It Feels Like 1980 All Over Again
Mar 7th, 2018 by 'holic
It’s twenty past ten on Wednesday night. In less than twenty hours we travel to Milan for the next instalment of the one competition that theoretically we can still win and qualify for the Champions League. They are enjoying an incredible revival under the old warhorse Gennaro Gattuso. They are unbeaten in 13 games in all competitions and have started beating the teams above them, winning six straight games and booking their place in the Coppa Italia final.
Of course the reason for the late post is that I have just watched the neighbours crumble at the last sixteen stage of the Champions League that became our Achilles heel. Yes, I have gloated, for that is what we do. Now it is sinking in though. We somehow believe that English clubs can turn over their Italian counterparts because we play at a faster tempo, because they don’t travel well.
We even have a track record of some wonderful nights in the San Siro (but some horrors too, don’t forget), and shorn of confidence and strikers we are not in the best shape going into this one. It is hard to make a logical case for us progressing here, but an Arsenal team playing with discipline and commitment should do just that. This is a real test of the ability of this manager to bring the best out of this squad of players.
Let’s be honest, we have to start with Danny Welbeck as our only striker. That means a back five, forget this back three smoke and mirrors. Leave gaps for Milan to exploit and we are in for a painful night. With no Nacho we are missing our best defender (and of late our best striker too!), but Per Mertesacker or Rob Holding should be added to Shkodran Mustafi and Laurent Koscielny in the centre of the defence.
With Hector Belllerin ruled out, for whatever reason, we need the next best option. In an attacking set-up I would be tempted to give Reiss Nelson a go, but defending will be the prime requirement. Calum Chambers may have struggled at Brighton, but the lad has got experience there and is likely to get the gig. On the left too we have the option of the young Ainsley Maitland-Niles or the experienced Sead Kolasinac. Kola has struggled like the rest of the side of late, but knows what he needs to do in this vital contest.
If we are five strong at the back and Danny up top we have to get the midfield quartet right. A diamond would suit our attacking players, but this is not a match to deny the defence the best protection we can give them. We don’t have any defensive midfielders in truth since the departure of Coquelin (well, Gilberto Silva to be fair). Granit Xhaka has been the lightning rod of late and might be best taken out of the firing line. Mohamed Elneny and Aaron Ramsey might just be the choice in front of the defence with firm instructions given that one must always stay at home.
That leaves two places for Mesut Ozil and Henrikh Mkhitaryan. They are the intelligent players that Arsene Wenger talks about. Trust them to slot into the places right and left that they need to when we counter attack, drop to block the obvious passing lines when we are defending. Spring with pace when we have the ball and always be available. That is what £350,000 a week should buy you.
Finally, use Welbeck wisely. He isn’t Olivier Giroud, so balls lumped up in his general direction will not stick. Look for the gaps between the defenders that he will appreciate. The very same passes we haven’t provided for the injured Alexander Lacazette and the ineligible Pierre-Emerick Aubamayang so far. This is absolutely key and is a lesson we need to carry forward beyond the San Siro.
The ‘holic pound
Our current form means I am making weekly donations to the likes of Paddy and Victor. The bare minimum pound is to be staked on my forecast in this week’s ABW podcast which you will find below. 38 years on from our dramatic Cup-Winners Cup semi-final win at Juve with a last minute header from the young Paul Vaessen I am trusting in the fact that lightning can indeed strike twice. We were given no chance that night either. With a little bit of tongue in cheek I am on the Gunners to win 1-0, with a back-up pound on the goalscorer to be Eddie Nketiah from the bench.
Whether you are in Milan, or stuck in front of a televisual device, at 6.oo pm UK time have a great one ‘holics. Everything crossed.
81 Responses to “It Feels Like 1980 All Over Again”
#1?
WD Chris.
Agree with you on the punt, ‘H.
Thanks for another engaging post.
UTA
I think Wenger will stick with a back four – but give licence to Chambers & Kolacinac to overlap meaning (scarily) it will be a back two isolated as always.
He won’t drop Xhaka, probably play him with Jack and allow Ramsey to roam.
Ozil & Mkhi behind Welbeck.
Arsenal can beat this Milan side at home – so at best let’s pray for a draw!
El Niño would be my pick for DMF as well, I recall him making a fair fist of CB during some crisis a while back.
As for Danny I’d prefer to see him at LW with Mesut playing a false 9 and Rambo encouraged to raid forward. Both are more likely to actually get a shot on target if given the opportunity. We also know Eddie Nketiah can score so he should be considered.
