Gunners Need To Improve Security At The Palace
Dec 27th, 2017 by 'holic
The weather forecast for Boxing Day night for the Black Country was for snow, and a fair bit of it. A part of me willed it through the night. I even stayed up to watch the first half an hour of England’s best day so far in the Ashes, confident that I could put off the journey home. Imagine my disappointment therefore to wake up to a damp but definitely snow free morning vista. On the journey home the results of the precipitation could be seen just south of the Black Country, and much more in the Cotswolds. Damn you Mother Nature, there was even a freshly laid smattering in what was once known as Swine Down.
It’s probably for the best. I heard Arsene Wenger’s press conference just now. Nacho Monreal and Olivier Giroud out of contention for a while along with Santi Cazorla and Aaron Ramsey, although the latter should be fit to feature early in January. We start a run of three matches in under a week with a squad that should be suitably recovered from the crazy night against Liverpool.
With the personnel available the manager could go with a back three at Selhurst Park, but it seems there are teams against whom he will happily jettison the formation that salvaged our last season and secured a memorable Wembley triumph. Therefore expect either Skhodran Mustafi or Rob Holding to deputise for Nacho.
There is an interesting selection poser facing us. Ainsley Maitland-Niles continues to be preferred to Sead Kolasinac, but is getting little protection from the midfield ahead of him. Could this be the ideal opportunity to try the Conservative in a position more natural to him and recall the tank? Have we anything to lose? Granit Xhaka needs to know he is by no means an automatic pick for a club of Arsenal’s quality and has to recover his mojo.
Jack Wilshere and Mesut Ozil are givens for now, surely? Alex Iwobi is a wonderful prospect, but at the Palace might Danny Welbeck offer us more of a direct threat in a fluid, interchangeable front three with Alexandre Lacazette and Alexis Sanchez. I would run the Chilean into the ground in what could be his final matches for the club and hope against hope that he isn’t the launchpad for an avalanche of counter-attacks against us.
The hosts, perilously close to another relegation battle, have turned to Roy Hodgson to steer them to the survival path. Ahead of the match he hinted that a counter-attacking approach allied to a physical presence would be his preferred method on the night.
“Wilf (Zaha) and Andros (Townsend) did a fantastic job but when they are playing together we don’t have a physical presence or that focal point in attack which most teams would like. I miss Benteke in good form, that’s for sure, and we’ll be pleased to welcome him back for these coming games.”
It would be remiss of me to not point out that Palace are currently on an impressive run of eight Premier League matches without defeat and the recent 3-0 win at Leicester should serve as a necessary caution to over-confidence.
The ‘holic pound
The bitter memory of last season’s 3-0 Palace win in this fixture will surely still rankle with this Gunners squad. The post match scenes as a frustrated travelling support turned on the team must surely act as a huge motivation to produce something far more competitive this time around. There is, I would like to think, a quality in this Arsenal side to avenge that humiliation with some style.
It’s Christmas. There’s wonder in the air, and I am possibly too full of the joys of the festive season, but I have a sneaking fancy on 1-3 to the Gunners and at 14/1 I am having a generous little pop at a Yuletide bonus.
I hope those of you going are given a lot more to cheer about than last season. At least I don’t have to go stream-hunting for this one, an increasingly irritating venture these days. As for the rest of you, I hope you are still enjoying a holiday with family and friends. For those who are back to work, particularly in the front-line emergency services, thank you. Your days will come.
Have a great one, ‘holics.
88 Responses to “Gunners Need To Improve Security At The Palace”
Evening all.
steve
stop ironing yer weller posters
and rescue ‘desi’
from last round
he’s bumped into me
and
can’t find the exit
.
mind you
no sympathy here
NEVER LESS THAN TOP OF MY GAME
“You could tell they just wanted it more than us from the start” – Theo Walcott, 12 months ago.
They’d better bloody not this time.
.
.
