The Managers Agree – It’s Not A Friendly
Aug 1st, 2015 by 'holic
It’s hard to believe we are just a week away from seeing the opening salvos fired in the Premier League, but first there is the small matter of retaining the FA Community Shield against Chelsea at Wembley on Sunday. There is an air of positivity around the club at the moment, which makes for a refreshing change. Positivity only becomes confidence however with success, and Arsene is going to have to break his run of never having beaten a Mourinho-managed team to achieve that.
Much of the good spirit in and around the camp is based on the arrival of Petr Cech from our Wembley opponents. Let’s hope with regular football he reproduces the form that made him Chelsea’s number one for the most successful decade in their, erm, history. Ahead of him, with everybody fit, Arsene has some serious selection issues to ponder.
I have a feeling he will go with Mathieu Debuchy, Laurent Koscielny, Per Mertesacker, and Nacho Monreal. Personally I would differ only in the selection of Hector Bellerin at right-back, but I haven’t won three Premier League titles and six FA Cups. The boss will plump for experience, probably.
If picking four at the back is hard, just look at the options now in midfield and attack, and this is before Alexis has even returned to training. Assuming Francis Coquelin is a shoe-in as the protector of the back five we then have permutations everywhere else. Santi Cazorla or Aaron Ramsey for box to box? Santi Cazorla or Mesut Ozil for playmaker? One of these too play on one flank with either Theo Walcott or Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain on the other?
Up top too, an interesting choice between Olivier Giroud or Theo Walcott. If both were fit and in form I would prefer the physical presence of the former. His ability to hold the ball up and bring others into play is a gift that Theo doesn’t possess right now. We have to adjust our attacking play as a result in order to try and create opportunities to utilise his pace in between and behind defenders. That said the Frenchman hasn’t hit the ground running in pre-season, so Theo may well get the nod.
For the opponents, Cahill and Costa are both available after suffering injuries in Chelsea’s final pre-season tour match against Barcelona. It will be interesting to see if the latter is preferred to new signing Falcao, or indeed if Mourinho will fiddle with his usual approach to playing Arsenal and go with two up top?
History suggests we will face a side that will play the safety-first football that has brought Mourinho’s men so much success against us in the past. Last season, however, we showed in League and Cup fixtures away to both Manchester clubs that we have learned to deal with that approach.
A word too about the announcement of contract extensions for Theo Walcott and Santi Cazorla. It is fantastic news that we have secured the services of the latter, too often linked with a return to his homeland. Theo is an interesting one. Last season when returning from injury he couldn’t persuade the boss that he was worthy of the step back up from squad player to regular starter. A deal close to those bestowed on Ozil and Alexis suggests he is expected to by manager and supporters alike now. It’s time to silence the most heard two words at the Grove. “Oh Theo.”
Back to Sunday, and the pre-match jousting has once again prompted comment and headlines, although I found myself for once agreeing with something that came out of Mourinho’s mouth. Whilst victory for us would break the psychological hold the Portugeezer has over Arsene it would say no more than what we believe to be the case at the moment. Arsenal are preparing a challenge for the Premier League, but it won’t be won on Sunday.
“For me there is no relation between one game and what happened before. It’s not a friendly game but it’s not a statement for the season.”
While elsewhere those who are paid to write seek to poke the hornets nest that is the relationship between Arsene and his opposite number it should be noted that both hold similar views about the outcome of this latest meeting. Arsene expressed it slightly differently.
“It’s a game that is important but it is still preparation. We want to win it and overall it can just give us that little bit more confidence before we go into the season. You know, it will not be a friendly as it is like that and it is good like that.”
And on that harmonious note (make the most of it!) the first preview of the new season grinds to a halt. For those going, have a wonderful day.
Have a good one, ‘holics.
(ps, having told Bergkamp the Man I couldn’t make my mind up between 1-0 and 4-2 for the ‘holic pound I checked the odds. Having found 110/1 against the latter I couldn’t resist. I’m going with the heart rather than the head on this one.)
