We’ll Get By, With A Little Hleb From Our Friends
Oct 14th, 2010 by 'holic
There are games you look forward to going to because the football is the attraction. When Birmingham City come to town, frankly, I am anticipating a good drink and chat with like-minded Gooners, a lively afternoon of banter with the visitors, and then a bit more food and drink whilst putting the world to rights.
Those who really want to be concerned ahead of the visit of Birmingham City will point at the fact that we have taken just one point from the last nine, and that just about the worst referee possible has been allocated this fixture. Martin Atkinson’s appointment to a game that has had added significance since the infamous clash at St Andrews in February 2008 is a surprise, to say the least, and best left there for now.
This is a fixture in which any strong ‘challenges’ understandably create a little added atmosphere. Last season it was Ridgewell on Walcott at the Grove, and Gardner on Fabregas at St Andrews that raised the blood pressure. Thankfully the latter is suspended this weekend, but we know a midfield containing Ferguson and Bowyer will be ‘combative’. Nothing wrong with that, as long as ‘combative’ does not turn to ‘malicious’.
It has to be said though the strange prototype mutation that McLeish is creating at Birmingham hints at a hybrid of beauty and beast that could prove troublesome if we are as naive and generous defensively as when the Baggies turned up to deservedly plunder the points in our last home outing.
The delicate flower that is Alex Hleb is currently being grafted into the hole between the Blues midfield and lone striker. He will be attempting to use his year on loan from Barcelona to attract the attention of a bigger club, I would imagine, and will doubtless relish the opportunity of putting one over his former club. He knows only too well that would get him noticed.
Like Hleb, Larsson too will be hoping to strike against his former employers. With Jerome a doubt the giant Zigic could deputise, which will provide a significant threat to Arsenal’s central defenders from set pieces. I would be surprised if the visitors did not load up the area around Fabianski for corners and free-kicks.
Under normal circumstances Arsene would have one eye on Tuesday’s trip to Donetsk when selecting his team for Saturday. Given recent form I would suggest he needs to go with the strongest eleven this weekend. The absence of Sagna is balanced by possible returns for Gibbs, Walcott, and Bendtner.
I expect Fabianski to be retained behind a back four of Eboue, Koscielny, Squillaci, and Clichy. The latter needs a performance with Gibbs back in the fold. For me, in the likely continued absence of the skipper I would partner Wilshere and Song behind Nasri. (Yes, Mr Song, behind. Sit deep please). Rosicky, Chamakh, and Arshavin would be my front three, with Walcott and Bendtner being brought closer to match-fitness from the bench as we press home our advantage.
The ‘holic pound has to be based on a belief that we will not go a fourth consecutive league contest without a victory. Any triumph will have to be earned as first we have to match the visitors physically before letting the fluid passing game to take over. I can’t see us keeping a clean sheet, but I do fancy us to win with a bit of a late flourish.
Sometimes the ‘holic pound is aimed at something fanciful. This is one such game. Punters in the ground can get 66/1 with Ladbrokes on a 4-2 home win. I’m strangely drawn to it, and must remember to allow myself an extra five minutes to get in the ground and place that wager before taking up position in Block 32.
As you may have worked out I have an extremely busy weekend, hence the Thursday preview. A dinner out on Friday, Arsenal on Saturday, and a celebration lunch on Sunday means I don’t have a clue when my take on the game will appear. Perhaps it will be a drunken ramble very late on Saturday. We’ll see.
As always, can I wish all ‘holics a great weekend, and thank Chippy and Clive once again for helping me to populate the blog during this last ghastly international break. And to all my friends from Brum, who love to share their views with me when this game comes around, KRO, preferably pointless to the end of the M6 on Saturday evening.
117 Responses to “We’ll Get By, With A Little Hleb From Our Friends”
first?
Hey! Block 3 this week for me ‘holic.
Regarding the holic pound… I wish to inform all and sundry that I am taking a frequent visitor to the Grove with me… and he has NEVER seen any other live result than a 3 – 0 home win.
We have cleaned up on this last season on the Newcastle matches lol
It’s as good as free beer in my book lads lol 🙂
Holic, how is it that every time I post this you come up with a new post 🙂 ?
Anyway, my preference for this weekend is to have Nasri out wide and Rosicky in the middle, here is why (as written in the previous post).
BT8BBNN, TS – I’ll copy my comment from the last post – It was right when Holic posted this so no one really took note of it… But that’s what I think we have when we miss Cesc.
Am I the only one who thinks that without Cesc we don’t have a killer passer in our team that could have passed a killer pass to Chamakh vs. Chelsea?
Nasri is good but not there yet. I don’t see him fulfilling his potential in that area this season. It was the same against Liverpool, we had tons of possession, crossed a whole lot (Sagna and Clichy HAVE to improve on that) but never got our attacking force in on goal against Reina or Cech.
THAT is the reason we rely on Cesc.
BT8BBNN – The 2 times it was a bit hard on Nasri to be in the Cesc role (Anfield, Bridge) cause of stiff defence, we barely got a dangerous shot on goal. On the other hand Rosicky set up Reina’s equalizer and almost Chamakh’s equalizer at the Bridge, even though it was from the flank on both occasions, it was the freedom he got to wander around the pitch.
Nasri disappoints me in regards to his killer passing. We need that when we don’t have Cesc and are up against stiff opposition, meaning we HAVE to get Cesc healthy for City, otherwise it’ll be controlling possession again for nothing.
I dont see Hleb doing anything that can harm us, it is going to be a victory, i would want the the first 11 to do the job and having not to use Walcott and Nicky, lets not rush any of our players coming back from injuries, the squad present is decent enough to get a victory at home.
By the way things look good when you see Robin, Cesc and Thomas to return soon as well to partner Kieran, Manuel, Nicky and Theo. 🙂 and a November return for Aaron as well 🙂
I’m going for a 3-0 Victory, Arshavin, Nasri and Eboue on the score sheet !
Arsenal.
Evenin Holic, nice work there fella.
This game ought to see the team properly “pumped up” unlike the WBA game!
