Arsenal Looking To Create Another Greek Classic
Dec 8th, 2015 by 'holic
“Let’s be nice and patient. I will be quite happy see it at 0-0 at half-time because that will put added pressure on them for the second-half. I stress again that more important than scoring in the first-half, we must do our best not to let in a goal.”
The Arsenal manager making his point calmly but firmly before a match which we had to win 0-2 away from home in hostile territory. Two hours later George Graham and his Gunners were celebrating the League championship at Anfield, Arsenal’s first title for eighteen years.
The similarities between that memorable night in 1989 and Wednesday evening in Athens are marked. Arsene does not have to write his own pre-match speech because it was done for him by George 26 years ago. Except that George was super confident that his defence could hold out, and Arsene has to concede the possibility that we may not be as watertight under pressure.
“We will have to adapt to what is happening on the pitch and to all of the scenarios, accept them and respond. Ideally, you would like to not have to be patient but we might need to be. What is important is that basically the same for every game in Champions League you attack well and defend well, that is the best way, go into the game with a desire to win it and knowing you need to do both sides of the game well.”
Another 0-2 triumph, or a single goal victory of 2-3 or greater will take us to the last sixteen of the Champions League. Some have argued we might be better off dropping into the Europa League, a more realistic target they argue. Poppycock. Big Ears is the holy grail, the one major to have eluded our grasp for 43 years since Ajax dumped us out of our first European Cup quarter-final in 1972.
For Arsene it has become even more elusive than it was to Sir Matt Busby who waited twelve years from his first attempt with Manchester United before finally lifting the trophy in 1968. Arsene is sixteen years and counting. The odds are against us lifting it this season for sure, and anyone confident of such an outcome is on far happier pills than I, but as the old cliche goes, you have to be in it to win it.
It doesn’t help that some of our best players are back in the Shenley Infirmary Wing, but while we have Mesut Ozil we have hope for this upcoming clash at least. Arsene has some interesting decisions to make. Does he consider the combative Gabriel for a place in the centre of the defence? Perhaps Kieran Gibbs might come in for Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain to strengthen us defensively on the left flank? If Olivier Giroud is retained up front for his ability to play with his back to goal might Theo Walcott replace Joel Campbell on the right?
Campbell will be well prepared for the atmosphere having played for Olympiacos two seasons ago on loan. His 8 goals in 32 appearances for the club included a Champions League goal in a 2-0 win against Manchester United. He is in no doubt we are in for a tough night but have the class to succeed.
“In the Pireo it is very difficult to get points but it is the last game of the group stage and we will give our best. It is the most important game of the season so far. It will be a cup final and we have to win to continue in the Champions League.”
The ‘holic pound
We have to prove that our defeat by Olympiacos at the Grove was a freak. As with all things Arsenal there are opposing views of optimism and gloom ahead of the match. It is set up to provide a dramatic ending, but that could be us scoring a last gasp clincher a la Anfield 89, or conceding a sickening late goal as we are wont to do on occasion. That both possibilities are entirely conceivable has the angriest of butterflies swarming around in my stomach. It is the very pit of nervousness.
The bookies are as confused as anybody ahead of the game, making Arsenal favourites to win on the night, but making a 1-1 draw the likeliest outcome at anything from 6/1 to 15/2. Next best is 1-2 for the Arsenal, another disaster for the Gunners. I don’t want to bet any money on a result that isn’t enough. Another memorable 0-2 triumph is a best price of 21/2 and I am definitely having some of that.
Those who have made the journey will be able to imbibe some courage in the tavernas of a beautiful city. I hope the night goes well for you and you see a remarkable Arsenal triumph. Think of those of us hiding behind sofas back home with bottles of cheer or consolation.
We battled so hard last season for that third place. Let’s not waste all that effort now. Have a good one, ‘holics.
169 Responses to “Arsenal Looking To Create Another Greek Classic”
peers into the gloom, looks for a seat.
sets glass down.
goes off to read the post hanging on the wall.
