Impressive Gunners Get Revenge For Cup Upset
Apr 3rd, 2016 by 'holic
A sunny spring Saturday. A lovely lunch with friends old and new putting the world to rights. On such days Arsenal invariably put on a show and while they failed to put yesterday’s opponents to the sword three weeks ago they most certainly did this time around.
The FA Cup failure came as a result of not turning superiority into goals in the opening half, but in the opening minutes Alexis Sanchez slammed home the rebound after his header from an Alex Iwobi cross was parried by Gomes. Shortly after came the seventh minute tribute to Rocky Rocastle, a moving moment contributing to one of the good days. A rare minute of unity between Arsenal supporters.
With Iwobi and Mohamed Elneny giving a masterclass in midfield it was surely just a matter of time before we confirmed our superiority on the day. Iwobi and Danny Welbeck both went close before the young Nigerian accepted an opportunity provided by Alexis to double our advantage. This was the Arsenal we have seen too little of this season, playing with a swagger about them and very pleasing to the eye.
As we had struck four minutes into the first half so we did again in the second. The goal came from an unlikely source but Hector Bellerin’s deflected effort was no more than the rampaging full-back deserved. Shortly afterwards Iwobi was denied a double on the day only by the crossbar.
Mesut Ozil was next to go close with a fine effort that just passed the wrong side of the post and saw another shot saved by Gomes. Alexis too saw another powerful drive saved by the Watford ‘keeper who presumably will show us a little more respect in the wake of this game than he did three weeks ago.
The Gunners were guilty of a little showboating drawing the inevitable “olés” from a sunbathing crowd. It was all too much for Nyom who clattered into Ozil and was lucky to see only a yellow card for his ‘challenge’. With around twenty minutes remaining Olivier Giroud came on for Welbeck and promptly saw a header saved by Gomes.
Iwobi was substituted to a standing ovation to allow Theo Walcott a cameo. Arsenal’s third substitution saw Joel Campbell replace Alexis. The final quarter of the match was turning into a scrappy affair with too much whistling. The stop start nature was lit up by a wonderful pass from Ozil to Campbell and his cross provided an opportunity that Walcott could not help but convert.
What a difference it was at the final whistle as many stayed on to give the team the reception they had earned. The good mood transferred to the pub where Tottenham’s draw at Anfield was followed in the beer garden by the oohs and ahs coming from the bar. We are just four points behind them now with a match in hand. One match at a time we just have to keep this winning run going and hope for help from others.
It’s not difficult to love Arsenal in this mood. Now can we follow up two fine displays with a third at West Ham next Saturday?
75 Responses to “Impressive Gunners Get Revenge For Cup Upset”
Bang !!
Is that Walcott and the Ox done for?
Nice write up, Holic.
It was so easy / we played so well * (delete as required) that at 3-0, I very briefly wished for Watford to get one, just to bring home the Holic pound. Messrs Campbell and Walcott then rendered any such notion redundant with the addition of our fourth successful entry into the onion bag.
Bath and Countryman summed up the emotions of the day in the previous drinks – @65 and 67, I think.
Elneny and Iwobi have certainly filled space / made themselves available* (delete as required) and added steel and creativity, not to mention a few extra shots, in a way that has been sadly lacking for far too long.
Don’t, however, underestimate the contribution of Gabriel to the “new look” team. He committed a few howlers when he first came into the side but not only is he improving defensively, he also gets the ball moving much quicker than the unfortunately, ever-slowing BFG.
One of those rare days at THOF this season when I realised there was a back rest on my seat.
???
Enjoyed the game yesterday was over with the wife,nice few pints in the tollie made sweeter with a fiver on the four nil at 15/1 ?The only Holic I spotted was Ollie.
Simon,
After ten years Walcott still looks like the new junior into the side. His first three contributions yesterday were to fall over and give the ball way.
Compare and contrast to the introduction of Alex Iwobi…….
