Alexis Brace Does For Fighting Tigers
Feb 12th, 2017 by 'holic
Cup of tea. The first requirement of the morning. It’s a Sunday morning look back at the day before, so forgive me if some of the events of yesterday have been ‘dissolved’. On reaching the usual pre-match hostelry almost bang on opening time I ran into a face I haven’t seen in nine years. Zaph is a provider of exotic Icelandic food and drink and didn’t disappoint. It was great to see him again.
The ex-neighbour returned for a match and proved something of a lucky omen as we bounced back from the week from hell. Not that it was all plain sailing, but if you read the preview ahead of the match I will claim to have pretty much called how the match would pan out with the exception of the opener arriving before half-time , and the second goal not being scored by Danny Welbeck.
We made a bright start and Mesut Ozil combined with Alex Iwobi only to see his attempted chip headed away. We perhaps should have gone ahead when Alexis was put through but his chip lacked his usual deadly accuracy and Jakupovic made a comfortable save.
That seemed to bring Hull out of their shell and we saw glimpses of why they came into this match unbeaten in four Premier League encounters. The impressive Markovic sped through Arsenal’s left flank and crossed inches out of the reach of Niasse, who was almost gifted a simple tap in. The same player was denied spectacularly by Petr Cech when he climbed highest to a Grosicki cross.
Back came the Arsenal and Hector Bellerin spurned the best opportunity so far when Alexis, Ozil, and Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain combined to put him free only for the Spaniard to slice his drive onto the next fairway. An apt point at which to point out the contribution of the Ox again yesterday. Defensively he covers gaps rather than thunders into tackles, but he is the next best option we have to Santi for setting us off on the counter attack. He was arguably the man of the match.
He was involved in the next attack too when the ball fell to Alexis who cut inside but dragged his effort from the penalty spot wide of the target. Another Ox long pass was swept imperiously out to Iwobi who showed good strength to find Alexis, and the Chileans chip into the box was met on the volley by Ozil, but sadly it cleared the target with ease.
The opener arrived twelve minutes before the break. Iwobi and Ozil again opened up Hull’s right flank, Kieran Gibbs drive was deflected onto the wrist of the incoming Alexis by Jakupovic. It happened in a split second and referee Mark Clattenburg rightly ruled it to have not been a deliberate handball, but I would say that, wouldn’t I?
Arsenal 1-0 Hull City
Far from down having gone behind the Tigers started the second-half with a statement of intent. Markovic left the otherwise excellent Laurent Koscielny for dead on the hallway line and sprinted down our left flank before crossing to his strike partner Niasse. His drive drew an excellent save from Cech, forced to go full length to his left.
On the hour another sweeping move saw Ozil and Iwobi exchange passes before the latter curled his effort just over the crossbar near the far post. Then Ozil and Alexis put Theo Walcott through but he is a pale shadow of the player who started the season so well, and he passed the ball into the palms of Jakupovic. Knowing the arguments that often causes in the drinks I will say that it was an observation, not a criticism. Everyone has a little dip at points in the season and I would expect to see the busy Theo back again soon. It was a shame to see only Coquelin, after a delay, go to his assistance when Maguire turned bully boy midway through the half. Mohamed Elneny replaced him with twenty minutes to go.
Hull were finishing strongly and we survived something of a mini onslaught in the closing stages. Gibbs got the benefit of the doubt when clearing out Markovic as he bore down on goal, and the defender breathed a sigh of relief at the award of just a yellow card.
Markovic headed straight at Cech, Niasse found the side-netting at the near post, and Diamonde head over from close range. Yet at their most dangerous they were also at their most vulnerable. On the break following a scooped Iwobi clearance Ozil scampered clear and sent Alexis on a diagonal run from centre to left flank. His cross left the goalkeeper in no-mans land, late substitute Lucas headed goalwards and Clucas was forced to extend his arm to the ball to deny the goal. The red card was inevitable, less so was the Alexis spot-kick that was struck close to Jakupovic but with enough venom to render his late dive a pointless exercise.