Splendid preview as ever Guvna.you almost had me looking forward to this one. The spectre of Europa hangs over us but I have real,optimism we can get a result. This team is good in battling against adversity. I like the 2-0 scenario. Won’t see the game until the second half but that may help my blood pressure
COYG!
I fear a Greek tragedy with our injury list H.
So more in hope than expectation.
sits back down, nodding in agreement. a tough ask, but let’s hope we have a michael thomas in our ranks. not to mention a tony adams, etc. in the back four…
Nice one H.
If we go out it will have been our own fault, so no complaints. If we go through then it will be exactly like us to triumph despite being our own worst enemy. We can get what we need and go through. Why not?
Rambo, Theo and Giroud. 3-0.
UTA.
Yes…we must avoid playing ManU at all cost …..in the Europa!
😀
Up The Arse!!!!
Excellent preview. I’m just as confused as the bookies, it’s a bit early to predict a sure win with all the injured players returning and a new midfield but the quality is there to snatch a win.
Hopefully we’ll do better than Manchester United whose game I just watched with one of their plastics. I was hoping they would qualify (purely for CL coefficients) but after a while it really was too funny I could not stop laughing. It was really entertaining, for once they tried to push for goals but it was a new philosophy for them 😉
That said I love Cech but De Gea is even more exceptional, without him they’d be mid-table. Their best player by a mile.
A breezy 4-1
I’ll go for breezy.
Neighbour, I pray you’re right…
Cheers Matt.
Breezy being the watchword, the forecast says NNW 5MPH at 9PM.
http://www.weather.com/weather/hourbyhour/l/GRXX0015:1:GR
Breeze blowing in from the general direction of London it seems.
Redcafe has a meltdown with funny bits:
“Ironic that we lost to a team sponsored by Volkswagen because I am secretly fuming”
“Van Gaal needs a disciplinary meeting for gross misconduct for making that sub.” (Powell for Mata, you should have seen the plastic’s face 🙂
“I look forward to not strengthening properly because we can’t sign Neymar/Messi/Ronaldo.”
“Definitely agree, was a shock to see what Group Therapy degenerated into.”
“We’re in and out like a dildo.”
” Seriously, the gods are against us tonight.
– Unbelievable, the bastards.”
“On a positive note; we could have scored 7 tonight.
– True, but it came at the cost of looking like conceding 8.”
“Watch out, Sevilla. We’re coming for your cup.”
“United successfully turned things around in the second half and humiliated Wolfsburg 60% to 40% possesion. So there is at least that.”
“It’s a process”
“Our B team is a B team.”
” I hope we don’t get fined for fielding this weakened team.”
As SCG says and Clive notes, a tough ask with our injury list. In for a rather prolonged squeaky bum time, I suspect. But #WinItForErnie.
people roaring bout tyson fury
in many parts here
he’s harumphed as a lightweight
“If you cannot stand the heat, get out of the fire.” Arsenal are taking us close to the flame again, and I cannot stop myself looking. The lot of a football fan!
How lovely to see you here Lulu. Yes, it is why we want that top 3/4 finish every year.
Another excellent preview, H. Covered all the bases.
I live in hope but expect us to come up just short as has been our specialty in recent years.
Be safe travelling Gooners. Be lucky playing Gunners!
As Ned said, Win it for Ernie!
What H said @16.
mind you
the world , eh
odd
bono wasn’t long
afore he offered his stage
another mouth on the street
“one of these wee fat kids”
“is doin’ his own thing”
me me me TWAT
.
B is for self
O is for serving
N is for deluded
O is for egomaniac
oy vey
🙂
I love you cba. There, I’ve said it!
Great preview as usual H.
I think we’re going to need a little luck but we’re due some at this stage. While I sometimes feel we concede so much possession with Rambo in the middle – I do think we’re a better unit going forward because he relentlessly drives the team onward and always manages to get into the box. At the weekend I felt we created a lot of chances but didn’t capitalise and on another day it would have been much easier.
