Arsenal Through, But Now For The Big One
Dec 9th, 2010 by 'holic
Interesting. I’m wondering whether it was worse to be in the Grove tonight, or watching a delayed transmission at home? I didn’t have the issue of thousands of nervous gooners around me, but the atmosphere did transmit itself to those watching at home, trust me.
I did warn prior to the event that we would either frustrate or delight, and it was the former, but this morning we would have taken a home win in both games in Group H. With all of the matches pretty much going according to plan we will face a very tough clash in the last sixteen come the new year. More of that later.
I have to say, having almost pleaded for a ‘handbrake off’ performance, it was frustrating to watch us play a potentially critical game at such a low tempo, and with such little regard to accuracy and pace of passing. Having said that we were largely untroubled by our opponents in the opening half. A low-key confrontation meant most were grabbing the little news that appeared from Donetsk.
On the half-hour van Persie was upended by Jovanovic, and converted the spot-kick himself. That should have settled nerves, but didn’t. By that time we had already lost one of our three surprising inclusions. Kieran Gibbs, to an ankle twist. As well as Gibbs for Clichy, we also introduced Denilson for Wilshere, and van Persie for Rosicky. The departure of the English left-back meant an opportunity for Eboue.
It was Eboue who lifted the mood early on in the second-half with a penetrating run into the opposition flank, but sadly the cross was not accurate enough, and before long we were pegged back. There will be criticism of the back four for buckling, and that would not be unfair, but Cleo’s deflected strike off the extremely slow to react Squillaci, put us in a position where fingernails would be chewed to the bone.
It took the introduction of Walcott for the out of touch Arshavin to ease the tension both inside and away from the stadium. An exquisite Theo finish with just over a quarter of an hour remaining should have been enough to finally settle the nerves, but in the front room the management was still far from calm, and I can only imagine what some in the ground would have been uttering.
Most had come to see not Eboue, but Nasri, the player of the moment. He had largely played wide right, with the occasional switch with van Persie into the role of chief creator. Some of his footwork was breathtaking, but the final ball often lacked both accuracy and purpose. He would not be denied all night, however, and scored a truly exquisite third to finally end the Serbs spirited resistance. In Donetsk, Shakhtar grabbed the advantage and we knew we were all but home and dry.
Come the finish those of us in the warm and dry were left to try and avoid the inference from the ITV ‘experts’ that we would not see our way past the two Spanish and two German sides, one of whom we must draw in the final sixteen. Let’s take the worst case scenario. We could be drawn against the team described by Arsene as ‘super-favourites’, Barcelona. Ask Pep Guardiola if he wants to face a full-strength Arsenal side, rather than the injury-ravaged team his charges eventually saw off in the Camp Nou last season. You know the answer to that one. Really.
That, however, lies nine or ten weeks into the future. Our thoughts should now turn exclusively to Old Trafford, next Monday. We may not remain top of the League by the time we go there, but win at Old Trafford and we will most certainly be top of the pile come Tuesday morning. And yes, Chelsea fans, if we do it, you will be in your rightful place!
Cheers ‘holics.
100 Responses to “Arsenal Through, But Now For The Big One”
1st?
Yay!
There is something endemically wrong somewhere – the culture at Colney, the attitude of the players, the defensive coaching – I don’t know specifically but I fail to see how this team, with this set up, can sustain a season long challenge for major honours. I fail see what’s changed from the last 5 seasons. Maybe others can.
Misery abound yet we’re top of the league, semi of the league cup and last 16 of the champions league.
That said – what was André the opposite-of-giant at tonight?
Interesting, Holic (Who never answers me these days).
Okay Old Trafford on Monday?
Put it this way, SAF and that Manure team will want to beat Arsene and this Arsenal team to prove they can. We will want to get the 3 points and remain top.
It will come down to passion and who wants it more on the night.
It’s a fact our starting XI is better than theirs. What remains to be seen is whether we play accordingly.
Mentally they have that unbeaten run whilst we have a strong away record minus a defeat by a team who finished above us last season.
I feel they have the mental edge over us. However if we can overcome our fears we will take the 3 points on Monday!
