So Who Starts Mission Impossible?
Mar 15th, 2016 by 'holic
Before I turn my attention to Barca can I just say a quick thank you to all who have commented on the last piece either in the drinks or on Twitter. I am surprised and a little sad at how few expressed something different, and pleased at how respectful the responses have been. It is also a little sad that Fleet Street is turning on Arsene as well, but the mainstream media is only reflecting what appears to be a growing shift in opinion.
Now it would be foolhardy to predict that Arsenal will overturn a two goal deficit in Barcelona on Wednesday evening, but we have in the last three seasons shown the ability to get a favourable result in the away leg, albeit not enough to put us through. This does feel rather different though. Barca are flying, eight points clear atop La Liga and scoring goals for fun.
We know what sort of shape the Arsenal are in. I genuinely thought when I saw the side picked against Watford that we might be going to Barca to start a squad eleven. The result of the FA Cup quarter-final may have changed that, if indeed it was a consideration for Arsene. There is a need for a morale-boosting performance to bring some of the disaffected back behind the team for the title run-in. Next to nobody will believe we can overturn a two goal deficit, but a couple of goals to earn us a draw should lift the mood around the club right now.
Who to start then? I am writing this as Arsene’s presser is taking place in Barcelona, so hopefully some pointers are coming. The defence will be boosted by the return of Laurent Koscielny, and hopefully recalls for Hector Bellerin and Nacho Monreal. Per Mertesacker’s experience should get him the nod alongside his long time partner. The two have contributed to a few solid defensive performances away from home in the last couple of seasons.
They will need protection ahead of them. It is probably quite a tough call for Arsene to decide whether to start with out-of-sorts Francis Coquelin or the more experienced Mathieu Flamini alongside Mohamed Elneny. Whoever gets the nod will probably have to give way to the other at some point to protect the starter from a second yellow. That is not so much a criticism of either player as it is about the standard of officiating we have experienced in the Camp Nou.
The best players have a chance to respond to recent criticism, so Alexis and Mesut Ozil should be two of the three behind the front man. Arsene may prefer Joel Campbell’s willingness to support his full-back to Theo Walcott’s raw pace for the first hour or so. These three will not see as much of the ball as they are used to so to quote one of Arsene’s favourite words they will have to show how efficient they can be.
I was asked an interesting question yesterday. Would I start Danny Welbeck ahead of Olivier Giroud for this match. I would start an in-form Giroud every day of the week. At his best he gives us a target man option that Danny and Theo don’t, or not so well anyway. But the Frenchman, his two goals at Hull last week apart, is struggling right now. Danny is fresh, has got some match-fitness under his belt, and has a mixture of strength that Theo lacks, and pace that Giroud doesn’t have. That may clinch his place.
In his presser Arsene has just emphasised the importance of a good performance for the rest of the season.
“It will be a big boost for the rest of the season if we have a great game tomorrow. We fight to win trophies and at the moment we are not favourites to deliver that this season. No matter how big the challenge is, the Premiership is quite open despite what people think and in the Champions League we have a very small chance to give our best tomorrow.”
If you are looking for a lift from the opposite camp here is what our former skipper, Thomas Vermaelen, had to say ahead of the match.
“When I was there we played a couple of times against Bayern Munich and we lost at home, but then we went to Bayern Munich, we had very good results and we were close to going through. You can never say they are out because they will always come back. The second leg is not going to be easy.”
Bless you Thomas. The fiver is in the post.
The ‘holic pound
I won’t back what I fear may be the likely scoreline tomorrow, and so am punting on the topical bet. Alexis is around 9/2 to score at any time against his former club and I am going to have a little punt on the normally magical Chilean rediscovering his mojo in familiar surroundings.
I know quite a few who have made the journey and all seem to be having a good time in a fantastic city. That is what it is all about now. Any half-decent result in the match will be an unexpected bonus.
Have a great one, ‘holics.
190 Responses to “So Who Starts Mission Impossible?”
definitely an unexpected bonus, and a miracle at the same time. i really hope iwobi, ozil, and coquelin make up the midfield.
good luck on the punt!
1st and I read it too! Is it an omen?!
Oh well, pipped again! Nice one ‘h!
An early away goal, with precision passing and pace on the counter, and that miracle might just happen! If Ozil and Alexis are up for it and don’t get downhearted again by their supporting cast, maybe just maybe?!
1-3 to the Arse and into the last 8 on away goals! Up the Arse!
2 and a half decent?
Iwobi on the verge?
Hoping for the best!
Up The Arse!
Nice preview Guvna.
Hoping for a miracle. Strange things do happen every now and then. We are often at our very best when we are written off.
Find the Spirit of 89, Gunners.
BMBD.
Good perspective. I’m hoping for a surprise but I’ll be very surprised if I get one.
Thomas would probably play tomorrow, or maybe Jeremy, in Pique’s absence. I think if one of our attackers can isolate Busquets and then a good dribbler run directly at that defense — with Alba and Alves perpetually up the pitch — we can create some good chances. Whether we take them or not is a different matter. Instead of Joel or Theo, won’t mind Iwobi to start at the right and ask him to keep attacking the empty space left behind by Alba. In the first leg Ox followed the plan until reaching the final third where bad touches and lack of composure failed him. Or switch Alexis to the right wing and let him attack Mascheranho.
