Champions Away – What Could Possibly Go Wrong?
Jan 17th, 2015 by 'holic
Well that wasn’t quite what we had hoped for from our Saturday, was it. Wins for Chelsea, Manchester United, Tottenham, and Liverpool. As I type only Southampton above us might drop points. By the time I finish this blog they may have added to our woes. Not just our woes though. Tomorrow’s opponents will also be aware that not securing the three points will result in going backwards over the course of the weekend.
Of course Manchester City can afford that a little more than us, being within five points of leaders Chelsea. For us, an away fixture at the reigning champions merely provides a vehicle with which to bring up our repeated failings against those we desire to be our rivals for major honours. Could this be the match where finally we break the mental shackles that such clashes seem to create?
Those of you who have listened to this week’s Arsecast will already have heard the thoughts of the man from East Lower, Arseblog himself, and yours truly ahead of the match.
Of course we will have to start without Mathieu Debuchy following the assault on him by Arnautovic last week, but Calum Chambers is fit again and it will be interesting to see if he or Hector Bellerin, impressive last week, gets the right-back berth. On the other flank this supporter hopes that the improving Nacho Monreal gets the nod over Kieran Gibbs if the latter passes a late fitness test.
The shape of the midfield could change. The possibility of starting with a defensive duo of Francis Coquelin and Mathieu Flamini must be strong given the form of David Silva this season. However the absence of Yaya Toure (at the African Cup of Nations) and Samir Nasri (old splinter wounds flared up in his postérieure) may persuade Le Boss to go with Aaron Ramsey alongside one of the aforementioned pair. Santi Cazorla will surely remain in the playmaker role despite the return of Mesut Ozil.
Ozil remains an option for the left sided role but Alex-Oxlade-Chamberlain, Theo Walcott, Tomas Rosicky, and the man of the moment, Alexis Sanchez are all in contention to start out wide too. It is quite interesting that we could have options on the bench including Ramsey, Ozil, Rosicky, and Walcott if we need to change things at any stage of the match.
Olivier Giroud is a shoe-in to start up front given the injury to Danny Welbeck, and the recent departures of Lukas Podolski and Yaya Sanogo on loan. His task will be made no easier by the return of Vincent Kompany, the spiritual leader and talisman of the City defence. At the other end of the pitch Sergio Aguero is back for City ensuring a busy afternoon for Laurent Koscielny and the BFG.
Those who focus on our record against the big clubs ignore the fact that we are unbeaten in two meetings with the champions this season, having battered them 3-0 at Wembley to lift the FA Community Shield before a late Demichelis header earned City a 2-2 draw at the Grove in September. The ‘holic pound is guided by a strange feeling I have that this might be our day. Totally illogical that, I know, but my glass is definitely half full ahead of this one.
The ‘holic Pound
On the evidence of last season we will have to outscore City in their own fortress, and we have a decent scoring record against them, so I am am looking at 2-3. Paddy Power offers 25/1 against that so if it comes in there may well be some bubbles with supper after the match.
Price Freeze Announced
Yesterday (Friday) the club announced a ticket price freeze for next season. There is no doubt that something of an own-goal was scored with the three percent hike for this season following the huge increase in income from television and commercial deals.
Whatever the reason for the cautious approach it is to be applauded on the face of it. Prices remain high, beyond the reach of some, and although one cannot guarantee success it will be interesting to see the approach next January should we appear to go backwards this season.
There is a strain on the family budget that supporters will deal with if a sense of value for money is being provided. Rightly or wrongly success is linked to that for many. The elephant in the room, failure to claim even a Champions League qualifier, would test the limits of many a long-standing Gunner. Here’s hoping we don’t face that situation when the renewal notices are posted.
Not Only, But Also
Oh, and a warm welcome to Krystian Bielik. At £2million let’s hope not too much pressure is heaped on the seventeen year old as he settles into a new life, in a strange country (can I say that?). Good luck , young man. Let’s hope he develops into a real asset in the coming years.
Oh, Southampton have just completed a clean sweep by winning at Newcastle. Hey ho.
