The Second Coming Is Nigh
Feb 21st, 2014 by 'holic
So what on paper was a most taxing set of fixtures is over and we are out the other side just a point off the Premier League summit, through to the quarter-final of the FA Cup, and in need of a similar triumph to last season in the Allianz Arena if we are to take an unlikely step into the Champions League quarter-final.
So why does a home match against a team in the bottom three feel like one that we have to approach, if not with caution, then respect for the improving opposition who are just a week away from a rare Cup Final appearance at Wembley. Since Gus Poyet succeeded Paolo Di Canio the Black Cats have beaten Manchester City and won at Everton in the league, plus they have seen off Chelsea and Manchester United in the quarter-final and semi-final of the League Cup. Good results all.
We have lost Kieran Gibbs, injured against Bayern, so we are approaching, if not quite down to, the bare bones defensively. Despite that all of the attention pre-match will be on the midfield selection. The media have gone into overdrive on Mesut Ozil stories. Personally I would think picking him (we don’t have a match in midweek so he can rest then) would send out a strong message of belief. He made his debut at Sunderland earlier in the season and starred in a 3-1 win. Play him, Arsene.
Behind him Mathieu Flamini will surely start with one of Jack Wilshere or Mikel Arteta and I am guessing that Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain and Santi Cazorla will play out wide. Arsene’s second big call will come up front. Stick with Yaya Sanogo, rich in promise, or revert to Olivier Giroud if his head is in a better place? Whoever gets the nod will get our full support on the day, for sure.
Sunderland could welcome back the experienced Steven Fletcher and of course include in their ranks former Gunners Vito Mannone and Sebastian Larsson. Successful as they have been in the cups (like us they are through to the FA Cup quarter-finals) their need for league points is greater. Will they have one eye on that Wembley date next weekend? I doubt it, unfortunately.
Having said that the ‘holic pound is wagered in bullish fashion. This is an important one for us to win if we are serious about challenging for the title, and we are. There is precious little value around against a side who have not won at our place for 31 years, but I am on 3-0 (they may come late so don’t get frustrated please) at 8/1.
Of course there is the small matter of the second coming of God to anticipate on Saturday as well. First Great Western permitting I will make the unveiling of his statue at 11.30, and thereafter I look forward to meeting a couple of friends old and new in the usual place over a half or two of Ireland’s finest. Dennis, I mean God, will be presented to us again at half-time. If he is not hidden from view by the tunnel I will try and get a photo to share with you on Saturday night, or more likely Sunday morning.
Have a good one ‘holics.
220 Responses to “The Second Coming Is Nigh”
The Iceman!
2nd coming.
Those were the days…..
Great preview as always, Holic. Wish I could be there for the unveiling of the God statue.
Just seen your new headline, ‘holic. I certainly hope you are referring to the second coming of the snow plow, which here in the North Country is much needed and anticipated after yesterday’s heavy blanket of wet snow. Shoveling by hand can only do so much, which I realized quickly so started to try out my old football skills by booting a few snowballs out of the way before an icy patch nearly did me in. I hope it is warmer where you are but the cold weather is setting back in for another spell over here. Hibernation never felt so good, I have to say.
Now to read your preview but I think this could be One-Nil to the Boring Boring Arsenal.
Nice one guv.
Dennis’ team got their arses handed to them in the EL last night, so it will be a nice distraction for him tomorrow. Seriously though, what a great honour, the press over here will be all over it. Bergkamp was a true gooner and is a living legend he deserves all the accolades.
Have a good day, all.
Not going to make this one unfortunately. Feels like my knee was explored with a Black & Decker arthroscope with a masonry bit on.
3-1 sounds about right, Holic.
Sorry to miss the unveiling – always count DB10 and Liam Brady as my all time joint favourites, with TH14 just nudged into second place with PV4 and Sir Bob. Just can’t separate them any more than that.
Oh, and Tony Adams ……
Trev, sorry we’ll miss you. Hoping after the exploratory they know exactly what to do next time round?
All the best.