Just to see the team play without fear, without nerve, with some verve and flair…about time!
The eternal optimist in me has just backed us to go through at 25/1. A fool and his money… 😉
Here’s hoping you win ‘holic!
It’s always darkest before the dawn.
😀
http://www.bbc.com/sport/football/35817572
A peek into the future? How many support this ?
😀
Cheers Holic.
It’s really fear the worst, hope for the best scenario. Just cannot see us holding out against SMN front line. Also Missing our no 1 keeper will not helping the cause, no doubt Ospina will be having a very busy evening.
Mr Optimism eh, seems like you’ve spent too much time in the company of BtM of late. Your bookie is already booking his holiday 😉 Actually I fancy the Alexis bet will cover your outlay.
We upped our game before when the worlds predicting the end is nigh. Come you gunners, show your pride!
bb 12
i can think of a few spanners
who should be on zero hours contracts ?
@CBA
Haha!
I hear ‘Appy Arry’ one with the twitch is looking to get back in…. !
😀
Good preview Maestro
Indeed we have nothing to lose therefore why not go for it and if we lose we lose but we need to show some effort and desire. Of course I’m hoping for a win and Holic pound is certainly interesting and as many of you already mentioned we always perform when written off!
Evening H
My Nephew was in Munich earlier this season,for the Bayern disaster,and bless his cotton socks,he is in Spain for the upcoming Barca massacre.
The only way they won’t score 5 is if they go easy on us,get a couple of early goals and then stroll through the rest of the match.
Interestingly,among my Nephew’s generation,there is little if any talk about getting rid of Arsene.
Sure they have a moan like the rest of us when things go pear shaped on the pitch,but they seem a lot more pragmatic and level headed about our place in the scheme of things.
They are very conscious of the constant Managerial comings and goings at other clubs,
[ Newcastle alone have had 14 diff ones during Arsene’s time with us ].
They are more than happy to be broadening their horizons, travelling around Europe every season going to Countries they may not otherwise have visited,thanks to Arsene qualifying for the CL regularly.
Sure they’d like to win Trophies more often,but it is not the be all and end all of things for them.
The great football they have seen over the years,the people they have met on their travels,far out weighs the bad times,that seem to frustrate us so often these past few years.
I am not saying they are happy to settle for mediocrity,just that they feel fortunate to be supporting a Club,whose regular season travel agenda,16 other Clubs would kill for.
You’re a good man H. Hope your punt comes in.
As a Wenger-critic the current situation is sadly all to predictable. The team is an utter shambles, the club is treading water with no direction seemingly, but what is the most alarming aspect, not the tasteless in-fighting between Gooners (as unsavory as that is), it is the fact the club hierarchy is allowing Wenger to be hung out to dry. No matter the stance fans take on the manager, whether it be his tactics (my biggest gripe with him), his prudent nature with signings, or his future tenure, he deserves public support from his paymasters – the lack of it is horribly distasteful. The man is in a hole from which there is seemingly no real chance of the situation being salvaged (the out-campaign momentum is now unstoppable and fan views won’t alter now), having done so much good for Arsenal, he deserves someone from within to front-up on his behalf. I want him to step down (have done since 2012/13), but he doesn’t deserve to be driven out like some detested emperor fleeing from the baying hoards, which regrettably has a real possibility of now happening given the current climate. Tomorrow’s match is going to be a blood-bath to such an extent that a 5-0, 6-0 scoreline would not be surprising at all as they are that good (ask Roma). If Wenger manages to secure 3rd or 4th place come May, with the current toxic, embattled environment, that would be an achievement.
Good point, David. Kroenke clearly has no balls and will follow the lead of earlier Board members in hiding behind the manager. Gazidis might have been expected to show a backbone.
As a bald Terry Wogan impersonator has said on more than one occasion, “Cunt them in the bastard”.
For the first time in my life, hopefully never to be repeated, I respond to Cynic with a …
ROFL 🙂
Heh
Hope your punt comes in
That Merchant /Ivory remake of the James Bolam classic was always going to flop.
Rather like that joke… 😉
Totally unintentional, mate.
BB @12,
I’m fully in favour of Luis Enrique’s proposal. It’ll certainly weed out the wheat from the chaff and make you earn your money! Love it! If you’re any good and believe in your coaching and tactical acumen, why should any manager fear?
Re: ‘holic @10. Good man, and better late than never. 😀
Speaking of 10 we advanced to the last 10 of the Champions League today. One for the history books?
Good to hear that our Stan has been nominated for a sports executive of the year award in America! … http://www.standard.co.uk/sport/football/arsenal-majority-shareholder-stan-kroenke-named-among-sports-executives-of-the-year-a3203056.html
…and Tump for president of course. Such great judges, Americans. 🙁
Oskar
Barca have zero incentive to go for the jugular so us being over-run isn’t going to happen, imo. More likely they’ll content themselves with maintaining possession and adopting cunning ways of chopping our guys down if they look threatening.
