Bulgaria’s Eagles Fly In – So Will Gunners Open Fire?
Oct 18th, 2016 by 'holic
I wanted to have written this preview by now, but a good Gooner sent me a copy of an upcoming book to review, and I couldn’t stop myself from reading it for a while. More to follow on that later this week.
Now, let me see. What do we know about Ludogorets Razgrad? Not surprisingly very little, which is sadly not a guarantee that we just have to turn up to take the three points. A good spot to gen up on our next opponents is on the English version of their website, here. Clever blogging that. I could have spent an hour or so on there picking out scraps of information you might not have wanted. Now you can read as much, or as little, as you like.
The winners of the last five Bulgarian A Group titles, Ludogorets are the first Bulgarian club to twice reach the group phase of the Champions League. They first did so two seasons ago and gave Liverpool a scare before losing 2-1 at Anfield. The return fixture ended in a 2-2 draw. This season they started impressively, holding Basel to a draw away from home on match day one. We will take more comfort from their home match against PSG, which the French club won 1-3.
Having typed that it is fair to say that the match will be determined by which Arsenal turns up. In that regard we have every reason to be confident. The Gunners are currently on a very encouraging run of good form. Ten unbeaten fixtures since the opening day debacle against Liverpool have seen only Leicester City and PSG hold us to a draw. The eight wins have been achieved with a combination of all the qualities top teams have. There is resilience and determination allied to technique and even a little bit of swagger this season.
The squad is likely to be unchanged from that which was on duty against Swansea at the weekend. Changes? Depending on how recovered players have looked in training it is unlikely that there will be any rotation. Some might argue Kieran Gibbs for Nacho Monreal but it is too early for that, surely? Francis Coquelin or Mohamed Elneny could come in for Granit Xhaka, but he will miss the next three matches so one might argue let him enjoy one more game before his enforced absence.
Arsene Wenger, talking at the pre-match press conference shown on the official club website arsenal.com, was asked about what he thought of his team and what could they go on to achieve this season.
“I think the team is focused, the team wants to play the football we want. They believe in what we do and with our good ingredients. After we have to show the desire, the hunger, in every single game.”
We have heard similar before, but there is a bit of a different feel about the club right now. It is too early to be getting carried away, that is true, but it is a while now since we have seen the team playing as well from front to back as consistently as we have been of late. Fingers are very firmly crossed here.
The ‘holic pound
Ludogorets have scored in both group stage matches so far, and we are creating chances so 3-1 at around tens looks a fair punt to me. I’m on it.
A little later than planned can I wish all of you who are going another enjoyable couple of hours watching a really good team prove it once more.
Have a great one, ‘holics.
94 Responses to “Bulgaria’s Eagles Fly In – So Will Gunners Open Fire?”
Their kit seems to be green.
Not necessarily the away kit though.
I expected better, bt8! 🙂
OK then, ‘holic. Can’t say if this is better but the English version of their website seems to rely heavily on Google Translate and/or Bulgarians who have spoken English for less than a few years, which accounts for the odd sentence construction. For instance, this is from the “History” section:
Established in 1945, the club from Razgrad was in general participating in Third division. First appearance in Second division is in season 1961/62, however, a promotion to the elite division was not achieved. In the 90’ of the 20th century the team was called Antibiotik.
The big progress of Ludogorets started in season 2009/10, when the team succeeded to enter from Third to Second division. That’s when Ivaylo Petev was designated as a head coach. “The green” won the Second division battle and entered the elite.
Great preview Holic, whetting my appetite for another game I will miss but hopefully I may catch some of it if I can find a stream here in California- any clues to that from our American friends?
I imagine these are the first Bulgarian team to play Arsenal in a formal fixture and thus they go in with an unbeaten record. They are certainly no mugs as the Basel result showed although we blew Basel away.
I’m hoping for 3-0 which is what I predicted for Saturday. It would have been right if we hadn’t conceded two goals. Enjoy the game Holics!
I wouldn’t rotate either H
Make the one enforced change on Saturday against Boro, Coq for Granit,knowing that next week is a clear week to rest most of the first eleven,with Reading mid week,the ideal opportunity for Rambo and Giroud to have their first hit out after injury.
I will be stunned if tomorrow isn’t a fairly routine win against very average opposition.
