Arsenal To Pip Sunderland In Tight Contest?
Mar 4th, 2011 by 'holic
Sunderland. We go back a long way. They were a fixture in the top flight when I was growing up, so in my eyes they are a proper big club. Only twice can I recall negatives associated with the Mackems. Hillsborough 1973, when the teenage ‘holic was squeezed into the Leppings Lane end with ‘holicdad and mate. I remember the crush to this day, and nobody who was there that day will have been unmoved by what happened there in 1989. On top of it all Arsenal lost to the club then in the second division. It was weeks before Sunderland’s win over Leeds at Wembley took the edge off that defeat.
Three years later I was on the coach that left at midnight Friday to watch Malcolm Macdonald’s second away appearance in an Arsenal shirt at Roker Park. At six on the Saturday morning some nutty Gooners were playing football on the beach before finding a greasy spoon for some breakfast. At twelve we were in the Black Cat Club, Sunderland’s supporters club at the ground. If memory serves Vaux did a particularly tasty pint of mild. At quarter to two a few of us went down to meet the team coach and collect some complimentary tickets that the players usually brought out to us back in the day.
That was a mistake of sorts. We did end up with tickets but not until we had been in the line of fire as a hail of missiles and abuse were hurled in the direction of our new bandy-legged striker. As a local explained to us later, not only was Supermac an ex-Newcastle player, but his departure from St James Park to Highbury was viewed as a snub to the whole of the north-east. His goal that day was greeted by near silence as even we understood the depth of feeling against him.
Generally though, down the years, we have a pretty good relationship with them. To the extent that we have even shared some lively exchanges with the locals at Newcastle station as we made our way home from Sunderland. There is a healthy respect between the older followers of both clubs that probably doesn’t extend to the young. Sunderland really is a proper football town.
This weekend they stand between us, and keeping the pursuit of the Premier League title firmly in our own hands. We could pull to within a point of Manchester United a day before they visit Anfield. Doubtless Steve Bruce would love to help his old side out by at least holding us at the Grove. The visitors’ mixture of experience and bargain buys has frustrated us of late. We have only won one of the last five meetings, but in contrast they haven’t won at the Arsenal since 1983. This could be a war of attrition. For the sake of those going I hope not.
We are still missing effectively the spine of the side. Fabianski, Vermaelen, Song, Fabregas, Walcott, and van Persie are all out. It will be great to see Ramsey back in the squad, but a seat on the bench is surely the most he can expect. Szczesny and Koscielny should have an opportunity to exorcise the demons of Wembley, and I believe they will do just that. Nicklas Bendtner hopefully will add to his hat-trick against Orient in midweek.
Image courtesy of Arsenal Football Club
A narrow home win is on the cards according to the bookies, and they are rarely wrong. 1-0, 2-0, and 2-1, are comfortably the lowest priced scorelines. The ‘holic pound is wagered on the most optimistic of those, 2-0, at a tight 6/1.
Now I understand a few ‘holics are intent on meeting for a bit of a pre-match drink. I am so sorry I won’t be able to be there. Fingers crossed I can join you later in the season. Here’s hoping it goes well, and you are rewarded with a good performance from the Arsenal, and a good win. Spare a thought for me straining my eyes at a dodgy stream!
Have a good one ‘holics.
97 Responses to “Arsenal To Pip Sunderland In Tight Contest?”
Nice nostalgic opening.
Will spare a thought for you and your eyes tomorrow. And maybe a Guinness too π
Scotch for now please, though.
To Snir, when you’re back here, can’t remember the game, but it was much before. Perhaps Spurs? It definitely was in 2010 anyway.
Ollie – I was in London for Barca (2-2), Wolves with Nicklas’s last minute header, West Ham this year and tomorrow.
In the first 2 matches I was with my father so it’s either the game before Wolves (where I met Holic in person for the first time) or you’re confusing me with someone else π
Ollie – Unless you’re the guy that comes from France each week and in that case not only do I remember meeting you but I admire you as well.
That’s him, Snir.
Good evening all. just missed the first drink! off to read the blog.
