Champions Versus League Leaders
Nov 9th, 2013 by 'holic
It has been a very strange few days leading up to about as big a test as there is for the current league leaders. Away to Manchester United, defending champions, Arsenal lay their title credentials firmly on the line for all to see. I have been watching or reading much from and about Dennis Bergkamp. He is a link to the first half of the Wenger era in which these two clubs were threatening to turn the Premiership into an annual two horse race before the arrival of new money at Chelsea, and later United’s neighbours City.
It was great to see Marc Overmars score the only goal at Old Trafford as we landed our second double in 1998. Even more rewarding to watch Sylvain Wiltord win the title for us in front of the United faithful in 2002. A van Nistelrooy penalty miss at the death was one of the most powerful memories of the invincible season. There have been reminders too of the many times when tempers flared in the fixture. If you were watching the Arsenal come up one defeat short of another invincible season 22 years ago you will never forget where the Football Association could stick their two points.
It is seven years since we last won at Old Trafford. Throw in the presence of that Dutch bloke with the little boy and you have two powerful reasons for wanting the visitors growing sense of belief to result in a long overdue triumph. We are on an incredible run away from home and the victory in Dortmund has franked that form. United are on offer at short odds against, but against they are for the first time in many a year.
Arsenal are likely to welcome back Mathieu Flamini after injury, and Jack Wilshere also returns to the squad. That gives Arsene serious selection issues as seven quality players are competing for just five starting places behind Olivier Giroud. That is a desirable problem for any manager, and guarantees a little stronger bench than we have seen of late. If you have seen the excellent SWOL today you will know who I consider to be the key players if we are to bring home the points.
United will be without Danny Welbeck and have a doubt about the fitness of Rafael. Jonny Evans and Michael Carrick look set to return to the squad. Although under pressure as David Moyes gets used to the size of the job he has inherited they are unbeaten in eight matches. Anybody writing them off after just a quarter of a season is displaying naivete. They will be there or thereabouts at the end, but this is possibly a good time to be going there as they have dropped points already this season to rivals Chelsea, Liverpool and Manchester City.
Can we turn our current eight points advantage over them to eleven? The ‘holic pound, richly rewarded in Dortmund, is tempted by one bookie offering 12/1 against a 1-2 away win. So unsure are the bookies of the outcome that a 1-1 draw is currently the favourite in the correct score markets. I have to believe we are going there with confidence and I will stick with that 1-2 outcome.
If you are among the best away support in the country at the game then I know you will make yourselves heard. Here’s hoping you have a great day and a positive performance to savour.
Have a good one, ‘holics.
288 Responses to “Champions Versus League Leaders”
Let’s do it.
2nd???? About the best the Mancs can hope for tomorrow.
Cheers, ‘holic. 2-1 it shall be then. Fingers crossed.
Nice one ‘holic. Hoping for a win, would n’t be upset with a draw though.
Almost like a trophy.
Go win baby.
A win would be magnificent.
A draw perfectly acceptable.
So long as we don’t lose to that BoC.
COYG!
Manu lost to chelsea? top post otherwise!
Flying boots and flying pizza.
Bring back the good old days…..
2-1 it is Swami. Those are high odds for that score.
Thanks Amoy, now corrected.
As always before playing Manure, worried about the refereeing…the Portuguese Pimp has made twenty-two mistakes over the space of two weekends, but at least he got one correct with Andre Marriner…
‘Dropped points’ is different from ‘lost’ , Amoy 😉
Oh, or I didn’t pay attention first time around, heh, cheers ‘holic.
*resigns from any sub-editing duties*
No doubt it wont be a walkover but it will certainly confirm if we have improved with all that we have seen until now!
Especially when we haven’t won there for a long long time!
If anyone has seen Arsene’s presser then they will know he’s a man that is certainly not afraid to admit things that have not gone our/his way in the past. He won’t admit them at first for obvious reasons.
Funny things were said about that Dutch bloke you could sense Le Boss was very disappointed. Probably more than us!
Any form of win over there is welcome!
Top post Hoilic! and 1:2 sounds sublime!
COME ON ARSENAL!
It will be a long, long day down the pub for me tomorrow. Really, really, REALLY want a win though a draw wouldn’t be a bad result at all to be honest.
I so want us to win….it’s causing me chest pain, already.
Great stuff, ‘holic let’s hope your 1-2 is correct.
This will be the big test, confident that we will compete this time but expecting a good old fashioned Fergie style kicking, which with good refereeing could actually be to our advantage. Sadly that is rarely the case so we will know even more about our side’s title credentials after this one.
Oh man. Just saw the end of West Brom Chelsea. What a pack of slimy cunts. And Hazard celebrating that cheaty divey equalizing goal like he’d just won the league. And the Chelsea faithful standing and applauding…oooff. West Brom were done over. That’s NEVER a penalty at the Hawthorns. Horrible.
I need to take a shower.
But fuck that shit…I’ve got more important things to think about. Great preview holic. Just listened to this weeks’ Arsecast and it was a doozy. It’s got me pumped out of my mind for this game. We can DO THEM. Can’t wait to see it.
Come on you fuckin GUNNERS
Heh at Ollie
And you’re right Goonerstham that was never a penalty at the Bus Stop either 😉
Player deliberately runs into opponent and falls to the ground – penalty! (Ramires)
Player loses control of ball, runs past opponent and grabs his arm, falls to ground – penalty. (Young)
Something has to be done about this. Fuck all this garbage about videos undermining the referee’s authority – they’re undermining their own authority with this crap. We have the technology – why not use it?
It took ages to get agreement to using goal-line technology. This may be more difficult but does it have to take so long?
I have nothing but contempt for Roy Keane but he may be on to something when he suggests having a “Kick Out Diving” campaign.
Nice preview guv. If we can repeat the focus and application of the past 2 games, then I share the feeling for a 2-1 win. That would make a fantastic conclusion to the past week. Of course any scoreline win will be fantastic and even a draw wouldn’t be too shabby at the end of the day.
I bumped into a Manc neighbour earlier in the day and he will be more than happy with 1-1 draw. Can’t remember the last time they weren’t confident of victory.
COYRRRs
Maybe have a Dive of the Month award?
To be presented to the winner at the beginning of their next match?
Something like a plastic dolphin statuette?
Or in Young’s case, a floppy frog.
