Goonerholic: Eat, Sleep, Breathe, Drink, Arsenal

A Huge Day In Prospect At Anfield, And Farewell Mr Chairman

Dec 28th, 2018 by 'holic

It’s not unusual, as someone once sang, for me to be sitting at the keyboard on a Friday evening having downed several pints of delicious ale and a superb Chinese meal and about to put my thoughts into print. Tonight feels different, and there is much to contemplate. Let’s start with a Saturday evening visit to Anfield to face a club we ended as a title winning force either side of their last championship success in 1990.

They are very much back in contention once more, being six points clear of the Middlesex Nomads, and seven clear of Manchester City, going into the second half of the season. We are thirteen points behind them and the consequences of that growing to sixteen are clear and obvious.

We were saying similar things when they came to us back at the start of November. This would be where our thirteen match unbeaten run would end, according to popular opinion. We had to settle for a point, courtesy of a late Lacazette strike after Milner had scored for the visitors, but our performance that day was probably bettered only by our 4-2 battering of the once neighbours that followed.

However the scousers have won every Premier League fixture since that day and if we are not similarly motivated at Anfield another difficult match at what has now become a bogey venue is a certainty. Our defensive options remain stretched to the limit, and possibly beyond. Hector Bellerin, Nacho Monreal, Konstantinos Mavropanos, Rob Holding, and probably Shkodran Mustafi are ruled out. Our first choice back four is likely to be missing in it’s entirety.

A back three of some sort would be preferred even if it incorporates the recovering Laurent Koscielny, Sokratis Papastathopoulos, and midfielder Granit Xhaka. It would be a better option perhaps to start Mohamed Elneny and allow Xhaka to return to partnering Lucas Torreira at the base of the midfield inside Ainsley Maitland-Niles and Sead Kolasinac?

So what of the front three ahead of them. Alexandre Lacazette and Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang should start, but I fear only one will. If both do there are cases to be made for Mesut Ozil, Aaron Ramsey, and Alex Iwobi to claim the creative starting berth. We don’t have an in-form candidate. I fear Iwobi and Ramsey may be paired behind Aubameyang and we will be limited to how much we can keep the ball in Liverpool’s half.

That sounds negative for me, I know. I can make next to no case for us getting a result this weekend other than we have been there, done that, and worn the teeshirt. Blind faith says we can cause what would undoubtedly be our biggest upset at Anfield since 26/5/89.

The ‘holic pound

If ever there was a game where it made sense to throw a hail Mary at a ludicrous bet, this is it. I have scoured the odds on every market, and not for the first time this season I have an itch that needs scratching. Sokratis is a brute of a defender who is due a goal when we have a set piece, surely? He is 25/1 to score at anytime in this match, and for once that seems to make more sense than the usual score forecast. Isn’t that worth a pound of anyones money? As long as he is on the pitch the punt is open.

Peter Hill-Wood

The passing of the last in the family line to have been chairman of The Arsenal may not have been a surprise, but nonetheless was a saddening experience this morning (Friday). Peter was a member of the board for 51 years, and for 31 of them became our longest serving chairman. He oversaw the appointments of George Graham and Arsene Wenger and in so doing presided over two of the most successful periods in the history of The Arsenal Football Club.

In the world of social media he sometimes raised hackles when AGM time came around, but it isn’t hard to see why if one reflects on those affairs from the opposing viewpoints. Old school, I would prefer to recall his steady hand on the tiller as we negotiated some troubled waters that surrounded managerial changes and moving the club to Ashburton Grove from our spiritual home.

Mostly though I prefer to remember, topically, those moments after Anfield 89 when in the aftermath of an unlikely triumph he puffed on that magnificent cigar and uttered the immortal line, “Never in doubt”.

I’m sure all our thoughts are with his wife, Sally, and his children, Sarah, Julian, and Charlie.

Thank you for everything, Peter.

Posted in match preview | 101 Drinks

101 Responses to “A Huge Day In Prospect At Anfield, And Farewell Mr Chairman”

on 28 Dec 2018 at 8:37 pm1Bathgooner

Thirst. Damn depressing preview H. I need another drink. ?
on 28 Dec 2018 at 8:39 pm2Bathgooner

Remiss of me. RIP PHW. A toast to his memory. A fine custodian of our club. ?
on 28 Dec 2018 at 8:42 pm3Pangloss

Sadly, can’t argue about anything above.

RIP PHW

COYG
on 28 Dec 2018 at 8:43 pm4Goonerholic

Apologies Bath. Pragmatism rules this evening I think. Setting the expectation low so our 3-0 win with a Sokratis hat-trick is a real bonus.
on 28 Dec 2018 at 8:46 pm5Esso

Cheers H!