HOOOOAAAAAHHHHHHHHHHH !!!!!!!!!!
ah
fuck off trev
i had ma freak on
ps
(felicitations)
Nice preview Holic and I think your ideas on the team are spot-on . Mustafi did well on his return and will be needed against Benteke. I have big concerns about Koscielny’s fitness and believe shortly he will be hors de combat for some time. Friday saw him extended to his limit and it was a stress- inducing sight.
I’m going tomorrow largely because a friend gave me two tickets. I was there last season and it was horrendous.I believe Delia is going with similar reservations to me. It’s a bit of a bearpit there. They are a little bit less fickle than a lot of the fans at the Grove. I have no idea what will occur. We start poorly often don’t turn up away from home and have struggled to score away from Home. Friday reassured me not a jot. I think it will be a scoring draw.
As for the Van Dijk signing I look at that Liverpool team and it’s a great buy. Oh that we were in the same ballpark. Or even pitch
seasons greetings
the mighty zico
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LLX6guaT8ZE
and
the mighty tabs
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Mi0b8tcCQSE
.
fuckin genius laughs both
them as knows em
call them a pair o’ cunts from me
?
moooooooooooooooooooooo
and
re. 97 previous round
(desi’s round)
the delicate flower
that is my wife
said she wouldn’t tire
of beatin that woman up the road
.
.
.
[neither of us have tattoos]
Happy holidays, cba. ?
Worth remembering that the Invincibles did not hit the top of the league until the New Year. It shows the difference in the level of competition then. There are at least eight very poor sides on the League now and no real rivals to Citeh. In my view the competition has become weaker than it was when we won it . That’s not a fashionable view but this year’s Premier League is the biggest non/ event in history. Citeh could declare in February and still win it
‘holic
bless you big man
can’t apologize enough
yer Soccerball emporium
a release valve
ye have no idea
i’m guessing i’m not alone
.
herself roaring PLAY BLONDIE
confirms
.
.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=j0YSFvPTm2A
19
just fuckin brilliant
here
and that
i’m fillin up here
.
.
where’s yer pipe , Dave
.
God bless ye big man
(don’t believe in god meself obviously)
i believe in SMALL cubes
Here we are with question marks all over the defence and our #1 feeder club sells the best available to Pool? How the fuck did that happen, AW??
I’m all in favour of giving Kola a chance in Xhaka’s spot, and with a slightly less inviting away game against the Baggies on Monday I’d like to send a message to Alexis by resting him and giving Theo the chance to make amends for his gaffe a year ago.
Both could always be inserted late on if necessary. How about:
Cech
Hector, Kos, Nacho, AMN
Jack, Kola
Theo, Ozil, Laca
OG
Unlikely, but anyone’s guess who AW will pick these days.
Fine preview Guvna. I agree we should certainly allow Sanchez to run himself into the ground but wouldn’t start Danny as I would want to have him on the bench ready to add variety if required given that we don’t have the HFB option.
I’d like Kos to get a wee rest over the next two games and I agree that we are likely to see Mustafi replace Montreal tomorrow. I would rest Kos for this game and the next one to set him up for the visit of the Chavs where his nous and a return to top form and fitness would be essential to success.
Here’s hoping your punt finally reaps rewards.
cba, 19 is indeed ‘pure dead brilliant’. Thanks for sharing.
Chris @ 26: He won’t pick Nacho or OG. That’s for sure. Give me any odds and I’ll pile the cash on.
That apart I do agree with your observation:
“…anyone’s guess who AW will pick these days.”
*19 is classic, cba. It reminded me of … https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=z0PGK7a2IFo
30 is also an excellent watch.
75m for VVD – I agree with Cynic.
Just absurd.
I’d return to a 3 and play
Cech
Calum, Kos, Mus
Hector, Xhaka, Jack, Kola
Ozil, Laca, Alexis
Started to read the preview and got sidetracked by Supersonic being aired on BBC2. Very enjoyable I must say.
As for Palace? Who knows? Who knows who or what will turn up? Selhurst will be a caldron and we certainly need to be more up for it than last year.