That’s enough for now. I have another bottle of ESB calling out to me, so I shall finish by wishing the traveling support a great day in Manchester.
Have a good one, ‘holics.
Cheers.
220 Responses to “Champions Away – What Could Possibly Go Wrong?”
Good preview, gaffer.
Hoping to see a central midfield of Le Coq and Rambo – mobility and aggression. At right back I think we’ll see chambers, given the size of City’s squad. I would be extremely surprised if the winger’s aren’t Alexis and Ox. It would be very Wengerish to start Ozil left wing and shift Alexis up front, but I hope he resists that temptation.
Any sort of result will do me. This is a tough old place to go. That said, if we keep it tight and don’t get into one of those daft open away games of which we’re so fond, anything is possible.
Results today an absolute bastard.
COYG
Nice preview guvna.
Here’s hoping.
Hella fine preview, ‘guv. Here’s hoping your pound comes through.
BMBD
Not just you, ‘Holic, will be delighted if the ‘Holic pound (right capitalisation?) lands tomorrow. Today’s results make this a must-win for both sides.
Nicely done, holic. 3-2 to the good guys would be a great, if angst ridden victory. Not too much choice, though, if there was a game to win it is this one. I think we can do it.
Greetings from a very humid Barbados. Don’t like the results you get over here and don’t like hotels where every other person appears to be a Chelsea supporter, especially when they go on a rampage.
I have been optimistic about this match but the closer we get to it that is fading a bit, but hen I’m always like that! I have negotiated viewing rights with Mrs TTG but it will cost me ( another) very expensive dinner.
We need a response to the results around us and around this time Wenger does tend to galvanise the troops. Time to start a very strong run and the home of the increasingly deceitful Citeh would be a great place to start.
Hadn’t seen the news about the price freeze but it just shows the combined impact of the Holics! Also can’t believe Wenger is serious about playing Byelik in the first team .
Now off to investigate some more Caribbean cocktails!
Game will be open tomorrow,
ANYTHING COULD HAPPEN!
The Krystian Bielik signing fits in the mold of what AW foresees as the future of defending — tall but mobile. Could also fit in at CD once he adds some muscle and maturity.
Also, you’d now have TPIFOG to yell “WTF?!?” at the TPIG in Polish….
Cheers ‘h.
Excellent debate and article in the last round. Proud to be a part of this bar.
Win the game tomorrow without injuries or suspensions and my week will be made.
•.Tries to say shackle shatter tten times, fast.•
•Hopes Arsenal don’t stutter that badly.”
Every Premier League weekend deserves one underdog victory.
Dr z knows 🙂
Wenger’s record against the top sides is appalling. He has been repeatedly beaten due to his refusal to temper his all out attacking strategy.Then you add a porous defence and you have all the ingredients of another loss.
Sometimes I wake up in the middle of the night breaking into a sweat over the 8-2 massacre.Here we have a stubborn guy depleted by injuries trying to attack at the den of the rf.
His refusal to adapt his tactics is the main reason.
Indeed against MC he shd avoid an all out attacking game and play hit on the run and stop the yawning gaps in defence. Otherwise Aquero could run riot.BTw,it’s about time MC lose after along unbeaten run..
Holic , you right Dr Z is spot on! 🙂
Delicious preview, barman. So agree with you about Nacho (sorry Kieran!) starting. And I hope Hector gets the nod, too.
I’ve said it before, but I’ll repeat it again. Citeh have a way of bringing out the best in us, so it promises to be one hell of a contest!
The only good thing today, was Seb Larsson’s free kick (what a beauty!) 🙂
Cent, so good to see you here, mate. xx
Ttg, Suck it up ☺
Very good night all, can’t wait for our game!!!
Nice preview Guv’nor.
That’s the formalities over with. I’m a little disappointed at the quality of rose tinteds in this place and it seems that I’ll have to get my act together, arrange broadband in my gaff and come here more often to keep the spirits up.
So Chelski, Southampton, Manchester Rowdies and the Tinies won today. So what? Fuck ’em. They won’t win tomorrow; we will. End of.
