A Proverbial Six Pointer With Huge Potential Consequences
Feb 3rd, 2017 by 'holic
It’s turned into a week of difficult pieces to put together. Before Tuesday night we were a team gathering a head of steam ahead of a monster of a match at the bus stop in Fulham. Now we go into a match against unquestionably the form team of the moment with a midfield decimated by injury, suspension, and the African Cup of Nations.
A gap we hoped would be down to six points is up instead to nine, and should that grow to twelve tomorrow, well, it would leave us with no room for manoeuvre in the remaining fourteen fixtures. Can you see Chelsea losing four in that space of time?
Away with you, defeatism. Now is the time to consider just how we might repeat our 3-0 drubbing of the current leaders at the Grove in September. The same back five are available and it would be a surprise if Petr Cech didn’t start behind Hector Bellerin, Skhodran Mustafi, Laurent Koscielny, and Nacho Monreal. The central pairing in particular were outstanding that day causing lone Chelsea raider, the loathsome Costa, to lose his head.
Francis Coquelin started that day with the imperious Santi Cazorla. Tomorrow, should we retain the 4-2-3-1 formation, he will need someone of less experience alongside him. Despite their contribution to a wonderful win at Southampton last weekend I suspect Chelsea away may be a Bridge too far (sorry!) for Jeff Reine-Adelaide and Ainsley Maitland-Niles. Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain makes no secret of his wish to play in the middle of the pitch and this is surely his opportunity to show what he can become for us?
Mesut Ozil is a given in the number ten role, but what of the attacking trio for him to provide the ammunition? In the home match we went for pace and fluidity with Theo Walcott, Alex Iwobi, and Alexis up top. I suspect that Arsene may opt for that tomorrow too, but Danny Welbeck looked very sharp last weekend and wasn’t involved in the Watford debacle. I would prefer him to start on the left in a strong, quick, and interchangeable front three. Lucas and Olivier Giroud give us good options from the bench if circumstances require.
There is another option open to Arsene, and that is to try and match Chelsea man for man by playing three at the back. Rob Holding is also not tarred with the Watford brush and could slot into a three. In this instance Keiran Gibbs might be preferred to Monreal on the left and Danny Welbeck might drop to the bench. This could negate what otherwise looks likely to be the home side outnumbering us in midfield.
Of course it is highly unlikely that Arsene would do the latter and so we really do need another performance of pace and power if we are to replicate September’s wonderful triumph. The measure of the task is in the fact that the invincibles were the last Gunners side to complete a double over Chelsea. Thirteen years could be unlucky for someone in a fixture that has become a test of discipline in recent years.
The ‘holic pound
The bookmakers are nervous about the outcome, and were we not the opposition I would seriously consider a healthy punt on them at just about odds on, 10/11. There, I’ve said it. Instead the voice in my other ear is looking at the value being offered on an entirely different outcome.
We are finishing matches strongly these days, even if we don’t always turn up for the start. I have to believe we will be up for it from the off tomorrow, and I am drawn to scores being level at half-time with us producing a match winning moment or two in the second-half at a best of 9/1.
There is one other factor in our favour tomorrow. I usually make the effort to get to this one, and I have been something of a jinx of late, it would appear. I am giving it a miss this season in the hope that this swings things decisively in our favour.
To those who are going I wish you a much better day than most are predicting. Wherever you are watching the match I wish all of you a great one, ‘holics.
163 Responses to “A Proverbial Six Pointer With Huge Potential Consequences”
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I just hope we at least look like we want it as much as they do.
13 is my lucky number H.
Let’s at least try to keep 11 men on the pitch this time.
I can cop a loss if it comes to that,as long as 120% effort is left on the pitch.
Be very surprised f we can knock them off,only thing maybe in our favor is the gut busting game they had at Anfield on Tuesday.
If we are in with a shout in the last 15,they may get leggy.
Fingers crossed.
I only know 2 Chelsea supporters,and they are truly great fella’s.
There will be no gloating from their side if they turn us over.
Exactly that Tone. From the off.
Everything crossed Clive. Teams don’t tend to feel tired when they are winning. Apart from us, obviously! 🙂
Good stuff, ‘H. Here’s hoping for the Right Result ™ tomorrow.