As for who starts it’s all a bit academic unless we go all out attack and get luckier than we’ve been for months (years?). And that means starting Theo while there’s still room for him to operate. Only bringing him on late when we’re behind, the game is compressed and defence is king makes no sense to me. And he should play alongside OG, not subbing for him. Last time they started together they scored 4 between them regardless injuries decimating the team behind them. I assumed Theo didn’t start against Watford cos he was being saved for this. We shall see…
But then you wouldn’t expect me to say anything else, so please ignore if it suits you. 😉
2-2 is my forecast.
Oskar
I love this board. Proper supporters with a real love and respect for the club albeit one or two who only pop in to say I told you so when things look bad.
Even as a slightly left of centre contributor may I correct David. This club is in brilliant shape. It is financially very strong indeed because of profits generated by Wenger. It plays in the best club stadium in England which is effectively ,if not paid for, is sorted financially. Wenger has a lot of very good players and this sides has played at a level four or five times this season that no other English side can match. The legacy Wenger would leave would be awesome and any potential manager worth his salt would only worry about whether the owner and board are going to back him. If we get a good result tomorrow we could go unbeaten for the rest of the season . A crisis is what Newcastle have or Villa or even Chelsea.
The result is largely irrelevant tomorrow but the performance is not and we have a really important game on Saturday at Everton so we need to bear that in mind.
OTD @28
Well well nothing new here to be honest with you he is after all an astute business man 😉
I thing it was David above who made the comment about the board not sticking up for Arsene and to be honest with you they should be telling SS to hush his gums because frankly he knows nothing about football and it’s fan base!
thing? WTF….. think….
Theo to score five?
bt8
Wishful thinking then again it would be a miracle and we would have to pay 120.000 on top if his current wages. Only joking this will never happen it does I’m going to bite SS’s left arm off ?
“I built the club, and the way I did it was with hard work,” said Wenger. “I had no external resources. Compare the club when I arrived and how it is today. It is moved forward, and without any help from anybody.”
Such breathtaking arrogance is exactly why he will never quit and will have to die before he leaves the club.
I actually think, for all the fancy buildings and training facilities, this club has lost just about everything that made it Arsenal.
So thanks for that, and bugger off.
Cynic @35,
It’s also narcissism which is why he’ll never quit. Arrogance and narcissism built off the back of our money and our loyalty to the club we’ve all loved and followed long before he was part of it.
@Cynnic @ Dapper DanC: to be franks the main arrogance and narcicism I see on display is yours.
@Cynic: which part of this quote is wrong. When Wenger took over, we were level with Villla on all counts, trophies and money. Where are they now?
Where are Manure?
Where are Liverpool?
Where are Chelsea?
Since I’m really in a pissed off mood after readinf all that tosh I’ll have a go at the keeper for once. “It is also a little sad that Fleet Street is turning on Arsene as well, but the mainstream media is only reflecting what appears to be a growing shift in opinion.”
Really? The mainstream media is there to sell. The minute they smell blood they’re on it. Perspective doesn’t matter, clicks do. Mac Cunty has more article on our demise than we’ve had losses. Can’t believe you are arguing that mainstream media is about reflecting people sentiment when time an time again they’ve stood for nothing else but sensational bullshit to make themselves relevant and richer, reality be damned.
@Oskar: “Barca have zero incentive to go for the jugular”
Well actually they’re full of confidence, they’re playing at home and they don’t have a plan B. I hope we’ll flood the midfield with Coq, Flamini and Elneny and get them on the break. If we try to field Ozil behind 3 forwards again we’d do better blooding the youth.
@Clive: I could be another nephew of yours 😉
Matt,
So tell us arrogant narcissists; how does an old dog learn new tricks in a rapidly changing world of very competent youngers? I’m curious to know? I don’t know if you’re from the UK but the official retirement age is 65 for men (Arsene’s 66) and it’s made that for a very good and scientifically-determined reason. Anyway, goodluck with the anti-change fight whilst I wax on as an arrogant narcissist.
@Matt (38,39,40)….Cannot agree more with you Brother!
@DapperDanC….Sorry mate, your argument about the retirement age being scientifically determined is more obsolete (in the realm of HRM) than anything that Arsene has ever done/said.
Bosnian Gooner,
We shall wait and see what happens at this season’s end and its thereafter. Old Father-Time waits for no man, even for Arsene Wenger.
Up the Arse!
When Wenger took over, we were level with Villla on all counts, trophies and money. Where are they now?
The money thing is arguable. When Arsene Wenger took over Arsenal we had a very stable club, used to winning things. It’s not like he’s dragged the fucking club up from the old fourth division ffs. There was life BEFORE HIM you know. We were actually a very successful club, well set up, living well within our means. We had actually been around and winning stuff for 110 years before this God arrived. Wake up.
Where are Manure?
In trophy terms they have won nine Premier League titles, two FA Cups, three League Cups, and two Champions Leagues since Wenger arrived. In money terms they are way, way off in the distance and this season, despite having their worst team in 30 years, they sit just five points behind us.
So not a very bright question really. Do you want me to continue? OK
Where are Liverpool?
Where were they when he arrived? Oh yeah, they hadn’t won the league for a few years and were in the doldrums, where they remain despite having won two FA Cups since he arrived, three League Cups (he’s never won that has he?) and that minor thing the Champions League (which he hasn’t and never will win)
Where are Chelsea?
