Will Arsenal or Chelsea Pay The Penalty?
May 26th, 2017 by 'holic
A plate of scampi and several pints into Cup Final eve I suppose I have to arrive at a ‘holic pound. It’s been a pretty nerve-jangling week, and as if we haven’t lost enough experience at the back now this evening I see the rumours that David Ospina may start ahead of Petr Cech. What madness is this? I love the little fella, but his future lies elsewhere. Stay with the number one please Arsene.
That probably hasn’t set the encouraging tone you came looking for. Apologies. Let’s get all of the unpopular stuff out of the way first. We play tomorrow to deny deserving Champions a double. I know it helps that in securing the title they denied those from the other end of Seven Sisters Road a first close-up of the Premier League trophy, but they were worthy winners.
It helps that they parted company with the loathsome Mourinho to do it. However what doesn’t help that basically they owe the title to us. After we had schooled them 3-0 at the Grove in September the new manager had a complete rethink about the make-up of his team. Conte made the switch that not only solidified the defence but gave some freedom to his most creative talents, particularly Hazard. You have to respect the size of that achievement.
Now, if any Gooners are left reading (I know for some strange reason some of the younger ones have a stronger dislike for Chelsea than Tottenham – more madness!) how can our depleted squad actually win tomorrow? There are clearly two schools of thought. A repeat of our 2005 ‘they shall not pass’ performance against Manchester United at Cardiff when we played a 9-0-1 formation with no support for poor Dennis Bergkamp.
That so-unlike-Arsenal performance was a necessity because of the paucity of attacking talent available to us on the day. This year we look to be facing exactly the opposite issue so it would be something of a surprise to see a rag, tag, and bobtail defence hold out for 120 minutes and expecting the likes of Ozil, Alexis, Ramsey, and Oxlade-Chamberlain to form a barrier ahead of the thin red line.
Without being reckless surely our best chances lie in a controlled but adventurous approach from the off? These players have proven, albeit too seldom this season, that they are capable of producing devastating counter-attacking football, and against our opponents at Wembley it should be remembered!
The ‘holic pound
I’m hearing voices from both shoulders. “Of course we can”, “Not a hope pal”. I’m persuaded that our best chance may be to test our heart rates with another penalty shoot-out, but I cannot see a 0-0 over ninety minutes preceding it.
I will never bet against my beloved Gunners but I have come as close as ever to doing just that by putting the infamous pound on a 2-2 draw at 90 minutes. Alexis and Ramsey love scoring at Wembley so I fancy them to keep that run going. It may even go to 3-3 in extra-time but the penalty shoot-out has loomed large in my thoughts in the last 24 hours. Let it be ours.
So that is probably a good note on which to leave this Wadworth’s inspired chunter for tonight. I have to prepare for an early start tomorrow thanks to GWR not running any trains from Swindon on Cup Final Day. I have to meet ‘holics present and past for our ‘lucky’ Cup Final lunch with a Gooner for a chef patron. Poor young Bergkamp the Man has the pleasure of the seat next to me in the ground. I pray he remembers his ear defenders.
Thanks for reading, you wonderful people. Have the best weekend of the season, ‘holics.
185 Responses to “Will Arsenal or Chelsea Pay The Penalty?”
GO ON YA MAD HOOR YE !
Yes, we’re ready!
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BezaWa-hXdQ
OOOOOO….spina!
Round up the usual suspects, and let the Great Scot buy them a few rounds.
I’ve never been remotely this flat ahead of a Final. I would normally have butterflies and excited feelings for days before. I’m dreading tomorrow. Everything that could go wrong has. Apparently Cech is injured so Ospina who wants out will play. Four of our likely team may not be with us next season, possibly more.
The Guvna has produced as upbeat a preview as he possibly could but the clue lies in the Holic pound prediction . I never bet against my team but I feel tomorrow could be gruesome. I felt the Citeh semi might go that way but we surprised everyone including ourselves. To have any chance we need a few worldies from our best players and young players like Holding to step up to the plate. I’m afraid I can’t see anything better than a three or four goal defeat. It breaks my heart to say it but we are playing the best team in the country and I don’t trust this team.