Arsenal 2-0 Hull City
The ‘holic pound secured at the death, we returned to the pub and Zaph’s deadly concoctions. Old friends and new celebrated a win which was so badly needed. The result was far more important than the performance which was just as well. Once again we were like the proverbial curate’s egg, excellent in parts but…
79 Responses to “Alexis Brace Does For Fighting Tigers”
Holic do you mind if I repost this from the previous drinks? The shutter came down on my fingers shortly after posting. Delete by all means if you wish.
Did anyone mention it was cold? Stepping from the warmth of my car I was approached by a brass monkey who appeared to be holding something very carefully in each hand. He enquired whether I knew of any welding services in the area. I referred him to an establishment I knew off the Balls Pond Road which I believed was open on a Saturday. He thanked me and went gingerly on his way.
With his example in mind, I invested in a red beanie hat with a cannon on it from the little roadside stall just down from the Tollie. My son kindly informed me that it made me look a prat. I informed him that that may be the case, but at least I was a prat with warm ears. Arriving at the ground we lingered in the concourse rather than brave the elements. Although I seldom buy food or drink at the Emirates I did indulge in a cup of Bovril. Is there any more Proustian drink at the football than Bovril?
So to the game. I had said in here that I expected many empty seats. I have seen the (agenda driven?) claims that there were 10,000 such. Well, all that I can say is that five minutes after kick off the ground looked very much as usual for a league game against a lower end side. Yes there were empty seats, especially in the upper tier, but no more than usual. Given the cold weather, early kick off , game on TV and expectation of an unpleasant atmosphere I was pleased and surprised. The atmosphere was hardly vociferous but neither was it negative. Mark Clattenberg got more abuse than Mr Wenger. This confirms my view that, in the stadium at least, there is nowhere near a majority for throwing Wenger out and that the violent protests, banners etc are a tiny minority. Yes the crowd will boo after a poor performance and a poor result (like against Watford), but most folk to who go the game are simply happy if their team win. I cannot speak for those keyboard warriors who appear disappointed in victory.
Turning to the players, I see that Sanchez was made man of the match. Utter twaddle and poppycock. Alexis had a quite dreadful game and was by some distance our worst player, missing several chances he should have scored and losing the ball over and over again. He was also guilty of a quite egregious dive in front of me which Clattenberg spotted (it wasn’t hard) and booked him for, quite rightly. He redeemed himself right at the end of the game with the sublime cross to Lucas which would have led to the second goal, but instead led to the penalty. No for me the MOT was Ox, who once again put in an excellent performance in central midfield. I am increasingly convinced that this is Ox’s natural position and that we should continue with him there. Not only is he a creative ball carrier but also really puts the shift in defensively. I was baffled by the substitution (again) which took Ox out of midfield and affected our balance badly. Having put him on the wing he barely got a kick and was subbed off ten minutes later. I would certainly start him ahead of Ramsey. How about a Lucas/Ox or an Elneny/Ox midfield combo? As usual credit to the imperious Kos who time and time again mopped up at the back. I thought Bellerin had a good game. Lucas once again looked good on a few minutes appearance.
I was concerned about team spirit twice. The first time was when Theo, ludicrously, picked a fight with their massive No 5 (who looked a bit baffled by the whole thing). Not a soul rushed up to support him and defend him until eventually le Coq ambled up and tried to pull him away. If Jack had been playing, or Keown, or many others from years past, Theo would have had support, even though he was out of order. The second was when Sanchez (just) slotted the penalty that won the game. The crowd celebrated wholeheartedly. But very few team mates (I counted three, maybe four) went to celebrate with Sanchez. I wonder if his very public bollockings of teammates mean he isn’t the most popular? Oh and while I’m on team spirit what happened to the tradition that all Arsenal players wear the same shirtsleeve length, chosen by the captain? Theo broke that yesterday by wearing shortsleeves whereas the Captain (Kos) and all others wore long. Tony Adams would have kicked him up the arse for that.
