Let’s See An Improved Shield In The Shield
Aug 9th, 2014 by 'holic
The return of the domestic season brings with it a familiar old routine. Listen to Arsene’s presser, and put together a preview bigging up the Gunners chances of success in the fixture to come. Or maybe not, this week. It is the last week until next May when the result is secondary to the performance. We meet the reigning champions at Wembley for the Community Shield. Silverware it may be, but not important enough to be painted on a hoarding at the Grove.
What we do need to do is serve notice to Manchester City, and our other rivals in the coming months, that the soft centre brutally exposed by others on occasion last season is a thing of the past, even without our three World Cup winners. It will be more than a little interesting to see the eleven that Arsene starts with after the mixed messages he would have got last weekend. After what would be regarded as a second string had dismantled Benfica, a senior eleven failed to see off the challenge of Monaco.
If I were to guess how we we line-up I would imagine this might be an opportunity for David Ospina to make his debut in goal. Arsene knows well the shape that Wojciech Szczesny is in and the Pole is surely starting the season as number one, but a first appearance at Wembley would be quite the way to start the Colombian’s acclimatisation to English football. With Per Mertesacker missing there is an opportunity for Calum Chambers to partner Laurent Koscielny in the centre of defence, flanked by Mathieu Debuchy and Kieran Gibbs.
Most intriguing of all are the midfield options. If Arsene sticks with his preferred formation from last season then Mikel Arteta and Aaron Ramsey could form the base, with Alexis Sanchez and Santi Cazorla flanking Tomas Rosicky in the main playmaking role. Given their respective performances last weekend there must be a temptation for Arsene to start Yaya Sanogo ahead of Olivier Giroud up front, but my hunch is that the latter will get the nod in a bid to get his match fitness closer to the expected level.
Even without our Germans that would leave a strong looking bench including Szczesny, Nacho Monreal, Jack Wilshere, Mathieu Flamini, Joel Campbell, and Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain, as well as the in-form Hector Bellerin. The Arsenal old boys, or Manchester City as they prefer to be known, provide a stern test, and as it is only a prelude to the new season I will not be risking the ‘holic pound on the outcome. Having said that, Aaron Ramsey to score at anytime looks an interesting proposition at 4/1.
To those going, I hope you have a wonderful day out, as ever.
Farewell skipper
It was as inevitable as it was sad that Thomas Vermaelen’s association with the club ended today with a move to our other old boys, Barcelona. Thomas was an excellent servant and a quality central defender unlucky to be around at the same time as we had Laurent Koscielny and Per Mertesacker. From captain to back-up must be a very difficult adaptation to make, but I saw at first hand his positive and enthusiastic approach at the club’s pre-Cup Final presser. At 28 the Belgian international wants regular first team football and at Barca he has an excellent chance of achieving that. Yes, we need a replacement, but that is for another day. For now can we just wish the departing Vermaelen all the best for his future, and thanks for what he brought to Arsenal Football Club.
The Goonerholic Fantasy Premier League
This has now been set up for the coming season, so please feel free to join us for a bit of fun at http://fantasy.premierleague.com. The code for joining the league is 1429286-330554.
That’s it for now. Have a great Sunday, ‘holics.
267 Responses to “Let’s See An Improved Shield In The Shield”
Bring it on.
Drink (defensively oriented).
3rd!
Agree on fronts, maestro, except I will be very surprised if Giroud starts tomorrow, I rather think it will be Sanogo or Alexis upfront for us tomorrow.
For now can we just wish the departing Vermaelen all the best for his future, and thanks for what he brought to Arsenal Football Club.
Amen to that.
The beginning of real Football?!!
Say it ain’t soooo.
Hope you had a blessed summer, ‘Holic.
Looking forward to a new season.
Great expectations and hopes this year. Let’s win a few starting tomorrow.
Cheers
Ex-skipper scored more times then Jack.
Holic, an excellent preview and a classy tribute to TV5 who comported himself throughout last season with dignity and class and was a very positive influence in the dressing room. His last duty as a a Gunner was to lift the FA Cup. A great way to end and I wish him well although I suspect he may find the politics and pressures of Barca a problem.
I confess to being very puzzled by the strange wild goose chase the press have led us on which I know interests some at this bar more than others.
I have one or two sources at the club which are by no means heavily in the know but I am led to believe that we have never been in for Balotelli, Khedira, Carvalho or Schneiderlin, that any midfielder will be another CM and not what most of us think we need ( another Gilberto Silva, although another Vieira would do:) and Arteta will be captain for next season.
While I have a great regard for Arteta he would not be in my favoured first eleven and although AW doesn’t place the same priority on the role as some British fans do I suspect it will mean he starts more games than he should or we will have the captain’s programme notes written for the second season running by one of the benchwarmers. BFG is the spiritual captain of that team and was the obvious choice in my view.
So we can take most of what the gossip columns ( and some supposedly reputable Spanish- based journalists) tell us as the codswallop it is and start to focus on what we are likely to achieve next season. I suspect if we did make a big signing we may see Podolski or Cazorla leave as Arsene likes to balance the books as best he can.
And I would reiterate what great pieces the Brady and Rosicky articles are. Both top men and great players.