COYG
Language can be a beautiful thing, cba (previous round) and I’m flattered you enjoy my humble efforts. Your versifying is similarly appreciated mate. 🙂
Great signing that Kristen Bell, she’ll prove a massive distraction to opposing teams allowing Theo and Alexis to run rings round them!
Öskar
We’d better win tomorrow, otherwise it’ll be another week of two steps forward one step back which seems to have been our season so far. 🙁
Öskar
shitebuckets
telly show bout
parallel lines
gonna kick
the brutal march of time
square in the spuds
fortunately
i drive the bus
with no wing mirrors
nearly
ah
howdy oskar
underestimated you a good while ago
word twisting wise
.
big mistake
.
hope yer well fella
debbie still cool as fuck bbc4
🙂
tonights bread
soda bread
no treacle left
fuck em
fresh scone bread
every day
ye’d think a wafflin drunk
more respect
nope
elders and betters
an all that shit
.
.
in stuff bla
how are tabs , sweeper , ollie
and young wind
his sojourns priceless
.
‘holic ?
.
i’d ask trev but he’s varnished too
Ahh shitfuck ‘hol
twat of meself again
real bar
i get up and fuck off
.
disapppointed
bla
ah bollocks
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kZZVD__ZhB0
.
no mention of DAF
.
shit incomplete documentary
bout electronic music
surprised bbc4
pay me some money
an i’ll “”advise””
.
big chuckles
previous life
pre cow dung
was media non dung
.
i know
hard to believe
.
yup
.
page3 model me
nope
.
proper smart arse here
.
🙂
I don’t believe you have the boobs for a page 3 girl, cba. At least I hope not.
Neither has our new signing Kristen Bell for that matter, but she has more teeth than Luis Suarez http://i.ytimg.com/vi/aFA8wlOmFEM/0.jpg so an obvious DMF!
Öskar
oskar
yer right
boob-free zone
but
in the interests of half disclosure
i am a former media type
currently inactive
bar here
.
ooohhhhhhhh
boooooooooo
we liked him better thick
boooooooooooooooooooo;)
Our defensive discipline will be key to our impending victory over at City.
Close them down and keep it tight at the back and our forwards will tear them apart, they have been shaky at the back as well.
Looking forward to another stellar performance by our boys!
Up The Arse!
😀
Is Bielik our defensive midfield signing? Just wondering.. not even sure what’s his preferred position..
🙂
ok shockingly, I am going for another clean sheet from us. with our quality we should score at least one. hoping that silva is kept quiet today and milner has an off day. C’mon boys. Lets do this.
Fine preview, Holic,
I also have a strange feeling we’ll be ok. 2-1 win for me.
Where I slightly disagree with you, but I suspect it’s only wordage, is that the freezing of ticket prices for next season is to be applauded. Rather the raising of prices for this season should be loudly BOOOOED.
Still, we don’t want to boo on match days, do we.
I, as usual, have my lucky pants on, whereas we’ll all be lucky if Wolfie has any pants on. 😉
cba,
I haven’t varnished – just been really busy ’til late in the week, and a little bit the taxi driver at the last couple of weekends.
Not hard to believe you are a media type, at all, but not for The Sun.
Your sentences are much too long. 😉
Lonestar, (from previous bar)
I didn’t comment on Malin’s post because I know far too little about the particular case, and plenty of others had made some very good comments on what should be generally expected of civilised human behaviour.
Your comment on how you are educating your girls struck a real chord with me though.
Top post – and thanks for taking the time.
I’m with Holic and the optimists. I really do think we will emerge from what I expect to be an exciting game with at least a point.
As long as we come out of the dressing room ready to play from the kick-off then we have a great chance. Going behind early in the game,away from home against Citi is a recipe for disaster and we have had plenty of those in the recent memory bank!
I hope Le Coq and the lovely Bellerin get another start and as long as Rambo is fully fit I expect to see him along side Le Coq but you never know.
Let’s hope Mr. Dean doesn’t ruin the game and the luck goes our way.
COYRs
Unvarnished Trev, what a delight. 🙂 And even in the presence of the mention of the name of Mike Dean. 😉
Great post in last drinks from malin.
