The Shining of Guendouzi Cut Short
Oct 31st, 2018 by 'holic
Unai Emery gave a first team debut to 21 year old Spanish central defender Julio Pleguezuelo alongside Skhodran Mustafi. Carl Jenkinson made a return to the team after 701 days as a makeshift left-back with Stephan Lichsteiner playing on the right. Aaron Ramsey slotted in alongside Matteo Guendouzi behind an attacking quartet of Ainsley Maitland-Niles, Henrikh Mkhitaryan, Emile Smith-Rowe, and Danny Welbeck. Mustafi and Guendouzi must be fearing the axe for Saturday’s match against Liverpool as a result of starting tonight.
On a chilly All Hallows’ Eve the crowd gave an emotional tribute to Leicester City chairman Vichai Srivaddhanaprabha before kick-off. A long throw-in, a corner, and an overhit free-kick apart the opening phases of play saw the Gunners camped in the Blackpool half along with the massed ranks of white and orange. The creativity was being strangled though and we didn’t get an effort of any note in until the 18th minute when Mkhitaryan’s shot was deflected behind only for a goal kick to be awarded.
In the 21st minute Guendouzi found himself the first recipient of a yellow card for bringing down Thompson somewhat robustly. That would become an omen for later on in the match. It was apparent that the attacking midfielders were rotating positions at will in the hope of pulling Blackpool out of shape, but to little effect until Smith-Rowe’s cross was blocked for a corner which was eventually headed over by Mustafi.
Former Gunner Marc Bola’s hack at Lichsteiner’s ankles was not interestingly deemed worthy of anything other than a free-kick. Lichsteiner got his revenge when he timed a wonderful run into the box to convert Guendouzi’s perfect chip on 33 minutes. You could say he ghosted into the area on Halloween.
The Arsenal 1-0 Blackpool
When Guendouzi’s fierce drive was clearly deflected wide by a defender the referee again awarded Blackpool a goal-kick. Once is careless. Twice in the opening half was plain spooky on this, of all evenings. Delfouneso was next to clatter poor old Lichsteiner and the referee did at least have a word with the offender this time, but no more than that.
Aaron Ramsey almost finished a move he had started but couldn’t control his half volley at the far post from a Maitland-Niles cross from the right flank. The half ended with Thompson finally earning Blackpool’s first yellow card, or did he. On the BBC they said it was Corporal Jenkinson who was on the other side of the pitch!
The second half was 4 minutes old when the lead was doubled. A goal adrift, the Seasiders had a ghost of a chance but Smith-Rowe turned into the exorcist. Another former Gunner, goalkeeper Mark Howard could only palm Jenkinson’s effort from a tight angle to Smith Rowe who finished with an Ozilesque ‘bounce the ball in off the deck’ finish. This was child’s play, surely!
The Arsenal 2-0 Blackpool
Cheers turned to jeers when Guendouzi foolishly tugged gently at Thompson’s sleeve and the Blackpool man tumbled over. For two offences Guendouzi saw two yellow cards and therefore a red. The home crowd vented their frustration but the referees erratic performance was not the sole cause of the young Frenchman’s exclusion. Unai Emery was sufficiently concerned to send Lucas Torreira on for Maitland-Niles who had got some valuable minutes under his belt.
The ten men drove on and Mkhitaryan’s lung-bursting run ended with a shot into the side netting, but Blackpool responded and from a corner O’Connor, unmarked at the far post, headed the Seasiders back into the match. What a nightmare, although at Ashburton Grove and not on Elm Street.
The Arsenal 2-1 Blackpool
We had an even bigger scare when Cech miscontrolled the ball at his feet, his Achilles heel if you will, and Delfouneso netted from a blatantly offside position. What on earth possessed the goalkeeper to do that?
On 72 minutes Smith-Rowe was substituted to a standing ovation by Alex Iwobi. In truth the youngster had a mixed night but that’s how young players develop and he is unquestionably a monster talent in the making. Shortly afterwards the loudest roar of the night greeted the arrival of Pierre Emerick-Aubameyang for Danny Welbeck.