Cheers Holic,
Will be reduced to watching in 2D tomorrow – do I need to hunt for streams or is it on Council TV?
Good luck to Vermalen. A splendid professional and when fit and in form a very good defender.
I think he will be a success at Barca. They have recently missed Puyol’s drive, playing out from the back and set-piece nous on both ends. All areas where our departing skipper is excellent at.
The Fife Zico 🙂
BT Sport maestro. Hope you can get that?
Just finished reading the Rosicky article. He’s a very intelligent and level-headed guy who will have a lot of options after he retires, including coaching if he wants.
TTG@8: “I suspect if we did make a big signing we may see Podolski or Cazorla leave as Arsene likes to balance the books as best he can.” Excluding whatever replacement signing we make for TV5, right? And it could be that one is for a versatile enough player who can play at the base of the defense as well, no?
I think we will sign at least one defensive minded player — versatile enough to play CB/fullback or CB/DM — and maybe two, especially if we get one of our long-time targets. I still think Bender or Gustavo would be great additions to this team.
Cent — just finished reading Brady’s interview from your linked article. Thanks for sharing.
Same with Lovegood’s link to the evergreen Rosicky’s interview. Illuminating how his early childhood (relative) hardship helped to shape his more thoughtful perspective.
Fine preview, H and a very nice tribute to TV5.
Exemplary and dignified season from TV5 despite the frustration he must have felt at being captain but unable to regain his place in the first team. I remember feeling that we had finally signed a decent centre half when he arrived and he had an excellent first season before being crocked by his bizarre achilles problem. Good luck at Barca, you’ll certainly improve them.
As for tomorrow, TOMBD.
Good Evening everyone.
Holic, As always, appreciate your kind words about one of our own. Like most, am relieved TV is now with Barca. A team I greatly enjoy, and yes, respect. 😉
Don’t blame you a bit on not predicting tomorrow’s outcome. It gonna be a tussle! 🙂
ttg, from previous drinks. I can’t believe no one challenged you about your remark about Celtic! Have you ever heard and seen their fans (Lol) 🙂
ta ‘holic
and a fitting
bye bye belginator
.
i know people
have gone to great lengths
to paint tomorrow as
an entertaining kickabout
i get that
.
but
i know that after
my hour long hike to the bar
nipping as i go
try as i might
i will revert to type
and be roaring at the tv
long before
i realise i have begun
.
as devo said
uncontrollable urge
.
like pretending
you have no interest whatsoever
in an ex-girlfriend
who appears in the bar
after years
only to get caught
checking out the progress of her backside
as she walks past you on the way to the bog
.
lookin forward to tomorrow
definite one Arse
possible second
😉
.
COME ON YOU RIP ROARIN !!!!!!!!!!!!!
Let’s see the tactically inept fool Wenger sacked before September, Wenger Out
Ah cheers H –
BT sport yes, on mute 😉
BREAKING NEWS-
Oscar Pistorius has sacked his legal team. He has hired Celtic’s as he heard you can lose both legs and still win.
Just sayin.
🙂
Interesting article by Amy Lawrence on the Guardian website on Shad Forsythe
Amy Lawrence LOL, go do the washing up and leave football to the men!
LHTG cheers
EIE – you appear to be missing IO
Thanks, H. Great write up.
Tommy V was a faithful servant, really couldn’t ask more of him. I hope he stays fit for a considerable length of time and gets games.
As regards the lineup, Campbell and Sanogo would be my wild cards. That’s because of the ‘pace’ factor. Now that we have players that would make other teams think carefully about keeping a high defensive line against us, we should use them. We would also be able to ‘protect’ Arteta at the base of the mid-field. On that note I would replace Rosicky and Giroud with Campbell and Sanogo.
The season is upon us, enjoy.
UTA
Steve T Hi there! Big smile with some ‘width’ 🙂
EIE, Have you ever read our own Delia’s match reports? She ‘s my hero! Even though she sometimes makes me wince, as she shows no mercy on our lads 😉
It’s nice to see a preview again. It does mean we are all that closer to the real thing.
Tomorrow for me is a glorified friendly with nothing more at stake than a few limp wristed bragging rites. As with all friendlies I just hope that we gain an extra run out, some extra fitness, some more sharpness and all injury free. For those going enjoy. I must admit that I passed up the opportunity of my ticket.
Re TV5. As most have already said, good luck to him. I have always held him in the highest regard. On his day he was a good warrior with a decent eye for goal. After injuries and the formation of the Kos Per alliance he had limited chances. But he was still the captain. He still wrote his prog notes each week and still represented the club with dignity. Unlike other club captains that will remain nameless. A consummate professional. I hope he has a long career at Barca and gives old monkey boy a clump or two when they play Real.
You would have to hope that if we have agreed this deal that a replacement is already on his way. I can’t believe that we would go into the Palace game with only one available first choice centre half?
Big hugs to Nursie. I hope all is well in your world?
cba heh heh
Here’s the article short link – http://gu.com/p/4vtjd
Good points Steve T.
Cheers, Holic.
Not sure Woj will be terribly amused to sit out another Wembley occasion but can see why he might.
Nice words for the very dignified Tommy V. Good luck to him.
