• Home
  • About
  • Behind The Arse
  • PopuHolics

Goonerholic

Eat, sleep, breathe, drink, Arsenal

Feed on
Posts
Comments

Brentford To Test The Gunners Squad Strength?

Sep 25th, 2018 by 'holic

It’s after nine and I have just finished recording A Bergkamp Wonderland podcast so this will be yet another exceptionally short preview of our Carabao Cup tie against Brentford.

I have just said on the show that I hope we do not start anybody who is likely to be in the team that kicks off against Watford at the weekend. That may prove difficult with the back four where Skhodran Mustafi will probably partner Rob Holding again due to us being down to the bare bones. Stephan Lichsteiner should get the nod at right-back so at least Hector Bellerin gets a rest, but Nacho Monreal lacks cover as well and may have to play. Fingers crossed we get no more knocks.

Ahead of them Mohamed Elneny and Matteo Guendouzi could feature behind an attacking midfield trio of Henrikh Mkhitaryan, Emile Smith-Rowe, and Alex Iwobi. Danny Welbeck could get the nod up front with a very youthful bench so some of the U23’s can get playing time as the match progresses.

Brentford just dropped out of the Championship play-off places this weekend after losing 3-1 at Derby but they should not be underestimated and they will be enthusiastically supported from an increased away section in the Clock End.

The ‘holic pound

Obviously the odds on an Arsenal victory are not mouthwatering. I’m liking the value of a 19/2 for a 3-0 home win even though I am well aware an early Brentford goal could prevent me getting a run for my money.

To those who are going I hope whoever plays they start a little quicker than we have been of late and you get a full ninety minutes of entertainment. Hopefully there will be a stream available for those of us who have no holidays left.

Have a good one ‘holics.

Posted in match preview | 65 Drinks

65 Responses to “Brentford To Test The Gunners Squad Strength?”

  1. on 25 Sep 2018 at 10:12 pm1Gunner_KS

    Well done Derby.
    Long may Maureen reign.

  2. on 25 Sep 2018 at 10:35 pm2Goonersince54

    Evening H
    As Derby have just shown,there are some good sides in the Championship,and Brentford are playing well,so we won’t want to take them lightly.
    Team selection is anybody’s guess,but Utd fielded a very strong side tonight,and still got turned over,so i don’t think Unai will take too many chances.
    We cannot win the league,so any Trophies coming our way will have to be via the 3 Cups competitions.
    But having said all that,i would expect us to win and hope to get a favorable draw in the next round.
    Travel chaos for anyone going,so could be a long night,which will be made bearable on the tedious journey home,with a good win tucked under our belt.

  3. on 25 Sep 2018 at 10:54 pm3North Bank Ned

    Could be a run-out for Julio Pleguezuelo in the centre and maybe Dominic Thompson or Tolaji Bola at left back (or even Pleguezuelo at right back with Lichtsteiner playing on the left). Joe Willock and Eddie Nketiah should get some minutes, too, off the bench.

  4. on 25 Sep 2018 at 10:56 pm4can't be arsed

    ha
    indeed ‘hol

    that time London
    fuck
    i’d a ett that fuckin up

    .
    xrayspexholyfuck
    there’s people exist who saw them
    i know some
    I HATE THEM
    .
    .
    .
    .
    .
    still one of the greatest albums ever made
    and a 2m wide reproduction
    ROARS
    on my side wall

  5. on 25 Sep 2018 at 11:00 pm5can't be arsed

    yeah
    .
    .
    .
    .
    .
    everyone knows now
    ๐Ÿ˜ˆ๐Ÿ˜ˆ๐Ÿ˜ˆ๐Ÿ˜ˆ๐Ÿ˜‚๐Ÿ˜ˆ๐Ÿ˜ˆ๐Ÿ˜ˆ๐Ÿ˜ˆ
    .
    .
    .
    after ye WHAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAA
    buy us a pint
    ya CUNTS

  6. on 25 Sep 2018 at 11:06 pm6scruzgooner

    can we call holding back from his loan out to fulham? at least till the january window?

    i like the idea of nketieh scoring a brace and auba coming off the bench to get one from mikhi. and leno staring at a 0. would make you happy, holic, and those pints would be even cheaper.