I would love to have egg all over my ugly mug tomorrow but I can’t see a way we can win. I will conclude now before I piss myself off completely ?
32can’t be arsed
like fuckin busses
Don’t you burn your goolies on the exhaust?
I don’t understand
but
i like you
so I’m sure it means nice things
Indeed he does cba.
Never judge a book by it’s cover. ?
now you
YOU !
you following me ?
i have no money
Nice preview H. Safe travels tomorrow. If BTM’s managed to blag his way in it’s not going to be cheap, that’s for sure.
Like many I’m far from optimistic but this is my 9th Arsenal FA Cup Final and I can proudly boast a 7 to 1 record. I’m hoping that the 1 remains a 1. What I also hope is that the game finishes after 90 minutes. I have a gig to attend after. Tickets bought long before we were drawn against two non league sides and and it was decided that TV was yet again more important than tradition or the average fan.
I’ve heard the Ospina rumours. Fingers crossed they are just that. Just patch them all up and play our strongest team.
To all those going, if you are anywhere near block 511 then give me a shout. To Gooners everywhere let’s raise a glass and give it all for one final performance.
Up The Arse…..
All back to CBA’s for post match drinks? Don’t mind if I do.
this place is getting weird
Ooooooohaaaaaaahhhhh
13
All the best to our guys tomorrow. If there is a God out there, we will need him/her tomorrow for any shot at winning. COYG…..
him/her ?
nail yer colours to the mast
young fella me lad
Have a great day out H
TTG
Never known you to be so downbeat.
Yes Chelsea are on a high after a deserved Title winning season,and pound for pound their first 11 is technically better than ours.
But if despite all our injury problems we can play with the same true grit and defiance that we did against City in the semi,then we are in with a chance.
To me it is all in the mind,if we believe in ourselves and go out on the pitch with no other thought than beating the fuckers from down the Kings Road,then it should be a great battle.
As for the rumors about Ospina playing in goal,well our number 1 was clearly between the posts in the last session of training today.
I cannot believe Arsene would promote Ospina,who hasn’t played for months.
Whatever happens,as long as the boys do the shirt proud,and don’t give up with a whimper,then that’s all i can ask.
A little help from the ” rub of the green ” pixie at the bottom of the garden wouldn’t go amiss.
*hides*
this place is getting weird
Getting?
You want weird?
https://vimeo.com/121550627
*double extra hides*
Never change. For some reason I got the head the balls.
I’ve never regretted it. ?
Well that was a fine read sir. Can’t say I’m terribly optimistic but I’m not as pessimistic as TTG. I am encouraged by the fact that we are often at our best when written off.
The anniversary was yesterday and the spirit of ’89 will do nicely later today.
COYG
I’d be a lot happier if we wrapped this up within the 90 minutes. Not going to have a lot of fingernail left if it goes to penalties.
Make sure the bank regulators are still on the job and working tenaciously.
I heard a rumour Santi would be starting alongside Xhaka…
…with Mesut on the bench and Rambo playing the #10 role.
Or was that a dream I had last night?
I hope we go for it from the off. I’d rather go down trying to win than lose defending like it’s Rorke’s Drift.
I guess the early birds in the UK who got the cup final
tickets must be getting up about now. Have a great day
everyone and I hope we all enjoy a great victory to go with it.
2-0 to us in the 90 minutes is my prediction. A surprise
clean sheet as Per rolls back the years, Holding becomes a
star and Nacho nachos. Ozil and a late goal from Giroud.
Bit negative but I’d also like to suggest kicking Hazard good and early
and luring Costa into an untimely loss of temper right in front
of the hapless Taylor.
Nerve jangling that fa cup final win against the mancs. All the beer did not help calm the nerves. I was completely drunk by the time the penalties started. I hated every one of those united players and still do today and I was numbing myself against a loss by drinking fast.
