Will Our Nice Boys Beat Theirs To End Old Trafford Bogey?
Sep 29th, 2019 by 'holic
There’s no point in pining for those halcyon days of 1997-2006 when Manchester United versus The Arsenal encounters were battles in a war-like atmosphere. It was probably the last decade where blood and thunder battles between the giants of the day were allowed to push the spirit of the laws to breaking point.
Today the instructions to the PGMOL officials and the ‘after you, Claude’ nature of the players means that there are too few spiky characters looking to work the dark arts from first minute to last.
So on Monday night at Old Trafford (we won the league there, you know!) we will send a bunch of lovely lads to attempt to beat their lovely lads to remain within two points of the other Manchester club. Few expect a thriller, more a chess match where much will depend on the finishing ability of Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang.
United, unless a bit of kidology is going on, are decimated by injuries to key players. Pogba, Martial, and Rashford are tipped to miss out. Should be an easy trip, eh? When was the last time were humiliated up there by virtually a reserve team? Wait, Rashford 2016, you say? Our torturer this time around may be the 17 year old Greenwood.
Our Achilles heel this season has evidently been a poorly protected back four, but the options ahead of Bernd Leno tomorrow are improved by the return to fitness of Rob Holding and Kieran Tierney, both of whom I would start. I suspect Ainsley Maitland-Miles and David Luiz will make up the four although this would require Sideshow Bob or Rob converting to the right-sided role, a concern.
Personally I would switch Luiz into the security guard in front of the defence, but that would put Unai Emery in a spot because after appointing the inconsistent Granit Xhaka to the captaincy he is almost compelled to pick him on Monday. Expect Xhaka to be paired with in-form Matteo Guendouzi and yet again affording little protection for those behind.
To record a rare win at what has become a bogey venue we’re totally reliant on the front four. Bukayo Saka and Nicolas Pepe have become shoe-ins on the flanks. I’m worried about the form of Danni Ceballos since his mercurial home debut against Burnley. If Emery still has lost faith in Mesut Ozil then in God’s name start Joe Willock in the hole man. Trust Aubameyang to bring out the best of him. Rant over.
The ‘holic pound
I’m somewhat surprised that the bookies have United favourites at 6/4 with us quoted at just under 2/1. Bogey ground or not United are struggling, the wheels are coming off the bus. For all that we have been far from convincing only the runaway train that is Liverpool have beaten us.
I’m persuaded that young Greenwood has that goal in him but surely there are two in us? I have put the pound and a fair few of his mates on that at a best of 11/1. Here’s hoping.
The ABW preview
I hope you are enjoying this feature. Danny and the team put a huge amount of work into the various podcasts that they do midweek, pre-match, and post-match. We don’t always agree, but there is much respect between all of us.
Have a great one, ‘holics.
147 Responses to “Will Our Nice Boys Beat Theirs To End Old Trafford Bogey?”
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Thanks Dave,
I always have a sort of fear about this fixture, never feel confident, still don’t this season.
Would take a draw but to win would be amazing, especially as I live in a country full of wannabe Mancs.
Interesting preview Guv’nor.
I find myself surprisingly upbeat about this fixture and am tipping the good guys to win by the odd goal in 5.
2-3 to the Arsenal. It has a nice ring to it.
COYG CCMUED
hello
hello ‘hol
hello pan G
pair o cunts
?
Would take a point all day long. A draw is always a good result up there no matter how bad they`re playing. I`d like to see us grind a boring 0-0 out but no chance of that. I suspect we`ll have to score at least 2 just to get a result.
and
in many ways
my dear people
*taps mic*
aren’t we all just liam bradies* swimming in a glass o dennis’s’s
.
.
.
.
*nodding terms
.
.
.
any funny cunt about ?
no
cos
“I’M DYING HERE “
as usual
english bastards
???????
Maitland Niles must NOT play. A BIG liability. Not even on the bench
not even on the bench
are you a stupid person
i fink you are a considered fick person innit
energy comes occasionally
nice to see no cunts
ned
you oul tart
where you ?
you in America
what took ye there ya cunt
anything like
the mighty osaka m
the
smarty pants
fuckin show off
and
you fuckin ned can fuck off an all
what colour are my socks ?
nosey cunts
Hello there, cba. I’d love to hang around and trade insults with you but I’m too knackered, so I’m away to my bed.