I cannot stand McCliesh, he is a dinosaur, like Pulis and Alladyce and hides behind that “its a man’s game”… “if we take tacklin out of the game we will lose that Britishness…” bollocks!
We need to win, 1st and foremost and I am sure we will. Although I would start Gibbs over Clichy for 2 reasons; Clichy has played 2 full games this week while Gibbs has had a rest and secondly, Gibbs is better defensively at the moment for me. And eventually young Keiran will be 1st choice anyways.
Would be good to see Bendtner come on and score a goal or 2 as well against his former (loanee) club too.
Having that clueless fool Atkinson as our ref is a worry though. God let him have 1 decent game!
Gin & tonic please, coz I am feelin supersonic.
‘holic strikes a nice blend of optimistic yet realistic here. I suggest he does not really believe in this team (squad) yet does not want to be a doom monger. The responsibilities of a popular blog.
We could take Brum to the cleaners. no doubt, or we could do another WBA. Depends whether this lot fancy it. It’s no longer do or die like it was in the Adams years.
Ha! Damned with faint praise there holic.
And telling you what you really think to boot, result!
To be honest it is a fair point, Mug. I have been a lot more bullish than this, but I do have concerns about that defence if we see challenges ahead of them let go, and any silly free-kicks given against us in our half.
Defenders have to be smart and stay on their feet and not give Atkinson the opportunities to cock up. He really is key to the shape of the game in the first hour at least.
Having said that I have no doubt about our ability to outscore them, and Theo for the last half hour against tiring legs could be important.
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Telling? Suggesting. There is a difference. That’s my interpretation. I could be wrong.
All that is apparent to me is I don’t see the heart and desire from the current bunch we used to see. Perhaps others do – or is any criticism heretic?
Sorry just seen ‘holic’s response after posting mine.
Aside from our defensive frailties, Atkinson is a major worry. Why was he given this game?
Holic; The WBA game has certainly put a bit of doubt in my mind towards the game that wouldnt have been there otherwise. Still dont get how the team could go into a game with such a blaise attitude?
But IF they was an anomoly then thats all good. I think people have lselective memories and fail to recall poor performances from past teams. Even United in their pomp had bad days at the office and I mean, really bad days!
jeckyll you are entitled to criticise, I was at the wigan last season! Now THAT was a fucking car crash that took me weeks to get over.
But i was also at the stoke game at the brittania where the team showed real desire and balls. And they scored numerous late late goals to comeback and win/draw games that showed to me they have the desire. Its the consinstency that has been lacking as well as lapses in concentration.
I think nasri and wilshere have been our best players so far and chamakh has been excellent too, he works his nuts off. Its a shame Theo got injured as he was really showing an eye for goal. Hopefully he can get that back.
Jekyll, you are more than welcome to disagree as long as you are explaining your point, which you are, and not flaming ‘holics of a different persuasion, which you’re not.
Most around here sing from the Arsenal hymnbook, but really do have quite major differences about some things. That is healthy and good.
I remember the Stoke game and feeling like all criticism must now be left aside – it is time to get foursquare behind the team for the run in. But then we had the Wigan game. And before that, a team that seemed to think the season was over once Barca knocked us out of the CL.
Agree Nasri and Wilshire are stars this season. Nasri against WBA was Fabregasesque. Put the others to shame.
Anyway nice to comment here and get comments back. Joined the Junior Gunners back in ’83 and nice to see a site where the support goes way back before that.
I’ll bet you love the players in 83 and 84 a lot more than us grizzlies too 🙂
Same with me and my sixties idols…
Yes, I remember Charlie joining in ’83 and being convinced this is it, we are going to win the league!
Also, being on the North Bank when Charlie scored the winner against Man U with 10 mins to go in George’s 1st game in charge, August ’86. The whole North Bank singing “Who put the ball in Man U’s net, Charlie, Charlie…” What a moment.
I’m winging my way over for the Birmingham game. As a bonus, I’ll still be in London for Eduardo’s visit with Shaktar and I’m really looking forward to both with a nod to the irony of another Eduardo-Birmingham association.
Before the West Brom game, I pencilled “home win” in my forecasts column and was perplexed, to say the least, to find myself in 91/33 with the Gunners 0-3 after sixty. I have “home win” firmly in mind against the Bluenoses and I’m desperately hoping to avoid déjà-vu “all over again” in two regards; 1) a home defeat and 2) Arsenal playing like a wet fish without a spine or a flipper. That can’t happen again, surely?
What can you say about Birmingham? Not much! The team from the Second City largely suffers from the second city blues when we play them. It’s tough to get overly excited about a hometown that ranks Jasper Carrot as one of its finest exports; or the only city in England with a Bull Ring, but without a little white bull and no Matador in sight.
For those of a musical bent, a nod to melodies of the Moody Blues, the electricity of the Light Orchestra and the metal of Priest and Sabbath is appropriate. Just as Duran Duran’s warbles are forever forgettable – sorry to even mention them!
Once upon a time we’d have been able to play for hours over auto-industry puns and similes, “wouldn’t we, Austin?” “Yes we would, Morris”. We might find ourselves sNorton over a Gunners Triumph, or popping our Buttons over another Jensen victory, or pondering over the prospect of Birmingham’s play being more ponderous than a Longbridge production line. But these days have Maxi-d out and are the Mini-mum of interest for all but cobwebbed classics like me, Holic and Clive.
Then again, we could have had a wee hooch over the Scottish connection. Their team song is Harry Lauder’s “Keep Right On To The End Of The Road” and they play at St Andrews, after all. But that Whisky swamp is dryer than a dead dormouse’s dick in the height of a Heeland heatwave. Okay, they’ve got McLeish (and not the Stones favourite gay subject, “Hey you, Get Off of McLeod”), McFadden and V-sign Ferguson. What Scot worth his haggis could get his juices distilling like amber beads over that trio?
So, probably, all we’re left with for comment is Alexander Hleb. And that’s not much. He who didn’t like the hustle and bustle and regular rain of London life so swapped it for a life of tranquility and constant sunshine in the Black Country. Go figure. Inside that spaghetti junction-like logic there’s Belorussian intelligence well hidden.