Dennis Bergkamp a true Arsenal Legend, I still have in printed on my mind so many magic moments. I can’t believe he has a statue does that mean i’m an old man now remembering legendary long past players
Sunderland under Poyet are a completly different team then the shambles that we met at the start of the season while under di Canio. The transformation is really quite impressive, they looked doomed, but have given themselves a fighting chance with some pretty impressive results, their cup runs have also given them a real belief that they can do a job.
Don Vito has been looking good inbetween the sticks and I was really chuffed for him with his hero moment against Manure. Adam Johnson has looked like a player reborn, Colback too, and we’ll need to keep an eye on Ki. Like us they haven’t really got what they need up front, Borini, on loan from the hubcap stealers blows hot and cold and I don’t believe that Altidore, who I saw a number of times live for AZ, has what it takes to cut it as a PL striker.
We need a win, not just for the three points, but to prove that once again we can bounce back from a disapointing result. The back five picks itself, as for the rest it’s anyones guess. Drop Ozil or keep faith in him, is he still gutted or can he clear his head? I think Santi is probably a definite start due to him having to make way early for Fab on Wednesday. I hope the Ox gets the nod as he has being doing well lately.
I would be wary of playing Flamini and Arteta together, too defencive. Upfront, it wouldn’t surprise me to see Sanago again, but it will probably be Giroud. For a supposedly light squad there are still a good few permatations, whoever comes in, all I ask is that they give it their all and bring home the bacon, the bacon being three crispy crunchy points.
Come on you Gunners.
Cheers, H.
Definitely a complete replacement. Good news really – and promised urgently.
The cursed no 9 – what is it with no 9 since Smudger?
I wouldn’t classs Bergkamp as long past Larry.
Oooo the non-cursed Limpard/Wiltord/Dutch bloke/Ozil number.
Ah, DB10 not the snowplow. Well I hope we score a few DB10-esque goals and Sunderland are swept away like so many airy snowflakes then. 🙂
Nope – the Gerd Muller number
The weekly training pictures on the Kremlinesque dot con have lined up Podolski in the position of first picture. Which can only mean one thing, can it not? Podolski to start and if we are lucky to be on the scoresheet.
Fine preview H. Nutshells and nails on heads.
The strange March is also nigh.
The monks like the look of a 2-1 or perhaps a 2-0. Poyet has made the Machems solid enough to ensure that we have a few nailbiting minutes on Saturday, though not good enough, I pray, to deny us the three points. Would be very happy to see you land the ‘Holic pound, though, ‘Holic.
A regular investment in 2-0 victories would have garnered handsome rewards at home this season and that would be my bet tomorrow. I think he will start Podolski and HFB if the Frenchman can be found in the hotel alone at the requisite time this evening. I agree that Ozil will start and get a huge amount of backing from the fans. Here starts his second coming.
We have had our youth team playing down the road tonight ( I speak metaphorically) in the Youth Cup. A 2-0 victory was earned by two late goals and a MOTM performance from Josh Vickers in our goal. They are the converse of the first team. Our attack was much better than the defence . Zelalem was substituted after 75 mins.
Excellent stuff, the headline in the link is a bit deceiving though. http://supportersnotcustomers.com/2013/09/08/soldiers-should-get-footballers-wages/
A nice mellow preview ‘holic – the black gold must have gone down a treat earlier. Your 3-1 looks about right, so you could be toasting a fine double win in the establishment of choice Saturday evening.
Trev….you now know you need a new knee (say that quickly after a few bevvies). Here’s hoping their promised “soon” is not an Arsenal “soon” 😉
We are about to play the most critical match of our season. Having failed with my 3-0 predictions for Wednesday night, I’m right there beside the guvnor for this one. If we can achieve that, then we’ll be in good shape to go forward to the most critical match of our season.
COYG
Evening one and all. Nice preview H.
I’m not there tomorrow. Sad to miss the unveiling of the statue of one of the greatest Arsenal players that ever lived.
Time for a performance, a result and a return to 3 points. You guess is as good as mine re the team. I guess we will have to see who is fit and available. Whoever we decide upon we should more than capable of getting a result.
To those going, more of the the same atmosphere from Wednesday night please
Love and hugs to you all.
Twickers, Steve?
All the best Trev, hope you’re fighting fit again soon.
