And From Small Acorns…
Aug 8th, 2015 by 'holic
As days go, that wasn’t so bad, at least sports and weather wise. Having said that it might have better if events in Nottingham hadn’t made the lunchtime kick-off viewable. The only incident that lifted Manchester United’s match from the mundane arrived when Kyle Walker scored the only goal of the match, and past his own ‘keeper too. Excellent start for the shadow-dwellers. We are above them already, and we don’t play until Sunday.
Chelsea’sย home draw against Swansea gives us an early opportunity to take a slender advantage. That would hardly be conclusive evidence of a title challenge in the 37 Premier League matches that follow our meeting with West Ham, but it would give us a buffer to try and protect ahead of our trip to the bus stop in Fulham in six weeks time. Small steps, as they say.
It would, however, be unwise to underestimate the visitors to the Grove for the opening fixture of an eagerly awaited campaign. West Ham have a respected, if abrasive, new manager in Slaven Bilic. Their competitive season has already kicked off, albeit culminating in their elimination from the qualifying rounds of the Europa League in Romania on Thursday night.
Bilic is blending in a host of new signings along with our own Carl Jenkinson, loaned to the Irons for a second season and so ineligible to play in this match. Their early start has resulted in them giving late fitness tests toย Winston Reid, Joey OโBrien and Pedro Obiang.
Arsenal will be without the injured Jack Wilshere, Danny Welbeck, and Tomas Rosicky. Alexis returned to training this week and is not expected to start, but his fitness level not surprisingly is high and don’t be surprised if he is on the bench if required.
Despite these absentees Arsene still has a wealth of talent from whom he can select his starting eleven. It would be something of a surprise if the eleven that started in the Community Shield victory against Chelsea at Wembley last Sunday wasn’t given the chance to further develop. The only logical change would involve Olivier Giroud reclaiming the striking role from Theo Walcott, but the big Frenchman may have to be patient for a while longer.
So what of the ‘holic pound, I hear few ask? The first few matches of any season are something of a lottery. It may be too early to expect the Bilic effect to kick in, but we can expect the visitors to be well organised defensively. That organisation should receive a testing examination from a Gunners team that has looked impressive in pre-season. I will be persuaded by my optimistic head that we will be able to unlock the Hammers with increasing ease as the contest progresses. Shop around for 12’s on Arsenal to win 3-1.
The taxi is booked for sparrowfart tomorrow so I arrive in plenty of time for the first pint, erm, I mean the lunchtime kick-off. I look forward to that first meeting of fantastic friends of the new season. To those not going I wish you a happy viewing by whatever medium you intend to use, and here’s to the first three points of the season, please. Should they be gained we have a base on which to build. Damn you hope, this is your time.
Have a good one, ‘holics.
106 Responses to “And From Small Acorns…”
See you tomorrow!
I’ll be using the medium of Tivo, as I may have to be away from the telly ๐
Dubs! Excelllent. I’ll look forward to it. ๐
Camera duties, Cynic?
3rd!
Embargo allegedly issued by club!
Something cooking?
๐
How hard was it to say 4th?
5th!
Nice preview Guvna.
Ooooh. The season’s almost started. I’m almost getting excited.
COYG
Good stuff, H.
See you tomorrow !
Here we go !
Don’t forget the tickets
Nicely previewed Guvna. We should be too strong for the Irons..fancy a 3-0 score line. Have a good time at the regular haunt.
Not really, H, but I have things to do that I might put off if Feo plays *ahem*
Nothing less than 3 pts will suffice against the bubble blowers.
Not happy with Santi being played out wide.
He has been fantastic in that deep lying central role alongside Coq.
Giving us greater balance.
He has never really shone in the wide positions,but in order to get the Ox and Rambo in the same team,something had to give.
Quite who will miss out when Alexis is fit,is anyone’e guess.
But Santi must be looking over his shoulder.
I expect Theo to play up front,with his speed giving him the nod over Ollie.
I fully expect WH to play 4 -5 -1.
Clogging up the midfield,and playing a deeper defensive line,leaving very little space in between.
So early goals are the order of the day,to settle the nerves and get off to a winning start.
This will be my 62nd start to a season since the very first trip to Highbury with my Dad.