I think you’re onto something dk. Though I was thinking more of a swift kick to the balls.
Dkg….is there not a more obnoxious classless egoist c*nt than Mourinho in the game today. The chavs and him are the perfect for each other.
http://www.arsenal.com/news/news-archive/arsenal-launches-the-100-club
Help needed-
AFC have just launched a 100 Club of former players who played 100 or more league games for the Gunners. If you follow the above link you will see a photo of some of these legends. Definition is not good but I can identify most of them but am struggling with the chaps 1st (Martin Hayes?) & 4th from right back row & 1st left front row (could it be Jimmy Magill?).
Driving me barmy so hoping some kind old sole can come up with the goods…..
Thanks ‘Holic. I will be delighted with a draw and ecstatic if we win. Fingers crossed. Come on Arsenal.
Just seen the Chav penalty.
If we still believe there is no corruption in the Premiership then we are fools.
@23, it’s so frequent that we need a dive of the week award.
You have to wonder,Bath…that was an astonishingly poor decision.
Afraid with the diving & cheating it is a matter of “he that is without sin” but in my opinion penalties are way too easy to come by of late, for certain teams.
Great preview Holic. I am so up for this it is untrue. We must guard against complacency but I really do not see that as an issue. If he is fully fit I would expect the Flamster to replace Tommy R.
I am looking for revenge for a few previous years.
8-1 to the mighty Gunners. Fuck the lot of them.
Flint-I think you and I do ancient history!
I think you are right about Hayes and probably Magill. I think the fourth from the right might be Graham Rix with a lot less hair than we were used to.
I suspect the picture will be in the Southampton programme and have a key-but that would be no fun!!
fingers crossed tomorrow. It will be very tense and at OT they get lots of joke penalties. But this might be our time!
Steve T
Get in there! That would be fucking awesome! And I would give up my chocolate leg for it! 😛
Come on the away Reds. That 1-1 would be a moderately satisfying scoreline but I’m hoping for better. Thanks to our recent defensive shoring up in particular we have a decent shout at all three points and it will be a joy to see if we can display that calm confidence that seems to keep on building as of late.
Evening all.
Big day ahead.
We are the Arsenal and we are the best… 🙂
We are the Arsenal so f*ck all the rest …….
That is a damn fine preview Holic.
1-2 will so very nicely, thank you.
Top Gunners shoot down Moyes Boys ….. Can see it now ! 😉
The ever-fallible monks at Castle Ned have this one pegged at 1-1, then a 2-1 home win. But my gut says we’ll score twice and keep a clean sheet. It is so important to win this one. Would lay a lot of ghosts.
Don’t think we’ll see a repeat of this tomorrow but it might be some inspiration …
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QaTx1EarjUk
We have already 2 wins from a difficult 3 match span. Wont be disappointed if we lose, but think we can still win today. 2-0 with OG and Rmasy’s usual goal.
Excellent preview ‘Holic.
My heart is calm before Arsenal head to Old Trafford to play Manchester United. The United fans are unusually quiet, they do not talk in their usual loud, brash voices in the days before the game.
They fear the Arsenal. And all is well.
I see that most folks here are cocky. Make no mistake this is going to be very very tough.
United will be up for this one – Rooney and RvP especially.
I happily without any hesitation take a draw. Getting a draw from this one will be huuugee.
But I can see some weary arsenal legs against United – 3 high pressure games within 7 days is too much for even the best team. And we dont ahve the depth to rotate at the moment.
Massive game. As big a test as Dortmund and even tougher considering the energy sapping game in Germany.
Cant wait to see the same arsenal squad take that has made up our team in the last few big wins take this UTD team apart with a mix of patient football in defence and devastating sped of passing and skills in attack.
Can’t wait for this one. I am reasonably confident
Come on Arsenal!
Let’s go do those wankers.
Thanks Ttg, now I can’t count, I meant 5th on right, next to Rico. By process of elimination could it possibly be David Price?
Good morning ‘Holic and ‘holics. Now is the time for all good men (and women) to come to the aid of the Arsenal.
COYG UTA CCMUED
Flint
I believe you’re right !
Morning all,
It’s a big one. I will take the draw, but this team is capable of more.
Enjoy your day.
Cocky Sajit, or just some friendly banter ????? I don’t think anyone is under any illusion about today.
Morning all.
Morning esteemed gentlemen and ladies of this bar,
Well fired up for this. It will be one hell of a tough game but for the first time in years we are not massive underdogs when going up there. A draw wouldn’t be bad at all but a win would be massive.
Right, breakfast awaits.
Feeling nervous about this one, would take the draw if offered.
What we’re dealing with here is a cornered wild animal. I hope the lads bear that in mind and proceed to kick it to death with extreme prejudice.
Utd need this more than we do. They’re at home. They’ve had an extra day’s rest.
This is going to be incredibly tough. I just hope it isn’t decided by the ref.
COYG
Good morning all.
Great preview Holic. I enjoy so much reading your blog I think it is time for me to thank you for having me in your fine establishment.
My pulse is already up high for todays game. Absolutely not cocky but we’ve been proven this week that we can get a result there. Just to know that and that all the Yanited fans I’ll meet in the pub later on will not be so loudmouthed as in the past few years puts a smile on my face.
Come on guys, let’s go there and play some really good, honest football and I’m sure we’ll be awarded what we deserve.
Just saw what happened on the Philippines.
Don’t know anybody there but my thoughts are with you.
G’day all.
Flint@28 Your request for “an old sole” – did you mean “soul” or did you have this in mind:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=i9SSOWORzw4
Datsyuk@56 Seconded. Looks horrible. We had the “great storm” here in Denmark a couple of weeks back which was pretty impressive but only dislodged a few roof tiles here and uprooted a few trees elsewhere. But what’s happened in the Philippines is in a totally different category.
N7, that extra day’s rest shouldn’t be too much of a factor. After all, we’ll have had three full days and most of today to rest up after Dortmund and ManU having one more day should not matter that much.
But you are absolutely right about them being a cornered and wounded animal. In their three games against top(ish) opposition so far this season they have lost to Liverpool, drawn 0-0 at home to Chelsea and were hammered 4-1 at Man City so on top of wanting to keep their upper hand on us they have that to fire them up as well.
Also agree with your last bit. If we lose fair and square, well, then we’ll have to accept that but for the love of Dennis don’t let the ref cock it up.