Homeward bound, getting home just in time to watch the Rugby and Spurs v Scousers (I did a Holic and watched both, one on the TV and one on the laptop). Arsenal and England win, Spurs and Wales lose. I’ve had worse weekends.
No more home games until Bayern Munich I think. I hope it’s warmer then.
I shall not delete it c. Had I seen it earlier it would have saved me the bother of writing it up. Excellent drink, thank you.
Good morning and congrats
on the score!
The 3 points and the win
were the important thing
as you said.
Bit worried about Ozil’s
confidence but away to
Bayern is an easy place
to find it again right 🙂
Too much praise Holic but thank you. You are the non pareil. Glad the bet came home and for once the trains were kind.
Hello c100,
Enjoyed your match report, good
to read things are not all doom and
gloom.
I hope Ox stays in the centre for
the next few games, it will be a
good test for him.
Great read Holic,
It seems we saw the same game. At times we were good, at other times not so good and it is blatant to say that there is an issue with confidence in this group of players. Let’s enjoy the win before we head off to Bayern, hopefully the boys will regroup again and have more belief for what seems like a very tough test away from home.
In warmer climes. Enjoyed the report and Countryman’s excellent adds. Pleased to hear that Ox is making his mark in the midfield.
Is that TITS at 6, Holic? 🙂 Sounds like a right (and left) knocker to me.
Thanks for your generosity yesterday ‘holic. I had a smashing day all round. Zaphod’s cough mixture literally warming the cockles of the heart.
I cannot remember the last time when I was so cold at a game, the walk back to Kings X didn’t help either. Fortunately the 15.44 train home had the heating going full blast.
We looked very short of confidence. We should have been home and dry by half time but our shooting was way off apart from the messy first goal.
There were times midway through the second half, when we were put on the back foot, that I thought we would be fortunate to get away with a point but Hull’s keeper doing an Almunia walk-about resulted in the move from which came the late pen and with it a sigh of relief.
Kos and the Ox were my joint MOTM. Ozil once again failed to impress, Feo went AWL apart from his confrontation with their CH and other than his goals Alexis was annoying with his missed passes ,getting caught in possession and trying to take on our opponents on his own.
We will need to be much more on our game to come away from Munich on Wednesday with any chance in the second leg.
Apart from all that Gooner Kevin and I had a very pleasant pint in the Hemmingford and the regular Gooners on the train home were happy that we managed to secure 3 points.
Hope Holic had just a little more than his usual £1 on the 2-0 score!
COYRs
Great entertaining game at turf Moor as Burnley hold Chelsea 1-1. Puts our two wins against Burnley in perspective.
Delia – you walk back to Kings Cross (must be 3 miles?)? Respect, they breed them tough in Norfolk!
Great match reports and thank you to ‘holic, c100 and Delia. And Delia, I walked to Kings Cross after the Crystal Palace match last Spring but the weather weren’t nearly so bad, I’m sure. Happy to hear the furnace was working on the train home. 🙂
@bosom’s 6 – Having spent the afternoon watching a game in the freezing rain, during which I found the public toilets locked and was faced with a choice of pissing myself or walking the length of the pitch to water a conifer far away from the women and children watching the game, I can only say that I wish I was warm enough to melt.
🙁
amen 8ball
cheers to himself , himself and herself
brilliant reads all
together why here’s brilliant
and
god bless the mighty cynic
?
You are welcome Jackster. It was good to see you back in situ, as it were.
Delia, cold barely covers it. Five layers I had on. Still chilled to the bone.
Haha BtM, indeed. 🙂
Evening cba, Cynic, bt8, kin, Arthur, and OM. 😉
Very good report Holic and a particularly good drink from Countryman who raised an interesting point about team spirit. I filmed the penalty on my phone ( pathetically badly) and was surprised to see how few people bothered to share in the certain acquisition of three points. I think there are tensions between Alexis and tgevteam.