  7. on 25 Sep 2018 at 11:07 pm7scruzgooner

    damn, chambers, not holding (i’d just read the post, he was in my mind, painful thing), returning from fulham. apologies.

  8. on 25 Sep 2018 at 11:09 pm8can't be arsed

    https://extramuralactivity.com/2013/07/04/che-guevara-lynch/

  9. on 25 Sep 2018 at 11:16 pm9can't be arsed

    Cheโ€™s father : โ€œIn my sonโ€™s veins flowed the blood of Irish rebels.โ€
    .

    .
    .
    typical Lynch
    awww awwwww awwww
    look at me

  10. on 25 Sep 2018 at 11:19 pm10can't be arsed

    .
    .

    STAND A ROUND !

    anathema

  11. on 25 Sep 2018 at 11:24 pm11can't be arsed

    .

    .
    yeah Declan
    I’m can’t be arsed

    yeah Hugh
    you knew
    ๐Ÿ˜๐Ÿ˜‚๐Ÿฎ๐Ÿ™Œ๐Ÿ˜†๐Ÿ˜๐Ÿ˜Ž๐Ÿ˜ฆ๐Ÿ˜Š๐Ÿ˜ƒ๐Ÿ˜€๐Ÿ˜•๐Ÿฎ๐Ÿฎ๐Ÿฎ๐Ÿฎ๐Ÿฎ๐Ÿฎ

  12. on 25 Sep 2018 at 11:27 pm12can't be arsed

    oh fuck aye Bernard

    “he’s brilliant you’d like him ”

    .
    .jam it up yer jute barney

  13. on 25 Sep 2018 at 11:30 pm13can't be arsed

    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SuGYCVxTeEg&app=desktop

  14. on 25 Sep 2018 at 11:33 pm14can't be arsed

    come on

    jump in

  15. on 25 Sep 2018 at 11:48 pm15can't be arsed

    .
    calm the fuck down
    (proper rows etc an such an stuff an fings)
    R.I.P. Chas Hodges
    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7e4JXwd7XMo

    imagine being on that
    he was

    CALM DOWN YA PANSIES

    .
    .
    jeez
    it’s 1980s
    “Wise up ya fuckin gleep ye’ll burn yer fuckin arm off”

    .
    .
    .
    English people
    no matter how well intentioned
    can’t throw petrol bombs

    *ruminates*

  16. on 25 Sep 2018 at 11:55 pm16can't be arsed

    ๐Ÿ˜‚
    .
    .
    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YmenLzDtTXY

  17. on 26 Sep 2018 at 12:10 am17can't be arsed

    .
    .
    .
    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZF4Z6smOrZw

    .
    .
    .
    if ye don’t like that you are exactly what you call him

  18. on 26 Sep 2018 at 12:18 am18can't be arsed

    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=a4q3Cy8X6Mo

  19. on 26 Sep 2018 at 12:36 am19can't be arsed

    .
    .
    .
    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SvmC3Ti228U

  20. on 26 Sep 2018 at 12:39 am20can't be arsed

    ” ugly girl where you going to Friday night ”
    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SvmC3Ti228U

  21. on 26 Sep 2018 at 12:51 am21can't be arsed

    .
    .
    .
    .
    .
    .
    .
    a tune for the mighty dead Chris
    the couldn’t hang about cunt

    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZKdrnTTDTqo

  22. on 26 Sep 2018 at 1:00 am22can't be arsed

    .
    .
    .
    .https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SuGYCVxTeEg

  23. on 26 Sep 2018 at 1:01 am23TTG

    I did have a celebratory lunch at the Oval planned ( I am a Surrey member as I am – he says shamefacedly- originally a South Londoner) followed by a trip to see Brentford play Arsenal for the first time in 71 years. In view of the tube strike I will need to be very pissed to make the journey.
    It will be a draw going to a penalty shootout where Bernd will save us from a fate worse than Mourinho

