Rose Tinted View Of Another Trip To The Bus Stop
Jan 9th, 2018 by 'holic
This is where I now should type some nonsense about getting back on the horse, but instead it’s time to forget about Wembley in May and think about another potential cup win there in February. At least we have a couple of blank weekends coming up so picking anything other than the strongest fit eleven to go to the bus stop in Fulham would be a dreadful mistake.
However the manager said in his pre-match press conference that he had no injured players set to return so we are definitely missing Nacho Monreal, Laurent Koscielny, Sead Kolasinac, Aaron Ramsey, Santi Cazorla, and Olivier Giroud. In addition to them Skhodran Mustafi and Granit Xhaka were undergoing fitness tests today. If the former doesn’t make it we have maybe to go with a back three of Mathieu Debuchy, Per Mertesacker, and Rob Holding in front of the goalkeeper. David Ospina may well get the nod as our cup-tie custodian.
That defence looks vulnerable to the runs of Morata, Willian, and Hazard, and will require some protection. Given Francis Coquelin’s problems with Hazard last season that probably means a pairing of Mohamed Elneny and Jack Wilshere in front of them should Xhaka not make it. Hector Bellerin and Ainsley Maitland-Niles look nailed on to start as the wing backs.
The attacking trio has to be Mesut Ozil, Alexis Sanchez, and Alexandre Lacazette. Alex Iwobi may well have impressed when preferred to Ozil in our 0-0 draw at the Bridge earlier this season, but a spell out of the firing line might be best for him right now. Alexis is already cup-tied after playing against Doncaster so there is no reason to leave him out even if he is destined for a January move.
There seems to be a great deal of pessimism and negativity surrounding this semi-final, and that is perfectly understandable, but we have unexpectedly produced some decent results when least expected this season. Indeed the two draws in the Premier League against the same opposition have probably been better than many would have expected. All we can hope is that the manager has spelt out what he expects of his chosen squad for this first leg, and that they show the application and discipline that was missing on Sunday.
The ‘holic pound
Such hot favourites are Chelsea that you can get a staggering 16/1 against a good old ‘one nil to the Arsenal’. OK, so there is a big question mark about us keeping a clean sheet, but I just cannot let that deal go. Maybe a little less of a wager than usual, however.
So that’s that. I’m back out to talk to the fairies at the bottom of the garden. Are you feeling more upbeat than a couple of minutes ago?
No, I didn’t think so. Have a good one, ‘holics.
123 Responses to “Rose Tinted View Of Another Trip To The Bus Stop”
NUmber 1,is Perry Groves….
Number 2, is Perry Groves…
Number 2, is Perry Groves.
Join in if you know the words.
Nice preview H. Our first choice defence looked very amateurish against the Chavs only a week ago. It worries me to think that they may play someone who can shoot straight.
No score predictions. Just everything crossed.
Cheers Steve.
Number 3, is Perry Groves…
We all live in a Perry Groves world.
Missed a few out as it might have got a tad tedious.
Wanted to see if everyone knew who number 7 was Steve. Killed a great song there.
Murderer! ?
No 4, is Perry Groves,
No 5, is Perry Groves,
No 6 is Perry Groves,
No 7 is…
Number 7, is Liam Brady.
Number 8, is Perry Groves.
A good win tomorrow to kick of the start of the celebrations H?????
?
??
Cheers ‘H, to be fair – in recentish times A.Dubbya’s Arsenal’s been best wen comin’ back more or less from the dead … https://youtu.be/AFOpasNebCw – more or less … UTA!
#StillUp4TheCup (gettin’ a bit tired now, tho)
Carabao-ooooooooooooooh-oh-oh (o) … A.Dub
https://youtu.be/d0PCD7YMfeY
Sorry can’t help I’m tone deaf.
You’ve done your best with the preview Holic.
I haven’t got a shred of optimism if we have to go with Mertesacker against the Chavs. Our defensive ‘coaching ‘ could make a back line of Baresi, Bobby Moore and Tony Adams look awful . We haven’t discussed injuries but unlike our rivals we’ve progressively lost players over Christmas and none are close to a return . Ramsey and Monreal keep getting pushed out Re their return date . Despite Wenger’s comments we might see Kolasinac and Koscielny tomorrow especially if Xhaka doesn’t make it. AMN is better suited in the middle.
Iwobi apart from playing poorly for months hasn’t a shred of professionalism if that story about the party is true. I’d sell him like a shot if we had a buyer.
We will have another wafer-thin bench but may have a better first eleven. My only hope comes from the fact that it is always darkest before the dawn with Wenger. He has made more comebacks than Lazarus to quote the late, great Sid Waddell.
My head tells me 2-0 to the Chavs.
I hear you TTG, human nature at work right there.
I’m more dreamer than optimist. A romantic fool to the end. ?