It will be funny for Hleb, I’m sure, to face the TTT of Fabregas, Denilson and Song (who, I have a hunch, will start) and find he that doesn’t get a kick of the ball. I enjoyed him when he played for us, but these days, think of him as something of a non-event. It’s difficult to imagine him prompting too many “boos” from Gooners disgruntled by his departure. We bought Nasri with the money he returned, after all. Maybe we should all applaud him loudly for that and sing?
Thanks for Going,
Thanks for Going,
Thanks for Going, Alex Hleb
……………Thanks for Going, Alex Hleb
I think we’ll win it by three clear goals. I’m hoping that Fabianski, the Pole between the poles enjoys a clean sheet and goes on from that to become an Arsenal goalkeeping legend. Will Andrei have a good hair day or bad? I’m hoping he’s lacquered and tinted and totally coiffured up, not limp and mousy. It’s time I saw his dryer blow hot rather than cold, I don’t want to have to get curly and mullet over a Russian perm-afrost after the game.
Enjoy it, ‘Holics. If you’re in 91/33 – I’ll be wearing my new Van Persie top – in the forlorn hope that I will, one day, in the not too distant future, see the great Robin grace the green green grass of home. If not, I’ll enjoy the brazilian girls and pass them your regards.
Hot toddy please, barman. My intelligence tells me you won’t be anywhere near N5. Correct? Or has management relaxed her position?
Am I the only one that finds it ironic that “Bergkamp’s The Man” is flying over? Bet that’s been done before, sorry…
I will indeed be there my good man. (Read the piece next time 😉 )
If you know my usual watering hole it would be a pleasure to buy you a pint, BtM. The management relented as i am buying her dinner on Friday and lunch on Sunday!
Funnily enough I toyed with the idea of arranging this preview around a Carrot theme. Next time perhaps.
Hope to see you Saturday, with an armful of Braziliant lasses 🙂
Heh, good work Jekyll 🙂
Lovely post there ‘holic that pretty much nails my feelings about this game. The point about Zigic especially – He’s a feckin’ giant that lad and it’ll be interesting to see if Koscielny manages to win all his headers when going up against him!
Hleb might be keen to perform against his former employers but I can’t say I’m worried about this particular former player scoring against us, he’s hardly a clinical scorer from midfield. His point about not being utilised properly in their midfield has some truth to it too and perhaps their direct style of play will mean that his chances to put killer balls through will be limited.
Here’s hoping it’s a 3 pointer for us regardless of how it comes.
White Russian for me please bar keep, and keep ’em coming. Don’t let me see the bottom of the glass!! 😉
That opening paragraph wasn’t 100% persuasive. It was worded in a fashion that left reasonable cause for doubt, ‘holic……..GULP… just re-read the second last para. Mea Culpa. It’s been a long day.
I’m bringing a literary friend with me on Saturday. First Arsenal game since 1978. (What!). Drop me a note on pre-match location and it will be my great pleasure to treat you to a hearty dose of Scottish hospitality (i.e. YES, I’d love you to buy me a pint).
From a Gooner 5000 miles away. Have a great time at the match! I’ve never even been to a match so I really mean that but Ill be getting up at 6am to watch it. I really believe we will keep a clean sheet this week. I read Birmingham have only scored 1 in their last 4. 2-0 to the Arsenal for me.
Snir – is my memory going, or have I read that three times now ?
Anyway old chap, where do you think Rosicky should play on Saturday ?
Hussain – did you really say our players should not RUSH back from injury ? Have I been missing something ?
BtM – i’ll be in 91 on Saturday, and keeping a very keen eye out for lovely Brazilians.
Has Cesc’s hamstring been the longest precautionary injury in the history of the game ?
Alex Hleb, the man for whom the new stat of “pre-assist” had to be invented. Didn’t like the noise, traffic, crowded city, weather – he had to go – much too Bolshy for us.
4 – 1 for me, the “1” purely ‘cos of inevitable keeper-flap.
Come on REDS !!!
Zigic is exactly the kind of player who sticks one past us at the worst possible time, so you’re right to say so. Other than that, all I can say right now is God Bless the Return of the Holic Pound!
You have Trev – but you know every time I write it, Holic comes up with a new post and nobody ever goes to second post once a new one has been posted 🙂
Anyway, In my opinion, it should be Rosicky in the Cesc role and Nasri on the wing and not the other way around.
I know Nasri has asked to play in the middle, but he played there a lot this year in Cesc’s absence and hasn’t produced any killer pass that a playmaker is expected to produce against Liverpool or Chelsea.
Let Rosicky have a try in the Cesc role, that’s where he made his name, that’s where he played when AW decided to buy him.
Holic, I’ve already had one too many so nothing for me.
Yesterday’s man, Hleb will be loving the 5 mins of fame the red tops will give him as he cry’s over spilt milk this W/E. I hope he runs himself ragged trying to make an impression in front of the world’s media, but ultimately ends up doing nothing. He thinks he is better than Birmingham, but since they were the only ones willing to take him – obviously this is not true.
I still remember how Hleb gave interview after interview about happy he was to be leaving Arsenal for bigger and better things. He thought nothing of Arsenal fans and the investment by Wenger.
Snir,
Rosicky is fantastic but almost like Hleb is not likely to score in a blue moon, and Nasri brings more of that threat. But I grant you Rosicky is a great passer and increases the team’s fluidity so I have no problem with giving him his shot in the Cesc role. If the team is up for the challenge either one of them should be able to do the job.
Trev,
For some reason, 91/33 and downwards is the first part of the ground to sell out now. Something about organ stops, I’m told. Closest I could get for the Brummies was 123/22 and 134 for Shaktar.
Should you happen to see any fine young things from down Ipanima way, give them my best please.
Bt8BBNN – Although you’re right about Rosicky’s scoring ability, I’d rather have him in the Cesc role and get Chamakh/Right Winger (whoever that may be)/Arshavin in on the goalkeeper rather than having Nasri there just cause of his scoring threat.
It’s O.K against lesser teams, but when we face Chelsea and Liverpool without Cesc and Nasri doesn’t pass that killer pass we barely get dangerous opportunities (you could see the change in the last 20 minutes Rosicky played at Anfield, the team looked a lot more dangerous all of a sudden) on goal.