Fuck off.
COYG
it is a bit sad I suppose
i am brilliant
but ye know
Evening Dave
Appropriate i suppose,that after 4 months absence from the Bar, i should return for our visit to the home of the Club we had so many great battles with when Arsene was in his pomp,which seems like a lifetime ago now.
Utd are now on their 4th manager since Fergie retired,and seem no nearer a solution to finding the answer to getting the Club back among the elite of European football.
As for the Arse,i have been singularly unimpressed with the start to our 2nd season under Emery.
An abject performance away at Anfield,a craven effort away at Watford, 2 fortuitous wins at home to Burnley and Villa,and a draw with 2 gifted goals to our neighbors,who are in poor form themselves.
I admit to being baffled by Emery’s tactics,and given the confusion and chaos that seems to reign during our games,i am not too sure the players aren’t either.
Yes i know we have had players out injured,and new players getting used to the pace of the EPL,but even so,if you don’t have a proper structure and framework for the players to work within and be comfortable with,then all the returning players in the world aren’t going to make any difference.
Having said that,i do like the look of some of the young players that have been given an opportunity to play at the top level by Emery.
Long may it continue.
As for the new boys Ceballos and Pepe,i don’t think we will see the best of either for a while yet.
Pepe looks to me like a player burdened by his fee and trying too hard to prove he is worth the money,once he relaxes and gets more game time under his belt,i am sure he will blossom.
Ceballos has already been quoted as saying we won’t see the best of him till the 2nd half of the season,and given he played virtually no football at all last season, that comes as no surprise.
As for buying yet another Chelsea player past his best,the less said the better.
I do however like the look of our new left back,who i believe will prove to be our best leftie since Ashley.
So to the match itself,which is always a battle regardless of how bad Utd are playing,but they will be desperate for a win,so i expect them to be pumped for this one,rough house tactics with not a lot of finesse.
Important as always,not to concede an early goal,and boost their confidence,keep it tight,work our way into the game,and we can get something from it.
Like the start of last season with City and Chelsea,,i always felt the games against Pool/Spuds and Utd,were going to be difficult,given our injuries and new intakes who were unlikely to be match ready so early in the new season.
We are already 4pts behind the 8ball from last season,with the draws against Watford and our neighbors,so anything worse than a repeat draw against a very average Utd side,for me will be unacceptable.
On a separate note,it was wonderful to see old twinkeltoes playing at the Nou Camp against Real Madrid on Tuesday night,and blowing everyone away with a man of the match performance that included an absolute belter of a goal in Villareals 2 – 1 defeat.
When he was subbed off late in the game,he left to a standing ovation from the entire stadium,that Santi said later,he would carry with him for the rest of his life.
God i miss him.
?
a twat is a cunt
16 for 13
Clive !
Proper
PROPER
PROPER GOONER
So badly written. No insight. Nothing meaningful whatever. Give up mate. Con concentrate on your school homework. Spare the world from your inane babbling. Please.
so says the fake skinhead account
silly
very
silly
.
Evening CBA
Proper Proper Gooner yourself my friend.
And a correction,it was Barcelona at the Camp Nou on Tuesday night, not Real Madrid.
Clive
eff off
take a compliment when it’s DESERVED
top of the range you are
there’s arseholes and twats
peer at here
I’m sure the reputation of tabs etc
from UNFORTUNATELY olden times
still has them petrified to cogent
a whole cogent
only to find
cogent ing is outrageous
and thusly banned
you are silly
.
.
it’s ridiculous
.
‘Young Gooners , don’t be afraid to talk here ”
“Its not like we don’t already know where you live”
say hello to tabs for me ‘holic please
THE funniest fucker
.
.
.
.
well
.
.
as big jessies go
Let’s play
Leno
Chambers-Holding-Luiz-Tierney
Torreira-Guendouzi
Pepe-Ceballos-Saka
Aubameyang
Then we can talk of victory with a clean sheet at OT.
mentalist
this is why crocheting for me has become a chore !