The point you make about Gabriel is so right. We need to have pace to stem any counter attack.
But realistically, we ought to be beating teams like Olympiacos. And I think we will. Dare I say it, but with a little luck – we might even beat them more comfortably to qualify than some others expect!
i love chicken jalfrezi and RAMONES
but
you run a close third chief
and
in descending order
most of yer merry band
ned knows the stats
ask him what number ye are
.
.
.
UP THE ARSENAL
and
as so well put
God Rest Ernie
Gooner
Excellent preview, Holic.
I’m really worried about the defensive side of our midfield. With a good, positive attitude, I think we can score the two goals we need but fear we will let one in through a too open midfield.
I hope I’m wrong, we get the 2-0, strengthen in January and at least make it to the quarter finals.
Dreaming ? Got to, innit. ?
TTG,
A bit late to the party as work is demanding too much time leading up to Christmas.
If it was stats you were after – as stated in the previous bar – I’m not really your man but it looked like Pete (previous bar again) had some good ideas.
As far as your article is concerned, I trust your recommendations included Kim Kallstrom … ?
?
Best way to summarise our goal is … We must win. And any score will do, except 1-0 or 2-1.
I’d love to see AW try Theo and OG together (either in 4:4:2 or preferably Theo on the wing) because I’m beginning to suspect Theo has CF or nothing in his contract.
I agree with Joe that we should be beating teams like Oly with relative ease, and I venture we would with a full squad (especially Alexis). But I also agree with Trev re the leaky hole in the middle. What I wouldn’t agree with is revisiting GG’s tactics and being satisfied with 0-0 at half time. We need to start fast and get ahead early, and let Oly do the worrying in front of their home crowd.
With Theo and Belle running at them down the right we could terrorise them. Or switch Theo to the Alexis position and put Debuchy and Belle on the right. Deb would give us better defence (Belle having been a bit of a defensive liability in recent games) while the lad used to be a winger and he is very very quick.
Oskar
Cheers H for an excellent preview and some top points from the patrons of this bar.
I’m more in hope than expectation for this match. Although we gifted Olympiacos the 3pts in the home leg, they are not a rubbish team and we have yet to get a result from our recent visits to Piraeus.
Much of that was down to “indifferent” team selections by Le Prof. For this match its really a case of last men standing and there is little he can do this time round. Like others, the defensive side of our midfield is concerning and I’m looking for these fears to be cast asunder with a stirring performance on the night.
COYRRR ( or shitty blue if that’s what we’re wearing ).
CBA – Tyson Fury is a Knob – as is Bono
Athens? Beautiful City ‘H? – it was a shit fight last time I was there!
Admitedly was that in 1982,but still.
Its only Olympiakos ?
It was only WBA………
I agree with Oskar – Theo and OG from the off please Arsene!
Win Arsenal,please………
Never been to Athens but my friend says it ain’t much aside from smog and traffic. There’s probably some beauty in there somewhere if you look hard enough and long enough. Then there’s this:
http://www.cornerstone-group.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/05/EMEA-athens.jpg
Now I don’t know what to think. :O
Looks a bit run-down to me, 8ball. Badly in need of some Polish builders.
Oskar
Morning all
Nice preview H of what will be a nervy night. As GSD alluded to earlier, this is entirely our own making. We should be going to Greece with a bunch of kids for a nothing tie. The fact that we are going there with any hope of qualifying at all most would have taken after our first two games.
Theo on the bench for me. I don’t see him ready to play 90 mins and I think he could have more of an impact from there.
I’m not really sure what to expect tonight. Sanchez is a big loss and again, another self inflicted wound.
I will miss most of the games as I will be in Chelmsford Cathedral. I will do what I can to keep in touch with the scores. If it’s not going well I will be calling on others present to join me in a request for devine intervention.
CBA. Your choice of music and fine dining is commendable sir.