A win tomorrow is absolutely critical as after tomorrow we would have played two more home games than away games. If you look at the fixture list, 4 out of the last 6 EPL games are away from home, and one of the home games is manure. That is not good. Personally I think we should trash the Barca game and the FA cup game and focus on the EPL, it is in our hands. Thats never gonna happen so I’m shouting into the wind.
ah yes, that was Wolves I think. Last year’s Wolves indeed, that’s what confused me, I thought you were referring to this year as it was recent.
Sorry Snir. It really was even a longer time away than I thought!
A beer on me tomorrow!
Or Barça, either way, once more I thought we were talking about the recent one, time fliiiiiiies!
Stone roses
Are you FREAKIN mad! Chuck the champions league and Fa cup? Holic can you please give him something to calm down i think he is on drugs.
Not in our hands…………
It was Wolves. We were watching the Chelsea United game at the Tollie (the one where Drogba scored from an offside position).
Hmmm, well I’ll be with a black Zoo York coat, a white Arsenal jacket and my Fabregas 2011 Away shirt.
See you tomorrow and other Holics.
I’m pretty sure the Stone Roses where on some good drugs, usama π
Good luck Ollie and all the gooners for tomorrow’s game!
Hopefully i will be lucky enough one day to watch arsenal live…
I’ll be wearing a brown-ish leather jacket and an Arsenal hoody.
But you see, Snir, this also makes me realise that maybe each match is more special to you as it’s a rarer treat: THE Wolves game. THE BarΓ§a match. Even if I wasn’t at the 2-1 against the latter this year, I only gauged by recent games, it was just a funny coincidence that we’ve played both very recently too!
In fact, it’s totally amazing that in 2 seasons in a row we’ve had a home fixtures against Wolves followed by a home fixture against BarΓ§a! Good stuff, I feel in a great mood now with this find thanks to you!
Somehow I find this whole thing also refreshing and it makes me realise how privileged I am to be able to go to so many games at the moment.
Cheers, see you and a few others tomorrow!
When I was young, a great man said to me, “Kingfisher my son, young Kingfisher, take this one lesson on life, a man can try to climb four mountains all at the same time, and he may get two thirds of the way up all four, but he will end up fucking all of them”.
OK, I made it up, but we have already fucked one mountain, an insurmountable shear face called Birmingham City.
Except the home game against Barça was before Wolves last year and the away just after.
Bah, sorry, I think it’s time I went to bed. Not so amazing but not bad.
Great intro that one!
We’re entering the phase the most in the season where every game is a final. With United going to Anfield on Sunday this could be the deciding week-end for the title! Here’s to hoping the crowd at the emirates will rise to the challenge.
it’s been a very long time when the injuries worries for an opposition team where greater than ours in March. True we’re also missing some of our best players but I have no doubt we’ve got what it takes to overcome a team who’s lost 4 games in a row. Excellent time to meet them considering they’ve crushed Chelski away not even 3 months ago…
Pint of IPA bartender if you please.
‘holic, great post and 2-0 sounds like just the tonic. That reminds me, gin and tonic for me guvnor.
Eyes on the prize tomorrow, if we can so that I think we’ll come through with the three points. We can worry about Tuesday after 5pm tomorrow after all, and hopefully the team realise that too. Plus it’s a chance to put some pressure on Man Utd, all the remaining fixtures until we play them see us both playing simultaneously or them playing first (cheers Sky/ESPN). I’m not so fussed about remaining games being more away than home, our away record is not too bad this year (it’s certainly better than Man Utd’s). And most of our real banana skins so far this year have been at home!
the season for us finished last week….
I love licking windows me…
Great post ‘Holic, I remember that season when Sunderland went on to beat Leeds in the FA Cup final in the 72/73 season as a wide-eyed 8 year old. I also seem to recall the home programme after the semi-final defeat saying something about “yes we lost but it was our third cup semi-final in three years” – can any good ‘Holic, or Arse-nerd like me, verify that?