Actually, had anyone noticed that iWOBi is one between the ‘i’s for the WOB brigade ?
Probably not. It takes a warped mind ! ?
No, I had not noticed that! Though he is an I for an E from being Bowie. Reincarnation? Starman?
I think if Leicester lose today we should circle the wagons and just love all our players.
Til the end of the season when we should bin off Walcott 😉
Agree with Trev about Gabriel. He was brilliant against Everton as well and took Lukaku out of the game entirely. I love the BFG but time waits for no man and we will probably have to accept that age has caught up with him.
Heh Trev@5!
nice one chief
.
“One of those rare days at THOF this season when I realised there was a back rest on my seat ”
“anyone noticed that iWOBi is one between the ‘i’s for the WOB brigade ?”
.
?? cracker
happy sunday everybody
UP THE ARSENAL !
yeeeee haaaaaa
Hello all.
Relaxing day today watching Leicester and the T20 World Cup Final.
Maybe…
Southampton to win 2-0.
Nice report, ‘holic. I recorded the game and watched about 6 hours late after following the live score on my cell phone while out on family errands. Drank a glass of wine before the game so I’m not sure if it was the cause but I found myself nodding off late in the second half. Watford offered little but we looked bright and the Iwobi / Alexis / Ozil / Welbleck / combination has looked quite formidable for two games in a row and we have not conceded either. Onwards and keep the blinders on.
Today’s game prediction: Leicester 1 Southampton 2
Mane both goals. Come on you Saints!!!
I don’t remember the last time I went to a game that kicked off at 3pm on a Saturday? The walk from Highbury and Islington was made even more interesting by seeing someone walking in front of me in a Kim Kallstrom shirt. The first and probably the last one I’m ever likely to come across.
The side at the moment has more shape and balance. I remember brng told some years ago that you can judge a player as much when he doesn’t have the ball as you can when he has it. Elneny epitomises that. He patrols that area in front of the back four with a vision and an intelligence that we have been missing. Le Coq does a job but I’m still not convinced that he is good enough at this level. If you watch what Elneny does you will hopefully see what I mean.
Iwobi was again impressive. Ozil was imperious with his passing and Ospina also proved he is a more than capable back up. As the boss said, when this Arsenal turns up then it becomes a pleasure again.
I just want to conclude with a mention of the tribute on 7 minutes to Rocky. It was an emotional moment and one that reminds you of what brng part of the Arsenal family is all about.
Nice report H. I’m guessing that this was a lot easier to write up than many others in recent weeks?
Good health Holics.
Fine report, Guvna. Just as I saw it.
Now, just win the next game.
Repeat.
#believe.
Meanwhile, come on the Saints.
It is a bit early to be losing control of the bladder over Iwobi. He is doing very well, but it is very early days and as there have been so many false dawns in recent years, let’s just see how it goes.
It’s not that long ago that OX was The Shit, but now I don’t think there’d be too many complaints if he was sold. And then there’s Joel Campbell, who now seems to be bench material at best in the minds of those currently soaking their pants over Iwobi.
Campbell’s demise from MUST PLAY to almost being Joel Who? must be one of the quickest falls from Hero Status in recent history.
Give Iwobi a break from the hero worship and let’s just wait and see, eh?
Presbyterian Gazette 1977
“let’s not shoot our load about the sex pistols
they’ve made one good record.
let’s see how they follow it up “
Anyone who thinks Campbell was or is a ‘hero’ has very low standards! Obviously it’s very, very early days on Iwobi.
“Those currently soaking their pants over Iwobi”………
“Hero worship” …….
Someone is using a different dictionary to me.
Doesn’t really do you justice, Cynic.
And “Joel Who” makes a very positive contribution every time he comes on.
Set Theo up with an unmissable tap in yesterday – or doesn’t that fit the narrative ?
I certainly haven’t been ridiculing Campbell, or anyone else.
Anyone who thinks Campbell was or is a ‘hero’ has very low standards!
