Let's Show Class At City, In More Ways Than One.
Sep 11th, 2009 by 'holic
Apologies are in order. I was not intending to be absent without leave for the entire international break, but things conspired to keep me away. This weekend will not see a glut of ‘holic to make amends either, I’m afraid. I must say though that once again I have enjoyed a break from the game rather than concentrate on the international fixtures.
The weekend trip to Eastlands provides us with one of the most intriguing fixtures of this season. Last season we came back from the November international break to cave in 3-0 to the men in sky blue, and they have certainly strengthened since that day. There is a hope in Manchester that they can break into the top four, but many are being forced to reconsider the view that we might be the side to make way for them.
Both sides are missing players, and I will probably upset a few if I suggest that they will miss Tevez and Robinho more than we will miss Arshavin. Let me immediately confirm I think that the Russian is one of our few proven world-class talents, and his return to fitness is vital to our title challenge this season. However, so far we have impressed with the little dynamo at less than his best. His absence tomorrow should not prevent those that have been on fire from continuing their impressive showing to date.
Of course much will be made of the appearance in blue shirts of Kolo Toure and Adebayor. The defender, a former invincible, will get the recognition his contribution to Arsenal deserves. So too, I suspect, will the fella up front. While Kolo will enjoy grateful applause, the boos are sure to ring out for the man from Togo. I just hope we don’t resort to much worse than that. There is a difference between witty banter, and the sort of drivel spouted by the morons from the other end of Seven Sisters to him in recent years.
Adebayor is scoring goals and has got the faithful behind him. I hope for their sake he has grown up and they will still be singing his praises a couple of years from now. There is no doubt he poses a threat tomorrow, but the ‘holic pound will be plumped on his old sparring partner, Nicklas Bendtner, to score a goal at anytime. William Hill offer 11/4 and I am having some of that.
Now, if you want to know my views after the game, I am afraid you may have to wait until Monday. A busy weekend is in store for me, so I’ll get my next apology in early! ‘Holicdad is coming up from Devon, hopefully in time to share a stream on Saturday afternoon. Life must seem very strange to those of his vintage who would have to go to Highbury every other week to catch a glimpse of the mighty Arsenal.
Have a good one ‘holics. Until Monday, cheers.
15 Responses to “Let's Show Class At City, In More Ways Than One.”
Making my first trip to Eastlands tomorrow and looking forward to it. I feel in confident mood. There is talk of Rosicky being on the bench. What a bonus that will be. Ashavin will be a loss but we can cope.
Looking forward to seeing Kolo but why oh why does Ade keep banging on? I guess it is because he knows he is wrong and feels he has to justify himself. The truth is this. 2 seasons ago he was outstanding. Then he made all sorts of demands and mumblings about a move. He got his contract. Last season he was not half the player he was. Does he not see that?????
It would be nice to see Bendtner play well as he has been promoted in the field so to speak. And if we can knock the ball about in the same fashion as the last time we were in Manchetser then we will not go far wrong.
Keep the faith.
If Arsenal are kicked off the park by MC blame nobody but AW. The Arsenal boss may brand other teams anti soccer but it;s this type of soccer that can win matches. His emphasis on pretty soccer is laudable but he must add steel.
If Arsenal get beaten he shd take 100% responsibility because this anti soccer had happened not last year but from 2003 onwards.
Err; Football…not soccer…Please
So 2003 onwards huh? Following that there was the small matter of the Invincibles, but lets not dwell on that. And go easy on the s word. No and I don’t mean sp*rs.
Welcome back, ‘holic.
COME ON YOU GOONERS!!!!!!!!
It will more dificult to pridict the game becoz every bordy they whant to show his power b/w two teams.i wish the arsenal will grab three points for your information.
Cheers, ‘holic. Have a good one.
(A sneaky brandy for me please)
where can i watch the game?? except ATVO
Wotcha ‘holic
We need to crush this pathetic excuse of a football club today, smash Ade’s big fat head off infact, and send out a message to the rest of the prem –
WE ARE THE ARSENAL
COME ON YOU GUNNERS!!
Travelling back to Britain from Ireland on the ferry (Rosslare to Fishguard), due to sail at 3 pm. The only stream on this seacat will be flying under the vessel at about 30 knots. Oh well.
This is extremely difficult to take. I can say little else other than just how ambitious are those at the very top in Arsenal Football Club to win trophies??
Before the game I think Aw was confident . This is a reality test and the gunners have failed miserably. We all know Ade shd have sent off for that stamp on RVP.Add to the penalty incident and Arsenal will feel hard done. This happens in soccer all the time.
The defence has conceded four goals which is unacceptable for teams aspiring to win honours. Ever since AW became manager, his emphasis is on pretty soccer and flowing soccer and neglected the defence.
I know one defeat ,sorry two now ,does not mean the gunners are out of the race ie the epl . But it can be a mountain to climb.There are still thirty odd matches to play .If the gunners really want to challenge for honours they must go a long unbeaten run similar to previous seasons and win the majority of them Draws are no good.
One final note. The speed of the gunners counter attack is ponderous compared to MC.
If Arsenal are serious about challenging they must increase the speed of the counter attack otherwise thy will be picked off .
Times up Wenger, get on your high horse and take that clown in goals with you.
Paulie: crawl back at Le Grove.
It’s time Arsene stops commenting the French Team’s games, he’s taking too many cues from Domenech… What was he thinking when he substituted Denilson for Rosicki? That Song alone was going to hold the entire midfield while everyone else was only concerned with attacking? And even worse Eudardo for Song? Did he really think that the back four could contain Adebayor and Bellamy on their own?
I don’t mind following Barca’s 4-3-3 tactics but at Barca the 3 midfielders defend and that’s the only way it can work. If Arsene wants to play midfielders who don’t defend, it’s either 4-3-3 when both Song and Denilson are playing or 4-4-2, otherwise we’ll get trashed again, and by minnows this time.
It’s not the end of the world but Arsenal cannot afford too many tactical errors this year.
For me it is not encouraging at all. For once Hansen (on MOTD)summed it up spot on for us. Even when we play well – which we did for 60+ minutes of the game (away from home) yesterday – we still don’t know whether we are going to win. The same cannot be said for the other title contenders. We have to learn to defend better.
Another thing. A team of professional footballers allowed the emotion of the game to affect the way they played. Bendtner, Clichy, Van Persie were all guilty of throwing themselves into tackles they ought not, in pursuing whatever private vendettas with whomever the opposition player (Adebayor in particular). For me that is unacceptable. We have to get on with the important business of winning games. We have the talent but my concern is that we [perhaps??] do not have the brains.