Ludogorets Razgrad took off the same way so many clubs do these days, when a rich businessman bought it. The well-connected Bulgarian investor and entrepreneur Kiril Domuschiev (he has property companies, an animal cancer care company, and insurance interests among others) bought it in 2010 and started pouring money — and top Bulgarian players — into it. The club won promotion to the Bulgarian top flight that season and hasn’t looked back.
Good piece, ‘H. Can’t disagree with anything Clive has said above. I gave up predicting scores for Lent some time ago.
COYG
Nice preview Guvna. Sadly I will miss the game entirely being in a BT and web free zone in Scotland and the local is sure to be showing Shitteh v Barca.
My thoughts will be with the team and I shall be following on Arseblog’s Livecast over 3G.
Prediction? I’ll buy yours as I am always wrong. On the other hand, unlike you I would like to be carried away. ?
Who by though Bath ??
Clive@6: I agree that we should have too much for Ludogorets Razgrad and that a routine win should be in order, but don’t underestimate them. They have eight internationals (four Bulgarians, two Romanians, a Canadian and a Malagasy) and a bunch of journeyman Brazilians in their mid- to late-20s, including two of their leading goalscorers this season, Marcelinho and Wanderson. Both are attacking midfielders and dual nationals (both Bulgarian internationals). Cafu, the right winger, is another Brazilian to watch out for, as is the Romanian international centre forward, Keseru. They don’t keep a lot of clean sheets, but equally they don’t often give away more than one goal a game. They are not used to playing in front of large crowds. Their stadium only holds 8,000 and they usually get crowds of less than 2,000. Indeed, the entire population of Razgrad and its surrounds is barely 50,000 so they could all fit into the Ems.
Not underestimating them Ned,but having lost 3-1 at home to PSG in the last round,i would expect us to have too much firepower for them.
As for the players you mentioned above,again i would suggest if they are turning out for Ludo,then they are playing a long way from top level football.
ttg, being also in california (where are you, then?) i see the game isn’t being shown on any fox sports channel live, though it will be shown 4-6 am thursday. i will tape that in case i can’t watch it all tomorrow.
you’re on streams unless you have some access to a bar that might show the game. if you’re in the bay area, maggie mcgarry’s on grant near green in north beach, san francisco, or jack’s bar on east taylor between 4th and 5th in san jose are the home bars for the bay area gooners and south bay gooners supporters’ clubs, respectively. i haven’t been to maggie’s, but jack’s is a bunch of fun.
however, barring that, and for the most part when it’s on fox, which is all this season’s group stage at least, it means cricfree or other streaming sites…
best of luck, and enjoy yourself in our fair state!
3-1 would be good, but I hope we don’t reach that early and then play safe, as is our wont. This group could easily come down to GD, and I’d rather we only needed to draw at home to PSG than have to win. With all Prem League teams likely to be in the first round of knock-out, and we can’t be drawn against them (correct?), you know who we’ll get if we finish second…
Thanks, Holic !
I now know more about Ludogorets than I did, that is that they are Bulgarian. A patient today told me that they were from Ukraine which, at the time, I was quite happy to believe.
This is supposed to be the Champions League and it is ridiculous that entry is being permitted for tiny clubs nobody has heard of, like Ludogorets, Bate Borisov and Tottenham Hotspur.
So according to Ned – and no-one would argue with Ned – they have followed the example of many Eastern European clubs and loaded the attacking department of their side with Brazilians – Marcelinho and Wanderson, who is more likely to be under instruction to ” stay in your position and don’t Wanderson !”
They will, however, be without their injured star Bulgarian player, Dunimselfa Mischev.
3-0 looks dandy.
G’night !
What, Trev, no Antibiotik puns?
Scrub,
Thankyou I’m in San Francisco, a very fair city but it was chilly cruising the bay tonight! You have been most kind in outlining the options. I will probably not be able to get to a bar so I will have to get scoreflashes and catch up when I get home on Thursday.
I shall be pleased to get home after nearly three weeks away and I am looking forward to two visits to THOF in the next week.
Let’s hope we can win and put ourselves almost through to the last 16.
Nice preview H.
Can’t say I’m massively excited about tonight. We all get excited about the Chsmpions League. We all know about the 4th is a trophy. However, when the draw is made, games against the likes of Ludogorets Razgrad don’t exactly fill me with eager anticipation. A Wednesday night means a dash from work and very little sleep due to a very early start on Thursday. Sadly I tried to get shot of my ticket for this one. I guess it tells you all you need to know that there were no takers.
