Been There, Done That, Good Luck Gunners
Oct 18th, 2017 by 'holic
The Europa League provides a second visit for the Arsenal to Belgrade to play Crvena Zvezda at the Marakana. Well that’s how the locals knew the team and stadium when I travelled there in December 1978. It was bitterly cold but the home fans kindly lit a number of fires on the terraces to heat up the atmosphere. The pyrotechnics on Thursday will be more professional and impressive, I’m sure.
Red Star Belgrade host us again in the Rajko Mitić Stadium sitting just two points behind us and it is reported that their supporters consider this to be the biggest match of the season. The Arsenal have travelled with pretty much the expected mix of youth and squad players. For the younger readers unaware of the reputation Red Star once enjoyed in Europe, they won the European Cup in 1991 on penalties after a turgid goalless draw against Marseille. They were also beaten finalists in the 1978-79 UEFA Cup in which they knocked us out 2-1 on aggregate.
In recent seasons the hosts have experienced financial difficulties but they have started this season well on the pitch. They have conceded only three goals in fourteen matches in the Serbian SuperLiga and Europa League group stage. They opened their Europa League campaign with a 1-1 home draw against Bate Borisov before winning impressively by the only goal of the game in Cologne. Head Coach Vladan Milojević was respectful in his pre-match press conference.
“It’s going to be a huge occasion because we’ll host one of the best clubs in the world, a club that competes in, what is for me, Europe’s strongest league. We were happy when we were drawn with Arsenal because we haven’t had a game like that in a while. Our history demands that we face the biggest clubs all the time. Even if they fielded a rotated team, that wouldn’t mean that they are underestimating us. Arsène Wenger doesn’t ever underestimate anyone. They participate in numerous competitions and that’s why they have so many players in their squad. They have many talented players who can’t wait to prove themselves to the manager.”
He might even lull us into a false sense of security but for the evidence of our own eyes on our travels this season. Successful in Borisov we may have been but the atmosphere our young players will face in Belgrade will be unlike anything they have experienced before. We could try and guess at Arsene Wenger’s selection for the fixture.
The manager has already stated that Mathieu Debuchy will start the match, surely as one of the back three as he lacks the match fitness to play at right wing back? The manager suggested that Debuchy will be joined in defence by Rob Holding and 18-year-old Josh Dasilva with the teenager set to make his full debut for the club after impressing for the U23’s. David Ospina hasn’t made the plane so Petr Cech should retain the goalkeeping spot.
Reiss Nelson and Ainsley Maitland-Niles seem likely to occupy the wing back berths. Fellow youngster Joe Willock is tipped to feature in the midfield alongside Mohamed Elneny and behind Jack Wilshere. Theo Walcott could given the green light to roam on either flank and provide some opportunities for Olivier Giroud up top.
Once again it is something of a gamble but the so-called cup team hasn’t let us down yet. This could be the toughest fixture of the group stage and we will have played well if we are still heading group H on Thursday night.
The ‘holic pound
I have yet to relieve the bookies of my pound plus this season. It is with a complete lack of confidence that I have opted for the favourite Bergkamp the Man scoreline of 1-2 to the Arsenal at 15/2.
To those who are going I hope you get to enjoy the amazing atmosphere and are looked after well. It will be interesting to see the tv figures here for another 6pm kick-off. Wherever you are (hopefully) enjoying the encounter, have a great one, ‘holics.
100 Responses to “Been There, Done That, Good Luck Gunners”
Ruby Ruby Ruby!!!
Do ya do ya do ya do ya 🙂
1-1 to the Arsenal. That would be a good result given the team we are putting out
I agree TTG, but I cannot back the draw. I would take it in a flash.
Nice preview H.
This time it really is a case of which Arsenal team does actually turn up? I still think we should expect 3 points though.
I’m at a retirement do tomorrow night so will miss the game. I will be on the south bank in a nice little Young’s pub. I will check the result to see if I go home and hit play or delete?
Enjoy boys and girls.
Dorset Mick from previous drinks.
All the very best that the tests results return in your favor.
