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Arsenal Have Table-Topping Opportunity

Nov 22nd, 2016 by 'holic

In the last post I pointed out that match day provides both Arsenal and PSG with a ‘winner takes all’ opportunity to clinch top place in group A. Only a repeat of the draw in Paris will lead to a decider on matchday six. However that prospect may not be quite as attractive as it has been in recent seasons. Currently occupying second place their groups are Bayern Munich, Real Madrid (before their match in Lisbon) and Juventus.

Arsene Wenger said earlier that Aaron Ramsey and Theo Walcott had been ‘on recovery’ rather than training today. Both are expected to be fit although we will still be missing likely starters, if they were fit, Hector Bellerin and Santi Cazorla. Also it is likely that David Oooooooooospina will come in for Petr Cech as our Champions League goalkeeper.

There seems little point in messing around with the back four. Carl Jenkinson is gaining match fitness and should continue to stand in for Bellerin alongside Skhodran Mustafi, Laurent Koscielny, and Nacho Monreal. The selection alongside Francis Coquelin is one that will have caused Arsene sleepless nights I’m sure. Neither Granit Xhaka nor Mohamed Elneny has made the place theirs in the absence of Cazorla. I still think Ramsey could do the job if told to curb (not eliminate) his enthusiasm for getting forward at every opportunity.

Such a selection would make room for either Alex Iwobi or Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain on the left flank. Alternatively Alexis might be switched out there to allow Olivier Giroud a start. His ability to play with his back to goal might be invaluable if the visitors build a head of steam. We saw in Paris what an attacking threat they pose and how little they give the ball away. For just that reason Theo Walcott should start on the right and look to use his pace on the break.

PSG will be missing some well known faces too, among them Kurzawa, Ongenda, Pastore, Rabiot, and one-time rumoured Arsenal target Serge Aurier. The latter has controversially been denied an entry visa to the UK and that is a stroke of good fortune for the Gunners quite frankly. The squad will still be a showcase for the oil dollars that have poured into the club and they are clearly the only serious competition we have faced in the group phase. Cavani to score is nailed on, isn’t it?

The ‘holic pound

This is one of those matches where the head says one thing, but the heart another. The head is screaming draw after consecutive 1-1 results against Tottenham and Manchester United. Of course I will be going with my heart which believes we can nick a 2-1 if we defend their strengths and play to ours on the break. I’m on it at 17/2.

Art of Football teeshirt competition

A reminder, if one is needed, that two Arsenal teeshirts are ‘up for grabs now’ in the last post. The result will be announced on Thursday so if you are unlucky in the draw you will still be able to get a 20% discount from Art of Football on this Black Friday. Get your entries in before you forget.

 

With that I shall leave you to watch the second half of one of the Tuesday matches. Have an enjoyable Wednesday if you can. Better than that, have a great one ‘holics.

Posted in match preview | 69 Drinks

69 Responses to “Arsenal Have Table-Topping Opportunity”

  1. on 22 Nov 2016 at 9:27 pm1Nicolous

    I believe in arsenal

  2. on 22 Nov 2016 at 9:38 pm2Cynic

    I believe in Tottenham

    Being shit

  3. on 22 Nov 2016 at 9:41 pm3Bergkamp's The Man

    Oh no! The Holic pound on 2-1! We’re doomed, doomed I tell you. 🙂

    Off down to the bookies to put my shirt on it.

  4. on 22 Nov 2016 at 9:55 pm4Chris

    The neighbours have found their level again, playing off with CSKA for a place in the Europa League. Well done Spuds.

  5. on 22 Nov 2016 at 9:58 pm5Bayonne Jean

    It’s happened again…
    It’s happened again…
    Going for another round of Spursday nights…

  6. on 22 Nov 2016 at 10:01 pm6Goonersince54

    Dortmund 8 Legia Warsaw 4. !!
    Don’t think we will be seeing goals raining in like that at the Ems tomorrow.
    No gung ho tactics from us please,keep it tight,give the fuckers nothing.
    Play Granit and Coq in front of back 4,Iwobi on the left,Wally on the right,Alexis through the middle,use their pace to make PSG defend a deeper back line,making it more difficult for them to play out from the back.
    Giroud/Ramsey/Ox on the bench for plan B in 2nd half if we need it.
    They are not as good as they have been in the past few seasons,but still a good side technically.
    Arsene should make the boys watch the Monaco and Olympiakos home games on video tomorrow morning, as to HOW NOT to play tomorrow night.
    Lesson learnt. ??
    We are about to find out.
    Finally,congrats to Leicester,through to the knock out stages in a canter.
    Well done to them.