COYG
Picked up a very unexpected ticket for the game this afternoon. The last time I went to the Bus Stop was in the days of the cinder track!
I too hope Danny gets the nod with Alexis and Feo up front. Their mid-field is likely to control the game so we need to produce something extra special if we hope to get something from the game.
This will be my third away trip this season. Hopefully it will be 3rd time lucky, having watched a boring draw at Leicester and a disgraceful second half at Citi. Miracles do happen though not often at a Saturday early kick-off.
Costa will do his best to wind up our boys, they will need to keep their discipline when provoked. In recent times Red Cards have ruined our chances so a lot will depend on the competence of the Officials!
Hoping for the best and a trouble free day. COYRs
Has anybody thought of winding up Costa?
Wouldn’t mind seeing him unravel like a top.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eGhKFc_mIiI
Have a great day Delia. I was with you (collectively) at Leicester and City but will be stuck in front of the box in Cambridgeshire tomorrow.
I have written this one off mentally so a win will be glorious and a loss not a shattering event.
By Christ it seems a long time since the glories of St Mary’s six days ago.
Has anybody thought of winding up Costa?
I just rang them up and taunted them with “Starbucks are better than yooo-oooou!’
They called me a cunt.
We were both right.
Ergo tomorrow will be a 1-1 or 2-2 draw 🙂
Have a good trip, Delia.
I’m just not optimistic about this game. I wish the boys the best…
6 points for a win would certainly help.
But I expect we’d only then go and feck it up in our next easy game. 🙄
Will be watching more in hope than expectation. Despite what they say, it hasn’t killed me.
Yet.
Re: 8. Now waking up to smell the coffee. 😉
Delia
Have a safe trip and I’m hoping you’ll be leaving Bus Stop with a huge smile on your face!
As long as we turn up from the start it will be game on other than that we are in serious trouble. The other mental positive we have on our side is that we beat them few months ago that should give them enough belief to carry us though this one, unless there is nothing left of that in the squad.
Thanks for lifting the spirits Holic! Dry Jan is over thank you very much!
A noble gesture indeed, ‘holic, foregoing the match in order to bring us better luck. I hope you’re right, although if wrong at least you will have been spared the pain of watching defeat unfold!
“Your placement of quotation marks @66 is incorrect and gives a significantly misleading impression of what I wrote. Please be more careful in future. Thank you.” (last drinks)
The quotes were correct, Pangloss, as I was quoting exatly what you wrote. What I didn’t do was apply italics as you had them.
If you were seriously offended I apologise, but it was a joke ffs.
I want to be proud of the team tomorrow whatever the result. I’d be astonished if we won but Arsene does get us to bounce back well in adversity .
Holic has called the team options well. I think Danny , Perez and Giroud will be on the bench I see Egypt reached the AFCON final ( inevitably) so even if Elneny was fit he couldn’t get back in time.
Chelsea have NO injuries in February which tells its own story. Let’s look for a very positive performance tomorrow and what will be will be.
Chelsea team news.
Doubtful, none
Injured, none
Suspended, none.
The Arse team news
Doubtful, Two
Injured, Two
Not match fit, at least 4
Suspended, 1
ANC, 1
Nothing new under the Sun there then.
Naturally I prefer to have OG upfront, if only for his defensive qualities against the odious Costa. Otherwise Alexis with Danny LW, Theo RW.
AW will never play a back 3, imo, so back 4 as you suggest ‘holic. I’ve been impressed with Maitland-Niles’s temperament and think he might be worth a shot partnering Coq who really doesn’t want someone shaky beside him lest his own impulsive nature gets the better of him. Ox played well enough in his recent midfield outings, but the opposition wasn’t Chelski and he’s rarely shown the required quality previously.
Nice preview Guvna. You’ve captured the trepidatious mood very well.
I shall be watching from behind the sofa with a bottle of South African Shiraz.
Delia, I hope you enjoy the game and prove to be a lucky charm.
COYG, fulfil our hopes.
CMBD
#18 says it all, Clive. When are we ever going to see a level playing field?
Thank you for your apology Chris.
Chelsea home record not that impressive.