I never drink during games now. I predict.a sober 2 nil win. Its the only way to end tbis topsy turvy season.
Cheers H! Have a great day out mate.
Marvellously played ‘H, as Per. Up for the cup, have done my nails already, now I’m doing next door’s dog’s. Still, only 10hrs to KO. UTA!
Be good Goonaaaaaaahs, ‘specially them that’s going – will be listening out for you on the telly.
FA Cup Final day.
Or, as it’s called in Tottenham, Saturday.
COYG
Kev, Malcolm and I are going to Wembley today but under a very black cloud. The fourth member of our little band of Gooners has passed away in the most distressing circumstances.
Arsenal win this one for Gooner David.
So sorry to hear of the loss of your friend Delia.
Puts things in perspective.
If there is a God,let him favor the Reds today.
really sorry to hear that Delia
Deepest condolences, Delia. Thoughts of all with you.
So sad Delia. Hope the boys can do her justice today
Delia. So sorry to read your news. I hope the the boys can come through as some form of tribute to Gooner David.
Delia, so sorry to hear of your news. A lot of the enjoyment of football is the people we watch with.
Filled my morning watching cricket and renewing our season tickets. Early lunch and then off to Wembley!
Commiserations Delia.
Up the Holic.
Up the Arse.
1-0. Sanchez.
“A strong club is a club that makes a decision.”
So that’ not us thenβ¦
Sorry about your friend, Delia.
Very sorry to hear that Delia. As
everyone said win it for him.
Life is very complicated sometimes.
Rose tinteds are at the ready but I will be prepared to take them off after our first three goals go in. π
Sorry about your friend, Delia.
so sorry Delia. rest in peace, gooner David.
UTA!
Oh dear.
Ospina plays, Cech on the bench.
Welbeck up front, OX playing wide left.
https://pbs.twimg.com/media/DA1-HZfW0AA4YH5.jpg:small
Play the champions in a cup final white half the defence missing and still play your second choice keeper????
I really don’t get it at all.
http://news.arseblog.com/2017/05/angry-wenger-takes-aim-at-haters-and-ditherers/?utm_campaign=autotwitter&utm_medium=twitter&utm_source=twitter
COME ONNNNNNNNNN!
Cooooooommmeee on Aaaarrrssseennnaal!
Alexis!!!!???
YEAHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH!!
GET IN ALEXIS!!!!!!!!!
Get innnnnnnnn come on! Alexis!
Can’t believe the start.
Offisde..my arse…handball my arse…
It’s a fkin goal!!
Dirty Costa does it again! Wanker!
Pay him what he wants! COME ON!!!!
Get John Terry on,,, HAhahah!
We should have been 4 up already…
F..yellow to pedro.. tackle from behind… be consistent ref!
Where the fuck is he yellow for Kante?
Give the Ox another contract too!
Kante yellow all day long.. !
Good save Ospina!!!
No card for Chelsea players which is not surprising.
Chelsea seem to be having all the luck. It could have been four or five goals for us by now.
Azpil..another yellow… f!
Ozil 1-0 Hazard!
Oezil tackling? Did Wenger tell them that’s it’s his last game?
Come on Arsenal.
Every player has done well, please keep it up in the second half.
Mertesacker, AOC and Welbeck all done themselves proud in the first half, to mention three.
Second half will be tougher against a gees up Chelsea. Keep the focus, boys.
It is unlikely we will hold them out the entire second half so the 2-1 to the cunning Arse could still be on. π
Sounds too good too hope for really, but the first half goes in the same category. Tactics spot on though, and I wonder who will get credit for that in the media?
Geed
Cards only for Arsenal, the ref.
Why is that a card for Holding.. F ref!!!
Need to defend deeper as Chelsea has too many pacey and technically good players and we have been caught short on a few occasions.
We need to get a second goal.. money’s on Alexis!
FINALLY a card for Moses… !!
