Gunners Seek To Build On Watford Win Against The Saints
Sep 8th, 2016 by 'holic
On Friday I play the last 36 holes of my absurdly short golfing summer. Therefore it’s a Thursday preview of Saturday’s fixture without the benefit of having seen the gaffer’s press conference, scheduled to start as I either nail a thirty footer or take four stabs from six feet on the second green.
Southampton provide the opposition at 3pm on Saturday and hopefully will approach the match with more adventure than they showed in a suffocating goalless draw on a bitterly cold night in February. To give credit where it is due they did thrash us at St Mary’s last Boxing Day, an event that many saw as defining our season.
They are under new management with Claude Puel replacing Ronald Koeman after the latter bunked off to Goodison. The new man has experience with some of the biggest clubs in France and is expected to be more expansive than his predecessor, so we could be facing different problems this time around.
More will become apparent on Friday morning, but it would seem that Alex Iwobi is likely to be declared fit to play. On the minus side are rumblings that new central defender, Shkodran Mustafi, is not one hundred percent and is unlikely to start at the weekend. That is all rumour at this point but it could be significant. If he doesn’t get a match under his belt alongside Laurent Koscielny this weekend it seems unlikely that he would be given a baptism of fire in Paris next Tuesday.
Whilst it would be good to get a first glimpse of the new faces I am not at all worried about Rob Holding getting another couple of starts from which he could learn a great deal. It is further forward that the selection becomes trickier. Santi Cazorla and Granit Xhaka formed a very tidy partnership in the win at Watford and should get the nod again, although Mohamed Elneny must be wondering what he did wrong to lose his place in the starting line-up.
With Mesut Ozil nailed on to start there could be an interesting partnership either side of him. Perm any two from Theo Walcott, Iwobi, Alexis, and new boy Lucas Perez. Of course the latter may be preferred to Olivier Giroud as the main striker, but that would seem unlikely at this stage.
The ‘holic pound
There are so many variables around right now. Will the Saints offer an open game? Who will be starting for us? Could we even spring a surprise with a new formation given the new signings and squad mix now? I’m thinking yes, Walcott and Alexis to flank Ozil and Giroud, and no! On that basis I am plumping for 2-1 to the Gunners currently available at around 8/1.
There seems to be a happier atmosphere around the club right now, but there will need to be a positive showing from the team on Saturday to keep that slowly developing confidence on an upward path. The new signings, should they appear at some stage, will be given some time to settle in and establish themselves. The rest now know that there is real competition for places and should respond accordingly. Let’s hope they do.
Have a great one, ‘holics.
94 Responses to “Gunners Seek To Build On Watford Win Against The Saints”
Football?
Yes, please.
Morning Holic!
Happy Friday to all! Heading into work early so as to get away early and beat the traffic heading north out of Sydney. Heading to the beautiful Smiths Lake for a mates 40th.
Very excited to see our new number 9 get his first game. Surely a better long term buy than that Leicester bloke.
C’mon you reds!
Top three.
Gotta maintain those standards.
The coveted fourth?
2-1 is a rare scoreline in home games against Southampton. Only happened in three out 49 such games between the two clubs : in the FA Cup in 1927 (actually, a semi final played at Stamford Bridge) and twice in the old First Division in 1979 and 1990. Never in the Premier League.
so, ned, what’s the most common scoreline? as long as the monks are researching and illuminating.
Hey ‘holic I do believe 2-1 has become ever more likely now that Ned has cited those statistics. No 2-1 home league win against Saints since 1990 and only one other time in history. Knowing the mounting odds in your favor, really, how can you lose? Not advocating an increased bet, of course. 😉
In view of Ned’s stats and despite the Guvna’s scientific analysis and respected gut instinct, I think it’s going to be 3-1 to the good guys.
Evening H
Hope you get some decent weather for the Golf.
29 years since Southampton last won a league game at the Arse,and on current form you wouldn’t bet against it being 30 come Sat night.
Their team has been absolutely pillaged by the wealthier clubs in the past couple of seasons,and they are a shadow of the combative side they were under Koeman.
Cannot see them being a threat up front,so i would keep holding in the side if Mustafi is indeed carrying a slight knock.
Indeed if everyone is fit,i expect to see the same side that started against Watford,with the only slight query on Alexis returning very late from South America this week.
He could start on the bench,particularly with the big CL clash at PSG only 3 days later.
But as with Watford,i will be very surprised if we cannot see off a distinctly average Southampton.
With Utd playing City,it will be an early opportunity to make up some ground on the top 4.