Does he ever learn?
http://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/football/teams/manchester-city/11024034/Manchester-City-midfielder-Samir-Nasri-urges-Arsenal-fans-not-to-boo-him-in-Community-Shield.html
Nice one Holic, another balanced and level-headed view of things.
However, I’m not buying into this misty-eyed revisionism about the Verminator. Let’s face facts, he was a badly loose cannon who was a very slow learner in the positional sense department. That said, he made sure while on the sidelines that the stories weren’t about him. Best of luck to him in his new chapter.
Clearly not SG. Not the sharpest tool in the box.
Also in that Telegraph article:
Gibbs on Alexis Sanchez: ““He’s like an animal in training and on the pitch.” 8)
“limp wristed bragging rites”
🙂
.
worth a chuckle is that
🙂
Howdy cba.
LHTG – good link to the Amy Lawrence article.
Might warrant a quick explanatory piece for a quiet day – if I get a quiet day !
Bath,
Agreed re TV – i believe his injuries were to plantaris tendons rather than the Achilles – just to be pedantic.
Trust you’re well, sir. 😉
big howdy
steve T
trust yer well fella
.
and
how’s yerself trev
well ?
.
two big guns in for a late one
🙂
Let’s not make Rambo captain … our captains keep leaving us. Sadly I don’t believe we have a obvious captain in the club currently, so might have to buy one. Any suggestions?
Öskar
All good Fanx cba.
I trust the same can be said for you and yours??
For me big Per is more than an obvious choice as captain. He is a leader in every sense of the word and rapidly on the way to becoming a club legend. Rambo is the natural vice captain for me. Ready to assume the rites to the thrown as and when the time is right.
@steve T, pls no captaincy for Rambo. Don’t wanna loose him too.
Why would we lose him????
Kind of you to damn me with faint praise, LHTG (#40 previous drinks) knowing precious little about me or my career. “…you have no experience of athletes and performances. Managing exhibitions and media is akin to office work” indeed! For the record the majority of my career was in creating and managing special events … a succession of one-off shows that had to be right on the night (or day) and put together in short time-frames. Until you’ve had to mould an ensemble company of extreme egos on the world celebrity speakers/performers/musos circuit for a one-off show mounted under demanding time and creative constraints you don’t know what man management is mate. I imagine working with the same set of egos long-term would be a relative doddle. No, I don’t imagine for a minute that it would be easy, just different.
Öskar
Why would we lose Rambo, Trev? Cesc, RvP and TV were our most recent captains. 🙁
Öskar
…and TH before them, for that matter!
Öskar
Porco rosso. Short memory have ya?
TV5. The verminator. Stellar fisrt season at the arsenal. If you dont rate him, then fine. But dont go trying to rewrite history and paint the man black.
Model professional. Great on his day. Good on most. Okay in a few. But to call foul when it doesnt properly lie is just wrong.
I call foul on you sir. Big foul. Stand that down.
Agreed. Best of luck to him. And thanks for the memories.
The good ones at least.
Model professional indeed. In this day and age, he could have stood his ground and demand a move to Old Toilet like the Dutch Skunk. Much respect to TV5 for that. All the best to him.
ABB
I was not trying to wind closet Celtic fans up!
I have some very good friends who are Celtic fans, one who sadly died recently was a great historian of the club and I have immense respect for the passion of their fans and the history of a great club.
But they play in a useless league , are not making the sort of money they need to compete in the CL and are pretty useless at present as the Legia results show.
We would beat them about 5 or 6 nil on aggregate. We beat them pretty comprehensively a few years ago and they have deteriorated since.
Regards 🙂
Credit to Homer at 45.
Until TV5 was injured he was sensational and one of the most desired centre backs in Europe. Nothing but gratitude to him and hope he is a sensation in a very unsuccessful team!
Just to reiterate Re the captaincy, BFG is one of the most natural captains I have seen and I agree with Steve T that Aaron would be a great vice- captain.
I note that Chambers is going to be a DM sensation and a long- term CB. I hope we don’t expect a very inexperienced lad to run before he can walk and overburden him. He has only played 25 games in the PL. I am sure AW has weighed up the next acquisition and as DR. F says it may be someone with versatility who can do similarly to Chambers. He never was one to buy two players when one would do !
Nice write up Holic and balanced as always but still with a bit of fire to win.
Shame their isn’t the same balanced views with others on TV5.
I am with porco and struggling to understand the rose coloured views and misty eyed views on TV5.
Porco has simply mentioned that he wasn’t that great, but good luck to him. He was 100% correct.
Credit should be passed on porco for the truth, not homer and the misty eyed exaggerations about a very average central defender.
Why is one decent year all of a sudden so grand.
I notice there is no mentions of some of his changers….
AW knows how average he was in the end, hence why he didn’t choose to play him….even when our club captain.
AW knows !
big per for captain – a lay down mezaire.
Aaron for VC – yep why not.
“Why is one decent year all of a sudden so grand…”
Grand because he was the club captain.
Grand because he treated the club respectfully by not signing for a rival and by keeping his mouth shut in not talking up a move elsewhere.
Grand because he acted in a professional and dignified way throughout.
I wish TV5 well.
Having a little respect costs nothing.