  7. on 22 Nov 2016 at 10:10 pm7Goonerholic

    Heh Esso.

    Hello Clive. That Dortmund game (highlights) should be on here shortly. I’m looking forward to it.

  8. on 22 Nov 2016 at 10:16 pm8Goonerholic

    BtM 🙂

  9. on 22 Nov 2016 at 10:28 pm9Noosa Gooner

    2-0 no problem.

    UTA.

  10. on 22 Nov 2016 at 10:39 pm10North Bank Ned

    Popped this onto an earlier drinks earlier:

    Spurs are painful to watch. It’s like ripping out your eyeballs, dipping them into vinegar, then salt, before putting them back in.

    https://twitter.com/GaffneyVLC/status/801161742348861440

    At last some objective analysis of the neighbours.

  11. on 22 Nov 2016 at 10:44 pm11TTG

    I’m quite relaxed about tomorrow. Not only do I think we will win but there is an element of que sera sera about the last 16. On our day we really are a match for the best in Europe but our days are not that frequent and despite all the gung ho messages we get from the team they are still capable of insipid performances in big matches.
    We were very lucky to get a point in Paris but get a point we did and had we played as we can do I am sure we could have won that match. Since Emery moved there it is taking time for their team to settle down and they are not dominating domestically .
    I disagree with you Holic ( a rarity) about Ramsey I don’t think he has the discipline to play in a central role, the speed to play wide, the quality to play number ten and I can’t see any role for him other than a pair of fresh legs with a goal threat on the bench. I would use Cazorla and Xhaka in the central roles in big matches. Coquelin lacks ability going forward but is a prodigious worker and a fine shield for the defence, but at this level the key is the quality of distribution and that is not his forte . I also don’t think Iwobi merits a place tomorrow I would use Giroud and push Alexis out wide with Theo on the other side.Goroud is hugely motivated by the treatment meted out to him and tomorrow will be a big game for him- the equivalent for Gareth Bale of playing against Man Citeh or us!
    I expect us to win 2-0 or 2-1 and to top the group. Then we must use that momentum to reignite our league campaign.

  12. on 22 Nov 2016 at 10:52 pm12North Bank Ned

    That game in Dortmund went,

    0-1
    1-1
    2-1
    3-1
    3-2
    4-2
    5-2
    6-2
    6-3
    7-3
    7-4
    8-4

    So once Dortmund got level in the 17th minute, the result was never in doubt. Some dodgy keeping, though.

  13. on 22 Nov 2016 at 10:55 pm13North Bank Ned

    Leicester have more CL points than Premier League ones.

  14. on 22 Nov 2016 at 11:24 pm14TTG

    It is remarkable that Leicester drew such an easy group

  15. on 22 Nov 2016 at 11:33 pm15bt8

    Handy work by Her Majesty’s legions to prevent Serge Aurier from playing against Arsenal. Knew she was soft on Arsene. 😉

  16. on 23 Nov 2016 at 12:46 am16Silly Second Yella

    tweet

  17. on 23 Nov 2016 at 7:24 am17Goonersince54

    After Andy Woodward’s harrowing story in the Guardian about years of sexual abuse by a football coach when he was a young player,Paul Stewart,who played for England,Liverpool,Spurs and Man City,has revealed he was also abused for 4 years by a Coach,when he was a young boy.
    The evil bastard threatened to kill Stewart’s family if he ever said anything.
    Also another youngster at Crewe,where Woodward was abused,has also come forward with the same story.
    I should point out the Coach who abused Paul Stewart is not the same one who abused the other 2.
    Hopefully more will come forward,to bring this sickening behavior into the Public domain.
    More to the point,is it still going on today. ??

  18. on 23 Nov 2016 at 7:43 am18Steve T

    Morning all.

    This night again will depend on what Arsenal team turns up. We have ridden our luck in recent weeks and we were more than fortunate in Paris.

    I hope Ollie G starts and Alexis reverts to a position where he is most effective.

    I’m really not a fan of swapping keepers all the time but expect Ospina to start.

    All in all I’m looking forward to tonight. Hopefully we will put in a performance and end up with a Dortmund type score??

    May see some of you pre match. Enjoy boys and girls.