Never in doubt. In deed. Definite end of an era stuff.
on 28 Dec 2018 at 8:53 pm6Steve T

Nice stuff H. I agree with you and Esso. The end of an era indeed. Thank you PHW, for all your loyal service and dedication.

I’m not looking forward to this one at all. We need a performance to match the one of when we beat the Nomads. Our first choice defence is not good enough in my opinion. One littered with the second string does not fill me with confidence I must say. It could be a little by evening. I would genuinely love to see us come away with the points but I just can’t see it. I hope I’m wrong but I anticipate an uncomfortable few hours.

What are the odds with us ending the match with 11? I’m predicting at lease one red card tomorrow. That’s one for the holic pound???
on 28 Dec 2018 at 10:24 pm7TTG

I’m told by cocky Scousers ( and aren’t they an annoying breed) that Klopp may rest some players ahead of the titanic clash with Citeh on Thursday. I don’t think Klopp is that arrogant but frankly I can’t see how a team who can’t defend whoever they put out can resist a team with Liverpool’s attacking quality.
I wouldn’t be surprised to see Mustafi play in a three with Sokratis and Koscielny. He hasn’t been out long and trained today. I woukd play AMN at right back. Lichsteiner will get torn a new one if he plays but Kolasinac will cause problems going forward. Not sure if we will see Ransey or Ozil, I think the former with Aubameyang upfront on his own with Iwobi on the left .
Tbh I think we will lose about 4-0 but they may ease off if they start like they did last year . But it’s not an evening I’m looking forward to
on 29 Dec 2018 at 1:10 am8OsakaMatt

Thanks for the preview Guv.
Sokratis is certainly due a goal.
I hope it comes with an Auba
double and a 3-2 win.

I expect Mus back and would
go with……
Leno,
Sokratis, Mus, Kos,
AMN, Torreira, Guen, Xhaka, Kola,
Laca, Auba

Pack the centre of midfield where
Liverpoo are weakest and get
quick ball through to Auba and
Laca. Also try to get Kola forward
to press the young RB. Be tough
but I could see us getting a
result that way.

If it does go as the general
pessimism suggests and we
get a whacking then I’d like
to see us at least go down
snarlingly with some general
fuck you edge.
on 29 Dec 2018 at 1:16 am9ATG

Sad piece Holic,

I’m not as pessimistic about tomorrow we seem to play well against bigger sides this season as if to say we actually put the effort in, something that if I may say has been our trade mark this season.

Thank you and RIP Peter Hill-Wood as always Never in Doubt!
on 29 Dec 2018 at 1:28 am10OsakaMatt

Don’t know to be honest if he
actually made the decision but
PHW was in charge when we
refused to fence in our supporters
in the 80s.
I’d never honestly given the board
or PHW much thought until then
but I will always respect him for
that stand.
on 29 Dec 2018 at 1:49 am11Silly Second Yella

“Mesut Ozil out of Liverpool game (with knee injury)”

what a surprise

maybe emery is resting him for fulham
on 29 Dec 2018 at 10:35 am12TTG

The Ozil situation is becoming a farce but not one of Emery’s making. The deal to keep Ozil has become a major financial millstone and is exacerbated by Ramsey’s imminent departure in the summer. These fake injuries or illnesses fool no one and are a sad end to a career at Arsenal that has had many high spots . In October we were eulogising about him after his performance against Leicester. That is good Mesut but we need a change as much as he does. Even if we have to subsidise his wages let’s sell not loan him
on 29 Dec 2018 at 11:17 am13Steve T

I fully agree with TTG an SSY above. The Özil situation is ridiculous and bordering on farcical.

Our contract dealings in recent years has been extremely poor. Özil should never have got to the stage where he had less than a year to go and still nothing resolved. Ransey is exactly the same. Aaron should be coming into his prime yet we have decided now that he is not needed. If that was the case then why let him walk away for nothing?

We keep being told about the self sustaining business model but then come up with decisions like these? It appears that we are just prepared to Chuck money away with very little thought given to any of it.

We go to Anfield needing everyone fully fit and focused. Yet, the one player we have who can be genuinely world class now has a mysterious knee injury???????