  24. on 26 Sep 2018 at 1:08 am24TTG

    I hear Kolasinac is fit so we might see
    Leno
    Lich. Holding Mustafi Kola
    Guendouzi Elneny
    Welbeck Smith – Rowe Iwobi
    Nketiah

  25. on 26 Sep 2018 at 1:11 am25bt8

    cba @19

    Seeinโ€™ as Chris might not have a chance to take a listen to that piece oโ€™ music I stepped in and had a listen myself. Awesome player and piano. Looks like it could be one one oโ€™ them machines such as kills fascists or puts the fear oโ€™ God into โ€˜em

  26. on 26 Sep 2018 at 1:30 am26can't be arsed

    8ball

    you never fail

    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lFVeJ4wHWdQ

  27. on 26 Sep 2018 at 1:33 am27can't be arsed

    .
    .
    .

    VOUT

    .
    .
    .

  28. on 26 Sep 2018 at 1:56 am28can't be arsed

    .
    if I heard another cunt
    saying shergal farkey
    was ORIGINAL

    jeez fuck
    sorry de break it de ye fellas https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WKD8tAElTpQ

  29. on 26 Sep 2018 at 2:01 am29can't be arsed

    .
    .
    .
    .
    here
    have a tune
    wrapped in creepy
    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=feMvRfOQC50

  30. on 26 Sep 2018 at 2:26 am30can't be arsed

    .
    drinking , thunder T ?

    .
    (judgemental look)

  31. on 26 Sep 2018 at 9:04 am31OsakaMatt

    Thanks for the preview Guvnor.

    Brentford are doing ok in the championship and
    we’ve got form in losing with too may youngsters
    playing.

    TTG’s side looks about right but I think Kola’s only
    just back in training so not sure he’s ready to play.
    Hector, Mus and Ramsey all had 90 minutes off
    last midweek as did Laca I think.
    If Kola isn’t ready I’d still rest Nacho and play Hector and
    Mus with Lich on the left. Ramsey and Laca on the bench.

    Good news seems to be that Sokratis injury isn’t too bad
    and he should be ok for the weekend.

  32. on 26 Sep 2018 at 10:41 am32OsakaMatt

    Ramsey still hasn’t signed and may
    need to be offloaded in January.
    Should we offer Manure a straight
    swap for Pogba? ๐Ÿ™‚

  33. on 26 Sep 2018 at 10:43 am33Noosa Gooner

    Cannot trust people who play in stripes. 4-0 to the good guys.

    UTA.

  34. on 26 Sep 2018 at 10:44 am34OsakaMatt

    I’m joking of course as obviously
    we’d want cash as well.

    But I was wondering if we could
    swap for a top class centre back
    from somewhere in Europe.

  35. on 26 Sep 2018 at 10:50 am35Noosa Gooner

    Ramsey doesn’t really deserve his place in the side on current form so I’d be relaxed about selling him if he won’t sign.

    Although I never thought I’d say this, at the moment I’d prefer Iwobi.

    UTA.

  36. on 26 Sep 2018 at 11:46 am36OsakaMatt

    NG,

    Yes, me too. Iwobi looks a better
    fit just now. Early days of course
    but it seems we only need 2 of
    Mkhi, Ozil and Ramsey.

  37. on 26 Sep 2018 at 2:25 pm37Cynic

    In fairness, cba, Shergal Farkey WAS original.

    He was the original Shergal Farkey.

    You wouldn’t want to be the NEW Shergal Farkey, would you. Nobody would.

  38. on 26 Sep 2018 at 2:32 pm38can't be arsed

    “eh ?”
    .
    .
    .
    THE ABSOLUTE NERVE !
    .
    .
    .
    .
    .
    .

    “and you can get our Vera another rum and black n all”
    .
    .

  39. on 26 Sep 2018 at 3:05 pm39bt8

    Spuds supporters on the verge of meltdown as the inconvenience has been compounded for season ticket holders due to incompatible ticketing systems between the new stadium and Wembley requiring fans to claim a refund from the club for games that have been moved and then having to buy a new ticket for the game at Wembley. No mention in the reliable sources I consulted of MK Donsโ€™ stadium compatibility so we will just have to imagine the worst.