Snir, Ollie, Zico, BtM and any other ‘Holics going to the match and planning to meet-up at The Tolli’ – have a really great day and shout yourselves hoarse. Work commitments have prevented me from joining you and some other good friends who are going but I hope to be back at the Ems before the end of the season.
COYRRRs! Let’s keep the pressure on those nasty Mancs.
forza forza
Do you require directions to our medicine cabinet to our medicine cabinet?
TS @20
8 yrs old in 72/73,!!
You’re still a Babe in Arms Pal.
You haven’t even reached the big Five O yet.!!
I’m going to call you sonny boy from now on.!!
Wind up finished,
re your question,
yes 3 semi’s in a row,
starting with double season 70-71,beating Stoke in semi after a replay,then Pool in the Final.
following season 71-72,believe it or not beating Stoke in semi,again after a replay,then lost to Leeds 1 zip in final.
Then 72-73 the infamous defeat to Sunderland in the semi,with the absolutely hopeless Jeff Blockley at centre half,which completely unsettled the rest of the defence.
We were that close to the Double again it wasn’t funny,we were pipped by 3 pts for the title by Liverpool.
We had the Title in our own hands,but drew 3 of our last 5 league games and got flogged 6-1 at Leeds in the last game of the season.
Guess who played Centre Half.!!
Cheers
Clive
Brilliant stuff Clive thanks! It’s wonderful for a man in his mid 40s to be considered just a boy, I can live with that π
I remember both finals well. The loss to Leeds in 71/72 reduced me to tears. And yes, the irony of 3 x Stoke semi-finals in two years is not lost on me – something similar could happen again this year, right?
I must have wiped Jeff B and the 6-1 drubbing by Dirty Leeds from my memory banks and now I understand why….
‘Holic
Cheeky as it was, my comment at #21 seems to have been magically truncated π
Surley my attempt at humour by repeating the last 4 words was not lost on someone with such a keen sense of humour?
Have a great weekend!
Nice preview as per usual ‘holic. Your style of writing and ability to paint a picture of your past memories puts all of us ‘holics in your shoes and the time machine simultaneously. Keep up the fine job.
Absolute crucial match that we cannot settle for anything less than the full three points despite our current injury woes. Fingers crossed for a win, no new injuries, and for Liverfool to do us a favour on Sunday against ManUre. We have a real shot at the EPL this year.
For all those ‘holics meeting up at the match tomorrow, do enjoy the match and the meet and greet, I am very envious and wish I could be there too. Cheer the boys on to prosperity.
Go you Gunners!!!
Stone Roses @ #6 and I are singing from the same hymnsheet.
TS, I noticed the cheeky comment and perhaps it will be restored? forza forza should do the trick!
First let’s win tomorrow against Sunderland and do the job properly to stand up and be counted as legitimate title contenders, but secondly when we return from Barcelona having sent out the champions I hope SR and TVN will be celebrating with the rest of us!
8ball – they’re not the champs. Champs once removed yes but Inter are the defending champs. If we pull it off then I will celebrate like the rest. I’ll be in shock and eating crow however. Not the first time nor the last. Such is life. C’est la vie.
Did anyone catch what Le Boss said about wives wrt the Kolo Toure incident? Absolute classic. French humour … brilliant.
Lovely write-up ‘holic. As you say Sunderland are a ‘proper’ football club and their top man is of course a former player for the Arsenal.
We must win this to keep alive our hopes of winning the league title and it will be difficult with so many players missing and the Black Cats such an awkward side. However with hard work, concentration and commitment the result we all want can be ours.
I am nervous but looking forward to the game.
Nice write up ‘holic..
For holics going to watch the game, shout your lungs out as I am sure you will π
Come on Arsenal! Three points, whatever the scoreline
So here we are a little more than 8 hours from the test of our season, the boys will be up for it especially with that performance against the o’s… A little looser but, it’s still a worry none the less, the black cats. Last minute equalizers and what not. They are riddled with injury just as we are but, we are strong enough to overcome some measly little fire crackers. I’m looking for a 3-1 scor line w Gyan scoring first, ouch… And the team
#1
bac jd20 kozzer Gael
Diaby jack
Little Mozart
Nikki b Nanas
Mc29
Personally I don’t mind nik on the right w chamakh willing to rotate, it gives a certain depth you may not see from other big clubs…
A light beer for me sir as it’s time to catch some shut eye before the match.