Ozil, first name on the team sheet for me. Top boy.
Yes h. A sad clash but an opportunity I could not turn down. It’s likely to be a very long day with Mr Nurofen on stand by for the morning.
I will be there in spirit I can assure you.
Great stuff as usual Holic. Thank you.
I think Young Serge may have a part to play tomorrow. Just a guess.
All I need is 3points COYG!!!!!!
I can’t see Özil out there tomorrow, the poor sensitive soul is still traumatised by his pen miss and subsequent mocking. He needs a quiet week/month in rehab before appearing in public anywhere.
Not his fault entirely, AW has played him into the ground even though it’s been obvious for a while that his form has slipped with all the extra game time. I wouldn’t be surprised to see OG still benched for the same reason. And don’t be surprised if Flappy keeps the gloves right up to Bayern Mk2.
Perhaps this is a game for Gnabry? And certainly Poldi, although with the continuing mystery surrounding his non-appearances who knows if we’ll ever see him again frankly.
3-0 is good, but with a loss of confidence I wouldn’t be surprised to see a goal or two conceded. Let’s just hope we score more than they do.
Öskar
A solid and reassuring read ‘holic, thank you. I, too, hope to see Ozïl start. I am imagining some kind of kizmet related star-alignment to reignite his belief in himself and that if our fans. Enjoy your pints and good luck on your punt.
Surely they can expedite the sentencing of Pellegrini in this case. Guilty Guilty Guilty.
http://www.bbc.com/sport/0/football/26279315
Quickly coming off the boil, the Chilean. And he looked so calm until recently …
Thats a top fooking post holic. Really dead on.
Doff the cap to you, sir.
Gimme the good guys from London at 1-0.
Thats a bit off Oskar. Really now.
Concerning Ozil i mean.
His attitude is all wrong, Homer. Not all his fault, but he needs to be side-lined until he recovers his mojo.
Öskar
…either that or he needs a boot up the backside.
Öskar
DB10
Loyalty,class !
Nuff said !
Morning all.
Mesut Ozil has more assists per game than any other player in premier league history.
I suspect he’ll have a rest today, as will many of those who played the second half on Weds, but anyone with a brain in their head and Arsenal in their hearts will be right behind him, and I expect the crowd to show some him some proper love today.
COYG
And in case anyone doubts that the press are after our boy:
https://twitter.com/hughwizzy/status/436952337652142080
https://twitter.com/hughwizzy/status/436952424969146368
Morning all.
What N7 says @42.
Cliff -Rocks -Barracudas
Back in the Kingdom and won’t make it along today. Enjoy the game, priors and afters, all. Steve, enjoy the egg chasing.
The constant negativity around Ozil is depressing frankly. I’m SO glad we have one truly world class player in the team. I really hope he stays around and I look forward to witnessing the unveiling of his statue in the years to come (Arsene’s comments on this subject in the presser were funny). The guy is an absolute pleasure to watch “in the flesh”. If he’s rested today, the Emirates experience will be just that bit less rich for all who attend.
BtM junior and grandson Henry 14 will be attending as my deputies. Have a great day and a big “Happy Birthday” to seven year old Henry on Monday
The sun is shining here in Stockholm, and I will be off to the pub in just a bit. Some beer, keep an eye on the early game, chat to mates, watch us play and hopefully beat Sunderland and then off to a mate’s 50th birthday party. Let us hope the day continues as brightly as it has started!
Morning all,
and don’t forget the fruit gums, chum, @42.
Glorious looking day here. Fun, frolics and three points in a sun soaked Emirates this afternoon, and a new version of Dennis Bergkamp that still moves faster than Igors Stepanovs.
And Cheers, Esso @26.
Hi All
Our record this season bouncing back with a win after a defeat has been oustanding.
Looking forward to the team sheet, could make interesting reading.
Come on you Gunners !!!!
Trev 🙂
Afternoon all.
Ozil not in the squad according to FoxSports (NL)
God damn, those Chavs are dire to watch.