Fabregas on and Moses sent off!
Moses youo dirty diver!!
Is it time to bring on John Terry yet??
Stan looks worse than Arsene….
Chelsea level. Game on.COYG!
We have a game on now….!
Lets see the response!
Deflected in by Per.
Slow Giroud on for Welbeck who harried them no end.
Get in Ramsey!!!! You beauty.
Have that, Chelsea cunts.
Credit to Giroud, great run and perfect pass to Ramsey.
Siolololololooooo Ramsey!
That’s the response!!!
GET IN!!!
Coq on for Ox, time to defend the lead.
Stupid Coq, booked for kicking the ball away.
Save, that.
Very good
How could you miss that FFS?
What a miss by Ozil. Oh!!
Just get the fucking ball and keep it
Mert should have been MoM
We did it. Great win, well played. No one gave us an arse’s chance and the win is sweeter for that.
Arsene staying!
Well in arsenal!! We did it
So I guess Chelski will change back to a back four now!
π
Yes Yes Yes
Fuck yes!!!!!!
That was all right, that. π
Merit is my Man of Match. No one expected him to put in that performance but experience shows.
Record seventh win for Wenger too and of the last three FA cup wins this is definitely the best.
Yeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeesssssssss!!!!!!!!!!
Wow just Wow
I do hope you’ll stay Alexis.!!!
Magnificient performance!
What a game by Mert
That was my team out there today.
If only we played like that every game! Fantastic performances all round. Made Chelsea look pedestrian.
Ospina did not do too badly too… remember two good saves!!
Holding should be a starter! Mert should get an extension… never get enough experience!
What gedo said @Nelsons and BB @110. You saw today why Per won more than 100 caps for Germany.
What was the final score again? π
Even more amazing that Mert did not even play a full game since he was injured…professionalism there!
You can’t win without Alexis but everyone played out of their skin as if to prove all their critics wrong. Looking at Conte’s frustration at things not going his way was wonderful.
Sorry for your loss Delia but Gooner David must be delighted.
It’s nice to have three or four players who could have been MoM and the ref was great.
This one’s for Gooner David.
I know nothing. We were brilliant and murdered them. I’m a proud man !?????
How many steps up to that box ffs? Give them oxygen tanks at base camp.
A fitting sent off for John Terry.
π
Cannot explain that fall in performance at the start of the new year. If we had played like this on a regular basis we would have run Chelsea close in the league.
Alexis stay please.
Arsenal my bloody Arsenal
No team has won it more.. no manager has won it more!
π
Ozil not smiling. Played well in a game that mattered against a top team.
And we beat two financially doped clubs to do it, YES
Totts must be devastated. Ha ha.
Still rubbing my eyes..
Yeassssssssss
Tactics, attitude, calmness, technique … We outclassed Chelsea in every possible measure. One of our best FA cup final performances with ArsΓ¨ne at helm. Per played an unbelievable game given how long he has been out. Everyone played well…if only Welbeck can add a bit of finishing to his game he can become unplayable.
Our worst season in 20 years and yet we end up with a trophy, breaking records for club and manager most wins. π
FUCKING DEEP JOY!
AND MASSIVE RESPECT TO WENGER
AND RAMSEY
I have never been happier to be proved wrong!
I thought they would destroy us, but the reverse was true.
Truly brilliant performance by the whole team.
Ramsey, eh?
Cup final goals – its his strong suit
De fucking Lighted
Chelsea players probably believed all the hype about Arsenal not having any chance of winning. They thought they had to just turn up to win and boy did they escape a spanking. They didn’t respect AFC and it was so satisfying to see their noses rubbed in the Wembley turf.
Just in the queue for the station.
Blimey. That was fun.
Time to raise a glass to Gooner David. Looking down with Gooner Terry no doubt. God bless the pair of you.
Raises glass in salute.
My condolences Delia.
And as Steve said, glasses raised high in fond memory of Goiner Terry and your friend.