Guy’s, yes, I’ll be at the Tollie around 1.30, not sure how I’ll spot “… a black Zoo York coat, a white Arsenal jacket and my Fabregas 2011 Away shirt.” or a “…a brown-ish leather jacket and an Arsenal hoody”
all in one hit lol
I’ll have the Arsenal red puffer coat on, and i’ll attempt to stand in the corner of the Tollie that is nearest to the ground.
I’m 6′ and bald head skinhead lol
Morning all. Hope you guys all meet up successfully and get the game that you deserve for your support.
TS – get a round in of medicinal shots for me!
Not sure Snir will make his timetable home though..
Think this is very much a defining weekend for us.
A cafe solo please. Strong.
A great piece. I remember a match at Highbury some years back. Sunderland fans had decided to make a weekend of it, arriving in the capital early on the Friday evrning. The tale goes that much joy and merriment was had by all. An early start on the Saturday was deemed an essential to fully enjoy the trip. The outcome was that their arrival at Highbury was about 5 mins after kick off. About 30 sunderland fans arrived at the turnstyles with the game 5 mins old and the mackems already 2 down. Greeted with the news a quick scrum down was had. It was unanimously agreed in an instant to not even bother with the game but instead return to the pub to carry on where they had left off. From memory we eventually ran out winners by 4 or 5. Something similar today would be gratefully received.
Looking forward to today. In fairness I will settle for 3 points regardless of the result.
Keep the faith.
If we hadn’t had a Champions League game on tuesday I would not have been the slightest bit worried by today’s game. We really need to focus on THIS game, not any upcoming ones no matter how big they are.
And I wouldn’t be surprised at all to see Ramsey start. Arsene has never hesitated to start players in their comebacks, his philosophy seems to be that if they are ready to be on the bench then they are ready to start and if we also consider the fact that Ramsey would probably be extremely motivated and focused on this game it might be a good idea to have him on the pitch from the start to drive the other players on. Aaron seems to me to be a natural leader on the pitch, and such a thing might very well be what swings the balance in our favour in a game like this.
Anyway, six hours ’til kick-off. Hope Ollie and the rest of you manage to find each other at the Tollie, and to them and everybody else going I hope you all have a great day at the Grove. Get behind the team and do what you can to carry the Arsenal towards these extremely important three points!
Cup of tea, please!
‘Holic, are you kidding me? FABIANSKI as part of ‘the spine of the side’? You might want to sober up a bit before penning your next report…
Mark, I think you will find that everybody is in the garden furthest from the ground, next to the car park, and look out for the Arseblog firm π
What ‘holic said, Mark.
See you ‘holics there.
Ok Guys, thanks for the info… I’ll switch sides π lol
Maybe I’ll see if i can get a refund on my Verminator T shirt I bought from Arselog at the start of the season lol … he hasn’t played since!!
‘Holic,
Thanks for indulging me and restoring my original comment, I’m sure you’ve got better things to do with your life. In hindsight, it was nothing more than an ‘attempt’ at humour. Next time, just ignore me π
Dr.C,
Coming right up if The Barman can find the keys. Any happy news yet???? π
Think we’ll win today. I’m guessing that the team is in no mood to mess around and will want to get the job done quickly and efficiently.
Back to work… enjoy ‘Holics!
Have fun guys at the Tollie and the Ems. Since the main difficulty seems to be meeting up in the middle of a huge crowd at the Tollie, may a suggest a spontaneous round of “for ‘holic’s a jolly good fellow”?
Sunderland have been pretty iffy defencively lately, I think if we pepper their goal we should find some joy. Nasri and Bendy on the scoresheet.
COYRRR!!!!!
Drinks for the bar and a packet of crisps please.
Cheers.
starter:
Szczesny
Sagna, Djourou, Koscielny, Clichy
Denilson, Wilshere
Diaby, Nasri, Arshavin
Bendtner
Hey Holic and holics.