I’ve got everything crossed even though it’s making my eyes water. !!
Ned from previous,
Thanks for the interesting info on the old Isthmian League,
particularly on Billericay and the money being used to pump the Club up.
I see they won a 4th round qualifier of the FA cup tonight,beating Brackley Town 2 – 1.
Not sure what league they go to if promoted,but i am sure you will enlighten me.
As for Red Star,fully expect a comfortable win,plenty of youngsters with no fear,playing without pressure and enjoying themselves.
Should embarrass the rest to lift their standards.
Cheers, Clive.
I think a draw tomorrow night would be a good result, particularly with the side Holic is predicting. I admire a man who is adventurous with his betting, though.
Red Star presents all concerned with a great opportunity to impress at a time when half the first XI positions are in question.
3 goals between Theo and OG should do the trick. So long as the defence can keep it to 2…
Best of luck, Dorset Mick, keeping my fingers crossed for you.
Steve T,
Too right about which Arsenal team turns up! Unfortunately it has been like this for some tine now and I don’t see it changing any time soon.
Great preview Maestro as always looking at the opposition they won’t be just sitting back something tells me. It will be a trough game but I sincerely hope the youngsters can pull through.s
Clive@6: National League South, then National League, then Football League.
Pound plus, ‘holic? Now that certainly is optimistic. 🙂
What odds on the players escaping unburnt from the sea of red flares?
never played for a pub team , me
o no
ENGLISH FING INNIT
.
.
played for my class
my school
and
always my country
.
.
etc
ain’t lies grand
?
“here , have a hard stare”
dorset M
last round
DRINKING is different from drinking
clearly
i dunno
i try me best
*raspberries*
s’ like i’m not takin seriously
or something
.
.
.
“i mind this place was all just fields”
16
+1
yeah !
big fuckin girl’s blouses the lotta ye
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Qrl6tOcvrUM
nope
give up
early promise of bullshit
will not nourish a ton
.
???????????
TERRY MANCINI
.
.
*new lumpy pound in an Arsenal trolley*
.
.
supermarket bullshit potential immense
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=81QZ1XHgkXU
quarter TON !!!!!!!
“Yo Yo Yo !!!!
.
.
“big shout out to my yoyo bredren”
.
.
“keep blue peterin’ “
.
“hear me now! “
.
.
.
.
it’s like my accent transformed in front of your ears,
isn’t it
respeck
(it’s a gift)
dagnabbit goshdarnit dadblastit
” ‘Old on , stroll on ….. FACKIN LIBERTY !!!”
Kleberson must mean clever son in some Celtic language.
Or not
Black cats need to be let out again. Nothing to do with Sunderland , being a very localized issue.
i do ’em all
.
.
” ehhhhhhgoanpasswhaferreannyway , pal “
Good night cba.
i can’t stand cats
like a dog me
arrogant fuckers cats
sooner keep their aloof on
than admit they’re useless cunts
with zero residual hunting skills
can’t stand the fuckers
smelly shit burying ego fuckin maniacs
let’s see ye live on those ostentatiously caught mice
ya fuckin frauds
slinky slimeballs
.
.
no time for them
or
the people tolerate them
an buy the poncey cunts dear bought tins o la de da
anyhoo
no biggy ?
.
g’night and god bless the travelling faithful today
.
.
UP THE ARSENAL
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lM7H0ooV_o8
Cynic, in the last drinks.
Impeccable timing with the remote.
In fact non- premier league football
is one of the few things I miss being
in Japan. I used to like getting
along to Wimbledon in the old
Southern League days.
Haven’t seen who is on the flight
but if no Ospina then I wonder
if Macey might get a chance.
If Coquelin is fit then he might be
a better option than Elneny to
protect a back 3 of Deb, Rob and
DaSilva.
Anyway, hopefully it’s a good game
and we can get something. It might
be nigh on 40 years but I remember
the last time we played them and we
still owe them one for that !
So if it was me picking the team
Macey
Debuchy DaSilva, Holding
Nelson, Coquelin, Willock, Ash MN
Jack, Theo, OG
And another 4-2 win I hope….