Morning Holics
Big day, Federer at 2pm and OT at 4pm. Roger needs to play considerably better than when I saw him on Thurs, on the other hand if we can put in the work rate we did in Dortmund, there is every chance of snatching 3 points. Let’s hope for MU fans it turns out to be the Theatre of Nightmares!
I expect a typical Moyes (Everton) approach, remember that game last season when they tried to kick us off the park. We’ve got the Flamster this time and the new found confidence to give as good as we get. I doubt 22 players will be on the pitch at 90mins but as long as we don’t lose who cares. The Ref is likely to play a major part, so I hope he is up to the job.
Likely to be shattered by the end of the afternoon.
As always COYRs
Good calls Lars @59 and Delia @60 and many more above.
It’s going to be a scrap and could go either way. They are not going to give up their sense of dominance over us easily. It’s one of their ‘trophies from the Demento era’ and one they think they can keep despite losing their others.
Nicely summarised in a small sentence Guvna @51
Despite my desire for a thumping victory and my belief that we can win this, I feel a draw coming on.
COYG.
Call me a petty small man but I want Rooney and Dutch skunk to suffer groin and ankle injuries within first 2 minutes of the game.
All said and done ManU knows how to play against us. They have defended very well against us in the past. I am sure experienced dogs like vidic and evra still know how to shackle our attacking threat.
More than anything I still fear nani and Valencia on flanks. On top of everything no set pieces please. Their front 2 are pretty good at free kicks.
We need to score early. If we concede first it could be tough going.
Here’s hoping for a result tonight. I will take a draw right now.
Flint/TTG… I also believe it is David Price. The picture quality doesn’t help and there are 2 others I can’t place.
Delia, like you my only concern is the referee is up to it. No doubt they will have a physical approach, that’s one of Moyes’ tactics when he fears the opposition and of course we are playing at the Theatre of Dives.
This referee was the one who controversially gave the swamp dwellers a penalty against Hull whilst ignoring a better claim for the visiting team.
Steve Bruce is up before the wigs for his post match comments. With the right focus and determination we can overcome any such adversity.
COYRRRs
I like the sound of that 1-2, Holic. Good man. I’ll take it.
Really busy day today before kick off, so just a massive
COME ON YOU RIP ROARING !!!
Enjoy everyone. 😉
Just a word of caution –
When we got married I told my wife I thought it would be a good idea if we got separate bank accounts.
I’ve just discovered she thought I said “Cypriot bank accounts”. 😉
Is that my coat ? 😉
Heh Trev! 😀
47 Cannons said it all.
Do them one.
COYG.
Heh, I see the spuds are behind. Good start into this afternoon 🙂
Afternoon all.
Good preview guv, plus enjoyed the piece on Soccer Without Limits (but surely that should be SWL. 😉 )
It’s a wierd feeling going into this one, not a feeling that would be misplaced if it was against a lesser light, however, I can’t remember being this confident before a visit to the Old Toilet for quite a long time and that’s unsettling, because as football fans we all know that it;s not the disapointment, but the hope that kills ya. Without tempting fate, if we play to our full ability and show the spirit and willingness to play for each other then I think we can have them.
Make no mistake though, Yanited will still pose the same threat they have over the years, even without the lord of darkness at the helm. Moyes is not the babe in the woods many make him out to be and anyone who took the reigns from Fergiscum was bound to struggle. Here;s hoping that his inexperience in the big games will tell in our favour this afternoon, because as games go this one is as big as it gets.
COME ON YOU GUNNERS!!!!
The nerves are starting to build now. Come on you beautiful yellow and blue heroes, let’s send Skunky home crying for his mama. Gotta be a day for the Flamsta today. Please, please don’t let us get scuppered by the man in black…may the best team win…… we all know which team that is !
The ref at shite hart lane has given them 5 exta minutes to salvage something, Come on u geordies !
Spuds Lose !!! 🙂
Get in!
FOYS
Haway man divvent be such a pansy let’s gan t’ the toon an have a few bottles o’ dog like.
Ha Ha, the Tiny’s fail to score again and lose.
Listen to those WHL boos
Music to my ears and the very best in pre match entertainment. 😆
Bar’s quiet, is everyone in Madchester ?
Heh, were you guysnall like me, waiting to post on the Totts woes, scared of jinxing it? 😉
*guys all
Oh , hello fellow sud haters !
sud ? SPUD haters lol
I had my post ready to go H2H, was waiting for the fat lady to sing !
A Geordie double would be the perfect pre game aperitif
Damn my heartrate 2hours before the game even starts is scaring me
I may have to keep going for the solo goal of the season !!
Sunderland are Mackems, Chris.
But yes, if they could get a result it would be a real, ….eh,……….result. 🙂
Ladies and gentlemen you just saw what £100 million of shite is capable of 🙂
The grass looked good though, CoR.
LWCs have got some work to do if they’re going to build up the necessary ten point lead over us in Feb.
Still, nice soft games against Utd and City next.
Right. Full focus onto our game.
COYG
Thought it was 1-1 in the end? 😉
Thanks H2H, I guess I could get myself in trouble calling a Mackem the G word !
Heh
Oh Ollie you XD!
Hey everyone, caught in the nasty case of weekend work myself, but will lay it off and watch the game.
Nervousness building up already, not good for working with numbers :O
I just hope lads are not going to seldom hype around them, focus on their own game and as I said, if they show same determination and workrate as against Lpoo and BVB, we should end up with favorable result.
Indeed Chris, if you want to generalise call them Tyne and Weerdos.
Nothern Monkeys would also suffice. 😉
Alright, on my way to the pub!
See you guys later for the aftermath 🙂
COYG
Spuds treated Krul-ly at Shite Fart Lane. Great start to the day!
I like Tyne and Weirdos ‘ think i’ll stick with that generic label 😉
Yep, Sunderland 1 up.
Fook me, Sunderland one up.
Ping
Goal
well in, N7!
Good one DK, it was the former….
Well in N7
Well iN7
I see Don Vito’s playing for the Mackems. Let’s hope he has a Krul game.
great preview ‘holic..
cant wait for the match to start , I so want a win today though a draw wont be that bad either…
Let’s go win this gunners , Tanzania will also be watchin 🙂
Haha! Sunderland is one up against Lol City!