It’s my birthday today here in Aussie
All I ask for is a gunners win tonight our time
2-1 will do Sanchez & sanogo
Time it fire up BBQ and a celebratory sav blanc( Aussie) not nz
Oskar, I meant no offence (although the brevity of the post unfortunately lent itself to such a suggestion). Certainly, it was not to damn you with faint praise. The medium in which we converse is ambiguous and so trying to grasp, and understand, the personalities and backgrounds is occasionally difficult, and very often (in my case) wrong.
The revelation of some of your past helps to flesh out the person and I can comprehend the stress of such pressures in your previous life. However, the current management of elite athletes requires periods of rest and periodisation in training loads in order to achieve optimal fitness. Without a three-deep in every position squad I maintain that our current approach is appropriate as regards rest, and then returning to training.
Joe agreed.
bloody chuckin it down here
gonna be a wet mucky
trip down the road
.
my trusty hip flask
will be takin’ a beatin’
need the elephant’s hip one today
.
happy birthday sydred
and
howdy ‘holic
howdy all-ic
.
cheerio
now let’s batter those twonks
in this “unimportant sunday league game”
😉
Joe knows (as usual).
A double HP 18yo on the bar, for a man with class.
Respect for professional demeanour (a very rare thing in football, among players, journos and, fans) is not ‘misty eyed revisionism’.
TV5 was our third best CB as soon as Per arrived. His ability to combine with Kos was poor, his inclination to surge forwards is a weakness and he cost us points (but which defender hasn’t, though he cost more than many). His goals in his first season masked these flaws to some extent but he was a definite step up for us at CB when he arrived. He was never going to dislodge a fit Per and Kos and it’s right he is moved on.
Furthermore our new-found ability to resist a move to a direct rival is something to be celebrated.
Thanks for your contribution TV5 and your professionalism. Good luck at Barca (except when you play us). Enjoy the sunshine.
Trev, I stand corrected. Well thanks, hope the knee is coming along nicely. (Might need you at CH).
Thank you abb, I will try to be as positive today as the performance and weather allows.
Sad to see TV5 go. He made such an impact in his first season, loved those runs and belting strikes. Where did that form go? Long lay-offs do nothing to regaining form and of course the French/German axis had formed their partnership. I too wish him well.
Hoping to see Campbell, Alexis and the Ox start up front but the wind and rain might make the contest a lottery. Water proof trousers a must today for that walk down Wembley Way. Have fun Holics.
COYRs
Hi, all.
Finally relocated down south this past week. Hoping the boys will get me off to a good start. Up The Arse!
Homer, I’m standing nothing down – my post is positive overall.
Try reading it again, I gave him credit for not kicking up a fuss about being sidelined for a season. Sure he was decent in his first season but never really good. Thereafter he was conspicuous in his appearance of nervousness in defensive situations (and I don’t just mean his fresh air kick and generous pass to RVP). Once again, I wish the guy well.
Joe – quite agree.
TV5 looked terrific in his first season.
He was very unlucky with two long term, relatively unusual injuries. After them he seemed to have lost his positional discipline in the back four, but maybe his tendency to run too far forwards at the ball was largely caused by having no proper shield in front of him.
Bob Wilson described him, in his earlier days at the club, as a very special defender, so he must have had something.
Add to that the rest of what Joe and Bath have already said.
Hi cba,
keep it clean and dry. 😉
Heh, bath !
The only CH I will make is Completely Hopeless. 😉
Let’s be honest. If we are selling players that we find are surplus to requirements to Barca then we must be moving in the right direction? Barca taking our reserves???? Who would have thought it??
Interesting stat…… If any stat can be considered interesting that is..
“Vermaelen’s move means that Barca have now paid Arsenal £135million in transfer fees for eight different players (The Verminator, Fabregas, Song, Hleb, Henry, Van Bronckhorst, Petit and Overmars) over recent years – which equates to exactly 34.6% of the £390million it cost the club to build the Emirates.”
Good old Barca.
Hummels hubba-hubba. Guess we can get excited about adding ‘the new Sol’ to our shopping list under ‘the new Vieira.’
Hummels/Varane and Carvalho/Schneiderlin would be my fancies. Only one of those id back under 50/1 would be the Prem player.
On to the most significant of the insignificant games. May not be the Scum or Chavs, but I’ll seeth if I have to listen to Nasri, Clichy, Sagna wallop on like wankers about anything after they win the serving plate. No doubt it will be a much rosier week of transfer tattle and preseason mug acca backing if we win. Our boys know that, I’m sure they won’t let us down.
Forward
Hey, Steve T,
NBN’s stats are always interesting. And that’s very decent of Barcelona.
Man City must have paid for another 20% ….. ?
Sorry, Joe,
That was very remiss of me, so I’ve taken my lead from Bath and left you an 18 year old on the bar …… 😉
if you didn’t intend that last Vermaelen tribute to be emotional..well holic ol’ pal you failed as i found myself wiping a tear…great servant as u said..and never kicked up fuss when he was demoted..i def wish him all the best, except when we are about to knock them out of the UCL…for today’s game i certainly hope we don’t treat it as a friendly cos we are anything but chummy with those rich @%?!s …http://gidigooner.blogspot.com/2014/08/community-sheild-preview-arsenal-vs.html
Hey all.