Scared of crosses, Howard was grateful to see his parry of Iwobi’s cross hoofed clear by one of his defenders before the latest substitute could pounce. The scream when Cech next had the ball at his feet was enough to persuade him pump it up the middle.
O’Connor’s despicable lunge on Aubameyang as he carried the ball forward was rightly rewarded with the red card. With six minutes remaining the numbers on each side were evened up. A third tier clogger had a moment to tell his grandchildren about.
Aaron Ramsay’s infamous sixth sense didn’t stop him from running offside as we sought another clincher. Up went the board. Six added minutes. Uncanny. They passed with us largely playing keep-ball but in the background the most foolish ‘ole’ chants I can remember in a while. There was still only one goal in it. It was enough on this fright night.
67 Responses to “The Shining of Guendouzi Cut Short”
Do the Carabao!
Home draw against Spuds. Tasty.
Thanks for the report H. I’ve not seen any of the game which sounds mediocre rather than a horror show. A win is a win. Pity about Gwen’s red in view of our weekend challenge.
I see it’s the Marshdwellers at the Ems in the next round. That should generate a bit more fire.
Thanks for the super quick report ‘holic. That and the live blog from Arseblog kept me up to date on the train.
Bath, Arseblog said that Guendouzi misses next league cup game, not next PL game. Don’t know of that’s true.
I reckon Emery will pick an all out 1st XI against Spurs in the quarters, depending on injuries. Could be a real first season defining game for him.
The game before the quarter final is Southampton away on the Sunday and the game after Burnley at home on the Saturday. The game we can rest people for is the week before, round 6 of the Europa vs Qaraghandy at home. We should have won the group by then.
Almost got a scare and a fright after going ahead by two goals. Fitting for All Hallows’ Eve I suppose. 🙂
Sorry to post three in a row (only cba is allowed to do that) but it seems Arsenal have confirmed that Guendouzi misses Liverpool. Perm any two from Torreira, Ramsey and Xhaka then. Guendouzi would probably only been on the bench anyway.
Cheers H.
Saw parts of the first half and the second. Guendouzi has been a touched with a bit of youthful recklessness since the day he joined. Not a criticism but a sending off was always likely at some stage. If it was going to happen then I would rather it happen against Blackpool. Hopefully another step of progress along his learning curve.
Defensively we seem to look shaky whoever we play and whoever the opposition is. But, another win and a quarter final against the Middlesex Nomads just before Christmas. Should be a hoot.
I failed to see GSD sadly tonight . The game was pretty appalling we can rarely have put out a worse defence. When you assemble the worst side ever we could have this defence with the midfield we played against United in the dog days of George Graham – I think it was McGoldrick, Morrow, Carter and Jensen . I think we got a 0-0 as well. Ned will know!
Cech gave me heart attacks punching against the bar and gifting that chance to Delfounesco . We were very lucky there. Leno is some wa6 ahead of him. Pleguezuelo was tidy but a bit small for a CB. Mustafi did well generally but their header was scored without their lad having to jump just outside the six yard box. Ramsey and Mkhitaryan contributed fitfully and Guendouzi was silly but also a bit unlucky.
The bloke in front of me commented ‘ He needs to get his bleeding hair cut ‘ as if that would contribute to his intelligence level!
Welbeck worked hard and it is interesting how influential Iwobi and Torreira are compared to Ramsey and Mkhi.
Not sure how you you can play six minutes injury time with no injuries but I thought the ref was a prat. There have been better games.
dorset M
oooooooooooo
.
fuckin DEEEELICIOUS
.
that sounded a bit pansy
.
fuck
that sounded
There are new rules on red and yellow cards this season. The yellow card count is now competition specific but red cards remain not. Also in the Carabao Cup, two yellows mean a one match ban (like at the World Cup) with the slate being wiped clean at the quarter final stage, and the rule not applying for the Final, ie, a player who got a yellow in the Quarters and another in the Semi could still play in the Final.
homemade swally is not to be laughed at
lord knows
I keep the noses of the unbelievers
under herself’s leftun’s
on high alert
.