This season is hilarious so far
Looks like Mertesacker is out. Still unconfirmed though…
Fyck. Looks like both Per and Rosicky not available.
Fycking flu.
Szczesny, Sagna, Vermaelen, Koscielny, Gibbs, Arteta, Flamini, Ozil, Ramsey, Cazorla, Giroud.
Not bad. Still confident we will trash them.
<iArsenal manager Arsene Wenger reveals 'there's a bug in the camp overnight' and one or two of his players are not feeling 100%…
🙁
Do not like this one bit …Per is going to be missed …same as TRs urgency…fuuuck
Lineup out, no Per no TR?
Citeh lose!!
The game is over at Stadium of Light H2H?…my stream is 4 minutes late then ..oh boy
No BFG or TR7, worried from West Norfolk.
Agent Mannone with a clean sheet vs. City.
It’s our turn now. We can win this.
All the teams that played in Europe this week and have played this weekend have so far dropped points.
ManU, Arsenal, Swansea to come. Wigan still playing.
No Per.. Massive fucking blow.
Draw please.
Greetings from the foothills of the Adirondack Mountains of NY State.
Re: the Sunderland/City match
I was saying to myself,
“The only thing that can kill Barsnley… is Barnsley”.
Just watching highlights from Spuds vs Newcastle game, Krul with some goalkeeping heroics, his save after their free kick was phenomenal.
The weekend is nicely poised for us so far ..come on lads, you can do it!
The nerves are jarring but what a chance to show why we’re the best
COYR
Man City are shite lol…
Come on you rip roaring yellows!!!
COME ON ARSENAL
WE CAN OVERCOME ADVERSITY
DO IT FOR PER
Time for TV5 to step up and prove he has what it takes.
COYG
nicely said, holic.
let’s take this away form book and write large air her success today. come on you gunners!!!
COYG
Come on lads and lasses!
air her? another!
beastly cover, kozzer.
everybody here must be drunk and passed out already 🙂
too absorbed to post scruz 😀
lol, eandy
fuck robin.
fuck fuck fuckity fuck
time to resurrect the comeback kids.
Glad to see the gloves are off. The fukcing moron’s celebration…
Could he have celebrated any more ?
Always be a Gunner. Tosser.
So much for not celebrating against us. What a total Cnut.
hey guys, you know me. i’ve always been that kind of cunt.
To clarify, not a Cnut for celebrating. A Cnut for the previous pretend respect. And a million other reasons.
fuck the former player ..I do not care if he celebrates or not …he is in the past now ..I just want us to up the tempo and smash them..come on!
we look tired as hell though
fuck ..woj knocked out
we are disjointed, tired and sluggish…half time please now
not getting the bounce, either.
come on gooners!!!
We’ll Win it! Got that feeling!
probably our vilest half of football this season. let’s turn it around next half!
one badly defended set piece ..other than that not much to talk about..the second half display has to be much improved to get something out of this.
Looks a game to far at the mo we are well lethargic and second to everything and carnt seem to get any rhythm in our passing that said the mancs are not much better so come on you Yelllllllllllllllllllllllowssssssssss !
This is where AW changes the momentum of the game with his half time sorcery and the boys come out flying . 3-1 to the good guys at full time. COYG
Atleast now people know the respect Arsenal bullshit has come off.
We can come back from this. I sense our players are just a little bit afraid to gamble on the final third, to make incisive runs, in fear of making mistakes.
Wenger will tell the players to believe more, to take more chances in our play and let our quality make the difference. It was an unfortunate goal to concede, but I think the balance of play was even in the first half. And we are certainly capable of stepping it up a few gears.
Handbrakes off please. Let’s go into overdrive.
Not good. No energy and determination, we look tired.
Also, Ramsey on the wing is not doing any good to him or us.
One of Flamini/ Arteta to come off maybe, to give chance for Gnabry on that right side bringing Ramsey in his usual position.
Drink up
If you hate Robin
Drink up
If you hate Robin…..
Bit of luck there for van persie – missed it with his head and it came off his shoulder.
We’re still in this – but we look a bit jaded. Martin Tyler said at the beginning that there were a couple more out there who were not 100%. Another lasagna?
Lethargic display today….expected too much? Maybe. Blame the meeeja. I theeeenk wilshere needs to come for arteta
‘Holic pound is still on.
Need to make and take a few chances in the second half.
No Arsenal DNA left in that fella imho.
COYG
Come on Arsenal, make
Holic some more money!
I’d bring on Jack and Serge for Flamini [yellow] and Ramsey. Ramsey has been poor.
Once we get a passing rhythm going we’re back in this thing.
We do look a bit jaded though as somebody else said…
Ozil-Giroud [who is still putting in a shift] and Ramsey look knackered.
Let’s hope we can rise above the mediocrity of the first half. We need to get control of the mid-field otherwise I don’t fancy our chances.We are missing the calmness of the BFG, it’s all a bit frenetic.
I told you doughnuts that Arsenal’s play is to ponderous
Come on boys, we can do it.
GO WIN, ARSENAL
T156 derrick – agree handbrake on
Both sides very cagey like prizefighters.
I agree with Derrick @156 It seems players are sort of scared to make mistakes, but I still think we can win this
We look fatigued
poor poor shot by TV …we need to make much more of this chances
Come on you gunners
how is that a foul ..ffs
Thats better boys a bit of possession and moving our field position up into the edge of their box
we really do miss TR right now ..walking pace creeps in …come oooon!
Good news is we cant play any worse then the first half and only an arsey header from a corner the difference
Wipe the smirks off evra and rvp
We just need one and we will be too good
oh come on Aaron
C’mon guys turn up the wattage please
fucking diving cuts
Starting to hold the ball better thats more our style
Jacks added some spark
As close as they come
ooh shame about the Mesuts pass
Ozil worst player by a country mile today
Would have been nice to see rvp defelection go in from gibbs long range drive
This is the worst utd side i’ve seen in years. Big push lads, we can nick a point here.
Bendy on instead of Santi
Gibbs is having a worldy
Full backs have to press up, that’s where we’re getting joy
Fucking hit it!
Is Arsene going to play Ozil to the ground? Reminds me of how he never game Cesc a rest.. evne when Cesc was playing poor.
Arsenal look very dangerous now
Its going to be 2-0 for Utd.
