Discipline The Key As The Chelsea Bus Stops At The Grove
Sep 23rd, 2016 by 'holic
“Now it’s a new era where it looks like it’s balanced again.”
Arsene captures the mood perfectly ahead of the meeting of London’s most successful clubs in the twenty-first century. Much is being made of Chelsea’s dominance of the fixture in the last decade, and to be fair, of our dominance in the decade that preceded it. Chelsea’s slump under the odious Mourinho last season is history now, but still provokes a wry smile or two in North London.
The self-promoting cock has been grabbing the headlines ahead of this latest derby fixture, and that is made all the more irksome by the fact he has buggerall to do with it. Twice he has managed Chelsea, twice he has been found out and sent packing. Let him now try and do better than David Moyes and Louis van Gaal at Manchester Thursday. The early signs aren’t encouraging, or rather, they are!
New manager Antonio Conte has Chelsea playing a 4-5-1 that converts very quickly to a 4-3-3 and has surprised those who thought he would focus on making them a much more defensive set up. Like us they have three wins and a draw from their opening five Premier League fixtures and we hold the slenderest of goal difference advantages to keep them behind us in fifth place. They, like us, will be contenders this season, but if there is a loser on Saturday they are likely to be eight points behind a very strong looking Manchester City at an early stage of the season.
Arsene made much of us maintaining our discipline in his pre-match conference, and rightly so. Last season we allowed the antics of Costa to provoke responses that earned us red cards in both fixtures. It took the FA to retrospectively catch up with the Spaniard after an explosive encounter at the bus stop in Fulham on this very weekend last season. It will be interesting to see how Shkodran Mustafi fares against the biggest wind-up merchant in the league.
Arsene also has to decide how many of last weekend’s starting eleven to recall after the shadow squad matched their four goals away from home. The performances at Hull and Forest must have lifted the confidence levels around the squad, but that confidence will need to be allied to effort and determination on Saturday evening.
The most popular change would obviously involve a start for Granit Xhaka after his two explosive strikes in four days. He doesn’t look a ready-made replacement for Francis Coquelin’s shielding role in front of the back four, and Santi Cazorla’s quality as the box to box player was emphasised when he wasn’t around last season. He is the metronome of the side. It is likely that Coquelin and Cazorla will get the nod again for this one but Arsene should be prepared to act quickly if either picks up an early yellow card.
The other big decision will depend on Olivier Giroud passing a pre-match fitness test. We didn’t miss his hold-up play option at Hull or Forest, but Chelsea provide a different test altogether. They will sit deep and break at pace. Giroud’s quality with his back to goal would be useful under such circumstances, although I’m sure after a better performance at Hull that Alexis will be determined to occupy Cahill and Luiz, likely starters in the absence of Terry in the heart of the Chelsea defence.
The ‘holic pound
Like Arsene I feel there is no longer an imbalance between the sides ahead of this latest meeting. Chelsea continue to pose a threat on the break, but look more vulnerable defensively than they have for some time. Much will depend on us not letting Costa knock us out of our rhythm and I have to be positive that we will be prepared for what he will bring to the game.
One of the longest-suffering readers of this blog knows full well that I will tip a 2-1 win for this match. At nines that represents value I think. The bookies are finding it hard to split the teams, quoting us around 7/5 against, and Chelsea around 5/2 against. Interestingly the 2/1 for the draw looks very skinny, and probably that is what they think is likely to happen.
The late kick-off allows for a lie-in tomorrow morning. The lure of a long day of drinking ahead of this potentially explosive match isn’t as attractive as once it was. Instead I will have a mid-afternoon plate of food before partaking of a couple of late drinks in enjoyable company before kick-off. Post match I have a feeling we will have reason to be supping some celebratory pints. I hope I’m right. We are long overdue the three points off that lot.
As ever, have a great one, ‘holics.
105 Responses to “Discipline The Key As The Chelsea Bus Stops At The Grove”
churlish not to
in your face esso
Good evening cba. I hope you have a wonderful one. π
bit personal ‘hol
but
saying as ye ask
i’m told it’s fit for purpose
and
sure isn’t that the main thing
Apologies, cba.
Next on the agenda… read post.
Fine preview, boss.
Buggered if I have any idea what’s going to happen tomorrow. I’m just going to approach the game with hope.