The Guv’nor is No 1 in this bar, cba.
It has been written. 3-1 to the mighty Arsenal.
1-3 more likely than 0-2 the way we play at the moment.
Even Nostradamus agrees with me and he knows stuff…
Off to the bookies…
I just want us to win and maintain the momentum. I am selfish, i want us to win the league, realistic as well for i cannot see us winning the UCL. Yes i am hopeless optimistic and want us to win tonight, progress and then what? Draw a barcelona in the round of 16? I rather have us win tonight, qualification will be a bonus but i will take a win, no injuries and a win at villa. We messed up the group and if it mean no qualification, i will live with it. Not happy but yes acceptance.
City progressing will be good for our league chances, rest assured they cant win the champions league, not with this defense. United out, so what happens now to the famed philosophy, 250 million down the drain? Schneiderlin wondering did he take the right decision? Agreed all of them may say a lot to us after tonight but atleast we are not proclaiming ourselves or blowing our trumpet.
Play well Arsenal, thats all i ask for, if you play very well we will win and qualify.
Already imbibing some courage in the beautiful tavernas. I fear that Clive has been down here with his black paint brush though. Graffiti has increased by a factor of about 1000 since I was here last. Few Gooners evident. Am I doon here masel’ ?
A fair few have been tweeting from the Acropolis, BtM. Have a great evening.
Sing those victory songs loud and clear, BtM.
No scarf waving though ?
According to the highly unreliable physioroom dot com, it seems Tomas Rosicky’s magic pills are exactly that.
He has been transferred from the deep freeze chest to the standard refrigerator as they begin the warming up process at Shenley that should now see him return to action on January 2nd. Apparently.
And that is exactly one week after the expected return of the almost permanent absentee, Jack Wheelchair.
Here’s hoping.
Trev
I’ve heard we will definitely NOT be signing Kallstrom simply because he is fit to play and will therefore kill one of our up and coming lads like Bielik, who probably isn’t fit to play anyway. Sol Campbell is a possibility however. So is Gilberto who has indicated his willingness to turn out. Top man.
The funniest thing about the Kallstrom transfer was the fact that he was injured when he joined us. Are we conducting medicals now just to ensure that people are injured when they join us rather than fit?
That way I suppose they fit in much more easily. It can get very lonely in the treatment room if everyone’s out training.
“…everyone’s out training”?
Hahaha. Good one TTG!
Great preview Holic!
This will certainly be like a Cup final, Europa League doesn’t really cut it for me I would rather not to be playing on Thursday evenings, reminds of this little club few miles away.
Getting little nervous thinking about it, I suppose we need a bit of luck on top as those injury Gods are never on our side lately.
Gotta believe and support our lads!
Come on Arsenal! 😀
I was going to make fun of Manu yesterday, until I realize we might be joining them in the Europa league. I think we will win tonight, but not that confident that we will go through. True is, I really wont mind the Europa league, we have a higher chance of winning it than we do the Cl anyways. So please people don’t go all crazy if we don’t go through today, its not the end of the world. I think we messed up in those first two matches, so here we are. I hope and pray we win and go through, but more importantly no more injuries please… COYG!!!!!
Longer odds available on us winning 2-1 (12/1) than on winning 2-0 (9/1), and the odds seem to be generally shortening on us not getting through. Not so encouraging. However, as Nostradamus knows, the seventeens on his 3-1 win is money in the bank.
Theo starts then.??
I don’t like the games where winning might be losing.
but go for it anyway.
Theo hopefully a straight swap for the Ox on the left. He used to create havoc cutting in from that side in his Southampton days. We have sorely underused him on that side imho.
I don’t think we have ever started him on the left. Scored some Henry-esque goals from there for the Saints.
Go get ’em Arsenal!
We are clearly going for it in the first half. I can’t see how we win it from the bench.
I punted too early. 0-2 is now 12/1!