110 Responses to “The Managers Agree – It’s Not A Friendly”
Well?
We are number two we try harder as the old Avis ad goes. Ha!
The managers say it is no friendly. The Holic Pound disagrees then?
Greetings from the den of iniquity that is Sin City. Nice write-write-up ‘Holic, you’re in midseason form.
I fancy us to get the season off on the front foot. 2-1 to the good guys.
BMBD
So it’s an Un-Friendly!
Brrrring it on.
Up The Arse!
😀
There’s always hope the pound will be added in retrospect. Of course the odds might not be as good as they were at “press time” but that is assuming the oddsmakers do not think it a friendly too.
It could be an unfriendly friendly but a friendly unfriendly would be out of the question.
Cheers for the preview Guv’nor, the start of the season is now very close indeed!
Not too fussed about the result tomorrow, I just want us to play well and come prepared for the real thing.
Trev from the last session: I am familiar with Boots, we have them here in Sweden too these days although only two stores in the whole country so far and at least for the time being they only deal in pharmaceutical products so they don’t do photos, glasses, electrical stuff and whatever like they do in the UK.
‘Holic pound to be added later when I have checked the odds.
Cheers 🙂
Mourinho is worried.
Why else would he risk Costa in a match such as this? Wenger wouldn’t.
His side has had just 4 days rest since their penalty shoot-out against a massively-understrength Barcelona. Chelsea would’ve been jet-lagged too. Not ideal preparation. Unlike Wenger’s which seems to have been immaculate.
But it’s Mourinho’s ego that’s at stake here. He actually doesn’t care about the club he manages, just his own bloated reputation.
Would it be significant if we beat them tomorrow? Of course it would (another monkey off our backs), but Mourinho’s record against Wenger (big-spenders v. financially-responsible) has to go sometime. And Sunday afternoon is as good a time as any.
The icing on the cake would be Costa’s dodgy hamstring. Is that too much to hope for?
While a win tomorrow would certainly be nice, that’s all it woild be. If I had to choose, I’d rather beat them in the league, and preferably at the Bus Stop. Not that I’d turn down winning tomorrow and twice in the league. Throw in a Cup win and victory in each leg of Champions league semi-final and you’d have one very happy philosopher. League Cup? Certainly, if you insist.
COYG
Cheers, boss.
For, having garnered a few adherents here, it will be a nice icing if The Pound hits decent form early enough in the season.
Nice one Holic.
Will hopefully catch a re-run of a victory on Player at some point.
I’m at the Fringe tomorrow.
Which will mean ale, culture, ale. cool:
Nice one ‘H. I know this has been one of the shortest off season in history but it really has felt, to me at least, like ages since I could watch The Arsenal play week-in-week-out.
Last season was one of the busiest period of my life and as a result I missed more live games than in any season since 2007, hopefully I won’t miss as much this time around.
Here is to a trophy-laden, successful season full of good memories for both club and supporters on and off the pitch.
Up The Arse!!!
nice one ‘hol
might be a poundshop outting for some
indeed – usually me
but am really lookin’ forward to this one
any opportunity to plant one on that slug
.
cheers ‘holic
cheers ‘holics
here’s to the start of the start of it
.
.
UP THE ARSENAL !
And in all the excitement, I forgot to complement the proprietor for hos posting. Sorry.
Nice one, ‘H.
COYG
‘hol has ‘ho’s posting pan G
how very ghetto of the guv
😉
Checking the odds before summoning Holic pound wisdom? A new fad or a sign of caution brought on by the gathering years?
Fringe, Zico? Won’t suit you mate, stick with the crew. (And Jambos at home doesn’t count as the Fringe proper – although humour is anticipated, expected and most likely to make its presence felt).
3-0 Arsenal I reckon.
To be honest BtM I cannot decide between 1-0 and 4-2 🙂
Great first preview, Holic.
Mourinho talking down the importance of the game and talking up our spending…….
