Arsenal Invited To Sunday Lunch At The Palace
Aug 15th, 2015 by 'holic
Come on now, you must have expected something like that, surely? There the lightheartedness ends. The trip south of the river has already assumed an increased significance after our opening day home defeat to West Ham. The nature of early season football was emphasised in week two as the Hammers were beaten at home by Leicester.
So can we turn around our fortunes as well, and in the right direction? It is 23 years since we lost back to back matches at the start of the season, although we did gain the consolation of a domestic cup double back then. Arsene WengerΒ will be keen to avoid a magnification of the reaction of some to last weekend’s reverse.
“We have a big following and disappointed people are emotional, that is understandable and it hurts us as well to disappoint people who have a high level of expectation.”
The hosts will unfortunately (for us!) be missing Marouane Chamakh, gone in the fetlock. Goalkeeper Julian Speroni is also ruled out with a hand injury. They are dangerous on the break with plenty of pace on the flanks where they can perm two from Zaha, Puncheon, and Bolasie. A significant addition to their line-up is Cabaye in the centre of midfield, scorer of the clincher in their 3-1 opening day win at Norwich.
They look a far stronger side than when Alan Pardew replaced Neil Warnock in January. He’s no favourite with us after previous run-ins with Arsene, but has shown more respect to his peer this year, and fears a ‘wounded animal’ response from the visitors.
“Arsenal’s manager has enough experience to use that negative last weekend as a positive this weekend. It’s difficult to stop them but we need to play our game.”
The Gunners squad that faced West Ham remains available. It was be a surprise if the goalkeeper and back four were to change, despite those two unfortunate lapses last Sunday. The midfield could be a different matter if Alexis Sanchez is given his first start. Although Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain might be most at risk he looked the most likely player to turn things around for us. An alternative would be a rest for Aaron Ramsey with Santi Cazorla dropping alongside and ahead of Francis Coquelin in the box to box role he enjoyed last season.
Then of course the boss has to choose between Olivier Giroud and Theo Walcott. An in-form Giroud would be a shoe-in away from home where his ability to function with his back to goal would be invaluable. He has started the season slowly, however, and Theo may be fancied to test the likely centre-back pairing of Dann and Delaney for pace.
Two seasons ago we responded superbly to an opening day defeat by stringing together ten wins on the bounce. That would be even more remarkable this time around, with fixtures against Liverpool (h), Chelsea (a) and Manchester United (h) in the next ten this season.
The ‘holic pound
The ‘holic pound was obviously off to a bad start last week, and early season matches have a habit of producing the unexpected. Having said that I am drawn to us repeating the 2-1 triumph we achieved on our visit to Selhurst Park in February. Indeed that was also the scoreline at home last season. Shop around for 8/1 against lightning striking twice, or indeed thrice.
For those going I hope you have another excellent afternoon at the Palace, where we not lost in eleven visits. Indeed we have only lost once there, in 1979, and yes, this Jonah was there that day so be pleased I will be missing it! The traveling faithful will be joined by my Aussie Twitter mate @TheReaper76. Have a great time, all, and bring the three points home.
Have a good one ‘holics.
125 Responses to “Arsenal Invited To Sunday Lunch At The Palace”
Don’t really care how, just win this game.
I shall be there. Great Preview Maestro! I was at Selhurst on our first visit in 1969 standing behind the goal where Raddy got a hat- trick and George Graham scored a classic in a 5-1 win. It will be much tougher tomorrow and although a draw looks possible to me I hope we np an do the 2-1 predicted. Then the season might actually have started
Me too Ttg. I’ll never forget the programme. The vistors page was headlined “Punchless Arsenal, 11 without win”.
Well we punched that day!
Actually, it was 12…
Lose tomorrow and the title is gone after two games.
That would be the earliest “out of the title race already” of all time.
Unless you’d thrown away all hope last Sunday of course π
Can’t understand where your moniker comes from C! π
Good stuff, Guv’nor. Quite looking forward to this one. Not as depressed as Cynic, indeed not even sunk to Lars’ “Don’t care how” level. Not quite.
COYG
Nice stuff as usual Maestro.
A comfortable win for me tomorrow.