Shame to see TV5 go, but his high goal scoring 1st season surely has left the rose-tinted glasses firmly in place for some Holics. I would’ve taken less goals from him over the years for more defensive awareness, when not to push up leaving the defence high and dry etc. Having to be played at LB on occasion where he wasn’t too comfortable didn’t help him much either but from dutifully writing his programme notes every week (really enjoyable reads) to filling in where required, he was the consummate professional and I thank him for his years of service & wish him well at Barca, apart from the obvious scenario :p
I’m on my way to Wembley & I’m looking forward to seeing who gets the nod as Captain today, that person will most likely be taking on the role for the upcoming season. My head tells me it will be Arteta for the 2014-2015 season with Mertesacker as his Vice-Captain, as he was the previous Vice-Captain, he is Arsene’s tactical leader on the pitch & Arsene is fair with his players, as seen by Fabianski playing in the FA Cup Final. But my heart wants it to be Mertesacker with Ramsey as his Vice-Captain, learning the ropes from now. Arteta’s only got one year left on his contract, and I doubt he’ll be starting that many games next season, especially the big ones. The passion the BFG showed during last year’s run to the Final was endearingly unquestionable, he definitely is the majority of the people’s choice.
But as always, it’s gonna come down to Arsene, and I’ll be happy with whatever decision he makes.
A ‘Ray Parlour’ has been consumed, my current prescription prevents me from drinking alcohol so Piebury Corner’s the next best thing haha :p
Reckon we’ll win to the tune of 3-1, but like ‘holic I’m not confident enough to back the outcome haha. Hoping for a good game regardless, come on Arsenal!
Nice one Guv.
Well, it all starts over a few hours, the curtain opener or the last friendly, however you choose to see it. I’m not sure what to expect nor what or line up will be, just hoping we give a good account of ourselves and that all involved come through unscathed, so that we go into battle raring to go when next saturday, when it really matters.
Have fun all those who are going.
_____
Like to wish Tommy V all the best, personally I thought he had been found out over the past few seasons, but a consumate proffesional none the less and I have the greatest respect that he carried himself with dignity, never choosing to moan, over what must of been a difficult period for him.
TTG, from previous.
You asked why we couldn’t be drawn against Celtic.
I believe it’s because they were champions of their league. (not 100% sure though)
Just realised Per won’t be featuring for us today on account of still being on holiday… Arteta for Captain it is then!
Pool look sharp against dortmund .. 4-0 up currently!
Going to be an interesting season!
Light up the Oilers!
Up The Arse!
😀
Happy Birthday sydneyred and Come on you other Reds!!
re Chambers: not even that many, ttg. 22 league games for Southampton and three in the league cup. Not so much as a single yellow card in any of them, though.
Also, I wouldn’t worry about Arteta being made captain and playing more games than he should as a result. AW showed with TV5 that the captaincy is no automatic guarantee of getting a game.
Eloquent tribute to TV5, ‘Holic. btw, it looks as if Ajax gets 3.75% of the fee under a sell-on clause triggered if he was sold to a club outside the Premiership.
Happy birthday, SydneyRed.
Trev@65: 🙂
Arsenal: Szczesny, Debuchy, Koscielny, Chambers, Gibbs, Arteta, Wilshere, Ramsey, Alexis, Cazorla, Sanogo
Yes, sorry…
Many Happy returns Sydney Red.
Sanogo it is, Szczesny starts, and Wishere in, not Rosicky. I’ll take 8/11 🙂
Happy birthday SydneyRed, have a good one.
Glad Sanogo is starting today. Go get ’em, Big man!
Ospina not even on the bench
Happy bday Sydney red, hope you enjoyed Sydney at its winters best today. Good day for a barbie !
Just returned home from Juventis v A league all stars in Sydney.
Good match and was surprised to see what a monster Paul Pogba is in person.
He is a mountain with skill and speed and scored the winning goal.
Watching players like Pirlo and Pogba play live in Sydney was quite amazing.
60,000 strong fans.
Now onto the arsenal.
COYR
Good luck with the move Cent, and happy birthday Sydneyred 🙂
Surprised Diaby is not starting?????????
8/11 Holic,
Sounds like quite a high scoring game then …… 😉
Steve T,
Diaby out with hip injury!
Joe- perhaps it is you and homer with the short memory maybe.
Watch a few of our losses in recent years with TV5 at the helm of our defence and Johan Djorou next to him and then tell all how fantastic he was.
His first good year was a fair while ago now…
AW knows.
Happy B’day Mr. Sydneyred! Can you see the balloons? Now blow out all 20 candles 😉
Delia, don’t you change a thing, you hear! xx
Steve T, I’m sorry, I left for work so I didn’t see your inquiry 🙁
Centy, Good for you! You must let us know where you will watch the games now xx
Ttg, First of all, sorry about your mate. And it really was nice of you to say that about their fans. Very pleased.
Sorry folks for the length of these remarks, but I don’t want anyone thinking I ignored them!!! 🙂
Cent, the South has its own very different challenges, but good luck to you anyway.
Hoping for a good performance from our boys today.
Diaby out injured?????????
Who would have thought that??????
Does anyone ever think he will move to the status of “like a new signing?”
