Away Goals A Danger In The Semi-Final
Jan 23rd, 2018 by 'holic
The excitement of Monday carried over to seeing the first snaps of Henrikh Mkhitaryan trains with his new team-mates this morning (Tuesday). Unfortunately he is not eligible to play against Chelsea in what frankly has become the biggest match of our season so far. Our only hope of playing someone other than the neighbours at Wembley this season depends firmly on our ability to beat the Blues in Wednesday night’s Carabao Cup semi-final, second leg.
Our strongest fit eleven may decide the shape of the side. David Ospina will surely start in goal, and if Nacho Monreal passes a late fitness test it’s possible he will join Laurent Koscielny and Skhodran Mustafi in a back three which we have used successfully against Chelsea in recent meetings. Hector Bellerin and either Sead Kolasinac or Ainsley Maitland-Niles are the likeliest wing-backs.
With Aaron Ramsey seemingly recovered from illness, and after Mohamed Elneny’s impressive performance against Crystal Palace, the midfield combination behind Mesut Ozil is up for grabs. I suspect the manager will go with Granit Xhaka and Jack Wilshere if neither is in the infamous ‘red zone’, which frankly Jack may be not far from. Alex Lacazette, the only fit senior striker will start but who will make up the eleven? Probably Alex Iwobi, although one could make a case for Reiss Nelson to bring a fresh engine into the side.
Arsene Wenger has been respectful, perhaps too respectful, of rivals in the build-up to the match. Conspiracy theorists may surmise that this is a sign that he may be losing a little bit of competitive edge. After talking up Manchester United when discussing the Alexis Sanchez move, he turned his attention the the upcoming match.
“The two teams are very close to each other every time they meet and the form of the day can be a decider. The strength of the motivation on the day can be a decider as well. It has always been very tight, they are two good teams who know each other well now so it’s very unpredictable.”
Chelsea are not without their injury worries either. Those who like a good boo will be disappointed that Cesc Fabregas is ruled out as he is gone in the fetlock. In further bad news Alvaro Morata is also ruled out, a striker so ineffective that they tried to sign Andy Carroll and Peter Crouch in the transfer window. The dangerous but out of form Batshuayi should step into the breach. Antonio Conte was also respectful of us pre-match.
“When you play against Arsenal, you must be prepared to suffer without the ball. They like to be offensive and bring many players in the box to find combinations between strikers-midfielders-wingers. We must pay attention and be compact.”
The away goals law
According to law 14.5 from the Carabao Cup’s official website: “In the Semi-Final ties, if the aggregate score is level at the end of the second game an extra half-hour shall be played. If the aggregate scores are still level at the end of extra time the tie shall be decided by goals scored away from home counting twice. If the teams remain equal after this procedure the tie shall be determined by the taking of kicks from the penalty mark in accordance with procedures as approved by IFAB.”
So, should Chelsea score tomorrow night we will have to outscore them to progress to Wembley. That does change quite significantly the home advantage on the night.
The ‘holic pound
I’ve had a gut feel about this for days now, and I am going to do something I don’t think I have done with the pound before. I am backing a 1-1 draw over ninety minutes at 13/2, convinced that we will nick a winner (Eddie N’ketiah off the bench, anyone?) in extra-time.
And now the pre-match nerves are kicking in. As ever I wish you a mood-boosting win to celebrate if you are there, and a damn good reason to enjoy a nip of something on a school night if you are watching from home.
Come on the Arsenal. Have a great one, ‘holics.
100 Responses to “Away Goals A Danger In The Semi-Final”
Cheers H!
I feel quite good about tomorrow; opposite of our last semi against Citeh where I thought we had little chance at all.
So who knows what the fuck will happen.
Sorry mate but not backing the ‘holic pound. Expecting it all (gift) wrapped up by 90 minutes.
COME ON YOU ARSENAL!
I hope you’re right Esso, but the force is strong with this one! ?
Number 4, is Perry Groves…..
Nice preview H. Here’s hoping that extra time is not required and we manage to get the job done in 90 minutes.
