Gunning For Second?
Apr 3rd, 2015 by 'holic
At last, proper football returns after the latest international break with another of those season defining matches. Arsenal and Liverpool have played a number of significant fixtures down the years, and there may yet be one more to come, but for now it is all about the battle for Champions League places next season.
The lunchtime kick-off gives the Gunners an opportunity to take second place until at least Monday night when Manchester City visit Palace, a tricky place to go. It would also put us nine points clear of Liverpool with just seven matches remaining. Arsene was sounding upbeat ahead of the match.
“We have built a level of confidence and are conscious that if we do certain things well, then we can win games. It’s a big match because Liverpool are a good side and we have an opportunity to win another big game. Recently we have shown we can do that.”
The news from the infirmary at Shenley is quite remarkable. Although not everybody is available, the entire squad was in training again at the end of this week. The starting eleven therefore takes some guessing, and may be affected by how fit players have looked on return from international duty.
If I were a betting man (what? Oh!) I would expect to see David Ospina behind a back four of Hector Bellerin, Gabriel, Laurent Koscielny, and Nacho Monreal. Francis Coquelin at the base of the midfield with Aaron Ramsey in box to box mode and Santi Cazorla/Mesut Ozil as twin playmakers alternating between centre and left flank. Alexis on the right and coming inside to support Olivier Giroud up top.
Liverpool arrive without the far from teenage, mutant Skrtel and Stevie G, talisman in chief. Larking around aside they are, like us, in a rich vein of form right now, if you discount their defeat by Manchester United last time out. They look favourites to get through the other FA Cup semi-final to possibly meet us for a fourth time in the FA’s showpiece.
Suspensions aside it is likely that those thought doubtful through injury may well be available after all, including Sturridge and Lallana, both unable to make England duty during the break. The man in the news this week, Sterling, is also fit to start, it would appear.
I have looked long and hard at the odds before deciding on the ‘holic pound for this one. Liverpool can be expected to pull out all the stops and play a high pressing game. I have to believe we will eventually find the quick one touch pass and move game to counter that and I am drawn by the 9/1 on offer from Paddy Power for a 2-0 home win. That would be a real marker, as Amy Lawrence made clear in her excellent look at our recent home performances against clubs considered to be rivals.
So there we are. I should thank Network Rail and First Great Western for making my trip to the match, and back. as long-winded and awkward as possible. Should I arrive in time for a pint or two I look forward to seeing some of you, and most certainly afterwards too.
Have a good one, ‘holics.
90 Responses to “Gunning For Second?”
thirst!
Oh dear, I was seduced by the Guvna’s prose and missed the top spot.
COYGs
tell you what, you left the long wind and awkwardness to gwr…
nice preview, and I will stand with you on the holic pound. even though I will be struggling for wakefulness on the couch at game time.
I don’t think Liverpool will come flying out of the blocks. I wouldn’t be at all surprised to see them start quite defensively so as not to concede early and have to chase the game. They will probably want to allow us to keep passing the ball in front of them and work their way into the game, hoping that we shall become frustrated and make mistakes.
Great piece, great sentiments and great to have proper football almost back.
COYG
Thank heavens those Liverpool players so close to death prior to the international break have managed to recover, Lazarus like, in time to meet their clubs next fixture.
Drink!!’
Nice preview Guv. Very tricky match and one where a draw would not be a disaster. I think we could nick it but it will be a very tough match. Our bench is looking very strong and Alexis has had almost a week off so let’s hope we can nick it
COYG!
Second is the new first, bath. Anybody can nick first drink, it takes real skill to miss out on first but get the treasured “first drink by someone who actually read the blog*” position
*Just don’t let on you never read it and your heroic deed is secure.
On form, and with our returnees and their absences, we should win. But let’s see which Arsenal home team turns up, the Villa or Hammers side or the Monaco one. Could be a bit of a chess game with neither side wanting to concede early. If we stay intact then our bench could sway it for us later on.
I fear one of those tricky end-games where we’re either holding on for the last 30 or still seeking a winner. I’m almost tempted to check the result first so I can enjoy a win, or just look for positives in any other event.
Fingers crossed.
Öskar
Re: Cynic @9. I believe that is also Tabs’ rationale for the preferability of 101 rather than 100. Not that is doesn’t apply to #2 of course, I’m just saying. 🙂
Usual standard, Holic.
2-0 would be marvellous.
I’m assured at the station that I will have access to a normal Saturday service. Still trying to decide if that is a good thing. 😉
And ‘H – “teenage, mutant Skrtel” – Applause, applause ! 🙂
Been trying to come up with some pithy comment all day, but to no avail.
I bloody loathe liverpool and their infernally arrogant fans. And brendan rogers is such a fool – they are a perfect match, really.
Its a shame stevie me won’t make the scene – would have been nice to see him personally have one more disappointment.
Come on Arsenal!!!!!
Nice preview. I’ll take 2-0. Safe travels. See you after the game and possibly before.
Quite the early kickoff, as it turns out.
6:45 in the bleeding A.M., for Christ’s sake??????