Theo was very wound up yesterday but not in a good or helpful way. Lucas and Welbeck should get the chance to start ahead of him although I found see Theo tracking back much more than he did ( which was never) but he is definitely having a dip in form. This may be, and it’s not a facetious suggestion , because he hasn’t stayed fit this long before and hasn’t played so many games ! The problem is that Theo does get goals in big games and Bayern is a big game.
The other point brought out by many yesterday and Holic today was how good Ox was. He played a bit like Xhaka in trying to play long passes which cut through a high press and suit fast- raiding players like we have. He is much better than Ramsey in my view, who would struggle to get in my squad if everyone was fit.ox could do England a turn playing like this, given the paucity of quality we have in that role.
But who cares about England? I’m pleased for Ox and think he might be able to dominate teams in that role whereas he is only peripheral on the wing.
I see Leicester are in the brown stuff again. I really can see them going down .
Finally what a great rugby match yesterday. I can’t remember a better Six Nations match.
Countryman, excellent report and your view on Alexis’ performance is spot on. He has become what is referred to derogatorily in professional basketball circles as a “ball stopper”. When he does two or three of those 360 degree turns when in possession, opponents are able to set their banks, and his teammates have no spaces to run into and have no clue as to where the ball can go or is going. The hallmark of the Arsenal side when it’s purring is rapid ball and player movement, and that’s not happening at the moment.
Fine report Guvna. You were a layer better prepared than me and by the end I couldn’t feel my feet. Thank goodness we finally got the rub of the green with the key decisions. I dread to think what the outcome would have been if Gibbs had got a red card as I expected.
Hull were as you predicted, a bit of a handful. At this rate I’d put money on Hull escaping the drop along with Swansea and last season’s surprise package reverting to their norm in the Championship.
Blogs accurately coined the term ‘torpor’ for our current demeanour at the moment. It’s time Alexis saw and used pass options to teammates other than Ozil a bit faster. I’d also put money on Alexis and probably Ozil departing in the summer and certainly expect shorter odds than those for the boss departing. Much to my surprise another major rebuild may be required.
Shannon Matthews’ mum got attacked with mushy peas in a chip shop? She’s lucky she didn’t get battered.
If Leicester was a horse would it be dope- tested ??
Everybody swallowed their disbelief last year when they went on that unbelievable run. Players like Mahrez, Vardy and Kante were the subject of big bids. Kante was clearly worth it but the others….? How did that team with all those limited players perform so well for so long?
If you can fluke a title ( and I don’t think you can) then they did last season . I suspect it shows what a major part mindset plays in football , and so many other sports. Mindset and momentum. Last year they believed they were a good team, this year they don’t .
They are in freefall and they will either hold on to Ranieri for too long or sack him very soon to try and do what Swansea and Hull have done.
We dodged a bullet with Vardy and I’m not sure Mahrez would have helped us this season. Kante on the other hand was exactly what we neede. Coquelin is not good enough in comparison, not a title- winning midfielder
Martin Keown was on MOTD2 Extra today defending Wenger with some nonsense about how it’s too soon for him to leave, but he managed to kill him whilst defending him, by saying that if his judgement of players is no longer trustworthy it’s a different matter.
He then decided that we should have signed Kante but somehow didn’t and that Wilshere, on loan with no recall, is a better player than Xakha. He went on to claim (rather absurdly) that Kante was the best midfield player… ever!
So on one hand it’s too early but on the other he’s made errors in judgement. It was a bit of a mad five minutes from Martin IMO
Ttg. Good read above. I hope your brass monkey found his blow torch.
I remember AW saying years ago that central midfield would be where the Ox would end up playing.
As for the shirt sleeves, I think Mertersacker conceded that it was OK to wear short sleeves even if the skipper had gone long, provided a long-sleeved base layer was worn underneath. Fudge in my book.
Also, the sleeves tradition only dates back to the Bertie Mee era in the 1960s, doesn’t it?
NBN- is 50 years not enough for tradition that it can be tossed out without a thought?? To me it smacks of players getting bigger than their boots. I’m probably just an old git.
Remember who you are, what you are and who you represent. As the banner that sits above Theo’s right wing when attacking the North Bank says.