Back drink a few weeks.
There is no narrative, I just think it is funny when someone puts a run of two or three decent games together, they become a great player. Elneny is also getting some of that as well.
Apologies for repetition – if you read it in the previous drinks just skip, but these were my North Bank based musings from yesterday. As I post Leicester still 1-0 up with 20mins to go …
My last game was Old Trafford. Work meant I missed the Swansea and Watford games (lucky me). Texts from terrace mates left me a bit fearful as to what I might find at the Grove this afternoon. Gooner against Gooner, scapegoating, Wenger out, etc etc.
I’m delighted to say not one bit of it. A delightful coat free start to the game in warm sun, an early goal, a four nil stroll, all the songs coming out (especially Mesut’s), not a word against the Manager, Oh Rocky Rocky, meant as stress free a game as there has been all season.
On the North Bank, I think it fair to say a general acceptance that the league has gone and the only target is to finish above Spurs. In fact general hilarity at the thought that we could go eight unbeaten after 2 wins from nine. Let’s finish as well as we can and then go again.
Elneny, Hector and Iwobi terrific today. Many others good. Nobody bad.
Best chant
Watford: Stand up if you’re in the Cup
Arsenal: Stand up if you’ve won the Cup …
It’s gone hasn’t it.
And yet, and yet …..
It’s the hope that kills you.
Scousers did a job. Southampton’s turn tomorrow. Seven games to go. Sorry fellow cynical old North Bankers – there’s still a small gleam in my eye.
Hmmm. Leicester again win one nil. Now on 69 points after 32 games.
Spurs can get to 80 points if they win every game.
We can get to 79 points if we win every game.
Leicester need 12 points from 6 games to win the league (11 to beat us).
Gleam getting fainter.
I’m finding the cricket more compelling but only slightly less depressing than the football. Fair play to Leicester who are doing just what Chelsea did last season to universal acclaim ( playing safety first football in the run-in) I still think I will wake up and find its a nightmare but if they don’t win it it is highly likely that the noisy neighbours might so there are perverse blessings to count.
Re Cynic’s comments I would add to the hyperbole and risk soiling my strides by saying that I am incredibly impressed by Elneny. I think we really have pulled a stroke in signing him . I thought the praise for Iwobi rather overlooked just how integral he has become to our play. The other key is Welbeck who gives Ozil and Iwobi a lot more options than Giroud does.
Wenger haters will claim he has stumbled on a team shape just as he did last season . Those who have a little more respect might say when he struggles he finds more solutions than Mourinho or Pellegrini. I know what I think.
TTG: Why is it “highly likely” that Spurs will win the league if Leicester don’t? We’re to all intents and purposes 1 point behind Spurs who’ve got a much harder run-in, so I’d be disappointed with anything less than 2nd place at this point.
Still think Leicester are going to have a poor run – they were underwhelming today, but had the rub of the green with the decisions. They *should* win it from here, but even if we can get to within 6 points by the last 3 games, then I think there’s an outside chance….
Cracking performance yesterday by the way. I hate the football acronyms these days, but I’m enjoying IOWA and our ‘Coq-ney’ midfield!
Leicester City with four 1-0 wins in a row in Premier League. They’re not supposed to be channeling George Graham.
As far as the fourth goal goes there are two ways of looking at it.
Campbell put it on a plate for Theo
Or
Theo put the plate on the table in the first place by doing what Giroud so rarely does – attacking the box.
Both views are correct.
Gregoire
I admire your spirit and optimism. West Ham away and Citeh away are very tough matches for us. I’m not sure Tottenham’s run in is that harder . Nevertheless your point is well made as we are not that far behind them. I was in a particularly bad mood as while I was writing the mail we lost four wickets! That makes you pessimistic .
Leicester are getting the job done and conceding nothing despite a defence that on paper looks very average. They need to show some fallibility soon or it will be too late.
Terrible last over and England lose. Tragic.