Haven’t dropped a point since loss to Liverpool back in early Sept.
10 wins,1 loss, no draws.
Pretty poor really. !!
Again,it all comes down to winning the early battles,keeping things tight,no stupid mistakes,if we let them roll over us in midfield we are stuffed.
Concentrate 120% from the first minute till the last.
Not fucking rocket science.
Give the supporters a performance to be proud of,win,lose or draw.
Clive, we haven’t won at the bus stop since October 2011 when we put five past Petr Cech and we haven’t even scored there since January 2013 when Theo netted. And that, except for the five in 2011, was our only goal since November 2008. So it is time for the tide to turn.
No draws at the bus stop this season?
A draw it is then: 1-1.
UTA.
Yes it is time Ned.
But have we the intestinal fortitude to make it happen. ??
Played all of the other 5 sides in the top 6 once,for a paltry return of 5 points out of a possible 15.
Without the collective belief,you cannot control the schrivelling of the players confidence when they step out in the big games.
Can it be overcome tomorrow. ??
apologies
if i said something bad about you
i only meant it if you think i did
.
security still lax
terribly lax
.
YER ALL CUNTS
NOWT BUT A FUCKIN SHOWER !
makin me dip inty th morras game swally
“daisies to the left of me ”
“daisies etc”
this batch harsh
twould ignite
least provocation
third filter
needed
yup
apparently
AM NOT AS GOOD LOOKING AS I ONCE WAS
.
i dispute
who is ?
ME !
that’s who !
eff off
*luxuriates in knowing knowledge*
bla
blaaaaahhhhhh
aaaahhhhhh
😞
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HL0IDh1jfP4
UGLY FUCKERS !!!!!!
8ball
fakery is an art
shot a few
Hey hey cba. You here too?
no
.
you ?
Not really. Howz the cow patties?
am in the place whence i came
no cows today
no moooooooooooooooooooooo
how is it in the land of the comb over ?
-bip-
-BOP-
half ton
oh yes
Baldies round here now going for toupees but not me. Beanie every time to keep off the cold breeze. Everybody still flyin over of course.
congratulations
Mr politely go Lightly
Full deck not to be sneezed at either. Or either.
53
for
51
not
52
am watching stuff
see ya
Would say aw feck off but not familiar enough
Early game (lunchtime for you but morning coffee over here) means an early night would not go amiss. Fire was cracklingbut now burning down
8ball
you are a cornerstone of here
i’m guessing yer not as HANDSOME as me
.
.
.
though
THROW WOOD ON THAT FIRE YOU WONDERFUL MAN
🐮😎
wish i was there tomorrow
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rsaCDMHLDqs
any elderly chariots available ?
😎
i’ll pay
i fuckin love Black Sabbath
Geezer Butler
fuckin genius
Tony Iommi
ahhhhhhhhhhh
herself
calls me a nazi
as
she listens to very expensive Stax box sets
what i dun bought
.
cos
i love the Ramones
i dunno
.
fuck
ye can’t fuckin legislate
she calls everyone nazi though
.
OKEY MC DOKEY !
nope
i’m not
though i am at this minute
wearing a hugo boss jacket
eight euro outta cancer shop
sorry hol please scatter this shite skyward
.
I really have to admit
s.illy old drunk punk
me jacket is great though
WHAT ARE YOU LOOKIN AT !!!
fuckin fairies
still watching Sabbath
i love Black Sabbath
racist sectarian cunts
way ahead of us
way behind us
in the interest’s of the world
LET’S BATTER THE TWATS
Fuckin chelsea that is
not Sabbath
and
if you do not like Black Sabbath
“You Sir , are a
.
.
I dunno
I’m fillin up here
Nice article as always.
I hope the team is more
optimistic than the supporters
(including me) !
Agree with the side, though i
might start with Perez and have
Danny from the bench. Perez
should be fitter and maybe more
likely to nick a goal.
mind you
better slap meself
.
the mighty steve T
and
the mighty Esso
early risers
.
Sorry Geezers
sorry
but
one word against Black Sabbath
and
we’ll not be
Cheers H.
Clive @somewhere far above: You are absolutely right.