Just up, Holic. Thanks for this report on a monsoon swept Thursday morning. Sounds like we “won ugly” which was what many in the fold have been pleading for over recent weeks and months? So, smiles all round then, and not one bleat of protest in the bar, I’m quite sure (!).
Yes, time to turn our minds to the away fixture with the deeply indebted ones, those in the silver buying business, and the young sheep sugarer, Wayne Scrooloose. A gme to be looked forward to. I’m sure we’re going to give them a good Auld Slappering this time around.
I would like to see us draw Barca in the next round. I believe our players will feel they have a lot to prove and would have every chance of knocking out the Catalans. As ‘holic says, when he looks down the list of teams he could draw, Pep won’t be fancying the Arse.
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It certainly was not a vintage display in a cold Emirates stadium but we have progressed. At least we have that under our belts.
While we have probably heard this saying a tad too much of late, I think the handbrake was raised a little too high last night and it was probably down to nerves. We couldn’t afford to lose and the players knew it, even if we are head and shoulders above them in terms of quality.
A few reasons for our lack of fluidity.
1) Robin’s first 90 minutes of the season
2) Robin and Chamakh partnered for the first time
3) Arshavin came off with a 56% pass completion rate..yup, he was that bad.
Having said that, how many saves did Lukasz have to make? Apart from a dragged shot from an angle, how many shots did they have at our goal.
Our defence is under question again but I am not sure if the stats back that up last night.
Massive game on Monday, Arsene has some big decisions to make. Old red nose will try and stop us playing and look to nick one so it is down to us on the day as it usually is.
If we play to our best and make little mistakes then we will win. If not, they can win. It really is a game that can inject that something special in the players heads that nothing else can. A super performance and victory will really take the team up a notch for the rest of the season whilst a defeat could be damaging.
Who said supporting our lot is easy.
Cheers Holic, I am taking my fluy-self to bed.
COYG!
Difficult to talk about the next game- when it is so far away- much depends upon injuries- and tactics. We can lose against anyone- and probably beat them also with a fully fit rested side. main issue for me is trying to avoid defeat next Monday-with our defence?
rooney and co will be licking there lips in anticipation of coming up against laurel and hardy in defence for arsenal,bad times ahead for us.
Ah, Jekyll. The old “last five years” theme and what’s changed?
Not much. Bit pathetic really. Any old set of tossers could have:
– Built and paid for the best new stadium in the world
– Ditto for the new training ground
– NOT gone into multi-million pound debt a la Man IOU, Chelski, Barca
– Assembled the best young squad on the planet
– With the best pipeline of youngsters in the Young Guns
– Traded profitably on a year by year basis
– Have made the CL quarters every year
– Finished top four in the league every single year
– Have been beaten CL finalists and semi-finalists
– Been consistently stunningly entertaining
– Sold Hleb and bought Na na na na; Ade and NOT bought Chamakh
– Caused ‘Holic to bite off his nails twice weekly
F**king shocking when you think about it really. A bloody disgrace. And please don’t ask me why we haven’t won (bought) any silver then if we’re so great – at least until May 2011. I’m off to Hyde.
Evening Holics, Holic! I couldn’t sneak away from work long enough to see the match, so just watched the highlights. Sounds like I’m glad I got to walk away with 4 minutes of goals rather than 90 plus of agony. Hope Gibbs is back soon and I hope Nasri is protected by guards and bubble rap until Monday. (Anyone else cringe when RVP jumped into his celebration? I thought, ‘damn, brother, don’t break your legs off!’)
Guinness for me please, barman.
And something for BTM, please, I think he’s just getting started! 😉
*Stands up slowly clapping Bergkamp’s the man*
Now really going to bed.
When I’m clearly making a point specifically about the recurring errors, you trot out unrelated factors – many of which debatable – in a way Gazidis and Wenger would be proud. So given you’ve chosen to attack the ball rather than the man – Well done BTM and his supporters, enjoy your happy complacent sleep.
