary That said I thought we were the better side in the second half and probably deserved to nick it but alas it was not to be.
That Woj is now starting to make worldies after having fuck all to do for 40 minutes is also a good sign that hes maturing into the keeper most hoped hed become
Really need Fulham to hold on mind !
end was absolute disgrace. absolutely unimaginable if the roles were reversed and united had red nose back. very, very cynical after this display. play for a draw? making one sub? embarrassment.
Gonnertown
Nothing to worry about misread your comment that is all 🙂
Everyone’s a lil frustrated we didn’t kick the shite out of crap utd… well vengeance against pool on the weekend then!
Both the Chavs and the Mancs have been to our place this season and have left without a victory!
I think that’s an improvement! (not sure)
Tim
I think it hurt more because of the draw… it’s nice chavs didn’t win, but we should have capitalized on that and been on top again. agree with others that at least we didn’t lose, but have to do better for the title (which I still think is realistic)
ATG? Hahahaha!
United may be crap, but we weren’t much better and after the hiding we took last weekend a think a bit of ship steadying was in order.
It’s a point, not ideal, but a butt load better then I felt Saturday afternoon.
Tim@330 Yes, we’re missing Ramsey.
But we’re missing Theo just as much.
All teams at the top are blipping! We still have to play the other two!
Four points should do it!
Ok,
Wilshere was the worst player in the shirt and I have really lost count how many times I’ve written that this season.
Also, lost count how many times he lost the ball, felt over, didn’t get up for 2 minutes, only to vanish for another 5, then dribble himself into cul de sac, only to fall again.
Can’t wait for Ramsey to come back. Till then, please, Arsene, for the sake of the season, find another player to partner Arteta.
Still got good players to come back!
Come on Sunday! Need to remind those Scouse jobseekers!
Shite pool just won it!
We better start picking up 3pts per game or it’s 4th place fight again!
Flamini due back on Sunday. Sure he’s raring to go!
Who would take RVP back in the summer?
They did get booed for the end as well which is understandable!
Jack should have been subbed he looked knackered at half way through the second half!
Cazorla should have gone in the middle and Podolski on the left!
I can remember this was the team selection at the start of the season and it worked like a charm!
BB Yep we are more likely to be sucked into that than we are to win the league – Harsh but true
Slop. Slop. And more slop.
2 points lost.
Things look quite bad to be honest. Very troubling.
Where is arsenals first squad ? Abducted by aliens.
Three more home games to come!
Through our first tough patch in the league and still a point off the top.
Not the greatest performance, but the ship has been steadied. Thought Jack had a shocker and Ozil, Gibbs and Chesney were great.
Felt beforehand this had draw written all over it.
Onwards and upwards.
COYG
not
the end of the world
though
scarcely a brave new one
either
Over the last 2 games we lost 5 points against those going for CL spots… starting to get precarious!
N7.
Could you please have more hunches that we are going to win, because you are usualy right. 😉
Lurky @ 240: Exactly! Jack’s indulgence in the middle of the pitch could have been really costly today. Needs to learn to build his game more around solidity and less of that me-against-world bravado. TR7’s passing though for the first 10-15 minutes was rather off, got better as the game progresses.
I really thought Poldi for Ozil sub was on, with Santi moving infield. Ozil had an okay game (not great, but enterprising and occasionally incisive) except for two atrocious free-kicks. The second one should have been attempted by Santi or even Arteta…
Just great save by Szczesny. And in matches like this we should always take more shots from outside the box. We should have also tested De Gea more at crosses as well, especially from the left. All left sided attacks were about intricate play, needed to mix that with a few crosses and midfielders running in for the rebound. Basic, but effective against a GK known to have the odd fumbles.
It was important that we do not concede and dominate. Three points were there for the taking so will consider two points dropped, but at the same time a good confidence building exercise.
If we are to win the PL this season, the defensive confidence and form can suffer no more blips.
Just 3 points separate us from Liverpool and 4 from the spuds. The top of the league is a lot closer than many at the bar think and unfortunately the momentum is with Liverpool and that lot down the road.
We need players like Giroud to step it up and someone to replace the goal-threat of Ramsey. Our fixture list in March suggests we could yet be in a battle for any spot between 1 and 4.
Just saying…
Goonertown
I don’t want him back he’s done too much damage already not fixable in my eyes. I would take him back and play him in reserves for the rest of his career 🙂
N7 @ 354: I thought Gibbo’s performance was one of the best we have seen from an Arsenal fullback this season. Defensively very very good and was one of the sharper threats going forward.