He’s worried.
He’s right to be.
Nice preview Guvna. Good to see you back in that groove again.
I am firmly in the “This ain’t a friendly” camp. It’s high time we ended the Translator’s hoodoo. There is no merit in saving our venom for the league games. It’s time to take the psychological advantage and prick that dick’s balloon.
Miss B and I will be roaring the boys on.
Go win Gunners.
Nice one, ‘Holic. Great warm-up for the main event in a week’s time. Your preview preseason has clearly been immaculate.
I’d be very happy to beat Mourinho tomorrow. I have a feeling that once AW gets the first victory, Mourinho will crumple like a badly stacked house of cards.
D’oh.
I’m challenging TTG, cba.
COYG
*offers silent prayer that G and S keys are adequately separated on keyboard*
*renews vow to proof-read postings before pressing submit*
-challenge
+channel
-prayer
+prayer of thanks
Arsenal 6 – Chelsea 1
Giroud to score his first hat-trick for the club.
Cech with a series of brilliant saves, especially a penalty and immediate re-attempt save from Hazard.
At the end of the game, Moaninho runs the length of the pitch towards our new number 33, and headbuts him viciously on the chest. Then he runs to the middle of the pitch — reminiscent of Inter’s CL win at Nou Camp — and raises right middle finger while starting to take off his clothes.
At the post-match press conference, now in straitjacket, he accuses Arsene Wenger of provoking him with success and spending.
🙂
we all make moustaches pan G
Dr F, just press the button in your right hand and the nice nurse will come along and give you something that will help.
Nurse…
NURSE!!
‘Holic @ 27: 🙂
Improbable, yes. Impossible? certainly not…
There is a Bengali proverb that translated would be something like this, “why skimp on saffron in the paella of your dreams?” 🙂
*holds tongue till it hurts*
bath @21 and pricking that dick’s balloon.
Carry on as you were.
I did not want to diminish, deflate or alter what you had to say about the Chelsea Manager.
🙂
I’m joining you in that cuckoo’s nest Dr F. Check out the updated post for the ‘holic pound.
Suffice it to say I will be feeling ‘grand’ if it comes in! 🙂
‘Holic @ 31: Brilliant! No one can deny us our strength in numbers, so to speak. 🙂
*tongue holding results prove short term*
or “nnnsnnnornnnt nntermmmmm”
.
.
rising damp box set
good for what ails ya
.
“What about a waltz then!!”
🙂 🙂 🙂
what a show 🙂
cheerio
* sighs *
Dr F, my arse. 🙄
🙂
If you land that 110/1 on 4-2, ‘Holic, even Lars’s wallet gets a rest for a night.
It most certainly will Ned. If it comes in be there next Sunday! 😉
“oh ms jones”
😉
.
and
shame on effin you
‘hol
ya name-stealin’-condonin’ collaborator
.
*tuts at least twice*
Daughter has a good early season record and she reckons 3-1 with goals from Özil, Theo and Jack.
Who am I to argue ?
yer trev , trev
.
trev?
Trev?
TREV!!!!!!
.
another good man lost to devon
.
.
*clots memorial cream*
Good one H
No idea what the score will be on Sunday.
But rest assured Maureen will want to maintain his record against Arsene.
So i expect it to be a tough feisty affair.
I also will be very interested to see what first eleven will start the game for us,but would expect that it will be very close to the eleven that runs out at the Ems against the Hammers next Sunday.
If you assume the back 6 picks itself, [ i also would prefer Debuchy’s street wise experience to get him the nod over Hector.]
That leaves 5 spots vacant,assuming Ozil/Cazorla/Ramsey are all certain starters,that leaves 2 spots for the rest,and when Alexis returns,it is going to be 4 players fighting over one position.
The Ox for me is still a liability re his wayward passing,and assuming Theo hasn’t just signed a new deal to sit on the bench,i would expect him to start up front with possibly Jack playing in the hole.