Here we go
Cmon you reds
Good to see Pat rice looking so well in the pre match ceremony
Audio only for me, so don’t be shy with your observations, holics.
Good luck lads! ♥
COME ON YOU REDZZZZ
I can’t tell you how excited I woke up for this game!! come on you reds!!
abb, we look goood out there 🙂
Debuchy can pass and Alexis can play!
Come On!!!!!!!!
Ooh sonogo close with a header set up by debuchy who was set up by sanchez
Looks a good even contest so far
Lots of nice boooos for nasri which is always fun
and debauchee not afraid to get stuck in, either.
Hi Scruz, Oh sounds like we’re clicking 🙂
Aussie, Naughty step 😉
Great ball from alexis to sonogo
Good sign
hey abb, yes, so far, great energy and application.
Wow alexis mucking in the defensive work
but woe on clichy’s hair. it should have a position all it’s own.
At keast the scoreline is better already than out last trip here
Fair enough porco. Fair enough.
Have a drink on me.
Chambers on the surge
Bad hair day indeed scriz for Gael.
Santiiiiiiiiii
SAANNNTTTIIII
ssssssssaaaaaaaannnnnnttttiiiiiiii
O Santi Cazorla!
😀
Santi, oh wow! Goal, yippee!
Cazorla!!!!!
Get the fuck in Santi!
grinning from ear to ear.
Cmon boys
Lets keep the roll goin now
Our possession has been quality
Cheers, Wind.
Nursie, I will be watching at home, Viewing centres or bars(pubs).
Frank, of course the south has it’s own challenges, just like every other part of the world.
Get in! SANTIIIIIIIIII
Sanogo the assist?
Looked like he poked that in rigjt around clichy too.
Excellent.
Wow alexis is lightening fast
I am very impressed with our pressing game.
Hi Cent xx Happy you have several options.
Yep sonogo the assist and just nearly scored on the break as well
great move down the left, sanogo just wide.
TY Aussie!
We look good sharp fit and strong
Great early sign for the season
Good bench and still the germans to come back
Plenty of commitment in tackles from both sides
Not like a friendly
jack lets yaya know he’s there.
Callum almost drops chez in it.
Debuchy and sanchez look like they have played togeather for years
Straight into the arsenal groove
Suck shit nasri misses in front
the vanishing spray!
Straight onto mikels boots.
ah, bac’s sitting on his own, is that a smile on his face?
Great defence by the arse
May have to turn stewart Robson off me thinks
For a big strong guy, Dzeko goes down awfully easy.
Aaaaaroooooon
Sanogo and aaaaaronnnnnn
aaaarrrroooonnnnnnn
Ramsay!!!!
Comon you good things
another sanogo assist!
Aaron Ramsey Goal! Sanogo 2nd assist?!
Clichy mistake even better
AAAROOON!
Focking Brilliant!
Sanchez –> Sanogo –> Ramsey!
Sanchez vision and passing is superb! And he was running from deep in defence too!
😀
Yep sanogo 2 assists for 2
Haha too funny scruz 🙂
that pass from Sanchez to Sanogo, perfectly weighted.
Sanogo showed good strength holding off the defence
And the arsenal away fans are into it
Oooooh alexis breakaway
oh that was Alexis’ chance…
2 nil against city
Fucking get in you good things
well that was fun!
Enjoyed that….
Alexis still a little off pace, although he’s running everywhere! He can only get fitter as the season continues, bodes well for us!
Methinks pellegrini forgot to play proper defenders against us.
😀
Half way there.
Our new signings are improving with each game.
A big season ahead!!
BB
On cue as usual 😉
I am impressed with debuchy’s positioning, skills and workrate in defence
Now let’s finish strongCOYG!!!!!!
GT,
Good to see you’re watching the demolition of the oilers.
😀
Wonder if that bloke who engraves the trophies is getting his chisel ready…..
Nacho on
Ox on
oG on
Giroud, Ox and Monreal on for us!
C mon Ox!
Kos off
Sanogo off
Sanchez off
Monreal having a good start!
Handballllll refff
Sczez indecisive
City nearly score
Aaron is a boss really.
Aaron amazing back-flick
woj!
Wowwwwwww
OG
Thumping strikeeeeeee
Take that all the Giroud haters!
LOL… what a goal!
😀
BRILIANT GIROOOUUUD
I can’t wait to see OG’s goal. Sounds special!
WHAT A GOAL!
3 nil
Can it be true…….
OG !!!!
Wow.
What.The.Fuck.Was.That?
Masterstroke Giroud! Huh, always knew he has this in his locker, but …
Assist goes to?
Surely that bloke can start scribing the trophy now
oG
Og
Og
A one man goal that one abb
Aussie, he must of scored from distance, boy oh boy!
Haha
Arsenal fans doin the posman to the city fans
Classic
Abb,
They say it was deflected, if it was it was ever so slightly, nothing to take away from the brilliant strike.. thumper it was!
😀
Ha, good for our fans (@188) 😉
Received a pass outside the 18 yd box held off his man took a touch onto his foot and curled and thumped into the top of the net straight past the hapless city keeper
Then he thumped his arsenal badge and said ” do you remember me” dont worry about the others….
Oh what a fuckin strike!!
BB, I’m going to troll twitter for that goal (after the game!)