Wake me up when the Arsenal are on. 😉
Arsenal FC @Arsenal · 16s View translation
#Arsenal team to play Sunderland: Szczesny, Sagna, Mertesacker, Koscielny, Monreal, Arteta, Rosicky, Wilshere, Cazorla, Podolski, Giroud
Arsenal FC @Arsenal · 25s
#Arsenal subs: Fabianski, Jenkinson, Flamini, Oxlade-Chamberlain, Gnabry, Sanogo, Bendtner #AFCvSAFC
So Ozil is rested completely. Maybe not a bad thing for him.
Sun also shining gloriously in St. Paul, Minnesota, reflecting off the new white snow. Signs of hope for a warmer Spring in the offing? Been sick the last 24 hours so the management won’t put up her usual guff when I sit down to watch the Arsenal. COYG!!!
as always, streams here
http://www.wiziwig.tv/broadcast.php?matchid=241749&part=sports
and
http://livetv.sx/en/eventinfo/216668_arsenal_sunderland/
Interesting line-up, Poldi starting..want to see him bang in few goals.
Fracken Chavs.
Terry claiming a goal when he didn’t even touch the ball.
tell you what, slur mcrednose time has become moaninho time. a freekick for nothing leads to a chelski winner. eurgh.
jack up front right, please, santi in the slot behind Giroud, poldi left. happy happy joy joy.
Chelsea encapsulate everything wrong with the modern game. I truly can’t stand anything about them. No sour grapes or anything of the sort. Was there any kind of contact at all to warrant a free kick? They are disgusting and abhorrent.
Great images of Mannone in the tunnels with his former team mates.
I know it’s nearly kick off time but, if you haven’t seen it yet, take a look later on at The Arsenal Gent this week.
Bang back on form after, for him, a little bliplet. Purely my opinion, of course.
NOW, COME ON REDS !!!
Solid G, – spot on.
fair play to ramirez, he cheated successfully enough to get a yellow on jagielka. and to terry who celebrated like anything but his crashing into howard scored the goal…yeesh.
Anyway, I think Wenger did the right thing leaving Ozil out. Hope the boys have a good game.
COYG.
trev, hopefully your meds allow you to drink after the dremel work.
I saw that this morning Trev, a few real laugh out loud moments.
come on!
agreed, solid. perfect game to rest him, let santi run a little magic show.
COME ON YOU GUNNERS
there must be a purposeful 1 or 2 minute delay in the coverage via nbc sports live extra in the usa. sucks.
Any streams that don’t require my credit card details, although they’re supposed to be free !?
GIROOOOOOUUUUDDD
Trev – try those links I provided
Good work by LJW dragging 4 players with him.
Never in doubt.
OG!
beautiful, beautiful move. nicely done jack, and og.
Great early goal to settle the nerves, now go for the jugglar.
The gaffers reverse psychology seems to have worked. More of the same Ollie G.
Get in!
Cheers Eandy, and sorry – missed them somehow.
Off to try now 😉
Woj gets revenge for Santi on Borini. BAMMM
well, borini, that’s payback. don’t clock santi next time.
h2h 🙂
Dennis is there!! Nice. This is a good start, I remember the time when we used to score a goal in the first five minutes, every match.
Trev , you can try this http://gofirstrow.eu/watch/241629/1/watch-arsenal-vs-sunderland.html, it’s pretty good too.
Bloody damn wormy Chelski bastards !
Well done Woj
OG point already proved
Hell Yeah
Come On !
Santi spraying some sublime passes….
What a pass, santi. Beautiful.
ollie g. is feeling his pomp. some nice little flicks there for his runners. nearly put poldi in.
A poldi piledriver…….
Unlucky, but that’s what I want to see from him.
time for a poldi hammerstrike, i think. i hope.
Poldi has a freaking dynamite in that foot of his
i swear i didn’t see that first.
I think I’m two minutes in front of you guys……
So I saw it first. 😉
mine was just wish fullfillment. call me mystic meg.
Arteta should of shot.
i love per.
Tried the links, entered credit card info – just constant repeated demands to create an account and NO F*CKING STREAM. AARRGGHHH!
Give up. 🙁
we’ve stalled a bit here. i think the handbrake is on a bit much.
