ExKoemanicated
Oct 23rd, 2017 by 'holic
You’ll forgive the somewhat different approach to reporting on the match at Everton. The first weekend of half-term is time to be spent with others and the Arsenal takes something of a back seat. I did get back from golf with the grand’holics in time to see the second-half and saw the salient moments of the first on MotD2 last night.
You’ve all seen what happened and will have formed your own opinions by now. I’ll concentrate on what I saw as the positives on the afternoon as my curmudgeonly side comes out when we don’t play as well as we did at Goodison Park.
On a golf complex in the Black Country the local pro was happy to seek me out to let me know that “Arsenal are all over Everton but Rooney has scored. You’re one down.” I had to wait until we got back into the clubhouse for the overdue report of the equaliser. It was no surprise that Nacho Monreal had scored the leveller. Our most consistent performer this season, Nacho is one of those ‘leaders’ we are supposed to lack, by example obviously.
The delayed selection of £129m worth of attacking talent as a trio was far too potent for an Everton team devoid of form, confidence, or desire. The money that Farhad Moshiri made available to Ronald Koeman was expected to yield a team to challenge for the Champions League places. That they slipped into the relegation zone as a result of our mauling of them led to the inevitable. Who among our number isn’t allowing ourselves a wry smile at the timing of Koeman’s demise after his oft-reported disrespect for Arsene Wenger.
Mesut Ozil. I just don’t think fifty percent of you understand. He isn’t man of the match enough, it’s true, but that he was at Everton is immaterial. Even when he isn’t ripping the heart and lungs out of a less gifted opponent he is our locksmith. There is a long line of luxury players who have been slated for a perceived lack of industry on occasion and a number of people level this charge at him rather too easily. I’ll accept we need this version of him to appear in our next away match at the Emptihad on Bonfire night.
It was great to see Alexandre Lacazette open his Premier League away account and I’m still hoping at some stage we will see what he and Olivier Giroud can achieve as an attacking partnership, even if it is only for the final half an hour or so in matches. Alexis too dug in and produced a goal and an assist to match Ozil on the day. They may be taking advantage of their contractual position, but the blame for that cannot be put at their door, surely? If they continue to produce, and we can string some results together, that can only benefit all of us.
Lastly, Jack Wilshere. I’m not yet being forced to eat that extra large portion of humble pie. I may yet be found to be right about his ankle not lasting a premier League season, but there is no doubt, surely, that he is rightly challenging for a recall. His pass for Rambo’s goal yesterday probably boosted the chances of the latter withstanding the clamour for Jack’s reintroduction to our midfield. I know I have rediscovered the joy of watching the little man and his mesmeric skills all over again.
The ‘holic Pound v Narch
So in around twenty-four hours as I write we entertain Norwich City in whatever the League Cup is called these days. The bench at Goodison probably forms the basis of the side we will put out, assisted by a number of the U23’s who were ‘rested’ from the NLD on Monday afternoon.
So we could field Macey; Debuchy, Holding, Elneny; Nelson, Coquelin, Iwobi, Maitland-Niles; Wilshere, Walcott, Giroud.
Norwich are on a hot streak at the moment, unbeaten in nine and they beat the Tractor Boys, Ipswich, in their Cup Final. I’m expecting a lively, competitive fixture and have sought out some value. The 3-2 home win at 20/1 look a good outside bet and I have had a little nibble at that.
Some of you who don’t get the chance to attend matches will have taken advantage of the cheap tickets, I hope, and are treated to an entertaining evening. As ever, wherever you are watching, have a good one, ‘holics.
88 Responses to “ExKoemanicated”
What a headline! Sir, you excel yourself!
Nice analysis H.
It would be good if our 3 top signings get a run of games to build on that rather nice combined performance on their first appearance together. Our intricate one touch combinations and rapid breaks forward were reminiscent of old times. If we can reproduce that on a regular basis and avoid further acts of defensive self-harm, we will give more teams a few problems.
I also agree that it would be interesting to see how the HFB combines with Lacazette up front to give opponents new problems at the end of a few games. However it does seem to have become a habit to allow Lacazette to put his feet up for the last 20 minutes.?
Thanks both. Shortly to record this week’s ABW podcast, which should be a little more a upbeat. It should be available at a civilised hour for your enjoyment across the pond.
This one must be among the cleverer of titles. 😀
Lacazette’s bon-bon break at 70 minutes does seem to be the customary thing.
Thanks for an informative and slightly provocative report Holic. The Ozil point is a very important one. I love him on this form but don’t expect him to alter big games whereas Liam Brady used to play better the tougher the game was. That’s my beef with him but he’s a remarkable player at his best and that was a lovely header for the second goal.
I’m going tomorrow because I’ve missed too many games and want to see some of the young lads. Given the side we will play it won’t be easy but hopefully Jack and Giroud can recreate the goal Jack scored against Norwich a few seasons ago. Giroud has won the Puskas award tonight and is a scorer of great goals. I hope Laca will become a great scorer of goals !