And Come on you GUNNERS!
π
Tough 45, only to be expected. Starting to think 1-0 might have been the bet…
Why is Denilson starting? Would rather have seen Chamakh starting, leaving Denilson out, Nasri in the Cesc role, etc.
Sure has been ‘Holic. But I’m thinking that if we get one we will get two. 2-0 to us, but we will leave it late, and Szcz might well have to make a few more good saves.
Where is the desire and determination? Or are we waiting for sunderland to tire?
Let’s do this in the second half- Come on Arsenal! No trying to pic on him, but Denilson seems a bit lost…
Come on Arsenal….we need a lot more sustained pressure in the 2nd half. It’s all set up for a Ramsey winner though!!
The management has banned me from watching the game live so I’m serendipitously following commentary on the computer. Come on Arsenal, it sounds like you need to do a lot better in the 2nd half.
Poor for now I hope it will get better!
Koscienly and Johan are doing the midfield job where is Diaby and Denislon?
Should have said surreptitiously trying to avoid missing the commentary on the computer
Bye bye Denilson.
It looks like we just surpassed Sunderland in ball possession for the first time all match.
Time for a massive Chamakh attack?
Rosicky?
Why?
That’s a bloody penalty!!!
Should have been a PELANTY!
Great save Cheezer. And again. Fuck me. We need a win.
This ref is shit!
Anytime you think the referee can’t be worse, he is!
We’re still going to nick it though. GO GUNNERS!
Onside. This official crew is utter shite.
Come on ARSENAL!!!!
DAMN IT!!
Shit… sigh.
un-bloody real
what offiside? what penalty…….????????????????
Come and moan but today we got robbed!
Talk about fucking bumpy season!
No objections at all regarding our effort. Didn’t look 100% at spells but we gave it a proper go and created enough chances for a win. One of them we actually took as well.
But the refs…
We do not deal well with the possibility of prosperity. Opportunity lost (again). Three points back. Down on goal difference. We no longer have destiny in our hands.
Come on Liverfool!!! Do us a big favour tomorrow. We need all the help we can get.
i’m not a moaner by any means, but denilson needs to earn his right to play. the lad henri lansbury/conor henderson/rambo would have done a better job given that display today.
and yeah, we played against 13 men.
Wow. Fuck that.
Hit the post, blatant penalty ignored, Arshavin wrongly called offside, their goalkeeper was incredible. Not to mention the referee was trash.
So many wasted chances though – I blame the forward line for not being more clinical. The defense kept us in the game, the midfield created many chances (mostly 2nd half), so it was on Bendtner and Andrey, and Chamakh when he came on, to nick one.
Again, fuck that.
United will lose points with 10 games to go, that’s not the issue. Now every single game will be the same (except for Spurs and perhaps United), the opposition will sit back and break our play waiting for an opportunity on the counter attack. Better not start the next games with 3 midfielders sitting back when we have cool hands Woj in goal and speedy Kos to mop up.
8ball @ #51,
If those are your management’s best practices then I believe it is time for a management reorganization by the Board of Directors. I would not put up with such mismanagement.
The refs were almost as shit as Denilson.
glass half full….amazing stop today by Szczesny…we didn’t lose
I’m with you Lars….I’d be happy to see Denilson not feature again this season and then sold to Arbroath
Denilson will only get worse playing barely once a month and so will Ramsey, Lansbury, Eastmond etc. The same goes for Diaby and Rosicki too. Arsene’s rotation policy has been very questionable so far. He will have some tough decisions to make in the summer as there’s no point in having over 10 midfield players on the bench for 3 spots considering he rotates them only when forced by injuries.
I’m not feeling very glass half full for once, but I’m guessing that’s down to the nature of the “defeat”. But, I’m very much a firm believer in what you are saying Matt, that of course, Utd will drop points. We just have to drop less and win our game against them. Still in our hands (even if we’d have to score a lot more goals than they do!).
Started the day four points off, ended it three points off. Not feeling it like a big plus now, but come the last game of the season, that point might be valuable.