Hopefully, with Mkhitaryan coming in there will be a feel good factor about the place. Everyone knew that Alexis wanted out. To replace him with Mkhitaryan will hopefully give the place a lift.
Here’s hoping.
Nice one H.
I’m gonna be there tomorrow. My first visit for a couple of years. And I’m taking my fiancée for her first ever visit. I haven’t yet decided whether to go incognito or to go full GSD.
I’m hoping it is a noisy one. I’d love to be basking in a great atmosphere, not explaining why it’s so quiet. And I’m hoping that we win by any means. Although preferably by stuffing them 7-0.
Oh GSD, had I known I would have come up. You have to go full GSD, while the suit still fits! I could have introduced you to the real Gunnersaurus. ? ?
No 7 – really, how topical !
Oh, that ruined that then !
Wenger’s instructions to the new signing tomorrow –
“Well, er, you can’t play tonight so, Mickey, tarry an’ support the boys !”
That’ll be my coat right there …..
There’s a future headline for you, Guvnor – no charge !
GSD! In full costume (as in the only time I’ve ever met you) I hope and expect?
13-unlucky for some.
Great preview. They are slight favourites given the away goals rule but we have a decent chance.
2-1 to the Gunners a late Ozil goal taking us through
I do not expect a full strength team to start tomorrow, it will still be a mix and i dont see Mesut starting either.
This will go to the penalties and i see us winning it thanks to Ospina again, City await.
haha Bayern.
We beat them 5-2 tonight. OK it was the U23 but they had it coming
Cracking game at Ashton Gate in other semi 2nd leg this evening.
Very open game,plenty of goals,which i expect will be the opposite in our game tomorrow night.
Expect a very cagey affair,and with no w/end game to worry about,i think Arsene could well field a similar side to the one that started against
Palace.
The Chavs are still in CL and FA Cup,so will they have the same intensity and desire for the small potatoes of the League Cup.
Their defence won’t be as charitable as the Palace,and above all don’t concede the first goal and be chasing the game.
I never like predicting scores,but a George Graham would do very nicely.
Nice one sir but I do hope Esso is correct at 90 minutes. In truth my bones tell me your instinct is on the money.
Top man H. I only got last minute tickets a couple of days ago, so not much time for planning. I’m looking forwards to seeing a few old faces before too long though.
Esso!
Hard to not to go in my full gear after encouragement from the pair of you!
Plus it’ll give the missus fair warning if she wants to call the whole thing off. And no excuses if she doesn’t.
? or nothing.
Kay sera sera!
Lovely girl; but had a bit of a stutter.
Interesting that a club who pissed £25 million away on Sanchez and another large sum on Kieran Gibbs in August are so picky when negotiating for a world class striker. I’m really not sure what’s going on at the club sometimes.
Good sport though I hope.
The only way it can go to penalties, Vinay, is if it’s 0-0 after extra time. Can’t see that happening.
1-0 to the good guys at 90 minutes.
Thanks for the preview Guvnor. That team looks about
right given who’s available.
An early goal either way and it could be quite an open game,
3-2 to the mighty gunners
@Sancho P in the last drinks……..
I hope we’re both wrong
Daily Mirror report:
“Borussia Dortmund are demanding Arsenal’s France striker Olivier Giroud, 31, in part exchange for Gabon forward Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang, 28, or they will put the deal off until the summer.”
Reading the above made me check Giroud’s age and he turns 32 at the end of September. Not that he ran like a jaguar when he was 28 but it seems to me this deal could work for Arsenal if Dortmund agree to it.
bt8,
I agree, if we don’t play OG anyway we may as well
let him move on.
He’s been a good player for us over the years and is
in a similar boat to Theo in wanting a possibly last
shot at the World Cup. Although different in that
France have an actual chance to win it, whereas
England are strictly making up the numbers.
If OG goes it means we will have parted with 5 of our top 6 goal-scorers from last season … Sanchez 30 goals in all comps; Theo 19; OG 16; Perez 7 and Ox 6. And if Ozil (12) leaves it will be all 7.