Give it a rest Sajit. Get behind the team. Ozil was always playing these three games.
Behind the team no doubt. :/
ooooh as close as it gets
thats it …media closedown now
close run thing
Dutch skunk proves his reptilian nature
Fuckerty Fuck Fuck, Far better second half deserved a point in the end but shit happens,the other results this weekend have certainly been in our favour so not the end of the world, Onwards up Upwards!
Up The Arse,
Still really proud of the lads, so much more class than Moyes’ pond life scum. The balance of power has massively shifted in our favour even if we could not win today we will be laughing in thir faces come the end of the season
One Arsene Wenger !
Without the flu
We would’ve done Man U !
Ugghh
Well we responded in the second half. What a chance for Bendtner. Vermaelen and Koscielny played rather well. We are still 2 points clear at the top, 5 points above united. And we surely showed no signs that we are inferior to the Red scums.
Maybe Wenger was too defensive in the first half playing both Mikel and Mathieu, but it’s all hindsight. Walcott should be back after the break, so it’s not all doom and gloom.
But that miss from Bendtner… What a chance. And surely Ozil will have better days.
COYG
We need a proper striker…..Bendtner should have done better from Sagna’s cross, Giroud goes missingin big games…….the whole team gave the scum too much respect…….fuck knows why….we were the better team the second half but couldnt score. We should have scored at least twice.
Have we forgotten how to shoot?
Just pull that trigger please guys!
We could have won this without a doubt instead we made them look decent!
I FUCKING HATE THAT DUTCH BLOKE!
Unlucky, thought the second half performance deserved a point, but we all know football doesn’t work like that. We can still hold our heads high, plus we are still top of league.
UTA.
Good news is, Gnabry’s back and after the international break, so should Walcott and later on for Podolski. Time to rest up and get ready for the second half of the season
UTA
yeah, if you told me we will have 6 points from 9 this week I would prolly take it, I just hate losing to those fucking cunts..but not doom and gloom, still sitting on top and we gave them a fight for it.
Give todays display compared to last years visit any day. Agreed..far too much respect given in first half …second half shown that we are at least on par with them and game should have ended up in a draw.
Per and TR were greatly missed, not that Vermaelen had a bad game, but I have that nagging feeling that should Per play, we would not concede from that corner.
A very predictable outcome. But a considerable improvement on the previous 2 seasons, at least.
Pity, showed a little too much respect at the beginning and too lethargic and too error prone in passing so ball retention was poor. ManU wanted this way more, a combination of fatigue and maybe a bit of defensiveness psychologically played the part for our slow start. Ozil and Rambo who both have been running the most for the team in last two matches looked tired. We missed the early pressing of TR7 and Per’s calm way of building plays from deep. And we missed the wide players, Gnabry looked to be very effective once he came on.
Kos and TV5 were good enough though, especially Kos. Sagna’s second half performance was magnificent. We win this game if Theo was playing in front of him.
The team will learn a lot from this match. If even a hint of complacency was building in the result should be an adequate reminder.
Chances are more than the two absent were sufferıng the effects of illness judging by individual performances. What a despicable person van the skunk turned out to be. Looking forward to wiping the smile off his face come the end of the season. Shame because we are better than them but just couldn’t manage it today.
What Bodrum said @213
Well said Redknapp Jr.
Andya @ 206: That is very unfair. He didn’t go missing at all, he worked very hard, some of his one-twos didn’t come off today but dropped deep to get the play moving forward, were involved in most of our attacking moves, the inches didn’t work for him today (including teh somewhat unlucky goal we conceded because 99% of the times Giroud clears that ball emphatically) but under no circumstances he went missing.
The frenetic nature of the game probably caught Ozil by surprise, and credit to ManU they did press and harass with all ten dropping in anytime Arsenal had the ball. The fat guy worked like a maniac. Rambo just looked very tired, which is not unexpected, and I think he should sit out of Wales friendlies.
Sorry ‘holic iPad decided to change my name. No disrespect intended 😉
Agree with Dr F.
First goal was always going to be vital today. Annoying we gave away such a soft one and to such a complete waste of organs.
Two wins from three will do me, especially given other results. Annoying we couldn’t end Utd’s season for them, but saw enough today to suggest to me that they’ll not win the title this season; weakest Utd line up in years.
Let’s make sure we give them a long overdue shoeing at the HOF.
Thought both full backs were sensational today, jack did well once he came on, Ramsey grew into the game and Giroud never stopped working. Could have done with theo for that first half.
Chance now to rest up a bit, get some players back and go again. Looking around, this title is there for the taking if we want it. I suspect that key for us will be quickly reintegrating the missing players and taking some of the heat off some of the overworked areas of the squad.
COYG
Just to add – goal aside, I thought Kos pocketed the Dutchman.
He’s a slow starter, is Kos, but he’s up and running now.
I thought Giroud created some good openings by himself too, on more than one occasion dribbling past defenders to open up spaces. He won a few freekicks on dangerous areas too. Pity he had no real service in front of goal, where he is most deadly.
Our best chance of the game fell to Bendtner. And he missed the ball. I’m still behind Bendtner 100% as long as he wears our shirt, and I hope he finds the net for us in future games.
Luckier team won today. That’s all about the result.
About the game itself, I am still in disbelief why Gnarby wasn’t introduced earlier instead of Bendtner.
I really cannot see logic in Bendtner and Giroud playing together. That move was a suicide.
No worries Bodrum.
N7 @ 218: Kos was excellent, the defense really played well, unfortunately they don’t have anything to show for, but nothing wrong with the performance…maybe just a bit wild at times in Per’s absence given TV5’s ingrained gung-ho style of defending.
The team — given the injuries and then the flu — coped with this week very well indeed. As I said early, with Theo in the starting line up we win this match as we would have counter-attacked more reliably. In hindsight maybe Serge could have been brought in earlier given the way Sagna was playing so well down the right.
As I said earlier today set piece was going to make the difference. Sadly that Dutch traitor scored it. We need to bounce back against Southampton. They are playing well
Lurky @ 220: I guess the experience perspective went in favor of that decision, and it did almost pay off if Bendy could have just pushed himself a bit for that chance, but yes given the way Sagna and Ozil were operating down right Serge would have been a more dangerous option to bring earlier. Loved Sagna’s crosses today. Menacing.
