Arsenal Can Change The Agenda This Weekend
Oct 3rd, 2015 by 'holic
Manchester United came into the weekend on top of the Premier League, and will have to win at the Grove on Sunday to overtake neighbours City after Saturday’s results. Arsenal need to win to pull level on points with United. This weekend will not decide who wins the title, but the pressure on both sides ahead of this six-pointer is palpable.
After opening the season with two far from convincing 1-0 wins United stumbled with a draw at home to Newcastle and a defeat at Swansea. Successive victories against Liverpool, Southampton, and Sunderland saw them sneak almost un-noticed to the top of the table. Louis van Gaal’s management style has prompted a raft of articles, and he has reacted spikily on occasion as indeed did Arsene Wenger this week.
I watched the edited version of his pre-match press conference and questions about the upcoming fixture were kept to a minimum as agenda driven halfwits kept trying to restart the post-Olympiacos presser. Maddened that he was again quizzed about leaving out Petr Cech on Tuesday, and goaded for a headline-making comment on Mourinho, he returned fire.ย However justified he may have been in his confrontational exchanges the episode revealed the strain he has been under in the wake of a performance in which his selections had backfired on him.
Let’s hope whatever team he puts out is as passionate and aggressive against United. The bad news is that Laurent Koscielny has joined Thomas Rosicky, Jack Wilshere, Mikel Arteta, Mathieu Flamini, and Danny Welbeck in the already overcrowded treatment room. Olivier Giroud is available again after suspension and would be in my starting line-up with Theo Walcott switching to the right flank. I think that is unlikely however.
Last season we ground out victories in Manchester with a much more measured approach to the big fixtures and if we are going to attempt something similar then it is likely that Aaron Ramsey will return to the right hand sideย with instructions to provide additional protection for Hector Bellerin. Francis Coquelin will be a key figure shielding the new pairing of Per Mertesacker and Gabriel in the centre of defence. Nacho Monreal must surely return in place of Kieran Gibbs.
What? You are asking who will be in goal? Do you work for Sky by any chance? Cech will be back for this Premier League fixture unless Ospina takes a lump hammer to his knees in the warm-up.
If we are to match United at their own game and sit back looking to counter with pace then the key will be the decision making of Santi Cazorla, Mesut Ozil, and Alexis Sanchez, along with Ramsey, behind Walcott. United’s defence surely will not make the mistake of defending with a high line like Leicester last week and giving Walcott room to run in behind. It’s the biggest question mark about his ambition to play centrally. If he can find the answers, starting this weekend, then he will on his way to proving his many doubters wrong.
United’s revival has coincided with the arrival of Anthony Martial for a mind-boggling reported transfer fee. The youngster has already notched four goals for his new club, surprising many with his apparently quick transition to English football. How he and Rooney perform will be something to watch over the coming weeks.
The ‘holic pound
The bookmakers are hesitantly siding with us. Paddy Power go 11/10 Arsenal and 5/2 United and the draw. You can understand how difficult this one is to price up. Frankly I would have United as slight favourites given their recent history at our place. Sometimes though a match that should be close throws up an unexpected result, and I am somewhat irrationally drawn by the 17/1 on offer at one bookieย against a 3-1 home win. (Checks outside window for men in white coats.) Don’t ask me why. It’s clearly a gut feeling, a triumph of hope over probability. I just think we are due ‘one of those days’, and rarely has it been so needed.
So that’s it. I have to say Im looking forward to pre-match lunch and a glass or several of Nero d’Avolaย in the company of some venerable ‘holics. Hopefully I will get to say hello to one or two more as the post-mortem and post-match supping gets underway. Here’s to that unlikely comfortable win.
Have a good one, ‘holics.
164 Responses to “Arsenal Can Change The Agenda This Weekend”
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then
10 men went to laaarf, went to laaarf at Chavski,
10 men, 9 men, 8 men, 7 men, 6 men, 5 men, 4 men, 3 men, 2 men, 1 man
Went to laaaaaaaaaaaaarrrff at Chelsea.
๐
2nd
Nice preview Guvna.
Focus, hard work and a bit of Mesut magic.
Keep it tight and catch them on the break. Beat them with the ol’ Fergie tactic – draw them onto us and then strike.
I can taste that Nero d’Avola already! But I can’t see the score.
Just win, baby.
Jose Mourinho.
You are a silly person.
The end.
TROPHY!
Grabbed that 17/1, but have also had a very nice 110/1 on the same scoreline with Santi opening the scoring.
He’ll take the penalties, yes? ๐
Venerable?
Make sure you have your wallet when you leave….. ๐
Thank God Zico. I was worried about what else he might have left with.
I had mis-read that as venereal…
Nice match preamble.
Should be a nice pre-match amble in the sun tomorrow.