We should have more than enough to win this one but playing a weakened side never sits well with me. Arsene saying that he “thinks” the side is focused I hope is just a wrong choice of words. We need to make sure we are focused.
H, you are spot on re which Arsenal will turn up. A question I pose before every game. Swansea is a prime example. Some scintillating football coupled with being wasteful in front of goal and some very sloppy defending.
Not really sure what the line up will be. I would start Xhaka. Unless his non appeal punishment has been extended by the club to now include champions league games. There was some talk that Perez may get a start? Who knows? I just hope that we are professional, clinical and get the job done.
Any of the regulars actually attending and fancy a pre match scoop? See you in the normal place if you do.
3-1 will do quite nicely. Here’s to that. I’m hoping to see the Ox start.
Bt8, who would ever call a football team Antibiotik ?
I just wonder at what time does the manager start to penicill-in the names on his team sheet. ?
Actually, we could use some antibiotics next month to spray all those nasty Spores supporters as their crowd Floxin.
Now, if I could just have my coat …………
TTG and scruz: for live coverage here in NYC area, match is on Fox Sports Channel 2, which you may or may not get depending on whether the cable system has that available in its basic package. It’s available on ours; we also have both Barca-Citeh on FOX Sports 1 and Bayern on a Fox local sports channel. Such a deal! On some systems, if you pay a little extra per month, you can get the enhanced sports package and get the game that way; might be worth it, as the away Ludicrous match is not likely to bump the Citeh-Barca return off the main Fox channel in two weeks. You can then drop the package after the month interval.
Watching the U19s against Ludogrets U19s. The boys are camped in the opponents half but after a great goal in the 3rd min they have failed to break the Bulgarians down. Too many side to side passes and with Ludogrets having everyone behind the ball it’s not exactly a great watch.
Maria is doing her best to spur the boys on,let’s hope the ist team are more enterprising tonight.
The Ox and Perez might make a start but I’m not banking on it. 3-1 sounds like a possible result.
Now off to Ely to pick up a train.
COYRs
Trev, Dunimselfa Mischev usually plays alongside Gonindav Etlok.
Just make sure you put it down again carefully, Delia….
Do not see any or many changes to the team from Saturday. I do wonder is this, not the game to rest Alexis? Boro home in the pl is not the game to do so is what I feel. He has been our best player so far this season and we need to protect him. Talking of players, why are we not playing elneny at all? Not even as a sub which makes me wonder. He is very tidy and does not slow down the game, so he should get some game time atleast tonight. So should lucas please.
3-0 to the good guys.
Nice one, Delia ???
Could you put it down on the Welwyn – Moorgate line please ? ?
Indeed, Ned,
Not to mention Nakadiz Amstreen. ?
Clive @10, I have a long list of potential candidates. ?
This is an excellent read about Feo’s first miss on Saturday. A most enlightening read and an excellent dissection of the MOTD pundits’ approach to critical analysis. Highly recommend it. You have to scroll past the initial comments to get to the article.
In truth I thought it was a chance he did well to get on target, the second ‘miss’ being beautifully worked and curved past the keeper only unluckily to hit the post but the third when he had a nailed on tap in when he leant back and hit the bar was the one that could be legitimately criticised as a ‘must score’ if you are allowed to do that to a player who has created and taken two early goals already.
Anyway, I think Chris will enjoy this:
http://statsbomb.com/2016/10/xcommentary/
ttg, sorry you won’t be able to make it to a supporter’s club bar. hope you’ve enjoyed your stay in our fair state, if you’ve been here for 3 weeks you’ve certainly had your share of variety in weather. 🙂
bayonne, yeah, i saw it on fs2, but don’t get it. i figure that’s how the bars are showing it.
surely wish it wasn’t on fox.
interesting note, sunday’s boro game is on nbc deportes, on univision. though i am sure it’s on live extra as well.
trev, isn’t their trainer the vaunted french dutchman Tree Weekshout?
Arsenal XI: Ospina, Bellerin, Mustafi, Koscielny, Gibbs, Cazorla, Coquelin, Walcott, Ozil, Oxlade-Chamberlain, Sanchez.
Trev, SCG: 🙂
Come on.