Totteringham? … https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=z4uivPpzCGo
Mkhi has to start from the bench for this one.
Outside his scintillating display on his full debut against Everton, he has done fuck all.
Pushing Ainsley Maitland Niles into the right wing back position in the absence of Bellerin makes the most sense.
Whatever happens against Milan, I still hold the hope that we are at the threshold of a new beginning and that the sun will shine through once again.
UTA
A very informative and entertaining preview Holic.
I could get swept up in the reverie but this side have killed me recently, in fact they’ve killed us all.
I don’t believe in them and don’t believe they have a big performance in them. I don’t believe the manager has got a great team talk in him . I desperately hope I am wrong . I guess you either always try to big up the optimism ahead of the game or you tell it as you see it. I feel I have to do the latter.
A 2-1 defeat keeps it alive . But with Welbeck upfront I don’t see where the goal is coming from.
Sorry I’m an old grump.
I will never be happier to be proved completely wrong.
We really missed the boat when we didn’t tempt Allegri from Juve at the back end of last season.
I have mixed feelings about tomorrow.
I never really want us to lose, but winning this cup will keep the almost dead man twitching for another year, which will be an utter disaster for this club.
I’ll watch through the optical equivalent of gritted teeth.
One thing is certain though. Lose 3-0 or worse and they have to sack him on Friday. The atmosphere Sunday will be absolute poison if we do lose badly tomorrow.
Great preview Holic we it’s one of those everything crossed game no doubt 🙂
TTG,
RE: Szczesny from last drinks…
I know Wojtek played up he was immature back then and made a huge mistake but he’s also very passionate and on top of that a very good keeper and still young so learning his trade. Fabianski is certainly more down to earth and more focused on his task at hand it’s funny because they both compete for the national team and even though I prefer Wojtek in goal I’m not too worried if Fabianski gets picked up. When Buffon leaves he will be their number 1 and I hope it stays that way especially for him. Loved the way he hated Spurs too! 🙂
Cynic….
You make me laugh mate 😀
“but winning this cup will keep the almost dead man twitching for another year”
Thanks for the preview Guvnor.
1-0 or 2-1 would do nicely!
Ttg,
Apologies for no reply to your post
on AW a couple of days back.
I’ve been feeling argumentative
recently so I took a few days off
as there’s little worse than
argumentative people in bars 🙂
On to victory tonight!
Eddie for the treble and we are through, easy as cake!
Well, maybe not quite so easy but a dose of optimism can’t be all bad, can it?
Cheers ‘H. Sadly the deeper in to your proposed selection you went the more me ‘eart sank.
Like loads of us, I’ve gone horrible bad on this rotten, ugly dysfunctional old set-up we appear stuck with for a while yet, and find it difficult to envisage this lot salvaging anything from any sort of match at the mo. Oh dear, interesting times indeed.
Still, some things spring eternal (really?) – here’s hoping AC have a wobble …
https://youtu.be/gEPmA3USJdI
UTA!
Good post, ‘Holic. The way things are right now we could as easily sweep to a 5-0 win as get hammered 5-0, although the odds probably tilt to the latter. Grinding out an old-school 1-0 win or even a 0-0 would be a decent evening’s work in the circumstances.
Cynic is probably correct that if we win the Europa and qualify for next season’s CL, AW will see out the final year of his contract as he will want one last chance to win the big one. I hope he is laying in extra teeth to grit.
As this super slow motion car wreck of a season lurches from one increasingly dire performance after another the total lack of a transfer strategy becomes ever more evident.
Who sanctioned the selling of Coquelin and Giroud? The manager Ivan or Satan? Whom ever it was it was a shocking and amateurish oversight.
Then again the fact that Wenger would rather have Xhaka than the admittedly limited Cow kinda says it all when it comes to the managers current malaise.
I think Stan would have been happy to sanction selling any player. He hasn’t got a clue what function each player has.
As much as it was hilarious seeing the spuds crash out it that fleeting hilarity is soon replaced by the feelings of trepidation about the seemingly inevitable defeat we will be at the receiving end tonight. And hope that it is not as heavy as our last visit.
This really cannot go on can it?
Some things I believe to be true.
1) Arsene will see out his contract whatever happens this season. The only way he will leave at the end of this season is if he is sacked and Kroenke will never do it.
2) Realistically we have no chance of winning the Europa. We can’t beat Bournemouth or Brighton FFS.
3) Some time ago I said it may be good if we fell out of European competition altogether for a year a la the Chavs. At that time some people felt we couldn’t finish lower than sixth. Is anybody now taking bets on that?