The hopes,dreams,nerves and prayers, remain the same today,as they did way back in the 50’s.
Wear the shirt with pride,give it everything you’ve got and may the best team win.
As long as it’s us. !!
Hammer them.
COYGs
Nice preview Guvna.
Have a great day out all who are going. I will be there in spirit. Probably MacAllan. ๐
Nicely pitched, as ever, ‘Holic. Three-one and three points would do nicely.
Good stuff, Clive,
I agree that Santi was so good centrally it seems a waste to push him wide. No idea how Coq, Santi, Rambo and Mesut can all play centrally but The Ox and Alexis seem our natural wide men. Theo’s final position will be interesting, fighting it out with the other wingers, Ollie, Danny and, of course, Benzema !!
Guess this is what squad rotation is all about.
Uply,
Hope you’re doing well. Look forward to seeing you later in the season.
Cheers, bath.
Come on the ‘holic legion. Either Arsenal do it themselves or the legion pull them over the line.
2-0 for me. I think Bilic will have his focus on a nil draw, and we will break through after halftime, with two quick ones from Alexis and Ollie g.
Rumor has it I will be joining the South Bay gooners at jack’s pub on the morrow, leaving home at 430 am for the 45 minute drive. Fortunately california law allows beer sales at 6 am…
Nice preview H as I patiently wait for the 1430 kickoff. A quick church service then back to the telly by 1330.
Morning all, and I hope yours is not as overcast as here.
Just awaiting the taxi to begin the journey to TNHOF, or maybe TNSNHOF seeing as this is the tenth season there. Where did those years go?
Guinness and a large mothers ruin, please barman.
Going to be eight miles high at kick off.
I expect to hear good things when I cone down.
Say hi to the usual suspects for me H, and have a great day.
UTA !
Trev…keeping well thank you – concentrating as best I can on the positives, and there are plenty of them. Hope you enjoyed the delights of Devon and you / your family are in good nick.
See you all in the “refreshment bar” in a few weeks time.
Morning,
Agreed Clive. It’s either 3 points or else!
Apparently Bilic has a game plan.
Many have tried, only a few have succeeded!
I think the boys may even turn on the style today.
The Chavs were a disorganised mess yesterday and the Mancs were a bundle of nerves. Let’s show them how it’s done aye?
3 points and 3 pints, whichever comes first
I’m expecting to see the Ox terrorise the Spams defence! Nice and easily!!
๐
howdy ‘hol howdy all
.
it’s finally here
๐ ๐ ๐ ๐ ๐ ๐
.
UP THE ARSENAL !
(sparrowfart ๐ brilliant)
Glad you mentioned sparrowfart, cba. Is it earlier, or later, than pigeonfart?
Football today, as well! Three points please; never mind the bollocks, let’s just win this one (and the next 37).
COYG
COYGUTA
UTACOYG
What Pangloss and cba said about the small birds.
finchfart?
pan G & 8ball ๐
.
one swallowfart does not a good morning make
Nice one Guv’
Young son unable to sleep because of the excitement – Check!
New replica home kit bought – Check!
New replica home kit very fetching – Check!
Season tickets in pocket – Check!
Cash in pocket for drink and snacks – Check!
4 – 0 scoreline to the Arse – Anticipated by 3.30pm!
COYBG! Up the Arse!
Clive & Trev,
Santi’ll probably play centrally and Mesut’ll be on the left until Alexis gets back. The selection headache for Arsene’ll arise once Alexis gets back. A nice selection problem to have, as long as your winning! ๐
Time to head for the pub in just a bit. Do the job properly and we’ll win this. Come on, you Gunners!
Go win Arsenal.
Let each man play to his potential and the desired result will follow.
COYR
Cheers ‘holic.
Here we go again, but this time around with greater expectations.
I’m always optimistic at the begining of the season, it would be silly not to be, but this year feels different. For the first time in a long time there is a feeling that we can actually be contenders. I stil have a nagging feeling that we miss two players, but the transfer window is still open so that may very well still be adressed.
We need to put down an early marker and a good result this afternoon would be a great start. I am not so impressed with Bilic, his team huffed and puffed in the pre qualification rounds of the Your Hopeless League against pretty small teams that only the real footy hipster could claim having any knowledge of. I think they will come to regret getting rid of the Walrus.
