Gala Performance Includes Rambo Wonderstrike
Dec 9th, 2014 by 'holic
We love him, we love him, we love him. Lukas Podolski took less than three minutes to prompt his song with an incredible left foot strike, from an Aaron Ramsey pass, to give the Gunners shadow squad the lead in Istanbul. Only four minutes were on the clock when Hector Bellerin, in an unfamiliar left-back berth, distracted Hakan Balta who appeared to have the goal at his mercy and fired wide. The tone of the match was set early.
Wesley Sneijder brought the first save from the returning Wojciech Szczesny in the ninth minute, but Arsenal’s advantage was doubled when Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain freed Aaron Ramsey for a smart left-foot pass inside the far post with just ten minutes on the clock. The two youngsters were running the midfield and although they are different players they looked to complement each other in the centre of the park.
Luke Reddy was in mischievous mood on the BBC live commentary
Not long afterwards Mathieu Flamini picked up an early yellow card for a challenge on Bruma then the Gunners almost struck again, as Podolski smashed another one against the bar with ‘der hammer’. Two minutes later Yaya Sanogo skilfully worked an opening for himself only to have his effort blocked by a flailing arm. It was however ball to arm and no penalty.
Those who saw it will long remember the twenty ninth minute when Aaron Ramsey hit a sensational volley from inches off the deck and nearly thirty yards out into the top corner. If we score a better goal this season I hope I am there to see it. There was a wonderful rear view of the strike which showed Wojciech Szczesny holding his head in disbelief at what he had just witnessed.
Melo was booked after a coming together with Joel Campbell then five minutes before the break Ramsey set up Campbell who was denied by a smart save. Tarik Camdal hauled down Sanogo as he raced clear and Ramsey’s free-kick was headed high and wide by an unmarked Calum Chambers.
We made a slower start to second half following the substitutions of Gedion Zelalem for Flamini and Ainsley Maitland-Niles for Ramsey. A full debut for the latter at the age of 17. Eight minutes in Sneijder curled a speculative effort wide of the post as the home side sought to get back into the game. Just before the hour mark Yasin Oztekin attempted something even more fanciful but Szczesny saved comfortably. Campbell raced at the Gala defence and was upended but no free-kick was awarded.
Four minutes later Debuchy, feeling the pace in his first game back saw yellow for pulling back Snejder and Poldi followed him into the book for dissent. The resulting free-kick brought a magnificent block from Per Mertesacker, captain for the evening, to deny Umut Bulut.
Seventeen minutes from time Altintop dragged a great chance wide of the far post as Arsenal dug in. There followed the inevitable substitution of Stefan O’Connor for Debuchy. Two full debuts in one night, and excellent experience for all three substitutes.
The hosts were finally granted a deserved consolation for their second-half display when Sneijder smashed home a glorious free-kick in the dying minutes just after Szczesny had foiled another attempt, but that wasn’t the end of it. With the final kick of the match Poldi was on the end of a break and plundered his second of the night with his right foot.
As a response to Saturday that was satisfactory, but not many of that side will start on Saturday, and in truth Gala were as poor in the first-half as we were at Stoke. Having said that you can only beat what is in front of you, and that has to be a positive on the night. Not as big a plus, though, as the Rambo and Ox partnership in midfield or Poldi’s goals.
We’ll sleep happier tonight, won’t we?
125 Responses to “Gala Performance Includes Rambo Wonderstrike”
1st? WWWWWWOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO
Now to read the post! 😀
Wenger Out!
new guy!!
:D:D:D:D
NBN from last round, no it was a good decision. Just hoped that the young lads could surprise us somehow 🙂
Holic do you mind if I post the translated article form last drinks?
This is what it is all about, right? 🙂
Some might say it is “only Gala”, but I think in the last three-four visits no English team has beaten them in Istanbul. Many good performances throughout the pitch. Rambo looked great, one assist and two super goals. But the best probably was that floated free-kick that Chambers missed. Ox was unplayable when in one of his runs, though both him and Rambo made a few poor passes in the final third.
Poldi played deep, providing good protection to Bellerin, and did contribute well in the midfield and defense. On another day probably would have had a hat-trick. The first goal was typical thunderbolt, but the second goal was more promising as he has stopped making those direct runs down the middle in the final few yards for a while now, always looking to play off the left sided channels. Against teams without the very best defense or willing to concede space in their formation he is still effective.