GIROOOOOOOOUUUUUUUDDDDDDDDD
OG
Real poachers goal aking the most of sloppy defending
On a hat trick.
*making
yes!!! another bad backpass latched onto by giroud and it is in the back of the net. shades of boruc…
OOooooooooo Sagna
Trev – no streams on wiziwig should demand credit card info -_- unless you are trying to use flash stream through some betting site
yep, two freaking minutes. 😀
Get in
Sorry to hear that Trev.
I’d keep trying though.
Eandy – all I get on your links are demands to enter email – password
Done
Then demands for C Card info – not to be used Also done – but never a stream to watch !
Sounds like City are rocking
http://hdfooty.tv/channel_1.php
trev, this shouldn’t require a credit card.
Brilliant scruz, thanks – at last ! 🙂
I wasnt sure if OG would start but thank God he did !!
ROSICKYYYYYY
WHAT A GOAL!!!!
Well that was worth waiting for !!!!!
Well in.
what…a ….goal!
wow, just wow. what beautiful passing to treat our god to, seeing as he’s in attendance. touch touch touch touch touch goal.
Seems like Bayern games are our lucky break.
What. A . Goal
sorry I am late
glad you got to see it trev. og is having a fine day, two goals and an assist. yeah, he sure is a donkey. :eyeroll:
Three nil at HT, can’t remember last time that happened.
Still haven’t realesed the hand brake though. 😉
that will be a nice coffee break. see you in 15.
well played, lads.
http://www.nutjob.eu/index.html
Quality stream, once you click the annoying ads out the way.
Loving Super Tom’s performance. Was bang on anyway even before ‘that’ goal.
Sorry, Holic, but have to say I hope that’s not the end of it – even if the H Pound gets blown away. 😉
Heh Scruz!
Anyone seen OG’s scoring stats over on Arseblog text commentary? Better than last season in 9 fewer games.
Arsenal bounce back again after a defeat, great 1st half display.
Hatrick calling, hatrick calling, come in hatrick.
Sounds better than “broad sword calling danny boy”
Name that film ?
Just thinking the same Trev.
Good time to work on the GD, Sunderland look like they’re dreaming of Wembley already.
Where eagles dare, I believe.
I’ve seen Where Eagles Dare an embarrassing number of times…
Ah, youth.
Spot on H2H and Toby
Little half time teaser
Interesting half this. Makes you wonder that either Sunderland are that shyt, or… maybe, just maybe, we play better without Ozil?
Or, both?!
And I speak this as one of the Ozil greatest admirers, but we are indeed far more fluid and creative today.
Anyway, once again Rosicky shows that he is the missing ingredient. I continue to wonder why he isn’t a definite starter in this team.
This segment of the season is Rosicky’s segment. Unleash him vs Bayern.
Jenks on for Bac, hopefully nothing serious.
Lurky. Sunderland haven’t turned up yet.
2nd half….
COME ON YOU GUNNERS
oh..no..for Nacho and Bac on left side.
Any info on Monreal? Why was he subbed off?
Well saved Woj
Hope its only a precaution.
Sunderland have now turned up.
COME ON YOU REDS
Tony Gayle has so far praised Sunderland for kneeing Giroud in the back and pulling him down by the back of the shirt.
Improvement indeed.
oooooooooooo close
KoSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSS
Kozzer!
Massacre
Too easy that.
i love kozzer.
Get in.. Kos
Its just like watching Brazil, if Brazil were this good !
What a performance from the lads.
well, if og has to go out, at least we have sanogo to go.
i just turned the sound on to listen to the crowd, and i have to listen to tony gale. man, he’s a bozo.
Kozzer down.
FLam for Kos
Kos down..I dont like that:(
fuck, kozzer down. sagna to the middle, flams to left back?
Sagna to CB
I think it was more a case of airing on the side of caution rather then anything else
seeing how quickly koz got the hook, i wonder if, at 3-0 up and perceiving no real threat from sunderland, arsene decided the better part of valor was to remove monreal to protect him against losing both of his left backs for any length of time.
Top save Woj!!
Fucking Stoke
Gnarby for TR7
Gnabry even
We cant loose Kos we just cant.
Unlucky Gnabry
oooh, nearly serge. damn.