I don’t think W Indies deserved to win but they were the luckiest team of the WC.
Go Leicester I say.
I don’t think we have a hope in hell of catching them now. I don’t think we have had much hope for ages. I hope they win their next four on the bounce and the spuds crumble.
Unlike Steve T, I hope Leicester don’t win their next four and that they slip up so we can catch them. Win our game in hand and we’re 8 points behind. Leicester have six games left – 5 of them very tricky, so I’m still hoping at the very least we make it a lot closer….
several shades of
*sammy nelson moon*
strange
mind you
sammy played for the north
i supported the south
despite being from the north
so
gave sammy a judgemental stare
in the pages of shoot
it’s all politics
dunno if i ever brought it up here
?
*splurrrgennnhoofenhoffer*
*mmmmmmmm spuds crumble*
fuck off with your national stereotyping !
*sharpens shillelagh*
*slaughters shortly caught leprechaun*
we’re eating tonight !
not me though
.
vegetarian man me !
(if i can catch one)
they make the best sausages
*fires up meat mincer*
paltrow !!!!
i’ve got me lusty eyes and cleaver lookin at you
it’s your call
dinner ?
or
delightful dinner companion ?
*tick tock*
Oh God he’s off again. (closes tab)
lend us a million c100
i’ll get it back to you Tuesday
Thoroughly enjoyed one of my occasional forays to TNHF yesterday.
A dominant performance from the team – everyone contributing to the positive result. Like others here, I believe the excellent midfield pairing
“Coq-ney” set up the whole team plus the mobility of Welbeck & Iwobi gives opposition defences much more to contend with ( and Ozil to work with). It could be hard for the manager to change a winning formula even when Rambo & Santi return from injury.
The atmosphere was good both at the ground and post match at the Tollie where I enjoyed the the company of the maestro himself and some of the regular ‘holics. Pleasure also to meet BtM for the first time.
The Guinness goes down a treet there. Liquid refreshment much needed – everyone standing in the North Bank lower tier for the whole match!
Next game….just win.
Up
proper !
.
slainte
c300 is a great piece o kit
i’d stick with that
.
use a gh4 myself
Gregoire.
Citeh, The Chavs, The Mancs and the dippers all handed the title to us on a plate. We have decided for reasons going back several seasons to decline their polite invitation.
I genuinely hope that with the above that come mid May that I could not have been more wrong. But right now I just don’t see it. The alternative to us or Leicester not winning it is genuinely unthinkable.
howdy steve
any chance ye could punch my internet head
before
i make several other mouths of meself
in the perpetuity
?
Howdy CBA.
Consider it done fella.
Nothing too much trouble for the big man from over the pond.
A little something to help you through the frustration.
https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=x__beDvSiGc
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-s8k0GtLZ4o
CBA
When Sammy mooned I took it personally as it was right in front of me. Not a pretty sight!
But a word of warning. Don’t muscle in on Gwyneth she’s mine❤️
Ranieri asked about Leicester doping allegations. Press officer prevents him from answering, refers reporters to club statement.
Leicester name an unchanged starting 11? Hmmmmm ?
Tweets from elsewhere
????
moooooooooooooooooooooo
.
https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=_pKkOOQR7_o
It was good to see you again Uply. Sorry I confused you with a Swedish friend for starters 🙂
A word to any racist trolls out there. Save your energy.
fuckin up ya grey bastard !
oy very very vey
ye wanna read ruck
but
you were givin duckin
spillchucken
hands up who has no armpits !
Seems we all had a good time yesterday. Like Holic I got cross when Ozil and Co reverted to Showboating, surely it was the time to press on and improve our goal difference.
Hector was delicious, Mo impresses with each outing and as I have said before Iwobi reminds me of a young Dennis, we could get that lucky.
It wasn’t quite party time on the train home but for the first time in an age I didn’t have to defend Arsene all the way to Kings Lynn, amazing what a couple of wins can do. Keep it up you Gunners anything can still happen!