Campbell had quite a few nice moments, a few poor decisions (reminiscent of old Theo, not looking up) in the final third but otherwise excellent touch, control and ability to hold on to the ball. Some good defensive tackles as well. Started to tire off towards the end, the physical fitness to last 90 minutes playing Arsenal football probably still not there.
Sanogo was rather disappointing in failing to hold up and winning challenges. Good one-two for Poldi’s goal though.
In fact we should really call him Sir!
NBN from the previous drinks: I think the intangibles — rest for key players, including Rambo and Flamini — and giving game time to Poldi, Campbell (we will need one of them over the winter, if not both depending upon Theo’s return date, and then later in the FA Cup) far outweigh the 10% odd chance of keeping the GD +6. Pushing for it too much may have had the reverse impact, one of the reasons we played so calmly because we were more relaxed.
My mouth was absolutely testing the limits of the human body at that second Ramsey goal. Yes. It was awesome. It was an awe. Aweesque. But again – I just am not the footballing fan that loves the odd hit of a ball that flies in a certain way. I am a fan of slick passing, team-work, and not over-doing things.
As much as my primal instincts adored Ramsey’s second, I still love the first one more. Great move, not just the left-overs of a corner, and a wonderful, controlled, soooo easy but yet so-hard-to-dare-decide-upon finish.
Last words:
Fighting with words about which of more than one was the best Ramsey goal does beat fighting with fists about if we hate Stoke or the Arsenal more? Doesn’t it?
Let us keep it to the Ramsey thing in the future.
Not so easy, this “CL second round” consistency, is it now? What is it now, 15 consecutive years? Some record …
(No “Famous European Night” in Anfield then for this season…)
GOOD evening all.
Well done Arsenal.
Any banners in sight?
Great win to many positives to mention!
I think I will throw my two pence tomorrow!
Night ALL!!!!!!
About Rambo … I think his last goal-scoring spree started with an away goal at Fener in CL qualifier at the start of the 13/14 season. Maybe a similar one to follow? 🙂
That floated free-kick with the outsteps which Chambers should have really scored from was sign of a player coming back to full confidence.
What Dr F and bath said at 12 and 13 respectively.
I really hope Wenger can play both Poldi and Campbell more often. Especially during this crazy holiday schedule. Great job by the boys.
and heh at the bin dippers.
A regular PL top 4 finish and last 16 of the UCL is such a piece of cake anyone out there (except Rodgers) could do it in their sleep.
Carry on Arthur.
Evening all 🙂
that’s what i’m talking about. perfect, holic.
i will definitely sleep happier tonight. pushes stoke *right* out of the head, i can loop aaron’s second and spin into dreamland with *that*.
Thanks Holic, you’re as quick off the mark as young Bellerin.
Really pleased with that. Positives abound. Nothing else to add and I’ve got an early start tomorrow so I’ll test your hypothesis and see how I sleep.
Night all.
https://translate.google.com/translate?hl=en&sl=pl&tl=en&u=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.kanonierzy.com%2Fshownews_id-36041_Wywiad—-Co-dalej—.shtml
Cheers GSD. I actually wrote it during the second-half as we clearly looked to shut up shop. But for proof reading it would have been up five minutes after the whistle.
We’ve had a bit of a campaign this far. And this group wasn’t the easiest of the bunch. But we’ve gotten through. And out of 32 clubs, only one (1) has a higher points total than us right now. Granted, 4 more clubs might top us, when it comes to points, after the games tomorrow, but in all likelihood , just a few of them will. We’ve done good. Not the best, and yes there is room for improvement, but we’ve done good.
Nice one Guvna. You were quick off the mark.
Rambo and the Ox in MF looked very tasty indeed.
None shall sleep, as the fat Italian sang. :0)
I rarely say I told you so and I won’t now but before the match I did point out that time after time the team respond to a ‘ crisis’ . This proved that the team really cared. There was a real determination to run the game in the first half and keep out Gala in the second. Some terrific performances from Ox, who I think could and maybe should start centrally, Ramsey who is a confidence player and boy should he have confidence , and Bellerin and Debuchy. How open we looked after Debuchy went off. Poldi is a terrific finisher and when he is at it he looks brilliant. But he isn’t always at it. I saw him in the Capital One Cup and he was abysmal.
Jury still out on Campbell and Sanogo still has lots to learn but it will have done the young boys a huge amount of good to play on that stage and be part of a 4-1 win. If only we hadn’t switched off versus Anderlecht – but we could draw Porto or Monaco and might have won the group and played Juve.