Well done holic for providing the forum.
many good posts summarising the situation so well but none better than lonestar. Top shelf lonestar.
Onto the football.
City away with Season ending injuries to debeuchy and artetta.
We sign a 17 year old kid .. Not for the first time when we are in deep shit..
Just like the many 17 year olds before him…
Remember ryo and all the other 17 year old wonderkids.
The transfer market is apparently ” restricted” for the top 10 teams in the world.
What about squillaci or kallistrom – how high is the demand for those two
Oh deary me.
Classic wenger.
Buy a cheap kid no on ehas ever heard of so no one can complain about his quakity and keep the minions quiet during interviews….
I’d be much more worried if we were playing Chelsea.
Still reckon we might be in for a bladdering though.
Has to play an adventurous lineup and go at them, as we couldn’t defend a fish supper (to quote a walrus faced tosspot)
I would personally go with Giroud, Walcott and Alexis as a front three.
I would play Bellerin ahead of Chambers, who has been distinctly unimpressive all season for me no matter what position he plays. He will get destroyed for pace and end up booked yet again if he plays today.
I would leave Ospina in the side, for sure.
So the team I would pick is
Ospina; Bellerin, Mertesacker, Koscielny, Monreal; Ramsey, Coquelin, Cazorla; Walcott, Giroud, Sanchez
Ramsey is a risk.
I would hope Ramsey would have the sense to sit alongside Coquelin and judge the right moments to press forward as the game progresses, keeping it simple when he’s on the ball. If he tries to prove he is a good player, as he tends to do against the bigger teams, we could be in trouble.
Mike fucking Dean! We have no chance. At all. None.
Ozil ozil Ozil.. Ozil must start!
😀
Theo prominent in the dot.con training pics so Cynic your team is a real possibility and probably about as good a selection as Wenger could make.
Cynic and Theo sitting in a tree
…
Cheers ‘holic.
Vincent Company?
What do they sell then?
(Sorry, couldn’t resist it. 😉 😉 )
Thanks H2H. The poxy auto-correct on this Mac is shocking. I will have to turn it off, if I can find the setting.
The tree is obviously plastic, Esso 😉
Holic – To stitch off auto current is simply enough. Gooseberry is your fiend.
🙂
bt8b: if your Colneyology is correct, then on the grounds that Bellerin is featured more than Chambers and Ospina is shown before Woj, Bellerin and Ospina will start against Citeh.
Ospina Bel Per Kos Monreal Coq Ramsey Ox Santi Alexis OG
Subs
Woj Gibbs Chambers Flame TR7 Ozil Feo
Ramsey?! .. Ok !
Let’s get ’em!
Up The Arse!
😀
Arsenal: Ospina, Bellerin, Mertesacker, Koscielny, Monreal, Coquelin, Ramsey, Oxlade-Chamberlain, Cazorla, Alexis, Giroud
Cynic 37
I agree with you , Ramsey is a risk , he should keep it simple
Ramsey showed what he’s capable of last season. He needs game time to get back that level. If he’s fit he should start.
Rambo, not Flam. Going for it? Hope we don’t leave too much room for Navas, Silva, Aguero. Looks like they have the two Fs holding?
As well as 2-3 I am also on 3-4 at silly odds. West Ham have delivered the first leg of my seven-fold acca too. This could be a good day.
Given that, on the basis of the bench, the alternatives to Ramsey to play alongside Le Coq were Chambers, the Flamster or TR7 then Ramsey seems the right choice.
Off round my mates house, bottles of Brooklyn tucked under my arm.
Optimistic that OG can give their defence some real problems.
COYG.
Ramsey’s only a risk if he’s in show pony mode. If his head is in the game he’s fine.
One win since 2010 v a Top 4 Club doesn’t bode well. Law of averages says we’re due a change of fortune.
COYR’s
Getting nervous as hell, good start to this game boys please.
Coq’s mobility is going to be key. No studs up tackles, though!
Eandy 59
Nervous ? this is the game I have no nerve to watch , leave it to Arsene .