Holic, I admire you.
36 holes is a lot of golf especially if you play like I do ( did) . Good luck in your endeavours .
I shall miss the match as I will be in Belfast but I have confidence we will nail it more conclusively than you suggest especially if Forster, who is the best fit English goalkeeper is temporarily absent.
2-0 to the Gunners. Giroud and Cazorla.
Have a good day all those going!
aaaahhhhhh fuck
ya shitehawk , m’lud
ye knew what ye were doin
was gonna behave
was near docile afore ye used the b word
that place is an unreconstructed dungheap
of superficial government grant lapper uppers
no more euro money ?
no more grants for pointless ‘community’ organisations
sorry m’lud
tell belfast it’s a shithole and
tell the people endure there
their accent is fuckin ridiculous
Looking forward to a comfortable win to take my mind off earthquakes. 3-1 a minimum I reckon, and the one for them is only likely if they score early while we’re warming up.
Sorry for the ‘rugger’, cba, I wasn’t thinking. Never liked the game, and now loathe it thanks to the relentless allblackery worship down here. Can we call it thugby? Or am I offending you cos you actually like the game? 😮
cba
Can you keep the anti Irish stuff down a bit mate?
Chris — at last something we can agree on!
All Black worship is ridiculous here in NZ — Great country, but if I hear another person say “Sivinty sivin”,Yis” or “one woman,two woman” I’ll fuckin’ hurt someone (probably myself).
The game?
A win,surely.
“holic – golf is a good walk spoiled mate. Dangerous too. I once put a bloke in hosptital for a week with my epic follow through…
Havent ‘Followed through’ for a while now,thank goodness……..
Chris – can’t stand the game
Imp Fail – bollocks to belfast – it’s a shithole ?
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oW9uN-wOYJA
proper new zealand
love that band
not strange to me
have oz an nz records from ages ago
the go between s
the clean
the birthday party
have boys next door shivers single
mushroom records
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=S83ckunF68A
dive position b-side
“in that position i should’nt have farted”
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0EZlod8qc9o
ah the misplaced ‘
goodnight
and apologies
in the big city at the minute
miss the moo cows
We’ve always known you have taste, cba. Here are two more Kiwi bands you might like…
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hDBK86h6FDw
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kPIhhqM4b4s
Cheers H! Gutted you wont be there, cos I fucking will be!
Not punting, never do these days – but I’m going big. 5-0, gonna batter the scummers!
UP THE ARSE!
Oh yeah I forgot about Southampton being under new management.
Ronald Koeman was like the dutch Alex Ferguson at Southampton. We’ll see if he gets the same joy at Everton. After all he succeeded Pochettino at the Saints, whereas he is succeeding Martinez who succeeded Moyes. So a different ball game. Plus Southampton has one of the best academies in the UK to choose from. However, Koeman almost swiped Perez from under our noses. So it’ll be interesting to see how he restructures the toffees.
Anyway back to Southampton. I’m expecting to hit the ground running on Saturday. Despite everyone being fresh off of international duty, our side have been together for a few seasons now. All Perez and Mustafi have to do is do Perez and Mustafi. It shouldn’t be that hard! Tactically, the prof shouldn’t be able to get this wrong. Just express ourselves and get the three points. We can worry about our cars, wags and hairstyles after the game.
I looked at some of the training photos. Theo looks in great shape by the way. He really does need to stay injury free, as the Ox and Lucas are waiting in the wings. The press who watched the training session have also picked up on the fact that Mustafi is a great leader. He should also be able to learn alot from Koscienly if he’s a good listener too!
Anyway, enough talking for now. Let’s get with the doing!
3 points and nothing less will do. Let’s just get our business done! now!
UTA!
CBA
I will convey your sentiments to Belfast. I view my presence here as missionary work and am moving on to Dublin on Monday. I trust that will give me clemency in your eyes!
Someone tells me that Sanchez arrived back late from South Aneruca but he always wants to play . More worrying is an article I read that Koscielny is in the last year of his contract and refusing to e tend a present. He would be a huge loss and although we are well- stocked at CB he is our best one by a country mile. I hope we can get the three contracts sorted as quickly as possible. We need some momentum from a number of wins together so that we can climb the table and generate a feel- good factor around the place.
Because of the way we operate in the market and the Interlull this feels more like the proper beginning of the season rather than the Liverpool game. It’s a bizarre situation that occurs every season and creates a real hiatus for club fans. I hope it gets fixed. I’d prefer the window to close as the season starts and the early games to be internationals so when we get into club football we have a proper run at it.