Perhaps we need to take a few steps back before we start taking full strides in the right direction again?
on 29 Dec 2018 at 4:41 pm14ATG

Get in Wolves!
on 29 Dec 2018 at 4:42 pm15Tapera Doma

How about them Wolves? Wow!!
on 29 Dec 2018 at 4:42 pm16Tapera Doma

Why start Iwobi & bench Laca? I don’t get it.
on 29 Dec 2018 at 4:44 pm17ATG

Wolves do it again ha ha!!! Bring it on!
on 29 Dec 2018 at 4:44 pm18Gunner_KS

Hahahahah textbook how to spurs it up
on 29 Dec 2018 at 4:44 pm19Tapera Doma

Wolves magic!!!
on 29 Dec 2018 at 4:49 pm20Tapera Doma

This season, Wolves have beaten 2 top 4 teams, drawn 3 top 6 teams.
on 29 Dec 2018 at 4:53 pm21OsakaMatt

spuds, the gift that keeps on giving
hahahaha
on 29 Dec 2018 at 5:01 pm22Tapera Doma

WolvesLicious.
on 29 Dec 2018 at 5:06 pm23Silly Second Yella

2 – 2 for the mighty Arsenal

COME ON!
on 29 Dec 2018 at 5:44 pm24ATG

Get in AMN!
on 29 Dec 2018 at 5:44 pm25Silly Second Yella

GOOOAAAL!
on 29 Dec 2018 at 5:45 pm26OsakaMatt

Yes!! Get in
on 29 Dec 2018 at 5:46 pm27ATG

Out of focus and we concede like babies!
on 29 Dec 2018 at 5:47 pm28Cynic

Not one of our so-called defenders is good enough for this level. Not one.
on 29 Dec 2018 at 5:48 pm29Gunner_KS

No defence, nothing new, fuck it
on 29 Dec 2018 at 5:48 pm30TTG

This Arsenal ‘defence’ is the most pathetic I’ve ever witnessed. We never hold leads . It really is so profoundly poor
on 29 Dec 2018 at 5:50 pm31Gunner_KS

Not even Messi can outscore opposition with this bunch at the back
on 29 Dec 2018 at 5:51 pm32OsakaMatt

Well, this is certainly a test now.
COYGS
on 29 Dec 2018 at 5:52 pm33Nigel

Promising early goal and amateur defending by us to concede the lead so soon. What is Lichsteiner doing on the pitch?
on 29 Dec 2018 at 5:56 pm34Gunner_KS

AMN the best til now
on 29 Dec 2018 at 5:57 pm35ksn

Just started watching and shocked to see we have conceded twice already. We don’t have a defence at all.
on 29 Dec 2018 at 6:00 pm36Gunner_KS

What we could have achieved with 2-3 defenders, I’m not even saying top quality, just good ones
on 29 Dec 2018 at 6:03 pm37Cynic

I’ve seen kids defend better than this. We need to spend our transfer budget for the next two windows on defenders.
on 29 Dec 2018 at 6:04 pm38ATG

We are in for a drubbing
on 29 Dec 2018 at 6:04 pm39TTG

To think Wenger was crucified because his teams couldn’t defend. Emery has done nothing to improve our defending in six months. It’s appalling
on 29 Dec 2018 at 6:05 pm40Barack O'Barman

The writing was on the wall when we signed Sokratis and Lichtsteiner to “strengthen” our already non-existent defence.
on 29 Dec 2018 at 6:07 pm41ATG

BOB

Correct just sign players with nothing left in the tank
on 29 Dec 2018 at 6:07 pm42Steve T

Amateurish beyond belief.

How thick is Xhaka????? He is incredibly lucky to still be the on the pitch.
on 29 Dec 2018 at 6:08 pm43Nigel

The luck we were getting away with defensively earlier this season is now catching up with us. A joke.
on 29 Dec 2018 at 6:09 pm44ATG

To me we have no game plan and as Steve T already mentioned how f… thick is Xhaka?
on 29 Dec 2018 at 6:09 pm45Tapera Doma

Here is a secret reveal. Wenger is now water under the bridge. He is not coming back. Let it go people.
on 29 Dec 2018 at 6:14 pm46Gunner_KS

Please sub Ramsey
on 29 Dec 2018 at 6:15 pm47ATG

This is painful to watch!
on 29 Dec 2018 at 6:16 pm48Cynic

Sokratis makes Mustafi look like Beckenbauer. Looking a bit tough doesn’t make you a footballer.
on 29 Dec 2018 at 6:16 pm49Gunner_KS

Salah keeps getting easy easy pens
on 29 Dec 2018 at 6:17 pm50ATG

I think I have seen enough!
on 29 Dec 2018 at 6:18 pm51Steve T

Is Sokratis thicker than Xhaka???

Discuss.

What a stupid stupid challenge.