INTERRUPTIONS !
i love Moondog
have done
decades
4 ooor more
this is me
watched peaky blinders last week
thought
they haven’t a clue
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RFJi3l1DPWk&app=desktop
people watch this
Unbelievable
.
.
terrible show
fished eyed fella
act like ye are acting
don’t be convincing
act that yer acting
people will then write films for you
we aren’t a stupid people
?
.
.
.
embarrassing
although
he employed his trout eyes
to great affect
a and e
in
the wind that sha……..
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=x_IXyQiY11M
.
.
.
god weren’t you horrible !
and ye wonder why people don’t like ye
.
.
.
.
.
.
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added to goldilocks
that fella is bizarre
blonde bizarre
.
.
.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=W0pTpwqkB48
Thanks Guvnor.
A fine preview as always.
Agree with you our odds
seem surprisingly high.
Hopefully we keep our
nerve this time and grind
out a 1-0 to The Arsenal.
I hope Tierney starts and
Auba scores.
It’s great to hear from
Goonersince54!!
ye really don’t appear cuddly
oh
Thank you for your reasoned review, convict boy. I’m off to school now to try and educate a number of illiterate fuckwits like you.
‘Holic@41 – Hear hear.
COYG
Welcome back, Clive.
13 years since Adebayor scored there and we won 1-0 in the premier league, 13 years and if we all reflect of what and all has changed in our lives, the only constant is arsenal haven’t been able to beat united all throughout these many years.
In this scenario, we got to face a pathetic United side who have no one to score and hardly a midfield to manage. A goalkeeper who has his best games always against us apart, I cannot think of anyone who would instil a sense of apprehension in any team. With all this as well, I am fairly certain we will be happy with a draw. Is this our new acceptance in away games or just knowing we are not good enough to beat them?
Tierney and Holding set to start is the best news of the day but again we need to give them time and then judge if they indeed are the solution to the ever leaking defence we have. I still think the midfield does not support the defence and hence we struggle so much to come out of the pressure we land under, no one wants to take the ball and come out with and instead, they expect the defenders to do it which is really not fair on them.
“Unai knows” and that means Ozil will be rested again and he will continue to play xhaka/Ceballos/guendouzi and that just doesn’t work considering all 3 literally stand next to one another rather than having torriera playing deeper, again unai knows.
Our one chance of beating them is scoring early and that means auba has to take that initial chance we always get, i have seen a pattern with our away games, we always get one chance before the opposition score and usually we dont take it, hope today that does not happen.
Arsenal, united is shit, if you just believe that and pound them, they will succumb but if you let them turn prime barcelona, then they will be happy to oblige, we have done that more often than not when we go away, for once can you change the script, please.
I really don’t get the opinion that believes Ozil will offer us anything in this game (or any other come to that).
When was the last time he played against a big team and did anything match changing? Has he ever?
I have a dim memory of Chelsea, when he was part of a display of FAST attacking football that tore them apart, but it was so long ago Feo was in the team and he did as much as Ozil to kill them off.
If Ozil played he would do what he’s been doing for ages. Cruise through it. Ceballos all day for me, if it’s a choice between him and Ozil and Torreira over Xhaka (that won’t happen obvs).
Maybe he will go with Torreira and Xhaka to sit and rely on Guendouzi to get forward? Eeek.
Fine preview Guvna. I sincerely hope your punt comes home but I’ve seen this movie too many times before and I’ve prepared a comfortable place behind the sofa for this one.
I’ve lost count of the number of times in the last decade and more that we’ve taken on a Manure team that has been playing poorly or is a patchwork of out of form, poor and callow players and failed to beat them as we should have. Indeed we have lost on a number of those occasions.
As Clive observes, the performances to date of this Emery team do not inspire optimism. Our only hope is an uncharacteristically robust defensive performance from all concerned, an intelligent 90+ minutes from Xhaka and a midfield connected to the attack, creating at least one chance for Aubameyang to finish. The only performances that I’ve seen this season where we controlled the game and looked like a team were the second half against Villa after the midfield substitutions and the kids against Forest.