Great to see the Rev AL sharing wit and wisdom with us again. ??
Just realised I will be travelling back from Cornwall when we play on Sunday. Anybody fancy the match report gig?
I’ll be doing other things, ‘h. Sorry 😉
Fabulous effort by Bristol City in the other semi final.
Man City needed a 92nd minute goal to win the first leg 2 – 1 at the Etihad.
Showed their win over Man Utd in the previous round was no fluke.
Our lot need to show the same heart/courage/belief and no little skill within a proper game plan at he Bus stop tomorrow, to come away with a result and show the Club’s long suffering fans that they care as much as we do.
There are 26 players with a transfer value of more than 100 million euros, according to the CES Football Observatory’s latest calculations http://www.football-observatory.com/IMG/sites/b5wp/2017/209/en/.
Our most valuable asset by its reckoning is Lacazette at 97.6 million euros (and ranking no 30), followed by Bellerin at 68.6 million euros (no 63), Xhaka at 68 million euros (no 67), Mustafi at 65.2 million euros (no 70), and Alexis at 64.2 million euros (no 74).
Rebuilding isn’t going to come cheap, unless we go the slow way round.
Building the Invincibles was less a case of money than identifying key players who wanted to play for us. What we’ve been missing for too long is someone with the eye AW used to have. Let’s hope Mislintat can do a Lewandowski, Aubameyang and Ousmane Dembélé for us. And soon please.
What made the Invincibles good was a mixture of quality( awesome quality) and attitude. We bought one player in that close season- Jens and Reyes during the season . But what a base to build on !
Cheers cynic. ??
never more than a phone call away , ‘holic
*buys new jotter and sharpens the incisive pencil of punditry*
?
I’m not going to the game on Sunday Dave but I think it’s on Sky. I’ll step up and do a match report if you tell me how. You have my email I think. It won’t be a patch on yours but I’ll try and get discussion going and keep the format similar. Not a betting man tho so no countryman pound.
I’ll be doing other things too, ‘h. Sorry.
cba, you’re welcome and can send it to goonerholic@virginmedia.com if that isn’t a problem. You are a star.
Haha… the word jotter always takes me back to infants school and those little blue notebooks we had. The Handy Jotter.
They were handy indeed. Softer on the arse than that bloody Izal stuff anyway.
Thanks for the preview GH.
Good luck with the 1-0. Quite agree
16s is a great price. If we remember
it’s two legs and defend accordingly
then 1-0 to The Arsenal it should be.
Not sure about the team but
personally I’d play Cech in a semi
final against his old team.
I’d play Calum over Per and hope
that Mus passes his fitness test.
Not sure about Granit but I don’t
fancy Elneny so Granit and Jack
it has to be as AMN must play
on the left.
Up front Iwobi must be dropped
and I heard Ozil won’t make it.
It really only leaves us Alexis/
Danny/Laca as Theo seems to be
on the outs. Alexis is a gamble as
he is likely gone soon but he does
fight so I’d go with him.
Show some guts and who knows.
I was going to guess at 2-0 (to us
of course!) but in a show of
solidarity with the optimists I’ll
go with 1-0 to the fighting Arsenal.
cba/Countryman
Looking forward to the match
reports on Sunday !
From what I’ve seen Calum would be hard pushed to foot it with Per, frankly, and Per did well against the chavs in the cup final. Go with the experience I say.
Theo has been known to play well against them as well and has to be a better chance of scoring than Danny or Iwoeful. I actually quite like Danny as a winger, so happy to go with a front three of Theo, Laca, Danny, leaving Alexis to play the 10 role in Ozil’s absence.
But can’t see it making much difference who we play in our current form.
Good luck jotting, cba, looking forward to the pearls you will be casting before … er, oh….
Chris,
Calum is far quicker than
Per.
If we can get them to race on
TV for us I’ll happily have a
bet with you 🙂
Agree on Theo scoring, it’s just
he is 16/1 to start i think…..
Going with Theo, Laca, Danny and
Alexis ? That would be er….. brave.
May as well be killed for a wolf as
a sheep?
For me Iwobi should be dropped
for 2 or 3 months, make sure he
understands why – it’s not only
for being unprofessional but also
because there’s no end product.
Then, I’d give him a last chance
and if he still doesn’t produce,
move him on.
He probably is quicker than Per, Matt, just, but still slow by any other measure. But you’re right about Iwobi, if he’s been nightlifing regularly it might explain his drop in form, so a wake-up call would do him no harm.
Looks like Cba and I crossed posts. I will gracefully step back and look forward to cba’s Report.
ha ha c100
very gallant of you
but i think we both know who is guest writing
?