Giroud has a very poor record against Chelsea,so i think Theo will get the nod wherein his speed can be utilised up front, to put the frighteners on Terry and Cahill,neither of whom are the quickest brown foxes around.
As i mentioned previously,those that don’t start against Chelsea, know they will be on the bench for the season opener.
I will reserve judgement on my thoughts as to how competitive we will be for the PL title until the Transfer window closes at the end of the month.
That’s better, cba
I can only hear when you
Type in CAPITAL LETTERS
Cos the wi-fi is a bit quiet
Down here. 😉
eh?
SHOUT!
No don’t.
This will be a good season, because you are all showing signs of being absolutely barking again 🙂
Never change, ‘holics. 😉
‘hol
this is gonna be a good season
cos
dunno bout everyone else
but i feel the pieces of arsenes recent puzzle
are gonna/can/will fall into place
dear sweet mother of god i hope so
i know so
ITK
cba
cba
ITK?
Write for me!
😉
Side bets on which minute Mourinho will be banned from the touch line?
I say the 45th when he takes a punch at the referee walking off the field at half time. But it is not set in stone, believe me. Or not.
We have more or less laid the Manchester ghost in recent seasons, time now to put Moaninho back in his bottle. And if form means anything we appear to be a little ahead of the chavs at this time, so no reason why we shouldn’t boss this one.
Much as I enjoyed Belle’s stirring displays last season I’ve always assumed Debauchery was AW’s #1 RB and expect to see him picked. And I’ve always had Monreal ahead of Gibbs on the other size. I see Per and Kos as a given in the middle, so agree 100 per cent with the guvnor’s expected back 4.
I also see Coq as a given and expect Santi to play, if only to assess his form as he moves into his 30s (and for his reliability compared to Rambo). Further forward spots will no doubt be found for Özilla and Theo, which leaves just two more from Jack, OG, Ox and Rambo, without considering any of the newbies at this stage (I don’t really expect to see any of them until the League Cup).
Personally I would pick Ox and OG with the former on the right wing and Theo on the left. But I know I’m alone with wanting both Theo and OG, so expect Rambo and OX to play wingmen to Theo.
Then again I don’t really care who plays so long as we humiliate dozy Jose.
Öskar
TW14 and AOC together in the same team? Not against Chelsea but I would like to see how it works against some of the lesser lights.
Nice preview guv. Optimistic Arsene will break his hoodoo against the special cunt – our pre-season preparation looks ahead of the chavs.
4-2?? – a bottle of your favourite malt obviously found a good home last night 😉
Enjoy the game to all those going / watching live. It’ll be highlights for me tonight, I now off to Cardiff for a bowls match ( well it does keep people like me off the streets ).
I think we’re good enough now not to be having to base our team selections on the opposition, but I think the Hazard question might dictate who AW plays at RB. There seems to be a bit of a consensus here behind Debuchy returning, but I think Bellerin is the man in possession and the better RB at the moment. He’s an outstanding talent, great reactions, light on his feet, and he’s putting severe pressure on Debuchy who is past 30 now, and hasn’t really got going in his Arsenal career due to those 2 injuries. If nothing else, it’s going to be one of many interesting selection subplots throughout the season….
As for the rest of the side, the soothsayer that I am forsees AW sticking with his Coquelin, Cazorla, Ozil ‘spine’, then perhaps Theo will be up-front to give Terry & Cahill a pace worry. The 2 wide-attacking berths will probably be Ramsey right and Ox left, or for better balance on the left, AW may pick Wilshere there, perhaps meaning the Ox gets the wide-right slot with his greater pace over Ramsey. Like I said – lots of selection dilemmas, and before Alexis (and possibly even a new signing?) are factored in….
Not the most lucrative race day at Newmarket I have ever had but the weather and company were great and now I’m all dressed up and ready for the fray at Wembley.
No idea how Maureen might play this one but I do think he is rattled. I notice the Chavs womens manager is a Jose clone, what next from that despicable establishment.