Some of the most embarrassing moments I’ve seen from an Arsenal team for quite some time.

Is it time to blame the officials yet????
on 29 Dec 2018 at 6:19 pm52TTG

It’s not about Wenger at all. We made a change to supposedly to get better and that is why it’s so desperately sad . It’s about Emery and his complete inability to organise a defence . It is humiliating to watch us. This is another 8-2 if Liverpool want it
on 29 Dec 2018 at 6:19 pm53Nigel

So loose at the back. A collapse. Maybe a good defeat will show our new management team to spend a few quid.
on 29 Dec 2018 at 6:19 pm54Tapera Doma

The least we can do is compete. Compete boys!!
on 29 Dec 2018 at 6:22 pm55ATG

We had three players on their arses for their second for fuck sake stay up and get in his way!
on 29 Dec 2018 at 6:23 pm56Tapera Doma

Fair enough TTG on #52 above.
Nigel #53, perhaps this give the team hierarchy a clear definition of our limitations as a team & perhaps what is required to address our deficiencies.
on 29 Dec 2018 at 6:24 pm57Cynic

Someone should probably tell the players that the season didn’t end just because we stuffed Spurs the other week.

I feel for Torreira having to shield that shambles all on his own.

I know AMN scored but where is he supposed to be playing exactly? He’s been all over the place.

I also know that the captaincy doesn’t mean much to the modern coach, but we’ve had the shambles that is Ozil, left out for being unreliable in recent times, given the armband when he came back and now Ramsey, who’s about to announce his new team and who hasn’t been deemed worthy of a start recently, handed it because he is starting for a change.

And then you wonder … why is there no leadership?
on 29 Dec 2018 at 6:25 pm58Tapera Doma

For the restart get Kos and Laca in – out Lich & Iwobi.
on 29 Dec 2018 at 6:25 pm59BB

Drubbing may be the best thing to happen..maybe that’ll convince the higher ups to spend ..lest we slip out of europa too…

🙁
on 29 Dec 2018 at 6:25 pm60ATG

Who is still our defence coach?
on 29 Dec 2018 at 6:26 pm61Nigel

Let’s see what changes UE makes now.
We’ve made it so easy for them, gifting goals. This is our worst performance so far this season. Progress?
on 29 Dec 2018 at 6:31 pm62Delia

This could get much worse if we bomb ahead in the second half. Perhaps we should get Big Sam in to sort out our nonexistent defence!!!

Another strong drink is called for.

COYR
on 29 Dec 2018 at 6:35 pm63Tapera Doma

Lich stays, Mustafi is out. Really?
on 29 Dec 2018 at 6:35 pm64Steve T

Arthur. You think we have a defensive coach?

Do you actually think we practice defending?????

Spot on Cynic. The season wasn’t over after we beat the spuds. With regards to the captaincy fiasco I’m not sure where the true leaders are?

I’m still not sure what to make of Leno but he’s impossible to judge when we defend like that. The poor chap will need counselling if we carry on defending like that.
on 29 Dec 2018 at 6:36 pm65ATG

Tapera Doma

Iwobi is our best player so far not sure why you want him gone?
on 29 Dec 2018 at 6:42 pm66Tapera Doma

ATG @ #65 – yeah I want him gone because I think Laca is a better player than him. Actually if I was the coach I would have brought in Laca & Kos, out Iwobi & Lich – play a back 3 with AMN dropping to wingback.
on 29 Dec 2018 at 6:43 pm67ATG

No offside there so a massive miss b Auba
on 29 Dec 2018 at 6:45 pm68ATG

I cant stand Xhaka!
on 29 Dec 2018 at 6:49 pm69ATG

Steve T what about Steve Bould?
on 29 Dec 2018 at 6:51 pm70ATG

Beno messed up there he had time he booted it to a Liverpool player
on 29 Dec 2018 at 6:53 pm71ATG

Shambles absolute shambles!
on 29 Dec 2018 at 6:53 pm72Tapera Doma

Oh Jesus.
on 29 Dec 2018 at 6:53 pm73Steve T

That said, we’ve got this appealing for non existent off sides off to a fine art.

