And In A Packed Edition Tonight…
Aug 26th, 2016 by 'holic
At the end of what promises to have been an eventful week we prepare to kickstart our season at Watford. A second consecutive away game before the international break may not be ideal, but the away support for the majority of the match is positive and the pressure may not be as much as is felt on occasion at home.
Quite who will start for the Gunners will involve a degree of guesswork for all attempting to preview the match. Per Mertesacker, Carl Jenkinson, Alex Iwobi, Aaron Ramsey and Danny Welbeck are definitely ruled out, and Arsene Wenger suggested that Olivier Giroud may be “still a little fraction behind physically.”
Ahead of Petr Cech it would be surprising to see any changes to the defence that kept a clean sheet at Leicester. Ahead of them it is perm two from the trio of Francis Coquelin, Granit Xhaka, and Mohamed Elneny. Is it time for the latter pairing to be utilised or will Elneny miss out for the second week running?
If Mesut Ozil is deemed fit enough to return after last week’s cameo then he should get the nod ahead of Santi Cazorla, but the little Spaniard may be considered a more consistent option than Theo Walcott on the right. Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain should retain his place on the left. Alexis looks set to get one more chance to show what he can do centrally. When we take the field against Southampton in a fortnight the team could look very different indeed.
Like us, Watford have got just a point to show for their efforts in the opening couple of games. After sharing the spoils on the opening day at Southampton the Hornets were beaten 1-2 at home by Chelsea last week, and suffered the ignominy of an EFL Cup defeat at home to Gillingham on Tuesday night. Their new manager, Walter Mazzarri, has the option of picking from new signings Roberto Pereyra, Younes Kaboul and Daryl Janmaat to shake things up.
The ‘holic pound
It’s to be noted that Watford have scored in each of their three outings to date, so I’m looking at that run continuing. The 15/1 being offered by one High Street bookie against 1-3 has persuaded my heart, rather than my head, to risk the pound. It may require a late goal or two from substitute Giroud to oblige.
The Transfer Deadlock About to be broken?
The media, quality and otherwise, are reporting on the impending arrivals of Germany defender Shkodran Mustafi and Spanish striker Lucas Perez for a combined fee in excess of £50 million. In the current climate we have paid the going rate for the centre-half from Valencia, and look to have got good value in springing Perez’ release figure of 20 million euros.
All eyes are on Arsenal.com for the announcements in the coming days, but there seems to be a very strong feeling that the deals have been agreed. Mustafa answers our clear and obvious need for a top quality central defender, whilst Perez showed great improvement at his hometown club last season and it will be interesting if he can transfer that improvement to the Premier League with a small period of adjustment. He can play across the front line or as an attacking midfielder so could provide cover and competition for a number of key positions.
The Champions League Draw
It has to be said that the draw has worked out pretty well for us. Without appearing to be over-confident it would be a big shock if ourselves and PSG did not progress from the group. Xhaka and Elneny will be the first to understand the power to surprise that Basel could spring, but we should be all the better prepared for that. The trip to Ludogorets may be something of a venture into the unknown for supporters unfamiliar with the Bulgarian League (this one included) but again I suspect our preparation will be thorough.
The prospect of topping the group is not out of the question, and we will face potentially our toughest trip on match day one. Paris has never been the happiest of hunting grounds for us, but if we can correct that wrong we will have a great chance of avoiding the big guns in the round of sixteen.
Win Tickets To See Arsenal Legends Take On Milan Glorie
A reminder to head to the last post to enter the competition to win a pair of tickets to next Saturday’s nostalgic fixture.
And with that I wish all of you going to Vicarage Road a safe and happy trip boosted by our first three point haul of the new season.
Have a good one, ‘holics.
96 Responses to “And In A Packed Edition Tonight…”
The drinks are on me.
As long as y’all want tap water
Cheers, H!
Cheers, Sir!!
Apologies, looks like the 15/1 has already been backed down to 13/1. I’m still on it. 🙂
I’ve been waiting for this moment for a long time! Window drama behind us, this is the real kick off.