Ramsey should play simple , firm and precise .
While Nacho has played well, and we’ve never been all that impresses with Gibbs, for this match, I’d go with Gibbs to offset Navas on the flank. Otherwise OK with this setup.
COME
ON
YOU
GUNNERS
JUST DO IT
Would have had Rosicky ahead of Ramsey.
TR7 was great last week. Worked hard, tackled well and drives us forward without too much complication.
Trying to defend our way through this would be suicide. Our strength is to attack – gotta do it !
Come on Arsenal!
Away support is fantastic!
Oooo Santi Cazooorla!
COME ON!
😀
Oh Aaron, nice foot work!
YEESSSSSS SANTIII
😀
Get in there!
YEEEES!
Welcome back, Kompany.
♥ Santi 🙂 Good on Monreal going forward!
Did kompany get a yellow?
Santi takes penalties like a german… 🙂
Look and learn Alexis… 🙂
COME ON!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Not bad for one with the agility of a rhinoceros… 😀
COME ON!!!
Keep it tight!
Hit them on the counter!
scruz, doesn’t like he got booked (Holic on twitter) 😉
OOOOoooosPINA!
😀
Lovin’ this !!
Dean has already let them off two yellows – can’t believe he gave us the penalty, blatant tho’ it was.
well of course, no one likes to get booked @77 hehe
Coquelin’s position great.
We never normally have anyone in that space between back four and midfield.
Would Tyler like to fuck off for five minutes.
Did Fernado got a yellow for a tug on Ox?
Right. A cynical block in the penalty area gives no yellow. But Ramsey should have one, sure.
Ramsey, of course, does get the card.
Sad, Dean.
Harsh yellow for Ramsey… if that was a yellow then Kompany should have gotten one too!
COME ON!
Expect to see a diving header on our goal from Dean, any time soon.
That should be Kompany off !
There we go. Finally.
Kompany is quite shovey today isn’t he?
Spoke too soon.. one more yellow waiting for you Kompany!!!!
COME ON!
Clichy saves the throw to give us a goal kick. 🙂
COme on ..keep it tight!
They’re getting impatient!
😀
FIVE defenders round Milner. Brilliant !!
Donkey Milner
Travelling faithful having a great game too.
Time dean
The Coq is showing some great spirit!
Half Time.
Solid display.
I like le Coq attitude in this match.. he’s up for it!
😀
Brilliant marshaling of our defence and wonderful counters.. we’ve got them on the run. More of the same please!
Nice first half. Great work rate by the lads. Too bad kompany didn’t get two yellows, if dean could Aaron one for that, kompany deserved one for on monreal.
Best 45 mins of football we’ve played all season.
Might not be the best visual experience, but we’re compact, organised, hard working and defensively tight. Lets hope we can sustain it now.
Well earned.
Now drink your energy drink, massage the calves.
Then go out and do it again.
Old dog. New trick. One-nil to the boring boring Arsenal.
Come on boys, keep that look of bewilderment on Pellegrini’s and Kompany’s ugly mugs.
Re: Trev @95 OOOOOOOOO-SPINA!!!!!!!!!
What Joe said.
Cmon boys 45 minutes to go
Citi have started to loose their cool, obviously feeling the pressure. Let’s keep it tight, Le Coq, Santi and Rambo doing a great job.
Stay solid behind with a fast break and we should add another one or two..!
😀
Must keep the work rate up.
MORE EFFORT.
Go do it Gunners.
COME ON YOU GUNNERS!!!
Ramp it up please
Just keep your shape.
COYG!!!!!!
Come on lads keep it tight
Little too frantic
That should have been second yellow
Getting too open for my nerves. Calm it down guys
Should have been 2nd yellow for fernandinho!
COME ON !!
Where’s the red ffs
Should be oFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFF KOMPANY!
GRRRRRR!
COME ON!
Need to calm this down.
Ramsey doesn’t need to run ahead of Giroud.
Fat Frank coming on…
Fat Frank Lumpolard on.
And Tomas.
Giroudddddd!!!!! N
Yes OG
While the all watch Alexis… it’s ..GIROOOOOUD!