We’re better when we’ve got something to prove and don’t think we’ve won the league just because be beat the chavs in the shield.
It’ll be very interesting to see who makes way to accommodate Alexis if he starts and I’m not convinced he should. For me, it should be Rambo with Santi returning to play alongside Coq. When Jack comes back there will be serious competition in midfield. I think thats the reason we haven’t seen another signing to cover DCM.
The PGA is hotting up and looks like its going to be a real cracker. Perfect weekend!
If you want a good giggle, Spurs are currently 2-0 up on Game of the Day, SS3
π
Kyle Walker. A man for whom the phrase “limited ability” was surely coined.
MotD a certainty tonight. π
Fitting that the penalty they conceded was given away for what was almost a choke hold π
I tend to agree with what that Swedish fella at 1 above said.
3 points please.
And an ulcer for Pardew.
Holidays,
Glad you have fond memories of the 5-1.
I went with a close mate who was a Palace fan . We had waited years for our teams to meet. And it all went spectacularly tits- up for them . Punchless Arsenal indeed! We won 4-0 the next week against Derby too.
To show the way friendships endure my tickets for tomorrow have been provided by that very same mate who will be sitting just about where we watched that Radford hat- trick!
I’m taking him to the Oval on Sunday- if it lasts four days!
Holic,
Sorry my Spillchucker thinks it knows better than me. Although it’s always nice to consider holidays!?
Off to Selhurst Park to see the game tomorrow…Like TTG, I’m veering towards a tense away win just ahead of a score draw.
I expect he’ll play Giroud up front, but I wouldn’t mind seeing Walcott instead – I think he’d give those man mountains Dann and Delaney something to think about it with his pace and movement. I also think with Alexis returning, we might see Ramsey moved out right to the expense of the Ox?…
Hmm, it may seem outlandish to make such a claim but the loss to west ham felt like the title race was over – just like that. It’s mathematically farcical, not to mention pessimistic to say that but a rather large bubble was burst. Pre-season couldn’t have gone better but then Arsenal’s famous ability to have a collective off day reared its ugly head and you couldn’t help thinking, ‘Oh right, they still have that in them?’
I guess tomorrow is must win then – all I want is some decent football, but if we spend another day in the relegation zone I’m going to be reaching for the happy pills a LOT earlier than expected!
Just get the 3 points and get the Hell out of there!
Nice preview Holidays ! π
TTG,
with a spill chucker like yours it’s time you seriously considered getting a prof rider. π
I’m down with Lars. While it would be great to see a fluid football exhibition, in the circumstances any win will do, thanks.
Tottenham in “One Man Team” shocker.
Optimism required or we are dead in the water, oil slick, pickle juice, or what have you. Crystal Palace nil Arsenal four.
Porco. Happy pills already down the hatch over here. Ceched out, you might say. π
Multiple personality disorder too much in evidence in my previous two drinks. Sorry everyone.
Chill for a bit, Cynic. Three points tomorrow and the title race is still on. Draw tomorrow and the title race is still on. Lose tomorrow (heaven forfend) and, wait for it, the title race is still on. Many miles to run, my friend.
Then again, I’ve always been partial to the following little ditty:
See the happy moron.
He doesn’t give a damn.
I wish I were a moron,
my god, perhaps I am?
BMBD, ‘Holics
3 – 1 with Cech to have adapted to our “risky” zonal marking at set-pieces. A big reason why last week he was caught out on the first goal. The Chavs man-mark.
Up the Arse! COYBG!
Good preview ‘holic. Palace are an improving side but we should have enough for a narrow win and get our show on the road.
With Palace’s pacey wingers, maybe Bellerin will get the nod over Debuchy, would like to see Santi next to Le Coq, leaving Rambo and the Ox fighting over RM slot., assuming Alexis returns. As for CF – Theo or Ollie – you pays your money and gets your choice ( in other words no idea on this one ).
Cech to earn his corn in a nervy 1-0 to the good guys! Enjoy the game one & all.
Cheers bt8!
Well I may be on daddy day care all day but it’s my birthday and I want 3 points please! And beautifully wrapped if you don’t mind π
Happy birthday Porco,
Regards,
Holidays π
Ttg@2 & βHolic@3
Geoff Barnett was in goals for us that day. What could have gone wrong?