I thought we would nick it somehow..Chamakh header was the moment I thought, but unfortunately it wasn’t to be..
We can’t give up now…Fight till the end of the season..Scousers to do us a favor tomo…
Lars @77- Totally agree
Picking Denilson over Chamakh today, from the start, cost us two points.
@TvN/83, that and make Nasri play wide. Once he moved in the middle he got us going.
ref was from Greater Manchester there’s a surprise!!
if a player is blatantly grabbed and then pushed in the back and not given the call, then what is a penalty?
frustration once again,but were still in the mix.chin up gooners!
Matt @ #84,
Well yeah. Absolutely. We all know what the formation should be if Denilson does not start and Chamakh does. Front six should have been (from the first whistle):
AA——-Chamakh——-Bendy
———-Nasri————
—-Jack———-Diaby——-
I know he’s a Gunner and I don’t like slamming our players. But, Denilson is an absolute anchor weighing us down I’m afraid. I just cannot see what Wenger sees in him. And now Snoods will be banned by FIFA come July. So I ask, what is Denilson’s redeeming value if he cannot model snoods on the pitch? Our lack of quality depth with meaningful match fitness really showed today.
Agreed on #86 – absolute penalty. Grabbed, pushed, knocked off position. If you play the advantage and the player does not end up having an advantage then it must be called back to the point of contact. Penalty. And a red card too. The ref was out of position and the linesman gave no aid. Mind boggling.
Still. We should have taken care of business with the team available, during the 90′, at home, to a side with poor recent form. No excuses from that angle. Another unforced error of two points. Too many this year.
That performance shows my instincts are too generous with this Arsenal team. Predicting we would be alright in this kind of crunch encounter is nearly always the wrong prediction. How to set things right? I don’t know but right now I get the feeling we’re on a downhill slide that only the intervention of Cesc is likely to stop. He may not be immediately available, of course, but if nobody else stepped up today then when are they going to step up??
@Theo: We have too much quality depth and that’s the problem. Once Arsene got the selection right we were no match for Sunderland (and really unlucky not to score). If we play 433 we need someone to play Cesc’s role when he’s not on the pitch but selecting 3 DM/box-to-box midfielders is not going to work. Nasri, Arshavin, Rosicki and one day LJW can fulfill the conductor role very adequately provided they’re given a spell in that position. Song, Diaby, Denilson and for now LJW can’t, that’s not their strength.
Today any 2 of LJW, Diaby, Denilson combined with Nasri or Rosicki would have been a much more sensible team selection from the get go.
And still we were unlucky not to score with all the chances we had. And also unlucky to have to bear another poor ref performance.
Some of you guys constantly questioning the lineup or tactic by Wenger. Yes, the first half was not good, he had made enough changes and tactical adjustments to win it. Actually had it not been for the 12th man this game could have been in the win column. So blame the friking referees for this one too.
I have a suggestion, we should ask the FA to add another column in the table. Win, loss, draw, and refs fuckup!
@BT8BBNN: Nasri stepped up big time once he moved in the middle imho, 9 out of 10 times his free-kick would have resulted in a goal. Arshavin woke up nicely in the second half and he scored too.
In both this game and the LC final we had many more opportunities than the opposition, no need to be overly pessimistic at this point.
Matt, it took me to Friday to get over my pessimism after the CC final so in the cold light of next Friday I will probably see we’re still in decent shape in the race, depending especially on tomorrow’s game, but this is crunch time and we need to get crunching very soon.
Does anyone else have the sinking feeling that one night a long time ago, maybe in the Japanese countryside, Arsene pulled a Robert Johnson (http://www.artidiot.com/Music%20Features/robert_johnson_deal_with_the_devil.html) and we are all doomed to suffer the consequence? I just got a bad feeling…
Guinness please, barman. Actually, make that two.
@ Matt 93- unfortunately I think this game underscored yet again that Nasri is a bit wasted on the wing when Cesc is out. I believe that alone cost us the cup and 3 points today. I’m not saying there weren’t other factors, but in my opinion this was significant.