😀
YEEESSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSS
Genuinely so pleased.
Fernandinho gone.
Fanny ann Dango asleep !
COME ON REDS !!!!!!
Fucking YES
TR7 for the Ox, GIROUD!
My nerves might settle down now.
Brilliant Giroud!
Arsenal Arsenal Arsenal!!!!
Oh Santi Carzola
What a run by Santi, amazing stuff.
Santi hero
Greetings everyone here.
So busy but can’t help it. Have to pop in and ask two questions like I always do.
1. Did anyone remember be bemoaning Wenger letting Charlton have his Coq?
2. Can we just step on that gas and throw away the handbrakes till the end of the season?
No matter how this turns out, Santi gets a 10. What a match!
Jovetic 3yards offside and gets a corner
Now that’s a monkey off our backs.
I think we have this !
Good game, Arsenal. Good game.
City’s fire drill worked well. 🙂
Never in doubt!
FUCKING LOVE IT!!!
DONE. IT. 🙂
Holy fucking shit. Over the moon!
COYG
Great result great effort
And that was with Özil and Walcott on the bench.
WagKnob aaaaaahhhhhhhhhhttttttttttttt
Great performance.
Coquelin defended that “no man’s land” superbly.
Never
In
Doubt
you beauty
you fuckin beauty
.
UP THE ARSE
🙂
🙂
Never in doubt.
Best game of the year. Wow o wow. Brilliant game plan, excellent execution. Well done, that makes me so happy. Santi motm, Coq a close second. YES!
fuck yes! needed that! great great performance by all involved.
Utterly brilliant . Santi was quite superb and Coq, Bellerin and Nacho were excellent. Ospina was hardly troubled. Might give the rum a bashing here tonight
And a tip of the hat to the away support. You could hear them from here.
Let’s fuckin’ drink!
Coq and Bellerin came of age. Santi just on fire – whole other level. Defence superb: the change in Monreal since playing centre back is incredible. Team of absolute heroes.
That is a huge result, not just for this season but because it will set us up for a title push next season. We really needed one of these.
Finally, hats off to Arsene. If anyone tells you he doesn’t do tactics give them a clip round the ear, because he had pellegrini up today.
So fucking happy
COYG
Solid team performance.
BRILLIANT!!!!.
Ttg you took the three names out of my mouth.
Cazorla, Bellerin, Coquelin. These are match winning players.
Big win.
Well deserved.
Could have been more.
14 heroes (including Arsene)
More of that in big away games please.
Great performance. A long time coming. Well worth the wait
COYR’s
Wenger got his tactics spot on. Finally I should add, but give the man credit when credit is due.
I will be quite honest. If I had been offered a point at 4pm I would quite happily have taken it. We played city at the right time. I hope they are much better than that in 2 weeks against the Chavs.
We played with far more shape and discipline than I think we have done. Santi showed how much better he is the middle rather than out wide. Rambo managed a good shift. I thought we shut city down well. I also thought we looked more assured at the back. Ospina seems to bring a bit more calm and organisation to our defending.
An excellent 3 points indeed.
That is how Utd usually wins over us.
😆
😆
😆
Exactly Toby @167
and the Chavs.
and often the Dippers in the past.
Happy, Trev? 😉
The beauty of this, for me, is it’s on tape, and I get to watch it with the sound up next time. So proud of the shift our boys put in, they were magnificent.
Oh, and just loved the looks of Rosicky today as usual. He will have to play a few good games for us between now and the end of the season, and by the looks of it, he will.
Can’t describe my feelings now. I may hop round the neighborhood without pants nor shirts now.
Great one by all including Wenger.
Happy Chambers was on the bench. My opinion though, feel more assured when he’s on the bench. That’s something for another day.
What..only 2 goals against this woeful City side that had at least 16 corners with Aguero playing…. surely we must sack Arsene now! 🙂
SOlid all round performance… SANTI man of the match!
I think le coq and Ospina deserves a few more games…
In fact we may have found our DM…. 🙂
JUst get a Kallstrommesqed cover this season and BUILD on this team while we await other top players to become available, I think we could probably pick and choose now.