The current champions? Having a bad season. But since he arrived they have won four Premier League titles, five FA Cups, four League Cups and that darned Champions League he’ll never win. Money wise? Oh yeah… money…
Next question?
Two FA Cups in twelve years by the way, if you want to talk about recent history.
Bismarck raised the notion of a retirement age pension in early 1880’s Germany. It was originally and cynically based upon the term of life expectancy – at the time around 65-70 years of age.
When the US became involved in the process later on it also included the practicality of affordability and financial sustainability.
Since then, for myriad reasons, life expectancy has grown whereby an average male in the UK can now expect to be around into his 80’s.
Scientifically determined? I guess if you consider political economics a science then maybe – otherwise probably not.
And don’t forget – age gets better with wine.
Sorry for the rant but it really irritates me when people act like everything before 1997 didn’t happen, or somehow doesn’t count or is way back in the mists of legend.
That seven year window of success from 97-04 is a tiny drop in the history of this club, not some Pol Pot Year Zero event.
Might return later, when a rookie manager will probably show us that he is tactically light years ahead of someone who likes to remind us how many years he’s been doing his job.
Sorry H. Not a great start to the day!
Some heated debates going on here early on….
Relax it’s a rather nice day out there and we might just beat Farcelona on their turf tonight!
COYG!
We are in a bit of a state right now we all know this much, Arsene is not going anywhere yet and if there is still a glimmer of hope left in this season then all we really have to do is to get behind the team and the manager until the end. We can all moan, look at statistics and compare but the truth is it wont change anything in any way. Arsene is and will remain a legend for our club if he goes when the season ends or when his contract expires, he deserves at least some respect for all his hard work.
Miracles do happen or do they? not often and definitely not with this set of players. Sorry this set of players may have camaraderie but not the steel needed to achieve miracles.
How many will go in tonight believing they can win and qualify? not one player i think. For all the skill we may have, the absolute certainty is, we do not have the spike needed to win a battle.
Arsene is a modern day great but he is too loyal, fiercely protective of his players. He has constantly over estimated the ability of certain players who never turned out to be what he had hoped.
Who plays tonight or who doesnt makes no difference, can they all be like let us fight for our lives and then if we still come short, it is fine or will we have the usual attitude of lets try to win, if it happens fine or it is ok.
I hope I’m not stepping on anyone’s toes here…
In my opinion if Arsene is the ONLY problem, he should have gone a few years ago… when maybe Pep or someone with a similar track record was available.(Unless you count Moaninho…)
As it stands now, there seems to be a lack of notable managers looking for work.(I am sure may names will now be brought forth) Of course an argument can be made that a once obscure manager was hired and subsequently managed the invincibles. That’s probably the exception and not the rule these days. (Although it would be interesting if it indeed did occur again!)
However my point is simply this, with the current board and Stan in charge, knowing his views… does anyone really think Arsene will get the sack and our top priority shall be titles regardless of the cost with the new chap?
While I am not arguing that Arsene stays on for another decade, at the present time, he may well be the best available man for the job, considering the circumstances!
Now on to the game …
Regardless of the result all i want to see is full commitment throughout the match, someone said we need to play with Pride and might I add hunger and passion too! At this point that’s all I hope for.
And last word to stan …bring down the ticket prices for the fans.. it’s easily done if you want to and cost but a drop in that ocean that you swim in!
😀
@49 Vinay
I’ll have to agree with you on Arsene being loyal to a fault and being overprotective of his players.
Some of them should have been axed long ago. but on the bright side, I see Campbell and Iwobi getting more matches!
😀
On a completely unrelated note :
http://i.imgur.com/i5kE80m.jpg
😀
please feel free to delete this post if it’s deemed inappropriate.
😀
LOL @BB 52 😀
Matt @38, some questions for you.
Exactly which part of our current squads or club performances are you so chuffed about!!!!!.
Did you enjoy being knocked out of the FA cup by Watford
Or was It our recent CL loss at home
Or perhaps it is our recent loss/ win ratio
Is it our defence or our attack or our midfield
Is it our recent transfers
Is it all our recent trophies
Is it our ticket prices
I will give you one for free – we have a great stadium complex and I would give it up in a heartbeat to be where Leicester are today on a much less budget !!
You defending of arsene and Arsenal above, if I am to be honest, is simply ridiculous nonsense and not based on a single fact, as excellently pointed out by cynic above.
Maybe you should actually go watch a recent Arsenal game, might help you with some perspective and facts….about our real position in world football
Cynic @44, 45, & 47; Hector @54;
You’ve both said it all at its most arrogant and narcissistic best! Salut! 😎
One more thing, whilst I eat lunch and pick my nose (not related incidents)
I would be quite interested in one of our former players, who has played under Wenger for a few years from the start of his time here, and who is still fittish enough to take part in a session or two (Lee Dixon perhaps) spending a week at the training ground. Just to see what, if anything, has changed. Whether there have been improvements, whether the changes (if there are any at all) are better or worse.
Then I’d like to see them spend a week at Bayern Munich, Barcelona and Real Madrid, in turn.
At the end, I’d be very interested to hear their opinion on where we stand in comparison to the old days and our supposed current rivals.