.
.
.
fill in the
ENGLISHBASTARD
nonsense
.
.
i go out
and don’t expect
to have to listen
to it
.
.
.
cunts around here
never
encountered an
IN INVERTED COMMAS
indiscretion
by the British army
.
are of an age when anger should have turned to considered outrage
.
.
OUTRAGE is easy to come by
indeed
it’s formed most of my mates and me
.
.
.
.
the dup
a horrendous sectarian shower
NOW
having clout over proceedings
OVER
you stupid ENGLISHBASTARDS
lest
(i join in with the chuckles)
.
.
.
i’m old
.
.
.
i escaped to Donegal for none of this
but
AAAAAAAAHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH
the anti english rhetoric is AUDIBLE
.
.
so
.
i dunno what shite to swear at
TTG@9: There was a 0-0 at Highbury in November 1994 when out team was
Seaman
Dixon, Adams, Bould, Winterburn
Morrow, Carter, Jensen, McGoldrick
Smith, Wriight.
…….
THE DUP HAVE BEEN UNCOVERED BY THE JOHNNY COME LATELY ENGLISH MASSES AS LESS THAN PROGRESSIVE
YES THEY ARE being ALLOWED TO CALL THE SHOTS WITH THEIR COPPER FASTENED BIGOTRY but
COME ON
if you rabidly support the northern Ireland football team
yet you deny you are in any way Irish
you play in the Irish league
with the etc
YOU ARE COMPLETELY
….
Ned
yer a fuckin stout sensible heart
.
the “border” between
the part of Ireland
that England regrets they
CURRENTLY have to pretend
they own
and
the big bit
that sold thousands of people
of which i’m one
to decades of …..
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
what say you ?
Howard scared of crosses? Rather than a sweeper keeper must be a sweeper vampire then.
wee ciara dropped wean o glassware
back bar today again
and
AS A RESPONSE TO BREXIT TWATTERY
was said ENGLISH BASTARDS ?
cos
that
is the CHAT I get
Nah, vampire keeper sounds better.
How flows the Liffey water, cba?
Cure for the politics that ail ye.
Having said that
.
.
I do not want to diminish
my disgust for your little
bigotry vote
if you as a nation don’t like “ye , know”
I’d be AMAZED
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=P5G3Ffta-ic
howdy 8ball
dublin is as Irish to me as Blackpool
.
.
i have time for no free state fucker
(ye can spot them by their petrified disregard and eau de Wogan )
.
.
yet an all
some of these dormant fuckers
are ERUPTING
.
.
.
.
.
chocolate box accented fannys
.
twould drive you to distraction
and
the majority o those cunts would have a car
.
.
we don’t all sound like arseWogan
we aren’t all as clever as him
indeed some of us lie
about stuff
.
.
.
not about blogs though
BIG ORNAMENTAL fruit
.
.
.
(he’s from dublin //////// yeah )
made millions
ask him what no his house is and stand outside
the fuckin pansy won’t come out for ages
(his wife is kindly though – cheers for the apple squares)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=05GTWKu4uU8
.
.
ps
journalists
.
if anyone of you tired lazy cunts steal my “style”
.
good fuckin luck de ye I m a lidl regular
.
not so ARE you !
.
aldiers
“Wenger will not manage in England again”
A recycled story. Why is this being circulated now?
yeah
politics yeah
politics yeah
an stuff
.
exorbitant arse flute attended
.
.
.
dye fuckin know
i’ve met a load of Canadians
not a single Neil
87/ 4000 albums in QUITE enough
not
a neil
.
.
.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qqsOFvQslms
Thanks for the report Guv.
Through will do in this case, Licht
did well for the first goal I thought.
Pity about the sending off but the
lad is young so allowances made etc
I’ll settle for another 2-1 Pool win
at the weekend.
Make it happen UE.
10 games in and a fair start for UE
– good win ratio, better away form,
forwards scoring, progress in midfield
and above Spuds and Manure.