Maybe we’re turning a corner. Who knows? I, sure as hell, hope so.
COYG
Bilbo Baggins collides with Dick Emery. Great preview bit one senses the unease we all feel with our defence and the luck they get at the Toilet. I think like last year it will be a draw. If we picked Holic’s preferred team we would win.
Nice to see you back Clive !
In from cutting the grass (all this rain has made it grow like bejaysus), cup of coffee, check of the overnight drinks and
Welcome back Clive!
@Cynic, what ahs Ceballos done apart from that game against Burnley? Mesut with the front line we have hasn’t had a chance to play, isnt it fair that we give him the chance in a game which can be won on a canter if we create? is Ceballos a better creator than Mesut? Ceballos may help in the balance etc for the team but for the sheer value of being a match-winner, Mesut offers more than Dani and i do like Dani.
its all about who playing makes better sense, Mesut for me and i agree that torreira should start and not instead of xhaka, it should be behind him not next.
Clive,
Great to see that you back in the bar.
Can’t disagree with your assessment of our season to date, but maybe you’ll bring some luck with you, and we can beat the mancs tonight 3-1.
Enjoyable and very realistic preview, Holic. (Who’s your new little wankpot friend, McAlindon?) Surely Joe Willock has to start? I like the team arsenicDaemon proposes with Willock starting ahead of Ceballos whose profligacy may cost us at the Toliet.
Clive, great to see your return from retirement and every word you’ve written there rings true with me.
cba, It’s a Wonderful Night for a Moondog.
A win will surprise me pleasantly. I will be watching sans commentary unless Smudger is in the seat and Neville Neville’s little whinger is on a sunshine assignment to check out Rwanda.
Just popped by and there was
the 50.
Agree with Vinay, UE won’t play
Ozil. It’s a pity but up to him I
suppose.
Oh dear, dithered and blew
it.
Great preview Holic!
Ignore the pest they’re not worth the effort!
By giving him the armband he will most definitely play Xhaka in the middle with Guendouzi along with either Willock or Ceballos. I would like to either see Martinelli or Saka on the right wing with Auba up fron and Pepe on the lest.
As for the back four Chambers, Holding Luiz and Tierney.
Let’s not hold back either and spank for once it hasn’t happened in ages so we may be in for a treat.
Cheers, Holic,
A 1-2 away win is my prediction too – hoping that we don’t serve up our usual worst performance of the season at Old Trafford.
We really should be going for it up there. Our strengths are in attack and another safety first performance would almost certainly be anything but.
“Going for it” should mean a midfield role for Joe Willock, but where ?
Mr Emery seems to be a specialist in the manufacture of rods for his own back and having just made an almighty public hoo-haa of appointing Xhaka as the foremost of his no less than five captains, it’s hard to see how he can leave him out. My own preference would be a midfield three of Torreira, Gouendouzi and Willock but …..
Five (!) captains ? You can just see Tony Adams or Patrick Vieira getting on board with that bit of nonsense !
Our defence leaves me feeling that any win, as usual of late, would be fine, but it would be great to get back to the days of a result and a performance in a big match.
Sorry to interrupt, cba,
I’ll let you get on with it now
And hopefully you’ll be getting on with it in much improved health ??
ATG @53
“Let’s not hold back either and spank for once it hasn’t happened in ages so we may be in for a treat.”
Is that a quote from you, ATG, or a complaint from Mrs ATG ? ?
Trev,
Good one 😀
There is always something the boss is complaining about, especially when I shout at the TV when watching Arsenal 😀
Not so sure about spanking though 😀
I understand that neither Ozil or Tierney have travelled to Manchester .
I also understand that we have a Terry/ Bridge situation if you know what I mean at the Totts. Substitute Vertonghen and Eriksen .
Wan- Bissaka is a late casualty for them
Pogba and Rashford have passed late fitness tests.
LehmannGallasDjourouEboueToureFabregasSilvaHlebLjungbergRosickyAdebayor
and only one half respectable
(Solskjaer was on the bench and tomorrow will be back in Molde)
Blimus, he HAS gone with Xhaka, Torreira and Guendouzi.
Why are the Totts so slimy?