COME
ON
ARSENAL
Do it for Ernie!
Fag packet kit = doomed.
good yellow for fortunis…
Come on Arsenal!
We’re fortouinis to get this ref(for now it seems anyway)
Good yellow card to the dirty diver!
Come Onnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnn!
We look a bit shaky need to find our rhythm
We need to score a goal soon…. put some pressure on them!
Come ON!!
great move, off the crossbar…damn.
almost almost if it wasn’t for the deflection we would be one nil up
girooooouuuuudddddddd……..
great fucking cross, simply perfect. aaron, well done.
Get in there OG
Come on…!!!
Ozil genius to find ramsey…
Girrrrrrrrrrrouuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuud!!!!
GET IN!!!!
Breeze ON!!!
Nanananananana –
Giroud !!!!!
Come on Reds !!!! ?????????
amen, bb, that was a killer pass, too.
Now we need another in quick succession….
Come Onnnnnnnnnn!
nananananana
Keep plugging away boys.
theo, get it over to jc next time!
well, we were lucky a couple times, unlucky not to have a two, and it’s gong to be a tense second half…
Same gameplan like we do against Stoke… they even got their colours..heh!
Let’s get the job done in the second half!
Two halves of 1-0 to the Arsenal and we are there!
Campbell did really well with the run and cross we hit the bar from. He’s erratic but likely to produce something almost any time.
@72 – great stat, Ned. ?
We are really poor at stopping crosses coming in.
great, now giroud is down. achilles heel?
thank god no. how he’s up. let’s hope he can soldier on.
Lateral ligament if anything, scruz
girouddddddddddd
yeeeeeeah
THAT”S HOW YOU SOLDIER ON!!! YESSSSSS!
Campbell did really well again – great finish by Ollie
Joel doing good there 🙂
fucking great work by campbell, and a beautiful pass from ozil over the top.
so i guess OG now shows up for important games, as does JC?
Please don’t try to just sit back now and surrender the momentum.
& nananananana
Allright… job almost done!
We need another to be safe!
GET INNNNNNNN G irouuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuudddddddddddd !
Get the fcuk in!!!!!
perfect timing on the goal. now let’s keep them at bay, and get another on the break.
Think we might need that 3-1
Come ONNNNNNN !
Are Olympiacos allowed to get cards ?
only for diving, trev.
good pressure JC.
corner to us. hattrick og?
ooooooh, theo….that was 3…
whew, thank god for petr cech. saved us right there.
I see BTM is taking my name in vain again.
Greeks have to come out now and attack,as they need a goal.
Hopefully create more space for us going forward.
Going to be a long 30 minutes.
kozzer, thanks go god he has a thick skull.
I’m getting to really like Joel Campbell, I have to say.
Unpredictable, quite dangerous, works really hard.
Good £1 million deal.
clive, also watch for them to be diving and complaining, those greeks, trying for every advantage.
Played Kos
pheeew
knife edge. on a freaking knife edge.
Plenty of diving Berkleys in this Greek side
we need a good counter now
penalty!!!
YES
COME ONNNNNNNNNNNN.
Have they ever been any different Scruz. ??
Have to trust the Ref not to be conned.
come on
YESSSSSSSS
Yeeeeessssssssss
FLYING!
B-R-E-E-Z-E !!!!
so far so good, clive. WOOOOOOHOOOOOOO, as my friend lexy used to say…
Are we cruising yet?
Siolololololololoooooooo
Imagine how boring it would have been to do this the easy way …… ???
do not let them back in now please
& nanananananana
Girounaldo on display tonight!
Trev 😀
It;s all part of Arsene’s masterplan!
Now keep up the pressure.. and hit them on the counter!
GET IN Girouuuuuuuuud!!!
COME ON !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Scruz
Definitely hattrick now and a pint of Winsiowka for you on the bar 🙂
OH MY GIROUD!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
cheers, arthur…pull up a glass 🙂
let’s defend the corner well, boys. hope for a break. no crappy marking!