  40. on 26 Sep 2018 at 3:44 pm40Goonerholic

    Late plea for a volunteer to write the match up please? Looks like I may be at the hospital as the management is having a late operation.

  41. on 26 Sep 2018 at 4:18 pm41can't be arsed

    clearly i couldn’t
    bla
    .
    my very very best wishes sent Dave

  42. on 26 Sep 2018 at 4:23 pm42Goonerholic

    Cheers cba, youโ€™re a top man. ๐Ÿ‘๐Ÿผ

  43. on 26 Sep 2018 at 5:34 pm43bt8

    Best wishes for you and the management, โ€˜holic.

  44. on 26 Sep 2018 at 5:41 pm44bt8

    I would have offered but canโ€™t write about the game being on the road.

    Iโ€™ve been hoping for Pleguezuelo to get his chance and maybe all these back line injuries could bring it on.

  45. on 26 Sep 2018 at 7:05 pm45Silly Second Yella

    Strong line up

    another clean shit?

    Smells like victory.

  46. on 26 Sep 2018 at 7:06 pm46scruzgooner

    sorry to hear about the hospital, and the reason, holic. i put a six-pack cans of “get well soon” in the bar fridge for her, and some glenfarclas 105 in a large glass for you on the back bar.

    bt8, espn+ seems the only legal way to watch, have you found another? otherwise it’s off to wade in the reddit creeks…

  47. on 26 Sep 2018 at 7:57 pm47Pangloss

    Best of luck to the management, ‘H. I trust it’s nothing serious.

    COYG UTManagement

  48. on 26 Sep 2018 at 8:27 pm48Gunner_KS

    Two clean shots from Danny boy, credit where it’s due

  49. on 26 Sep 2018 at 8:38 pm49TTG

    Sorry to hear your news Hokic I hope the management is OK. Mrs TTG has had a tough time with multiple hospital visits so I know how worrying this can be
    I wasnโ€™t pissed enough to go tonight nd didnโ€™t fancy the long tube queues late at night. Hopefully I will be disappointed I didnโ€™t go

  50. on 26 Sep 2018 at 8:45 pm50ksn

    Welbeck has become a prolific scorer this season. Hope he keeps banging them in through the season.

    Hope it is just some routine thing, Holic and wish she gets well soon.

  51. on 26 Sep 2018 at 8:52 pm51Gunner_KS

    Hope all goes well Holic

  52. on 26 Sep 2018 at 9:00 pm52iBtM

    Come on, Danny. Hat trick Holic Pound.

  53. on 26 Sep 2018 at 11:26 pm53OsakaMatt

    Hope your wife wife will be well
    soon Guvnor.

    Couldn’t watch the game as I
    couldn’t find it on anywhere in
    Japan but in the great traditions
    of British journalism I can provide
    a report without actually watching.

    A strong team selection from
    Arsenal – only Smith-Rowe of
    the younger players started.
    Ozil, Auba, Cech and Xhaka
    rested completely and Hector,
    Ramsey, Torreira and Laca on
    the bench. Kola possibly not
    fit enough to start but did make
    the bench.
    For a pleasant change it seems we
    settled the quicker despite Leno
    having a “Cech” moment early on.
    A crisp, clean Welbeck header from
    a Guendouzi cross put us one up in
    the first 10 minutes. Iwobi had a
    good penalty shout denied, without
    review, by the ref who then redeemed
    himself (is redemption possible for
    Dean? Ed.) with a good advantage
    in Arsenal and Danny’s 2nd goal.
    A great team goal and well worth
    a watch if you can find a clip – the
    ball was moved efficiently from
    Leno’s feet at one end to Danny in
    the 6 yard box at the other for a
    simple tap-in. Good work from
    Leno, Lich, Mkhi and Nacho in the
    build up and it seemed we’d set
    ourselves up for a comfortable 2nd
    half. Alas not of course – a Brentford
    free-kick in a dangerous area
    10 minutes into the 2nd half saw us
    punished by Judge. The fans then
    had to endure 30 minutes of buzzing
    from Brentford before good hustle by
    Laca in injury time saw him wrap
    things up. 3-1 and through to the
    next round.