@57 Very true, no Özil, Tierney. While am not too bothered (excuse my idiosyncrasy), the absence of Tierney is worrisome. I hope Torreira gets to start tonight.
LENO, Chambers, Sokratis, David Luiz, Kolasinac; Xhaka, Guendouzi, Torreira; Saka, Aubameyang, Pépe
I hope Xhaka and Sokratis would be yanked off when the need arises. COYGs
Don’t see much balance in midfield. Three exciting attacking players won’t get enough passes. Sadly my confidence of a draw is waning
I wouldn’t have played Ozil. But the fact he is not even making the bench is starting to be a problem again.
As for tonight, I hope that midfield manages to get up the pitch to link with the front three. It’ll be interesting to see how we attempt that.
I’m strangely optimistic. I quite fancy 1-0 to us. But I’d take the odd goal in 5. Anyway, a win of some sort, pretty please.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-28J9WSqyyw
I see TTG sees the same potential problem that I do.
Fingers crossed my optimism is more founded than your fading confidence. There’s a pre game tipple of your choice on the bar for you.
Is Tierney injured?
Same here we were overrun in the middle by Villa at home with the same setup. Unai keeps on playing Xhaka in there and that is the weakest link.
iBtM
I very much doubt it
Who is going to win the midfield and run the game. Unless Guendouzi can provide 90 minutes of the form he showed in the SH v Villa, we are going to be overrun. Not encouraging. Even a half-wit like Keane recognises our midfield are lightweight.
I actually don’t mind that midfield trio, it should offer us cover (lol) and if Guendouzi is in the mood he can provide the drive forward.
This is a game for Pepe to finally show what he can really do. Fingers crossed for a couple of goals from him tonight.
In sating I don’t mind it, that’s in the context of what we have in the squad. I would have preferred Ceballos to give some creativity, but with Xhaka nailed on to start, we do need more bite in there.
Cynic @75, I don’t disagree with that. We need legs and teeth in the midfield. Brains wouldn’t go amiss either. Creativity would be nice too.
Come on Arsenal!
let’s just say i am watching this from behind the figurative couch.
i’m not convinced by what i am seeing against a really poor united squad.
and that was stupid by chambo. now we play 90-some with our best right back on a yellow.
Stop playing it from the back ffs
Chambers is a misfit against teams that have pace as he has the bad habit of pulling players back and getting booked. He does it again, gets booked and will be under pressure for the remaining 80 mins. Stupid.
What are we doing from goal kicks? I don’t see a plan so poor even in the lower leagues.
So Lingard fouls Saka and gets nothing
I would switch wings with Pepe, simply because he has no interest in tracking back and Chambers is getting exposed. Pepe got turned far too easily when Chambers got booked and wasn’t even jogging back.
He can’t be everywhere of course but he’s not offering any help to his right back.
Ute players can’t be booked. Two blatant fouls and they get a talking to but Chambers was booked first time.
there’s a booking. but studs up through the player? i thought that was a red?
That was far too easy for them then. Good save though
i do like the way saka is playing young. definitely containing him.
nice save, leno.
Oh God, he had forever then. Fucking awful shot.
chambo not crossing well. at all.
oh, pepe. is that the new “oh, theo”?
coyg!
kevin friend has lost the plot. why aren’t those both yellow?
nil bloody nil strategy
both cowards
fuck ’em
He should book them both there, the advantage makes no difference with the original foul.
Great free kick Xhaka wtf?
Lingard doing his best “I am a talentless prick who’s lucked his way into millionaire wages” impression.
Second half for Ceballos, and maybe one of the youngsters, this clearly not working
this is an ugly game.
It’s a sign of how low we’ve sunk expectation-wise that I would take a clean sheet at this point, so rare are they.
Friend having his usual incompetent match here.
Assist…
sigh. get in, gooners!
Fuck off with that shit. Should be one up, one down.
FFS!
Our new captain ducks his head to let the ball fly into the net. Diddums.
Terrible defending just before half time.
fuuuuuck. you talk about we switched off. we sure as hell did.
hopefully that’s it, it’s just for the holic pound.
Pepe off at half time please.