Worth noting though that while we have taken only five points from five games against top-six sides this season, Manu U have only taken six from six, Man City seven from six and the neighbours nine from seven. Even Chelsea have taken only 10 from seven. Liverpool are most successful with 13 points from seven games.
Morning all
Nice preview H. I must say that if offered I would take a point now.
I agree that the performance today is as important as the result. I can imagine that anyone would be sympathetic if there is another lacklustre performance.
Hector has to start. The Gabriel experience must surely have come to an end. Up front? Who knows? Personally I would start with Ollie G up front with Theo out wide. Both Theo and AOC deserve a start after their efforts at Watford.
Fingers crossed that the game mirrors the home match.
CBA. Love you to death you old bugger but Black Sabbath are shite.
For those going, enjoy. For those watching elsewhere, there is always the sofa to hide behind.
A dozen years ago I was heading off to Bermuda with Mrs TTG at about this time of year at lunchtime. We were playing at the bus stop and just as we sipped our coffee the news came through that we’d gone one down in the first minute. Faith didn’t waver and about 15 mins later Vieira equalised.
I then adeptly sent Mrs T shopping and went to the Gatwick bar to see the rest of the first half. As I arrived Edu scored . Our flight was. Allen and phones turned off but just as the engines were about to rev up I switched on the phone to find we had prevailed 2-1. That was a team without mental frailty and one that won at the Bridge for fun. If only we could recapture that spirit today
Depends what Sabbath you are referring to, cba.
But the again, I even like some of the stuff they did with Tony Martin
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0138tjgCkIA
The Dio wannabe.
This is a game we can win. All that is needed is belief and unity. Intestinal fortitude? We have that in spades, just don’t show enough of it when it matters. If the lads make a fist of it, we Gooners will be pleasantly surprised.
UTA
Intestinal fortune means they have to spill their guts?
Some proper Gooners among this lot and best of luck to them at Villa Park today:
http://www.dailymail.co.uk/sport/football/article-4188230/Broxbourne-Borough-stars-FA-Youth-Cup-run.html
I’ve only just seen that Atkinson is the referee. That is not good – we will have the shit kicked out of us and still we’ll get the first yellow.
Still hoping for a performance and a draw.
UTA.
I do hope Giroud isn’t playing. We need pace, not statues.
Giroud is on the bench. Sanchez, Theo and Iwobi up front. Danny on the bench
Cech
Hector
Mustafi
Kos
Nacho
Coq
Ox
Ozil
Iwobi
Theo
Sanchez
Gibbs
Gabriel
Giroud
Ospina
Danny
Jeff
AMN
Lucas is not on the bench, don’t tell me he is injured or something
If he was not injured, rhe only explanation is Wenger really does not rate him at all
In my case it probably means keeping my beer gut intact
BANG!
Bit of trimming, H?
COME ON ARSENAL
COME ON ARSENAL
COYG
C’mon boys three points.
Weak on that header. So weak. What the fuck is happening when Bellerin is on Costa and then has to deal with the second ball? Why i a right back pulled so far across?
FFS
Behind already, the lousy week continues.
I hope Bulletin is ok. Clear foul on the goal
Bellerin that is
Nice elbow to the face of Bellerin.. we should do that more often, seeing that’s the way it goes these days..!
Alonso cleans out Bellerin and is replaced by Gabriel.
That is a foul in the middle of the pitch.
Let the fun begin
Attempted decapitation. How’s that not a foul?
Good on Mustafi.. take Hazard out…!
Dear Mesut Ozil
Where are you?
Thanks
x
They are murdering us down this flank
He’s GOT to score that! FFS
The good thing is we are creating chances. This game isn’t over by half.
I don’t know what Ozil was doing when he had light years of space but fucked it.
That was bollocks that half. Too much headless chicken stuff.
If Bellerin doesn’t have a concussion I’d be surprised.
We should be 2-1 up… will be an interesting 2nd half.
If all Bellerin has is a concussion, i will be surprised.
Hit the ground hard too… hope he’s all right.
We’ve been shambolic but are still in it. Get a bit of shape in the second half, ffs.
Next goal wins.
Two down and we’d be finished.
At least Ozil is involved.