Jesus bloody Hell. I had better get in the sack and stay there for at least a few hours before the fucking alarm clock rings!!
COYG.
By the way.
That’s not 6:45 in Olde London Town, of course, but it’s worth a mention anyways.
Ah, BtM, welcome. See you later sir.
Nice preview, ‘Holic. Spot on, as ever. 2-0 would suit just fine — as would three points anyway just as long as it is three points.
Enjoy the game ‘holics, wherever you are and whatever the hour.
Nice preview H.
I think today is massive for us. A real chance to officially brush aside those that dip bins on a regular basis. A victory today puts us 9 points ahead, with a far superior goal difference and with only 7 to play.
I’m not really who will start today. Ollie G is in top form and is well deserving of his player of the month award. Personally I would very much like to see Theo get a run out. I know he massively divides opinions amongst all Arsenal fans but I do think that a confident and in form Theo Walcott would prove a massive advantage in the run in. I don’t think either his confidence or form gets any better if he spends too much time on the bench.
I can’t really disagree with your team selection much, except to say that I would not be surprised to see Danny start if he is fit. I’m not sure who out of your 11 would miss out though. The bench should look strong and at least be able to provide us with reasonable options.
Early kick offs on a Saturday are never great for me timings wise but I’m always happy to make the effort to support the corporate world of football finance. The recent TV schedule announced tells you all you need to know about the current state of the game. Sky have decided that in 4 weeks time our fans will travel to Hull on a Monday evening for an 8pm kick off. Hull have decided that our fans will pay £50, plus all the ridiculously trumped up charges for the privilege. I just sincerely hope that those who are going have not already tried to plan ahead too much and have booked trains and or accommodation?
On my travels this week I came across the following. I’m not sure how many Gooners will actually be involved but you have to say that those protesting have more than a valid point.
http://www.liverpoolecho.co.uk/news/liverpool-news/fans-liverpool-arsenal-miss-first-8980304
Hopefully I will get to catch up with a few old faces after the match in the usual spot. Hopefully it will be full of smiles and happiness. There was even a rumour that BtM was giving his wallet an outing???? Not that anyone ever pays any attention to rumours
Enjoy boys and girls.
Let them know it’s football time again…
Let’s roll that fuckin’ ball!
Arsenal: Ospina, Bellerin, Mertesacker, Koscielny, Monreal, Coquelin, Ramsey, Ozil, Cazorla, Sanchez, Giroud. Subs: Gibbs, Gabriel, Rosicky, Walcott, Flamini, Welbeck, Macey.
That’s Macey instead of Szczesny, by the way. No other surprises, please.
Mash those mugs
Come Onnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnn!
nearly full lunar eclipse happening as the game starts. a good omen? COYG!
Is that Anthony Taylor.,,,again?
Ramsey..come on!
Playing a high line with Mertesacker is crazy stuff.
A risk we really don’t need to take.
What a goal
Bellerin.. who’s he? 😀
GET IN!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
What a goal part two
Ozil… who’s he? 😀
GET IN AGAIN!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
It’s about time he did something like that.
What a goal part three
Alexis.. who’s he? 😀
GET IN ANOTHEER ONE!!!!!!!!!!!!
wow..what a half of football!
https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=uCKT5U7rHp8
breathtaking stuff.
Liffey water is the thing to heal scorched throats, and I have one at the moment due to too much yelling after Alexis scored. COYG we need another half like that one. 😀
Debuchy..Gibbs… Theo.. Walcott… Wilshere… Arteta…Flamini.. Rosicky….
I think we have a little strength in depth now…! 🙂
keep your concentration now guys, withstand the early onslought they will surely put on us at the start of the second half
amen, eandy. no defensive miscues, please…
‘Holic, Bellerin was 33-1 for first goal. Given your hot streak, did that cross your mind?
Love alexis. Three fantastic goals, now let’s keep a clean sheet and score some more, giroud has to score now.
another half like that for the home squad, please. COYG!
Loving Owen having a cry about their terrible keeper. It’s only recently the pundits were all saying he was a part of why they were such an improved side.
Anyway, you can only blame him for the second goal. The third beat him for pace.
Kos off?
All right now…
(one for the teenagers there 😉 )
Ramsey has gone into show pony mode. Keep it simple ffs.
Missed first half…can anyone help me out with a stream that works..please
Perhaps Ramsey needs to be replaced, not his best.
Perhaps Ramsey needs to be replaced, not his best so far.
there is your answer: emre can’t.
hector, hector, hector… ;(
F the ref!
no foul by Alexis!
Seriuosly,… F this ref!
Emre can’t
Ohhhhh… Santiii…. almost!
girouuuud!
What a goal part four
Oh Giroud u beauty
Giroud… who’s he? 😀
AND YET ANOTHERRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRR!
OG!
Seem to have slowed down… I was typing that when giroud scored. Nice.
second place with a very convincing win. well done, boys!
We mashed the Mugs four beautiful goals well done boys
I 4 1 love these score lines ha ha pardon the bad pun people. Superb goals all of them, some slightly nervy moments after a great start where we should have been two up but all in all very satisfactory.