From the left coast the tension was palpable, and while we were spared ITV, we had the horrible crew that Fox gave us, who couldn’t say enough how United were going to slice us up five ways from Sunday. I think the stuttering came because Robin was playing all the way for the first time in a long time, entering a quartet (Nasri, Chamakh, Stuart Little) who had been humming together of late. It was cold, they had all played Saturday, and Partizan played very tight — the angles and holes for the sly passes weren’t there. I noticed that the ball over the top tactic didn’t seem to work tonight — probably should not give Arsenal any defensive credit for that, however. And while we stuttered, scoring 3 and letting in 1, Spurs were a machine, scoring three and letting in…3. Gallas really does make a difference to them: see how different their GD is with him this year than it was last….
Robin’s PK was magnificent, but looked closer to being blocked than most say — if you go to the side, hit it up, so gravity will keep the keeper out of the way. As for Theo, it was a nice goal, but totally gifted by shambolic defending — imagine of one of our CBs had done such a terrible job. As for Samir, well, more magic — one a game will be quite sufficient, but I think he can do more, though he will make mistakes. Thought Denilson and Song did well together, but favor Denilson near goal — he has better peripheral vision, and better touch, and lighter feet. Song is fearless, and I hope the carping fans will never take that from him. Eboue did great. This is Eboue on the left, out of position, the role he cratered in at Wigan, wasn’t it? The commentators recognized his Cristiano-like run, but had more fun mocking his warm-ups. and I agree with pires is king, nasri is prince — Robin’s celebration was the scariest moment of the match!
Imperial pint for me please barman in anticipation of an imperious Arsenal performance on Monday night. Nasri could be the man to do some special magic at the critical moment. Please keep those pints coming because it’s going to be a long weekend.
Cheers ‘holic….a bit tense but job done. Who’s complaining?
I don’t think we’ve really (apart from Nasri) hit out stride this season and at least we are going to OT with a warm streak and good away form. Man U will want a low scoring affiar and settle for a 1-0…I’ve a feeling we might take a 4-3 or 3-2 result…what do the bookmakers say about that plus Rosicky scoring once?
And you enjoy your daily bed wetting Jekyll.
Walcott was such a boost when he came on. Sure he got the winner, but overall things opened up terrifically when he came on.
OT.. we are due a victory there. We have had some rotten luck there last couple of seasons.
Hey guyz ,think we just about enough that was xpected but we just did not have enough urgency and accuracy to make the game open up.we played a safe game and i think we can get a good result at the shitford if we just put in 30 % more .so lets all enjoy this ugly wins because the mancs n chavs have been WINNING BEAUTIFUL :ACCORDING TO THE EXPERTS ! And even over here in nairobi we were hearts in mouth when rvp did that celebration-WE WERE LIKE OOHNOO ! He cant do that ! (and everytime he went down !). . . .i still think we can do well with cesc fit at o.t . CHEERS FOR NOW !
Hi ‘holic. Hey, I CAN support a winning team after all!
Haven’t posted here for a while, thought I’d just pop my head in to say I’ve decided to follow the ‘holic pound from now on although I think that’s the ‘holic AUS$2.50. Looks like I dodged a bullet as this was not the match to start but there you have it.
Not as comfortable as we might have liked of course but hey, I’m actually quite excited that we are likely to get a giant in the first knockout stage. I remember what happened the last time we drew such a club…
Stay well, keep up the good work, you are an inspiration to would be interwebs celebrities across the globe. I mean, I am across the globe after all. Talk soon (next week as it were).
White Ox
and gooners who moan when song gets possesion piss me off.
Out of bed already, time for an Ebouesq warm up to start the day.
And for Jekyll, i hope you enjoy your dreams about myjes palmer and being a british pundit.
One ‘morning after’ for me ‘holic.
Woke up just in time in the wee hours of the morning to catch the match.
Can’t add much to whatever has been said but I was reading some snippets from various sites (Arsenal blogs or not) and this quote kind of applies to the main gist that most doomers have been spewing.
“Is the new Arsenal fan tradition moaning?”
That said, I am well aware and in support of the fact that as football fans and most importantly, Arsenal fans, we do reserve the right to have a go at what’s happening and cringe at certain horrors that keep us on our toes. But that’s entertainment, no?