Glad you enjoyed the day too, Delia. It was one of the good ones.
You may see it as grey, cba. For me it is silver highlights 🙂
a hero to many
‘hol
ye are
myself included
.
I have the side grey
with a dickie davis threat
.
i still majestically stride through life
all be it with overwhelming grumpiness
Beating a distinctly average Watford yesterday,didn’t get me excited,too little too late for mine.
Leicester and the Spuds have only lost 5 games all season between them,so deserve to be 1 – 2.
Winning our last few games on the run in,will still not disguise yet another season of what might have been.
I see the Arse Ladies did it the hard way again with another penalty shoot out win in the Ladies version of the FA Cup this afternoon.
Good luck to them in the semi’s with Title favs Chelsea and Man City also in the last 4,it’s going to a tough Cup to win.
@Clive: Spurs deserve a top 2 finish, even the title when looking at their goal difference so it would make it even sweeter to finish above them.
@Cynic: I’m with you regarding the rise and falls of arsenal idols. Time will tell. That being said it’s good to have the new idols standing in for always injured players. And hopefully it will result in a better rotation policy next season. Silverware is won with 25 players, not 13-14.
Worth reading on the Beeb web site: Troy Deeney on why Leicester are so hard to beat.
Leicester can’t keep sneaking 1-0 wins forever, football doesn’t work like that. Even the Invincibles came close to losing games they should have coasted in the final weeks of 2004. One loss, especially an unlucky one, and the foxes will really start to sweat as the hounds close in.
If anything the LWCs have looked stronger in recent weeks, and yet they dropped points, making your Big Club My Arse!!! clock just that little bit safer ‘holic. Of course the best way to ensure it survives is for us to get past them, whether or not Leicester crumbles. Second place and another St Tott’s Day would ease the disappointment a little.
Stil calling time on Wallclock I see Trev, but he wasn’t as bad as you painted him. For mine he was a more of a threat to the Watford goal than most in his cameo, basically because he was playing in his proper position for a change … subbing on the RW. Danny will never be a CF, however many chances he gets. He too is an out and out winger, imo.
Which leaves OG on his own up front, until we can find better. Apropos which I’m beginning to lean towards Benzema, after disregarding him for years! At least he’d give Ollie proper competition.
But I agree with you about Gab who looks better with every game, and more assured than Kos in his latest outing.
“Spurs deserve a top 2 finish”, Matt?? (#58). WASH YOUR MOUTH OUT!!!
They do objectively. It pains me to admit though.
That said we’ll finish about them.
Above them, damn corrector.
Benzema would give Giroud competition right up to the point where his blackmail trial begins and even if he gets jailed, he’d still be attacking the box more than Giroud.
Literally, if it’s a long stretch and he feels lonely.
Chris, whatever you say. I’m done.
Leicester will win the league, they wont muff it up now and even if they do, we are far behind to take advantage of. It is terrible to even imagine the day they do win it but then it is getting near and it is a sickening feeling.
Iwobi and Elneny impressive on a beautiful day in London. Ozil was ozil but then sorry to say everything feels hollow now, even a very good performance by the team.
I know i sound despondent and it may make my feelings hollow but honestly this season is a failure. A league there to win and wont, miracles wont happen.
cba@55 & 56: only way to go!
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ysPSqtCaDAk
Lads are struggling in the Youth Cup 2-1 down after a great start.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XtQc_0T5e6A
Moderately clever contribution. Not football-related tho
Looks like little Jack is never going to learn.
Reports surfacing of him being in a group involved in an altercation at a London nightclub early hours Sunday morning.
Quite why,with 2 young children and a wife at home,he would even be out at that hour is beyond me.
He is a serial offender,and just doesn’t seem to understand the responsibilities that go with being in the public eye.
Only 1 day back in full training,and yet again he is responsible for the wrong type of headline.
Esso the Builder, can he do it? Yes he can! 🙂 >>>>>>>>>>>>>>>