Let’s Hammer the Spammers.
COME ON YOU GUNNERS!!!!!
Cech.
Debuchy, Kos, Per, Nacho
Coq Ramsey
Ox, Ozil, Santi
OG.
subs Alexis, Feo, Ospina, Gibbs, Arteta, Chambers, Gabriel
No Bellerin? ..Surprising..hope it is nothing serious
also…streams http://www.livefootballol.com/streaming/english-premier-league/09-08-2015-arsenal-west-ham-united.html
http://livetv.sx/en/eventinfo/325103_arsenal_west_ham/
Scruz @ 17,
Beer sales at 6.00am? Does that mean that they’ve closed some time before then? How uncivilised.
3-0 to the good guys.
UTA.
Alexis on the bench champing at the bit to bend a few irons out of shape . Well he’s had three weeks off! Concerned about Bellerin lets hope it’s nothing serious. 3-0 to the Gooners
lol noosa, yes they stop at 2 am. but I overslept so am in my usual spot on the couch at home, and here ๐
COME ON!
Come oooooooooooooonnnnnnn!
come on you gooners!
ox up for it!
Ouch!
not a good way to end the half. I don’t think that is glory cech is covered with…
World Cup hangover again. Damn.
Oh wait. Got my year wrong.
Disapointing.
Coquelin’s worst game since January?
We are not playing bad but some decision making is questionable, Aaron should have really played Debuchy in instead of opting for shot for example. More urgency and sharpness needed in second half.
Not a great first half.
Goal was poor. I agree with the pundits. A far too higher line and made it easy for them. Cech should have done better.
AOC looking a real threa but as brother H says, disappointing.
We’ve got to be more clinical…!
COME ON!!!!!!
Giroud breaking down the left on his own? No support? Gets a good ball in and no one in the box?????
We need to sharpen up. All looks a bit sloppy for me.
ok…. going to be one of those….
WTF
well fuck me sideways
yikes. terrible, statuesque defense.
How fucking shit is that??? Like watch a team of under 11’s trying to defend.
Terrible.
Take shots earlier….
Come on!!!!!!!!
Come on Aleeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeexis……….!!!!!!!
has this team played together before?
Small acorns, indeed.
Still. there’s still 37 to go. And remember the Villa home opener — went on a nice streak after that.
Well that was a big steaming pile of poo.
Totally avoidable goals given away. Sloppy in the passing. Unimaginative and unable to penetrate going forward and completly blunt up top.
It’s the hope that kills you.
that was awful to watch.
Dreadful, lacklustre and at times, clueless. 2 incredibly sloppy goals given away and only 5 shots or target throughout the whole game. Incredibly disappointing. Beaten by a West Ham side who played better than us, worked harder than us and more disappointing than all of that, wanted it more. Not good enough.
If we do have genuine aspirations to win the title then this has to go down as a monster blip and we move on.
There are no excuses for that I’m afraid. None at all.
The one positive I would say was AOC. Our best player by a country mile.
Bollocks
Is it too early? ” Arsene must GO!” Welcome to another Gunners season my friends. Nil Desperandum.
West Ham just ruined our invincibles 2.0…Although a run of 37 unbeaten doesn’t sound too bad either.
Soft goals conceded and clearly the team weren’t as focussed defensively as they were against Chelsea in the community shield. This habit of taking the lesser teams lightly has to stop.
Bad, so bad, Michael Jackson would be proud.
Someone find the cheque book?
Like the man said, may you live in bizarre times.
Bah.
Groundhog day comes in many guises.
I’ve no idea why I’m laughing. We were that awful it can only be laughed at ๐
Flabbergasted. Only 37 more to go. COYG
Very lethargic performance today – West Ham deserved the win. Conceded goals at just the wrong time (either side of half-time), and Cech will be massively disappointed with both goals – even if the second one came about from comedy defending. I’m certainly not going to get reactionary after one defeat, but I was one of the slight Cech-naysayers, and I watch his next run of games with interest. He was brought in to save us the marginal aggregrations, not to lose them!