Fully expecting an Arsenal win 2-1.
COYRs
Sounds like it’s going to be a scorcher this afternoon. Let’s hope we finally give these reptiles the roasting we owe them.
The selection conundrums have been well rehearsed above. I only wish there was a nailed on choice for the leader of the front-line. I so hope that Feo can take the opportunity to make that him but I remain sceptical.
In the meantime I expect us to start with:
Cech
Debuchy; Mertesacker; Koscielny; Monreal
Coquelin; Cazorla
Ramsey; Ozil; Oxlade-Chamberlain
Walcot
Time to get myself up the road to Wemberlee.
Now, which shirt should I wear?
GO WIN, ARSENAL!
Morning all.
Cheers for the preview guv, and good uck with that handsome wager.
I think Bath’s got the team selection nailed on, but who would second guess AW? He usually springs a surprise or two.
Not really bothered who starts as long as we beat those blowhards, I can’t stand the Chav’s, particularly thier cock womble of a manager, this game is far away from a friendly as I can imagine and I can’t really understand those who claim that a game of this magnitude doesn’t mean anything, it does!!
I understand that it has no direct bearing on the PL season, but a good result here could bolster the belief that this may indeed be our time.
COME ON YOU GUNNERS!!
Have a great day, bath.
I’d try the yellow one if I were you. 😉
Is TV coverage only on BT Sport – does anybody know ?
Looks like highlights only on Player for me if that’s the case. 🙁
If it’s on BT then they probably have the exclusive (live U.K) rights, I’m afraid, Trev.
Luckily for me it’s on Foxsports here in NL.
That’s what i thought H2H. There’s no planner on the TV here – and I did see an article saying ITV had rights from 2012-2015, but i imagine you’re right.
*heads back to beach*
Bt8 – it could very much happen if AW opts to pick both Nacho and Debuchy. We were usually set up that one of the full backs is more defensive minded with one more forward (last year Nacho/Bellerin) setup. With both of them in the team, I would not be surprised if we saw Ox on the right wing and Theo on the left with OG in the middle.
I will try to provide reliable streams later on. I hope there will be some non-english ones.
Look for a pub that’s showing it, Trev.
Win, win.
Eandy.
As I said, it will be on Foxsports here in the Lowlands, they should have streams.
I’m translating it for ya though. 😉
I’m not…….
63 h2h
quality advice right there
Ya know it makes sense, cba. 😉
It is not that I would not understand H2H, but I am bit superstitious about watching streams with english commentary 😀 everytime I did we got mauled (and I mean liverpool/chelski/mancity away kind of mauling). Also, I enjoy my football without having to listen to Michael Owens of this world 😛
Who doesn’t? 🙂
MIchael Owen is tedious as fuck, a natural cure to insomnia.
I also see that BT have added Savage to their pundit team, good move.
Well, good for me, because now I don’t have to listen to his flip flopping clap trap on the Beeb.
Wilshere out because of injury?!?!?!
Precautionary probably.
Don’t think he would of made the starting XI anyway.
Hope he’s all set for the hammers game!
Up The Arse!
😀
ARSENAL TEAM: Cech; Bellerin, Mertesacker, Koscielny, Monreal; Coquelin, Cazorla; Ramsey, Ozil, Oxlade-Chamberlain; Walcott.
Drogba is playing now for the Impact of Montreal
Chelsea is toothless without Drogba
Arsenal 3 – Chelsea 0
http://www.livefootballol.com/streaming/community-shield/02-08-2015-arsenal-chelsea.html
http://livetv.sx/en/eventinfo/328845_chelsea_arsenal/
for those in need
Come Onnnnnnn!
😀
Come on..lets smash those cunts!
Robson is doing commentary on U.S. coverage; sound is now off.
Ramirez the cunt, ffs
OX!
Who needs Alexis when we’ve got THE OX!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
GEEEEEEEET INNNNNNNNNNN!
😀
Ox populi.