Venerable Holics – blimey ! ๐
Did you not coin the phrase yourself, Trev?
Venerable bar, real fiends!
๐
Simple equation. Win well and we will be 2nd tonight. Lose and we could drop to 8th.
Time to do it right for the home fans, and then settle into a decent run to calm everyone’s nerves.
And I’m dropping the umlaut. it’s Oskar, not Ursker. ๐
Oskar
Abb, from previous bar,
Hi, hope you’re well – and I have, thanks ๐
Nicely set up ‘holic. 3-1 eh…heart over head choice I suspect. A win of any sorts is what the doctor orders.
Hope you enjoy a pizza of the action ๐
Holic- lovely preview. No idea what will happen but we have the chance to win this and put ourselves right in contention. I hope a tight 1-0 win will result but I will take any win whatsoever. It’s a very tough league nowadays and literally anything could happen but it’s lovely to see the gutter sniped at the bus stop struggling and the loathsome Mourinho having problems. Long may that continue
Cheers H!
I have some optimism about today’s fixture. Then I keep remembering its Anthony Fucking Taylor on the whistle. We have no fucking chance.
Up for it.
2-0 to the good guys.
UTA.
Hehe Dr z. ๐
Esso, I’m with you. Taylor refereeing is a huge concern. He just isn’t up to a match of this magnitude.
Not sure what to think about today’s game, it’s not that we can’t play a restrained attacking game, that memorable win at Citi last season saw us use our heads and come out on top, let’s do the same today.
Cech and Nacho must be restored to the line up and the BFG must show leadership on the pitch and hold things together. It would just be like Arsenal to pull this one off but a draw 1-1 might be nearer the mark.
Anyway we will all have a great boozy day in the sun but you can tell I have yet to fully recover from Tuesday night, another sloppy performance and more knives will be out for AW to go. I have a dread that it is all going to end in tears and some will be shed by me.
COYRs
Good post Delia. I have very similar prognostications.
I would have very similar prognostications – but I don’t know how to spell it ๐
cba doesn’t believe it but “Anthony Taylor” actually is an anagram of “still have nightmares of Aston Villa”.
I – T , trev
silly
Aaahhh
spooooky
dont like that
burn the witch!
burn him!
Simply enjoying the Moaninho meltdown.. slow and steady simmer after each game…boil him good!
Oh.. and we’ll win against ManU.
๐
could you sense me typing
and snuck in
mmmmm
weird
Cheers ‘holic.
Recent history not on our side for this one I’m afraid, our home record against fellow top 4 teams (No, Lpoo and Spertz are not T4 clubs) is nothing short of atrocious. Even though this United side is a mere shadow of it’s previous incarnations seems to matter not a jot, last years 2-1 defeat to a team that only managed one shot on target just seemed to highlight the ridiculousness in the tragidy that is our plight against these foes. Suffice to say, my confidence in us getting a positive result is not sky high.
However…….
Logic goes out of the window when it comes to footy, the heart will engulf the head as kick off approaches and pure passion and blind optimism start to kick in. Doubt will be replaced by expectation…. Ofcourse we can win, why not? We are at home, when we click we can beat anyone, we have world class players and one of the greatest managers to have ever graced the PL while they are captained by a potato with pub’ replacement and managed by a scrotum with a haircut from DictatorsRus of Pyongyang.
They are a bunch of manky, scum sucking, back of a fridge dwelling bellends and we are the mighty Arsenal.
COME ON YOU GUNNERS!!!!!!
Time for a reaction. Time to show what it should mean.
90 minutes of hard work. Come home with the 3 points…….. Please.
Not there today but for those who are, enjoy. I hope wherever you all are that we are toasting a victory later on this evening.
Dick’s out at Sunderland
*ahem*
Haha Holic! Images of Tanya Harding and Nancy Kerrigan there *whack to the knee ๐ Of course Cech in goal. This is not CL!
Trev, I’m ok xx And happy you did. xx
Hey Impec 1 (nods approvingly)!
And a big hello to all you slackers ๐
Delia, you’ve spoken for me. Quite nervy at the moment!
Great feeling, TBH ๐
Abb. How lovely to see you in the bar. I hope that you and yours are all well?
Cech, Bel, Per, Gab, Nacho, Coq, Santi, Ramsy, Ozil, Alexis, Feo.
Just win Arsenal..
streams http://www.livefootballol.com/streaming/english-premier-league/04-10-2015-arsenal-manchester-united.html
http://livetv.sx/en/eventinfo/341466_arsenal_manchester_utd/
Hi Steve T! Big smile. Just waiting for my antacid to kick in. ๐
COME ON!!!!!!!
Get In! Fab start 2 goals!
ALEXIS!
FUCKING BRILIANT!!!
OZILLLLLll!
GET INNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNN!!!
๐
So smart from Feo for the second.