I predict a lot of goals today….
Good news that Kos will be fine for
the Everton game.
And I assume Sanchez and Ramsey
will be back too.
I agree with the general consensus
that we’re too inconsistent to
challenge for the PL and that we’d
be better off with a new board,
manager and coaching staff but
not sure about the glum thoughts
that we’re massively behind Spuds
or will soon reach a point of no
return. We are still a big club and
Spuds still aren’t. They’re one
Kane injury away from being
Soton again.
The point of no return is really not
relevant anymore, the rich clubs now
will stay rich and the potential will
still be there.
NBN @ 11
I knew i could rely on you.
Dorset Mick from previous drinks,
Agree absolutely about the team not having a proper Captain/Enforcer leading by example,that wouldn’t accept less than 120% on the pitch.
Those hate to lose characters that populated the team in bygone days,have never been replaced.
According to the Boss,everyone is a captain on the pitch nowadays,and
” the collective ” seems to be the new buzzword for the team template.
Well it hasn’t worked as far as i can see.
I wonder what the next fad will be.
Talking of fads, Clive, what do you think Tony Adams would have made of Hector Bellerin playing football with a topknot/ manbun? Hmmmm.
And don’t get me started on yellow boots FFS!
He’d have been frogmarched down to the Barbers Mick,and given a short back and sides.☺☺
On the subject of haircuts, Clive, do you remember when Glen Hoddle was England manager he brought his faith-healer friend Eileen Drewery to the squad get-togethers. One of her party tricks was to lay her hands on the player’s heads to “heal” them. When she reached Ray Parlour, the Romford Pele just said “short back and sides, please”!
What a legend.
Yes i do remember the Lady in question Mick.
Not the first time a weak minded man has been led up the garden path by a beguiling woman.
Chris@9, Cheers.
Clive@56, didn’t realise that you knew the missus!
Excellent preview Guvna. Appreciate the historical and current form perspectives. Despite your informative background info I have no idea what to expect. Back to Steve T’s old chestnut of which Arsenal will turn up – these days personnel don’t seem to affect that conundrum. Simply hoping for a good performance, at least a point and no more injuries. Off to bed now dreaming of a good performance and result. COYG
And all the best for the test results Dorset Mick.
The idea of this Arsenal team as some high-grade Özil-centred machine has flickered at times. But that ship has sailed. This is over. It’s done.
Next week it will be the six-month anniversary of Özil’s last Arsenal goal. Since December 2016 he has contributed one – one! – assist away from the Emirates Stadium. The team play better without him in it. He has already earned £30m in his time at the club. There is nothing here to justify an astronomically improved contract. The Age of Özil is over, a fascinating footnote in the wider history of why apparently well-suited player moves sometimes just don’t work out.
Barney Ronay on the money for once
https://www.theguardian.com/football/2017/oct/13/why-curiosity-was-never-going-to-kill-mesut-ozil-arsenal
I was a young lad when we played Red Star in the UEFA cup back in 78/79. I did go to the home leg. My memory of games is not as acute as many who post on here so I have a question to our senior holics.
Was this the game where Supermac bolloxed up his knee ?
He had a dodgy knee for ages but according to Wiki the final bad injury was sustained in a league cup tie. I have his book but haven’t looked in that to confirm.
The following season Malcolm played the first four games scoring the winner against Manchester City. But in the fourth game against Rotherham United in the League Cup he injured his knee and that was the beginning of the end for Supermac. It was December 1979 before he played his next game, coming on as a substitute against Red Star Belgrade at Highbury but the knee wasn’t right.
He didn’t return for the rest of the season until he made his final appearance for The Arsenal on 14th May 1979 against Chelsea in the last game of the season at Stamford Bridge, two days after we’d defeated Manchester United in the FA Cup Final.