Anyway let’s all think of Holic puffing around the golf course for 36 holes and hope he can still walk this evening?
??? m’lud
with your permission sir
i’d like to steal the “missionary work” line
its rather brilliant
i will of course not reference you at all
and claim it as completely my own thunk up genius
and
fuck dublin
it’s a shithole !
?
cheers chris
prefer the first one
never heard of them before
second fella looks a bit too pleased with himself
type would get a manicure
and further to my 24 m’lud
tell that shower in dublin
their accent is fuckin ridiculous too
the shower o big green foam leprechaun hat wearing vulgarities
the canals are nice though
now them
them you can smile at from me
manys a relax i had by them
after a days hard slog
working for the toura loura man
dublin means blackpool
but instead in Irish
they use baile átha cliath
which means town of the hurdled ford
typical stupid fuckers
ye’d sell more ice creams calling yerselves blackpool
yer electricity bill would be considerably bigger mind
swings and roundabouts
its news
nina hossain gets her knees out
i am in love
something about a newsreader
yup indeedy
girlfriend a good while back
not unlike zeinab badawi
massive eyes gorgeous
she did have rather alarming near sideburns
hid well under jet black hair
sneaky liar
and a downstairs carpet
ye coulda plaited and hung a wet duffel coat off
beautiful though
.
will try and shut up now
fuckin rambling diarrhoea nonsense
sorry ‘hol
am on the beer
shock and awww fuck up !
not while there’s global poverty and hunger
and there’s a tv show on now called the great interior design challenge
i despair
i really do
*despairs*
shoulda said 31 am on me own
not back the land of the moooooooooooooooooooooo
till tomorrow
should find a more appropriate blog i can vomit in
work cancelled
delaying going back cow wise
pair o plonkers
herself’s mates
staying there to sunday
she’s an arsehole
he’s had the spark beaten out of him
no fuckin joke
he bodged together a metal ring sorta yoke
puts it in the frying pan
towards the end
cos she has to have the ends of her sausages cooked
for her “it’s my guilty pleasure” saturday morning fry up
i’m sure she has been on “an emotional rollercoaster”
saved only by her “rock”
.
fuckin can’t stand the mare
and he’s turned into a fuckin jelly
.
mightn’t bother me hole going back at all
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MtuVBPwzstM
that midfield could look like any of six combinations depending on how good the lads look back from the interllul.
hope it’s xhaka deep, elneny and ozil completing the diamond instead of carzola.
that said, do we need to call the cops on CBA before he torches the Irish embassy!
wouldn’t worry kenyan
it’d just be structural damage
there’d be nobody there
we’re a workshy feckless shower
probably round the corner
on the gargle pickin bullets out wer beards
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=P2df30y9sMQ
in stereotypical style
i appear to have hijacked here
fortunately though
i have no intention of rolling it into the middle of the road
and throwing a petrol bomb through the window
.
you fellas don’t need this
why didn’t i discover le grove first
coulda aggravated the shite outta deserving cunts instead
anyhoo
sorry
.
ahhh shut up ya miserable shit !
CBA
I can’t seem to go anywhere you approve of but I will let my colleagues have your opinion on their accent??.
I have become very fond of the place because I have made many fine friends, not all of them native Dubliners. I’m immensely proud of London but don’t like several bits. I suppose we Gooners are hard fellas to please. you’re not aggravating your mates on here and Holic loves your unique contributions.
Le Grove….? Now that is a shitehole!
Friday night. Few beers done already. Off over The Arsenal tomorrow. Life could be worse right now.
One for CBA
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cPd_awQuH4o
Looking at the training photos, Cazorla’s looking a tad overweight!
🙂
Overmars was our biggest threat in the first 15 minutes GT so going on past behavior I think we can expect Cazorla to start just to grease the wheels. 😉
First home game since the Norwich ‘protest’ last season for me.
Far more upbeat now than I was then ; really looking forward to the match, a couple of beers and a Pie from Piebury corner – all at 3 o’clock on a Saturday too !
CBA #16
No mention of the mighty Saints or Radio Birdman ?
For Shame !!!
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=h9M3b9lh-7s
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=J5Jjg-5ouaI
Never did ever really get golf. I started to play when my cricket days ended. I have a lot of good friends with very low handicaps. I must say that I have never been more bored playing any sport than playing golf. They said I hope you had a fun day H.
I’m not there tomorrow and really have no idea what to expect. We are equally as capable of a resounding victory as we are of hitting the self destruct button. Let’s hope it’s the former rather than the later.