Per Meeeeeeeer
Yeeeeesssssssssssss
Gooner Terry, of course!
Outplaying those cunts felt so fantastically good!!
And boy did the players show some ‘desire’ today…kudos to the entire team a wonderful performance and massive credit to the manager for having turned the team’s form and fortune around.
Winning is such a great feeling!! Cheers to all the holics
Condolences to Delia.
Per was excellent today. Well done Gunners!
If anyone moans tonight I will have them skinned alive ?
Condolences to Delia not sure what he happened but all the same!
We love β€οΈ you Arsenal We Do!
And today also marked the redemption of Anthony Taylor!!
He was spot on with our first goal and the Moses sending off. Could have booked a few Chelsea players earlier but have to let that slide since he got the two major decisions right.
Hahaha ATG @143…
And condolences to Delia.
Just back read, Delia.
Sincere condolences
The winner in the 13-14 final coincidentally had the same combination, Giroud to Rambo. It was a clever backheel. Today’s cross was inch-perfect as well. The new system has really brought back the best in Rambo as he can now run into open spaces without having to worry about holes in front of the defense, and also has helped the strong points of Xhaka’s game shine as he doesn’t need to run back towards the goal(which he is clumsy at).
Condolences to Delia and her band of friends, like I F I just back drunk.
Strength to you
#we did it again
#he did it again
#Arsene Wenger
#he did it again
.
fuck off ya moany tarts
.
GOD BLESS ALL HERE
and
god bless the MIGHTY ‘ HOLIC
and
god rest gooners gone
one for the MIGHTY MIGHTY gooner T
a fuckin goodun
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wbCrYBWh62Y
.
Mert …1 game …1 FA Cup…LEGEND!
π
I don’t think you understand. I didn’t come to rescue Rambo from you. I came here to rescue you from him….
You’re goddamn lucky he didn’t kill all of you.
Yeeeeesssssssssss
Pessimistic cunnts enjoy…mooo full of shite.
What cba said at 151. ????????????
This one is dedicated to bunchofannys and we all know who (s)he is.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Uaa_3eLpSIM
Ha ha ha ha ha
brilliant team, brilliant game. Thoughts with you and everyone Gooner Dave left behind, Delia. He must be looking down
with pride now.
I didn’t dare hope we could summon up the desire and quality that we showed today. We dominated midfield and exposed Chelsea’s defence. A fair score would have been 4-1 but the response to their equaliser was terrific andcI will remember for a long time seeing Rambo moving towards Giroud’s cross and leaving Courtois helpless.
No Arsenal player was anything other than very good and several were excellent. Rob Hokding looks a first- team starter now and Xhaka and Ramsey were superb in midfield. Ox and Hector were excellent and Welbeck ran them ragged at the back. Ospina made some fine saves but notwithstanding the deflection might have done better on their goal. Wenger clearly has respect in that dressing room. They played their hearts out for him.
Tomorrow and after we might analyse why our performances were so inconsistent but tonight let’s just enjoy!
cock sparra – formica
Ramones – ideal homes
My one and only Mertesacker.
Phuq oph u Per haters
I said
Phuq…oph
Fly Erdinger!
Fly Paulaner!
What a day. What a performance. Everyone in the red and white deserves a lot of praise for that effort.
Absolutely marvellous.
The boss is a real man, a man’s man. Congratulations, gaffer.
UTA
Happiest, proudest Arsenal moment since that penalty shoot out final (05)! Opposition and underdog status before both games contribute!
What a season!
Thank you Arsenal, Arsen, ‘Holic, holics…..till next season.
voice gone, got to watch with our supporters club, 50 of us packed into a bar slamming on guinnesses. what. a. win.
Just back from Wembley. Too knackered to say more tonight other than that was one of the great days and great FA Cup Finals. So, so proud of the whole team and indeed, our club.
https://pbs.twimg.com/media/DA3K1omXUAEZV2m.jpg
Rob “Look Into My Eye” Holding….Brilliant!
https://pbs.twimg.com/media/DA3FTh2XkAMr0HP.jpg
We won the CUP!!!