Lovely Lovely spirit on the field by all our players and more spirits here to go around…
Top top result.. andI enjoyed every minute of it with everyone here!
Up The Arse!
😀
Le Coq, like a new singing. Wenger gets it right. Good game plan and execution.
Santi Cazorla. Wow.
And arsenal look much stiffer at the back, now that they got the coq situation…umm…straightened out.
Huge result. Well done AW.
We did not beat City only.. we beat City AND Fat FRANK!
🙂 🙂 😀
Fab u lus result, super Santi, we might have a lot of fun between now and May. Only concern was watching Kos limp off the field at the final whistle.
Well done Arsene and you Reds, same again next week please.
Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger on Sky Sports: “I felt that we were well-disciplined, well-organised, had a good solidarity and overall we kept a good control of the game. We could even have done better on counter attacks.
“We played high up in their half and very deep in our half and it worked. Sometimes, the fact that you have to find solutions internally is a blessing. People are very quick on their judgment, you forget that we had many defenders out all season, as you saw today the centre-backs are a good partnership and it takes time to get back to that level.
“It’s down to everybody doing their job. The first goal dictates the way of the game in these big games – today we scored first.
“We looked in control away from home and we finally got a big win in a big game away from home. What is pleasing is that reinforces the belief of the team. To feel that you can do well is very important.”
————————
Spot On!
😀
3 clean sheets since Ospina has been in Goal, does that mean Chezzer will be in Goal next week for the FA Cup game?
About time we got 3 points off that mob – well done Arsenal and well done Arsene.
Cheesin’ 😀
now
shaun murphy
please please please
tidy wee payout
my direction
*sweats*
Well, I rather enjoyed that. 🙂
Today will have made Jose Mourinho happy.
WAGNER AHHTTT !
Good fun indeed, Holic.
Bleedin’ marvellous, in fact. 🙂
What a result, aye?
How did Kompany stay on the pitch after his foul on Sanchez and given his body check for the pen?Yet he ran forty yards to book Hector for a very minor foul! At least the Dean hoodoo was broken and he wasn’t able to nab the points for. City
I think Bellerin is going to be very hard to dislodge. He is so quick and tigerish. A real find. N7 is spot on about Nacho he was as solid as a rock. Coquelin is such an upgrade on Flamini it’s unbelievable. Can’t see how we can get Ozil back in the side with Santi playing like this. The most out of touch today were Ramsey and Sanchez but they put in a great shift.
Citeh looked very flat. I hope they don’t put the loss of YaYa down as an excuse. Title over I think. We are good enough to get third
Err, ttg…
If City have gone, doesn’t that put us in a scrap for 2nd?
Awesome!
Cant help mentioning, I did hear on here, at some stage, that Santi should be ‘flicked’.
Yeah right.
Love him to bits.
howdy
z. ‘hol. trev.
.
🙂
and with mike fuckin dean tootin the horn too
🙂
hour trek now
brrrrr
testicles icicles
.
THE ARSENAL
🙂
More from Wenger: “I took Francis Coquelin from France at the age of 16 and he is now 24. He has gone through some difficult periods, but he is a learner and I always kept faith in him.
“A few months ago, I told him he had to play, he accepted going down to Charlton and had some convincing performances. He came back and I have played him, and he’s done very well.
“We are still looking [for a defender in the transfer market]. There is no progress, but if you have a good idea you can text me.”
———————————-
CLassic Arsene… last line the killer!
😀
What a truly remarkable performance from Santi. That was the best performance from anyone for a long time. Alexis included.
Proper chuffed. Great result.
COYG
City did not look like a championship side at all; no ideas offensively, and for all their touted height and power, they give up lots of goals on set pieces. Will be interesting to see if they throw some more megabucks out there in this window to try to right the ship, because their form right now will have them not very comfortably in the top four fight.
@ 187 TTG
Could not agree more with that Kompany foul on Alexis.. the ref lacked conviction, think he was scared to even contemplate sending Kompany off.