COYG
Evening one and all.
Nice preview H. Who knows what will happen tomorrow? I do hope that Granit starts ahead of Le Coq. I genuinely don’t see the sense in leaving him on the bench. Potentially I think he has so much more to offer the side. I also think that it improves both the balance and the shape of the side.
Up front I hope we don’t continue with Alexis. Play him in his natural position and play a striker.
Costa is a worry. He is a despicable individual but one who does have the ability to cause us problems. It would be such a shame to see him get two yellows for diving. Especially if he is completely taken out on both occasions???
3-0 to the good guys.
See you in the pub pre match.
Bring it on.
One BIG red for Diego.
Before the game. In the tunnel.
Can’t stand those beady eyes…and the eyebrows.
Cunt.
ssy, a truncheon at the back of the knee for diego, tonight.
get someone to go all tonya harding on his sorry ass.
2-0 to us. diego tossa on a second yellow in the 45th minute.
Can’t understand why anyone should be remotely interested in anything Moaninho says …about anything .
Nice well- balanced preview H about a game that I feel we could win tomorrow. I really don’t understand why Wenger would pay Β£35 million for Xhaka, see the quality he adds and then prefer a manifestly inferior player in Coquelin. Xhaka plays the holding role for Switzerland and he can play it for us. We won’t win the league with Coquelin playing all season but we might with Xhaka. I’d use Cazorla out wide and play Elneny who links play well. Santi is a super player and hasn’t got Iwobi’s pace but Iwobi doesn’t work back well enough yet as he is learning the game and this has exposed Nacho who is having a tougher season.
I imagine Mustafi may have encountered Costa before and hopefully can aim some well chosen words towards him early on which will tell him what might happen if he spreads his venom.
I’ve been thinking this might be a draw all week but I fancy us if they are missing Terry and 2-1 may do the trick.
COYG
Re the last drinks Ramires left Chelsea last season for China.But he was loathsome while he was here.
Fine preview, Holic.
A wry smile or two in North London …… Or three or four or fi…….
I want to see The Arsenal beat Chelsea not just tomorrow but for Eva and Eva.
Bet she does too ?
This is worth a look too
http://www.thickaccent.com/2016/09/24/its-almost-sensational-how-arsenals-league-ranks-during-wenger-era-look-when-compared-to-previous-seasons/
We couldn’t win the fourth place trophy very often before !
I missed even the first 11!
I’ll happily take my position on the bench hoping we wrap it up before the half hour mark, so squad players like us can have a full half to plunder the spoils.
Fine evening to the Gunnerverse.
May you all walk and never stumble.
TTG – “I imagine Mustafi may have encountered Costa before and hopefully can aim some well chosen words towards him ”
I hope he can aim some well chosen boots towards him ?
Chelsea are leaking goals H,so cannot see this being scoreless,but we cannot afford to start as lethargically as we did against the Saints.
Doubt we will see any changes from the Hull side that started.
Don’t think any of them deserve to lose their spot.
Nacho has been double teamed every game this season,with full back overlapping.
But the Boss i am sure,would have highlighted this in his match reviews,so hopefully Nacho will get some cover tomorrow.
I think this game could suit us,as with all our pace up front,they will have to sit much deeper,which hopefully will free up some space in midfield.
Big plus for us with Terry out,as despite his advancing years,he is still the best back line organizer they have.
Very important we take the 3 pts tomorrow,as we follow that with Burnley,Swansea,Boro and Sunderland,all teams i expect us to beat.
That will set us up nicely for the visit of our NL neighbors early in November.
Arsene should just make Mustafi watch the video of Gabriel being wound up by Costa last season,then make him watch it again and again,about how NOT to engage with the despicable little toad.
If we keep him quiet,we are halfway home.
Nice one Guvna. No idea how this will pan out because neither team has established a pattern yet this season. However I shall be delighted with 2-1 to the Arsenal and gutted to miss out on the champagne.
Nice comments Clive.
We need to be disciplined tomorrow and patient.
We have a tendency of being too gung-ho.
Lets keep it simple and maintain our shape.
A late goal would be great.
Cheers Joe
Trust all well with you,
Let’s hope the boys can top Arsene’s 20 yr anniversary off with a win over a team it must be pointed out,that we haven’t scored a single goal against in our last 7 league games. !!