At the end of the night, once the 94 minutes are up and the cunt in black or pink blows the whistle and our beloved Red White Army leaves the field with a win…
…Do we not celebrate? Are we not happy that we have done enough? Are we not relieved that despite our obvious frailties, we “won ugly”?
Who has been going on and on about “we just want the win, pretty football can fuck off”
I bet most of these people now are the ones moaning after a 2-1 win and keep banging the “the players should have done better” drum.
For the few who actually smile after we win and just appreciate the day’s result, pretty football or ugly win, a round of whatever BTM is drinking.
Oh and by the way, the Nasri goal was freaking exquisite. From Song’s movement and dribbling to Nasri’s slight right foot nudge of the ball away from the oncoming tackle (ONLY JUST ENOUGH to avoid the tackle too) to place for his left to slam home.
What a goal.
Na Na Na Na.
Hi holics,
Nervy stuff, but am I smiling now 🙂
Eboue: Screw the commentators, loved his warm up.
Our defense: It will improve holics. *glass half full*
Van persie: I thought the same thing pires is king 🙂
Arshavin: That’s Arshavin. He will score at OT.
Nasri: Magic in his feet.
Theo: Super goal, settled my nerves.
Song: He’s got some tricks up his sleeve 🙂
Denilson: I notice the new hairdo
We will perform against the mancs, I have little doubt.
Whateveer BTM wants please, Holic
we are doing well where it counts. As long as we keep winning then momentum and this habit will take us through difficult games. Hoping we do turnover ManU on Monday. Until then the doomsters can sit tight rather than moaning about the defence not tightening up.
Partizan fans are a joy to watch. That’s how Arsenal and every other team’s fans should be. I just love their approach to the game as if it’s their job to cheer the players on no matter what happens, they’re behind the team, and if they have some protesting to do against the club actions they do it outside of the 90 minutes. Truly unbelievable.
We’re winning ugly (something people have called for) and people are still moaning. What needs to be done for people to be happy (apart from a trophy, you can’t be unhappy every year until May. There’s still time until May and there’s no point in people being unhappy)?
We have the best team in the EPL and one of the best in Europe, be happy about it and stop moaning.
How many of you believe that all things works together for good to them that loves God. Our coming second might work for our good you know! I am personally desiring that we play Real. So we can humilate monriho and add salt to his barca inclicted injury.
Against Manchester united? We are carrying the day with two goals. What is left unknown is if our defence will be strong not to make it draw.
A 1-2 will be a good news for us. Be pesimistic, manu is also struggling.
I’m on the side of those who said a win is a win. Wasn’t pretty and it had me a bit nervous, but the boys did what needed to be done. I was disappointed with Arshavin though. I was hoping he’d come out with some form after his display from the weekend but he certainly did not. Maybe he was a bit tired, so it’ll be good for him to get the extra day this weekend.
Chamakh seemed to have trouble getting involved but I agree that the reason for that is probably (hopefully) Van Persie’s inclusion.
I’m surprised no one has mentioned Bendtner. I have been completely unimpressed by him, other than his bending strike from the edge of the box a few weeks back. I’d like to know what you holics thought of his taking the ball away from RvP as he was sprinting onto it in the box then immediately giving it away. I think old nicky boys comments last month about wanting to leave if he doesn’t get enough time may come back to haunt him. If someone would be willing to take him, I’d pawn him off in January in a heartbeat.
Lastly, I’m looking for a good recommendation for a pre-emirates imbibing for the match against chelsea. It’s my first time free of extra-baggage, the old lady and the youngn’s, for a match so i’ll finally be able to visit a rowdy establishment. So, what’s the best spot nearby to loosen up beforehand?
I do have to admit I did moan and I apologise for that, I believe I said I wanted to wipe the floor with Partizan and how wrong was I?
I think even though we won the game last night it pains me that we couldn’t get our game going especially at home, and when they got one back I was furious.
I love this club so much that my expectations are mega high given what we have achieved in the past as well, I was rather negative with my comments last night but if we are to WIN trophies this season we need to raise our game and the game was not raised last night despite the importance of it.