We’re electric, hear the sizzle in our passing!
Wow.
Keep at am!
ALEXIIISSSSS
ALEXISSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSS!
GET IN!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!1
YES!
Wow is right. What a goal!
Get the fuck IN!
GO after Aguero’s 5 goals… COME ON!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
GET AT THEM!!!!!
๐
Alexis. Wow !!!u
Rubbing my eyes in disbelief. 3-0.
Donut boy the best goalie in the league??!… Pleaasse..!
COME ON!
๐
Both their full backs booked.
They are in Barney.
ARGHHHHHHHHHHHH!
RAMSEY…. next time then!
Everytime we break.. we look dangerous!
COME ON!!!! GET another before half-time!
Clean sheet please, don’t let the fuckers back into it.
Ramsey don’t Take Young Out!
He needs to play the left back position!!!!
๐
Cech! Cech! Cech! Cech! Cech!
YEeshhhh! What a save!
Well, well, well! ๐
HT
Daresay we could even bring on Giroud for this one…!
๐
I won’t relax until it’s 5-0
*Elbows will be playing, expecting some nastiness from that Lot!
No more injuries please. xx
COME ON YOU GUNNERZZZZZ
REF you bloody …!
Why wasn’t that a yellow then?
Grrr!
COME ON !!!
Taylor is a thunder cunt.
Ozil is *sick ๐ made a fool of Wayne!
Not convinced by Yannited’s beach shorts.
Want to brag on Cech, but too superstitious!
COme on…!
Don’t sit back…
Hope Alexis is allright….
Come On!!!!!!!!
ha ha ha ha ha ha ha
๐ ๐ ๐
*making de gea while de sun shines*
FUCK OFF!
JUDGEMENTAL SHOWER!
๐
*gets 3nil coat*
ONE ARSENE WENGER
Love it
COYG
We could have had six!
But i’ll take the 3 and brilliant defending to close them out!
NO CHANCE at all for ManU.
And…. F you too Felaini!
UP THE ARSE!!!
๐
Clean sheet very pleasing.
Until I realised I’d had a bet on Arsenal to win and both teams to score ๐
fucking yes!
LOVE IT!!!!!!
Love it love it love it….??
The speed, the flair, the gusto … Bayern would have had trouble today. Bring it on!
Forget the CL.
I want a run at the title.
Perfection!!
Just saw the Walcott-Ozil goal for the first time. Top drawer stuff. ๐
What’s all this? You all sound as if win or something…
BMBD
…as if we won or something. ..
Dammit.
Clean sheet! ๐
THAT
WAS
FUCKING
EXCELLENT!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
The Arse 3 – Manure A.Taylor combined Xll 0 – fan fucking tastic. What a response. Chapeau ๐
“Arsene Must Stay ” Question mark. Surely deserves one more match at least.
Come On You Reds! (Spurs losing adds to today’s joy.)
Van Balls is still thunderstruck… he’s mystified and does not know what happened!
Haahha!
๐
Touch, spin, left foot pass from Theo to get Sanchez in space early for his second absolutely fookin BOOOTIFUL.
Top class centre forward Theo, can’t be denied anymore.
Bayern absolutely fuckin shitting it right now.
Rodgers OUT!
Pool disintegrating….!
A great week. Chelsea lost, Moreen cried, we thrashed the Mancs and Everton & Totts drew their matches. The only regret is that we didn’t boot six past MU. We are back in the league. Similar in CL please.
Wow. Well done Arsenal.
Steam rolled them.
This was no fluke. Goes to show why the knee-jerk, emotive, reactionary folk like myself lose their shit over games like Tuesday. this squad and this club is capable of great things. It is beautiful when they deliver.
Played Ozil on his goal.
Gabriel a stunner, love him.
Cazorla just the nuts. The nuts getting sucked. An absolute hero.
Cech everything as advertised. Monreal solid as ever and that’s harsh on him. Bellerin just pure quality… on and on…
Alexis. Alexis. Nun said.
Roll on two weeks time. Adios gringos.
Focus on the PL please. Forget the CL….. COYG!!!!!
No no. Rogers in at pool.
Hes a noker and theyll stink as long as he stays!
Ancelotti going to Liverpool.
Sorry “joker”.
Ancelotti or Klopp to pool i wonder….!
Well in @Homer.
๐
Winning cures many evils.
Impressed the way we ripped them apart. Good on the counter. Good on defense minus a few episodes. And how good were monreal and le coq??
If Ramsey had worn his. shooting boots it coulda been 4 or 5.
Jekyl and hide squad continues and thats worrisome. But when in full flight – damnit this team is a thing to behold.
AW, take a fooking bow.
What a game… Still buzzing!!
A few myths busted today
1) Ozil does not perform in big games.