We should bring on Walcott for the second half. Oh.
UTA.
A decent end to the half. Shame we couldn’t nick one, but time for Arsene to work some magic at HT.
“Ozil involved” meaning taking the occasional corner and standing 30 yards away from the play with his hand up, like he’s asking for permission to go to the toilet?
We need far more from our supposed second best player, but we’ve been poor across the attack anyway.
NG
I take it you mean Wellbeck?
Cynic
Clear foul on Bellerin hard to call because we have made a mess of it at the same time. Different angles different story, go figure!
ATG
No, I think we should let Theo have a chance to join in.
UTA.
Bellerin is still a bit dazed but seems to be ok. Thank God.
It looked like weak defending until the replays.
One thing is certain though.
Hector needs to lose the moustache.
We were outplayed all over the park during the first thirty minutes. Their players are generally bigger, more physical, cynical but also good footballers. I don’t know how it was not a foul on Bellerin.
We have a chance so long we don’t go two nil down.
COYG.
I didn’t watch the half time cobblers, was the foul called as one by the “experts”?
Game over.
That was fucking pathetic, defensively Abject.
One man against half a dozen boys.
Hazard brilliant but our defence is equally shitty. Game over I think.
Very nice goal by Hazard…
Horrible defending though.
Now that is shit of a response
The defending on the Hazard goal was similar to Watford’s second. Half- hearted challenges combined with positional naivety.
Not at the races.
Arsenal breaking, Ozil bottles the challenge, Chelsea break on them.
Why didn’t Coq take out Hazard is difficult to understand. We are such a soft team.
Sanchez is having a nightmare of a game, miss passing so often. Welbeck on for Theo.
Theo poor today and the obvious change, but I would have taken Ozil off, who has cruised through it in his usual ineffective manner.
Was Walcott even on? Didn’t see him until he went off. Does he deserve to occupy space on the team bus?
Ozil can leave if he wants to. Just take Wenger with you on your way out. Same old shit..
ksn @141 – you know
Sad thing is we were only in form last September!
Thank fuck for the offside flag because we were wide open there
Another free header missed.
We have been absolute rubbish but still had the chances to have made a game of it.
Danny’s done more in five minutes than Walcott has this season.
What you mean apart from the goals and assists… cheerio.
Wellbeck’s defensive work and workrate are a lesson to the gutless lad who wears No 14. Pity Danny’s been out for more than a year.
That third goal just about sums it all up.
No pride no balls complete emptiness
Cech’ mistake was a metaphor for this game. I think I’m with Holic. This regime can’t take us any further . Sad , very sad but I think true. We haven’t had the personnel we wanted through injury but tactically they have been streets ahead of us. I hope Arsene doesn’t try to cling on now
I’m afraid we can’t go any further like this
Let’s be honest here because frankly this team could have beaten Chelsea however not with Wenger in charge sadly!
Yeah but we are fighter with great spirit.
Mind you the cunt on telly who has turned up to a game like this with his little banner to say Wenger has to go is…well … a cunt.
Neviller spot on with his comments about him. What a twat
Beaten soundly today and to think Chelsea were outplayed by Spurs is a sobering thought about how poor we have become. Fourth place is not certain this season.
Ozil looks shattered and all he’s done is take corners.
I think only OX had any kind of a game for us today and that’s only based on him getting a couple of tackles in.
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>
That third goal sums up the team. Infallible ability to snuff out even the faintest glimmer of hope by shooting itself in the foot.
Very disappointing day. Sanchez was missing today as was Ozil who slows things down. Chelsea wanted it more and were so combative and deserved the win.On today’s showing Fabregas is way better than Ozil. Welbeck showed the mentality our players must have to win at this level and Ox had a good game too. He has played well the last few games and I think he and Xhaka will be an effective pairing in the middle.
Most of our threats came from our left where Monreal had a good game.
We are poor because we don’t believe we can win the league and that is down to Wenger. I think Wenger himself doesn’t believe we can win the league and the players probably sense it.
Still all to fight for the fourth place.
At least we can still slip in through the back door for a reflective drink in peace and quiet. And that is what we all most need right now. A very large one for the Guv’nor on the bar.