We have a real chance against PSG/ Atletico and the two formerly mentioned and who knows what might happen against the others?
Pleased for Wenger though. Hope the fans there give him a cheer
The team Wonga selected failed to score six against a piss-poor bunch of down and outs when that was the minimum requirement to top the group.
Wonga’s half time substitutions led to loss of the clean sheet. WE LOST A FACKIN’ GOAL FFS!
I’ve got the serfs busy sewing a huge banner.
Wonga out.
Good to see Rambo potentially turning the corner. Hopefully he’ll help the team turn its corner too.
Fingers crossed Lady Luck will finally smile on us in the last 16 draw.
Onwards.
Hehe, good job I know who DP is. 🙂
There won’t be much luck in the draw.
We are going to face either:
Atletico Madrid
Real Madrid
Monaco
Bayern München
PSG/Barca
Porto
I love playing in Europe.
Toby our chances of getting a nice suitable draw are 50-50.
I would not mind us facing Porto, Monaco and even Atletico.
Bayern, Real and Barca are stronger then us, but with one or two decent additions in January and couple of big guns like Ozil or Walcott coming back from injury, we might have some questions to ask them.
I’m not saying we couldn’t beat any of them, Lurky.
I’m just saying that were we are at the moment (that is, early december, with the form and injuries we have) we will have a tough two games against most of those teams. Were we will be when the knock-out games starts, with injuries and possible recruitments, we will have to see.
I’m, as always, positive. I do not for one second think we are the best team in Europe. But if Stoke can grab three against us in one half, surely, we can get a few lucky ones against Barca, and then pretty much anything can happen.
Again – I just love playing in Europe. With this many good teams, success can’t in any way, shape or form be guaranteed. Especially not right now. But, we’ve still got a shot, and at least two interesting games to look forwards to.
Bring on whatever. The competition is hard enough anyways, so why not take an entertaining game?
We are long overdue a decent draw.
With you on that, bath. It’s just, I don’t really know what is a decent draw out of those. Atletico did quite alright last season, didn’t they? Porto, sure, over two legs, we could be alright, but as for the rest? I mean, what you could say about us, and what people always do say “they can beat anybody on their day” surely must apply for the rest as well. A draw that can feel quite “easy” can turn into complete shit when meeting teams such as these.
Bring whatever. Not saying that as boasting. I don’t think we’ll last two games against quite a few of those teams, not right now, but, what is the alternative? Just bring whatever.
I think we would have a good chance against Porto and Monaco and a fair chance against Atletico and PSG but need a lot of luck v Bayern, Barca or Real.
Crossing everything on Monday.
Toby, how about Porto then, I see them as quite an entertaining team this year? *-)
Lurky, again, have been seeing a bit of the other teams this season, and stand by my appraisal that they could beat most other teams on their day. And the same goes for us. It’s just so hard to know when WE will have our day(s).
To boil it down:
I don’t care so much about the draw that tells us which team we will be facing.
I care more about the draw that tells us which Arsenal team will be on the pitch.
Isn’t that the constant variable, eh?
Ps. “constant variable.” Ds.
Probably nonsense, but I have an awful feeling Real will get their chance to avenge 2006. 🙁
Disappointing that we preferred to blood youngsters in the second half instead of going for the big win that could have (WOULD have, in the event) given us top spot. As I said in previous rounds Dortmund were no shoo-in to even draw against Anderlecht.
Perhaps we’ll get RM for a change this year… 🙁
Nice one/s Poldi, and I did say that Rambo might be only one decent performance away from returning to his best form … hopefully this was it.
Öskar
Playing percentages in the light of our horrendous injury list was really the only sensible way to go tonight. I think a lot of us would have written off the game to save legs. All credit to AW for taking the middle course, playing a team capable of winning a difficult game (at least on paper in advance) and resting key players for the Premiership struggle.
At 3-0 after 30 minutes the prospect of the 6-0 win became tangible but no-one would have given it credence before kick off. Had we taken further injuries to key players trying to get it, it would have been lunacy. Furthermore one of the teams finishing top seems likely to draw Barca. For sure, that would have been us.
Lovely stuff also from Ox and Debauchery, the latter looking as if he’d never been away. Campbell otoh was not only selfish with the ball and devoid of ideas he also looked kilos overweight, what exactly could his excuse be for that?
Most unlikely Arsenal bench I can remember, ever!
Öskar
If Ramsey had done his hamstring I think the fans would be giving Wenger pelters for not taking him off. The Gala subs changed the game and I was happy with Wenger’s decision
I do like the look of Debauchery. There’s a welcome mean look in his eye sometimes. Welcome return.