Other than that, Giroud and Ozil gave more mileage to their doubters, Debuchy is willing but everything he does looks in slow motion compared to the brilliance of Bellerin, and I thought our most incisive attacking player was Monreal – a bit worrying considering he’s our LB.
Still, the trick isn’t so much whether we drop points – but how many times we drop points. Two years ago we lost at home to Villa, then won the next 6 or 7, last season we were unbeaten in our first 7 or 8 games – but all but 2 of them were draws. Tough test at Palace next week, but I’m confident we can rebound!
And thus is hubris rewarded.
Time for some humility, re-assessment and development both on and off the field.
Effective immediately. Arsene bans selfies on training field and on all coach and plane travel, till further notice.
Keane invited to coach AFC Ladies team. No pictures allowed.
A start of the season wake up call when one seemed un-necessary. The team with more desire duly gained the reward.
Onwards & upwards though with the table as it stands at the time of writing just upwards ๐
BENZEMAFRENZY!!!!
/Clubcall
which goal conceded annoyed you most? I’m going with the first
That was so depressing I just went and bought a new sofa…if I can afford to do that then AW can afford Benzema !
The second was so sloppy it annoyed me more.
The second I must say…comedy! I hope Wenger kick all their arses and response big next week…
Call me foolish, but I still believe we will lift that trophy on May
Complacency, poor goalkeeping, positional mismatch (let us just keep Santi down the middle where he more than exceed last season at least until a rhythm has been set in the PL, and if that means Rambo is a bit unhappy that should be okay).
As Ozil was having one of his poor days a better sub might have been taking him off, move Santi to number 10, leave Rambo box-to-box and play Theo on the left and Ox on the right.
…more than excelled …
Hope Cech doesn’t turn out to be a Gallas-esque fiasco… Szczesny would have been skewered if he had made those mistakes.
Teams that win titles manage to win games like that.
But still 111 points to play for…
Very disappointing performance and result but a huge reality Cech! Better now than later. Well done Hammers! You deserved all three points!
Arsene made a huge tactical error in the starting selection by dropping Theo and moving Santi to the left midfield. Santi (our most creative player with a goal threat) had to play centrally alongside Le Coq and one of Ozil and Aaron dropped if OG was to start up front. We neeeded blistering and stretching pace on both flanks to counteract the diamond that Bilic set-up to get behind the West Ham defence for OG. Tactical mistakes by Arsene, and a lack of leadership and the now infamous errors in concentration at critical times, still remain our major Achilles heels. You don’t buy these characteristics in the transfer market; its up to you on the pitch on match day. Sadly, no invincibles’ season possible this term but we just can’t allow ourselves to be more than three points behind our main title contender after 6 games. If Arsene wants to play with Ozil, Santi and Ramsey in the same team, he needs a more mobile front man centrally. Benzema???
What was most shocking was the midfield performance. Ozil never showed up, Santi looked like the Santi of the early part of last season, and as many have pointed out Coquelin had his worst performance in a while. Retrospectively, if there was ever a “horses for courses” match to fit in Arteta, this was one where his nous could have been useful, and Hammer’s attack is not one that should scare you.
And to think that a 16 year old making an EPL debut as a holding midfield was not troubled at all by a supposedly loaded midfield just about says it all.
DanC @ 82: Agree with not playing Santi centrally.
Even if we get Benzema — I am in the camp who think that maybe we are overestimating his current abilities a little bit, he didn’t progress that much since his Lyon days and possibly not the player who could have been, many of the goals he scores in La Liga he won’t be allowed that much turn, space and he bullies La Liga defenders much more easily than he would find it in PL — will he able to adjust his game and learn to play with the team and be immediately successful?
Last few times we won against West Ham we were trailing at some point of time but then sped up the proceedings, kept our cool and shape and opened them up by stretching their defense horizontally. There were hardly any outside runs, almost no aerial deliveries in the box, and the few times Giroud found himself on the flanks and delivered good crosses no second or third runner following in the box. Too lethargic a performance.
First weekend of the season and I’m already taking comfort in the poor return of other sides and thankful that the gap is not already opening up.