I will be thoroughly pissed off if that continues tomorrow.
Trev, Bath, Joe, Clive. How blessed am I to be followed by you. βΊοΈ
We’re a different team now Clive.
Different mix between youth & experience.
Unusually, Im quietly confident.
Holic,
The forum and time you provide on here is the actual blessing.
We’re the lucky ones mate!
This will not bring you down.
https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=qeX8Usqx3hA
Hear hear, Steve T, get Alexis back on his wing and put a proper front man up there … Giroud, if fit, or Perez who had a decent run-out against Forest. Just don’t mess with Theo’s wing where I’m certain AW (and presumably Theo himself) is happy he’s finally got a round peg in a round hole.
And Granit to cement a central midfield role before Coq finally gets the red card he’s been looking for.
No idea what to expect tomorrow, hence … https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=e6FRV5IhuEU
Never mind the pantomime villain, Hazard needs to be contained and then we’ll be set for 3-1.
UTA.
Cheers H! Victory day, I can feel it.
oh and Cba – I saw that! Up yer hole yer big bollox you!
Just two words and three letters today!
Big game!
UTA!
3 – 1 to the Arse!
UTA AD&AN.
AFCOF!
Esso π
slΓ‘inte esso
?????
the breakfast pints are on me , big man
UP THE ARSENAL !
And so to Saturday tea-time with cucumber sandwiches and hot drinks to be taken at The Tollington from 3.00 pm it would appear.
I will be forced to miss the niceties and the always pleasant company of Mr Steve T(ea) by a late departure from sunny, leafy Hertfordshire. Not too many sarnies, Mr T – the Tollie doors lack almost as much width as out forward line at times ?
Hopefully we will see Grocket Xhakatakatak fire in another long ranger before darkness descends on the second half. That should wrap up a tasty, champers producing 2-1 for our Host.
Good luck with that pound, Guv !
Win, lose or draw, the terrible thing that is TalkSpite is to be avoided at all costs on the way home.
The thankfully inimitable Jason Cundy will doubtless be spouting his usual one-eyed bile, come what may, as Chelski are today’s oppo.
Has anyone informed the unfortunate chap his name has been misspelled by one letter ? ?
@ Noosa gunner, not just Hazard, we also have to contain Cesc and Costa.
Difficult game, would be happy if we managed to score a goal against them, something we have not managed for around three years in the league. I would be over the moon if me beat them.
They will target Monreal who is having a tough time recently. He struggles to stop crosses and that led to Costa scoring the last time we met them. Aurier gave him a torrid time when we played PSG and it was his failure to stop the cross which led to the first minute goal against us. Monreal will need help and I hope whoever is selected to play on the left flank is upto the task.
What happened at the Bridge on Arsene’s 1000th game in charge is still painfully fresh in my mind. I hope we perform better on his 20th anniversary in charge.
They also have their favourite ref in charge today, which somehow doesn’t surprise me.
Excuses made, fingers crossed, hope we are not too disappointed by end of the game.
Finally, it depends on which Arsenal turns up.
Great preview Holic as always!
I think the last time we beat them in the league was when van purse was still playing for us with score line 5:3 at the bus stop in Fulham?
We can’t give em an inch I we do they will punish us as they have been for few years now and we are due a win indeed so let hope we can finally break that awful deadlock.
UTA!
Leicester is being taught a lesson they are being ripped apart
Indeed, ATG. 29 Oct 2011 at the Bus Stop. An RVP hat-trick plus one a piece from Theo and Andre Santos against goals from Fat Frank, Terry and Mata, who made it 3-3 with ten minutes to go before RVP scored twice in the last five minutes.
Between Jan 1999 and Mar 2004, we went 17 consecutive games unbeaten against the Chavs in all competitions.
To Cliveβs point, above, the last league goal we scored against Chelsea was by Theo in the 2-1 league defeat in January 2013 (and we have only scored two in the last 10 league encounters).
Newcastle is the only club Theo has scored more goals against than Chelsea (six in 15 games v five in 16) but he has been on the winning side in only three of those 16 games.