.
i shall applaud your composition with gusto
.
whilst i’m sure 20.paragraphs
of incoherent mooooooooooooooooooooooing
wouldn’t be entirely without charm
let’s face it
the ‘holicnation deserve better
.
.
UP THE ARSENAL
Holic,
I stepped up on email but I think Countryman is definitely the man. His accounts on here are excellent and I’m so gloomy nowadays I’d have everyone slitting their wrists!
I vote for TWO match reports.
Can’t imagine greater contrast or better entertainment – the Guvnor’s usual excellence not withstanding.
“Not wirhstanding” sounds like the thing to say here but I’m not honestly sure I could translate it …..
And, cba @21, your “incisive pencil of punditry” definitely sounds like the first half of a Humphrey Littleton ‘end of the show’ line on “I’m Sorry I Haven’t A Clue”.
Maybe as in – and as the incisive pencil of punditry, disappears up the Chelsea tunnel of disregard …. It’s the end of the show.
That’s my effort ….. Any other offers ? ?
I love Countryman’s reports but
20 paragraphs of mooooooooing
might be equally appropriate
after tonight
especially if we play like we
did on Sunday.
We want both,
We want both,
etc etc …… ??
Head heart and mind all says Chelsea win, how sad that even the heart is ruling out us winning.
Iwobi should not start, in fact none except Opsina and Niles should for the rest 9 were horrendous. Knowing how it may span out, half of them still may which just shows the plight we are in.
Ozil has a ” slight knee injury” and wont start. This could mean Jack at 10 and then have Elneny (oh no) and hopefully Xhaka. If not Xhaka i really dont know who can start for there are no options at all.
No return dates for any of the injured, Alexis wants to leave now, Ozil may join United and lacazette wondering how can he get a goal, with all this we are playing tonight in a trophy which is our only chance of winning something for the season. Where are those prayers when you need them the most.
I love you Arsene but it is time to go, it is a mess out there at your and our beloved club.
Would offer my services for a match report, but rather like TTG @ 35, mine would be so gloomy that it would be have to be aurally soundtracked with all my Joy Division albums…
I was going for Morrissey but maybe the Laurel and Hardy soundtrack might fit our defensive performance most appropriately.
Are there any Italians on the drinks who could write a report?
That way we’d have them from “Friends… Romans…Countryman”
I know…
*getting coat*
I’m with Trev. I’m not likely to see the game so the more reports the better.
#40 …I did start whistling the Benny Hill theme tune at one particularly low point in Sunday’s game…
What makes things even more depressing is, now that Conte is in a bloodcurdling feud with the departed Mourinho it makes Chelsea slightly less odious in a small corner of my mind. Must suppress and think about Abramovich.
20 paragraphs of mooing sounds excessive. How about some lowing mixed in?
Just wanted to offer what help I can to whoever is reporting on tonight’s game, so here are a few stock phrases that might come in handy – just to save a bit of thinkung time, you understand, they can be colied and pasted straight in –
– the Chelsea fans seated around the Arsenal manager, gave him a warm round of applause as he struggled into his seat ….
– Ospina, in the Arsenal goal, soared like an eagle to pull another Chelsea free kick out of the air ….
– the Arsenal striker needed no second invitation as he span on the ball and rifled home from 20 yards …..
– Chelsea laboured fruitlessly against the rock solid Arsenal defence …
– Arsene Wenger pondered the rich choices at his disposal on the Arsenal bench, as he looked to protect our two goal advantage ….
– the referee once again waved away the furious Chelsea demands for a penalty …..
– Arsenal showed tremendous tactical nous in the final fifteen minutes and headed for the Emirates with their two goal lead intact ….
Glad to be of help ??
Sorry, I borrowed TTG’s keyboard –
thinking time
can be copied
And I thought I was the glass half full guy!
Afternoon
How has it come to this, that from the invincibles to how do we qualify for the CL. Its sad to see our great club going down hill year after year. 23 points behind the league leaders with 16 games to go, I have to agree Man Shitty have been outstanding but that gives me little comfort as we struggle to get into fourth, however that is just a 5 point gap to get our 4th place trophy.
My confidence in the current management is zero and to think we have another 18 months minimum of accepting what ever is dished up is depressing. I can not remember having such a low opinion of Arsenal in the 40 years I have followed them and during that time we have had some very dark days.
Arsenal please make me change my mind about you, pretty please with a cherry on top.
Countryman, I would love it if you would report on the Bournemouth match for us. See my email at #24.
I would be more than happy to run with two, cba, since you offered. (As long as you remember the grand’holics read this!) ?
No problem ‘holic. Enjoy your weekend in the great county of Cornwall.
“Holic and Arsenal Gone West” – there you go ?
coquelin to join gabriel
run francis run
If Francis Coquelin is worth £12 million then I definitely still have a value in the transfer market.