BB @ 162
I wouldn’t have it any other way 😉
Flamster coming on
Doesnt like the new shirt
Cant tear it off
Wilshire off
Abb
I see a big season ahead!!
Flamini coming on.. they’re in for it now!
😀
City look very unlike a team
More like a bunch of individuals
No cohesion
GT, Amazing isn’t it. We have so much talent and grit!
Santi gets a standing ovation and off
Rosicky coming on now!
Yes!!!!
😀
IF we can keep our boys fit for most of the season, methinks we’ll have a trophy or two in the bag!
😀
Debuchy a beast in defence for a little fella
boy do we look much more physically imposing today.
We have 44% possession but 3 nil up?! Is this the new reality?!
😀
Good work from Calum (with one L)
Even better BB there have been hardly any denilsonesque sideways passes in that 44%
We are actually attacking in a forward direction with regular abandon
Looked like a leg breaker from Fernando.
Guys a loose cannon. .
Gibbs and that ankle again
Oh crap.
Gibbs looked great today.
Joelthegoal coming on
Aaron off
Ouch Gibbs!
Hope it’s minor!
He is still on but he took his boot off straight away
Chambers looks a player doesnt he?
Biggest cheer of the day was when that city player tripped on the ball … who was it anyway?!
😀
Can anyone explain why english folks dont wear hats in the sun, but prefer to hold the hand up over their eyes for an extended period.
Are baseball hats expensive in the UK .
Chambers is a very astute signing! He will definitely feature going forward!
Fernando ( there new butcher)
Debuchy is quality. Huge update on Sagna both in offensive and in defensive department.
Correct BB – very solid and calm for a young lad
Update=upgrade obviously.
Szzez bad head clash in unbelievably brave header outside his box
Szcers trying his best to give Ospina a chance later….
🙁
Lurky – too right on debuchy. Top game
Is Woj ok? Commentators on player not giving much info!
Gibbs is still limping, not looking good.
3 nil and a top effort from AW and the team
Squad looks deeper in all areas
Not bad for a still unfit Giroud : https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pN71wospxgw
😀
Well done arsenal.
Gibbs had navas in his pocket most of that game. Looked excellent. Hope that ankle is ok.
And yes. Lurky you are right. Debuchy looks all that. And more.
Think we may have escaped any serious injuries in this one, everyone here should be available for selection next week!
😀
Great Shield if you ask me just seen the goals on holiday in Poland!
Coming back next Sat come on Arsenal!
Ohh.. the previous vid was taken down.. here’s another : https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gYgcMVtgKjs
Nice goal Giroud!
Brightest moment of the day — Pat Rice handing out the medals and the shield. Great to see!
BB,That REALLY is a wonder goal. Lovely!!!
Good to hear no serious injuries…hoping on that one.
Chambers getting some rave reviews and Debuchy at what 28 or 29 years old, good for him!
Pat Rice looks absolutely delighted! And so do our whole squad!
Pre-season friendly or not, a win is a win!
We are shaping up nicely, many more to come!
😀
ATG, hope you’re having a blast, enjoy your Vacay!
Bayonne, Pat Rice looking healthy is wonderful xx
ohhhhhhhhh, just saw Aaron’t goal. From such a tight angle, what a beauty!
Abb,
That came out of nowhere, looks like Giroud is up for it this season.
On another note, a replacement for Vermaelen and we’re good to go!
The interview before the match had Arsene saying that he was looking at one or two probabilities but nothing concrete yet!
Fingers crossed!
😀
Now that was nice.
BB, Your optimism is well grounded!
Feel like a kid in a candy store. Santi had to do a little dance around his man, to score. Great footwork 🙂
Potato pancakes and applesauce on the bar, cheers holics 🙂
Abb,
Beginning to believe that there is no pre-season about Aaron, he’s on all the time. MOTM for me.
Chambers and Debuchy despite a mistake or two did not concede, and that’s always a good sign! Sign of a good team, not playing well but winning!
Am really looking forward to our opening match!
😀
—————————————–
Calum Chambers, who started at centre-back for Arsenal, speaking to BBC Radio 5 live: “It’s a fantastic team, we have got a great spirit here and I think we’re going to do really well this season. Everyone has been really great and really welcomed me here.
“I am really enjoying playing centre-back, I feel very comfortable there and maybe it could be a position for me.
“Today we showed what we can do so I hope this can continue for the season.”
—
Arsenal midfielder Jack Wilshere, speaking to BBC Radio 5 live: “I think the message we wanted to send out was we are ready, it is the biggest game of pre season and we passed the test. Just because we beat the champions doesn’t mean we will be champions because it doesn’t work like that but we are ready.
“We have got a great team ethic here and I hope we can take that into the season.
“It’s s big season for me, last season was a bit stop start but I have had my first proper pre season and I am feeling good.”
—
Arsenal and Wales midfielder Aaron Ramsey, speaking to BBC Radio 5 live: “We have prepared well and it paid off as we came out 3-0 winners and they couldn’t get near us for the first 25 minutes.
“We didn’t take anything lightly or for granted and we prepared for it properly. Last season we got off to a bad start against Aston Villa so we will have another good week of training and then be ready for next weekend.
“I am feeling good, I have had a good pre season and hopefully I can have another good season.”