Game went down to the wings, where they won it. I think Gnabry should’ve been on earlier, what a change it was when he came in, that right side went berserk. Good crosses by Sagna too, but sadly noone got the run right.
One missmarking on the cunt and one lucky bounce to his shoulder won them the game. This was hardly the end of the world. Some pace back so we can use them to give Özil options and space, always being alone on the right flank with the ball isn’t where we want him.
My Manoo supporting mate is trying to gloat but I’m just not feeling it one bit. We are still top of the league and even on an off day deserved minimum a point from that game. The corresponding fixture last year left me feeling so depressed, United made us look so far behind them, they were streets ahead. Compare that to today when they had to work their nuts off to contain us even though we were physically under par and nowhere near at our best. Even though we lost, today has still confirmed the shift in the balance of power….scum utd will remain in our rear view for the forseeable, of this I have no doubts!
One Arsene Wenger
I fully expect media circle jerk on how great United are and at least partial meltdown among the Arsenal faithful, snapping at Wenger for getting tactics wrong and whatnot.
I think that they were really lucky to win it, draw would have been a fair result. The interlull cannot arrive at better time to be honest, giving much needed rest to those who need it and I hope some players are not going to play full 90 in meaningless frendlies (yes, czech coach, dont you fucking dare run TR to the ground against _Canada_ ).
With Poldi and Theo back, we are going to have much more options for this kind of games, since we need at least one fast winger for our counter attacking play to fully flourish..and I cannot wait to see that.
I too thought Utd lucky to win it.
Gary fcuking Neville tried to claim we didn’t create anything, but that’s not the game I saw. Two or three presentable chances went begging.
Meanwhile, they spent 50 mins crouched in their own box launching long balls at the ugly twins.
What we need now is to go on another run. Not least because the LWcs have the two Manc clubs next. This is chance to bury them – and if we do so the infighting will commence in earnest.
The referee was definitely not wearing hs glasses.
Rvp is an odious cunt.
Celebrating like that. No respect. No class.
AW made him. AW is a magnificent mngr.
The dutch douchebag – im glad were free of mercenaries like him.
Dortmund on weds showed today.
We will lift the prem trophy this term. And love to punch that dutch fucko dead in he mouth.
I think we were far too tentative in the first half, but it worked in Diortmund and but for that great header, 0-0 at HT would have been a good outcome.
However the goal allowed them to sit back and threaten to catch us on the break. We didn’t do quite enough or have enough luck to get the draw that our second half performance merited.
Rooney played like a man possessed and probably made the difference.
But it feels worse because the Dutch skunk scored…… added to by his obvious delight in stuffing us…..after we carried him through those seasons of being a cripple.
it’s like being mugged by a polio victim for whom you’ve pumped the iron lung for 3 years.
Too many players not at it for me today.
A better 2nd half sure, but we were far too tentative for too long – liked the energy that Gnabry btought to the team when he came but his substitution was far too late.
Fuckity fuck – hate going into another interlull especially after a bad result.
Sagna’s crosses were ace today, my personal MOTM.
But other than that I think we were unlucky to lose, we could had at least gotten a draw, its just that plenty of chances just weren’t converted towards the end. I adhere to the idea that if Mertesacker is on the pitch, the grey haired little boy doesn’t score his goal.
As others have said, this game cried out for someone in the ilk of Walcott or Oxlade-Chamberlain, the former should be back sooner than later anyway.
Even with the trickyness of our next fixture against Southamption, I believe that all 5 of our next games are winnable, we’ll have some of the walking wounded back to aid in that attempt.
Now if Giroud can come out of the International Break unscathed in France’s double header and guys like Ramsey and Cazorla aren’t run into the ground in the process of playing for their countries, we’ll be alright when the Premier League resumes in 2 weekends.
If it’s a flu bug as suggested, several others ‘fit enough to play’ will be affected by it and well below top athletic performance.
I hope the skunk catches it.
Bah. But results this weekend suggest nobody below us is really firing on all cylinders yet, and hopefully we can bounce back against Southampton/Marseille/Cardiff before this month is out.
Or maybe it’ll be Southampton for the title?
And one thing I’m hoping for during the interlull, seeing Ronaldo weep as Portugal get dumped out by Sweden. Go Ibra!
Eä and N7 certainly appear tomhave watched the game I listened to on 5Live. Most noticable thing to me was the almost audible relief with which the commentary team turned to their tried and tedted Arsenal mode – “Overcomplicated”, “No end product”, “Trying to walk the ball into the net” “Looking for thr perfect goal” and all the usual bollocks.
Shame, but still no evidence that the current squad aren’t the real deal. Unless, of course, the ability to beat a poor Yanited side, away, with 33% of the squad unavailable due to injury or illness is the true test. Awfully hard to pass that one.
COYG
I aso think that we showed them too much respect. It might have been a tactical ploy to contain them but I think they would have been flabbergasted if we had shown up with a high pressing game. Our passing was really poor as well. Nevertheless, the team put in a good effort and the defence did a good job overall except that momentarily lapse in concentration for the Skunk’s goal.
Sorry, chaps. Still coming to terms with this tablet “keyboard”.
@227, Eandy, I agree interlull cannot arrive at a better time. However, I am just not that sure that we could see Walcott or Podolski right after the break.
Don’t want to sound controversial but I’ve lost faith in our physicians long time ago. That is a segment where our club must improve, and that includes personnel changes too.
Just like I changed my mind today. Before the game I didn’t give a fyckiest fyck about Van Persie. But, what I saw today was a disgracing performance in all its essence.
What he was trying to prove? His love for United fans, for United as a club?
Or the hate towards Arsenal and Arsene.
Sad cunt.
I agree with everybody who thinks the Dutch Skunk is an odious hypocrite. I hope Arsene will never ever say that the skunk is an Arsenal man again.
Like I said before, I simply do not care about RvP anymore, yes I am calling him names and such but to me, he is simply another United player, I have completely obliterated him from my memory as an Arsenal player.
Only reference to him is on my work computer desktop, where I have Rosicky celebrating after his goal in first 5-2 against Tottenscum and sadly, Dutchman is in the background…
2Eandy – sounds like a job for Photoshop, mate. If Stalin could do it, I’m sure you can.
hehe bath, I am skilled in PS enough to do it but too much hassle because of that skunk, I suppose I am due to desktop change and I have many moments to choose from already this season.