*prepares to feast, just in case.*
Alexis uop front again..and Xhaka on the bench…
Nervous*
Judging by the arsenal.com photos of the pre-Chelsea training session the players look focused and serious ahead of the big match. Fingers crossed.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=g9ys86GV0Lk
Come on.
Cech
Bellerin, Mustafi, Koscielny, Monreal
Cazorla, Coquelin
Walcott, Ozil, Iwobi,
Alexis
Subs: Ospina, Holding, Gibbs, Xhaka, Oxlade-Chamberlain, Lucas, Giroud
This might just be a classic 1-0 to the Arsenal.
But three points any way will suffice.
Costa… Full on Diver!
They be parking the bus and attacking on counter… we need to be faster!
Come On!!!
Get in, clinical Sanchez!!!!
WHat John Terry can do …Cahill can do better!
GET IN !
ALEXISSSSSSSSSSSSSSSS!
Unbelievable, Walcott!!!!!’
Wallllllllllllllllllllllllllcoooooooooooooooooooooooooot!
GET INNNNN!
Quick two goals come on Arsenal!
Come on you Gunners!!
Coq, who was playing so well, injured, Xhaka on.
Coyg!!
They will have to attack now.. leaving them vulnerable to Walcott’s and Alexis’ speed!
COME ON!!!!!
Ozil !!!!!!
Ozzzzzilllll come on I’m loving this!
what did i say?
oZILlllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllll!
GET IN!
I like this Walcott… working hard running all over to cover…
Come ON!!!
Ahead at half time against Chelsea after a long time. Keep it up lads.
Am set to come in for the second half and apply the dagger in the heart. This is gonna be a party.
That ‘no look’ pass from Ozil…
Glad he’s enjoying himself!
π
We need to build on the goal difference…
Got to catch Pool.
Rock ‘n’ bloody Roll!
Come ooooon!
Wow!!!!!
We look so much better when we impose ourselves on teams.
I think Theo’s made more tackles in that half than his entire career to date.
Enjoyed that.
Now put them to the sword in the second half. A chance to make a real statement here, because they are there for a drubbing.
Who would have thought we would be 3:0 up at half time against Chelski we are running riot that’s for sure! Shame for Le Coq I hope it’s nothing serious.
Time to score another four I reckon!
COYG!!!!!!
They’re still owing us two goals, one for Iwobi and another for any of Cazorla or Granite Xhakastic.
Ohhh..Cahill…almost the gift that keeps giving..!
π
COME ON!!!!!!
Gibbs on.. looks like we’re keeping it tight now.
Great save by Cech. Need to keep defensive discipline.
Oh bugger, we’re coasting 3-0 and am struggling to find anything to moan about!
Back to keeping quiet now.
We have finally done it!!!!!!!
Lovely stuff from our lads and a great watch to finally beat Chelski!
Done and dusted.
Didn’t lose anything with Coq going off… Masterclass performance. Everyone put a shift in!
Bring on the CL then!
π
That made a pretty decent Chelsea side look not even average.
Good shape, great effort, great goals, great shift, excellent day at the office.
Upwards and onwards.
It feels perfect to beat the Chavs with 3 goals without conceding with Cesc in there.
Fuck me we are a decent team.
Kostafi (or is it Muscielny) had Costa in their pocket. Monreal was back to his last season best. But the whole team played well. And the tactics were spot on: Hazard and Willian didn’t even seem to be on the pitch. Please play like this every week and don’t just save it for the big games.
“Style and Steel” .. That’s what Arsene said.. let’s have more of that please!
π
o no
not upsetting
slobbery kisses all round
not a proper shoeing
but a shoeing all the same
shocks of mighty !
UP THE FUCKIN ARSENAL !
moooooooooooooooooooooo ya chelsea cunts !
???
MOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO
ATG@67: BBC saying the Coq has the same knee injury as last season. That kept him out for more than two months.
I have been terribly under the weather for the past two weeks with a dengue fever and just when I was feeling better this game came along. Will admit honestly that before kick off my feeling was that this could end in ecstasy or agony. And boy ecstasy it is!!