Trev, posting pictures of Brasileiras is your weekly assignment.
Damn I can’t sleep getting excited that REAL football is coming my way again!
Hleb (he who cuts inside gracefully but will not shoot under any circumstances) will get a polite round of applause IMO, no more, no less.
I preferred the work rate of the flamster if i’m going to reminise.
Just want the team news to add extra spring to my heels today!
Morning All,
Now don’t laugh and I hope this dosent come back and bite me on the Arse but zigic in the air is no great threat, For a big lad he’s pretty woeful at attacking crosses, In fact I’m sure I read a Mcleish article where he said it was a surprisingly weak part of his game due in part to his many years spent in Spain and that they were having to work on it, Id be more concerned about us tracking the midfield runners as bowyer and Gardner both attack from deep and as we all know we do switch of but saying all that I’m confident enough to go 3.1, This is a must 3 points mind. Good to have you back Holic 😉
Up The Arse.
I hope that we don’t see any of ‘those’ tackles. The apologists have been hard at work this week with the same old excuses. I accept that in all probability no player deliberately sets out to break another players leg but some of them do like to; ‘Let him know your there’, ‘Give him a kick early doors’ ‘Get in his face and see if he fancies it’. It’s even been known that some referees let defenders ‘Have a free one’ early on before getting out the yellow card. In my view non of this has anything to do with good football, it is the resort of the untallented and crude. Tackling is a skill just as much as dribbling and passing are skills and someone skilled in the art of tackling will not give away many free kicks or cause serious injuries to other players.
There will always be mistakes of course and mistimed challenges but these are not what is being talked about. What is being discussed and highlighted by Danny Murphy are the downright wild and dangerous tackles made when the defender knows that his chances of winning the ball cleanly are almost nil and with no regard for the likely effect on the other player. This in my view is unforgiveable and it is up to managers, referees and the football authorities to stamp it out.
A clean sheet on Saturday would be nice – two nil to The Arsenal.
i’m backing a 5-0 this weekend, purely because that was the score of my 1st ever game (v red star belgrade, testimonial 1976), and this will be my sons 1st game at the same age (8).
So there.
Trev – I most certainly say that we should not be rushing any of our players back from the injuries anymore, we have learnt our lessons, havent we ?
Let them regain full fitness and then bring them on.
Nasri Rosicky Arshavin Wilshere Chamakh are good enough to help us to a victory, arent they ?
BtM – Another Excellent write Sir, hope you Gunners have fun at the Emirates tomorrow
Arsenal!
Have to agree with Duttlenheim on the 2-0 scoreline. Being another gooner from 5000 miles away I may be wrong due to lack of insider information but we could use a clean sheet for the sheer serenity of it.
Duttlenheim, another thing we have in common is never having been to an Arsenal match. The closest I came was a summertime walk around Highbury in 1978. It was a midweek morning when I asked the ticket attendant at the Earl’s Court tube station (near my hotel) for a return ticket to Arsenal and he smiled knowingly. When I got off the train at Arsenal I walked up one side of the old stadium along dead quiet streets and then circled the ground of course wishing I had been able to time my trip during the season but being a student it wasn’t possible due to my classes. A few years ago I returned to London with my wife but not having planned the trip around an Arsenal game just checked to see what matches could be attended the Saturday during our stay and it turned out to be Fulham “home” at the QPR ground to Fat Sam’s Bolton team which went ahead in the first half before Steed Malbranque sparked an excellent comeback 2-1 Fulham win in my only top-flight game attended in England. During the 1978 trip I managed to attend Hibs-Aberdeen in Edinburgh which had a great and highly exotic atmosphere for a 19 year old California boy, but I’m still aspiring to attend my first time at Arsenal and one of these years I’ll make it!
Nice one matt p. Hope the youngester has a great day.
See you manana ‘holic, get yer drinking head on, and dont forget my ticket!
More greetings to matt p.’s 8 year old approaching the big day.
Holic/BTM
As 2 of the 3 old dinasours from the 60’s,
You will both be as saddened as i was,to hear of Malcolm Allison’s passing today aged 83.
Another great coach from our era,gone to the big pitch in the sky.
Not many left now,
What a breath of fresh air big Mal was,turned Man City into a championship winning side that played football the way it should be played.
Some great players,
Colin Bell/Mike Summerbee/Franny Lee/Tony Book,to name a few,it was a pleasure to have them at Highbury during those years.
There is going to be a commemoration of his life before our match at City next week,which is entirely appropriate as we also play football the way it should be played
Vale Big Mal.
thank you for the kind words chaps, I just hope the stench from the blackstock arms bogs doesn’t put him off before the game even starts!!
See you at the Tollie tomorrow, Senor ‘holic!
Quite right Clive. I must be another old fogey because I clearly remember Malcolm Alison and his Fedora hat. A great coach who was very good at improving an individual players performance. His teams also played football the way it is meant to be played.
In his book Bobby Moore said that Malcolm Alison gave him one of the best bits of advice he ever received when he told him to always carry the thought in his mind – ‘If I get the ball now, what am I going to do with it?’ Magic!
What i like about your posts holic, is that when one reads them,i get the feeling that you are addressing us if were actually in room of some description with you, rather than on an internet forum.
You have mastered that knack.Well done.
By the way any concrete news on Vermaelen,who initially was only going to be out for two games.I believe it is an achilles problem.No definite news on the official website…..anybody.
Good afternoon ‘Holic & ‘Holics
Some great interchange going on in The Drinks, all good stuff.
Just heard that Kos is out with a back injury. That means a back 5 of Flap, Eboue, Squill, Djourou & Clichy (or Gibbs?). How de we all feel about that?
I’m still going for a decent home win. I said 4-1 yesterday, I’m now thinking the ‘Holic pound is a more likley outcome at 4-2. The old 1-0 would be just fine just so long as we secure the required 3 points.