To think we paid £11 million for Henry and £7.5 million for Bergkamp? I can’t imagine that you need anymore evidence to prove how mad the game has got?
Can’t believe he’s picked iwobi again ffs
tavlaridis on the bench
Guardian’s listing for the squads only lists ten starters for the Arsenal, with no keeper indicated (Macey on the bench). Cech? Ospina? or is AW opting to go without one, given the CD trio of Chambers, Holding and Mustafi? Sánchez is on the bench. Chelsea going with pretty much a first team lineup and bench.
we don’t need a keeper
it’s 5 – 4 – 2
machete formation
Iwobi AND Welbeck in the same eleven.
Is it even worth watching to experience that?
Ospina
Chambers Mustafi Holding
Bellerin Wilshere Xhaka Maitland-Niles
Iwobi Welbeck
Lacazette
Subs
Macey Mavropanos Mertesacker Elneny Walcott Alexis Nelson
Suicide.
I thought seven subs was the limit?
When did we sign this Suicide bloke?
I’m looking forwards to this one quite a lot. I will be watching it, and I don’t watch us that much any more. I’ve not got high hopes for a win but I’m not too downbeat either. I’m hoping for a good game. I’d love a committed performance from our lot. I am I being too hopeful?
Wenger laughing about Sanchez being on the bench …..
If he’s ours play him, ffs
That team sheet looks frightening.
I was going to call Iwobi and Welbeck Arsenal’s answer to the Kray twins, but the Krays actually struck fear into their opposition.
And they got the occasional shot on target…
What’s so terrifying about the starting eleven tonight?
It’s simply Arsenal sans Cazorla, Özil and Sanchez. We may have to get used to it. At least we still have Wilshere.
Jack with the armband.
The sign of things to come? I would love to see it.
Who has been coaching AMN? He keeps doing this weird thing where he tracks Moses’ runs. Very odd. Can it last?
Kante. From behind. Off the floor. Does not get the ball.
Yellow card?
Not even a mention of the possibility from the commentary.
Where the hell did he get this line p from?
GSD
Yellow card end off but hey officiating these days
Oh Lacazette! Should have at least engaged the keeper from there.
25th minute. A pretty even match so far, at all aspects.
ATG.
Unfortunately spot on.
Standing still again come on
A pretty stable stream, for those looking:
http://www.altop.press/10Jan2018/3.html
Another bollocks set piece by Xakha
When we have a corner wouldn’t it be easier to just put it straight out for a goal kick? It must be easier to defend a goal kick than a Chelsea break away every time we fuck it up?
I take it Ozil is off then Alexis will follow
Penalty – identical to Bellerin
Oh, no penalty.
Of course, it was to us
Yep even VAR failed us Trev
I’d rather someone else take corners and free kicks please not Xhaka
Is Xhaka’s delivery always this bad?
Fuck me, why is not Wilshere taking our set pieces / corners?
any links please
One of the calmest games I’ve watched in years, probably bc expecting us to lose
What a dreadful chalenge. We paid £35m for this guy.
Cynic,
He he these lapses unfortunately
Hope Jack is alright
Oh no Elneny fuck me!
Wilshere off. No creativity. Game over.
Mustafi is having a pretty shocking game.
Is anyone playing well?
Strapping in for the next half hour of defending
Great pass from Iwobi to no one
2nd half has been awful.
0-0 will feel like a win
Wouldn’t it be a good time to send alexis there onto the pitch?
We look clueless
Gutted for Jack. I hope that’s just precautionary.
Ton up
Just running around like headless chickens
Wow he listened to my prayers ha ha
Raises bat aloft.
Removes cap.
Acknowledges an appreciative audience.
Cynic
Must ado is having a decent game I think
Ospina all over the shop
Dropping like flies
I always thought Elneny was solid but unspectacular. This is the first time I’ve seen him play in a while. He is still unspectacular.
That shot sums Iwobi up
Piss off Iwobi
Iwobi????? What the hell was that????
Oh, it’s a ‘shot on target’ ?
Have we had a shot on goal in the second half?
Oh yes Iwobi!
Xhaka is going to sent off
obi wan iwobi
if you strike me down, i shall become more powerful than…
SSY
Haahhaaaaa
We look a much better side with Sanchez on, even though he’s not had much of a chance to do anything. His presence seems to have lifted us going forward.
Silly Elneny time in the world and he just flicks it forward idiot!
Pretty ordinary performance with no sign of a goal, and never were going to score with that team.
I suppose we have to be happy with 0-0
Our team looks bare with too many mediocre players in the team.
So what happened to Ozil?
That was like days of old. You’ve got your Arsenal back! >>>>>>>>
Good first half. Happy with 0-0.
First time I watched AMN play 90 mins. He’s gonna be a great player.
UTA
Injured from what’s the papers say
Feels like a win