I’m 100% with you on that tradition countryman100 @24. Jumped up little squirt. I’d accept it if it turned him into the player we all hoped that he would become but it clearly hasn’t. So, get with the programme, Feo.
If anyone thinks Vic Akers would give in to the whims of a player, they don’t know Vic. It looked to me like a creative rolling up of the sleeves, unless Theo’s been on the THG.
Not sure Cynic. See pic number 10. Sure looks like a short sleeved shirt to me.
http://www.arsenal.com/match/report/1617arsenal-v-hull-city-gallery
And sorry to disappoint those who want to have a go at Walcott for any daft reason they like, but this section of the only high res photo I have of him from that game yesterday clearly shows a long sleeve, rolled up inside the sleeve. It’s the same on the other arm, there’s a sort of triple layer of sleeve on that arm, although this is clearer
https://s10.postimg.org/pus3496kp/theo.jpg
Next whinge please.
OK. Clearly this matters to me (and the spirit of the tradition has been broken if not the letter) but not to you. We won’t fall out over it. Each to their own.
Next whinge: try to get more involved in games, son.
Meanwhile, a somewhat worrying development here:
http://7amkickoff.com/index.php/2017/02/12/after-alexis-handball-controversy-pgmol-reveals-hidden-agenda-and-all-football-fans-should-be-outraged/
Greetings to the Gunnerverse. Special thanks to Guv’nor.
Thank goodness the Ox is getting it right like I thought.
Now can we get a front three of Welbeck-Alexis-Lucas?
Can we also try a back three of Kos-Mustafi-Holding?
And a diamond 4 of Monreal-Xhaka-Ox-Bellerin?
Give that to Bayern & watch them struggle. And if Alexis is turning into a clog in the wheel, pull him out and send in Iwobi to the left flank and let Welbeck the top slot. But a front fluid three makes sense. It’ll unsettle the opponent & create space for Xhaka, Özil & Ox to run into when the opportunity comes.
Congrats on the pound, Holic !
Usual excellent and generous write up.
TTG – great previous main post too.
Not had time to contribute at all last week but had a swift catch up on the drinks on Friday. Now for this little lot above !
Cheers H!
Sounds like a good time was had. Would loved to have seen Zaph. Not seen him since summer of 2012.
trev
so grateful
bath too
said before
genuinely thankful
good people
despite yer impediments
.
now
all things aside
which wonna you ginger scoti wonderful s
is buyin
is gonna start a row
.fffnnnerrrt
(row as in how not row as in no)
faeries
*blows Mac Raspberries*
Football all a bit Ho Hum this weekend
From all reports in the Bar,it was all struggle struggle toil and trouble on the pitch,and freezing body parts off it.
So kudos to all those who braved the weather to support the team when it was really needed, after 2 damaging defeats and a big dip in confidence.
Must admit i was surprised that those that curled up and died at the Bridge last week,were all bar a couple,given the nod again to start against Hull.
Be that as it may,the result was all that mattered,not how it was achieved.
Bayern of course are several levels above Watford and Hull,and quite what tactical line up Arsene puts on the field on Wednesday in Munich,to try to nullify their attacking options is going to be interesting to see.
For me,the best sporting event of the w/end was the Wales v England Rugby game at Cardiff Arms Park.
Absolute cracker of a match,with the result in the balance right to the 80th minute.
Quite how England won that after all the pressure Wales had put them under, has me scratching my head,but win it they did,with a brilliant try 4 mins from the end.
Wales with a clearing kick from behind their own try line,reaches little George Ford 40 meters out,one quick pass to his partner in crime Owen Farrell,whose sublime pass to Eliot Daly sees him get on the outside of the covering Welsh defender to score in the corner.
All done in the blink of an eye.
A magnificent touchline conversion from Farrell was the icing on the cake.
16 wins on the trot now for England,and if they overcome Italy and Scotland at Twickenham,they will travel to Ireland with history in their grasp,as a win there will break the World record of 18 successive Test wins held by the All Blacks.