To all those going tomorrow, have a great day! I have my fingers and toes crossed for a Northbank ticket to welcome home Eddy on Tuesday night. Apparently there’s a decent chance El Capitano will have sufficiently relaxed his hamstrings in time for that too. I’ll go for 4-1 for that game too and we all know who will get a goal for The Ukranians. So long as we’re 4-0 up at the time, I’d even give him a (tearful) cheer.
Barman? Early liveners for all please. I have a pass-out from my own management tonight and expect to consume some half-decent nosh and too much alcohol so might as well start as I mean to go on 🙂
Cheers all!
@BT8BBNN # 38
Well said – do you think we can do it with the above Back 5? Would be great if we could…
@ BtM
Do your Brazillian friends go to CL matches as well?
Safe journey Old Bean 😉
Back from the International hibernation Holics…
Good piece Holic and thanks to Clive and Chippy great reads!
It’s rather strange to find out that Cesc is still short he was confirmed fit last Tuesday I believe on his twitter account? So what happened to him now?
We need to make amends at home tomorrow no questions asked.
4:2 sounds like a good plan too…..
Thank God real footy is back, come on you rip roaring free scoring Gooners!!!
Arthur
He did say that. Who knows what’s happened in between but we know he’s not playing tomorrow.
There must be several conspiracy theories circulating already.
My guess is that AW’s being cautious because it’s a recurring injury/issue with Cesc and that he’s being given every chance to come back in a shape that won’t mean he gets the same injury a game or two later…. but what I know….
Cheers!
…. but what would I know?….
… is what I meant to type…. bugger
True Storey
We all know Cesc hamstring is a recurring issue that is the only reason why he’s not involved tomorrow.
Verminator is 10 days away according to Arsene.
We have Nikki and Thoe back in the squad which is fantastic news, I also hope once Van Persie is back he will stay fit touch wood! 🙂
Arthur
Wouldn’t that be great? You’ve got to be an optimist to hope for a l-o-n-g run with both RVP & Cesc present week-in and week-out.
And let’s not forget the availability of Gibbs too – he’ll keep Clichy honest which is good for all.
Join me in a toast to full squads and few/minor injuries to our key players for the rest of the season?
Barman? Whatever ATG wants and I’ll have the same, ta!
Pint of Star please Barman and one for TS 🙂
TS, a clean sheet is probably no more unlikely if Djourou relaces Koscielny in our lineup. Although I haven’t seen much of Djourou recently and know he needs games to be most effective, I am a fan of his based on the way he was playing season before last. Also, he will feel less pressure since his selection is forced upon Wenger by injury. Sometimes clean sheets appear when you least expect them so we can definitely hope for one.
Isn’t Tuesday’s game at home?
Hussain @ 37 – just employing a touch of irony in my comment. Our players already seem to be out far longer than those of other clubs with apparantly similar injuries.
Any truth in the rumour that someone sang a particularly shrill note in the showers this morning, and RvP’s entire glass leg shattered into small pieces.
bt8bbnn @ 32 – re pictures of Brasileiras. If I see any pretty Brazilians tomorrow I’ll whip my telephoto zoom out and see what I can do.
@ behind the 8 ball ….. I’ve never been to any match period. Not Arsenal, not Fulham, not Hibs, not even 8 year old kids in the park. You must be asking why I even follow football. Well, I started in a way many people become a fan of something. I won money on it! I was in Las Vegas the day of the 1998 WC Final and bet $100 on France to win $300. I thoroughly enjoyed the match and collecting $400 after the match. Lilian Thuram was my first favorite player. I started following club football sparingly, watching UCL on ESPN, but didn’t have any club affiliation until that fateful Wednesday in May 2006. I was living in Manhattan at the time and on my way to an afternoon appointment for work. Walking down McDougall St., I heard a huge roar from inside a bar I was passing. I thought to myself “what sporting event could generate that much noise at 3 in the afternoon on a Wednesday” so I decided to take a peek. What I found was Sol Campbell scoring in the UCL final and I completely forgot it was on! I had watched Liverpool – Milan the year prior and didn’t want to miss this one. Appointment cancelled and cue me getting wasted deep into the night with a bar full of Gooners. Such a great bunch of people and honestly one of the more crazy nights I had my entire 9 years in NYC ( and there were plenty ). I’m Arsenal til I die since that day. I haven’t even watched the last 3 Superbowls and I used to be a diehard NFL guy. Even my email represents Arsenal. Duttlenheim is the name of the first club that Arsene Wenger played for as a 16 year old. LOL I hope to see my first match next season on my honeymoon. The future wife ain’t too thrilled but she gets the boot before the Gunners do 😉
The optimistic feel at the bar tonight is very contagious although I’d caution against complacency. Alex McLeish is a very fine manager and the current table does not reflect the true danger that Brum represents. We know perfectly well by now that we, like the players, should take no result for granted.
While the return of our most influential forward of the early season imho (Walcott) and our great Dane are undoubtly excellent news, it would be totally unreasonable to expect them to perform at their best straight away and in all likelihood we will field the same unbalanced team that we have recently, with some key players having had demanding international games.
At this point any win would be a great result.
GO GUNNERS GO!
And let’s not forget to wish all the best to WBA and Villa. They can do it!
Trev @58. False rumour. It was his chocolate leg in the sauna…
Norfolk Dumpling @ 45,
Welcome to the Old Dinasours club.!!
Was at the corresponding game at the Grove last season in one of my jaunts “dahn Sarf” – will gladly take the same scoreline tomorrow, although it would be helpful if Fabianski did NOT flap at a cross the way I seem to remember young Mannone did last season!
Interlull is over whatever happens, so be thankful.
A pint of the blackstuff, Guvnor.
2 bid games in 4 days. About bloody time. I have been bored out of my tiny mind. It is only the comedy at Liverpool that has kept me going. The latest on Sky was interesting. Their new owners wants a few name changes. To reflect the American feel their name will now be changed to the Hub Cap Stealers. I am also told that the new ground when complete will be called the San Giro.
Back to Brum. I feel very strange about the match. Got the opportunity to take my 6 year old with me this time as my regular buddy is working. That is always good fun. However, I look at the back four and I just do not feel that they have a clean sheet in them. Especially with our keeper situation. I hope the balance of the side is better. I do want to see Denilson in the starting line up. I want to see Song remember where he should be playing. I want to see pace and invention. I want to see the Brum rough stuff not get a mention because quite frankly they do not get anywhere near us. I also want to see Nasri start in the middle. I feel the lad has earned that. Cesc, Theo and Nic on the bench just in case or for the cameo. That will do me.