He toyed with Liverpool at the Grove last season and today he was awesome. For his goal Smalling turned his back while closing Ozil down, expecting him to put his laces through the ball… But this man doesn’t indulge in such unaesthetic acts. He passed the ball into the net like a hot knife through butter. What a player…
2) Walcott is better at the wing than centre forward.
He created a wonderful assist for Alexis against Olympiakos and got two assists today. He could have taken on blind once or twice and got closer to goal instead of shooting early from improbable angles, but it was a top performance from him today. The way most teams counter attack in the league these days Walcott on the wing doesn’t provide any defensive cover at all. Wenger had hinted last week that he would want Walcott to be more physically involved when playing up front and he did exactly that today. There are usually two complaints about Walcott – one that he doesn’t get involved in the physical battle playing upfront – he addressed that head on today. The second complaint against him usually is that he is not effective against teams who don’t defend deep. He still has to come up with the goods on that one, but for a player who has played up front in such a few number of games – he is improving rapidly. His physical presence and hold up play are getting better with each game.
3) Arsenal don’t do ‘game management’.
Against City away last season, United away in the cup and today again – we defended our lead really well. A top class goalkeeper does help though…
4) Arsene doesn’t do tactics.
Fellaini was getting on top of Cazorla easily. The manager comes to the touchline gives Ramsey instructions and swaps Cazorla wide and brings Ramsey up against Fellaini. One small move and the thundercunt Fellaini was taken care off.
Have to say that Ramsey was immense in the second half. His closing down and energy were top class. In big games his energy is always an asset.
5) Arsenal don’t turn up in the big games.
City and United away last season, Liverpool at home last season and this scintillating performance today. Since last season, our performance in the big games has improved leaps and bounds. Chelsea are the one team we need to get one over but we are certainly doing better and the handbrake is thankfully tucked away in the garage. Yet when we do lose against one of those teams the media starts the stereotyping and unfortunately some of our own fan base buys into all the ‘stagnation’ talk. Things need to be looked at objectively.
None of this absolves the team for
not doing well at home in the champions league in recent games. There is no reason however for predictions of doom. The way they played today just shows what they are capable off and there is so much to be hopeful about. Cheers everyone…
as much as there is so many things to behold in our game today, just look at the very first touch of Mesut in the game.
http://arsenalist.com/f/2015-16/arsenal-vs-man-utd/arsenal-vs-man-utd-extended-highlights-9-27.html
totally deft flick finding teammate with precision, sets a tone for whole game. Some of the stuff we producet today was simply breathtaking, also that moment when Mesut absolutely killed the ball from the air, outmuscling ManU defender…oof.
@Eandy
That take down from Mesut was my favourite moment in the whole match, amidst stiff competition. Absolutely world class, that was – worth the price of admission alone.
Yeah, having played football for some time and everyone who played the game on any level knows how hard it is sometimes to control long passes from the air ..to kill the ball like that is difficult on its own..doing it in the game while being physically engaged is pretty freaking hard..and that he even made it look so easy.
Reminded me of the Giroud goal against West Ham some two years ago, Vermaelen long balled it in to the area from the halfway line, OG, outmuscled Andy Carrol, controlled the ball with his left and smashed it in past Adrian with his right in one fluid motion.
Moments like this remind me why I watch the game and especially Arsenal.
Must not overlook the deft touch by Coquelin that kept our attack alive and prevented a quick counterattack by them just prior to our first goal. A pre- pre- pre- pre-assist?
Hehe bt8, yeah, it feels so good to finally beat that lot in the league, some justice served for last year when we totally dominated the game but they scored two goals from one shot. Lets build on this lads.
Also ..this XD http://arsenalist.com/f/2015-16/arsenal-vs-man-utd/thierry-henry-reaction-to-brendan-rodgers-leaving-liverpool.html
Oh yes !
How do we do it ?
Terrible on Tuesday and absolutely brilliant all over the pitch today.
Great performance – great atmosphere in the crowd – wild scenes and dances – one of those hugging days when Alexis’ second rifled home.
Oskar, Cynic,
Listen carefully, I will say this only, well, as many times as you like actually.
Theo Walcott did not score today but was rightly cheered to the rafters over and over again. Despite not scoring he showed for the ball, got properly stuck in, did a lot of good work and had his hardest working and best game in a long time.
Great stuff ! There is a player there that we haven’t seen enough of, often enough. Excellent today – more of the same Theo and we have a player.
Mat I also assume no complaints about Ozil today.
Had a very off night on Tuesday but what a game today. Superb from the very start to when he came off.
Have just returned from a throbbing stadium where we put the most pedestrian side I have seen this season to flight. United were completely bossed today. Credit to Wenger for getting so much right today. He managed the game beautifully , the switch of Ramsey being one example, he out thought LVG all over the pitch and his players clearly care for him.