Hope the period of starting tentatively is now over and next match onwards to impose from the beginning.
Actually 6 points between us and spuds
I don’t think the momentum is really with anyone at the moment, it wasn’t long ago that Liverpool were being held at home to Villa or dropping points to West Brom thanks to a defensive howler. Ditto the Spuds not long ago getting their second stuffing from City this season and drawing at Hull. Two weeks ago City were dead certs for the quadruple, but now the media aren’t so certain. All that is certain is we need to get our skates back on starting on Sunday. To be honest I’d happily sacrifice the Bayern game for wins either side of it.
Standing on a freezing platform waiting for the train home. I feel really deflated. I must say I honestly did not see us scoring. Too laboured, gave the ball away too much, no width, no pace and no real invention. If we genuinely think we can win the league playing like that then I would suggest that we are very much mistaken. The general frustration where I was sitting was there for all to see. Why the fuck we warned 2 forwards up for half hour and did not even think of bringing one on will remain a mystery to me.
We play for, as usual, a top four finish. Anyone who thinks that is nailed on I would suggest has a bit of a wake up call.
@H2H
Heh! Working on it.
@Dr F
Agreed. He’s over his blip. Needs to start games from here on in.
Hopefully we shake it up at the weekend. I think Gnabry needs to come back into this team, for balance. I’d also be tempted to start Ox over Jack based on this evening.
At least the defence looked back to normal.
Doctor Faustus
Agree, re. Rosicky and Wilshere. I felt that it was a big mistake subbing Rosicky with Wilshere still on the pitch. The boy is just so out of form and Rosicky was getting better and more relaxed on the ball
Disagree on Ozil though, I thought that he had a great game. He was always open for a pass, trying to make things happen, fighting hard, running, covering.
Just checked, he had 7 key passes!
Shame that Giroud’s magic is long gone. He is fighting hard, but it is just not enough. We miss a striker. Badly.
Overall, didn’t like what I saw today. The team was just so afraid not to lose. Titles can’t be won that way.
I want to take some solace from this result but i am struggling to do so.
As poor as the passing was and the midfield looked. And what has gotten into wilshire? Looks like the NSA stole bis brain and replaced it with that of a frog.
The top of the table is close yes. But that hardly excuses or explains another insipid performance by arsenal. I point from a possible 6 under the moues regime strikes me as a massive opportunity lost.
My funk continues.
Charlie knows.
Liverpool will drop points in unexpected places, as they almost did this evening. Utd are out of it. Spurs… I’m watching with a bit of concern. We could do with them losing a game or two just to spare the nerves. Really don’t want to go to theirs needing three points.
Matt @ 359: Yes, this is going to be a matter of consistency and nerve. I am the optimist type, so based on what I saw today I think we will be in the mix for the top spot right until the end. Our run this season, actually dating back to beginning of 2013, has been built on solidity and composure, I saw those back today. As long as we are winning against the so-called lesser oppositions we will be there. Just my humble theory.
And the guy sitting next to me reaks of garlic and onions.
Well. Thats flying coach idnt it?
We need a striker and replacement for sagna. Hopefully some good players become available next season! Otherwise we really have to rely on other teams f-king it up to win.
For once would like to have some strength in depth for a change! Wishes..lol.
We need a striker?????? No shit Sherlock.
Don’t get me started……..
N7 – to be honest even if we win our two/three (depending on whether we do play Swansea in early March) league games before we go to the Spuds, I’d say it will be a must win game anyway. Firstly because they’re the Spuds. And secondly because every time we have one of these ‘big’ games and don’t win we get everyone on our back. It’s a complex we need to get over and if we are still in the mix by mid-March what better place to start getting over it.
I would like to nominate Goonertown as the official leader of the sunnysiders.
Hats off to you GT.
Our team could learn a few lessons from your consistent approach.
Lurky @ 366: Ozil played well, but I thought some of his final decisions and passes could have been better. He was enterprising as I said, worked very hard, but maybe a few times just running at the defenders — and he is capable of that, have seen him doing it for Germany and RM — with the ball to unsettle the shape would have helped. He was waiting for movements to happen, instead of forcing the dynamism. Small complains.
About winning league, I know I am in a minority but the league can be won by winning against lesser opposition and managing draws and the odd victory against the other top four. MU won leagues that way many times. Our form until now has been built on consistency, composure and defensive shrewdness, if we maintain those we will be there until the end. We would need some points from City-Chelsea-Spurs though, and I think we will.