Another great preview ‘Keep, Watford cost us the title last season so let’s hope the lads will show no mercy this time around. I won’t mind if Walcott is given a new chance as a striker with Alexis and Ox on the wings. Fastest attack in the league bar none, note it may not be that important against Watford.
Despite the managers olympics and the spending frenzy, this season is the most unpredictable ever. We never had so much quality in depth, we even bought a second CB this summer which we didn’t even need imho so now’s the time for optimism!
Evening, Cynic and Dubs. Two fine fellas. 🙂
I posted just as you produced a new missive Holic. I think we will triumph 2-1 and lift the mood still further.
I will repost as my source for the rumour below is a reputable one and he says that Ornstein and Geoff Arsenal believe it has some credence
I have heard a whisper that we have a contingency account for a mega- signing. Unfortunately it does not appear to be sufficient to buy Griezmann but the whisper is that we may be parting company with a couple of players and looking as Dr. F says at James Rodriguez. The most likely departures are Theo ( West Ham?) , Debuchy( a certainty to leave) and possibly Wilshere ( Citeh?) . Chambers will go on loan but if we could get £15 million it might be tempting to sell him. I’d be happy to go with what we have but a stellar arrival would lift the place. I would guess there’s a 10% chance of another big deal. Make that 5%.
Nurse it’s time for my medicine?
Good round up holic.
Safe travels to you and the faithful.
Have put my pound on the same projection. Fingers crossed and keep up the good work
The James rumour is everywhere TTG. I’m calling bollocks. He would cost in the region of £50m and wouldn’t make our strongest starting eleven if all were fit. When we have already spent around £100m I don’t think we are paying that for a squad player, much though I would love to see it.
Nice one, H.
3-0 to the good guys.
Chippy @ 243 (last drinks)
Fully agreed. Leave off all the negative vibes and back the lads all the way.
UTA
if ye can put The Mighty
in front
and it sounds plausible
.
watford
Fine preview Guvna. I’m hoping you reap a large reward for your wager but as ever have no feel for the likely result and will accept any kind of win.
I am delighted at the news and profiles of our alleged incomers and hope that we can get both over the line.
I think you have nailed it with your comment at 8 boss. So it’s Lewandowski after all then?
Holic,
Reluctantly I agree with you and this was the upshot of a discussion with my mate. If Griezmann was too rich for our blood James must be as well…surely?
If we did have a ‘madness’ my money ( or rather Stan’s) would be on Draxler.
We need a defender and attacker. But I would have preferred some big money signings to change the squad mentality. Both signings may start with a bang but i feEl both will end up sliding into the arsenal way and being just off top notch. I hope I’m wrong. I still feel sorry for ozil and sanchez and Bellerin who should be playing to win titles and trophies….not languishing with us. Harsh….but true
in the meantime m’lud
nervous school girl giggling
is the order of the day
mind yer languish , nigel !
.
@13: Ozil and Alexis, had themselves chosen to come play for us under Arsene. In their respective former clubs winning trophies were guaranteed — especially the domestic ones given the duopoly that is La Liga — but once it was time for them to leave they chose us. I am sure the generous pay and the great support framework of the club helped. They are professionals and not spoilt children. And they appreciate the club much more than it seems some of the fans are capable of.
Let’s please get out of this inferiority complex. No player is too good for Arsenal.
i am !
*’re-joins negotiations*
have ye seen me ?
the ladies fuckin love me !
.
.
*scratches hole*
“ye finishing them chips ?”
Have the chips, it’s the fish I want.
Unless it’s pollock, then you can have that and I’ll keep the chips
not the biggest fan o fish
eat a lotta tuna
tin
not ginger beard poncey bicycle
rare steaks
call me old fashioned
go on
?
food best cooked
me big heap right
i make a great plate of sausage egg and chips
best ever
goose egg
big lidl bratwurst
un chopped up black and white pudding
finn mc cool food ?
gonna fuck up now
sorry ‘hol
Madness.
Madness.
They call it madness.
I call it cba…… 🙄
Cod.
It was the match day supper.