Incidentally, we also lost our opening match that season, at home to Everton with Charlie George making his debut.
Ttg@14: That was some wait. The two teams had met only once before, in the FA Cup in 1934, a 7-0 thrashing of Palace at Highbury.
As for today, what Lars@1 said.
Many happy returns, Porco. May you get your wish.
Happu Birthday Porco. In view of the date, I too will be wishing for a beautiful win.
COYG
The “It’s all over” post was actually a joke.
But true nonetheless. You can’t lose to shite like West Ham and Palace, be pointless after two games and come back from that IMO.
Still if he picks the right team we’ll do them.
That means Santi and Coq in the middle and if Ramsey has to go on the bench, tough. Team comes first.
Cynic, BBC recently had this chart underlying the importance to title hopes of taking points off the middle-table teams. It refers to last season.
http://c.files.bbci.co.uk/C9D0/production/_84646615_pl_myths_1.png
A Romanian Happu Birthday to you too Porci( u).
Who am I to poke fun at typos!?
OX benched to make way for Sanchez. Bellerin back in for Debuchy, Giroud up top.
Pace the Giroud/Walcott debate, that’s our best XI starting today:
Cech,
Bellerin, Mertesacker, Koscielny, Monreal,
Coquelin, Ramsey,
Cazorla, Ozil, Sanchez,
Giroud
Interesting bench: Ospina, Debuchy, Gibbs, Gabriel, Arteta, Walcott, Oxlade-Chamberlain. Heavy on defenders. AW expecting a hunkering down?
Palace have picked a sprint relay squad, so plan clear. Surprised but delighted to see Hector in for his pace. Surprised Ox has got the hook too. He was the one player to emerge with any credit last Sunday.
I would have had Giroud out, thereby guaranteeing he will score.
Who would you have had on the bench to make room for the Ox, ‘Holic?
Ramsey, without any doubt for me.
Happy birthday Porco and UTA. π
Actually I take back my 40. I’d drop Ozil and play Ramsey in his position.
Come Onnnnnnnnnnnnnn!
Come on you riproaring!
Rambo or Santi, Ned.
they may be fast, but they still have to run with the ball.
happy birthday, porco. good morning/etc. everyone!
Ooh Alexis. Should be 0-1.
Superbly set-up by Ozil, it should be noted.
Good to see Santi back central. Rambo will have to perform on the right to keep Theo and the Ox at bay.
If I can keep this up I will just cut and paste my drinks together for a match report π
Greedy sod Alexis!
Two men free at the back stick if the cross was better. One devastating break each, nearly.
oooooggggggggggggg
Told you π
WHAT A GOAL OLIVIER GIROUD!!!
From another Ozil set-up. Waste of Β£42m eh π
Geeeet Innnnnnnnnnn!
Girouuuuuud!
π
took the air right out of their bicycle, I hope.
The hard work paid off!
Chuffed for OG. Very good assist from Ozil and well taken goal, by OG!
I very much doubt it’s foot off the gas time!
COYGS!!
π
that should have been Alexis’ second…
again crap defending. fuck.
Oh!
Oh well, 2-1 looking hopeful.
large whisky on the bar for holic’s hope.
Will we regret not turning this pressure into another goal at least?
Thank God Dann was offside. That was Giroud’s elbow…
Take Coq off…before he gets a red!
Le Coq very lucky there
Not a sending-off offence, but a second yellow it should have been Coq. π
that was never a second yellow, regardless of pardew’s ballet.
mixed bag, that half.
At the ground and from behind Ward I would have expected Cech to save it. Wasted a lot of good approach work. Need to shut their wingers down
Le Coq on thin ice!
Still psychologically shaky at the back!
Some more pace from Theo could be a good addition!
Second half is looking inviting!
the automatisms between defense and keeper are lacking a bit.
Happy we look sharper and positive. Great goal from what looked an impossible position from the HFB but Alexis is still trying to do it all himself, didn’t like Kos turning his back on Ward’s strike and Le Coq not in control of the middle and agree he is lucky to be still on the park but who is there to replace him second half?
Delighted the lovely Hector is back and playing well on the right. We could be in for a very difficult 2nd half!