  19. on 23 Nov 2016 at 11:18 am19bathgooner

    Nice preview Guvna. Like ‘your head’, I feel a draw coming on. It wouldn’t be too bad a result and we are so averse to winning groups that I think the handbrake will have a strong influence again.

    As to team selection, I wouldn’t be surprised to see Gibbs start, would definitely prefer a Coquelin-Xhakha midfield and I would give HFB an opportunity to prove that he is the best striking option for les Bleues.

  20. on 23 Nov 2016 at 12:07 pm20New Day Raisins

    I will now have the theme from “Curb Your Enthusiasm” playing in my head every time I watch Ramsey play…Mind you the theme from Benny Hill was playing when watching Spuds highlights last night.

    Fair play to Leicester through – Could they do a Forest ?

  21. on 23 Nov 2016 at 12:19 pm21Noosa Gooner

    Just watching the late News here in Oz on the ABC (BBC equivalent).

    The ticker tape headlines across the bottom of the screen says the following:-

    “Man Utd. fans fail in attempt to hide in the toilet to see their team.”

    This must surely be a gross misunderstanding of their intention?

    UTA.

  22. on 23 Nov 2016 at 1:44 pm22bt8

    Cat hasn’t moved off his chair in six weeks.

    Unless I haven’t tracked his nocturnal movements.

  23. on 23 Nov 2016 at 2:20 pm23Delia Block 30

    Please Arsenal give us a performance, some entertainment, it’s been a grim watch for the last 3 games and I have a long journey home after the match.

    Granit for Mo but whether AW is prepared to drop Le Coq to the bench and play Rambo is debatable. He is unlikely to give Sanchez a rest tonight but may do so on Sunday. I expect him to move to the left with the HFB leading the line.
    I’m hopeful for a narrow win but we have got to play much better than in recent weeks. ? 2-1.

    Missing the lovely Hector.

    COYRs

  24. on 23 Nov 2016 at 3:24 pm24BB

    Am hoping Alexis gets a rest today… Play giroud and Perez instead!

    They need some proper game time.

    😀

  25. on 23 Nov 2016 at 4:59 pm25Cynic

    I’d rest Alexis but I’d play Giroud and that’s it. We want to win the group after all.

  26. on 23 Nov 2016 at 5:35 pm26Esso

    Cheers H!

    Perez still injured innit. Only started light training this week. Would be nice to have him back for the scummers next week, but we shall see.

  27. on 23 Nov 2016 at 5:44 pm27Silly Second Yella

    https://www.facebook.com/www.JOE.co.uk/videos/783171941846874/

  28. on 23 Nov 2016 at 5:49 pm28ksn

    Will play Gibbs and Giroud with Alexis coming on in the 70th minute if necessary. Xhaka and Ramsey in midfield and Ox/Iwobi and Theo on the flanks. Alternative is to play our regular back four with Gibbs playing in Iwobi’s place.
    Great that Aurier will not be there to terrorize Monreal/Gibbs. Of course Hector and Santi will always be missed.

  29. on 23 Nov 2016 at 5:51 pm29ksn

    Nice one SillySY, but AW is too decent to do that to anyone (except maybe Mourinho).

  30. on 23 Nov 2016 at 6:42 pm30Cynic

    For those who are that way inclined, the new Gooner has a two page article on Mel Charles, one about broken legs that covers Joe Mercer, Tommy Docherty, Don Howe and Allan Brown (palying against us for Blackpool) and also an article about Arsenal’s encounters with PSG in the ECWC semi final.

    But there’s a Piers Morgan interview so you pays your money and takes your chance…

  31. on 23 Nov 2016 at 6:59 pm31Bayonne Jean

    Bayern lose at Rostov 3-2. Will thus likely finish second in their group, so you just know who Arsenal will draw in the knockouts if it comes in first.

  32. on 23 Nov 2016 at 7:00 pm32BB

    Arsenal XI: Ospina; Jenkinson, Mustafi, Koscielny, Gibbs; Coquelin, Ramsey; Sanchez, Ozil, Iwobi, Giroud

  33. on 23 Nov 2016 at 7:01 pm33BB

    Bring on Munchens!

    😀

  34. on 23 Nov 2016 at 7:38 pm34Silly Second Yella

    Come on.

  35. on 23 Nov 2016 at 7:47 pm35bt8

    Allez les Gunners.