One correction to make. A lot of people on here are talking about Theo Walcott. Theo did not play today. He sent along his big brother Bruto Walcott who provided strength, pace, brilliant running and passing and on this form is the outstanding English front player. Sanchez was magnificent despite being kicked from pillar to post, Ozil was really inspired in the first half and I thought BFG provided really good leadership today . Cech made two brilliant blocks at key moments but had we not won today it would have been cruel in the extreme. We battered them.
What a game, what a performance!
Btw, this is what last season’s home game against ManU would have been if we had taken our chances that time too.
Just watched the first 20 mims again.
We absolutly steamrolled over them, they were shell shocked.
Lars @115
Very good point I said this today. De Gea saved them then
Just took a look at the table. Arsenal two points from the top. Bournemouth, Norwich and Watford all in with a solid challenge to avoid the drop and so far looking like they could do it, especially if Newcastle, Sunderland and the like continue to slip up. And Leicester? For you to say really.
Those first 20 odd minutes was like watching two different games juxtaposed onto each other, we were so far ahead in quality, speed and efficiency.
Equally wonderful to see the team so expertly see out the match, without even a hint of the seppuku act that has tarnished many of our great starts in a game over the years.
Theo’s CF play was the best I have ever seen him in this position. Strength, positional and spatial awareness, intelligent pressing, and commitment in addition to the speed he always had … great game!
Ozil and Alexis unplayable while we were attacking. Once we decided to see out some superb performance from Coquelin, Santi, Rambo and the defense. Montreal surely is the best left back in PL now. In two consecutive matches he kept two of the most in-form right-sided midfielders in Mahrez and Mata very quiet. Gabriel too is growing in stature and confidence, some of his close control and ability to play out of trouble so calmly was brilliant.
Only regret is Rambo’s miss. He needs a bit of his goalscoring confidence back.
YES! YES! YEESSSS!
Just YES! Bloody brilliant! Fantastic! YES!
We love you Arsenal we do…
“Theo Walcott did not score today but was rightly cheered to the rafters over and over again. Despite not scoring he showed for the ball, got properly stuck in, did a lot of good work and had his hardest working and best game in a long time.”
Exactly as I felt Trev and as someone who has been his biggest critic at this bar since its inception – credit where credit is due – Walcott was magnificent today irrespective of the fact that he didn’t score – today he played for the team and dare I say it, showed signs of eventually growing up..!!!! I was so impressed with the work effort shown today – all it did was showcase what we are really capable of and why we fall so short of that standard time and time again.
If we approached all games like this we’d win them all…..!!!
Feckin’ top performance and sweet as a feckin’ nut! It doesn’t get much better and more clinical than that in the first 30 minutes!
Up the Arse all day and all night!
Barkeep, drinks all round as we wave Manure off into the Interlull! COYBG!
Obviously I agree about Theo having a great game today, Trev, the two assists you didn’t mention compensating for not scoring himself. I will just add that it’s no more than some of us have been expecting now the lad is enjoying a regular run in the starting side rather than hicupping along with 15 minute cameos. It’s taken a while for many to be convinced, but I’m sure everyone isl happy with the situation now. Except possibly OG…
I still believe the side would be stronger with both Theo and Giroud playing together, and hopefully that will be the next step forward.
Oskar
Agree about Rambo, Dr F, he’s just a couple of decent goals away from being back to his best. Something of a loose cannon in midfield currently who needs his confidence restored.
Oskar
Yes, and all credit to รzilla for playing as I’ve always maintained he can. Fizzled out in the second half, but the game was won in the first and he was a major contributer to that first 20-minute blitzing. Also pleased to see him subbed rather than made to play the full 90.
A much better performance from AW all round in fact.
Oskar
Oskar @123,
It was the constant pace and movement up front, aligned with clinical finishing, that destroyed them in the first half. OG would’ve disrupted the slickness of movement between the lines. He’ll always be a good plan B unless he can find an extra three yards of pace from somewhere. Feo is first-choice upfront for me, and I’m expecting 30+ goals and assists in the League this season. Up the Arse!
Amazing first 20 mins, I’m still on cloud 9 and it was party time on the 19.15 out of Kings X.
We did what we do best,(but not often enough of late) attacking with pace and purpose, everyone on the same wave length and blitzed the “league leaders” back line. It was truly breath taking stuff, Ozil the inspirer, Santi the terrier, Theo the decoy and Alexis the executioner.
Having secured a winning lead we settled on keeping it in the second half with a controlled defensive display which must have gladdened Arsene’s heart. The back 5 were outstanding with the BFG leading the way.
You can’t help loving this Arsenal but they do put you through the wringer. Can we do an encore on the 20th Oct ?
COYRs
Thankyou Arsene.