Trust all is well, Trev. Good to see you here.
oul farts
Apropos what Clatters said at half time, we only have the Hull player’s version of what was said and the likelihood he misheard or simply paraphrased to fit an agenda, either intentionally or because he’s a footballer not a professor of semantics, should not be excluded.
Guilty cba. 🙂
Sorry to have to disagree, Cynic, but Theo’s shirt is clearly short-sleeved. What you see as a long-sleeved shirt under is just an illusion brought bout by the way the folds are sitting. The Arsenal long sleeve shirt does NOT have the black stripe clearly shown as part of your supposed long sleeve under short.
Ffs … apologies, Cynic, the long sleeve shirt does indeed have the dark stripe! My mistake.
But I still believe it’s just the way the folds are falling that suggest another shirt under.
Fuck. 🙂
…but this is a bloody daft thing to be debating!
Whether it’s short or long, it’s just pathetic to use it to dig him out. There are supposedly world class players in this team who haven’t shown up for months, but we’ll ignore that to have a go about someone wearing possibly short sleeves.
However, the only surprise for me is that it took until today for it to become an issue.
Cynic. I’m not sure if you are digging at me, but if you are then you are out of order. I’d be offended at anybody breaking the tradition and I couldn’t care less whether it’s Theo or not. As I’ve said, we think differently so let’s not fall out about it. You can’t seem to accept that and that’s not right.
Agree entirely, Cynic. With those bigger names getting free passes more often than not it’s ridiculous to be picking on Theo for his habiliments. As I’ve said before, he may not be world class but he’s still better than the alternatives available at Arsenal. And while I agree with ‘holic that his form has slipped since the early weeks we should be encouraging him not going for the jugular at every opportunity.
Chris. Do you have a PhD in missing the point?
Sorry countryman, that wasn’t aimed at you … I was called away in mid composition. I like the tradition as well, but it’s not worth falling out about.
This convo is getting out of sync!
Can’t we do to Bayern Munich what Middlesbrough did to us at the Emirates?
Re: The PGMOL.
THEY DON’t KNOW WHAT THEY;re DOING.
Cheers Chris. Let’s have a cyber drink, on me, then I’ll take mine into the corner and mutter about the club going to the dogs.
*moooooooooooooooooooooo*
listen to billy McKenzie
he will guide you
Theo should not be getting with the programme – he should be selling the programmes.
UTA.
Wasn’t a good day for the ref, he
may have got a few things wrong,
understandable with split second
decisions but if he apologized to
the Hull players then that’s another
matter.
PGMOL should at least clarify the
situation, if the ref can’t follow the
rules…. 🙂
Morning all.
Another fun filled day in football world started with a breakfast in The Master Chef on Holloway Road. A place I can highly recommend. Good food and prompt service meant I was in the pub before 11. What could possibly go wrong.
Not much to add re the game itself. A Bovril and some built in insulation kept me warm. Unfortunately much of what was on display wasn’t going to do the trick. In fairness it was another drab performance against dogged opposition. Sanchez punched in the first and you then hoped that we would go on and dominate, but it didn’t really happen.
The substitutions again baffled me. 1 nil up at home to Hull and after 68 minutes we take off an attacking player to bring on a holding player? Then we give Welbeck and Lucas, both players who could surely do with some game time, 10 minutes at the end. I really do not understand why we bought Lucas if we are not going to play him?
A win is a win but I did want to see a performance. I must say that I was hoping for more.
Time to head off to the Tollie. A brief acknowledgment of the guvnor before settling down to watch 2 games of rugby. The second was made far more enjoyable by the trappy Welshie who had given it large for most of the game until England finally ran out winners. His parting comment of “well, you’ve got more people than us” was reminiscent of the discontented spud type defeatism.
A couple of pub stops on the way back to the tube rounded the day off nicely.
All in all, a very enjoyable day even if the performance wasn’t really there. I’m still not convinced that those on charge still know our best team. I like AOC in the middle but I’m not sure he will remain there for tomorrow night. I’m also not convinced that on recent performances that Bayern will believe that they have much to fear.