We would then have a professional, unbiased (hopefully) view of whether we’re way behind and we’d at least know if Arsene Wenger has moved with the times or is still stuck in the same old methods, from someone who trained under him for about five years.
That would be very interesting. I think.
“I will give you one for free – we have a great stadium complex and I would give it up in a heartbeat to be where Leicester are today on a much less budget !!”
Hector, this is exactly the logic that makes people unable to comprehend the magnitude of Arsene’s work in the last two decades. Give me a success NOW…at any cost…the end justifies the means. Be a City…bring in Usmanov…do whatever it takes but just give me a SUCCESS. And, mind you, not any success. For many of us the success is the moving target. First top four became too little, we asked for trophies; than an FA cup (in succession!) became too little because we want a title. What is next? Fuck the title…deliver us the CL! C’mon mate…
I thought, besides being an architectural marvel and a pride of every GOONER on this planet, that our stadium is the foundation of our future success. I thought our complete range of facilities (not just the Emirates!) will enable us (and those who will come after us) to enjoy new victories and to cheer-up new Henrys, Vieras, etc.
It is so sad to learn that you would trade all that for a position in which Leicester is now. Leicester is a statistical error, my friend. The only club that has managed to defy odds and pull some sort of ‘Leicester act’ on a consistent basis is ARSENAL. We transformed the club into a SUPERCLUB in terms of its infrastructure, fans base, management style, etc. And on top of all that we managed to stay among the best in England and in Europe. The architect of that transformation is the one and only Arsene Wenger. Be proud of that!
http://www.irishtimes.com/sport/soccer/champions-league/emmanuel-petit-time-for-arsene-wenger-to-move-upstairs-1.2575162
petit’s deux cents
What I like about Wenger is his dignity. It was on show in the presser when a hack tried to put words in his mouth to the effect of not being affected by (or caring about) other people’s opinions. He just refused to be drawn on the issue and dealt with the journalistic goading like a true gent.
It’s fairly clear he needs to go but I’ll miss his urbanity and intelligence, among other admirable personal qualities, when he does. They’re far too rare and so refreshing when you encounter them.
Oh and tonight. I think we all know the drill, play with freedom because we’ve been written off, score one, then Farca will decide they need to do the same, wake up, choose when to, and score. Putting it beyond us and probably chucking some icing on top with 1-2 more.
I love the smell of testosterone in the morning.
Keep it civil please. Thanks all.
Holic this blogging lark is clearly low-pressure cushy number if you call 12:45 the morning. 🙂
@60 I thought it was the result of the Guinness & the curry from the night before 🙂
As long as it’s your own, H.
‘h,
Actually, I was feeling rather metrosexual and under-androgened this morning…..must’ve been from putting-on the Management’s underwear by mistake?!
Spot on BB @50.
Time to point the cannons outward.
Remember Sir Francis Drake!
Remember the Peninsula Campaign!
Unleash the Spirit of 89.
Cry ‘Havoc!’ And set loose the dogs of war!
I know tabs, Lars and Glenn are there, so we have a few dogs of war available. Snowy is there too but is more of a cat person. ?
Bosnian Gooner @57 Surely sir you must be joking. The main target every season for us all surely has to be winning the league? Someone please correct me if I’m wrong but success hasn’t been a moving target for most people. We have all wanted us to win the league every single season. It’s why we buy players in the summer. It’s why we talk about how much money we have to spend. And now Leicester are doing it without huge transfer fees (making the default argument of “Arab and Russian money can’t be challenged” useless) its why most people’s eyes are finally turning back to our football tacticians and trainers and management all of which is Arsene’s responsibility. That you consider top 4 such a trophy that you are obliged to point out that people weren’t “satisfied” with it and dared to ask for trophies is a little strange given the history of this club and even Arsene himself.
Nice one, Holic,
Good luck with the pounds !
Is that ‘early morning toastosterone ? ?
#81 on previous thread
Thanks for the advice Trev – think you are right.
We have done the Stadium tour already , but think next season’s early optimism may be a better time for my daughters’ first match visit.
My first Highbury game was a 3-1 win against Birmingham City in the 1979/1980 season at the age of Nine – high up in the West Stand – will never forget watching the North Bank move when we scored.
Quite awe inspiring for a 9 year old.
COYG.
Think it was the 78/79 season now I think about it…
I think I have agree with Larry above
“making the default argument of “Arab and Russian money can’t be challenged” useless”
It’s all about building a squad of players so they can preform and win as many games as possible during a season to reach those goals. This means you have to have leaders in your squad and something tells me we don’t have many of those around especially at this moment in time. Unfortunately Arsene’s projects have failed each time as he tried to build something around specific players. Cesc is one them and look how that ended up? He went back to Barca and Wenger had to adapt a new strategy no doubt he tried his best but we were never really in the tittle chase as you could guarantee we would stumble and bottle it at some point in a season.