Nice wrap up Holic,
A good team result to compliment a good past 24 hours within this bar.
Poldi showed the positive lift he can provide for our team when on song and the carnage and damage he can cause to the opposing team to put us on the front foot. Poldi truly did have his Hammer primed and pumped full of nails today and was unlucky not to have two more.
Sonogo and Campbell were average to be honest, but it would be very harsh to critique either of them and especially Joel, considering he has hardly played 5 mins all season.
Hopefully Aarons shooting boots continue to boost the overall team spirit just as importantly as they may boost his own confidence.
Gala were pretty ordinary, their defence was ridiculously flat and square throughout the first half, but we were also pretty good in the first half and you can only beat who they put in front of you.
Onto the next round of Champions League and a little chuckle at Liverpool 🙂
Wenger Out?!
Hahaha!
🙂
Up The Arse!
😀
Agee with Bath and TTG:
AW made 100% the right call in playing % and taking the middle of the road option and saving Aaron..
We are in the next round and all teams are decent regardless. granted some a touch stronger, but we also have not had much luck in our CL draws for many years along with our injury curse…
Surely, we have paid our dues in full to both the injury gods and the CL draw gods…
Proofreading, too, ‘Holic. You are just too perfectly old school.
I have no problem with saving Rambo, but his departure wasn’t the reason we virtually shut up shop. Nor did I see the Gala subs making all the difference.
With 3-0 up at HT and 0-0 in the Dortmund game it must have been an option to go for top spot. I’m disappointed we didn’t, because it was there for the taking. Positive football is usually a Wenger trademark.
Öskar
Cheers ‘holic.
What a joy to read that match report.
Not just because it was a great match report. When the team scores such great goals it reminds me of the kind of matches we seemed to have a few years ago in a higher degree of proliferation.
Great post Holic. Yes, I’ll definitely be sleeping happier tonight after that result.
I loved seeing those shots go in.
The Hammer of Podolski was a sight for sore eyes.
Hope to see more of it in coming weeks!
so we were 3 goals away from topping the group!!
Wenger out!
😆
Immediately!
Today even!
Clear your desk Arsene 😆
Oskar,
I think topping the group was lost when we messed up the Anderelect game. We have been so unlucky with the draw lately that we might even draw Juventus if we top our group,who knows. I was fine with the substitution, didn’t want us to pull another Anderlect result after going 3 nil up, great game management from the boss I think.
Great report on a great game, as are all ‘holic reports.
Great to see that Ramsey has found his shooting boots. And the Ox gets better every game.
I haven’t been commenting lately (are those cheers I hear?), but have a request.
Am spending this weekend in Paris (Montparnasse area), and wonder if any of you out there could recommend any bars or whatever that have the good sense to show The Arsenal’s games. Of course, we’re the late game so there should be a few. I’ll be back to check but thanks in advance.
Arsenal , a l’assaut !!!!!!!!!!!!!
Swiss champions FC Basel celebrate : http://ichef.bbci.co.uk/live-experience/cps/512/mcs/media/images/79633000/jpg/_79633782_basel.jpg
🙂
BB. Great cartoon and it is great to see the comeuppance of Liverpool as well as the other two. But it should also serve as a warning for us that Basel are an outstanding side and we are bound to face them in the Champions League, probably sooner rather than later.
@bt8b
To be absolutely frank, would rather we meet a tough side. There can be no better ground to test the team and show their progress (..or regress?!) than against another team heralded to win the CL.
If we’re going to go out.. let’s go out with a bang! Or let’s finish the job and win this thing! Our team’s as good as any once(if?!) we get all our players fit!
Debuchy, Ozil, Kos, Giroud,Theo and Wilshere.. when we get them fit and proper we’re bound to give it a go!
Of course if we could just land a commanding DM, that would be ideal! .. main concern is for Arteta and Flamini.. not sure they have the legs to last a hectic campaign! But as it is we’re not too bad at all!
Glad Alexis was rested and what a wonderful response from Poldi and Ramsey! Do wish Arsene would rotate more but he has his reasons I’m sure.
Finally… what a goal! RAMSEY! : https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9xaKu2giR7w
When you are under no pressure, the results are their for everyone to see.
The handbrakes were off and boy did we fly in the first half. I also tend to agree that Ramsey’s first goal was more composed but the second one will always be remembered and rightly so.