Hopefully by the time that Saturday evening comes along we will be back on track.
Keep the faith…….
Victory tomorrow should cheer everyone up immeasurably. Video of Brazilian girls dancing after a Denilson goal should send us all crazy. We seem to need both desperately.
Just as surprising as Cesc’s nonappearance is ‘holic not laying a wager on the player most likely to score first, which must be Chamakh for me.
I like young jack to open his account
Morning all,
Lift to the station in ten. Full day ahead. Looking forward to meeting a couple of ‘holics for the first time today. Warned the management I may be late back 🙂
BT8BBNN – while they’re never reticent to doff their tops for a marmarian swing show in sync with the sound of samba rhythms up there in 91/33 land; all of the Brazilian girls have become a little shy at the first sign of a video camera on previous occasions.
I did try to capture Sylvia adjusting the green, yellow, red and white garter belt with “Denilson’s My Boy” stenciled on it at the top of her thigh, right beside her “Abandon Hope All Ye Who Enter Here” tattoo, at the West Brom game, but came unstuck when Stella, Estavelle and Denise caught me in a cleavage headlock. Painful, but, to some degree, pleasurable at the same time.
I’ll do my best today to capture the girls reaction when Deni scores the first. He’s definitely due a start and in Cesc’s absence, I see the TTT being modified to the TTTMCBWNA…..yes, you’ve already figured it out….the Triple Triumvirate of Triumph Minus Cesc But With Nasri Added, today.
Just about to don my new Number 10 and potter up to to Highbury and Islington. Holic’s promised to buy me a pint, so I plan to get up there early and sit gasping with my tongue out until he arrives.
Be back with some comments and hopefully a video clip of the girls tomorrow.
You have mail, BtM 😉
I am horribly nervous about today. I have to say I feel optimistic, but nervous as hell nonetheless.
Please win, Arsenal!
BtM, Marmarian swing show is on my virtual scheduler in the appropriate colors. Chamakh to score first and Denilson SECOND.
Lars, optimistic and nervous is an uncomfortable combination. How about a round of Guinness?
What’s the dig at Alexander Song all about? He was really good last year, one of your better performers. He’s really grown into the role of a holding midfielder, is strong, tackles well and positionally is usually spot on. I’ll put his red card against Sunderland that effectively cost you two points down to his youthfulness….
I think Koscielny is injured by the way, so perhaps Djourou will play? You don’t have many options at centre back really do you?! If Djourou’s not fit (he usually isn’t) then Song might even have to play there. Arsene does like his ball-playing defenders.
http://www.footballfarrago.com
What’s the dig at Alexander Song all about? He was really good last year, one of your better performers. He’s really grown into the role of a holding midfielder, is strong, tackles well and positionally is usually spot on. I’ll put his red card against Sunderland that effectively cost you two points down to his youthfulness….
I think Koscielny is injured by the way, so perhaps Djourou will play? You don’t have many options at centre back really do you?! If Djourou’s not fit (he usually isn’t) then Song might even have to play there. Arsene does like his ball-playing defenders.
@Steve T – ‘two big game in four days’… really? big games?
Fabianski, Eboue, Squillaci, Djourou, Clichy, Song, Diaby, Nasri, Wilshere, Arshavin, Chamakh
Subs: Szczesny, Rosicky, Vela, Walcott, Denilson, Gibbs, Bendtner
Teams are in and it looks down to Diaby to make the Brasileiras dance unless Denilson can get on as a substitute, or maybe they can get excited about little Jack?
What are they playing at???
Afternoon All!
1-1,
B’Ham getting p*ssed off,
The crowd getting heated and behind our boys,
Another “classic” Atkinson performance,
Come on you Mighty Reds!!!!!
Just finished watching the first half on TV with the commentator a self-admitted former Birmingham City player and manager who says he is trying to be impartial but his continued rant against Arsenal is impossible to take so I’ll watch the 2nd half with sound off. Djourou should have been much closer to Zigic on their goal but I though Squillaci’s goal was unfairly disallowed. Chamakh definitely was fouled in the box and that is a penalty despite what the Birmingham City announcer keeps ranting on about.
@ BT8BBNN
Well, no cleansheet after all but if we get our act together in the second half we can surely go to win by a few goals.
4-1 is still possible but looking unlikely.
Come on Asrenal !!!
@79 BTM
couldnt agree more sir fuckin cunt he is
2-1!!! Yee haaaar!!!
Tough game we have to admit and I think Wilshere deserved a red there it was was a clumsy tackle, the good thing is he’s young and he will learn.
behind the 8 ball but not nasri
Great Win Holics nothing else to add here, those two commentators were trully awful, they can fuck off…..
Come on you REDS!!!!!!
A drink for everyone in the bar on me:)
we scraped thru – it all counts in the end
good news following an excellent game JW can have a rest next weekend following a dangerous tackle which spoilt what was otherwise a great personal performance
Abu had a good game, but its the last pass which lets him down
bring on Eduardo
Have to give it to him again Fabianski had a good game!
Well done Fabianski. Diaby the good appears again just to confuse us….! Man U chucked away a goal lead….not a bad day thus far…..
Lots of excellent performances in the 2nd half particularly but I thought Diaby, Chamakh and Song were immense all game, and Wilshere really picked it up in the 2nd half. Rosicky contributed loads more than Arshavin, the man he replaced. Fabianski is doing a job for us too. Just the kind of win that seems bigger than the 3 points we might have gotten with a lazy 4-1 stroll in the park. Victory is sweet even if achieved without the promised Denilson goal. Will be waiting on Brasileiras video however.
3 pts and the mancs have dropped 2 – nice start to the weekend 😉
Now then Villa,,,,,
I dont think it was a dive as everyone (pundits + rivals are making it out to be. There was definite contact and no exaggeration.