π
Just on the train home now. Having left Wembley I had to head straight to Islington for a long standing, pre booked musical extravaganza. The walk along Upper Street was fantastic. Bars full of red and white singing songs about sticking a double somewhere the sun doesn’t shine.
A Rifles gig has always been special for me. More beer and some great music was followed by a walk back to Highbury and Islington. The bars were still red and white and still buzzing.
Today? Today has been a good day.
Well what’s clear now is Wenger needs to do the following, and fast:
1. Announce his contract extension
2. Sign the people he needs early in the window
Then next season will be a lot of fun.
Oh and by the way… that was my favourite cup final for various reasons ?
Holding is a keeper. Costa is a has-been.
Completely deserved and so pleased for Wenger and Ramsey, hopefully Corbyn will follow suit
Never in doubt. All that talk of mine about humiliation in previous round worked to perfection. The perfect double bluff!
A shame OG didn’t start or we might have put away more of those earlier chances, but he settled the match with virtually his first touch.
Nice one Mr Taylor, sorting that dirty diving cheat Moses. Thank Dennis we didn’t have Atkinson or it would have been a penalty for sure.
So sad for your friend Delia, But he no doubt had a perfect view from on high.
I hope this doesn’t mean AW’s 2-year add-on will extend to 4…
Time for a well-earned sabbatical, ‘holic … after your final, triumphant report for the season of course. Enjoy the break mate. π
And hello Dr F, long time no you. Nice to see you back.
Per my motm. Incredible performance all things considered.
That’ll make it 10 trophies in 20 years – one major piece of silverware every two years, while building a new stadium and competing with unlimited money from the Middle East and Russia.
So the crisis for the Arsenal rolls on.
I do feel for the drinkers in this bar, it must be so hard to support this Arsenal.
It’s a lot easier to support Arsenal than at least the 87 football clubs below us in the FA’s 4 divisions, TERS. And only a couple above us have remotely comparable records historically.
Yep, I can safely say I find it very easy to support a club with a history as outstanding as ours. Can you imagine being a Spurs supporter, the poor neighbour with their nose pressed up against the window admiring all the trophies we’ve won recently? How sad.
Never in doubt
Arsenal! We Love you Arsenal!
Just remind me how many trophies the neighbours won this season.
A magnificent day! To a man we were excellent – even Ospina made 2 or 3 very good stops, although he could have done a bit better with Costa’s deflected shot. My personal picks were Per, Nacho, Rambo, Alexis and Welbz. As others have said, if Danny can sort out his composure and stay fit, he could be unplayable. He’s the sort of player (strong and quick) that defenders must hate having to mark.
I really hope Wenger persists with this 3-5-2 next season. It gives us so much more in terms of solidity and actual bodies in the crucial middle areas of the park. If you’re going to cede numbers, it’s better out on the flanks than letting runners waltz through the middle of the pitch. Plus when you’ve got great wide players and athletes like Hector, Nacho and the Ox it doesn’t feel like a concession there either. Xhaka and Ramsey have looked so much more effective having 3 CBs behind them, and Alexis doesn’t have to stand right out on the left flank like he does in a 4-3-3.
To me, Alexis staying or going is as big as the Wenger situation. How do you replace what he gives, even if we decided we’d spend what it takes to get a replacement. I hope he realises that, at the very least, if he wants to stay in England, it’s got to be with us!
Churlish to be even a tiny bit critical after such a whole-hearted team display as yesterday’s, but we should have scored three or four by half-time and have had the game dead and buried. More than anything we need a fox-in-the-box goalscorer.
Also a tip of the hat to Xhaka’s self-discipline. I can’t recall him making a single rash challenge all game.
So we have won a trophy at Spurs’ homeground for next season even before they put a foot on it. And we could win the community shield too before they play there… Should end the ridiculous talk of ‘power shift in north London’ from the media for their darlings.
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>