Bath@30: Thanks for the link. Interesting read. No secret that we like stats at Castle Ned and believe in evidence based decisions. Sadly TV demands simplicity and exaggeration, neither of which fit objective analysis particularly well.
ned, i read your statement about TV’s demands as “stupidity and exaggeration”… either works, i suppose.
i can imagine steve t. is muttering to himself in his seat about our choice in goal 🙂 strong team, in spite, or because, of that.
COYG!
the greens making a bit of hay down our right…
aigh, shoot it again, theo!
ooohhh, alexis! laughing… 1-0!
Great strike, Alexis!!!!
Calmness personified…Alexis superb chip..
GET IN!!
Ooof… What a finish by Alexis!!
Ospina super save. Ludogorets have a plan and are executing it well. Need to be careful as they have pace up front and a good passing game.
ospina having a great game so far.
Third time they have come to scoring. Thanks to Ospina again!
+’close’ to scoring
If they would shoot it instead of trying for the final pass in, should be
3-0. These guys are no mugs though.
Theo!!!!!!
theooooo!
Theooooooooooooooo!
What a finish…!
GET IN!
this game could look like the swansea game if we’re not careful. ludogorets no mugs indeed, bayonne.
They could easily have led at half time. Credit to them that they have not sat back and only defended. They are playing an open game and are really good. Hope for an equally productive second half for us.
Thanks for your good wishes Scruz. I began and ended in SF but had two weeks in Hawaii in between. I’m following the PSG game on ESPN in the lunch break but getting updates from the Ems. Going well so far. Who needs a big man upfront?
ttg, i realized you were in hawaii after i sent that. i assume you went lhr-sfo, and decided on a bit of a stay…good for you.
i can’t quite believe we’re still ahead. but as ksn says, let’s see another half like that.
just saw the barca goal v. city, and man did city switch off. pep’s going to need to supply the locker room more toilet paper for all the new assholes he’s going to rip in the squad at the half…
ludogarets are playing a superb game. no pushovers. But Theo.. how about that!!
Ox, get in!!!!!
three! way to go oxlade and all…
GET IN OXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX!
oooozzzziiillllll
Ozil, great counter! 4-0.
what a killer break. santi started and ozil finished, what a beautiful first touch and shot!
Ozilllllllllll!!!
What a takedown..not a better first touch ..and goalllll
GET IN!!!
Santi subbed and rightly so. Should take off Alexis too.
santi hurt his foot. damn.
now alexis and ozil, sub for lucas and iwobi.
Lucas on for Theo, that’s a surprise.
lucas on for theo. huh. *claps theo off*
le coq has, quietly, been excellent this game.
ludogorets looking tired, suddenly.
oooh, ox, great stuff between you and alexis. deserved a goal.
What a spanking…….
They weren’t actually half bad for the first 20 minutes but they’ve been leaking oil ever since.
iwobi on for alexis. *claps alexis off*
Iwobi on for Alexis at last. Great game and a magnificent goal for him, also denied a clear penalty. What would we do without him.
great break and another for ozil…lucas with the assist…
Ozil scores, great pass by Perez, 5-0.
Ozil makes it so easy, cool.
great pass by ox, to start the move.
Perez to Ozil…..
GET IN!!!!!!
hat trick for ozil!!!
Ozilll Hat-Trick!
GET INNNNNNNNNNNNN!
Hatrick for Ozil. Another great pass by Perez. Boss smiling too.
wow, way to go arsenal! totally in the flow of it all, another killer volley by our german magician…
scoring for fun now……
well done, too, for as hard as our boys are working as late in the game as it is.
lucas, welcome to the club. two great assists…
and you know the defense is damned if they don’t keep the clean sheet. 😀
Lucas the new Ozil. Good ball control as can be expected of a Spanish player and great pace too. Welcome addition to our team.
Great win, all in all.
full time, well done! should be lots of smiles in that locker room. when we’re on song we’re looking irresistible.
Now sign new contract extensions Ozil and Alexis please!
😀
So was that Ozil having a little dig at AW for saying last week that he doesn’t score enough goals in matches when on the training ground he scores for fun?
hopefully a new trend, rather than a dig. maybe not hattricks per game, but if he can bang in 20 in all competitions…what’s not to love?
True Scruz, our football is great to watch. Bring on
Middlesbrough who won’t be so easy but looking forward to the match.
We’ve got Ozil!!!
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>