Great reflex by Xhaka to duck under the shot.
Xhaka ducked out of the way of that. Head high.
iBtM
Yeah out captain did very well there ducking at the ball true fighter that bloke!
Pepe and Xhaka off.Ceballos and Martinelli on
It wasn’t just him, Sokratis seemed to want to make himself as small as possible instead of flying out to block it.
Radford,
Do you know what, that is a good shout in all honesty.
I thought we had slightly the better of it. We got settled and to be the team who could take it on. And then we concede.
So familiar.
Looked to be
We always get better without Xhaka.Slows our game down so much.
Luiz and Sokratis looks poor, Xhaka also error prone. What’s new? Pereira chance came from Xhaka’s mistimed headed pass. How many mistakes did Luiz make? Picking these 3 week in week out should cost Emery his job.
Rant over. Let’s hope Emery still has some of his 2nd half magic left in the hat.
Cynic
Sokratis was trying to block it, Xhaka saw it and ducked then fucked I suppose he was too scared to header it
Xhaka, Pepe off
Ceballos, Willock in.
Am still trusting we’d come off 1-2 from Aubameyang/Saka and Willock/Ceballos’s boots.
Head still high, Xhaka’d remain that. Poor officiating, else we’d be playing with an extra man now. But no qualms.
Looked to me like he was trying to block it in the way you do when you’re trying not to get hurt. In other words, not really trying to.
I suppose I fell bad for making Xhaka a scape goat here and it’s not right to blame him for that goal. He still ducked his head, however it was a collective team error.
Come on Arsenal let’s win it FFS they are there for the taking!
Manure’s fullbacks are Young and Tuanzebe. What on earth is Emery doing to help them keep a clean sheet? And how long before we concede another goal from our silly goal kicks?
The only upside is that Emery loves gifting opponents goals. Almost as if to balance the scales before a 2nd half onslaught.
Right, come on lads. Big second half performance and we can turn this lot over.
COYG!
Sokratis turns side on and that takes his body out of the line of the ball. He deflected it instead of blocking it.
https://ibb.co/ZXhF6KY
I don’t know if you’re getting the same pictures as me (Sky) but they showed a replay from front on that showed perfectly Sokratis dodging the shot and deflecting it.
He was only about three yards onside you cunts.
Shocker of an offside. But VAR gives it. Auba scores.
Fuck me we’ve won a VAR decision! Yards onside!
Get innn
Linesman off to specs avers!
Linesman should be sacked for that
Auba what a finisher. Saka with the assist, and should’ve scored too. Now a game of two teams with fragile mentalities. Could be a cracker.
Quite simply, that’s why VAR is needed.
If it’s used for that kind of thing, fine. It’s when they use it to judge someone’s shoulder is 6mm offside that it becomes a joke.
‘That kind of thing’? You mean the outcome of the game or something more trivial?
Should have been Willock for Pepe some time ago. Midfield too porous with three at the front.
I’m a big Pepe fan, but as Gary Neville just said, he’s had a difficult night.
The obvious, clear, error like that. Not the nitpicky stuff of tiny margins that the cameras are incapable of getting right at those frame rates anyway.
Saka is a player. Had a very good game for someone his age. COYG.
1-1!
@139 it was 1-0 without VAR.
better than nothing
ah well, at least we didn’t lose. we looked like shite, though, collectively. various individuals stood out, like saka, guendouzi, and auba.
i don’t know what willock has to do to start, he’s better than xhaka any game they play. torreira, guendouzi, and willock is an excellent midfield.
COYG!
I’m sorry by Cebalos had a poor game our midfield did not function properly we couldn’t string few passes together.l
Should have beaten this sorry arse lot!
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>
Terrible game, decent point but that’s probably the worst United team I’ve ever seen and certainly in PL era. We should be kicking ourselves but also happy not to lose.
Which where we are at the moment.
One all is a fair result for what I just watched. Both teams could have won it. Neither deserved to.
After going behind at Old Trafford a point is okay. But it is as poor a Utd side as we will play for a while and another year’s chance to end the winless run at their place has slipped by.
I would have preferred Martineli on for Pepe or Saka for that matter.