Moyes is successfully turning United into Everton. A team of scrappers with more quality upfront than he managed to get( keep) there. I thought it was a very poor game. I saw some of the LWCs match earlier and the first half was very entertaining, especially as they were losing and it was a much more attractive game than this. I suspect a latent flu bug affecting the team , the absence of BFG on a set piece and the terrific TR7 who injects the energy and urgency into the side , and the effort expended on Wednesday all took their toll.
I also have to say that while Kos was quite superb and TV did well we sadly lacked drive in the final third. Ozil sadly was woeful in his passing and Santi didn’t affect the game . It wasn’t an easy game for Giroud but he fought incredibly hard and I thought LJW added real feistiness when he came on. But it was no more than a setback not a disaster. By and large results went very much in our favour this weekend but the appearance of TGSTEL after his ridiculous outburst in the Danish press and his very weak performance underlines the need for help for OG. Poldi and Theo would have been very useful today.
Still onwards and upwards although staying in first place will do me
Just got home.
I shouted abuse at that Dutch bloke when the cameras zoomed in on him after the final whistle and a mate’s missus got the raging hump – with my mate. She told HIM off for ME using foul language in front of their kids. Umm, ok…
I was frustrated and upset at the final whistle. Oh, yes I was. But take a step back – we played arguably our worst game of the season in many aspects and yet it took a very lucky goal (no, “experts” on Swedish TV, it was NOT a “very well executed header” – IT CAME OFF HIS FUCKING SHOULDER YOU MUPPETS) to defeat us. Flu or not we had a bit too much respect in the first halft and I hope we learn from this, but we came out of this weekend where I expected all of Totnum, Liverpool, Chelsea, Everton and Man City to score easy wins the only team to bag three points were Liverpool against an unbelievably inept Fulham. And as poor as our display was, we restricted ManUre to one chance apart from their jammy goal. I hope the boys can distance themselves a bit from this game and come back and give Southampton a beating after the break. That won’t be easy, but certainly doable.
And speaking of which, I am very much looking forward to that day! It’s been two months since my last visit but it feels like ages ago.
Well, I’m sure I had lots of more interesting things to say but fuck it. Silly as it may sound, I think this game gave ManU much more cause for concern than it did us. An injury to Rooney and they are fucked, RvP may have fluked a goal but the one player they absolutely can not do without is Rooney. He may be an utter pillock, but he works unbelievably hard for his team.
Ah, fuck it. There’ll be better days.
I fcuking hate losing to that lot.
Nice perspective from the regulars. I knew it wiuld be a tough ask getting all 9 points from our last three games considering the personnel we have(or more accurately do not have) available to us.
I feel they had no option other than to win the game and that alone pushed them over the line.
I’m proud of our boys, I believe every single one of them(including Bendtner, too bad he couldn’t connect with that Sagna cross)gave it their all tonight. We will have better days ahead. Up The Arse.
Saw the same game as TTG, and totally agree with Lars.
With everyone else losing, this defeat costs us little (bar a missed opportunity). It’s tragic not to have knifed Utd when they’re clearly vulnerable, but somehow their performance has reassured me that they haven’t got a proper title push in them.
I agree that they look very much like Everton with a bit of chrome plating.
What I will say is that it is vital for this Arsenal team to score first in the big games. That being the case we simply cannot ship soft goals from set pieces like the one we did today, whether mertesacker is there or not.
COYG
They only had 2 shots on target, so did we too and we had more shots off target than them. Just saying for when the media will start telling you we were outplayed or didn’t shoot enough.
A great positive from this match was Serge’s cameo. I know it is premature, and he only played 10 odd minutes, but the boy has abilities and personality especially with the ball. The occasion didn’t bother him, the scoreline didn’t faze him, asked for the ball, passed accurately, ran decisively and looked dangerous.
Can’t wait for the wingers to return and have counter-attacks using width accommodated in the game-plan. Theo-Ox-Poldi-Serge to rotate with Serge providing great competition.
N7: “Everton with a bit of chrome plating” – a very apt description.
Faustus: agree about Gnabry. Proper talent.
Not seen the game as I have been at work all day. Sounded from the radio that it was a pretty even match but we lacked the ability to break them down. I guess my 1-8 prediction may have been a tad optimistic.
We know the squad is thin even when everyone is fit. We have a long list of injuries and to lose more to illness before kick off was far from ideal. You only had to look at the bench today to realise that.
3 points dropped but we still sit top. Not too much to grumble about is it.
In a nutshell N7:
“Everton with a bit of chrome plating”
and
spot on Lars about Shrek.
He was a beast possessed today – bloody everywhere – a man possessed – he really did win them the game – I suspect he really hates us.
Almost as much as the Dutch skunk.
A bit of a perspective is how far the two clubs have moved in two years since the 8-2. They were clinging on by their fingernails today and but for injuries/ illness we would very possibly have won.Remember the awful gap two years ago when we were pulverised? They have declined and I genuinely think we are now a bit better. If we had Rooney we would be considerably better but that is unlikely! Apparently the guy who shouldered in the winner used to play for us. I can’t remember him can anyone else?
I hope Mesut is given a bit of a break by Germany ( perhaps playing one of their two games). He looks knackered.
It seems the standard of trolling on this site has gone downhill recently. Shame.
Real Reality
This week we played against Reus, Suarez, Sturridge, Lewandowski, Rooney, Persie and conceded only one goal. From a corner. Scored with a shoulder.
30% of our team is injured or ill.
We played three big games this week. winning two. losing one, away from home, to a team that were champions couple of months ago.
In the game we lost, we had 60% possession, more shots and more chances created.
Last time I checked prospects of winning the league are directly proportional to what league place the team has.
In case you haven’t noticed…
We are top of the league.
Lurky, We did all those things but then it wouldn’t fit the narrative, would it?
That is the spirit,Lurky!
No disaster, thought they just shaded it because we never got going in 1st half, Shrek the difference. Arteta deserved a special mention in dispatches alongwith Gibbs & Sagna. Gnabry showed a touch of class, could have done with a bit longer.
Have to say Mr Oliver had a really good game with no major errors, that will not have pleased Mr Riley. Give him time , I remember a time when a young H F Webb was a decent referee.