We never looked really like real winners in any of those seasons and that’s partially because Arsene’s philosophy is to give mediocre players a chance to prove themselves and the biggest down side to this is that even though he tried so hard to make them world class they have always let him down and that is simply because they are not good enough. Sorry to pick on Theo again but he is a prime example and so is the OX any many others that went through the ranks. I think Arsene has a real issue with getting rid off dead wood, perhaps he should be more ruthless with some of them because at the end of the day it’s all about wining trophies. Let’s not blame him entirely here because the current crop of players are more than capable of playing much better football as we have seen it before therefore they should certainly be blamed for the current shortcomings.
Getting a little nervous here and that’s because you never know which Arsenal is going to turn up!
every time i see a post from new day raisins
i sing this in me head
https://m.youtube.com/#/watch?v=lW2pxd1ueG4
mind you
have loadsatunes i have assigned
in my mind
to drinkers here
i’ll not say what they are
?
.
just saw an ad for frocks for ladies of a certain age
lorraine ‘her off the telly’ kelly
using teenage kicks
feel old ?
interestingly today is 40th anniversary
of the 1st Undertones concert ever
so
happy birthday to the tones
here’s to an Arsenal victory as a present
even though they’re chelsea fans
.
.
stout chilling in the fridge
.
.
.
UP THE ARSENAL
Hello Boss. Hello all.
I’ve been completely out of contact with the world for a couple of weeks. I found out 2 weeks worth of results a couple of days ago. Not good ones or ones that inspired me to back drink at all. Oh well- the sun kept rising even when I had no idea what our lot were up to- so I guess I’m learning to live without those boys in red.
Still, well up for this one even though I’ve got no idea if I’ll be able to see a minute of it. I’ve got money on us to go through. Also on Bellerin to score last in a 4-2 victory at 3000s. Dead Cert, folks.
Optimistic? Just a touch. Bonkers? Completely. Gooner? Till the day I die.
BMBD
No point in being pessimistic,we are where we are and let’s get on ,make the most of it.
Barcelona is fabulous ,down to earth town with down to earth people.
No wonder there footballers go down to earth so easily.
Got in early afternoon,checked into hotel and at 15h30 the receptionist recommended a good restaurant around the corner.In France you would be lucky to get served after 14h00 but here the restaurant was full with family groups and couples and everybody seemed to know each other.I told the waiter to choose something good and local for me.Tomatos,garlic and olive oil on toasts ,side plate of baked mushrooms,followed by hake ,potatoes and peas.All washed down with a bottle of house white followed by Creme brûlée (the waiter said it was typically Catalan) and good strong coffee.
I will ramble down to the seafront now before making my way to the stadium and meeting up with my man who will hopefully provide me with a legitimate cat 1 ticket.
Come on you reds
WIB @ 74
Enjoy it mate mate I know I will get behind the boys come kick off time 🙂
Come on you rip roaring Gooners!
New Day Raisins,
You’re welcome. I was in that North Bank when it moved – can’t believe it in these days of ‘Elf and Safety. ?
WUIB. You lucky bastarde. 😀
Re: Arab and Russian money can’t be challenged. What about Thai money? Maybe it is the massages.
Right ,back at the hotel
It might rain in Spain
But as soon as I go out ,it pisses it down in Barcelona
It looks like a wet and windy night in The Catalan capital
Maybe that will give us an edge,you still never know
Bt8
We will see if there is a happy ending
Made a bet of us going trough, come on boys make us some money.
Washed up, enjoy the game, wish I was there.
COYG
@WUIB
Wet and windy?.. oh noes.. looks like Danny Alves is going to fall down again…
Be sure to let him know what we think!
Up The Arse!
😀
3-0 as We Shock the World! Danny & Ollie to score, before Theo breaks off into a Milan-esque run, setting Alexis to slide in the dagger.. Ka-Boom!
(anyone with a good live stream link)
@DapperDan: “how does an old dog learn new tricks in a rapidly changing world of very competent youngers?”
Ranieri is 65 this year, never won a top league in his managerial career. Looks like that old dog is learning new tricks quite well this year wouldn’t you say?
Heynkes was 67 when Bayern did the treble, Guardiola took over the best team in Europe at the time. He’s done well but better than Heynkes? Not yet.
@Cynic:”When Arsene Wenger took over Arsenal we had a very stable club, used to winning things.”
3 titles, 3 FA cups, 12 top 4 finish in the previous 30 years
10 titles and 6 FA cups in a over century
@Cynic/DapperDan/Hector and the other “Wenger out at all cost” believers:
Wenger will retire soon, be it this year, the next or more improbably 2-3 years from now. How and when it happens is just a minute detail in the grand scheme of things. You and the other wind merchants are selling us “make Arsenal great again”, a dream future where Arsenal wins the title and the CL (no need to mention the FA cup cause you don’t care for it). So now tell us a bit more about that great plan of yours.
Which manager will get us there? I know you or the likes of you were vocal about us getting Moyes or Martinez in the past. Still advocating for one of those? If not whom else, please be specific.
How will he be chosen by an owner who by his recent own admission doesn’t care about trophies? Please tell us how confident you are that Kroenke and Gazidis will hire the dream manager you’re longing for and why you’re so certain he will be better than Wenger.
How will he be supported by the same owner/board? Please tell us how confident you are that the transfer budget will suddenly explode and more and better players will be brought in and why.
And more importantly: how does your great plan differ from the great plan of our rivals, more specifically all the ones that won’t make top 4 this year with a comparable, if not higher budget?