Great game.
And good job by Anthony Taylor for not sending off Bellerin with a second yellow.
Eleven.
The number of league games missed by Giroud this season through injury.
Fourteen.
The number of league goals scored by Giroud this season.
Fifth.
Where Giroud stands in the list of top scorers in the league this season, despite missing those games.
And we didn’t have to play to full hundred percent of our abilities. The internationals had some impact, visibly on Rambo, Ozil and Santi.
All quality goals, and all of different types. But Bellerin’s would be my favorite as it brought us back in the game after 10 odd minutes of ‘Pool pressure. Lovely finish.
Now if until the end of the season Alexis and Giroud ‘motivate’ each other to score a goal each in every game … we are all set. 🙂 Two great goals today.
Looking forward to Blackburn fully derailing their season with a win at home. 🙂
8 ball @ 66: Altogether eighteen goals by Giroud in 28 appearances this season. Total 57 goals in 126 appearances for Arsenal. He is of course not ‘world class’. 🙂
Alexis needed that goal. Should set him up for the rest of the season.
Hopefully Koscielny’s injury is not that serious. Or better still he was withdrawn as a precautionary measure.
Huge result and an very important win. So happy for the boys and Arsene.
To many MOTM performances, Monreal, Bellerin, Giroud, Ramsey all put great effort but if I have to single out one player it should be Coquelin. What a player.
The best thing is that with him this looks like the most balanced squad in the last ten years or so. Things are going the right way and the club looks stable.
I know we have the Burnley game before, but a win against Chelski would really mean that we are ready to go for the title, if not this year that the next one for sure.
Dr. F.
World class I believe is a term invented by a cadre of individuals who failed third grade geography. 😉
Coquelin was indeed everywhere today, Lurky. He keeps improving before our very eyes.
Just Ozil things indeed http://arsenalist.com/f/2014-15/arsenal-vs-liverpool/justozilthings.html so happy for Mesut, he was outstanding today.
@71: 🙂 And it was discouraging to see some Arsenal supporters fall for that for a while. He has been on fire.
Lurky — Coquelin is indeed playing superbly and providing the balance that we have needed for so long. But if I may, I think his performances catch so much of our attention not only because of the defensive quality and commitment of his game, but also because how quintessentially different his playing style is from the rest of the squad.
Like Gabriel, good positional sense and Kos-esque ability to press high and recover quickly.
Eandy @ 73 — I thought Ozil looked a little fatigued in his passing and recovery (he played two 90 minutes matches away with Germany so expected) today, in between had some great moments. The free-kick was top quality, even though some seem to focus on Mignolet’s mistake …
Szczesny was not on the bench. Injured sustained in training. Hopefully we don’t need to recall Emi Martinez.
But other than that our bench was Gabriel, Rosicky, Walcott, Gibbs, Flamini, Welbeck. Ox, Arteta and Debuchy are not even in the match day squad.
Come on Villa!!!!
Re: Dr. F @69.
AW quoted on Arsenal.com about Koscielny:
“He had a muscular problem on his thigh, but a small one.”
Knocking on wood then, but the timing of the substitution could be very beneficial to Kos’ conditioning in the next two months.
Oh happy days….we’ve got the makings of a very very good team here.
I’ve decided to call Gabriel ‘Peter’ from this point forward part in tribute to Peter Simpson and part cos I just like it.
Win the next match.
8 ball @ 78: Saw that. Thanks. Good to have options, eh? Chambers was not even on the bench … 🙂
Just finished watching it. Get in.
Everyone played a blinder. Great result. I am well chuffed with that one ,holics.
We love you Arsenal, we do…
well done Arsenal.
Really well done.
Yup, proper football really is back.
COYG
Front bottom Charlie Adam hits one from 65 yards to pull Orcs even at the bridge.
Bellerin and Mesut were oustanding and Sanchez was being himself, stunning.
At times the football was at a level which pool and rodgers aspire to be but cannot, just cannot. It is a joy to see when things come off and also understand why the boss places so much trust on certain players.
I do not care where we finish end of the season but if we play this well, we will be close very close. Now orcs hold on for the draw please or better the bastards.( sorry about the language)
Bugger….Begovic howler 2-1 Chavs
i like winning his fixture probably more than any save spurs.
Eff you liverpool and that huckster brendan rogers. 4-1. Wonderful stuff.
Really really impressed with Arsenal. Save the one foul/pen Blerin was massive. Kept sterling quiet game.
Terrific performance. It wasn’t tight as I thought and we could have won by more. Two defenders out and they were hopeless at the back. We were tactically excellent- credit to Wenger and Bould in outwitting Rogers today.
Ozil showed his class and I thought Giroud did brilliantly through the middle. Coquelin is really developing into a top DM too. Let’s hope Blackburn can increase the Anfield misery next week.
Wenger aht!
Beautiful statistic on MotD – Bellerin now scored more goals this season than Balotelli 😛
>>>>>>>>>>>