Countryman – great stuff. Wholeheartedly agree.
TTG – more good stuff,too – but a “dip in form” for Theo ? Ye Gods !
The above backed up by Bath (thumbs up emoji)
Thanks, Chris.
arsenicDaemon @32,
a very interesting team suggestion – especially given that our fullbacks will be far too far up the pitch to defend properly anyway. My only argument might be Enemy instead of Xhaka. I like Xhaka and think his red cards have been unjustified but he will be short of match practice for a game against Bayern. Maybe.
Ok, Bournemouth v Citeh it is. COME ON JACK!
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6Bytig-oavY
Jack sadly off with an ankle problem. I wonder if Bournemouth physics can sort him out quicker than ours can.
This is a sensible view of our neighbours from Jamie Carragher
https://www.balls.ie/football/jamie-carragher-3-359060
The Clattenburg controversy has had the monks looking at how we fare under Michael Oliver, who will be handling the FA cup tie at Sutton. While he is an ill-omen in league games — we have won only three of the 16 he has officiated —we have not lost any of the five FA Cup games he has handled (four wins and a draw; all away games as it happens). He has also never brandished a red card against us.
NBN. The only question is, will Oliver remember it is an FA Cup tie when he has to make the critical decision about whether to award a penalty against us? 🙁
Steve T. and others will point out that we should not be fearing Sutton United. Easy for you to say.
bt8b@64: 🙂
http://www.express.co.uk/sport/football/767005/Arsenal-Transfer-News-Yaya-Sanogo-St-Etienne-Crystal-Palace-Ajax
Devastating if true.
BT8.
We all know we shouldn’t, but there will always be that doubt? It wouldn’t be Arsenal otherwise?
?
Honestly, no matter what side he puts out… if we lose to Sutton Wenger should be fired about half a second after the final whistle.
Knowing our lot though, it would be the day they choose to announce he’s signed a new contract.
Wasn’t it Oliver who sent off DiMaria
in the cup game at OT?
He did have a bit of a mare last
weekend though, according to
Bilic anyway 🙂
Small matter of Bayern first though,
I’d love another result there, but
I might timidly take 2-2 if the
devil offered it just now.
Trev @58 Thanks for the observation.
Your point about match fitness is valid too but I don’t know about others, I have this feeling that Elneny is a bit more conservative which I think we don’t need against Bayern. I was really surprised to see him get the goal at AFCON. Besides, I think he still needs some rest after the AFCON. On the other hand, Xhaka has been a way (could be match rusty) but I think that could prove to be useful, he must be chomping the bit to get going, long passes, long range cannon and all.
So Jesus is out ..perhaps for the season too!
😀
arsenicDaemon,
Yep, I’m more than happy to go with Xhaka. He has a great left foot and I think his reputation is doing more harm than his tackling at the moment. That does mean he has to be extra careful for a while but I could see an eventual partnership of he and Elneny working well. (Santi’s time may sadly be done and Coquelin might yet have something to say). If Özil does leave, Ox could well find himself moved further forward in his central creative role.
Whether all of that adds up to a side truly challenging for the top honours is another question ……..
I might hold off from asking Clive for his answer for a few weeks while I try to regain some confidence in the team …. and the club, in respect of the finances and the direction the squad is going in.
Hey, cba,
do I take it the old neck is still doing well ?
Good news, if so ??
Trev,
That’s cool. I haven’t watched a live match of the team for nearly two months. The performances of late are worrisome. Hope they have something tangible to show for it by the end of the season.
And please this one goes to every member of this bar; where’s Oscar?
Miss his drinks and all.
AD@75, I presume you mean Oskar (the Dog). Sadly Oskar went to Pooch Heaven and the Nom de Plume has been retired by Chris his former owner, agent and script writer. Chris appears during nocturnal hours (NZ day time).
Thank you bath for that programming note.
What is on BBC4 at that hour? 🙂
DiMaria and Draxler for PSG. Nobody for Barcelona.
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>