UTA.
I think that if a pragmatic approach was taken then this squad of players would and still could eek out a few drab but decent results. AW or was it Bouldy did it previously when we had Denilson and Song anchoring the midfield.
Cynic
I have had similar thoughts to you .
I have an abhorrence of ‘fans’ who want Arsenal to lose. I’ve never been able to understand it but you are quite right that a Europa League win will give Stan an excuse to keep Arsene on and that would be bad for the club. I’m conflicted but I know when the whistle blows I just want us to win. I’m still fairly confident that AW will be here next season.
Interesting to read the eulogies for the Totts in today’s Times. Basically they weren’t good enough . Can’t remember much sympathy for us after winning 2-0 at Bayern and going out of the CL on away goals or the Van Persie sending-off which cost us so dear at the Nou Camp.
I don’t see Juventus as winners but I agree again with Cynic tgatbAllegri looks a super candidate as a future Arsenal manager although that ship may have sailed.
Interesting preview Guvna. I really hope that 1-0 to the good guys prediction comes home but like many here this season’s performances have shrivelled any hope that this team can raise its game once more to achieve the unexpected. The absence of key players and the boss’s erratic selections further deflate my optimism. I think a 2-1 defeat would be a superb result offering a chink of opportunity in the home leg. I fear much worse.
Like you Holic, I have everything crossed and am hoping for the best but form and the players we have available don’t give me any confidence of a positive result.
Arsenal please give me something to make the trip to the Ems next Thurs worthwhile and don’t embarrass us with another horror show but it is hard to see anything other than a Milan win in front of their passionate fans . I gather the game is a sell out.
I would play 4/3/3 with Mo in the MF and told to sit and see Rambo as the man to get us an away goal, please.
COYR
Watched 89 recently and that team would murder this one.
So would the 91 team.
Bit strange to see footage of the 91 end of season video used in this as if it took place in the run up to Anfield. Naughty artistic licence….
I’ll be doing a Phil Collins (In The Air Tonight) so I’ll be relying on you for a comprehensive dissertation on the 1-0 win when I land, HOLIC. Good man.
Marcus McGuane, formerly of this parish, made his Barcelona debut, coming on as a sub in the Catalan Super Cup yesterday. Admittedly, Barca fielded a mix of reserves and youths against Espanyol in a tournament that is not top of anyone’s priorities, but a Barca debut is a Barca debut. Did I mention that he is a DM? One that got away?
Nice preview H.
Milan on the Charge. An old warhorse in control. The Mighty Arse with no fullbacks and no forwards? What could possibly go wrong?
Who knows what will happen? Who knows who will turn up on the day? This could be a mystery of Scooby Doo proportions???
I will have to monitor events via the wireless. No egg chasing before anyone else decides to have a pop. Away with my eldest at an Art School interview. I may make it back in time for the final minutes of the second half if I’m lucky. Let’s hope by then that we are still worth watching.
Keep everything crossed. It could be a tough night.
McGuane is indeed one that got away. He looks a real talent.
I saw Wengers post Brighton interview and it was not pleasant viewing for several reasons.
Seeing Wenger in his current state knowing the media are wetting themselves over his and Arsenals demise.
Hearing him say rather forlornly I thought that he was the best man to turn things around.
And lastly realising he is going nowhere and will probably saying the same shite this time next year. 🙂
Don’t worry Ned. The conventional wisdom in the slophouses is that no one at Arsenal ever received any coaching, so McGuane is a guaranteed flop at Barca.
THe point being of course that he got to where he is and realised he had to leave to progress. That’s where the total lack of coaching comes in. Talent doesn’t develop properly at Arsenal.
Or isn’t there in the first place, Cynic. I saw that Sanchez Watt, a member of the 2008–09 FA Youth Cup winning squad, is now playing non-league for Hemel Hempstead.
He was sent off this week after a referee mistook his name for dissent. http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/43314870
You said ‘ Watt’ Ned?
What a crazy story.
I played in a Sunday League team ( quite a decent one actually ) .
We were 8-0 up in the last minute and the referee decided to book our best player for ungentlemanly conduct . He asked him his name and was greeted with the reply ‘ Fucking Steve Perryman’.
The referee replied to general disbelief .
‘ OK, Perryman I’m sending you off for dissent ‘ . He filed a report to this effect to the league.