Debuchy coming back was the best sight in some time, He looked like he had never gone and i am sure a certain stability will be there going forward from now. Now Debuchy, dont spoil my comments by being rash against your former team mates this saturday.
Oxlade Chamberlain though just was the best the player on the pitch in the first half. Bulldozed past their midfield including a certain felipe Melo who we were interested some seasons back.
Poldi, keep him or sell him in jan but play him till then. He will get you goals, can be casual but that whip of his left foot and no gk can stop.
An inform geordies over the weekend and a refreshed Sanchez and co, well wont get carried away, a 1-0 suits just fine please boys.
Holic, You’re a true Capricorn. Hard working is always a trait attributed to those born under your sign. xx
Last night was an early Christmas present from our club and like many others here, I’m very grateful 🙂
@Gooneraside Our very own Ollie, has been to a sports pub called ‘The Financier’ located in that area of Paris. You can google them. 😉
plus.google.com/1024002209764…
Ph # +33 1 40 47 60 33
Gooneraside @ 56: I know about “The Lions” which shows a lot of Arsenal games, it is in Bastille though so you will have to cross the river, but should be a short metro ride away: http://www.thelionsparis.fr/ .
Or you can look for more in the Arsenal France supports’ club: http://ascfr.com/ .
Where’s Ollie?
abb @ 63, our posts crossed …
Where’s Ollie? 🙂
Hi Dr Faustus 🙂 How nice of you to help Gooneraside!
Ollie is on Twitter 😉
Biggest development on the night was Debuchy’s return; goes to show that what AW said in the aftermath of Stoke was very true:
“We were a bit young on Saturday at the back and defending is a job for older people.”
Just that bit of quality experience did wonders, and its absence showed with the youngsters out there — great to get the experience for the boys, but, boy oh boy. And this is also not to be taken as a criticism of either Bellerin or Chambers, who’ve performed manfully when thrown in there, but Debuchy just fits the bill perfectly.
So, on AW’s Xmas list to Santa, the must have is an experienced CD, given the uncertainties with Koscielny and BFG’s doldrums, which hopefully Debuchy can help resolve. As for the DM, you’re not likely to get the required quality in during this transfer period, but a (healthy!) Kallstrom-like acquisition could work — an experienced head with some size and skill who could relieve both Arteta and Flamini in the FA and CL cup runs (should be able to do Hull at home in January.)
Joleon Lescott would have been an ideal summer signing. Left- sided, experienced and versatile. If Defending is a job for older people I don’t understand why you replace a 27/8 year- old in Vermaelen with a 19 year- old in Chambers. It’s unfair pressure on a great prospect who looks an excellent full-back to me and did a decent job last night. But do days like Saturday retard development or make you grow up quicker?
Debuchy made a huge difference and I really like the speed, quality and versatility of Bellerin.
Let’s hope our lads left at home watched it with their feet up on the sofa although it sounds like Alexis ( like Ozil before him) has been a naughty boy and split with his girlfriend because of some extra- curricular. What do girls see in these handsome, athletic multi- millionaires?
That is a shame, ttg. Alexis’s old girlfriend seemed to wear the shirt well:
http://i.dailymail.co.uk/i/pix/2014/07/11/article-0-1F94D87D00000578-773_634x681.jpg
Separately, if defending is a job for older people, then his bar could field an unbeatable back four (or even several)…
his = this
Listened to the latest Tuesday Club today. Glad to hear I wasn’t the only one that had a bit of a trouble staying away from watching a bit of the ‘pool yesterday.
Heh Ned. What a back four indeed. 🙂
Forgive me fellow bar-flies, for I have sinned. It’s been four or five weeks since my last drink.
I had been starting to wonder whether the time might have come for Arsène to begin to “consider his position”, not becsuse I think someone else would do a better job – I don’t – but because his staying in place might lead to divisions within the fanbase that would just take too long to heal.
Last night has changed that. Not simply because of an excellent result, in a game which, as usual I didn’t see, but also becsuse I listened to the post-match phone-in on 5Live, which featured Liverpool supporters with idiotic suggestions about who should replace Rodgers at least as stupid as those I have become used to reading and hearing from Arsenal “fans”.
I’m back out of the closet. I’m an AKB and I’m proud.
COYG
Heh, Panglossdroid. Out and proud! 🙂
Double 18yo Highland Park on the bar, a little spring water, no ice and no umbrella.