3 points and that is about it. Waiting for the train home and there are many that feel we need to do a lot more. We still play far too narrow for me and that is what gives us problems. Diaby is an enigma. Give him the brain me cesc and if will be world class. Fabianski was the rock of a shakey defense. Never ever thought i would say that.
Chamakh is a sort of Eboue while falling down, he always exaggerates, when there is contact and when there is not. I think there was no contact but I don’t really care, we got the 3 points, and if they really want to complain then point them to the disallowed goal, Squilacci was onside.
How on earth did Fabianski not save Zigic’s header? It was the slowest header in the world.
Nevertheless, Fair play to Fabianski, excellent punches in the last couple of minutes, punched one of the Brum players too and made him bleed, that’s the way a GK should be ! Well Done!
Good victory, but we have to find a way to score more goals out of this endless possession.
Snir, there was nothing Fabianski could do about the header. That kind of looping ball is extremely difficult to reach. Fabianski had a brilliant game, nothing less. If there is anyone who is to blame for the first goal it is Clichy who for some inexplicable reason just backs off Zigic and allows him free space to jump and aim his header. All Clichy would have had to do was stand his ground and Zigic would have had a much more difficult task and might very possibly not even have reached the ball. Clichy had an awful, awful game and I just can’t understand what has happened to him. He mistimes his runs, he is in the wrong position more often than he is in the right one and all sorts of strange things. If Gibbs is fit I want him to play on Tuesday.
No complaints about the red card buy the way, a really clumsy and bad tackle that deserved no less and it doesn’t really matter if he meant anything bad of not – it was a bad tackle. I just hope Wenger acknowledges this as well, anything else would be rather stupid.
Anyway, a hugely important win. And for those who still think that we have the only keepers capable of dropping clangers I suggest you keep your eyes open for the second West Brom goal at the Old Toilet. Easily the biggest mistake I have seen by a goalie this season, much worse than the Reina own goal in the first game of the season.
8 ball, thanks for the Guinness!
Off to make myself some food, could I have a Boddingtons to go with my supper?
Buy the way? My spelling is about as bad as the tackle, it seems 🙂
1 Petr Cech
19 Paulo Ferreira
2 Branislav Ivanovic
26 John Terry (c)
3 Ashley Cole
5 Michael Essien
12 John Mikel Obi
7 Ramires
44 Gael Kakuta
39 Nicolas Anelka
15 Florent Malouda
Subs: 22 Ross Turnbull, 17 Jose Bosingwa, 18 Yury Zhirkov, 43 Jeffrey Bruma, 46 Josh McEachran, 52 Jacob Mellis, 48 Fabio Borini.
This is why I am confident Chelsea will lose points this season.
They have NO depth, that is not a good starting eleven when Lampard, Drogba and Alex are out.
As opposed to:
Fabianski, Eboue, Squilacci, Djourou, Clichy, Song, Wilshere, Diaby, Nasri, Chamakh, Arshavin.
And that’s with injuries to: Sagna, Koscielny, Vermaelen, Ramsey, Fabregas, Van Persie.
How can anyone say we have no depth and we’re not as equipped as Chelsea?
Evening ‘Holiccs
So…. we won, Man U and Chelsea both dropped points
I’d say that was a pretty good day at the office.
If Blackpool can at least take points from Citeh tomorrow then that will round-off the weekend nicely.
Barman? Drinks for all please. Something soft for me, still got a sore head from last night….
Cheers all!
PS: In case you haven’t seen all the websites, our Jack has put his hand up for the red card and taken full responsibility for his actions. Good lad for that but he’s put his team mates in a spot of bother as (a) his creative play will be sorely missed for the next three Championship games and (b) it’s like adding another name to an injury list that just won’t go away.
Come back Cesc, we really need you to be at your best now. Bring on the Ukranians!
We need width. We are too narrow. The middle is far too congested. We have not had decent width since bobby, freddie and thierry used to bomb down the flanks.
@ Steve
Hopefully, The-o helps to address that very good point you have just made.
Maybe we can try some of our regulars out in slightly different positions. Diaby looked half decent in his “forward role” today?
I’d like to see JET given a go. What do you thinK?
True Storey: actually, Jack will only miss two league games as we have the Carling Cup game at Newcastle on the Wednesday after the next league game. And to be honest, it might actually be good for him to have an enforced rest which is not due to an injury – and hope and pray that Fabregas will really be back for Sunday.
But very good on young Jack for not trying to make any excuses, just a straight admission that he mistimed it and deserved to go. Top marks for that bit.
To those ‘holics who have wondered if BtM is amusing and intelligent company, you will not be surprised to hear the answer is a resounding yes.
good points from today;
1- we won, chelsea & man u didn’t
2- diaby played well, eboue played well, fabianski looked confident and is growing in stature very game.
3- chamakh looks more and more like a player every week, ‘won’ the penalty (haven’t rooney and drogba been doing it for years?) and finished the 2nd well
4 – the quality giant flag above the armoury before the game remembering the bear eeiee
5 – hleb didn’t come back to haunt us
6- the blues player wilshere fouled didn’t get a broken leg
7- nasri – quickly turning into one of the most influential midfielders in the country. get him in your dream team now!
bad points
1- arshavin, yet another anonymous performance from our mediocre meerkat
2- wilsheres tackle – just learn from it son
3- my pre match prediction of 5-0 was way off
funny points;
my 7yr old son asking why they were shouting at the goalie (foster) ‘wake up, wake up’…it was actually ‘wanker, wanker’, but as a responsible father I couldn’t tell him the truth!
but hey, 3 pts get in.
@ Lars #98 – “Tak so micket” for your informed correction, much appreciated! No harm in giving Jack a rest but it might take Cesc a couple of games to find his form and Citeh is one of those “must win games”… mind you, aren’t they all?
@ matt p – Well done for being a good dad – I once uttered “for f*ck’s sake” in front my daughter when she was much younger and when she asked me to repeat myself I said a ” a fox and a snake” – it worked too! Trust you and your boy had a great day at The Ems. I look forward to taking my 2 year-old there one day in the not too distant future. Good news re: Flap and Diaby & Nasri. Shame to hear that our meerkat is still in lacklustre form. Give him time, I think he’ll come good.