We have a very tough game on Monday now, we are through to the last 16 in Champions League so we can’t really moan anymore and whoever we’ll get in the next round will have to beat end off.
TS
I hope you had a great evening despite the cold weather….
Bring on those Northern Monkeys I say….!!!!
COME ON YOU ALMIGHTY REDS!!!!
Bergkamp’s The Man
Couldn’t have put it better myself well done mate, you are seeing as it is , not what the media tells us, and your right about the Barca game !!!!
Cheers
Nasri @32 With you on the NB52 thoughts.
It’s not as though he hasn’t got previous with regards to defending for the opposition in Champions League matches!
Sell if the price is right…
@20 Alex, you have to insult people who talk clearly and ask questions? Jekyll didn’t insult BTM, he just was asking a different set of questions.
While I agree with BTM, Jekyll has a point as well, does he not.
While AW has done a great job balancing the books, surely he can see there is an issue with the defense or even a lack of coverage from midfield. Instead AW comes out and makes a statement saying that there is no problem when clearly there is an issue.
This is not an issue that would make us go into ManUtd like debt, it is something that just requires a little attention.
Surely fans are talking with their feet? last night there were so many empty seat for the game that there must have only been 45,000 max for a must win Champions League game, shocking!
We just need to spend a little more time on this problem and while I don’t think that it is being completely ignored the same thing arises game after game.
I imagine last night’s attendance has less to do with fans talking with their feet or more to do with a reluctance to attend a freezing cold December evening game against Partizan Belgrade which most people probably assumed wouldn’t be a hugely important game when the tickets went on sale.
Agree with Jekyll.
I think there is smoething massivley wrong, which i cant put my finger on.I question whether wenger can motivate this team.I am afraid Wigan away is still in my memory.We should resign Diarra as well as a decent english centre back together with Given.
There are obviously issues, but when you’re top of the league (albeit because a team has played a game less) and still in all competitions in December, saying something is ‘massively wrong’ is ridiculous. If things are massively wrong with us, than they’re massively wrong at Man Utd and Chelsea too at the moment since we’re all in pretty much the same position (and each has their own problems).
Nice write ups BTM and Nick @ 17 –
But Nick I would credit Theo entirely alone for that great goal. Very instinctive and skilful! It’s what he’s paid to do and he always comes through for us when we need him!
I loved Eboue’s run and RVP’s celebration was abit risky.
Hope Kieran is okay. He did well, even after limping back on while Eboue warmed up! I think Leigton Baines is great going forward and could emerge as a winger Bale style, but Kieran is still a very defensive full back who gets more involved in tackles, so he has the edge for me
Steve-o – We need another from Nasri like that on Monday too!
Barman – A drink for Harsha
Snir Geuli – I noticed those Partizan fans
TS – I can imagine how it felt in the Stadium at 1-1
Just a Green Tea and Lemon Grass for me for now please – HOLIC!
I dont understand many of the Arsenal fans, when we play beautiful football and loose, they come out and say fu*k the football, just bloody win and when we have started winning ugly, Partiza, Wigan, Fulham, Westham they come out and say Oh! Poor Arsenal, we didnt deserve that win, we should play better?! FFS we cannot be scoring 6 goals every game and playing with a 100% passes completed ratio! Fulham and WestHam were games i would bet my life on loosing in the past few seasons!
and well if there are things wrong with us, I dont know how I would
define the situation at the Bridge and Trafford, their fans admit that they dont deserve to win, they are not good enough and alot more, where as we have the best squad who can actually play as a team in the league! We just about have Carling Cup in the bag and that can actually motivate and give alot of confidence to the guys for the final push in the League! Champions League, well remember when we got Real in the last 16 in 2006, so i am not worried about that either! I am an Arsenal supporter, and I support Arsenal through thick and thin!
F’ing Proud to be a Gunner!
Top bloke Hussain 🙂
not so depressed gooner –
I hear ya mate. I feel the problem with defence is Vermaelen’s Achilles Heel! I would love him to return sooner than January, otherwise Wenger could be forced to buy. Squillaci and Koscielny could do with a bit of rotation or am I being too soft?