Fuck
Wanted a clean sheet. 🙁
WAGNER AAHHHTTTT !
damn
fucking consolation goal. great shot, though. poor punch from chezz.
He got some distance on it scruz, just unlucky the shot was so good.
Should of caught it though.
Jack’s carrying a knock.
A stroll in the park in the end, shame about their consiation goal, but that was al it was ever going to be.
I thought we lost our momentum a bit when TR7 went off, but Im not going to nit pick about that.
3 points, job done!!
About time we got a breather game. COYG!!!
nice win, shame about the clean sheet. now for a week’s rest!
Right, on to the next one. Well played lads.
I thought he skied it a bit, h2h. no matter, great win for us.
Done and dusted and on to the next one.
I’ll be basking on my sick bed now.
Have a pint for me guys and gals! 🙂
UTA
Get well soon CoR
Get well soon, CoR – nothing serious I hope.
Can anyone explain why keepers more often punch instead of catch? At least that seems to be the case nowadays…OK, the balls do more tricks in the air, but there just seem to be an awful lot of balls that could be easily grabbed.
Graet win
Great even
Sunderland… just the tonic we needed 🙂
Chelski lucky wankers!
There ain’t half been some lucky bastards………..
lucky = clever ? Well, anyway, just for fun –
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PPvRsLWlDXw
😉
howdy ‘hol and all
spent the day
cleaning down
8 foot
1880s
skirting boards
cared not a jot
game on radio
god bless The Arsenal
and
the joy they bring
.
there’s only one Dennis
🙂
.
UP THE ARSE
Just in from the game.
Efficient performances all round.
Long time since we’ve been 3-0 up, home and hosed at HT.
TR7 goal is up with the best. Glad HFB got his brace to put himself back in the groove.
Defensive injuries are piling up though.
Hopefully not too fatal.
Nice to see DB10 looking so happy to be back – won’t be too long before he’s back on the payroll , I suspect.
Just what the doctor ordered onwards and upwards 🙂
Up the Arse !
Knocks a nicely weighted ball up the wing.
Chests it down in a Bergkampesque movement and lays it nicely back for a runner……
picks it up with his left and sends a ball to the d with his right…
Runs into the D and chips the ball over two burly evil and slow defenders…
continues his run into the right side of the box behind the defenders and belts it at goal…blocked! but it rolls to the other side of the box…
whereupon a defender shanks his clearance straight to the penalty spot…
TR7. Yes sirree.
Now to read and back drink!
Homer dithering on the ball again, I see.
Tippy-tappy goal. Beautifully tucked away, Homer. Enjoy MOTD, all ang Good Night. Remember…
It’s on.
COYG
What Panglossdroid said.
It’s on.
How good was Santi’s cross-field passes? He really misses playing centrally and when Ozil is back it could be interesting to have Ozil start on the right with Santi down the middle and the exchange positions with Santi later on.
Sixteen goals and eight assists for Giroud in the season now.
After Super Tom’s great goal Poldi’s thunderous strike that Vito saved excellently was the most memorable moment for me.
Sagna played three positions in the defense today, fitting in seamlessly, untroubled. What a loss — quality, experience, versatility — he would be if we are to lose him in the summer.
Arsenal Twitter says Kos has a back problem and Monreal a foot problem, but they’ll both be back next week.
Any other news?
@204,
I think the better way for our midfielders to play is without being tied to positions, at least when going forwards.
They don’t take well to being marked by Premier League defenders because they are generally quite small. It seems to work best when they move and interchange positions which makes them much harder to pick up.
That mobility allows them to go round, rather than through, defenders, as with the home league game against Tottenham.
Santi, Ozil, Rosicky and The Ox particularly, are all capable of playing anywhere across the pitch while Jack and Aaron are better centrally. Podolski really has to stay left but he is a huge asset out there.
Panglossdroid@202 – beautifully tucked away? It took him 23 minutes!
Mr Nurofen. You need to do your stuff and you need to get a move on. Is it possible to have a hangover when you are still awake???