๐
Dr F @84,
I agree regarding Benzema but what we need is another proven title winner with more mobility than OG. It will also add more experience and leadership which we desperately need. Ozil will thrive with Benzema as he did at Real Madrid because Ozil needs that mobility up-front centrally and not just on the flanks as he currently has. He has that mobility with Germany. Ozil will always create more than he scores whilst Santi will both create and score; that’s why Santi looks far better. I still rate Ozil highly to come good this season with the right mobile front man centrally and wide men with pace on the flanks.
Additionally, the sooner that Arsene makes his DM plans clear so that we know that Le Coq will have proper back-up, the better too. I also really want to start seeing one of Gabriel or Chambers next to Kos. The lack of pace the BFG has is never now going to be title-winning when teams defend deep and break on the counter. The record needs to be changed.
One down 37 to go! Still four trophies to fight for! Up the Arse!
I guess the hogs ate all the acorns, ‘Holic.
530AM kickoff here in the pacific northwest. Taking vacay out in the sticks with no pub for 50 miles in any direction and only now got the wifi up and running. First opening season match I’ve missed in nearly a decade, which is disappointing personally, but ounds like it was one to miss.
I’ll catch the replay later, but it sounds all too familiar: uunderestimating the opponent, tactical fuck up by le boss, and players not showing up. So, alls normal then….
It appeared to be apparent from the start that we were, in some way inhibited. The close proximity of Santi, Rambo and Ozil to each other, and their, mostly fruitless, triangular passing patterns were not going to get through the Spammers back lot. From my vantage point it seemed that Rambo didn’t offer a lot either going forwards or in defence. We also seemed to be chucking a lot of high balls into the box: at first out of what seemed to be a plan, and then out of necessity. I’m not one to blame individuals usually, but my immediate instincts were not against the defence, but to be negative towards the midfield (Ox excused) and those up front (i.e. Giroud). A blip, or a sign of things to come? Hoping for the former.
Sparky 50 @89,
I agree with your analysis. For me it’s a blip rather than a taste of things to come but we definitely need a true world class mobile centre forward that can also hold the ball up. Having reverted to playing with two bigger front men (one being Giroud) would have been perfect for this game once the Hammers lead and indicated they were going to defend even deeper than before. We need Benzema (or similar) if we’re truly serious about competing for the title and CL this year. Cech will come good. One dodgy game does not a proven world-class goalkeeper no longer make.
Bring on Palace and Brenda with his Mugwashers ASAP for a quick bounce-back restatement! Up the Arse!
We deserved what we got, absolutely nothing, WHam were much the better team on the day from start to finish.
I concur with the previous drinks, the MF set up today just didn’t work. If we are going to play the Ox and presumably Alexis out wide next week AW will need to drop probably Santi from his starting 11.
Only the Ox and Nacho played anywhere near their best and although I admit seeing Bellerin’s play through rose tinted glasses we did miss his pace and passing ability, Debuchy was a poor substitute and I can only hope Hector is fit for the visit to Palace.
I seem to remember Reid was talked of at one time as a likely Arsenal transfer target. I thought he was excellent at the centre of a very well drilled WH back line which blocked everything we threw at it.
Even Le Coq was below par today, the Hammers won nearly all the 50-50 balls and Rambo was no where near so effective in a defensive role as he was last week at Wembley.
Let’s hope it was just one of those days and not just for Cech who must have been mortified with his decision making for the goals. There were other culprits Kos and the Ox who should have done better but it is Cech who is going to fill the newspaper columns tomorrow.
I think we need to forget about this very poor performance and concentrate on next week and beyond.
To compound my disappointment at the result Gooner Kevin and I were subjected to a large group of WH supporters celebrating in style on the train home.
COYRs
Dapper DanC @90,
Yes mate, a mobile and tough forward (granted there doesn’t seem to be many around) would be an absolute godsend to Mesut and Santi. I couldn’t understand the withdrawal of Debuchy. It nullified Ox’s threat somewhat. He was the only direct player on the day and had the Iron’s defence on the back foot. Playing him as a nominal right-back was a bit strange. A bad day for Cech: plenty more good ones to come. Anyway, as you put it, COYG!
The best-placed acorns are laid in field fertilized with manure. Composting… cech!
Win the next match.
That is all.