I don’t like the idea of Kola playing in midfield at all. However I would like to see him restored to the left back role. As much as I think AMN is a decent prospect he was woefully exposed against Liverpool. We have managed to sign a top quality left back so why not play him there?
Who knows re Sanchez? The fact that we started the season with something like £150/200 million in players entering the final year of their contract is unbelievably embarrassing. If he doesn’t departin January then I will be very surprised.
The VdV transfer just emphasises further the reasons why I have lost interest in the game. It’s all just gone mad. I can’t wait for FFP to kick in and save the game.
3 points are vital. Go and win the game. End of.
Chris,
Nacho and Giroud are both gone in the fetlock.
Walcott might as well be as far as Wenger is concerned.
Nothing to do with last year’s gaffe, I think it might be to do with last year’s performance.
You mean being our second highest goal-scorer despite not being played following the gaffe, TTG?
Otherwise, yes, I didn’t check the latest injury situation re Nacho and OG.
Steve,
Agree that Alexis probably goes
in January now.
Given our defensive woes, CM
problems and inconsistent
attack I’m not actually too
bothered who we sell in
January !
Trev@thepreviousdrinks: Squillaci did his ligaments half way through last season playing for Bastia. Career-ending injury. Retired in the close season a week after he turned 37.
But I am bothered who we buy!
No more Squillaci.
To be fair – he seems to have
had a good career apart from
his time with us. Thanks to Ned
for latest info.
?? ‘h ?
It’s not gonna be an easy one at a jumping night-time kick-off at Selhurst Park. Pitted up against arguably one of the best attacking talents that’s outside one of the top 6 teams (and he’s currently on form) in their line up – i.e. Zaha!
If any of the “contract rebels” do now leave in January, then Arsene Wenger will be asked “what the feck did you want to keep them for then? You should’ve sold ‘em in the Summer. That’s unless of course you don’t have a feckin’ clue what you’re actually doing any more?!”
Wenger might aswell just finish-off what he’s started this season by keeping them all until the Summer, and then try to win the Europey League with them whilst they’re still part of the playing staff. Realistically, that the best way into the CL now. With Liverpool now buying VVD, the selling of one or both of our “Worldies” in January without any equivalent quality in cover being lined up, pretty much throws in the towel on a chance at top 4, and us having a decent attempt at the Europey Cup. Whatever happens now and one or two (Jack and Mesut) do agree to sign extensions, the signing-on fees will be massive compared to if done with 12-24 months still left.
Because of the incompetence in so many areas now, including the Financial Books, Wenger should just feck off in the Summer if top 4 is not achieved, and let a new Sheriff come into town to clean up the mess. We need another La Masia Sheriff to take charge of this AFC posse at London Colney to catch that ruthless Guardiola Gang! Yee haa! Woah there camel! ? ?
AFCOF!
Emergency stream hunters apply here.
Matt, Dan, I think the contract situation has seen our board rise to new levels of buffoonery that I did not know even existed. For a club that has pleaded poverty for so long I’m simply amazed that they have allowed this to happen. It’s okay to talk about running players into the ground but what happens if one of them gets injured.
This is obviously the start of the silly rumour season but best I’ve heard so far was a swap involving Sanchez and Draxler.
With the current ridiculous transfer prices all three hold all the aces. It’s okay for AW to talk about trying to reach an agreement with Jack but the fact is he can almost demand what he wants now as we’ve left it so late. He, along with Ozil and Sanchez are all 6 months away from a multi million pounds signing on fee. Then you have to be honest and say, what do we really have to offer the likes of Sanchez and Özil? We can’t even offer a token effort at the champions league anymore?
But hey, as long as Stanley is happy.
Morning Holics, Kev is driving Malcolm and I to Cambridge as we would miss the last train to Kings Lynn. The 00.04 rolls into Cambridge at 01.24 so who knows what time we will get home. Being idiots and Gooners of a certain age we are back in Cambridge tomorrow for the showing of “89” at the Arts Picture House at 13.00, all in a good cause.