Plenty of positives in there.
The iffy defence and the poor record
against other top clubs, which are
overlapping issues to me, still remain
but it’s early days yet. The Liverpoo
game seems a big moment in the season
and I feel nervous about the game as it
will influence the mood of the club,
but actually when you look at it
in terms of UE’s reign it’s just another
step even if we don’t win. In a way the
timing isn’t bad, lose and we’re still a
work in progress, win and it’s a great
boost for players and fans.
cba@18: The solution is for England to secede or be expelled from the United Kingdom. The remaining three countries of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland could then strike as accommodating Brexit arrangements with the European Union as they wish, even perhaps cancelling it. The border issue is transferred from Ireland/Northern Ireland to Scotland/England, which would have none of the intractable complications of the Good Friday agreement to resolve. It would probably be a race between the English and the Scots to see who could build a border wall first.
Ah, I get it cba, and concur.
Ned, if only your solution would be adopted. I would get my Scots passport in a flash.
Ned
Many thanks. That is the game I remember. Maybe the secret was the quality of our defence – that’s where the nil conceded came from. That midfield was awful.
Interesting that I thought at the game last night that Cech had punched the ball onto his own bar. It was actually headed by the lad who scored their goal. It suggests we were vulnerable from set pieces . Interested in GSD’s take on the game . Our slow starts are really frustrating
Well that was a wasted night and I don’t mean just the dire match. The 10.42 Gt Northern train left Kings X on time and all was going well until we suddenly came to a halt between Littleport and Downham Market in an area of the fens known as Black Horse Drove. The train had lost power something to do with the overhead lines.
We are a resilient bunch of Gooners and needed to be. To cut a long story short we eventually pulled into King’s Lynn at 02.50 !
As for the game, no one on show could be happy with their performance.
We must hope that the likes of Nacho, Hector and Sokratis are fit for Saturday otherwise we could be in for a very tough watch.
COYR
Here are some notes on the experience last night…
First, non-football related.
I sat with some right muppets. This bar tends to give me a rosy tinted fondness for Gooners everywhere. Last night reminded me we have a perfectly average quota of idiots.
It took the stewards over half an hour after kickoff to get the seating sorted for the row I was in and the one in front. I had to stand up to make way for them, the actual stewards, nearly a full ten times, and as many more for the row in front. Then at half time three people turned up who actually had the tickets for the seats that the stewards had taken up when they mystifyingly moved the entire row along three seats. Those guys were not happy. Of course when they asked a steward to move the people in their seats it was a different one to the two who had originally moved them. Cue another massive faff in a stadium with thousands of empty seats. Pissup. Brewery. Muppets.
It was not helpful for watching the game.
A woman behind me told her fella (and everyone nearby) a long story about her payslips being overtaxed. He prolonged it by asking relevant questions throughout. He seemed genuinely interested. In the second half she favoured us with a story about a rat being trapped in a bin and chewing its way out (including my favourite line of the night, said in full seriousness, “I couldn’t chew my way out of a bin.” Perhaps she could not, but the floor was littered with ears she had chewed off!). The match seemed to be some sort of afterthought to the pair of them. Unless the ball was anywhere near Cech in which case our man paused his questions about automated payroll systems and started banging his drum about how woeful a keeper Cech is and how Leno should always start.
The kid two seat down from me (looked about 18) swore loudly through the match, despite the large amount of young children sitting within spitting distance of him, and had a swiftly aborted go at singing the traditional racist Tottnum chant, which I hope dies out soon.
Two middle aged blokes behind me kept commenting in wonder to each other on how different it looks compared to the TV. (They must not have a plasma like Chris did!)
There was a proper sweet family in front of me, two little kids had never been before, they were loving it (which struck me as quite some achievement!)
When Lolo began giving the Fire safety info on the big screen at half time I thought that was brilliant! Then about half the team pitched in! Danny with his accent telling us to report suspicious activity to the stewards (you get me, fam?). In the event of a fire I would have left immediately, not waited to take a photo. That’s what Mesut told me to do!