Exactly, ‘Holic. Two banks of Zimmer frames. Nothing would get through. We mightn’t be too lightening on the counter, though…
You’re right about Bellerin’s speed, Ttg. Apparently he is officially the fastest player in the club having recently beaten Theo’s time over 40 metres (yards?). No excuse for not getting back in defence then.
Interesting comparison between our bench against Gala … Martinez, Zelalem, Akpom, Iwobi, Kamara, Maitland-Niles, O’Connor, and $iteh’s against Roma … Caballero, Sagna, Kolarov, Lampard, Silva, Jovetic, Boyata. No idea who Boyata is but the rest look useful!
Finally, for those apparently satisfied with finishing second in the group rather than chasing top spot, here is our reward … Real Madrid, Bayern Munich, Barcelona, Monaco, Atletico Madrid or Porto. Had we topped the group it would have been Juventus, Basel, Bayer Leverkusen, PSG, Schalke or Shakhtar Donetsk.
Öskar
Oskar. If we had drawn Shakhtar Donetsk the Russians probably would have invaded during the game and massacred all our players. Everything is for the best. Or something. 🙂
Oskar, bring em all on I say.
The bigger the better.
We can match it with the best in CL when we focus and commit to the basic team stuff.
We just seem to suck a bit against stoke and other lowly scum English teams 🙂
If the team dont get the defensive stuff by now, well…..
Can anyone explain to me why evidently have a higher chance of drawing Bayern than Monaco, Barca, etc? Where are they getting these probabilities? Shouldn’t it be even odds?
Great write up, Holic. For some reason, Real Madrid appear to be more popular in Morocco than the mighty Arsenal and I only managed to catch about thirty minutes of our game and i was three nil at that stage. Naitland Miles and Zelalem were on by that stage and looked good.
I thought that Chambers, “who never was and never will be a CB” looked fairly assured at CB in only his second start in the position that AW bought him to play, as a replacement for Vermaelen and cover for Kos or BFG. He would have started in that role in his Arsenal career but for Debuchy’s injury, of-course.
Are Real Madrid playing on Saturday? If so and their match time clashes with ours I fed that I’ll be stuck with only Goonerholic to bring me unto speed on the Bar Codes game. Has it really come to this?
Cheers, Holic – keep up the great work!
goonsterham lincoln either it is rigged or it should be even odds in my uninformed opinion.
Bergkamp’s The Man. The old colonialist’s trick in Morocco is to lead them to believe Newcastle are actually Casablanca FC. Probably not worth trying though. 🙂
abb @63 and the doc @64
Many, many thanks for your info. I shall internet your suggestions and be at one of them to see (I suspect) a cracking Ramsey-led victory.
Everybody be sure to check out today’s Arseblog which contains a link to a video Christmas Card from Gunnerblog of Arsene Wenger signing Let It Go (Cesc Fabregas Editition). Absolutely brilliant. 🙂 🙂
was just about to link it here bt8, that really had me in stitches 😀
I am sure you will all join me in chanting…
“There’s only one Aaron Ramsey, one Aaron Ramsey, one Aaron Ramsey…one Aaron Raaaamsey!
(Taken from A.com)
Arsenal’s potential last-16 opponents are:
Atletico Madrid
Real Madrid
Monaco
Porto
Bayern Munich
Barcelona
No surprises there!
All six beatable, King GT, three eminently so.
goonsterham: I don’t have the energy to do the maths myself (not even sure I can remember how to do them, it’s been a bloody long while since I did any such calculations!) to see if it’s correct but supposedly it has to do with the number of teams Bayern can be drawn against and how the draw is made. We can face six different teams, but Bayern can only face five different teams (btw, that is ludicrous in itself – you can only face five out of fifteen teams???) and so on for other teams and this adds up to a coctail of probabilities that aren’t as easy as “we have a one in five chance to play team Y”. This is also the reason we so often see these “oh look, someone predicted the draw exactly – it must be rigged!” on the web after these draws, i.e. the draw IS to a certain extent rigged.
so this all means its bayern or real madrid for us 😛 We are due to kicking Bavarians out of the competition..while Madrid would be spectacle to watch. They are, however, pretty much the scariest team on counter-attack, and as we all know ..we do not like that …so.. I would be kinda scared should we play them.
I hope we get Bayern.
Please let us get one of the main contenders….. !
😀
Eandy: on the other hand, there probably isn’t a team in the world that aren’t shitting themselves at the prospect of facing Real at the moment. What is it now, 22 straight wins in all competitions?