I will say 2-1 to the Arsenal.
Wouldn’t we be jumping up and down if we were asked to play only 48hrs after our previous game,as poor old Norwich are being asked to do..
What a joke.
So expect Norwich reserves to appear at the Ems on Tuesday eve.
I expect a comfortable 3 or 4 goal win.
Devon Stu from previous drinks,
You are one of an ever dwindling number mate,the fact you didn’t get any blowback is probably because it was the last post and went under the radar.
Dorset Mick
if you have rec your test results back,everything crossed they came back on the good side.
Great point Clive re Dorset Mick. ?? Everything crossed.
Thanks for the post GH.
We’ve trod gingerly with (not on)
Jacks ankle so far and I wonder
if Iwobi will start up front and
Willock stay in the centre.
Sticking with a hopeful 3-0 for
the score as the Norwich players
are only human and have got to tire
2nd half or alternatively they rest
a few for this one.
BBC says nearly 9,000 Norwich fans will storm the Emirates. Not in those precise words actually but I imagine they will drown out any stray pro-Arsenal noise. I would love to be proven wrong.
Congrats to OG for the Puskas award. It was a spectacular goal no argument, but the element of luck involved when sticking your foot out and hoping mitigates against it being a ‘great’ goal, imo. Still, he managed something similar against Red Star the other night and let’s hope the ‘luck’ keeps running with him.
I just don’t think I’ll ever see a better (greater) goal than … https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eVLRMWjHa0U … although this youngster looks promising … https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cAehMNYw0ig
Yep, well done OG. Looks like
the faithful worked the net
again to ensure Arsenal success.
Same again next year for the
Red Star goal 🙂
If Wenger and his troop consistently keep the levels high never doubt we could be having a headline like “Sackdiola” soon.
Thanks Guv’nor for the “prepost” report. On to the next one.
Hope Giroud is fired up to grab a hatrick against Norwich after the awards.
Great headline, you should write for England.
Ronaldundant?
Kloppklipped?
Mououtinho?
Yes, I have nothing better to do.
Clive and ‘Holic,
Thanks so much for your kind thoughts. Test results ok, so I’ll keep plodding on!
Much to look forward to, including the first batch of local winter porter ready this week.
Fingers crossed for another masterclass from Ozil at the weekend, he must surely enjoy his football much more when he plays like that.
Positive test results, the anticipation of local winter porter and all the advantages of Dorset. Could it get any better? 😀
Did Mououtinho appear in Mutiny on the Bounty?
Did The Mirror miss out on the chance to use Ronaldundant then, Osaka? They must be slipping.
Just look at this incredible penalty
http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/41728826
According to the basic Buddhism website, that goal was not lucky. Incredible, agreed. 🙂
“The dictionary defines luck as ‘believing that whatever happens, either good or bad, to a person in the course of events is due to chance, fate or fortune.’ The Buddha denied this belief completely. Everything that happens has a specific cause or causes and there must be some relationships between the cause and the effect. Becoming sick, for example, has specific causes. One must come into contact with germs and one’s body must be weak enough for the germs to establish themselves. There is a definite relationship between the cause (germs and a weakened body) and the effect (sickness) because we know that germs attack the organisms and give rise to sickness. But no relationship can be found wearing a piece of paper with words written on it and being rich or passing examinations. Buddhism teaches that whatever happens does so because of a cause or causes and not due to luck, chance or fate. People who are interested in luck are always trying to get something – usually more money and wealth. The Buddha teaches us that it is far more important to develop our hearts and minds. He says:
Being deeply learned and skilled. Being well-trained and using well-spoken words; this is the best good luck. To support mother and father, to cherish wife and child and to have a simple livelihood; this is the best good luck. Being generous, just, helping one’s relatives and being blameless in one’s actions; this is the best good luck. To refrain from evil and from strong drink, and to be always steadfast in virtue; this is the best good luck. Reverence, humility, contentment, gratitude and hearing the good Dhamma; this is the best good luck.
Sn. 261-265”
Of course, by the same criteria that means that neither of Giroud’s wonder goals were lucky either. Take that, Giroud critics.
I’ll have to sue the Mirror if they
did bt8, I thought that nonsense
up all by myself.
Years ago I got happily hammered
on sake with a Buddhist monk.
Completely beside the point of
course but reading the Buddhist
guidance made me remember an
enjoyable evening 🙂
Misread the video uploader as Phakawat Kuntapee
OM@23: I can’t imagine being miserably hammered with a Buddhist monk.
Greatly appreciated feedback on the game. I’m well out of TV range at the mo. Hope you were hitting them straight and long with the grandkids. Convincing win tonight I suspect.