Djourou is a good stand in/starter, but one more centre back would complete the cipher! We’ve also conceded 2 more than Utd so far this season.
Nice one Hussain
Arthur –
I bet the LWC’s at work are just about looking you in the eye by now cos of yesterday!
I tell you it’s still pretty quiet around here club wise across the board! I’m just about getting eye contact!
Goonertown,
They are crawling slowly back up from under those little stones and their banter goes something like this:
“You’re gonna get Barca, you’re gonna get Barca”
Even if we get Barca I believe we have a better chance beating them this time with a fully fit squad that is!
Now be gone and crawl back down where you came from….
Lol! Arthur that Pest Killer called ‘we’re top of the league’ is pretty strong! It kills all known germs-dead!
Goonertown –
Jack Wilshere just announced that Emmanual Frimpong is back in training (Running) Yay!
http://twitter.com/jack_wilshere
Certainly is Goonertown he he 🙂
Barman a drink for Goonertown please and one for yourself kind Sir!
Oh the inhumanity.
One minute we can’t win ugly like all great teams seem to. Then when we start to do just that … the moaning erupts. OK, re-erupts.
It’s difficult to know just where we went wrong this season. Top of the league (aka still in contention), … semis of the CC (with a great chance of Wembley), … or into the last 16 of the CL (with the same goals-for tally as “you know who” though to be fair we conceded way less goals and got more points … but who’s counting.)
And now we’re getting Barcelona a week before the draw’s made.
Personally, out of all the trophies on offer this season I’ve always thought the Champions’ League was going to be the most difficult. And, while I don’t subscribe to the idiocy that “in order to win you have to beat the best”, we may have to do just that if the draw is simply even-handed.
Who knows, we may draw Schalke, then Copenhagen (surprise winners over Sp*rs), then Bayern in the semis, only to find ourselves face-to-face with Chelsea in the final.
It could be that kind of season.
And the weird thing is, we won’t know until it actually happens.
HansRott, I agree with every single word you say and I would like to add that while some in here are nervous about facing Barca/Real, let me tell you that there is one team both of them will not want to be playing at this stage and that is Arsenal.
A drink of his choice for HansRott on my tab, barman!
Thank you Arthur!
Arse for life!
Signing Yann M’Vila in the January transfer window would be a boost. He definitely likes to play defense in the defensive midfield position, and he looks top class. If this is a weak spot in the squad, he’s an obvious solution. And Wenger knows all about him because Wenger watches France and M’Vila has been France’s best player since Blanc took over.
Goonerton, absolutely that’s a big part of the problem Tommy V was the leader last year in a way more so than Cesc.
When we needed a goal he was the one geeing everybody up. For me Koscielny and Squillaci don’t work that well as a pairing.
I feel that Djourou was Tommy’s back up and Squillaci was Koscielny’s back up.
It is a shame and I mentioned it to a mate last night that had Tommy V been playing all season we would be sitting pretty on top with at least 8 points more than we have currently.
I don’t feel that i am moaning, I think at times we play scintillating football and am happy with our position (finishing Top we could also have met some dangerous teams).
I agree that we should not just panic buy a defender, but it Vermaelen is out for the season then we might just have to.
Before you all say he is back in Jan, come on this is the Arsenal and he was out for 2 weeks 4 months ago.
COYG
Arthur speaks the truth. And, as George Graham would tell us, winning ugly = winning. This isn’t figure skating: You don’t get docked points for bad style. (This also isn’t the Netherlands.) Who cares how you win? As Herman Edwards taught us, “This is what the great thing about sports is: You play to win the game!”
not so depressed gooner –
That’s a good point you raise about the CB pairings.
Who would be your CB pairing out of TV, LK,JD or SS?
At the start of the season I would have said TV and LK, with SS and JD being more than good as an alternative pairing (JD for LK and SS for TV)!
But now I reckon TV and JD would be awesome together (Now I feel spoilt for choice)!