Always a positive.
on 29 Dec 2018 at 6:53 pm74ATG

8:1 still on the cards!
on 29 Dec 2018 at 6:55 pm75ATG

Now he brings on Laca what a tactic to bring him on at 6:1
on 29 Dec 2018 at 6:56 pm76ATG

Apologies 5:1
on 29 Dec 2018 at 6:56 pm77Steve T

Get on there Laca son. The game’s there for the taking.
on 29 Dec 2018 at 6:58 pm78Sancho P

Iwobi is so …. ordinary… that is why.
on 29 Dec 2018 at 6:59 pm79Tapera Doma

At 1-4, coach should have brought Laca in, reduce the deficit to 2-4 by minute 55 & then it would have been game on.
on 29 Dec 2018 at 7:00 pm80Gunner_KS

Iwobi apart who do we have as a winger please? He might not be what we need but certainly we dont have anyone better
on 29 Dec 2018 at 7:01 pm81Cynic

Steve T what about Steve Bould?

I doubt he’s doing much at all apart from keep an old skool Arsenal presence on the bench on a match day.

I mean … I know we haven’t got our first choice full backs and the centre back area is a nonsense, and Xhaka is rubbish but you do expect a bit of pride at least.

We’ve learned that Lich is finished as a player, Mustafi we always knew was no good and never worth £35m, that AMN is not a defender, Sokratis is poor and Kolasinac is weak in most areas.

We need about six defenders and to ship out players who are not up to it, like Xhaka, Sokratis and Kolasinac.

I don’t know why Jenkinson has been played in Europe but hasn’t had a sniff in the league. He can’t be a worse option than Lichsteiner.
on 29 Dec 2018 at 7:01 pm82Tapera Doma

Now this REALLY makes sense. Take Aub out, bring Laca in. Genius move that is. Classic move coach. Priceless!!! Maybe that is my signal go do my 5 mile jog.
on 29 Dec 2018 at 7:04 pm83ATG

TP

It’s another tactical change 😀
on 29 Dec 2018 at 7:05 pm84Tapera Doma

Call me TD people. I hope that is easy for everyone.
on 29 Dec 2018 at 7:05 pm85Nigel

You can see why OXC went to Liverpool.
on 29 Dec 2018 at 7:06 pm86ATG

With all due respect to all the injuries we have bottled it, I know we are loosing but there is no life in those players nothing!
on 29 Dec 2018 at 7:07 pm87ATG

TD

Apologies my bad
on 29 Dec 2018 at 7:08 pm88Tapera Doma

At this point, I am curious to see how the team responds vs Fulham on Tuesday. For the most part, today’s game is one to forget.
on 29 Dec 2018 at 7:09 pm89ATG

Get that imbecile Xhaka off!

Kolasinac better than that idiot!
on 29 Dec 2018 at 7:09 pm90Tapera Doma

NP ATG. Its all good.
on 29 Dec 2018 at 7:13 pm91ATG

I honestly don’t get what Xhaka needs to do to be subbed!

Should have had a pen too but hey ho!
on 29 Dec 2018 at 7:14 pm92Gunner_KS

No pen, when it rains it pours
on 29 Dec 2018 at 7:14 pm93TTG

What a pathetic little tosspot Oliver is. He’s given them two very soft penalties and not given us a stonewall one . Props for Koscielny. He has played with pride and discipline. Just what Xhaka hasn’t done
on 29 Dec 2018 at 7:20 pm94ATG

Yet another bad tactics day for Unai in my eyes, should have started the youngster Gendouzi and Laca.

Xhaka is fucking useless!
on 29 Dec 2018 at 7:21 pm95Steve T

Good luck H.
on 29 Dec 2018 at 7:22 pm96Goonerholic

>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>
on 29 Dec 2018 at 7:24 pm97ATG

Thank God for that final whistle…

Shambled in the midfield and shambles at the back…

Papa, Lichsteiner, Mustafi just awful and don’t get me started on Xhaka because I frankly don’t like him!
on 29 Dec 2018 at 7:25 pm98Gunner_KS

I mean when our first choice defence is not top quality God help us with second string. Tactics today was not spot on but Anyone would strugle to line a proper defence last couple of games
on 29 Dec 2018 at 7:32 pm99Solid Gooner

Very poor performance all round except from Maitland-Niles and Iwobi. Though the officiating was abysmal, we imploded spectacularly at the back.
Still a work in progress.
on 29 Dec 2018 at 7:56 pm100Cynic

WUUUUUUUUUUUUUUNHUNDREEEEEDDDDD

Might as well get something out of today.
on 29 Dec 2018 at 8:01 pm101Clock End Ghost

I expected a 4-0 defeat so the pain and disappointment wasn’t so bad when I saw the actual result. To be expected and as someone rightly said the defeat and draw against Saints and Brighton were just as soul destroying as today’s massacre. Whoever turned down the chance of signing van Dijk when we had the chance, probably thought it was Dick.
How much longer must our ‘defence’ be completely inept?