Lengthy write up here
http://www.gunnerstown.com/arsenal/2017/10/02/highbury-hero-supreme-the-swaggering-supermac-malcolm-macdonald/
Thank you Cynic. So the Red Star game was when he came back after the injury. Knew there was a connection there somewhere just could not put it together. Shame , he was a prolific goalscorer
Liverpool game is no on Dec 22nd at 7.45pm just in case it hasn’t been mentioned. No PL games on Xmas Eve at all, which probably means some poor old Championship clubs will end up filling that slot instead.
Thanks for the Supermac article
Cynic. I was there at his first game
vs Bristol City, a bittersweet memory
for me for several reasons. Big
John Radford’s last game for The
Arsenal I think.
Should’ve won 5-1 that day.
Arsenal
Cech; Debuchy, Holding, Elneny; Nelson, Coquelin, Willock, Maitland-Niles; Walcott, Wilshere; Giroud.
Subs: Macey, Osei-Tutu, Akpom, Dasilva, McGuane, Nketiah, Sheaf
Look at that bench
An interesting team.
Do The Arsenal proud!!!
COYGs
Re: 67. Osei-Tutu.
The hyphen is the short form of “can you see my” making his entire name “Oh say, can you see my tutu”
Hope he plays and turns out to be a revelation. Even if he isn’t wearing a tutu.
Maybe Tutu is a posh word for Genitalia not a ballet skirt. Just saying Good luck to all those boys out there . Every great career starts somewhere
It looks like the Murdoch moguls will show only the Marseille and Everton home matches today in the U.S. probably thinking they can milk a multitude of Arsenal fans into paying extra to see their game. Not me.
Live in Eurosport 1 HD here if anyone has access to that channel.
Come on you Gunners!
Quite a scene in Belgrade; hope the young uns can hold their nerves in front of 50k manic supporters.
AW has let Debuchy out of witness protection.
Interesting: my spell check changes Akpom to Appomattox.
bt8, I’m watching Arsenal in the U.S. on Fox Sports 2 “live”
Don’t get what Wenger means that Theo is coming back to his best we just saw that he is still him old self!
Fox 2 and Fox sports go has it in the US
Thanks for the info, Bernard and Tar Heel, but I don’t have Fox Sports 2 in my package. Dropped it a couple of years ago.
Niles has time for that cross earlier not sure why he took it first time
Turns out I am recording the game when it airs later today in Spanish. This despite (because of?) the best efforts of the Murdoch moguls.
But it looks like we made it to halftime without conceding. Judging by the BBC commentary Red Star have had the better chances.
Walcott and Giroud could easily play together up front, with Nelson playing as right winger instead of RWB. Puzzling tactics, as is the norm nowadays.
Happy with 0-0 at half time all
things considered but a bit
worried about my 4-2 prediction.
COYGs – 2nd half goal fest !!!
Turns out Osei-Tutu’s first name is Jordi and he has taken the number 3 shirt.
Headline: Mike Ashley’s lawyer says Newcastle United are in takeover talks with a ‘number of parties’
Maybe he should be reminded that zero is a number.
Still holding – kids have done well
so far.
Both Theo and OG are letting the younger players down, both are rested and should be firing on all cylinders when opportunity arrives, they are after all the most experienced.
Now to nick win – 1-0 to the Arse
Red Star down to 10 men. Come on now!
ZVE down to ten men as Rodic swings at Coq and gets a deserved red card. Will we take advantage and score?
Theo and Giroud need a few more games before they start firing.
Brilliant goal by Giroud, who seems to have heard you, ATG.
Get in OG at last! Humble pie for me then bar man ?
Rumors of a Giroud 85th minute goal …
Unbelievable Giroud goal!!!
One of the best goals …started by Wilshere…just brilliant!
😀
Time to get LJW some time with the first team. Close control and creativity is still there.
The kids did a decent job and won for Arsenal to top the group.
Wilshere, Walcott and Giroud all featured heavily in the goal.
Zing! >>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>
Clean sheet in ze Balkans. /
Three points and top of ze Group. /
90 minutes of playing time for Wilshere, Walcott, Giroud and *Debuchy*. /
What’s to sneeze at?
Zing already? What about the single ton??