BMBD
What felt worse, today’s shambles or two years ago on opening day against Villa? Besides an adequate backup to Franny Cocq (what was with the Pirlo-styled attempted passes today and the Alex Song lack of positional discipline?) and a proper understudy for Kosser (Chambers would be better served with a year on loan as he is not ready to play at CB for us for a sustained spell) I actually felt a title challenge was plausible. Signing Benzama (as if) is not going to compensate for the failings that still haven’t been rectified – the media will have a field day. One match it may be but today was awful for a whole host of reasons. But at least realism has set in now, rather than later in the season. I would sign for 4th spot now.
We started too nervous. Too much pressure absorbed due to yesterdayโs results.
As the game wore on, the Spammers got into their rhythm.
Pantomime stuff straight from pre-season, during the transfer window. That was a wakeup call! We now have to prepare for each game with full focus and aim to win them all.
This is a marathon, not a race! (As they say)
UTA!
David @94,
4th Place?! Come on mate?! You serious? We might as well slit all our wrists right now one game in?!
A little reminder of what our attack is capable of without newer additions
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=svVDoZJU0kA
(love Mesut’s role in that goal, starting with telling Per to pass to Rambo).
Last year majority of the points we dropped were because of defensive instability and the occasional hubris, and of course the tendency to have a seppuku act or two. There were days when our attack didn’t play that well, but defensively we kept it tight and eventually our quality told. If today we were going into the 70th minute still 0-0, and Theo is brought on with the team staring to put on pressure while keeping the defensive shape we would have scored a goal or two towards the end. Conceding numpty goals like those would make it hard for any attack in the PL nowadays to turn it around.
Cech has never played behind a defense that plays so high up and is positionally so dynamic, with fullbacks devoted to running up. Both the goals showed signs that he still hasn’t perfected the decision making about what to do about the space in front of his goal. For the second goal I think he reflexively expected the defense to kind of shut down the near post angle for Karate so he can commit to far post. These would be the adjustments we would need to fix this in the training ground.
@ 97 … for Zarate, ๐
Dr F,
Agree regarding Cech and the defence but a world-class finisher wouldn’t go amiss either. They score two, we score three!
Yes 3rd or 4th as today was meant to be about a displaying a statement of intent but alas the good work of last Sunday has seemingly all fizzled out. West Ham deserved the win. Champion-winning sides can lose matches but at no time were the Hammers under the screw of barnstorming pressure and most alarmingly the positional discipline of the side was shout to pieces at the outset of the second-half. Clueless headless chickens were wearing red and white after going behind.
I agree that inevitably our target will eventually shift to 3rd or 4th, and we will one again be cheering on Chelsea and Man City when they face the likes of Spurs, Liverpool and Utd at the latter stage of the season.
COYG
David @100,
Guess we’ll just have to wait and see!
I’m still very confident of the title this season if Arsene signs that genuine world-class striker to compete with OG!
The defence’ll sort itself out from next week onwards against Palace once the sharpness returns and Cech gets up to speed and has his input. Did you know that over the past 6 seasons we’ve only won our first game once?!
Up the Arse with the Treble!
@99: agreed that a more mobile and more clinical finisher would help up significantly , but my point is we cannot just expect him to turn up and start saving us from day one. It might take him half a season to really get going , especially our football being so dependent on mutual understanding . We souks still be able to challenge for the PL if we cut out the easily avoidable errors much more. The defense wins you the league especially because the attacking sharpness has a wider variability , dependent it so much more on the cohesiveness and individual moments.
Some strange auto-corrects in @103, ignore in favor of @104.
Best to just let the moaners have their day. They’ve been waiting since early May to get the wailing and gnashing of teeth out of their system.
The more reasonable, stable, and fair-minded will recognize that, although the team was punished for believing its own press and succumbing to the concomitant self-applied pressure, this was merely one game.
Just one game.
Win the next match and the BBB will slink back into their hovels.
BMBD
That’s the stuff Lonestar. Anyone with an opinion that isn’t favourable is clearly a moaner who has been waiting months to have their say. No doubt anyone who has expressed that opinion will reside in a hovel.
The more reasonable, fair minded etc may recognise the fact that everyone is entitled to a different opinion. It’s what helps make the world go round.
Just saying.