Secondly, actual football.
Mustafi is a liability. All he does is chase at the ball like a dog after a stick. When he gets in first, intercepts or wins a header then it looks like powerful, dominant defending. But you will almost never make it through a game without getting this wrong. He has no judgment of when to hold back, when to occupy space rather than just charge at the ball. His footballing brain makes Theo look like DB10. He will always cost you chances, no matter how good he looks when he gets it right. We must get rid of him.
Plezeguelo looked tidy enough but he did not look big or fast for a centre half, and I’m not sure he has enough to overcome his stature given the way the modern game is played. Cannavaro he ain’t.
Jenks tries bless him, but he is not a high enough standard for anything better than Blackpool.
Great to see AMN back on the pitch. He needed the minutes and got through the game well enough.
Guendouzi is a real talent. Worked hard. I only saw the yellows in realtime from distance. They looked a bit soft but no bother. He’ll learn.
Miki is a quality player. But he is lacking end product lately.
Danny works his socks off. He’s not the best player ever but I love Dat Guy.
Torreira is glue. He holds us together.
I like Rambo. But last night was not a performance to have me weeping at losing him.
I assume the League Cup is now a handicap competition. It’s the only explanation I can see for the fact that the ref played an interesting rule in the first half whereby shots deflected by Blackpool players that went by the goal were given as goal kicks, not corners.
I really liked Emery on the touchline. Lots of energy and directions for the players. Without his encouragement I dread to think how slow the game would have been. He was about the only person in the stadium actually paying full attention to the match. Top man.
The game was, frankly, very dull. The crowd were quiet, the team not doing much to lift them. It was good to see ESR score. As Holic noted there was a big cheer for Auba. Danny and AMN got good and well-deserved send offs too.
The atmosphere was positive enough but the whole event felt low-key. Everyone on and off the pitch saving their energy for Liverpool.
GSD, Thanks for the great reports. You covered it all, or close to it I imagine. 🙂
Holic @38, I certainly would NOT take up the option of a Scottish passport under thses circumstances! Have you listened to wee Crankie and her fellow intellectual pygmies?
Delia @40, you are certainly an extremely resilient as well as highly committed Gooner. Hearty congratulations on your grit. Well done. I’m very impressed. Can you play centre back?
GSD @41, superb report sir. Hope to catch up soon.
Great report GSD. We saw very much the same game but I had less idiots around me. It is a real issue in the Carabao although my usual seat was occupied by the Dad of a very nice family.
I agree on all your observations about the players. It was an awful game I can’t imagine how Delia feels getting home after 3 am after that fiasco. I was indoors before 11pm which is a first for me at. 7.45 kick off. Sorry Delia.
The ref really was a dipstick , almost as if Blackpool had picked him from a menu of likely to be favourable refs not afraid to piss off the home crowd . I sit in Row 5 of the Upper Tier. Last night I was in Row 2 and you have a stupendous view from there. I was surprised how much better it was.
Anyway we won and move on to crush the Tiny Totts in the quarters !
GSD – Your night at the Arsenal sounds very much like every bus trip I’ve taken this year.
Apart from the football bits.
‘holic
my mind is mush
not least by the let’s face it english racism
that this whole carry on has created
english racism being the racism against the english
i boringly have to listen to
when i walk in
after what is now freezing conditions
over tiny tracks fields and fuckin such
.
.
lord knows words are important
i throw mine carelessly about
either littlely or bigly realising
their impact and
the complete wrong end of the stick
interpretations people here
(on this renowned political platform)
take of me
.
as an Irish man of a certain age
i was less than happy
with the accents in green costumes
firing lead hither and yon
but
never for one instance did i think
english people as a people
hated me
.
i was CONVINCED they did
?
(cynic that’s a JOKE)
.
.
it’s all GETTING !!!!
and who
front and centre
the democratic unionist party
an ancient history lecture in shit suit form
.
the people
who after recent multi googles
by you lot
have applied more lipstick
and sashayed moredly
.
.
.
the interest recently
in the north of Ireland
by the whole of England
is a long if for the wrong reasons time coming
.