Highbury Barn.
You won’t fuck up cba. 😉
Good one H
I though Watford looked quite good last week against Chelsea,so not expecting a walk in the park.
But if we cannot beat Watford with the squad we have,then i will be seriously underwhelmed.
On another issue which i have raised before,
Alexis is the elephant in the Arse changing room.
He was off the pitch and down the tunnel quicker than you could blink after the Leicester game last week.
Apparently he was trying to break his own world record of 10.8 seconds,which he set after the Spurs away game last season.
Again no acknowledgement of travelling fans,or handshakes with
the opposition.
I just don’t think he is a happy camper.
Several times during the game last week he was sending glares in the direction of other players at their lack of movement around him.
He is a serial offender in this regard,and quite how it sits with the rest of the squad i don’t know.
But it can hardly inspire team harmony.
It will be very interesting to see if he signs a new contract extension.
Great preview Holic and a very optimistic one indeed, exactly what the doctor ordered with all those negative vibes doing the rounds and fans being miserable of late.
My good friend and colleague from the US will be accompanying me for decent stream tomorrow afternoon as we’re not going to be on the telly, have to visit the bookies before kick off it’s about time for the holic pound to be spot on one of these days!
COYG!
CBA
That
bloke
is a
nutter!
CBA
You’re
a
nutter! 😀
Enjoy 🙂
Well I’ve been in stuck in the equivalent of the Gooner suicide watch ward for weeks. Convinced no additions would be forthcoming like last summer…
But ffs how can anyone purporting to be a Gunner not be happy with these additions? A teensy bit of research will tell even the most jaundiced cynical AW hater that they are decent signings.
They don’t always have to be media darlings like a certain geriatric Swede…
UTA! 3-1 Arsenal.
And that wasn’t aimed directly to any one here, just some of the general web apathy.
Basically some really do seem to be weak minded enough to buy into the media bull who now accuse AW of panic buying!
Panic buying would be signing Lukaku for anything over £30 mill! Or Pogba for £90m!!!
Nice one Goonerholic!
A few more days before the window shuts, and the season of judgment can then start in earnest!
Both Perez and Mustafi look like good signings; especially if deployed in the correct manner.
A competent and impressive squad of players that we’ve got now when they’re all fit. It’d rival most of the very top clubs in Europe. Any contemporary coach worth his salt would be licking his lips at being able to work with that bunch of lads! Good work there Arsene!
Back Up The Arse!
AFCOF!
Agree with Clive at #29, Alexis is a worry. If the TTG rumours are true let’s hope the transfer out isn’t our Chilean.
Although, given he hasn’t thrilled us lately like he used to, perhaps Griezmann or James might actually be an upgrade.
As for Perez I wouldn’t be surprised if AW was contemplating a return to 4.4.2 or 4.1.3.2.
Morning,
Whilst we are on the rumour/ whisper front, the whisper is that Wenger actually asked the board to sanction the transfer of Greizman, but was told no.
I’m not sure who was privy, to such a conversation, but it seems like somebody, in on the matter felt it important enough to let the story leak. However, the source of the rumour was the same person who broke the Mustafi deal and was adamant that we were not buying Lacazette, Higuain or Icardi months ago.
As for the player out, yes it is strongly rumoured and not a secret that Juventus had been trying to broker a 60m transfer for Alexis Sanchez with the money they received from the Pogba deal, but that story hopefully has died out since they spent most of the cash on Higuain. Napoli however, also have a massive hole Burning in their pockets after selling Higuain to Juve. Who knows how the deadline day merry go round will play itself out. It does however appear that, we have ruled ourselves out of such a merry go round by buying two players slightly left of the field and telling Juve to stick their 60m where the sun don’t shine earlier in the transfer window, if rumour is to be believed.
Hey ho!!
Let’s go!!
😆
Btw
The Ornacle has spoken yet again!
https://mobile.twitter.com/bbcsport_david?ref_src=twsrc%5Egoogle%7Ctwcamp%5Eserp%7Ctwgr%5Eauthor
Perez had a medical today and a Fee of 35m was agreed with Valencia for Mustafi, who is also flying in for a medical.