Knew it would happen.. 😉
good substitution. kg keeps the speed and adds the defensive nous (and that nice interception quality).
Kg adds defensive nous ….. Really, scruz ? ?
lol, trev…more than theo, at every turn…
Like this attitude – no sitting back letting them come at us. We are not built for that.
Giroud just got one Up The Arse !
Cheers Scruz! 😀
agreed. not sure how i feel about da costa being allowed to try to jam himself up og, though.
back atcha, arthur!
ozil freekick goal, just to make things clean and bright?
Yes yes yes
joel deserves a goal.
damn, og nearly brought that one down for another chance. he’s on fiyah!
Lookit this. In meetings all morning, and emerge to see Arsenal up 3-0.
Fantastic stuff.
Don’t underestimate the fantastic save Cech made at 2 nil.
If that goes in, [ and Ospy wouldn’t have got near it] it’s a diff game.
We’ve waited far too long for a WC keeper to replace Mad Jens.
Now we have one,the difference is there for all to see.
Even the Naysayers who weren’t exactly overjoyed at his arrival,have dipped their lid to him.
& lalalalalalalalala
Well done Joel ??????
completely agree, clive. thank goodness it was one of the dementia signs shown by jose when it was.
*claps for joel campbell*
love to see the bench clapping for him all the way to his seat. same for og, i expect. great game by the both of them.
Clive,
I wasn’t a naysayer but i was undecided.
Changed my mind completely now though.
wednesdays, here we come!
Fantastic performance. Fantastic result.
That was quite good game of football eh?:P
Imagine how the Totts fans will be feeling right now.
Bloody Arsenal, eh ?! ???
Wow. Well done lads, absolutely superb.
COYG
Giroud up the arse?!?!
It only hurts the first time…!
😀 😀
Great game…..brilliant shift!
that lad campbell is coming along apace, i think. his pass for giroud’s second was perfect.
trev, imagine how the mancs fans are feeling…ouch. 😀
Who’s underperforming?!?!
VanBalls…all…260million of them~~!!
😀
What Clive said @143 and Trev @150.
Never in doubt.
But how did we lose to them at home?
This is sweet. Didn’t believe we could do it, great job guys….
BOOM.
Arsenal – well done.
Some of us believed! ???
From Alexis:-
So happy for the victory of the team, we are in the next stage !!! #UCL ??⚽️???
———–
😀
AW’s £10m spent on Cech now seems smarter business than the £100m van Gaal spent.
What do we do on Thursday nights now?
F*cking great result! Absolutely delighted – great performance from the boys.
Delighted for both Giroud and Campbell. I’ve stuck up for them both at times this season when they’ve been slightly easy scapegoats for frustrations at our lack of transfer business (I’m sure I posted something supportive of Campbell as recently as Sat morning here), and though they’re clearly not Category A world class, they’re both estimable footballers, top professionals, and fantastic options to have in our squad.
Happy to confess I was one of the marginal Cech naysayers in the summer, and that I was completely wrong! You don’t know what you’ve been missing till you get it again! Such a difference psychologically and literally on the pitch between having Cech versus (no offence to these two) Ospina or Szczesny.
As for the CL last 16. We can’t get Man City/Chelski (same country) or Bayern (same group), so it’s one from Barca, Real, Atletico, Wolfsburg or Zenit. To be honest, as long as it’s not Barca, I say bring it on! No guarantees with our woeful recent last 16 form, but on paper, nothing to say we couldn’t beat the other 4 on our day.
And no Thursday-Sunday Europa Lge football where you have to play an extra 2 matches just to get to the last 16. Unlucky Man U, Spurs and Liverpool!!
Speaking of Arsenal keepers….Chezzer made a beauty to help send an awful Roma side into the knockout stages.
Ned @158
We played Ospina. There is a vast chasm in quality between him and Cech
Top stuff tonight gents.
Ernie will be chuckling.
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>