We’re all ears, please enlighten us, we’re begging to be convinced.
Got my pound on Alexis to score at any time just like the Holic and for us to go through!
Come on Arsenal nothing is impossible if you put your heart to it!
COME ON!
Ospina, Bellerin, Gabriel, Koscielny, Monreal; Flamini, Elneny; Iwobi, Ozil, Sanchez; Welbeck.
Iwobi on the right? Danny leads the line. We’re going for it… if we can get the ball 😉
3 titles, 3 FA cups, 12 top 4 finish in the previous 30 years
Alternatively, two titles, an FA Cup, two league cups and a European trophy in the previous ten years to Year Wenger.
You can mix it up any way you want, but the plain and simple fact is that this club was doing well enough before he came along and will undoubtedly get along just fine without him.
Might even thrive.
By the way your last six paragraphs are prefaced with an incorrect assumption, therefore do not really merit a response.
Your assumption is wrong. I don’t think anyone here is a “Wenger out at any cost” type, because that would include Spurs winning the league. Fuck that.
You however appear to be a “Wenger must stay at any cost”, which presumably includes Spurs winning the league. Fuck that.
Some music to set the tone : https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zPf_PJlJsJQ
COME Onnnnnnnnnnnn!!!!
😀
Back home, it must be a night for the lovely Hector to steel the show. He will obviously want to impress the Spanish manager, a Euro place in the squad is up for grabs. Just hope there are no scenes reminiscent of Cesc’s return to the Nou Camp.
We should have no chance tonight but stranger things have happened. Why is Flamini preferred over Le Coq?
COYRs
Hatchet job.. Flamini does it better…
😀
BB
Good choice of music to set the tone for…..https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6MOupUg2ma0
Matt @84,
One has to respect your loyalty towards the “Wenger-must-stay” cause. The big match’s about to start so we might continue this again later. Before then though just as an appetiser; being of an older-age and having an inability to learn new things aren’t mutually exclusive events but are dependent on the pragmatism and humility of the “old-dog” in question, and the relative expectations of the club he/she manages. Cynic and others have rather well expounded on this already.
From your examples of elder statesmen managers/coaches: Ranieri has clearly over-achieved this season with Leicester after underachieving for so long with much bigger clubs (it’s actually Pearson the previous Foxes manager that I credit most for the miracle that is Leicester this season as they were his squad and players that picked up 23 out of 30 points at the end of last season to stave off relegation); Heynkes did as was expected of him with Bayern; Arsene is underachieving.
To be continued, if I’m still sober that is after the miracle at the Nou Camp!
Up the Arse! COYBG!
@ATG
Only 1Hr? That’s just like us ..not lasting the full 90mins!
😀 😀 😀
We might just out swim them here…!
Hope we brought our swimming goggles!
😀
@BB
He he just for the intro, that’s a long intro indeed 🙂
‘Holics,
It’s been such a long time since I’ve come to the bar. I’ve missed you guys. Thanks for checking on me Scruz (I appreciate it). I haven’t backdrunk, but I do know there is no better time for:
BMBD
Let’s finish strong…and put the scum back where they belong – FIOS.
Seriously, I hope each of you has been well. I intend to check back in soon.
BMBD (just for good measure)
I have odds on the arse winning by 3 @ 115 to 1 against these diving princesses from barca..
UTA
Okay boys let’s give em a game
iwobi on the right. yes!
time for a miracle.
welcome back, lonestar…
hector, let’s win by 2, and then in penalties.
My brother has turned up with beer.
On the negative side, it’s Heineken.
On the positive, it’s those fucking huge bottles.
Glug glug. Good night Vienna.
keep hitting them, boys.
Top save Ospina!
whew. ospina saves point blank from an onside messi.
zonal marking ?????
howdy, arthur.
WTF is Koscielny doing?
ffffffuuuuuuuck. what horrible defense. there it goes, and the tie is over.
Hey Scruz hope you are well?
Come on Iwobi play the man
Makes my big Arsenal payday of a win by 3, that little bit harder.
onwards and upwards in hope
cheers, arthur, and with you? all is well excepting the game. my son turns 18 today, and found out friday he’s in at ucsd as well as ucsb. more answers coming next week, it’s (as they say) squeaky bum time 🙂
3 goals will still do it.
BMBD
Congratulations, Scruz.
BMBD
All good here Scruz, apart from the game that is and a Happy B Day to your son in this case 🙂 hope he has a good one! Unfortunately we are chasing shadows!
thanks, lonestar! how’s little thierry?
shadows indeed, arthur. not a pretty sight.
More Rioja please barman 🙂
Might as well take Ozil and Sanchez off and save them for Saturday. They’re spectators.
Away Gooners great support!
Looks like the ref missed that clipped heel of Iwobi….
Argh!
Play the full team.. the away fans deserve it!
COME ONNNNNNNNNNNN!
Elneny..ohhhhhhhh!
Pull the trigger earlier!
Unlucky come on lads keep digging!
Can’t say we are not getting decent chances.
at least we’re getting chances! and that should have been a penalty given to iwobi.