Afc are set to announce both deals over the bank holiday!
Let’s have some more optimism you miserable lot! 😆
You know who you are. I have placed a celebratory tab behind the bar, so help yourselves and up the Arse!!
😆
A teensy bit of research will tell even the most jaundiced cynical AW hater that they are decent signings.
Time will tell on that one.
Nice one GT and fair play to you for your positive energy in the place!
Morning all.
No idea what Arsenal side will turn up today. Can’t take Watford lightly. They gave more than a decent account last week. Fingers crossed for a decent result.
New signings? Mustafi seems a good long term option from what I have read. Never seen him play so can’t really comment. Perez is a panic buy. I would suggest that all other options had failed and this was the fall back. Again, I’ve never seen him play so have no idea how good he may or may not be.
If both deals happen then I hope they both have long and prosperous Arsenal careers.
Cheers for the preview H! Up the Arse!
KGT@35: I have no information to gainsay your rumour/whisper, but I can’t imagine the board would have said no to AW if he really wanted Griezman, even though it would likely have been an upwards of £70 million deal — unless it was on a sell a star to buy a star basis, which AW wouldn’t countenance.
And what Esso said @40.
hands up who had to google gainsay
?
Nice one, Holic , and thank you.
my waters are telling me that our transfer business is not yet done. That reference to Olivier Giroud being a “little fraction behind physically” is an odd one and would fit with my hunch.
Could we be protecting him from injury so as not to jeopardise a sale ?
Not saying I want him to go at all but AW has been publicly regretting our missed chances for two seasons now. We have already signed one striker in Perez who might just turn out to be his replacement.
So who would our new star striker be – bearing in mind this
‘ contingency ‘ fund that seems to have raised it’s head this week ?
This is based on no knowledge, merely a hunch and a rumour – and yes, I know how much you like those – but I think our new, late arriving star would drive us up the pole with happiness ………
Watford 1 – 2 Arsenal, by the way.
Also based on no knowledge ! ?
I didn’t, cba …..
It means, when did the Holic pound last make any gains, ay ?
Doesn’t it ? ?
the more i frequent here
the thicker i feel
the mental gymnastics on show are extraordinary
admittedly that pun was shite
but in the main – extraordinary
?
.
howdy trev
hope yer well
here’s to planting a size 9 up watford’s hole
Howdy can’t,
Yes, thank you,
And back atchya, sir. ?
Mental gymnastics …… a shite pun ……
It’s not my vault ?
Just wondering if we will see Perez is king moniker in the bar?when I first started reading holic pires is king was a stalwart in here.
cba – as long as I’m here you will never be the thickest. I’ve just spent five minutes chuckling at the phrase “Trump doctor” in a headline on the BBC website. 🙂
sláinte comrade
lets drag the fuckers down to our level
.
on a trump note
love this
http://gawker.com/is-donald-trump-s-hair-a-60-000-weave-a-gawker-invest-1777581357
.
.
.
.
trump doctor
?
.
what’s a pokemon ?
.
a Jamaican proctologist
?
never could tell a joke , me
Always wanted to go to Paris and be a winner in the Autumn time.
Thicker weave than that cba old mon.
what the hell ye on about sunshine
nothing worse than a nonsensical post
that nobody gets
buck up yer ideas mate
we’re all busy people here
we’ve no time to decipher ramblings
?
I like your optimism Trev
I’m sitting on the Tarmac at Gatwick as I post and have told Arsene I’m happy to tie up any business he needs in Italy this week.
If we are looking at a mega deal involving Giroud it could only be Griezmann, possibly Aubameyang or Lewandoski.
That last one might be the one but would he join us? And is our contingency fund big enough? It might be if Olly goes the other way?
i hope yer in a plane m’lud
Thanks CBA
My arms aren’t strong enough to hang glide it so I’m taking the plane and now it’s been delayed three hours I’m into the money big time!
chin chin
Nice insight Trev.
I really hope your right mate!