I didn’t know he was still refereeing in Hemel Hempstead.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=msrwsyilFbU&list=RDmsrwsyilFbU
Ospina,
Chambers, Koscielny, Mustafi, Kolasinac,
Xhaka, Ramsey, Wilshere,
Mkhitaryan, Ozil,
Welbeck
Come on Arsenal!
COYG
please
??
Oh balls. Robbie Savage
Careless Mustafi almost cost us.
Get in!
Mkhi scores!!!! Crucial away goal.
That assist from Ozil was world class.
Well played so far ?? Keep it up lads!
“Hit man” Ospina doing what he can to get Mustafi off the pitch with that punch but he’s not quite successful.
When he plays like this it’s easy to see why Mkhitaryan is so highly rated. He looks very fluid and dangerous.
Come on Ramsey sort it’s out
Mikiiiiiiiiii should Chevy made it two
Mkhi hits the bar, bad luck.
Milan are absolute rubbish tonight 😀
Get in Ramsey
Beautiful goal by Ramsey. Well taken. 0-2. Great pass by Ozil.
Contract renewal offer in the morning ffs… lol
And Ozil has produced sublime assists. What a ball to Ramsey!
What’s happening, we are two nil away!
What a nice performance. I didn’t think they had it in them. But then we are indeed inconsistent. Five defeats on the trot would be far too consistent. Just don’t fuck it up now.
Only we can play so much better than expected (or even hoped for, come off leading by 2, and still leave me disappointed that we did not make the most of a lit of good situations and uneasy about what’s coming next.
Still. Well played all round. They nailed that.
Cynic @49. He doesn’t want to stay. Wants to try pastures new.
One Arsene Wenger……….
GSD @53, nicely summed up. Should be 4 up for sure.
Amazing !!!!!!
Keep it up you Reds, two great assists, two lovely goals.
55 DM
Agreed!
I want him gone at the end of the season. But watching this lot play like that for him when I just did not believe he could get them going again was bloody good fun. He deserves a lot of credit for this. Now we need to keep it going.
Welbeck is no finisher (I hope he got a good, close look at Aaron as he rounded the ‘keeper and scored a goal!) but he has worked bloody hard and should have had an assist. I’ve been happily surprised.
Sorry,GSD, I had gone for my tin helmet when you posted!
Amazing sums it up. Arsenal not losing? Against all odds but they have more halves to go.
Who designed Arsene’s coat?
One takes it all back – Arsene4Evrah (tongue in Arse cheek … JimNastiks) … it’s a wee bit early 4 festivities, yet …
https://youtu.be/PZ7SzAm92e4
still, still it aint over till the fat laddie sings …
https://youtu.be/rTFUM4Uh_6Y
Chaka is an idiot
If that had gone in I think Welbeck should have retired. That would have been the most Welbeck finish possible. What left to play for?
Welbeck almost scored another of his comical goals.
64. bt8.
Yes. Yes he is.
Keep it tight boys please, for once in your (and our) lives !
Looks like Kolasinac is injured and will make way for AMN. Nothing serious I hope.
Milan are rubbish and i dont know what Gattusso will do to them when they go back to the dressing room. Not that we should care but if we really want to, we can end this tie now by scoring a couple more. We should not give them a sniff. Remember the 4-0 they had here with Robinho, Zlatan etc scoring and then we scoring 3 in the first half at the emirates but not one more.I rather say we score 4 today and then shut shop at home with a 1-0 or even a 0-0.
last seen Athletico winning, Dortmund trailing, not sure about other teams who we need to be vary about.
Mesut why cant you do the same in the league please, you are too good just try a little bit more please.
GSD@62, Stevie Wonder, I believe!
DM.
Eureka! It is to provide a contrast so he can see his zipper properly!
Genius.
Well this is just typical, but very pleasing at the same time.
I guess it shows the last few games the big guns just couldn’t be arsed fighting for 6th, but put them up against a big team…
Xhaka really is an idiot.
Well played. All heroes.
Great performance and result. Well done everyone.
UTA!
but BJ @74 is correct.
Welbeck doesn’t know how to kick the ball!?
Well played guys, you can only play the team in front of you.
Vinay, agree that Milan wasn’t great but neither was Ostersunds nor Brighton, but we lost to them. We were in poor form and lacked confidence and so to win without conceding is very satisfying.
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>
Maybe Steve T’s sensational prediction is on.
The Spuds finish 5th and we win the Europa League?
Christ, if I was a Milan fan I’d be looking for a rickety chair and a skipping rope after that performance.
That Kessie bloke makes Eboue look like Pele.
Good win but that paper/cracks interface is almost worn out by now.