His team worked their socks off for him today. He deserves no less. Enjoy this one boss. I dunno what goes on in his home life and it’s not my business. But I might hazard a guess that victories like that one are extra sweet when other things aren’t going so well.
He takes all the crap. And the abuse. And everything that comes his way. And then he gives us a day like today. And whatever you think of him and/or his decisions, if you think there is a single person in the world who cares more about our club than he does then I’ll call bollocks on that every day of the week and twice on Sundays.
There’s only one Arsene Wenger. And I’m proud fit to burst that he’s an Arsenal man through and through. He bleeds red-and-white. Like the lady sang- don’t it always seem to go, that you don’t know what you’ve got til it’s gone?..
ONE Arsene Wenger.
Evening all. Report will be up on Monday night, I’m afraid. It’s been an awesome day, with awesome people. Love you all.
We can wait, Guv’nor. Plenty to luxuriate in in the meantime.
Agenda changed.
Since Rednose buggered off Arsene is also the only one left of the old man brigade. You know, the ones who couldn’t give a fish’s tit about celebrating goals the urbane, suave way and just jump to their feet and start double-fist pumping and grinning away, always looking slightly like they might break a hip.
I’ll miss that whenever he does call time. It’s the only thing I miss about SAF.
Also, how is it that I pay a portion (admittedly extremely tiny) of the money Alan Shearer receives to shower us all in the benefit of his footballing wisdom? If such a thing exists.
OTD
Just a point on Ozil. He didn’t ‘ fizzle out’ we chose to play conservatively, thereby isolating him more and giving him less options to pass to. He worked his ….cks (socks) off but he didn’t have the same support after half- time. We took care of the result well . We could have won 6-0 …or drawn 3-3 if we had poured forward . Ozil won the game within seven minutes with his assist and goal.
Guvnor, here’s looking forward to the report tomorrow night! ๐
GSD @128,
Spot on! I couldn’t have said it any better myself! The players were “the best they can be” for their manager today, and it’s devastating whenever they are. That private meeting amongst the players after Olympiakos at home clearly worked a dream. Keep it up for the boss lads! Let’s hope that Alexis is kept back from his Intellul duty to allow the groin-strain to rest up! Up the Arse!
I also had my money on Alexis to score in an Arsenal victory. Everything’s coming up Milhouse!
I am always amused when LVG celebrates Manure goals by trying to hug half his bench, not a single one of whom will return the hug.
Seriously, when Ryan Giggs won’t give you a cuddle after a Man Utd goal then you have issues. When that is true and you are actually the Utd manager and he is your assistant…
There was a lot more to the win than being two up within seven minutes, TTG. But for the third we could easily have been just one ahead when Martial should have scored from six yards, for example, and we know all too well what happens next in that scenario. In fact I did not feel at all comfortable during much of the last 70 minutes of the game. Well, not until the last ten anyway, when victory seemed unlikely to be thrown away. I was more concerned about conceding and not making second spot in the Prem then.
Had Rambo added a fourth I would have been more relaxed. Two goals can never enough with 90 per cent of the game still to play.
Oskar
I’ve waited a long time to watch a performance like that against that lot. Magical.
Yet somehow, I still managed to exit the stadium just in front of a pair of fuckwit doomers moaning.
Honestly I have no idea why people like that don’t just fuck off and do something else with their time.
I have had an absolute blast today. For me, that’s what it’s all about.
Anyone else not up for that party can just fuck off. And when they’ve stopped fucking of, they can fuck off some more.
Off to watch the highlights. Again. And again. Whinging fuckwits can piss on someone else’s chips today, I’m having none of it.
Can’t win here.
I say Theo is rightly cheered to the rafters over and over ……. He was excellent ….. Great stuff …….
what happens
“You didn’t mention his two assists”.
Oi vay !
By the way, Ozil made Sanchez’ first goal, and I think Sanchez made his own second goal by beating three defenders. That would leave Theo with one assist by my reckoning.
By I don’t want to detract from his performance – he was brilliant.
snowy – ?????????
Snowy.
I have vinegar, salt, pickled eggs, hummus, tzatziki, mustard, mayonnaisse (in various varieties). I have sauces: curry, chilli, burger, red, brown, tartare, gribiche (a personal fave- basically tartare with grated hard-boiled egg run through it) barbeque, chipotle, mushroom ketchup, hollandaise and bernaise.
There are many more should you be of a mind. Please ask at the bar and H can give you a full run-down of what’s being served in the kitchen today…
But there will be no piss on your (triple cooked) chips in this establishment!
๐
I see ‘olic was out getting pissed instead of posting the quickfire post- match reaction.
Good on you, sir. ๐
You don’t want to detract from his performance, but proceed to do so saying he should only be credited with one assist, not the two in the stats. Oh well…
Sorry, can’t resist! Let’s just enjoy the moment, Trev, and hope it’s a turning point for the season, theclub, the player concerned, and Arsenal fans everywhere. And also for inter-Goonerholic relations. ๐
Oskar
Snowy @137,
I’ll feck off some more then! Where’s that Chippie?! ๐
Good man snowy!