Walcott and the Ox in the same team against Chelsea? Preposterous. 😉
Walcott and Ox… Prosperous !
They had two good chances.. would like to think that they hesitated a bit when they saw Cech..
😀
Please beat those cunts.
COME ON YOU REDZZZZZZ
Cheers Eandy,
Livetv worked well first half – now constant stopping. 🙁
YEEEEEEEEEEESSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSS!!!!!
Now tell me how this doesn’t mean anything!
LOOOOOVE IT!!!!!!!!!!!!
Yippee!!! We have beaten the hoodoo, at last. This win will give the team the belief and I am sure we will beat them again during the season. At least it will shut Moaninho up for a few weeks.
Jose: Cech, mate!!!
Cech 33.. already with 3 Trophies.. will get 3 more by the end of the season!
Hahahah.. Mourinho.. throwing losers medal into crowd.. always trying to get the headlines.
I look forward to him talking shite about us more this season.. it will get interesting!
With Alexis..Wilshere and Welbeck still to come back among others.. there is a good feeling and ambiance around the team this time around!
UP THE ARSE!
😀
MOaninho accusing us of parking the bus now! Playing with 10 men behind the ball… HAHAHAHAHHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAH!
The irony couldn’t get more ferrous!
😀
https://twitter.com/Alexis_Sanchez/status/627874196908048384
YAY!
😀
COYG
Love it. We looked great today: very calm and like a team with their eyes on the prize.
We’ll be celebrating the title come May, ever more sure of it.
One Arsene Wenger
Interesting stat before the Chav moaning starts:
Shots on target
Arsenal 5
Chelsea 2
Well done lads.
Missed a lot of it due to buffering and the commentary was like Norman Collier being strangled but, who cares, we stuffed’em and that will do me.
Good resilient performance – no-one messing with Le Coq. Mourinho was trying to be ‘oh so sporting’, waiting to congratulate all our players, so while he was trying to hug the last, one Arsene neatly slipped away round the back and completely blanked the tosser.
Most of the post match camera time was spent on the losing manager -presumably why he wanted to shake hands so many times – could it be bias ?
Of course it could but who cares ?
Well, I do actually. I need to be careful ‘cos I’m nearly missing the joy of winning purely through hating that lot so much.
Come on you Reds. Title next.
Only one Arsene Wenger! That was a delightful snub to the Portuguese provocateur, on and off the field. 🙂
Martin Tyler in commentary was saying Jack will have a scan tomorrow on his non-problematic ankle. The only sour note for the day. Hopefully nothing serious. 🙁
The back five was magnificent, none more so than Koscielny and Coquelin. And as others have said here, the mere presence and aura of Cech works wonders as it instill confidence in the defenders and makes the opposition forwards lose a little confidence.
The team really wanted to win this one, and despite not playing very well for parts of the game the tenacity was admirable. As was the fitness and athleticism on display, some great pressing.
Hoped for more from both Theo and Ozil. Theo showed again that against tight, well-drilled opposition defenses he is not a great option centrally as he cannot play with his back to the goal. Some nice touches from Ozil, but a bit more of the steel he has started to display lately in keeping possession of the ball would have been great.
That defense-splitting ball from Coquelin to Ozil though..wow!
Totally got my time wrong and missed it.
Damnit.
Totally psyched for the Ox. How did the gunners look??
We finally did it! It may be just the shield but if we’d lost again people would rightly be saying Wenger still doesn’t know how to beat the special needs one.
Couldn’t really see it well at all due to the quality of the stream (thanks Eandy I would have had nothing to watch without your helpful post), but it looked to me like we were playing with a lot less fear than we often did against that lot. Like there was an assurance in our play, a belief that showed through in the quality of passing and sharpness of attacks.
Can anyone confirm if I just convinced myself of that fact or whether it was actually in evidence?
Arsenal.