.
the last time was the heroic stories
of people who defiantly
fought in the war between our nations
by pigeon chestly only mentioning
how brave and unbowed they were
by taking a bus they normally didn’t get
and walking for 15 minutes down
roads they didn’t know existed
to get to work
cos
YOU CANT LET THEM WIN
.
.
.
this is a BIG decision
you people made
but
WHADDYA KNOW
it’s more than likely
we here will bear the brunt
.
.
ps
ned – you I like
.
but
by way of being my own stereotype
have a tune
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Xc9w_7OhmwI&fbclid=IwAR1xTRcGi5s1mzxyvsUo1uFldeKaNLzzhkA2qO-Hv8_c-07EWGdkboSLfMs
Getting well bored with this English racist stuff.
Tally ho etc.
and
another
but my shoes although creepy
are not chelsea blue
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wun5Cg-xr-s
indeed cynic
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cvGZDPZuDvo
.
.
.
.
fuckin shut up
twat eejit
professional paddy
i have this
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vGOEUo_sLxY
.
.
so
maybe i’m a BIGGER BETTER GOONER
than
(admittedly all the big hitters – ye have yer daves yer delias yer thunder Ts yer clives yer neds yer trevs yer cynics are barred)
basically the elderly
.
.
ALL BARRED
Delia, The late night breakdown in the wilds of East Anglia brings my sympathy. Better connections next time I hope.
8ball
I absolutely love you
my missus does too
she’s a roomy woman – no stranger to the plough
.
.
i think
in my current mental decline
“Delia won’t like this”
but
d’ye know what
indiscretions are mostly just manifestations
of ions
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=25W_bRYStPk
an accent well known to me
an accent my children insist
on speaking in , eh
ehhhhh uhhhhh etc ye knuuuuuhhhh
fuckin kilt sympathizers
.
.
.
FATHER IS NOT PLEASED
Aidan yer 37
ifuckin know you know
pipe up ya fuck i. N PANSY
The game was not televised here in India, therefore Holic’s report was an even more enjoyable read than usual and he topped it with a few deft Ozilesque touches in keeping with the occasion of Halloween. Thanks Holic.
The win against Blackpool keeps the momentum going. Osaka’s point@36 is spot on regarding the fact that even if we do not succeed against Liverpool on Saturday, it will be seen in context of the ‘process’ under Unai Emery. It is precisely for this reason that I am hoping that the team will play in an uninhibited manner against a big rival – something which became a rarity towards the end of Arsene’s regime. During that phase every single one of these games was almost like a referendum (they’re in fashion in Britain!!) on the legitimacy of Arsenal’s credentials as a big club – a big team & of course the manager’s reign. These added layers seemed to inhibit players in big matches. Now since those shackles don’t apply for the present moment, one hopes that the players will play without hesitation, doubts and of course handbrakes… And whilst it’s true that a loss would be seen and rationalized because of this context, a win would shoot the confidence of the squad through the roof. And it will also make other teams stand up and take notice. It is in transition seasons like this that the aura of a team begins to develop. It is precisely for this reason those sitters missed by Auba and Micki (and to a lesser extent Iwobi) against Chelsea still rankle.
As for the game itself, we need to be cautious about the blitzkrieg of a start Liverpool like to make – the first fifteen minutes of both halves will be crucial defensively. I desperately hope Nacho is fully fit for the game because we will need our attack at full efficiency and that only happens when Nacho and Hector are making overlapping runs on their respective flanks. Another key feature of our games against big teams in recent seasons has been the regret over missed chances in front of goal. Now that we have two very good strikers, one hopes that we would capitalize on whatever chances we get. There aren’t usually too many chances on offer in such games and therefore it is vital to score when they come around. Overall it promises to be a fascinating game and would be a good indicator of where we stand after a dozen odd games under Emery.
Whoever said Mustafi is a liability, double high five and more. It is so obvious and I know I keep reiterating the same but he is among the worst ever we have seen play for us in the last decade, absolutely horrendous.