Sky Soccer Saturday – whole section on build-up to this game was about Le Boss and how much pressure he was under, how wrong he was, how was best for him to walk away now, etc., etc., etc. Orchestrated by Stelling and Merson – an utter, utter, clueless knobhead who I now despise on a level with idiots like Savage, but with even the likes of Charlie Nicholas joining in to a degree. Merson went so far as to predict exactly how the match would pan out – ‘Arsenal will hav loads of poseshun jeff, then do nuffink with it, and get cort on the brake like innit. I mean we all no it, dunt we, even I can predict wot will ‘appen, so why cahnt e see it, init?”
Don’t suppose the useless excuse for journalists and complete cunts will have a section in their next show, outlining exactly how fucking wrong they are?
Thought not.
Superb! I love seeing the smiling, preening Wenger of old when his lads turn up and destroy the opposition. Couldn’t catch the match last night, just saw the highlights, man were they on fire! If they can return the manager’s faith in them week in week out, there’s no telling what we can do. And spot on, GSD and snowy. Now off to watch replay.
Can’t ask for more. Well I could but something in the universe might break.
Spanking fucking united was lovely….smiles around and late drinks on me
Listened to the game on the radio and I’ve just managed to see the MOTD highlights. Some breathtaking stuff. 3 nil flattered the Mancs. It could have been a lot worse than that.
I said before the game that we are consistently inconsistent. As Trev alluded to above, how can you explain back to back performances like that one and the one on Tuesday night? Sort that out and who knows what will happen?
A great 3 points and more importantly, a great performance.
This is one of the few remaining Wenger houses left on the net. He doesn’t get the sort of approval he gets on Untold but we admire the man despite the fact he can occasionally fo our heads in !
One facet of him and this team which is not acknowledged by his enemies is his ability to bounce back from adversity. Yesterday was a great example and while the last seventy minutes was not spectacular it was an example of managing a game pragmatically, something which Wenger apparently can’t do.
As Esso said the idiots like Merson called the game completely wrong and the airtime given to fools now is a real problem for the game. Great pundits improve perceptions but idiots warp it. I’m fed up with having Adrian Durham’s vitriol spewed back at me by people who have little real understanding of football and whose exposure to the game consists of regurgitating venom.
We stand two points off the top and there is much more to come . The key is injuries. I can see Theo ( Bruto) being sensational IF he can stay fit but another international break never augurs well for his fitness and safety.
So big props to Wenger. Tuesday was awful but if we can manage second or fourth in our group ( third would be a disaster) we have a real shot at a title in a relatively weak year
Oh how a shit wet Monday Morning is brightened up by the afterglow of humping them fuckers ๐ The honey still tastes as sweet this morning as it did yesterday,
Up The Arse,
Hello all,
Well that was extremely nice.
From that first glass of fruity Nero d’Avola to the life-saving Snicker bar on the walk to H&I tube station with spectacular doings in between.
Wonderful company pre- and post-match. Orgasmic performance by the team. Ten out of ten for every one of them and y’all.
Who’d a thunk it?
I want more of this.
Message ends.
snowy’s post
and chippy’s “afterglow of humping them fuckers”
brilliant ๐
UP THE ARSENAL
*Basking*
Ah, but, Esso…. maybe he could see it coming and that’s why it never happened ๐
Best bit of the game for me was Wenger coming out to the touchline and sorting it out (a little bit) when they were running us ragged in the second half. It wasn’t completely stopped, but it stemmed the tide and we were then able to hit them a bit on the break.
Other pleasing things was the work rate from everybody. We’ve been here before though, and it needs to be done every game. Perhaps not to such a break neck degree, but there does need to be more a willingness from certain players to, as was said by someone yesterday, “do a Sanchez” and work harder.
Trev – agreed with you on Theo and he too needs to up it in every game, not just when he thinks it matters. He too has had a game or two similar to this, notably Chelsea when he left John Terry a stumbling mess with his willingness to get stuck into tackles, but he need to do it far more.
Overall though, a very pleasant end to a shitty weekend.
if that result doesn’t merit
an entire guilt-free share bag , cynic
i dunno what does
bag on the bar for ye, chief
“Liverpool are becoming Tottenham, think they’re a big club but the real big clubs are not too worried about them – who they buy, what they’re going to do.”
Jamie Carragher talking sense for once.
One of those games wherein i did not feel very happy, maybe beating united of old when it was only between us and them was more bigger. No do not get me wrong, i wanted them humiliated and i was so hoping we beat them atleast by 6, some old wounds may have healed. It was just an very easy win, the effort was their for all to see and the reaction was immense but united just made it even more easier for us. They were pathetic.