Wonderful to have the opportunity to play two teams in parallel and develop some very talented youngsters. Also pleasing to see that when we win the Europa Cup we’ll net more $$ than we do for our traditional early exit from the other thing.
don’t know as i’d want him to inherit such a mess, but credit to him for rising to the top. always loved him!
http://www.espnfc.us/everton/story/3241707/man-city-coach-mikel-arteta-a-candidate-for-everton-job-sources
Dorset Mick
Many of us are following your fortunes with everything crossed. The very best of luck to you. Good Gooners aren’t hard to find but are especially precious!
COYG!
Maybe not quite mystic Meg, but got the team spot on according to arsenal.com ??
Inconceivable error, changing the name from Football League to EFL.
in other news
winter porter ?
I’m loving the sound of that, cba.
Two pints of the porter over here please Mick. ??
encroachin’ hoor
just cos ye empty the slop trays
HERE
doesn’t mean i won’t bust yer face
.
.
.
“lagermildstout and bitter top , when YOU’RE READY “
.
.
sheesh
and don’t call me mick
.
.
.
CBA, our Black is only 4.6%, so not quite in your league – we’re only amateur drinkers in Dorset.
Cheers, TTG, most kind.
CBA@35,
You’d be fined £1 for using that foul language in our bar. That yellow pish is not sold. And as for a “top”, are you man or mouse?
dorset M
no one is an amateur drinker
.
have laid by a few imperial stout
come in about 9 or thereabouts
not a session swally
am on polite just now
5 – dead on
.
.
ye can t beat a good stout or porter
.
.
…… the fuckin game is on nowhere
not even Canada – my banker
proper order dorset M
lager an tops deserve
THE DOOR
Good to see that Cynic is safe and well after a MOTM performance from Ozil, coupled with Theo not getting a look in.
I don’t like Norwich
I like Everton
Come on Arsenal. It does no good to get knocked out of the League Cup at an early stage.
I’m at the match but got here too late to see the subs announced. It currently looks entirely possible that we might be seeing an upset here as I don’t see who we could bring on to change the game unless we switch to four at the back and push Nelson up and push Theo into the middle with Giroud or bring him off . Norwich caught us wide open. We miss one tackle and it’s a goal . Poor Macey had hardly touched the ball before they scored but made a decent save later on.
We need the next goal. If they catch us again before we get it we look likely to go out. Need a big second half from Jack
Especially by an abysmal Norwich side!
This side looks very much disjointed, Le Coq is some place else, no is clicking. Elneny as much as I rate him, CB is not his role and never will be.
TTG
Hope they can turn it around so at least you have something to smile about on your way home.
Come on Arsenal wake the f….. up!
Iowbi, Theo WTF? Let’s go boys!!
Iwobi, OG, Theo and Jack are well below par tonight, nerves are kicking in as well hope we can finish this one with 11 players on the pitch.
Someone please shoot
He’s lucky it’s a yellow!
Jesus this is hard to watch
Good to see that Cynic is safe and well after a MOTM performance from Ozil
Get back to me after he’s put in a man of the match performance in a game that matters, against a decent team.
I’m prepared to wait.
They all count Cynic, unless we didn’t get 3 points for winning at Everton.
Theo is a shadow of player he used to be. It’s sad to see him slump so low:
Why is Niles crossing the ball with his first touch when he had time and acres is space so frustrating!
cynic remains cynic
.
jealously poking silly
More shambles
Lucky escape should have wrapped the game up!
ARTHUR !
don t make me agree with you ?
Akpom looks in the mood
himself will eat ye fer breakfast
No one looks in the mood in that squad tonight they are huffing and puffing with no end product!
What a sub Arsene!!!!
Get in Nikita ha ha
Eddie, Eddie, Eddie!!
Thats what I call a substitution!
nketiaaaaah
Just what this match needs, another 30 minutes……
I don’t mind catching the last train !
Gedo,
At least Theo can practice his crosses and shots from a distance ?
merciful hour
Eddie u beauty x 2, Woooooo-hoooooooo
Nketiah does it again! Brilliant header!
nketiaaaah
aaah
Give the ball to Nketiah.
What a night it is turning out for Nketiah, wow!
I actually gave up at 80′ mark. Then suddenly I heard wide celebrations, 1-1 it was and now 2-1. Can OG make it 3-1 now?
Classic Arsenal, always making a handful of sand look like a rock in Tanzania.
Turns out we get four subs in a 120 minute game. Time for Osei-Tutu to make an appearance?
Eddie Eddie Eddie
Dive, made the most of it….c’mon man
Willock waits 115 minutes to get into the game and he’s not ready to shoot, amazing
He is no Eddie I guess
Four offsides Theo
Well done to the young guns who put a decent performance in the second half and extra time. A bit disappointed with seniors has to be said.
On the other hand we can always blame Ozil. ?
Hello Eddie!!
Hard work but through.
Eddie, Eddie, Eddie… >>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>
Wolves besrly scored against City