As for the tonight’s game, I’m not very optimistic but hope we get away with a point. I think the team picks it’s self apart from the curious absence of Kolasinac, surely if we play a back 4 would it not be a good idea to play AMN in the defensive MF role. I would also play Danny in preference to Iwobi who I thought poor in recent games.
Trust all of you enjoyed the Christmas fare. My brother was his usual pessimistic self regarding Norwich prospects but cheered up after my nephew found an almost perfect stream on my laptop for City’s win at Bimingham.
Fingers crossed for a decent showing tonight, a trouble free trip on the trains, the roads and at the ground.
TTG and those of you making the trip to South London have a great night.
COYR
True commitment Delia. I hope you have 2 great trips.
Tough game but then which one is not when we are playing. How come we never look like winning nay games nowadays? In December itself we have given up on the league, are more or less accepting we may not finish top 4 again and the list of things not right is endless, what has happened to my dear club? someone wake them up or frankly kick them out of their deep slumber else it is going to hibernation.
Van Dijk for 75 million is a joke but then so is the transfer market. What will he bring in? a bit more stability and an odd goal but he aint the next Maldini and will never be. Pool might think it will bring stability at the back but rest assured it wont and i dont seem them playing any different to what they currently do. Good going forward, poor defensively but then they are good going forward atleast.
Arsenal are clueless and that is sad to say for after 810 games at the helm, Arsene should not have been at this stage. He has done remarkable things for the club and we are indebted in more ways than one but it has become stale now. He aint the only reason but honestly the club looks like also rans with no direction.
Still when the game gets underway i will wish for a 6-0 win to us and say happy new year but in real i will fret over every defensive howlers we do and still pray for 1-0 to the Arsenal.
I yearn for the days when we could field a defence capable of going anywhere and ensuring that we were more than likely to come home with a score of 1-0 to the Arsenal. I do think we have to return to a primary focus on not conceding and rely on our flair players to win the game as a first step towards an Arsenal renaissance.
Ned,
I was only joking about Squillaci, as I’m sure you knew, but thanks for the info anyway – interesting as ever.
Hats off, Delia,
As Steve said, here’s to two good trips for you. Stay warm – tonight being forecast to be the coldest of the year.
Totally agree with you about Kolasinac and A M-N. Two areas of potential weakness. Round pegs in round holes for me – either keep Xhaka there or play the young man who has at least always played as a midfielder.
TTG wrote a comment recently praising the conditioning team.
It’s true that we don’t seem to have the catalogue of injuries we used to, but we do recruit a different type of player now to the days of the enforced youth policy. Recent signings have been more mature with better adapted bodies and stronger connective tissue.
A true comparison is hard as Walcott, Jenkinson and. Oxlade_Chamberlain don’t play any more for a variety of reasons – including injury. Jack Wilshere is just getting established but remains on health “probation”. Laurent Koscielny seems to have lost form which may be due to his ongoing Achilles tendon problems. Is Kolasinac carrying an injury too – nobody seems to know ? And now Olivier Giroud and Nacho Monreal are out for a while – along with a still unfit Aaron Ramsey.
So, if you discount the departed Oxlade_Chamberlain, our catalogue is suddenly up to eight players again, and that is without dear old Santi Cazorla.
* separate little oiece to come on him
@48 – Danny Welbeck still regularly injured too ?
We have always had inconvenient injuries to the fetlocks of good players. It’s the only reason that the likes of Boa Morte and Alliadiere got a first team game.
Alliad-ohdear ?
to win a title with Boa Morte…..
those were the days my friends
Luis Boa Morte
Runs up the M40 …..
But not tonight.
Brass monkeys forecast here ⛄️⛄️⛄️
And so to Santi Cazorla.
On the (extremely) off chance that he, or anyone who knows him, might glance at this, I wonder if this recently implemented procedure might help. It’s real use is as an alternative to an artificial knee replacement joint – where the hyaline cartilage has worn away but the bone surface has not fragmented.