Up the Arse.
danieldaylewis
there will be blood
now
there’s
six foot of
mahogany ham accent
apparently
i’m wrong
anyhoo
what
the holy hairy mary
am i
pollutin
‘hol’s site
with shite for
again
promised meself
i wouldn’t
self imposed exile i think
see you
in a wee while
UP THE ARSE
Trev @ 206: Agreed. And we do interchange a lot when we are at our best and see more of the ball.
But nominally there is some designated positions that the front line starts with and need to follow to some degree to maintain tactical discipline. There is a balance between fluidity and structure. With Ozil down the middle and Santi on the left both tend to gravitate towards the center and leaving the flanks deprived of creativity. Given that without the ball Ozil is a cleverer player than Santi — who really needs ball on his feet to thrive — starting Ozil nominally on the flank when both of them are playing may make the attacking midfielders, as you said, harder to mark as Ozil would better drag the defenders around and exploit space.
I am utterly fucking shitfaced. Had a smashingly brilliant day. Currently watching the Football League Show on the iPlayer. Don’t really know why I am, but I am. Need some sleep now. Yes I do. See you all on the morrow…
Nice work, Lars!
Doctor F: Totally agree with you on Santi and Ozil. I’m not convinced we play our best when both are on the pitch and we lack either pace or someone like Ramsey who is willing to run all over the pitch to keep play from getting too congested in the middle.
We need to keep the pitch wider. I thought the past few matches that Poldi has managed to sneak his way onto the pitch he did a good job of staying left and only moving centrally when needed. I know I’m going to regret saying this but during the BM match one of announcers made the observation, “Look at Robben hugging the sideline and keeping the pitch wide for the other players.”
Okay, now I feel all dirty and need a shower. With bleach.
I think that comment came when we were down to 10 men, ecg. Against a team a man down, an attack should keep its wingers wide to stretch the defence as much as possible, both to open up gaps and to make the defenders run even more.
Bayonne Jean@185: punching offers a keeper a greater margin of error than catching.
I was relieved to see that the whole team wasn’t down after the midweek disappointment. Well played just about everyone. Same again next week please.
Love the way TR7 takes the ball to the opposition before passing. That way a defender gets committed and a gap created. Just banging it around between defenders gets you nowhere. More TR7 please.
And great to see OG banging them in again, presumably now he has his head in the right place (from his wife?). He looks completely refreshed. Here’s hoping Özil can come back similarly.
Öskar
NBN: You are correct, sir. But I think we need to practice that a bit more with 11 men on the pitch. We get so compact in the middle sometimes and it makes it easier for teams to defend (or harder for us to break through the defense, however you want to look at it). I thought today was a good example of widening the pitch with Poldi staying out to the left and Rozza spending time on right side. It seemed open the pitch for Jack and Santi in the middle.
OtD: yellow card, sir! 😛
BMBD
Hi Holic.
Off topic a bit I know – I watched the Bayern game in a pub at 8.30 am in Queenstown in New Zealands South Island – surely one of this planets most fabulous locations – with an Irishman and an Englishman half my age, and a few good natured German Munich fans for company.
With Queenstown”s spectaular Mountains and lake as a backdrop, I, and my new friends, enjoyed a highly competetive, and evenly contested fist half.
The man from Galway, although entirely Arsenal, remained calm throughout, with thoughtful obsevations, wit and humour in abundunce.
The man fron Hendon exstremely vociferous and critical. But united we stood.
We agreed post match that the tie was gone.But proud of our team in defeat. We will never know if, on a level playing field, we could have beaten them.
We move on.
Sunderland was a showcase of everything that is good about the current Arsenal. First class ambition and quality passing and movement. We dominated a decent team. Podolski remains a mystery worthy of the Famous Five, The Secret Seven, or Sherlock Holmes. Why isnt he on the team sheet every week? He carries a constant goal threat,moves and rotates the ball very well, and is a perpetual thorn in the side of opposition defences. I love him!
Everybody good today — stand out players – Santi, Poldi, Bac and Poldi.
None better than Giroud and TR7.
A treat.
Its on, boys and girls.
Vist Queenstown, Central Otago, New Zealand — if your not flat out impressed, Jamie Rednapp is a first class, erudite, and thought provocking pundit.
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