We’ll be relying on newbies Laca who may, or may not, deliver long-term on his short-term promise, Miki … and Rambo, Xhaka, Danny, Iwoeful, Santi, Kos, Mustafi, Hector, and Cal who managed just 16 Prem goals between the 9 of them. No one else scored in the Prem.
Although the Mirror also report the deal hinges on
Mrs OG agreeing to move to Dortmund as according
to them she refused to countenance the move to
Everton last summer – didn’t fancy living on
Merseyside for some reason.
Would you want to risk having the Rooneys as neighbours?
Perhaps, Wayne isn’t the role model of
choice for Mrs OG? I’d have to agree with
her there.
Still she could sit in the back garden and teach
her kids to sing “we won the league on Merseyside”
in a cute French accent – that’s a nice image
Just off to Cambridge to catch an early showing of “Three Billboards” before moving off to the Ems for what I hope will be an open game with real Cup atmosphere. We can win but will we, all depends which Arsenal turns up. Hope it doesn’t go to pens as I will have already left to catch the last train home.
Enjoy all of you going tonight.
COYR
You too Delia
I will be in my usual seat hoping we don’t have the League Cup ‘irregulars’ sitting around me
COYG
Dear Arsene
Don’t waste £25m plus wages on Jonny Evans, just spend a tenth of that employing decent defensive coaches and actually let them do their job with the players were already have.
As an economics guru with purse string tighter than a camel’s arse in a sandstorm, you can surely see the sense in this.
Failure to coach what you already have properly is no reason to chuck away those players.
Warmest regards
Mr Munny
9/2 home win with both sides to score.
Says my local Ladbrokes window just now.
That seems an ok bet to me.
The next lot of telly fixtures is out, the headline switch for us in the home game with Man City, which has moved to a Thursday night. Something we’re well used to this year.
Thursday 1 March
Arsenal v Manchester City (7.45pm, Sky Sports)
*Subject to Man City’s possible involvement in an FA Cup 5th round replay
Sunday 4 March
Brighton & Hove Albion v Arsenal (1.30pm, Sky Sports)
Sunday 11 March
Arsenal v Watford (1.30pm, Sky Sports)
Sunday 1 April
Arsenal v Stoke City (1.30pm, Sky Sports)
1.30 on Sunday must clash with something big like reruns of Bullseye on Dave.
An interesting read.
http://bleacherreport.com/articles/2755702-henrikh-mkhitaryans-amazing-201516-season-should-be-ideal-template-for-arsenal
Cheers Steve. That was well worth a look.
Agreed Chris, do not see a 0-0 but somehow sensed a penalty shootout victory for us.
Why are we haggling over Giroud? he is been great for us but he wont get a start and if Dortmund want him and we are getting Pierre in return, take it for heaven sake.
Arsenal need to win today, it will be good for everyone to have a feel good factor as well as, play a final again in what looks the only trophy we have a realistic chance of winning.
Agree on not wanting Evans here, happy that we are looking for a CB for i feel that is the area that needs to be addressed the most. Danielle Ruggani was touted and i rather pay the top dollar for him than evans but i definitely would want 2 CB’s here immediately. Kos and Achilles wont get better, we do not have a proven CB apart from him as Mustafi remains an enigma, good one day average the other.
Cant wait for next tuesday to see Mkhi, Mesut and Laca team up and beat the hell out of Swansea and till then lets beat those chavs.
The new Leeds badge looks like something born in Star Trek’s mirror universe (nerd mode) and it actually makes our McDonalds crayon effort look reasonably good by comparison.
http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/42803838
here we go
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=spiAqsdvZnA
Cynic @40.
I think it reasonable for a club to use their badge to display a symbol that represents the values and history of the club.
The name for this effort as it went through development?
Bremner’s Elbow.
SteveT@37: Very upbeat read on how Mkhitaryan will fit in. Hope it is right.
Very uneasy feeling about this game today. Very.