Yeah Lars, true enough. I mean there are no winning scenarios for us, if we get one of the “weaker” teams (Porto, Monaco) and manage to fuck up, all hell will break lose, if we go through, everyone will say “It was only Porto/Monaco”.
Should we get one of the bigger teams and go out – “we fucked up again by being second in the group” and if we go through “Bayern/Barca/etc underestimated Arsenal, they are not going to be that lucky in next round (which is admittedly pretty much best outcome possible).
On the other hand, if we manage to beat one of those so called big boys, anything can happen and we might aswell just go on and win whole thing *daydreams*
Eandy – you have clearly developed a profound understanding of the UK Press.
An example from this Wednesday’s Times: 4 pages on Liverpool’s brave attempt to progress to the last 16.
2/3 of a page on Arsenal ‘only qualifying in second place despite a 4-1 victory’ over a team that was one of the poorest ever to grace the UCL.
hahaha bath, thats just …so typical 😀 I dont bother reading UK sport sites anymore. Although here in CZ Liverpool is kind of media darling too since Smicer and Baros used to play for them.
Also everyone around is kinda pissed that AW is not playing TR (funny enough their reasoning is not that Arsenal struggles but he is “not played enough to be match fit for national team, about which I could not care less :D)
Please let us not have this we need to beat the big boys sooner or later. I will be delirious to see us draw Porto or Monaco which gives us a real chance to qualify to the next round. The rest under the circumstances we have very little chances specially bayern, barca or real.
The draw is on monday but in between we have the small matter of newcastle. Is theo finally back????? its getting irritating that he keeps having issues and we keep hoping he finally has a run in. Shad do your magic again please and get him fit. Now the other question- Poldi, does he start or no? will we rest ox?? knowing both had stellar games, the decision will be a tough one and may go against the boss if the result does not come as hoped for. One decision is fairly straight forward- Sanchez plays.
Full deck of cannons blazing!!
BOOM!
BB.
Top drawer of a finish of my cross-shot. Was hoping someone would be in the box. 🙂
@bt8b
Scoring is easy when you play for the best team there is!
Much obliged for the assist, no better time to end my drought!
Drink!
😀
Give us Bayern or Barca!
About time for a victory against either of them!
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7iFEtwb8xzo
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fj4TitWsZys
Up The Arse!
🙂
BB, better yet give us Porto or Monaco. We are not getting past Barca, I see us getting past Bayern than Barca.
@SAG
Am up for a fight.. so long as we have most of our key players back ( and key here means the defensive players), I think we’ll have a chance!
We got this chap now too : https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=K3RpcfmWlk8
For someone not considered an out and out striker, methinks he does pretty well!
Let’s have a go!
🙂
Hi everyone
Gooneraside, hey, you’re welcome. Wherever you end up, I’m sure you’ll have one grand time (Paris ♥) 🙂
BTM, Morocco ? Boy, you sure get around! 😉
Now for the big debate, who should we want to draw in Champs League. Sighs. The WEAKEST one, that’s who! That way we can still boast we’re still in 3 competitions. 🙂
Now, Our Trev has gone missing! He would be just the one to explain to our Oskar why AW had to substitute Aaron so he could rest his hamstring!
ATG, is looking for 3 tickets (count them 1,2,3) against West Ham Dec 28th. Now we all want Arthur to be there as it promises to be one HELL of a battle for our lads! ☺
Just call me ‘sunshine’ 🙂
Alan Pardew has said some very nice things about Arsene. I’m not going to be cynical. Respect. Good on him xx
Heh Abb! Hope you’re keeping well babes!
Pardew should speak well of Wenger. Le Boss gave him a sort of ‘internship’ at Arsenal years ago, before he (AP) was at West Ham. In fact Pardew tried to apologise for the spat at West Ham when he taunted Arsene in his own technical area, which led to Arsene being fined by the FA for reacting.
I don’t likePardew, for various reasons and after living in Newcastle for 2 years back in 90 -92, I’m still in touch with Geordie mates who really hate the cunt. Having said that I remember him as a player, especially with Palace, and I will say he always gave it everything.
Anyways, once again all the best Abb and if we don’t speak before wishing you and yours a joyous festive holiday.
Another make ship back four for Saturday. Seems Kos, Nacho and Chambers out!
Its only Thursday, plenty of time for Debuchy, Sir Chez, Gibbo and Per to get fucked yet.
Seriously – don’t wanna see Kos become the Ledley King of Arsenal. You either play or you’re not fit enough.