COYRs
I would take le Coq considering his yellow card, bring the Ox on the wing, put Cazorla as a DM and Ramsey as box to box.
But knowing Arsene, he will probably put Arteta instead of Coq.
Thanks for the wishes chaps. Let’s get the lads over the line!
Surprisingly Coq still out. It could end in tears.
Fuck’s sake that was close to doom
Poor defending, and Wickham misses from 6 yards, Great cross by Zaha.
This Palace defenders are so crap, can believe we haven’t scored at least four so far
How is that not a booking for that Palace twat?
Sanchez not 100% but still making important touches!
Palace have a better keeper than Speroni. Has kept them in the game!
Get in!
there’s yer 2.
Alexxxxxxxxxxxxxiiiiiiis!
Fcuking Alexis!
Didn’t come off earlier but persistence has paid off!
Apparently an own goal by Delaney!
Delaney, the donkey, has put it in! π
Tight bastards offering me just over 2/1 on the cash out. They can sod off.
There I said it, they are so crap and they wondered why we havent scored more goals so they just started scoring on their own
Mason in being incompetent pillock shocker. For both sides to be fair.
3-1 just to settle the nerves!
Can see Cech improving. Has spent a year bench warming.
Le Coq is under pressure, Arsene is a gambling man
Get the mental prick off Arsene!
Looks like it could be the Ox for Le Coq
At last. Ox on for the headless chicken.
Good decision. The Ox is on fire!
Little late, but my thoughts exactly, Ox on the wing, Ramsey as a box to box
Has to make sure he doesn’t spread himself to thinly! Square also needs a lesson!
Ohhhh Santi Cazorla!
Ozil tees up Rambo. Should have been 3. Mesut putting the arguments to bed, surely?
Yellow card, ‘holic. Self assist. No wait. Mason just gave me a caution. π
Similar position as last week
But seemed a lot more urgent this time!
Ozil has been at his best today!
Blow the whistle Mason. It won’t be the worst decision you have made today…
Offered 6/1 on cash out. Should I?
beginning to declench…hopefully not a moment too soon.
Ramsey good job on keeping Palace pressure up. Ffs
Surely in the bag now!
Important win, bring on Liverpool
Fortune favours the brave. The ‘holic pound is landed π Time for drinks in the garden. π
whew! clearly we were the better team, but that was too close. congrats on the holic pound, sir!
jeez
what a fuckin carry on
sore throat
howdy holiday
howdy holidays
π
happy birthday porco
.
.
fuckaduck
π π π π
outside for a calm
Whew, that was unnecessarily squeaky bum time. It didn’t have to be. Should have won comfortably well, a win is a win. Alexis seemed off despite the goal effort. Did we make it hard on ourselves? Where was Walcott?
Can’t wait to hear the Pardew interview. He’ll be fuuuuuming, and not without reason. π
Santi MOTM for me, Ozil, Giroud and Alexis decent. Both fullbacks strong displays, Per got better as the game went on.
Kos form is a worrying thing, but considering his tendency to start seasons slow, he should be fine.
Expected better from Cech to be honest. Let Coq started very nervously, continued very nervously and finished very nervously. But I like him.
Get the mental prick off Arsene!
Back drinking to this actually made me LOL.
We can all now, breathe a sigh of relief , wasn’t a dominant performance but we did enough, thank Dennis.
We still need that DMF !
Three points and the ‘Holic pound landed so all’s well that ends well. The team turned up this week, unlike last. We’d make it a lot easier on ourselves if we stuck away some of those early chances.
How did SouarΓ© not get a red, or at least a yellow for taking out Ozil on the goal line? No attempt to play the ball, just went straight through the back of him.
And props to the away support. You could hear it as far away as Castle Ned.
Cynic@38: Good call.
‘Holic, you must be completely out of breath! Our wish for you: your favorite libation, and a DM with a head.
They played the Doctor Who theme tune at Citeh before kick off, which might just be the wittiest dig at a rival team in the history of sport.
A fit Aguero is going to be very hard to play against…!
Take that you chavs!
π
EVa Eva Eva… they’re chanting ….hhahah!
Looks like Cahill has a perpetual broken nose…
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>