  36. on 23 Nov 2016 at 7:47 pm36BB

    COME ON!!

  37. on 23 Nov 2016 at 8:05 pm37ksn

    0-1.

  38. on 23 Nov 2016 at 8:06 pm38ATG

    Bollocks to this we are making it too easy for the.

  39. on 23 Nov 2016 at 8:07 pm39ATG

    Wake the f….. up

  40. on 23 Nov 2016 at 8:07 pm40ATG

    We are strolling as usual no pressure

  41. on 23 Nov 2016 at 8:11 pm41Cynic

    Well a team with Ramsey, Ozil and a clearly unfit Sanchez is going to stroll.

  42. on 23 Nov 2016 at 8:11 pm42ksn

    They are controlling the pace of the game and keep the ball well, hardly ever seem to be under pressure and seem to know just when to speed up play in the final third. We got sucked in.

  43. on 23 Nov 2016 at 8:20 pm43Naija gooner

    Forcing a Ramsey into the team has affected us negatively.

  44. on 23 Nov 2016 at 8:30 pm44Silly Second Yella

    dreadful

  45. on 23 Nov 2016 at 8:31 pm45Barack O'Barman

    We’ve been Terry Bull

  46. on 23 Nov 2016 at 8:32 pm46ksn

    Penalty for Arsenal. Giroud takes it and scores!!!!

  47. on 23 Nov 2016 at 8:33 pm47BB

    Was that a penalty? Not too sure…

  48. on 23 Nov 2016 at 8:34 pm48Silly Second Yella

    Yes.

    Suck on this Cuntani.

  49. on 23 Nov 2016 at 8:38 pm49Bayonne Jean

    Alexis has been watching Aryen Robben in the box play.

    And Cavani should be offfor that right cross.

  50. on 23 Nov 2016 at 8:41 pm50BB

    Giroud grabbing cavani by the back of his neck as they go in the tunnel..

    Should be an interesting second half .. 🙂

  51. on 23 Nov 2016 at 8:49 pm51ksn

    Notwithstanding the score, we have been second best. Need to up our game, maybe bring in some pace up front. Come on.

  52. on 23 Nov 2016 at 9:03 pm52ksn

    2-1!!!!

  53. on 23 Nov 2016 at 9:04 pm53ksn

    Own goal. Doesn’t matter how they come.

  54. on 23 Nov 2016 at 9:06 pm54Silly Second Yella

    slapstick

    ha ha

  55. on 23 Nov 2016 at 9:07 pm55BB

    Cavani you wank@R …diving awards to you!

  56. on 23 Nov 2016 at 9:15 pm56ksn

    Must sub Alexis, looks too tired to even run.

  57. on 23 Nov 2016 at 9:21 pm57Cynic

    Took him off a minute too late ffs.

  58. on 23 Nov 2016 at 9:21 pm58ksn

    2-2, Iwobi own goal. Anyone’s game now.

  59. on 23 Nov 2016 at 9:23 pm59ksn

    Almost conceded again.

  60. on 23 Nov 2016 at 9:24 pm60ksn

    Theo on for Coq. Both sides are looking to win. But our defence is looking ragged.

  61. on 23 Nov 2016 at 9:24 pm61Silly Second Yella

    Poor Jenkinson.

    this is too much for him.

  62. on 23 Nov 2016 at 9:25 pm62ksn

    Ox on for Jenkinson. AW throwing everything on now.

  63. on 23 Nov 2016 at 9:26 pm63ksn

    Third time Cavani misses. We keep making the same mistakes again and again. Lucky to be in the game.

  64. on 23 Nov 2016 at 9:31 pm64ksn

    In case of draw PSG tops the group on away goals rule?

  65. on 23 Nov 2016 at 9:37 pm65Barack O'Barman

    To be fair, PSG were the better team in both matches and deserve top spot. They are simply better than us.

    Given the calibre of some of the teams currently sitting second, it may not be such a big deal.

  66. on 23 Nov 2016 at 9:37 pm66ksn

    Bad end to the day, so near..

  67. on 23 Nov 2016 at 9:38 pm67Bayonne Jean

    At least Arsenal won’t draw Bayern.

  68. on 23 Nov 2016 at 9:42 pm68Goonerholic

    We lost 2-2. >>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>

  69. on 23 Nov 2016 at 9:43 pm69ksn

    Unless the results go our way on the final day, we finish second on away goals rules.

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