ATG? That’s what people said about Suarez a year ago!
Off to run a few errands! Back on the rebound!
Can”t believe it, this is too much.
Wilshere had ZERO clearances, ZERO tackles, ZERO interceptions!
But, it is not just low numbers for him, there are some big ones too.
He had SIX turnovers and 81% passing accuracy.
I would suggest Arsene to start ME instead of him in the next game. I am sure that I could make at least ONE tackle, even if it is a red card one.
Looking for a flight to goonertown.
Badly in need of an AJ … Attitude ‘justmemt.
Even a draw against a very beatable Yanited is enjoyable when you have the right company…
Cheers Scruz. Safe travels mate.
Win the next match.
BMBD
Tottenham V Arsenal
Sun 16 Mar 16:00
Chelsea V Arsenal
Sat 22 Mar 12:45
Arsenal V Man City
Sat 29 Mar 17:30
Tough tough fixtures in March! No rest for the wicked 🙂
All we see is what happens when you have 2 of your top offensive threats out. Ramsey and Walcotts runs into danger areas is not something we are capable of reproducing with our current players.
I catched the last minutes of the Liverpool game, when Coutinho got the ball they had 3-4 different runners all going into space. When Özil gets the ball on the right side(Every damn game!) we have a Giroud thats waiting for the ball to come so he can hold it up for someone. No midfielder is even making an effort at running.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_detailpage&v=-31gS8xFfDc#t=146 is a good example of it.
If he was in the same situation in Germany or Real you would see everyone working their ass off to get into the box, they could’ve been behind their own goal and still make an effort to get there.
Manure parked the bus and tried their best to catch us on the counter attack, we should have beaten the scum TBH, but at the same time we couldn’t risk losing the game considering what happened against Liverpool on Saturday.
Szczesny, Gibbs, Cazorla, Ozil thought they were excellent, Jack was decent in the 1st half but lost the ball too much in the second half. Giroud was frustrating to watch, too much flicking the ball in congesting areas and losing possession, he also missed 2 great chances , but should have scored from Sagna’s cross, he just needed a touch.
If we can get maximum points from our next 3 PL games against Sunderland, Stoke & Swansea and hope that others around us drop points. We could then get at least 7 points from Spurs, Chelski & shitty games we could win the league still optimistic and honestly believe we can do it.
And we knew both of those players would be out for a sustained period when the Transfer window was still open – It’s planning you see in the most Arsenal of ways 😉 On a side note haven’t got a clue why podolski wasn’t given 10 minutes or so at the end whilst we were on top, He at least gives us something a bit different. Oh well onwards and Upwards hopefully!
Up the Arse,
Aussie, no you can’t, nominate G’Town……
well you could, but it would be in vain. The Mighty BtM will always be the leader, and as far as I can remember, the founder of the sunny side.
It’s getting real tight on top. Well we didn’t lose the game.First half was horrible. Second half definitely better. Can someone pls tell jack to stop losing the damn ball. Boy do we miss Ramsey, and why don’t we use podolski? Just one change, jack should have been subbed and bring in podolski. I know a draw is better than losing, but we can’t be taking beatings away to the top teams and come home and draw. I rather focus on fa cup and the leagues than the champions league. It will take a miracle to get past bayern. COYG !!!!!
We’ll probably beat Bayern… it’s sunderland and stoke that worry me! 😀
One interesting stat from tonight’s programme. This season Özil has created 56 chances. That is 21 more than Santi in second place. Now, if that is not irrefutable evidence of both his quality and of how much we miss a top striker then I really do not know what is.
Agreed ..ozil has been brilliant… just no one to pass it to!!!
Hence you will see arsene commenting that he should try to score more often 🙂
don’t understand
the value
placed
on the upbeat
i leap around
eff and blind
during
a game
and
when
we hav?e played
like a shower
of leaden footed
strollers
i have a face on me
the length
of today and tomorrow
but
i always come here
when i have internet access
for
the greatest
big pile of arsenal
shite/non-shite/undecided
dollops going
.
cheers ‘hol
I am curious.
Are Bendtner, Sanogo and Poldi considered as an option by Arsene.
If they are why they weren’t included in this game when Giroud was obviously tired and out of form?
If they aren’t, why are they on the bench and why Arsene didn’t bought someone who could be an option?
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>
Cheers cba 🙂