Not an ideal result but for me, not disappointing by any means and if i ‘d had to choose which of the last three “big boys'” matches to lose, it’d be this one. Manure Utd are an as average side and their defeat of us does not mask that as their celebration at the match’s end as if they’d retained the EPL title exhibited. They’ll be lucky to finish in the top four and that’ll only happen of BOTH Rooney and Van Persie are fit! Can’t wait for the reverse at the Grove were I know we’ll stuff them if we show them less respect than we did on the first 45. That’s were we lost the match for sure! “Average Manure Utd”! Only Citeh and the Chavs will contest is this term with the LWCs and the Mugwashers challenging the past-timers for the playoff spot! Onwards and upwards to the Saints after the Interlull with less respect for the oppo’s please! Still “top of the league” for another week on both fronts! COYBG! No fear boys!
Pogba. What a goal. And what a player.
Can’t believe that Juve got him for free from United. He would have bossed United midfield.
Anyway, little bit early, but there is lot of talk about our chances to sign Pedro from Barca. Personally like him a lot, but I am not sure that he could lead the attack by himself if Giroud is injured.
There’s nothing like a loss to concentrate my mind on other stuff, but I just had to come back here to see what you all were saying about the game. Psychologically at this point I don’t think there is much if any difference between a 1-1 and a 1-0 loss so our resiliency should be OK. Let’s just stuff the Yanited scum when they come to the HOF.
Dapper, we will still be top of the league when we meet Citeh on 12 December.
Southampton (h)
Cardiff(a)
Hull (h)
Everton (h)
Two weeks’ break (except for our French trio who have serious business to settle against Ukraine) will freshen them up.
Today’s defeat came from a lucky bounce off a Dutch shoulder. Total fluke. We matched them completely after that. Martin Tyler said before the match that Per and Tomas were not the only squad members who were affected – some of them out there were too.
Positives: Jack was electric when he came on; Gnabry was superb – should have been on earlier; Kos/TV axis worked well.
More positives: Theo back after break – Podolski not far off – Alex two weeks closer to coming back.
That’s when we explode and draw clear of the pack.
COYG
“Ozil’s quality has dropped since joining Arsenal.” (To quote an above poster. Most likely one who never, or close to never, watched him play for his previous club.)
Real Reality
Agree, the only stat that matters is not shots or possession stats, but it is neither goal stats.
It’s the table stat. You’ve checked the table lately?
Tottenham Sh*itespurs fail to take advantage. Man City fail to take advantage. Reality if you want Yanited to win the league so much why don’t you serially suck Rooney’s and then Van Cuntie’s d*ck.
Would appreciate if you would all ignore the troll. Thank you.
Outburst over. MY apologies, ‘holic. 🙂
Our next league game is critical to our season. Dare I say, even more important than today.
You don’t need to win at OT to win the league. You do probably need to beat saints at home tho. And it will be tough as hell – they are probably now the league’s form team, us aside.
We need to bounce back and bounce back fast. Win that game, maintain the gap and recover our momentum and we can start to dream.
Forgot to add earlier, really enjoyed watching Matty Flamini take out Phil Jones after a ten minute period in which Jones had lumbered round the pitch kicking people and then nearly sparked out our keeper. This is why we needed him back in the team – sometimes you have to stick one on an opponent, take a card for your trouble and make them think twice before charging into another 50/50. I know not everyone agrees, but in all my years playing football I was always taught that if you’re getting kicked then someone needs to kick back – at minimum it wakes the ref up.
In summary, a good day for plucky Northern underdogs to hang on and nick maximum points against top clubs.
And the LWCs.
Where is this troll then how dare he 🙂
We couldn’t convert our chances and I believe we had two or three of those especially in the second half. In the first half we gave them too much comfort as Le Boss has said in his presser. We didn’t really find our football and I don’t blame our lads they had a tough away game so it’s no surprise we were a little jaded in the first half!
That Dutch bloke was a true cunt celebrating like that I seriously thought he had more class!
Anyway fuck em all! Rooney is another classless cunt and that other bloke is learning from him well! Ref was a prick as well but what can you expect from those muppets?
We are top of league we are top of the league!
We haven’t won there for a very long time so the fear factor was lingering in the air perhaps. Form what I was watching our passes in the first half weren’t their best, there was a lot them misplaced by players who normally get them spot on.
Anyways….
We are top of league we are top of the league!
Southampton have been very easy on the eye lately, they play some good stuff and have a pretty mean defence.
Will Flamini’s booking today mean he will miss playing against them in our next match?
H2H – I believe so.
Would be quite happy to see Gnabry start that game and Rambo move back to the centre.
N7 is correct on both points.
246lars- agree they should be more worried than us.
We were struggling first half and they scored an arsey one at best.
Thought Vermaelan could have put more pressure on the dutch bloke.
Also agree rooney gets up for arsenal games. Put in a big shift.
257lurky – agree if thats the best result they can scramble with us having some key injuries and sickness, they wont be too keen to play us with a full and fit squad.
As dortmund did in our first match up, the only way to beat us now is to stop our backs providing quality ball supply to midfield.
Utd provided constant pressure on the man with the ball in first half.
Cheers N7.
——
MotD, The M is for MEH.
Yep we will miss Flamster after the interlull! 🙁
But we should have more attacking options and I’m sure we can cover for one game in that position.
Agree pingpong
PingPong table tennis is not his game for sure! 😉
O dear.
Iditinity (and oxygen) theif is back.
That’s me out. G’night all.
Sagna owned evra. Flam and arteta did well.
I think we missed the BFG and TR7. And i hoped beyond hope that st nick scored at the death. Close but no cigar. Generally a frustrating day at the office where we ere off our game. A long 90 mns in dortmund took its toll i think.
Man do i hate those manc fuckers. And moyes is a schmarmy a-hole extroadinaire. Well turn them over 3-0 at the ems.
Still- we outclassed them all over the pitch.
Cheers holics.
I am an obsessed cunt who really should visit my doctor.
H2H sleep tight fella!
Spot on Homer! Couldn’t agree more!
Pudding
No disrespect to you but coming here calling people mugs just goes to show what IQ level you really represent!
Now clear off and never come back….
Humanity has certainly stopped evolving and has entered a downward evolutionary spiral if creatures, presumably human, like pudding can be created that are incapable of reason.
Evening all. A hard write at this time of night. >>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>