‘Holic / ‘Holics,
Myself, I’m happy with the win. As I have posted before, we need more of these “ugly” wins. As far as the team’s psyche is concerned, I’m sure many of you can remember your FIRST time. (Your first FIRST time – you know what I’m getting at) Likewise, I’m sure you can remember how your performances IMPROVED after your FIRST time.
If this team can remain within striking distance through the end of the Carling Cup (assuming we win the Beer Cup), I think we will see the commensurate improvement in our team’s attitude and results. One cup will make all the difference for these boys. Mark it down.
Up the arse.
What have we learned?
Good shout, Uncle Mike. Herm Edwards is the MAN!
‘Holic and ‘Holics……today am so tired and i’ve got beef. Beef with everyone screaming, murmuring and going on and on about our defense. We let in one goal and won, ManUre let in one goal and drew and what to say about the Chavs…….they let in one goal and lost…….. but no, arsenal can’t defend says everyone, you’d think we let in 1,000 goals yesterday!
Am pissed and tired as you can tell so……am gonna place an order now before i say stuff am not allowed to – Vodka Martini would be nice…..an induced coma i need.
ette, have it if ya like. The bar seems boistrous, but the animosity ain’t broiling over yet. Does remind me though- I watched our game against Newcastle in a pub in Montreal with several Newcastle supporters, and they were clearly more complementary of our players than most ‘Arsenal’ fans. A bit sad, really.
Mojito, Mr. Holic, for the fiesta.
Maybe the “problem” last night was that we lined up in what looked like a 442 formation instead of our usual 443ish set up. We also must not forget that this was RVP and Chamakhs first time together. I personally felt that Robin played too deep, but hey, it’s his first 90 minutes and I’m just glad he came through unscaved.
So were into the last 16 again, still top of the league and in the semis of the beer cup. I’ll drink to that!!!
Lager please cheif.
Cheers.
And we all remember how we felt after THAT performance!
Goonertown, I think TV and Koz.
Ette, were you sitting out watching last night?
It is not about letting in the goal it is about letting a goal in with the oppositions first chance/shot on goal.
I sat there last night and watched a Partizan team that with exception of Cleo had 10 members camped out in their half for almost the whole match yet still scored with their first chance it was like watching a replay of the NUFC match.
You can have beef with whomever you want but the fact you can’t even discuss the obvious is just a bit like being an ostrich.
Anyway happy with the win and all just wish we could work a little on how to deal with the same issue that we have had for 3 years running.
If we can manage that we will win the league, if we can’t it is going to be a rollercoaster, simples!
Not so depressed-
I don’t disagree that we should consider a replacement for V if he’s really not going to get better. But it’s early December, mate, and we’re playing with back-up players just recently coming back. What more would you like to discuss?
Dear ‘Holic & ‘Holics
Fristly many thanks to all of you who sent me messages on this post and the previous one.
Had an absolutely mnaic day today so undable to respond earlier and just rushing out the door again.
About last night….
From where I sat, honestly it just wasn’t that bad! Defence looked quite good apart from thier goal. We just lacked some creativity and ze sharpness. It could have been because I had emptied my hipflask full of Dr. C’s finest that I had the rose-tinteds on but I thought we generally controlled play quite well and cruised. Only our own little meerkat was the panto villain for the night – his passing was shocking at times as was his unwillingness to get up and run back when he generally fell over and lost the ball but apart from that it was OK. Wasn’t even nervous when PB equalised, I knew we’d get at least one back. Again, this could be the whiskey talking 🙂
‘Holic – special thanks for hooking me up with some special people – I owe you big time fella.
Drinks all round please barman and a truck load for yourself.
Cheers all!
Ette,
Allthough the wailings and gnashing of teeth haven’t reached the level felt in this establishment when Boo and Bleat Brigade (BtM’s infamous BBB) held sway, I think it will take some time for many supporters to get over our defensive failings in the past. Some silverware will do them good as well. It also doesn’t help matters when AW basically says to hell with defense.
I’m definitely down with Georges Danton who once exhorted, “il nous faut de l’audace, et encore de l’audace, et toujours de l’audace,” but from my own gridiron days, I also know that defense wins championships.