Sorry cba, being too thick I didn’t read the article before posting. ?60,000 turned out to be how much Trump’s wig cost, not how many weaves in it. Still a thick rug. Reminds me to cut the grass when I get home.
bt8
as the late great Joey Ramone said:
gabba gabba
we accept you
we accept you
one of us
so far cynic, me and now you
hopefully we can attract more
before the window slams shut
UP THE THICKOES !
We signed Asano and have immediately bummed him out on loan to a German second division side. Why do we bother with players like this? He’s not even going to get the customary one or two starts in the league cup and possible sub appearance in a dead Champions League rubber before he leaves for good.
Pointless fucking transfers do my brains.
If I was in charge of football I would ban all players from being signed in those circumstances and make a law where if you sign a player, he has to go into your first team squad of 25 if he is over 18, and cannot go on loan for the first two years of his contract.
That would put a stop to it sharpish
Cynic
He can’t get a work permit yet- not enough games for Japan so we had to loan him. What is distressing is that it is to a German second tier side which may indicate his perceived level
If he can’t get a work permit we shouldn’t bother in the first place. The loan periods while we wait for him will probably coincide with the expiry of his contract, which is nice for him but shit business for us.
Did we learn nowt from the Wellington (and to some extent Campbell) fiasco?
Stream hunting. Any assistance appreciated.
Taking a gamble on an unproven player is not new to Arsene, he’s done it for years. Besides, the contemporary transfer landscape encourages moves like that. Kelechi Nwakali and Takuma Asano could come good in a year or two. For 6 odd million between them, that could be brilliant business. Or flops. Time will tell.
what esso said
is it on USA or Canada telly ?
Like the idea of Santi alongside Granit in the holding role.
sportsnet Ontario
yee haa
Come on.
Arsenal in garish blue electric yellow change strip. Why not wear the red and white when against yellow and black?
If AFC can get the alleged OG + cash deal for a Worldy and highly mobile central frontman over the line before Tuesday, all well and good. If not, OG’s perfectly fine where he is; if he’ll not feel “dissed” and “pissed” at being used as an alleged trade-in for a “better motor”! Two goal winning margin to the Arse! 2-0 or 3-1!
cba, it’s on NBCSports in US, but not over the air, just via the net.
can somebody provide me with some live streaming links
got it on Canadian
cheers bayonne
if that goes to shite i’ll cross the border
mobdro app for Android arselove
Clear pen, Santi!!!!!
cba, stay north of the border; NBCSN feed went dark so we missed the PK.
Just went to the replay; OK, but those down the middle PKs always give me pause. If there’s a slow reacting keeper, still has a chance to stop it.
Alexis!!!
Great pass by Sanchez and a fine finish by Ozil, perfect understanding.
????????
lexi baby coulda lit a fag and read a book
time he took
fuckin lovely
KSN @82,
That’s what truly world class players tend to do; and that’s regardless of the level of coaching and man-management that they’re playing under.
Up The Arse!
AFCOF!
All who need streams try woop.io 🙂 (I have adblocker on too).
Shit, Watford score, typical of Arsenal. 3-1.
What a rare sight, Theo sliding into a tackle. Theo has shown signs of improvement in recent games. He now fights for 50-50 balls and appears to have bulked up which probably gives him confidence to handle a physical game. Long may it continue.
Good win today though we faded in the second half and our defence still does not look too assured.
Congrats folks. Good game and a very welcome first three points of the season. Well done lads.
Hey, H, will start to take your predictions a bit more seriously.
UTA
Congratulations on the first well-struck pound of the season, ‘Holic !
Great game we made it difficult for ourselves but hey three points in the bag and most of all?
Holic Pound just made me a little richer! Bring it on!
:):):)
Thank you almighty Holic 🙂
3 points finally on the board.
Still 5 points off of the pace, until things change, but still alot to play for. Hard work, momentum, belief, confidence and discipline.
Just a few of the key words, to remember going forward!
🙂
Good man Arthur! 🙂 >>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>
well in, boys, and cheers to holic for the successful punt.
love me some Granit.