I love Ozil, i am eloquent about him even though at times i ignore his mistakes, so i can keep talking about him. Alexis Sanchez makes you fall in love with football all over again. He is born to play the game and i am thrilled he plies his trade for us wherein he could have done so in any big team of the world. Thank Dennis for that.
Theo and Santi along with Coquelin were the ones who made the game, it was their hard work which allowed the likes of Sanchez, ozil and Aaron to prosper. Talking of ramsey, wish he goes back to keeping it simple, he is so good when he does that. Ok not today to cry on anything.
Last but not the least the one man who does not get any headlines. Nacho Monreal, he is our most improved player, not Coq, not Bellerin but him. He will always be questioned when he has an odd bad game but boy this year he has been immense. He had reduced quite literally every right winger to an also ran, his defending and more so reading of the game has been top notch and all done with minimum fuss. Take a bow, Nacho.
International breaks are headaches. You do not want any Arsenal player to play a second but most end up playing all. Here is praying to a safe and sound return of all. Till then Alexis Sanchez ohoooo, Alexis Sanchez babyyyyyyyyyyyyyyy.
Cynic
Spot-on with that observation about Wenger. His switch of Ramsey into a deeper central role was very effective, as were all his changes. I thought he made LVG look lightweight yesterday with the tactics and substitutions he implemented.
I think the first goal makes a huge difference in big games . To bag three so early is wonderful but the first goal ( and we scored after five minutes in which United effectively didn’t touch the ball ) set the tone. Interesting that after ten minutes we probably had 80% possession, about 50% after twenty minutes and finished with 38%. Seldom has 62% match possession yielded so little.
This is undoubtedly the best, but not the only good Arsenal blog
Check this out
http://www.justarsenal.com/mourinho-shows-arsenal-just-how-great-wenger-really-is/44842?
Written before Sunday’s match. Check out also the excellent piece about Mourinho by Matthew Syed in today’s Times
To those saying we’re inconsistent: we’re actually very consistent indeed so far this season; great in domestic competitions, shite in the Champions League.
We had a few days of soul-searching after the Olympiakos game. Can’t be bothered with more of it today – you’ve got to enjoy moments like this. That was an absolute shoeing we just gave Utd, and I loved every bloody minute of it.
COYG
Cynic @152, good call on Arsene changing things around a bit but I would question your term ‘running us ragged’.
At no point yesterday did I feel that we were being ‘run ragged’. They had a lot of possession in our half during the second half but they never ran us ragged.
It’s Manure so they worked hard to get back into the game and they made a couple of chances as you would expect but frankly I thought our defence and midfield contained their threat extremely well throughout the game.
Lunchtime scribbles on the day before >>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>
“We never bounce back after a bad result”
“Arsene doesn’t do tactics”
“We have been found out, the better teams know how to beat us”
“We always play the same, Wenger never changes anything during the game”
And so on.
Anyone who saw our brilliant performance yesterday and still claim the above to be true simply doesn’t know what they’re talking about. We clearly targeted their full backs (or rather their one full back and the attacker playing at left back) and that the completely hapless Darmian was subbed at half time speaks volumes. We almost always looked to bring the ball out to the wings when building our attacks and that worked extremely well. Also, in the second half, Ramsey was switched to the centre and รzil out wide when ManU tried to overload in the middle. We also changed from a blistering attacking game in the first 20 minutes to a defend-first approach and did it brilliantly. Every single player played brilliantly, and the BFG showed once more that being lightning quick isn’t always necessary for a central defender.
A word also for Theo Walcott. I have been somewhat critical of him in a central attacking role but these last few games his movement has improved at the rate of knots and ManU just didn’t know how to handle him yesterday. His awareness to pick out Alexis in the buildup to the third goal also deserves a mention.
Oh, and as for “รzil and Alexis never show up in the big games”… well, I don’t need to comment much on that, do I?
Cech also shows what a good keeper means for a team. He denied Martial (who should not have been allowed that chance btw, it was a clear push on Mertesacker that gave him the chance in the first place – but not even Anthony Taylor could ruin our day yesterday) in their only real chance of the game and while we were brilliant you never know how a 3-1 goal at that point would have affected the game.
All in all it was a great weekend. Bit of a shame that Fabianski gifted Totnum a point with two appalling errors on two free kicks but hey, on a weekend where the Moany one had yet another very public meltdown, we hammered ManUre and I personally had a bloody great time it would be churlish to moan too much about that.
Coffee, tea and orange juice is on the bar for everyone, and for those of you in time zones where stronger stuff are in order just let the barman know and he’ll put it on my tab.
(right, have to work now, looking forward to backdrinking later!)
If Liverpool are becoming Tottenham, what are Tottenham becoming ?
You surely know the answer