Looks like there is going to have to be a ‘Holic cryptopound:
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/technology-42809676
Arsenal signs crypto-currency deal with gaming firm CashBet
Ospina
Bellerin, Koscielny, Mertesacker, Monreal
Elneny, Xhaka, Wilshere,
Iwobi,Ozil,
Lacazette.
Subs
Macey, Kolasinac, Chambers, Maitland-Niles, Ramsey, Nelson, N’ketiah.
Ospina, Bellerin, Mustafi, Koscielny, Monreal, Elneny, Xhaka, Wilshere, Ozil, Iwobi, Lacazette
Bench: Macey, Chambers, Kolasinac, Maitland-Niles, Ramsey, Nelson, Nketiah
Beat me to it! But pretty much the Palace team.
I think it reasonable for a club to use their badge to display a symbol that represents the values and history of the club.
A bit like this? 😀
VAR + Michael Oliver. Somehow poetic justice would seem to require VAR + Mike Dean but hopefully it will be a (very) moot point and Arsenal will prevail without undue influence from the referee, either a human one or an electronic screen of a one.
victory through harmony in my head
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TNhQcalVbx4
come ooooon!
Shit start.
Hazard. 4 Arsenal defenders all in a line.
One nil Chelski.
Will we ever work out how to defend? I mean ever? Will it ever happen?
Their defence is as shite as ours…
COME ON!!!
Lovely own goal that, but Monreal again.
I would cash out within the next 10 minutes, Holic 😉
Awesome by Nacho. Pure class to spot those angles.
Nacho knows exactly what he is doing.
pinball wizard
For Nacho
https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=4AKbUm8GrbM
And cba of course…..
@53 Bouldie’s working on it Steve. He’ll figure it out before you retire.
How many of the current midfield can tackle?
I don’t see the point in Elneny whatsoever
I had two bets on this game.
One was Arsenal leading at half time, Chelsea to win at 28/1
The other was Chelsea leading at half time with Arsenal to win, also at 28/1
So obviously it was always going to be level at the break.
ATG – I’ll see your Elneny and raise you an Iwobi.
I don’t even understand how these whistle men call the offsides. (Sighs) ?
He’s got 10 months then BtM.
I don’t get this league cup away goals rule. In Holic’s posting above, it states that if you go into extra time in the second leg, a team’s away goals count twice. So if this ends say 2-2, does that mean the effective score is 2-4 and Arsenal needs 3 goals to win?
Mark E Smith R.I.P.
Oooooh, that’s tight, Steve. Could you stay on for another 18 months?
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JjyQkt04Urc
Mark is dead?
i love the man
fucking hell
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=25-4nixuvrg
You might have to swap months for years????
What no second yellow for hazard???
BB, definite dive. Rugby VAR would have corrected it.
Where is VAR when you need it??
Lucky but I will take that….
Get in
“People still cross the road from me
I’ve still got that
I can clear a pub when I want to
It’s a talent”
yeah
COME ON ARSENAL!!!!
@BTM
Agreed..need the rugby version for sure…this version is broke!
Slight swagger creeping into our play here. Good to see but also worrying lol
Bouldie’s been working on building a free flowing, rip-roaring goal machine, Steve. Hasn’t had the time to ponder the back door.
Lots of rugby challenges on us too…. yellow ref????
Now am waiting for Laca’s goal before I go to bed. No way for Conte and his men today.
COYG.
You can’t expect an easier chance than that ffs. Even I would have scored that fucker.
Ozil is class, shame Iwobi isn’t
Must score that 🙁
Come on Laca at least hold the ball ffs
Niles for Iwobi please. Kola for Elneny.
Weird subs
Great if it works
Very weird, he’s inviting pressure. You took out your lone striker and left the creative king to defend? Wenger!
Wilshere, you plum. Just whack it up field.
Deserved win, that, after an horrific start.
Now win it, complete your domestic set and retire.
WHO ARE YA
WHO ARE YA
We’re going to Wembleeeey
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>
This crop of gunners are the also known as the ‘Wembleyians’ I think. Bring on the Shitty Mancs!
Leaves an assist for hangers…
100! Yeah.