We won and that’s all that matters about the game which is in a way agreeing that the game itself was boring. Is this among the least priorities for us this season, well a trophy is a trophy and at the moment on to a Q/F, this is our best chance to win a trophy this season. So go for it, Unai.
I know a pool preview is coming up but early thoughts about the game, we won’t win it unless everything falls in place especially the defense. Pool currently have the better team and we are going to line up without our main fullbacks, it is an open invitation to score. Pool won’t change their approach, can we be a bit pragmatic especially in the first half. A 0-0 at halftime will be fantastic and then on knowing how they tire around 60 minutes, we can have a realistic chance, else the script looks written. I just hope we beat those idiots for i am sick and tired with the hype around them, just beat the so and so please Gunners.
Great report GSD. There is no doubt that there is a different atmosphere for league cup games, although I imagine that most ST holders will be back in their seats for the quarter final against the Nomads.
Delia I salute you. I know you travel with fellow Norfolk Gooners but even so your commitment is above and beyond. I take it you go to Kings Cross rather than Finsbury Park to ensure you get a seat. How do you get to KX?
My son is back from Uni for the weekend and we’ll be there tomorrow after some lubrication in the Tolly. Let’s pray for two fit first choice full backs.
It seems Hector, Kola, Nacho and
Sokratis are all being assessed ahead
of the Liverpoo game. Fingers crossed
time.
If Kola and Nacho don’t make it then
I think I’d prefer AMN to Xhosa at left
back.
In the department of little known trivia, Gazidis’ middle name is “Efthinios” according to his Wiki page. Could that be why he is efin’ off to Milan?
Cheers everyone.
Baff. I look forwards to sharing a good bottle of red (I’m still off the beer, barring the occasional pint of the black stuff) My taste buds aren’t sure about this but my weighing scales approve.
Cynic. Mustafi is exactly the sort of defender who could contrive to concede a goalscoring opportunity while on a bus.
I can’t imagine the mess he makes at home. He must be a nightmare. Poor Mrs Mustafi must be some sort of ninja by now, spending half her time in the kitchen avoiding his attempts to elbow her out of the way as he washes his hands first or nicks the cup of coffee she’s just made. I bet she has a whistle she blows to tell him he’s overstepped the mark as usual. It’s the only thing that seems to stop that one-track Tasmanian devil mind of his. When he gets too much to handle I presume she opens the back door and lobs a football out of it, safe in the knowledge that he will chase after it and gleefully try to scythe down any lurking sycamores that get between him and his precious.
Vinay. A question for the ages, and one that will presumably baffle minds greater than those in this bar (cba excepted). How could we possibly find out the answer to such a conundrum?..
Who was it who said that Mustafi is a liability?
It’s hard to double high five someone when you haven’t even worked out who they are.
Thank’s to all who commiserated with my train woes on Wed/Thurs.
Countryman,all our scheduled trains to Kings Lynn don’t stop at Finsbury Park. Depending on the finish time of games and the time of trains home, I either walk back to KX with Kevin, who walks both ways every game or if time is short I use Arsenal tube joining the queue on the Finsbury Park side.
Tomorrow, I will be walking to the Ems via The Hemingford and joining Kevin on the walk back to KX for the 20.42.
I think we must keep everything crossed that those being assessed are fit enough to start but not at the expense of them being out of the game injured for a further lengthy spell. I fear we might have to start with Xhaka and Lichtsteiner at FB neither of whom impressed me down at Selhurst.
I’m going hoping for the best. If we get anything from the game it will be luck or a miracle which secures us the points.
COYR
@60
I meant I’d prefer AMN to Xhaka at left back
not to Xhosa. What with the Zaha/Zola mix-up
(ta for spotting that GSD) last week I’m worried
about whether I should be worried.
I think I’ll just take a Mustafian approach of
blithely ignoring my mistakes and just say I’m
doing well 🙂
Gazidis’ middle name is “Efthinios”
Sounds like a brand of lighter fuel.
OM. ‘Mustafian’. Heh. I’m nicking that.
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