Love Bellerin and Le Coq.. hope they get a proper run and maybe even a chance at first choice.
Was just pondering about Ozil myself… although that’s a good problem to have for a change.
😀
And Pellegrini said after the match that he didn’t think that Kompany’s foul on Nacho wasn’t a penalty. Probably just shocked that Mike Dean called it.
@180 Vinny,
I would play Ospina for the FA Cup game too, overrated Woj is exactly where he belongs, on the bench.
OOOoooo Santi Cazoooorla : http://arsenalist.com/f/2014-15/man-city-vs-arsenal/cazorla-takes-on-everyone.html
😀
A Perfect start to the day,Down Under.
Thank you Arsenal.
What a move!
http://arsenalist.com/f/2014-15/man-city-vs-arsenal/cazorla-celebrating-giroud-s-goal.html
Goal?
Dubious.
SANTI !!!
😀
CIty lacked ideas, looking for it at all the wrong places : http://i.imgur.com/zrsTcsR.jpg
Up The Arse!
😀
Cant believe that after a performance like that some still feel necassary to have a dig at one of our own.
Shame on you.
The only question that needs answering after that is this.
Who’s been coaching the team all week?
Next week v Brighton?
Ospina
Bellerin Chambers Koscielny Gibbs
Coquelin Rosicky
Ozil
Walcott Giroud Campbell ( or Sanchez if he won’t take a rest?
Subs
Ches, Monreal, BFG, Flamini, Ox, Santi, Campbell/ Sanchez
Quite a decent rotation with options on the bench.
If Ches is training with the U21s as rumoured then it might suggest he is at odds with the boss.
Wenger aht!
Great to see everyone in good spirit! Don’t let it disappear when things (occasionally) go in the opposite direction. BTW, Henry as Sky pundit is really very convincing in his analysis…much better than the other two chaps there. Though he is trying to put his objective hat on I thought his love for Arsenal was obvious. We love you Titi!!! COYG.
@Cynic
One Arsene Wenger.
Love it.
15 heroes
including Arsene for his wisdom
and Vic for sitting out there throughout the game in shorts
FUCKING EXCELLENT in the words of the Blessed Freddie (PBUH)
shaun
even though ye can’t spell sean
be a good boy
and
pot yer chubby chops off
come on chief
nearly there
Woj had nothing to do with todays impressive performance, Ospina on contrary did. Feel sorry for some who thought and probably still think that Woj is irreplaceable.
Great job Ospina. Probably one of the reasons we are on a decent run, along with Bellerin and Coq- another player who wasn’t considered Arsenal quality in the bar, three weeks ago. And he is one of ours too.
fuckin mighty day
the Arse
the murph
fuckin migjty
.
🙂
🙂
nil
might put the hi-vis back on
and traipse back up the bar
.
RESULT 🙂
Watched the game over breakfast (always a full English when Arsenal play away) and everything went down perfectly. For once we didn’t concede early and played our way into the game after a shaky start.
I can honestly say the only times I was concerned were when Navas had the ball, and when our defence elected to play the ball out of defence when a Conference defender boot was called for.
Agree with all those saying Le Coq and Hector the Protector came of age today. And Santi had one of his very best. Now THAT is how to take a pen … above shoulder high with power is unstoppable.
It’s all been said already, so onward and upward…
Brighton? I’d play practically everyone on the bench and Rambo who needs game time, plus whoever else is fit – except Alexis. He should be banished to the stands with a pie and a beer (or should that be tapas and a Rioja?) and told to relax.
Öskar
Oh YES, we were good today.
A step back to the determined performances at OT that we became used to 10-15 years ago.
Michty me, ah think ah’ll hae a big dram. 🙂
bath
.
gon yersel big man
🙂
Eh? Why are we talking about Woj tonight?
Does someone always have to get a kicking, no matter what the result?
Just enjoy it lads. Quality result, quality performance. Smiles on faces. That’s what it’s all about, or why bother at all.
COYG
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> 🙂
Great game. One of the best in ages, love it.
And my hunch about OG was right!
Cracking performance by all.
Goodnight.