The interesting part is the regrowth of tissue, bearing in mind that Santi has lost significant amounts of connective tissue in his ankle.
The procedure is carried out by a London based surgeon and is called the Lipogems procedure.
As Ian Dury once said, there have indeed been some clever bastards over time, and one of them hit on the idea of using belly fat to promote the regrowth of lost cartilage tissue.
Not the actual fat, but cells from the lining of the blood vessels which supply the belly fat. These cells are called pericytes and are washed from the blood vessels and harvested into an injection.
They can be injected into an arthritic knee under local anaesthetic, where they promote the growth of new cartilage tisuue, effecting a repair that is relatively quick and uncomplicated both to do and to recover from.
I don’t know if there is any possibility that the theory could be transferred to connective tissue in ankles, but I did wonder while watching our Santi-less midfield toiling to create openings in some recent matches.
Bathgooner would be the man to ask in here.
If it works, I have probably just missed my best opportunity to make a fortune from my toils, but Santi might get his ankle back, even if he can never play top flight football again.
A sad, sad loss to the Arsenal and the smiliest footballer I’ve ever seen.
Ralph Rogers et al would know not to attempt such a procedure upon anyone where post-op infection has been the cause of disability (especially when such an infection has not been entirely cleared).
For Santi, his rehabilitation is really now all about a good quality of mobility-life without future arthralgia and its associated complications. It’s about having a “normal” ankle” rather having one that shall afford a return back to the very top-flight of Association Football! Utterly disgraceful and incompetent care he’s received! He should sue! ?
Ralph Rogers was never the same after Trigger retired.
Now that’s a proper way to link fetlocks and The Arsenal 🙂
@32
You nailed the line up you handsome
dog !!
Takes a vulcan mind meld to do
that these days 🙂
Now just win.
@54,55
thank you for sharing, the Santi situation
is desperately sad and, although I hope
somehow for a better outcome than
Dan suggests will happen or Trev suggests
should have been, it’s interesting to hear
the viewpoints.
Three at the back
Load of cack
This is Wenger’s mental block that Kolasinac can’t play orthodox left back and is a wing back. With Monreal injured, he has to pick him, so he goes to a three even though he’s not a fan of the system!
Booooooo (in advance)
Mind you, if we can’t beat this shower regardless of system they might as well give up.
1-0 very good finish by Mustafi
No card for Cabaye – late through the back of Jack – ok then
Blimey, Duane Dibbley playing on the right flank for Palace and Wolverine at centre back.
Left flank. Our right. Doh.
Me like Laca
Shame didn’t go in that one
Here we go again
Totally unmarked 12 yards out, with THREE defenders standing right in front of the ball. Emphasis on the word standing.
Useless.
Ozil two or three yards onsite wtf offuncials?
Get in Alexis!
Gooooaaaaallllll Alexis!!!!!
Great assist from Jack!
Holic wanted Ozil to miss this shot ?, so the pound is still on
In Holic Poundland 🙂
Two lovely finishes from Sanchez and Lacazette gets the hook yet again
And is pissed off. Not surprisingly.
Need to protect Lacazette with Giroud knackered.
3-1 should be safe – even for us.
Good game from Jack
Can’t fault Alexis for effort tonight whatever you think of him. Working back really well as well as two goals.
3 centre backs miss the cross and the fullback is wrong side – again
Can we spare someone to mark their winger(s) ?
We just never stop a cross before it comes in
This game is a perfect illustration of why we think we’re good enough when we beat the lowly teams but get undone by better quality.
Now the panic’s on again
sub has caused us all sorts of
problems
Don’t panic !
Phew !
It’s also a perfect illustration of why three at the back is just not our thing, and we are getting away with it most of the time, IMO
We played some good stuff at times but our defence scares the life out of you.
Cashout, £200. Deep joy 🙂 >>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>
3 points – Sanchez did well and
a tricky game done.
Palace have been on a good run.
And a shout to Mus for a calm
finish