What a perfect performance. Completely outplayed them in all departments. Loved the desire of everyone on the pitch. Kos and Mustafi were immense and that was the kind of ‘front foot defending’ that suits a passing side like arsenal. The midfield anchoring of Santi, Coq and later on xhaka was brilliant, nacho and hector were up and down the flanks in a flash, Walcott and Iwobi played very well on the wings, ozil dazzled and Sanchez finally seems to be enjoying it up front on his own. A big shout out to the boss for getting the team and the tactics spot on tonight. The high speed pressing in the first half an hour completely rattled Chelsea. I could go on and on but boy it’s a joyful day to be a gooner. Cheers to all. Time to keep the focus and the run going.
PS : My illness meant that I could not comment on the decade celebration post. Belated congratulations and cheers Holic. Thanks for the top top top quality writing consistently. And cheers to all the people who post comments regularly and make this establishment such a special place.
was really impressed by mus-toughy tonight. turned Costa into a cry baby
d’gg@84: hope you are getting over it. Dengue fever is nasty and debilitating. Today’s performance should be a tonic.
Hey dβgg@84: Dengue sounds a bit scary but wishing you a speedy and complete recovery.
Theo, Alexis and Alex were too much for Chelsea’s back four and I’d especially like to give some special plaudits to Theo who looked back to his best after what must have been a difficult recovery from his last injury.
Get well soon, ‘Desi’gner. Loved the desire and the creativity. In addition to all those mentioned in your post, Walcott put in a great shift both defensively and offensively and Bellerin gets into ‘definite buy’ category for Barca and Citeh after today’s performance. Xhaka settled in so well that Coq was not really missed.
top man desi
look after yerself fella
Whoa! Whoa!! What a game. Where has this Arsenal been?? Love itttt
Thanks for the kind wishes Nbn, bt8, ksn and cba. ksn you’re spot on about Walcott putting in a shift. I have been really happy with his performances this season. He seems to have finally woken up to his own potential. Infact,I had praised Theo unequivocally in one of the earlier drinks(post the Watford game I think) in a shout out to Chris who is the biggest Theo fan amongst the holics. I am sure Chris must be really happy tonight as well.
Btw that second Arsenal goal was breathtakingly beautiful as indeed was that Ozil turn on Conte in the build up of the third.
Please, please lord can we play like that when Maureen’s dirty Manc mercenaries come to town, which is hopefully before he gets his arrogant ass sacked
Desi
Very best wishes for a full and speedy recovery.
I’ve returned from the home of football where the season really kicked off for me tonight. It’s a long time since we outplayed Chelsea so comprehensively.
A very good team performance tonight , the best moment apart from the goals being the electric surge by Bellerin to get back and rob Costa.
After suggesting Wenger was wrong to start Coquelin ahead of Xhaka , I thought Le Coq was terrific until he was taken off, surging into the Chavski midfield and continually recycling the ball. He and Cazorla and Xhaka when he came on on beat the vaunted Chelsea midfield into submission. Theo and Alexis were excellent, far too quick for a terrible Chelsea defence but everyone did well especially at the back.
The Chelsea support was pathetic and resigned to their fate some time before the end.
Sadly I suspect Le Coq will be out for some time but at least we have squad strength now. One of the better days in N5 recently!
One correction to my comments. Bellerin robbed Pedro not Costa. I have Costa on the brain tonight.
Pings one off Cahill’s toe.
Pinging it forwards on girouds somewhat sensative toe.
Iwobi to Bellerin on the overlap!
Chelski looked like a bunch of old geezers lining up at the giro to cash their pension cheques having the piss taken out of them by a bunch of young hooligans.
Iwobi to Theo. Theo finishes. Ping!
Like others I thought we could have made it a proper thrashing, but I was interested in Theo’s comments about the second half display when interviewed after the game. He said (words to the effect) “when you keep 11 players between them and the goal they’re not going to score easily”, by which I asume AW decreed less adventure in the second half.
wow wasnt that a breath of fresh air π
Just watched the highlights again!
That performance was a murderation!
π π π π π
Our best performance for a very long time. Destructive efficiency in the first half with exuberant forward displays. (What pill did Dr Feelgood give Feo who was transformed into a demonic tackler?) efficiently ran the game in the SH and neutralised the threat. Pity we didn’t take the two clear chances that would have put the correct figure on the gap between these teams but it was more important to ensure that the result was safely delivered. Kostafi were colossal and I loved Kos’ roughing up of an outraged and neutered Costa. Way to go Arsenal. TOOAW
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