—
Arsenal goalscorer Olivier Giroud, speaking to BT Sport: “I felt I could shoot, I was a bit lucky but I did what I really wanted to do and score.
“We came back to pre-season a few weeks ago and I had a really good feeling about our understanding on the pitch, especially with the new players. I think we will be stronger this year. We are getting better and better and I think we will do very well.”
Arteta had a very good game today, looking sharper and stronger then usual. Wilshere had a decent game too, but needs to learn to stay on his feet rather then falling down.
Anyway, I think we are two players short. Vermalen replacement is a must and stronger, taller, faster and more mobile DM would be welcomed too.
Arsene :-
“Calum Chambers did not play there by coincidence – I have seen the qualities he has shown today. He had never played alongside Nacho Monreal before and he was outstanding.
“Alexis Sanchez is not completely ready physically but he was lively in the first half and it will be very interesting for the future. People who watch the Premier League should be excited because we have so many strong teams.”
abb
Thanks mate just drove back from Slovakia traffic was bad so missed the game. We won three nil, I assume we played well? Caught last 5 minutes 🙁
Arsenal shirt seemed to impress folk in Slovakia too!
Lurky,
Acquiring those two positions you mentioned would be ideal. However i feel that when we get a replacement for Vermy, then Chambers would probably have a try out at that DM position. Arsene is still fiddling around to see what is his best position.
With his quality, would not want him on the bench but to play him as much as possible to develop him further. May be a real unpolished gem we have here!
😀
Even Monreal played good. Can’t help getting way to excited.
Great game, I knew it COYG!!!!!!!
Happy!
Arteta is officially named a captain. Not sure what that means to our expectations to sign a DM but I have suddenly lowered my belief that we are going to sign one.
There is time for Arsene to surprise me though.
ATG @ 245 Haven’t seen the game either, just our goals. But sounds like it was an excellent showing by all our lads 🙂
So they like the Arsenal there. Happy Days!
Arteta was always going to be named captain regardless of other signings.
That’s just how Arsene works.
Kos injured. Just great.
I had to content myself with the end of the game on TalkShite. Right on cue Ray Houghton pointed out that this is nearly Arsenal’s strongest team but City have ten to come back. What garbage. Three of our Cup Final team were absent, Theo was unfit and Abou was out too.
So punditry of the highest calibre Houghton. They had Toure, Silva, Navas, Nasri , Dzeko and Kolarov involved so if they add ten to that they will have sixteen on the pitch next week.
Great fillip but let’s not get too carried away as it begins in earnest next week. Arsenal have gone one hour without a trophy
H2H
Thanks mate you are correct. I just think that rule unbalances the competition.
Abb
Thanks for your kind wishes.
COYG
TTG,
http://www.sincearsenallastwonatrophy.co.uk/
😀
Wenger on winning and attacking options
http://www.arsenal.com/news/news-archive/20140810/wenger-on-winning-and-attacking-options
Lots of info to gleam from there!
TTG – They were doing that “weakened City, strongest Arsenal side” thing on BT too, but I didn’t see much of the game. Michael Owen still sounds like Mike Yarwood doing an impression of Harold Wilson after running a marathon. The guy can barely speak and forgets to breathe when he’s talking.
Cunts the lot of them.
Ttg @254 – BT Sport was trying the same trick –
“Much nearer to Arsenal’s first team” etc etc
And even this – ” it’s the first time Arsenal gave played in the Charity Shield for NINE years ”
Pathetic bias and Michael Owen, please, please just SHUT UP !!!
Good to see us looking so much sharper with that CL qualifier round the corner – Alexis clearly not quite there yet. Very surprised to see we only had 44% possession – certainly more than that in the first half ….. ?
Chambers had an amazing game – Debuchy looks good – a lot of very good determined defensive work going on today.
Might as well inscribe that Premier League trophy now ! 😉
Aha, like minds Cynic. 😉
well now
🙂
COME ON YOU RIP ROARIN TV SHOUTIN
enjoyed that 🙂
tourists annoyed
tourists amused
tourists left
fuck em
drink drivers
.
mind you
negotiating way home soon
mmmmm
.
“there’s that noisy man, Colin”
.
fuck em
.
gonna blast out tunes
on me wee pocket speaker
.
hi viz on
shades on
I Roy on
.
if ye don’t hear from me again
colin’s wife got me with her car door
.
fuck em
.
sour trout and her fat children
.
cheerio
.
UP THE ARSE
🙂
2 trophies in a row. Does that make a trend?
Didn’t see the game. Haven’t seen the goals. Better this way than losing though.
Off to look for the goals.
COYG
Arsenal kit the best I’ve seen in years.
Pat Rice looking much better in a suit than in track suit.
Sartorially splendid all around. 🙂
Ooooohhh
Mooooooo
change of plan
6music krautrock
neu we’re talkin
*groans*
🙂
think i’ll take it easy
sashay
let germany guide me feet
😉
🙂 >>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>
Borussia Dortmund announce Mats Hummels as new club captain in the hope that he avoids being tempted by other clubs…
Captain eh? Little do they know…
😀
Hi Holic And Everyone,
Whats the code of GoonerHolc fantasy premier league?
i wish to join it.
Thanks.