Alexis now..sums up our finishing of late.
oh, danny…
It’s just not coming off for us today…
BMBD
lonestar, sadly, that’s the theme for the past few weeks.
Suarez was offside on their goal, of course.
Too right scruz it has not coming off for months now in fact!
If we get a penalty it’s a different game altogether, we did have few sitters though just wrong choices AGAIN!
The kid tripped himself. No penalty dude.
Tapera
Masceranos knee clips his heel…penalty
I don’t usually agree with Howard Webb, but apparently he call it a penalty.. hard for the ref to see though .. since we need a replay for it.
Luck of the draw.. Elneny and Alexis should have scored though…!
Oue defenders do panic though I don’t know what it is but they just bloody panic!
What did Gabriel got booked for as I was making a hot coco for my little gooner at the time?
Juve is showing Bayern how to play football 😉
I want Lewandowski in the transfer window please!
Even Lady Luck has abandoned us.
I like the performance so far and I can see what Arsene is trying so do. Risky approach and the pressing isn’t working as desired, but we were close on couple occasions.
Early second half goal from Welbeck and who knows, we deserve some luck after almost two months of non having it, except from that goal we scored late against Leicester.
Neymar’s goal wasn’t Hector’s finest hour but his forward play has impressed as have the rest of the attackers, something we haven’t seen at the Ems for weeks.
We could do with some long range shooting practice. I’m actually enjoying the game, nice if we could take something from it.
It did look like a penalty the clip on Danny’s heel and what a chance Alexis had with the header, so COYRs.
Juve beating Bayern? Sack Pepppppppppppp.. oh wait.. 😀
Really well taken goals by Juve though, Messi like run in one of them..!
Mistakes by the best goalie in the world.
😀
Having say that countless times, will say it again, Guardiola is the most overrated coach of this century. Possession football for the sake of it, is so 2008.
Bellerin bombing forward is good though… lacks quality finishing is all!
COME ON!!
@Lurky
I certainly hope you’re right as we’ll be seeing plenty of him.
Now COME ONNNNNNNN!
GGGGGGGGGGGGEEEEEEEEEEETTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTT
IIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIINNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNN
eleneny!
ELNENEEEEEEEEEEEEYEYEYEYYEYEYEYYEYEYEY!
GET INNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNN!
Yes Gunners
COME ONNNN, you reds!
There u go c’mon more more more
another close to this one and the will be on the edge of the abyss.
Elneny and Iwobi showing some class
You can hear the away fans! Loud and clear now!
COME ONNNNNNNNNNNNNN!
Come on ARSENAL!
great tackle, hector.
barca time wasting now?
Danny…ohhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh
Pull the trigger faster!
Oh HELL YEAH!
Elneny Time!
bye bye. fucking biter.
back to work, folks. it’s been a great run.
Ouch!
And that’s what we miss… a clinical finish from a clinical finisher!
Sanchez needs to pass as well come on!
Time to rest Ozil I think
And Iwobi is going to be a star. Great game fella.
If he’d put the subs on at 1-1 you could see the point. At 2-1 down and no time to do anything, it is pointless.
haircut and shortcut
Clean slide tackle by Monreal favoritism
That’s what the transfer market delivers for world class instead of the bargain bin arsene
Shame on you.
Agreed ATG
That was a clean tackle!
Hector
Nice comment
The word “clinical finisher” is now a distant memory for Arsenal…
Bring back King Henry
Hector
Are you behind the team or are you just here to make sarky comments?
Refs as always sticking to the envelope!
Another fuck up at the back another goal!
Why didn’t he sub Ozil is beyond me.
ATG
Can’t help but think if we had a bit of luck .. one or two would have gone our way as well.
Oh well… I think we did our best … better than can be said of some of our previous matches.
We certainly would have less moaning here if the team can play like they play today!
😀
I’m really surprised Lurky!
We are missing some direct football from time to time instead of these funny old circles!
Hector the man of the match for me!
Another missed opportunity….ARGH!
We’re just not clinical enough… Alexis not up to his best yet.
(But he’s not bad by any means!)
We tried but we failed anyway good try but we have far important busines to take care off on Saturday lunchtime!
Elneny for me Arthur.
Bayern.. equalized.. Wow!
I am surprised!
Decent performance but time to get a winning run started in the league and who knows..
Hope they bring this sort of effort against Everton… not going to be easy that… Lukaku is on fire!
Elneny for me as well Lurky. That guy ran non-stop for 90 minutes.
We really lack clinical finishers, as we created multiple chances to score tonight but just couldn’t finish.
Well done lads; you tried your best with what you’ve got behind you! Onto the Toffees and don’t let your heads drop!
BB,
It ain’t surprising to me that they equalised. They’ve got a manager with abit of tactical flexibly when he knows things are going shit!
Pity they scored a third, we didn’t deserve that.If only we had taken our chances, I just wonder how much will be left in the legs for Saturday.
There was some great football on view and not all played by the winners.
COYRs
@Dapper Danc
I hope that’s not a Dig at Arsene.. I think he’s done his best with the players he has today.
And I do not think or see any indication of him going anywhere soon.
@Delia
Agreed.. we do need some clinical finishers or at least for some of our players to be back on form.. and quickly as well if we’re to salvage anything from this season.
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>