  54. on 26 Sep 2018 at 11:40 pm54OsakaMatt

    Only Smith-Rowe of the youth team
    players given an opportunity tonight
    but it seems most of the Top 6 PL
    clubs put out fairly strong sides in
    the Carabao this year.

    Great we could get an early goal
    for a change. Hopefully no new
    injuries and Kola back for the
    trip to Qarabag next week.
    Given we won our Ropey League
    opener and it’s quite a long trip,
    I’d like to see more players left at
    home next week with starts for
    Nketiah and Willock. That doesn’t
    seem to be UE’s way so far though.

  55. on 27 Sep 2018 at 12:30 am55ATG

    Holic,

    Fingers crossed it all goes well with the operation! I know these are tough times so all the best to both of you!

    Osaka,

    Scary stuff once they pulled one back we couldn’t really build any momentum, Laca’s work rate paid off in the end….

    I was surprised not seeking any young guns on the pitch seems to me this competition is getting tougher perhaps it was the right call but mixing it up is the key to get them going, UE certainly thinks otherwise.

  56. on 27 Sep 2018 at 12:30 am56ATG

    seeking? ….seeing that is bloody iPhone! ๐Ÿ™‚

  57. on 27 Sep 2018 at 12:53 am57OsakaMatt

    ATG,

    “scary stuff”

    Yes, so I heard and so UE said
    after the game. We don’t seem
    to roll with the punches too well
    as yet. It was a fairly experienced
    XI and I’d expect a better
    response. Also, I read Brentford
    had made 7 changes so it wasn’t
    their best side either.

    So far it actually seems there are
    less opportunities for young
    players than before but maybe
    we need to be patient while
    things settle.

    On the plus side Iwobi and Danny
    are pushing for starts this
    Saturday. We need to sort out
    Danny’s contract by January as
    well as Ramsey’s. As is, he’s a
    decent 3rd option to me at the
    moment despite the stick he
    gets.

  58. on 27 Sep 2018 at 1:42 am58North Bank Ned

    Hope all is as well as can be with Mrs ‘H, Guv’nor. Best wishes for you both.

    The game tonight looked a poor match, I thought. Much of the time it was hard to tell which was the Championship side. We were far from dominant, too ponderous in the build-up and neither creative nor incisive, except for the second goal, which was a proper Arsenal goal, a fast and sweeping multi-pass counterattack ending in a tap-in for Welbeck.

    Smith-Rowe looked tidy but didn’t impose himself on the game and couldn’t make anything of the three or four chances he had. He also seemed to get knocked off the ball easily.

    Holding acquitted himself well and made several vital goal-denying blocks. Monreal was his usual industrious self.

    Leno was closer to scoring an own goal with his miskick early doors than anything Cech has managed to contrive, and Leno is meant to be the one good with his feet.

    Had Brentford Premiership-quality strikers they would have scored more than one, especially in the second half. Their goal, an excellent free kick, brought them alive.

    A draw over the 90 mins would not have been an unfair result for them. Laca’s late strike put an undeserved gloss on the result.

  59. on 27 Sep 2018 at 7:34 am59Vinay

    It is a habit and a good one, winning. We did not deserve to do so based on our second-half performance is a different story.

    Welbeck continues to score, Mustafi continues to flounder and Mhki blows hot and cold, overall a fair reflection of how we are currently playing; strikers scoring, defenders defending poorly and midfield having its on-off moments.

    Ramsey set to leave is on expected lines, who do we get in return is the question, Tielemans hopefully??? though i fully expect it to be either Banega or Nzonzi. I would rather offer him to Napoli and get a koulibaly in return.

    On to a tough Watford game over the weekend, physically demanding but if we quicken our game, we will emerge as winners.

    lastly, let us take a moment to laugh at mou and united shall we, free circus.