Storey, you’re welcome! And I agree, at the moment all league games are of the “must win” variety.
Matt. Took my 6 year old today. We just have an understanding that if he does not know what a word is at football then he can not repeat it. And we certainly do not go home and tell mummy about it…..
True Storey. Theo is not the answer for me. He has had a great start to the season but I still see him playing more of a central role in future. We struggle to break teams down because we play so narrow. They pack the box because they know we have no width. If we spread the play it drags defenders out of central positions to the flanks. Remember the days of Henry when we used to break at pace? He would go left, pulling defenders all over the place whilst runners came from everywhere. We just do not do that anymore. Daiby after some very good work just got so far and ran out of both options and ideas. Get some bloody width…… Please
Have to get this off my chest before hitting the sack – Rob Palmer and Trevor Francis. FUCK OFF!!! Unbelievably poor commentating. Their agenda against us was laughable.
Chamakh get clobbered by an elbow (no foul, fair enough) and they’re giggling about how easily he falls over. I’d dearly love to see them on the receiving end of the same contact and then ask them how they feel. Strange, also, how only one distant replay was shown of that incident….. were Sky scared of making fools of their employees? Not that they needed any help.
Bad tackle by Jack. “Disgusting tackle” they said. Okay. Then they follow it up with a snide comment about Wenger wanting those tackles out of the game – well, if you’ve just said that it was disgusting then don’t you agree?? Imbeciles.
Hot milk please.
Trevor Francis….Rob Palmer….as stated above most certainly had an agenda.
“There’s been many awful tackles today, all by Arsenal players”
“Nothing wrong with that, he just needs to work on his strength’ (Chamakh with said elbow to throat)
“He looks a bit like Ronaldo and has brought back some of this aspects to the game”
“Birmingham to a man know he too a dive for the penalty and you can see their rage”
Chamakh penalty….was he going down in the box? Yes. Was there contact with him at the ankle? Yes. They showed the replay 3 or 4 times while saying ‘there’s no contact there’ …it was rather amazing.
We played fairly poorly and won. We’ve played better this season and drawn/lost. Rosicky needs to take Arshavin’s spot for a while at least. I’m buzzing though…to claw back points the fixture after the Chelsea defeat must build confidence…..
I’ll have another Cider please….
Catalan Gunner
You take it easy son, no need to waste your anger on those wankers sorry Holic….I have listened to the same commentry. On the tackle on Chamakh that was a pure ELBOW in your face and that is a foul, but before hand there were fouling Wilshere at one point one of those comple twats said…. well Jack was too quick but there no malice in it. He has purely too much tallent!
I’m glad in the way that Jack got a red, dont get me wrong here but he’s only 18 ffs……he will learn trust me. It’s a learnign cureve for a player that young and he has to find it the hard way. Song wasn’t far off a yellow at least.
Funny enough I had my cousin around tonight and I asked him to vie the penalty decision in his way. Simple the leg was coming towadrs Chamakh mistimed PENALTY, ok Chamak did make a meal of it but that what the book says PEANLTY!
This was a great win and we are definitely too narrow there should be some options coming towars the wings, Arshavin worked his arse off but I have a feeling there is stil lots to come from him give him time. Chamakh on the other hand was the awsome he can keep the ball too well this is something that Bendtner needs to learn from him!
A good win over all I for some reason knew it was gonna be hard, we were at two defeats in the league, a win and a ugly win was much more welcome.!
COME YOU REDSSSSSSSSSSSSSSS……………………………
PS. Apologies about speling mistakes just to warn you!
And who is up for a double in the bar?
Double for me and Arthur, barman, and if Tim Merrick and Catalan are still here I would like to offer a drink in exorcism of Trevor Francis if that’s the idiot’s name.
Catalan – entirely agree about Trevor Francis and Rob Palmer – WHO ???
Only to add that they also had a good laugh about Foster coming half-way up the pitch to push Chamakh in the chest (not shown on Football First, of course) following an incident that had absolutely nothing to do with him.
Following Jack Wilshere’s admittedly bad tackle on Zigic, the Brummie evolution escapists couldn’t resist the ‘One Martin Taylor . . .’ nonsense, which was immediately drowned out by AFC chants of ‘Eduardo’. It will be great to give him a fantastic welcome on Tuesday.
bt8bbnn – I’m afraid to report no sightings of Brazilians in 91 today – not that I know exactly who I am looking for – but it was a touch chilly to be sporting visible thigh garters today.
Maybe you had better luck, BtM ?
Catalan (again) – like the chocolate leg gag !
No worries Trev, I think BtM is with them on a first name basis.
Thans Trev!
And just one last mention of hypocrisy – Carr studs up into Chamakh’s shin – “Chamakh made certain the ref noticed it”. WTF???
Right, a bowl of rice crispies should start me off right before any drinking…
That has to be the worst commentary I’ve ever had to endure. Trevor ‘Mr Birmingham’ Francis – fully paid up wanker and failed football manager together with Rob ‘Who?’ Palmer who seems to want to be a referee. I’m just grateful that he isn’t because if he was half as bad at refereeing as he is at commentating he would be terrible.
Jack deserved his red card but what a talent!
Role on Tuesday.
Just to confirm that a tenner went up in the air over my predicted 3 – 0 win 🙂 … but a wins a win 😉 so who bloody cares!!
A few nail biting moments at the end… ‘ere we go said the crowd round me… but flappy wasn’t too bad after all.
Please continue to prove me wrong Lucasz 🙂
Just watched the game back in a less whisky fuelled state 🙂 I knew my Zigic comment would bite me on the Arse!! Big 3 points that not even taking into account the other results.Thoughts – agree with Steve we play so narrow we are easy to defend against, Chamakh to me played it clever but it was a dive, After some of the decisions we’ve endured at Brum in the last few years excuse me if I don’t feel to bad for them, Jacks was an awful challenge and if it had been the other way round we’d be spitting feathers,All said the boy is truely fucking immense we are watching the start of a world class players carear and a couple of weeks rest will do him a favour in the long term.We should have a few more back next sunday so alls good on that front,
Up The Arse,