Provo @98: we played with a lot of calm and confidence in our defensive abilities, but a bit cagey going forward as the players evidently didn’t want to give Chelsea any chance. Reminiscent of our approach to City last year. That said we should have scored one more. Our defense looked brilliant, and Koscielny my MOTM.
I really feel sorry for souls like Stewart Robson. When Arsene walked past Moaninho without even acknowledging his presence, Robson called Wenger ‘petty minded’. The word petty coming out his mouth!! And the funny thing is everyone watching could clearly see that the cowardly Moaninho had turned his back when Wenger came down the steps…
Miserable souls of the meedja and their stupid agendas. The funny thing is that the day they will realise that the tide has turned they will be the first ones to bring down their darling Moaninho from the perch they have elevated him to… Can’t wait for that orgy of pettiness.
Cheers for the clarification Dr F.
Do you like Mourinho’s poo poo, Darling?
No sir.
No sir!
Never in Doubt! Maureen is a cunt! Stewart Robson is a cunt!
Le Coq was immense yet again but we definitely have to buy or promote from within a very able deputy at the critical DM position. Le Coq will in no way be able do it all alone the whole season due to suspensions, injuries and fatigue.
Cech was Cech; assured and confident instilling. Incredible transfer business on all levels!
Up the Arse! Bring on West Ham and the 2015-2016 term!
Ox first scorer at 14s. Get in!
I had 2-0 as well. Come on Santi and Gibbs- one of you just score the chance and wrap my day up…
This is our year gooners.
One Arsene Wenger.
One Holic Bar.
What a day. Finally beating the scum to get the Jose monkey off our backs and with such a convincing performance.
I’d like to say a word or two about Oxlade Chamberlain. While all the talk in the media about the homegrown English talent at the club has largely focused on Wilshere, Walcott and Welbeck – young Alex has kept his head down and gone about his business in a most impressive way this past year. Of those four players he is the only one who automatically makes the first 11 imo and today he scored a goal of absolute technical brilliance which ended up becoming the difference between the two sides. To shift the ball from right to left (against Aspilicueta – a player many regard as the best full back in the PL) and to smash it in one flowing movement beyond Courtois (who is a seriously difficult GK to beat) and leave him with absolutely no chance of even getting close was a strike of mercurial quality that was worthy of being the difference at the highest of stages.
Secondly – what a difference Cech has made to this side already. He is the personification of calmness and grace under pressure. While we still have improvements to make in the back 4 – we are a far better unit with Cech than we have ever been with the several keepers we’ve had since Lehmann. His organisation and direction throughout the game was a joy to watch. Fabulous signing.
If Holic did a straw poll of everyone on this blog – I don’t think anyone would disagree in saying that Giroud is the primary No 9 at the club. And yet, he didn’t start in the FA Cup final or today in the Shield. There are serious question marks over the No 9 position to say that Giroud can’t nail it down and Theo…is…well…Theo. So for me, today just highlights, yet again, the need for a top class player in this position. And I don’t know who that’s going to be, but like Trev, I wouldn’t mind a Benzema or like Tabs, a nice Rolls Reus would be fine with me too.
Finally I would have to say Wenger’s treatment of Jose today was masterful. Wenger is a super human being and a wonderful coach. But there’s nothing you can do in life when you come up against a man who is a grade A cock. Everything from his handshakes with the Arsenal players as they come down from the podium to his sneering and sniding remarks are testament to his self-serving ego. He’s an odious individual and at certain times during life the best thing you can do is to ignore them and have nothing to do with people like that in your life. So Bravo Arsene.
Lovely post Joe, particularly your last paragraph. COYG!
He’s shitting his pants.
He’s shitting his paaa-a-ants.
Jose Mourinho,
He’s shitting his pants.
The post Lars would have had titled ‘FUCK OFF MOURINHO!” 🙂 >>>>>
There was a time I would have chosen Mourinho over Wenger 99 times out of 100, and would have thought very hard about the 100th, but him being in Italy and then Spain dulled the memory of what an enormous cuntbubble he is.
I’m glad he’s with them, not us.