  60. on 27 Sep 2018 at 8:38 am60Gunnersaurus Stunt Double

    Good to see Danny in the goals. He has his penchant for scuffed, bobbled finishes but there are lots of examples where he finishes clinically. I think the difference is an extra bit of calmness and confidence in front of goal. He does not always look like he expects to score, but worries about missing a good chance. The more he puts them away, the more i expect him to keep putting them away. He is hardly going to outscore Auba and Laca, but he works so hard, is great for Emery’s press, defends well in the air and down the wing and so could be very useful through the season, especially in tough away fixtures. Seeing him get on the scoresheet, particularly in a game where he is the main striker, can only be a good thing. Plus he is a top man. I hope we sign him up to a deal new ASAP.

    Best wishes to you and yours H.

  61. on 27 Sep 2018 at 10:06 am61TTG

    From a number of eye witness reports and a few TV highlights I think it is fair to say that Arsene Wenger would have achieved ( and did) very similar results . There is little difference to my eye between last yearโ€™s incarnation and this. We are capable of lovely football , we find it hard to close games up and keep clean sheets against anyone and we have good strikers.
    We donโ€™t press any differently and the main diffference is that we prat around with the ball at the back more often.
    Emery has done a sound job so far but let us not forget that Wenger would regularly take Arsenal on long undefeated runs against lesser teams after a defeat. Emery will need several months and probably two transfer windows to develop his team and establish his stamp on the club.
    On Saturday I was starting to hear people around me suggesting that Emery has โ€˜ done much better already than Wenger.โ€™ How short memories are ! Even in his worst season we finished sixth and I think we are sixth now. Progress will be made when we leapfrog United and the Totts. The top three will have to wait for another season.

  62. on 27 Sep 2018 at 3:58 pm62Cynic

    BBC reports

    Arsenal midfielder Aaron Ramsey is likely to leave the club next summer after the Gunners withdrew a contract offer.

    A new four-year deal was agreed but Arsenal then decided they could not proceed with it.

    When contacted by BBC Sport, neither party would say why the deal collapsed.

    Not overly vexed by this as Ramsey is a typical Wenger player IMO, but if we’re suddenly going to start paying dogshit wages to some players, while certain players get a king’s ransom for being totally average, it’s a little concerning.

  63. on 27 Sep 2018 at 4:55 pm63OsakaMatt

    It’s an odd one if true. Why would
    we agree a contract then say we’ve
    changed our minds ?
    Could it be that we didn’t want to
    go ahead with a contract signed
    off by Ivan?

    Anyway, we should certainly sell
    him in January if we can.

  64. on 27 Sep 2018 at 6:37 pm64Countryman100

    Ramsey has had some memorable moments over the years. He chose us over United. Heโ€™s been a model professional. Heโ€™s scored the winner in not one, but two FA Cup finals, both of which I was lucky enough to be at and which will live long in the memory. He deserves to be treated with respect and huge thanks.

    Do we now need him at ยฃ250k per week? Can we fit him him and Ozil into the same team? Thatโ€™s up to the manager. You wonโ€™t find me complaining if heโ€™s sold, complaining if he signs a new contract, or bad mouthing him in any way.

    Loving the new spirit on the terraces, our strikers banging them in and six in a row. This weekend is Ryder Cup on TV and The Arsenal on Saturday.

    BTW how good was Dannyโ€™s second yesterday, a true team goal!

  65. on 27 Sep 2018 at 6:46 pm65Goonerholic

    >>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>

  • Recent Posts

    • Lacazette Sees Red As Gunners Are Embarrassed
    • Strong Gunners Team Look To Progress
    • Competition – Win This Great North Bank Print
    • Gunners Get The Hard Earned Points
    • Gunners To Have More Bite Than The Terriers?
    • Competition – Win An Art of Football Highburysaurus Tee
  • As featured on NewsNow: Arsenal FC newsArsenal News 24/7
    Arsenal charity of the season The Football Blog Network Gunners blogs Arsenal charity of the season
  • Get Adobe Flash player
  • Categories

    • book reviews (20)
    • comment (507)
    • competitions (37)
    • Guest Tales (63)
    • history (102)
    • match preview (710)
    • match review (788)
    • tongue in cheek (75)
    • video (10)
  • Pages

    • About
    • Behind The Arse
    • PopuHolics
Arsenal News Follow TheGoonerholic on Twitter Android app

Goonerholic © 2019 All Rights Reserved.

MistyLook made free by Web Hosting Bluebook