A 3pm kick off on a Saturday? I did not know they still existed!!
Enjoy boys and girls. Here’s to an injury free 3 points.
One of Gent’s better whimsies:
http://arseblog.com/2016/09/arsenal-gentlemans-weekly-review-112/
she did have rather alarming near sideburns
hid well under jet black hair
When was it that you found out you were actually dating Alvin Stardust?
You liked one NZ band but not the other, cba? In fact they were two iterations of the great Don Mcglashan, but never mind. Here’s a genuinely different Kiwi line-up, The Clean – https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7tf1wzg4rdE – probably the most influential of all NZ bands of the ’80s. And still sounding more interesting than today’s posers, imo.
Cheers, Holic !
Hope you had a good day ahhtt on the course …..
Bit late to the party here – too much of that work stuff.
Esso – have a great day, mate. I’m up there with Erin today. ????
4-1 to the “new” Arsenal – even though some of our newbies are already undergoing essential bodywork repairs !
Only Arsenal.
Come on you Reddsss !
cba – downstairs carpet ?
Wicked image.
Just concentrate on the football, Trev.
Moderation, eh?
Hope your jaunt around the 36 holes was productive and dry (in the weather sense), Guvna.
Afternoon all. Just about recovered, thank you.
Bath, they had Talisker, Ardbeg, and Laphroaig in a line on the malt shelf. I may have over-imbibed! 🙂
Senderos crap, Rangers battered, Senderos sent off.
Oh dear.
Granit on the bench. Mustafi and Perez both start.
Not sure why Granit is rested at this stage of the season???
So Moaninho lost… was pogba even playing?
I guess ManU will be spending another 200mil in the next transfer window..!
😀 😀 😀
That’s a pretty formidable bench for the Arsenal, but interesting that Gibbs is not in the squad; no true right or left half in reserve.
With PSG away coming up soon, have to think that AW has that is the priority; would see Xhaka and Giroud starting there.
Come on.
Very sluggish start. Southampton appear a lot more fluent and have more of the ball. COYG.
Southampton 1-0. They seem to know how to play us.
Not a good start come on Arsenal!
WTF is wrong with the ref.. why was santi shown a yellow?
Grrr…COME ON!
Koscielny you beauty. 1-1.
Get in Koscielny what a shot!
Why do we need a striker…when we’ve got KOS!
😀
GeT IN!
Ref is a cunt that should have been yellow!
Ref just confirmed it
Ref looks like he’s had a pint too many…!
Ref’s fault already? Blimey, that’s early. We normally wait until the final whistle before its all the ref’s fault.
?
Call it as it is!
😀
Too right Steve T ?
Yellow card for all today…
😀
COME ONNNNNNN!
70 mins gone.
61% possession.
1 shot on target.
Seems like a bit of same old same old??????
That Fonte chap isn’t half bad….
COME ON!
Sky have just said that we have won only 8 of our last 21 premier league matches? If that’s true then it’s embarrassing.
Southampton can play and are proving difficult to break down and we are not helping with our slow tiki taka. Need to win today.
They are also very good at time wasting but that is no excuse for our lack of penetration.
Ref really poor… should have stopped the game.
not a penalty!
Penalty!!! Hope we score.
Koscielny hurt, hope he is ok for the CL fixture on Tuesday.
Come on Santi.
Come on Cazorla!
Really is a yellow card day..!
😀
Yeah!!! Great take.
Got to say the penalty was controversial abut we will take it.
Great three points. Better team won.
Fergie time isn’t dead!
😀 😀 😀
BB blatant pen pulled him down no near playing a ball.
Very important win for us congratulations for anothe spot on Holic pound!
Fonte will end up in a better club next season for certain!
KOS MOTM for me!
Do we classify this one as a smash and grab? Apart from the goals, no shots on target? Soton with much the better chances.
3 points. Move on.
@ATG
My apologies.. did not see that the first time around.
Still Kos had a head injury …earned a black eye for that. Happy Birthday! 😀
Perez still needs a few games to get used to the system..but encouraging signs all around!
Mustafi after a few mistakes grew as the game progressed.
I’ll admit i was a little worried when Santi stepped up…
Happy for the win!
I’ve not seen any of the game today. I can only go on the Sky reports and other reports on line. It seems another get out of jail effort. Reports are that the pen was very soft. I will judge later. Despite earlier comments we have had the luck of the draw with decisions in every game so far.
3 points is 3 points. However, we are fooling no one if we think that 2 shots on target, one from a centre half and one a pen, will be enough against the better sides. Major and rapid improvement needed.
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>