Which makes no sense at all;
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yX6FsTIq6ls
Evening geezer. What time are you going to be there on Saturday?
The trouble is that when you are injured you tend to be more vulnerable to further / different injuries when you return. At least I sense that’s true but I will bow to Trev’s knowledge of these things.
Sadly the huge risk Wenger took on the back four has come back to bite us on the bum. Last year we were totally dependent on Giroud upfront and he survived largely intact.
My concern is the price we will have to pay for the Champions League last 16 match if it’s not covered by our existing arrangement. The Hull tie means that we have had five of the six extra games and a fourth round home draw ( which would be nice in one sense ) might mean we pay premium prices for the CL game. Last year many seats in the North Bank were £125 for Bayern and my two seats cost £85 each I believe. That would make the natives rightly restless.
Evenin’ holic and all.
I’m going to see a Bob Marley tribute band tonight. Just me, myself and I. I am sure I will meet some interesting people to enjoy an evening with but in the meantime I have holed up at the bar and had a good old back drink. (And a real drink too)
Most enjoyable. Thanks everyone for your contributions. Especially the holic-NBN thread about the bar’s back line.
A mate of mine runs occasional 5-a-side tournaments for a charity we are both involved with in North – East London.
Next time it rolls around I am tempted to mobilise the troops…
TTG, if tickets cost less I would attend more regularly. No real point to make. We all know the situation and it affects others more than me. But I am a fan who will spend much of the match vocally supporting the team and I would come more often if it cost less. Fact.
Hey Esso! I didn’t know Mr Pardew use to play, must check him out on Youtube. Have seen both Uncle Bruce and Mark Hughes in action 😉 Hope all is good with you xx
As for me, well I just try to gravitate towards the light 🙂
GSD and Ttg, I wouldn’t be able to afford those ticket prices. Mighty steep 🙁 But if you need to enlist our help for a good cause, let us know. xx
Good nite everyone and take care.
ABB top bloke thank you for mentioning it here! 😀
Got some family from Polska and want to relish the experience I sadly have never been to an away game! It probably be impossible to achieve but hey you never know.
I was going to be there on Saturday however I have a really busy schedule. London tomorrow, Xmas party back in Reading at 7:30 pm can’t drink too much Little Gooner has got a game early doors on Saturday 🙁 and I think I would rather sit and rest in front of the box for this one! I’m sure Holic and Holics will have a blinder though!
Not many good vibes from the treatment room, hope Rambo can recover in time! Apart from that not much else is going on, however still enjoying the mid week win! And if there is any moaners out there you know exactly what do to do 😉
I had no problem with Rambo’s substitution, abb, as I said in #49. I just didn’t agree with shutting up shop at that time, which was clearly tactical and a shame since we were on a roll and could have gone for the jugular and top spot.
Öskar
Never been to an away game, ATG? The last one I went to was in 2011, the only one I’d been to since leaving England in 1967. Which game was it? It was pure Manure … 8-2 to them. 🙁
Öskar
Oh, and the other game I saw on that visit was at the Ems against Poo … 2-0 to them. I should have stayed in NZ!
Öskar
Oskar
It has to be said what nasty one to pick, not that you obviously picked it yourself mate! But still….Must of been a killer coming back from that one!
I think I chose the other option not to remember much the next day!
Oskar I thing Rambo’s hamstring started to give way hence the sub, it’s a shame we didn’t have Rosicky in that game it could have been a lot better.
My motto now is to rotate more often and gel the team so that they understand each other better. I believe we have got a very good bench even though Galatasaray didn’t play very well on the day. What I really enjoyed from that game was the complete directness we imposed on them and played without fear no tippy tappy stuff! Just one direction, forwards and it worked wonders!
I know there still two sides to us and these are tippy and forward attack direct this is exactly why we miss Walcott so much he runs at defenders so does Alexis, Poldi is not the greatest but once you show him the space he will make sure it’s your last sin! For me Campbell was great and nearly got rewarded but only one guy can open up like that and score and that is our legend Thierry Henry!
GSD and ABB
Thankyou for your comments. The prices at Arsenal are the thing that most depress me. The thought that any fans should be charged those inflated prices. Bayern subsidised their fans’ ticket prices last year. I thought that was a brilliant gesture but so embarrassing for Arsenal. It is taking advantage of loyal fans who already pay a fortune.
It’s also the thing that makes the longstanding fans on this board saddest. Because one day we know we will be priced out of watching the team we love
A tale from one of our own that concerned me when I heard it. >>>>>>