The complainers may be killjoys, but their complaints are not without merit.
Dear holic and holics
I feel we are over analysing here
if we go much further we will be up our own arses
AW has his own way of doing things that we do not agree withg (eg allowing Alex to wander forward too much – there was at least 1 time when he was offside during an attack and if they had broken we would have been short at the back)
we are proud of the team thru thick and thin, and when they play under par, we have the right to feel frustrated stressed pissed off etc, but we still support them and thx to holic for this blog which allows ALL of us to let off steam
Just 1 plea , can we smash Manure into the ground on Monday
Dinner calls with a glass of St Emilion – cheers to you all
Cheers, cognac.
Words of wisdom from Cognac.
Enjoy the glass(es).
I’ll be interested to see what the Holic Pound has in store for Monday
By the way i don’t mean we should not defend……. i mean we are missing one half of our best defense (look what that did to the Chavs). we cannot buy every defender out there – unless we plan on playing them as strikers – whom we also have in plenty.
The manager knows…buying players means keeping them happy by playing them.
Not EVERY defender will adopt to our style of play…..which is very high up the pitch…..we need fast defenders for that…..defenders who can play the ball..not just kick it to wherever.
Evening all, and Goonertown 😉
As you might have guessed if you were around for blog arrival last night I watched on a delay, having been invited for Christmas drinks with a neighbour. Obviously I overdid the festive spirit and am struggling today. Looks like much disagreement about the performance today, so I might return to that theme tomorrow evening. Tonight, I doze!
TS, glad you had a good time under the brolly. They were pleased to meet you too. Good people for the most part, Arsenal supporters!
Holic – Good of you to join us
TS – Good to hear you were settled in the stands keeping warm yesterday! Sounds like we were looking for another cheap deal on our car insurance again! I hope he’s saving it for Old Trafford (see: Andrey v Liverpool 2009)
Drinks all around tonight Holic! I’m proud we can all get together like this in true Gooner fashion as we near the half way line in positive spirits!
Thank you Holic!
Pires is King, just interesting to see the different views.
Going back to earlier I was just commenting that one can have an opinion without someone else calling them names, just a bit sad.
The best part of this blog is that you can follow the comments, because they seem to all be written with thoughts and care rather than one liners and line-ups all day long (we all know who AW will pick so why speculate), although that said I did think I Rosicky would have started as he is starting to hit full stride again (come on the goals).
I don’t post much but do enjoy reading the others comments (bit of a voyeur me).
I go to most games home and away and it’s interesting to see different views from those also at the games, watching on tv or streams.
Last night just reminded me a bit of the Newcastle game in the fact they sat back so much, I enjoyed the victory and part of the game is about biting the nails. I just don’t get why sometimes it seems that we make it a bit hard for ourselves with all our talent.
Although I did predict the 3-1 so my pound was on song yesterday.
G&T for me followed by lot’s of claret with dinner.
Cheers
Thank you Uncle Mike,
Guys let’s be honest here, if Tommy V is not mened by Jan we need to get a replacment no questions asked. There is a problem in Defence we all know that and it needs to be addressed one way or another. Our midfield is at fault as well exposing the back four too often.
Now we are all entitled to have our own views on things but we can all agree that if we won’t win anything this season we’re all gonna come back here and say we knew this was going to happen, beacuse our defence is leaking goals like there is no tomorrow and this has been an issue for quite sometime now.
I’m over the moon we are through to the last 16 but like I mentioned earlier I was very disapointed with the “raisng our game” factor last night. This was a very important game which was won thank god but we made Partizan look good from time to time. We beat them there 1:3 and they were shit, got a goal from a penalty spot if I’m not mistaken. The way we conceded that goal last night was awful and two CB defenders were to blame, look what happened against Fulham, they panicked and imagine what will happen to them when we play a top team, that worries me sometimes but thankfully I don’t have to worry about that until Monday now.
Arthur –
I love ya man
But a general note to all Holics regarding the CB’s
Wenger is beside from being a shrewd business man, is also a risk taker.
When we obtain injuries we become unstuck and Wenger becomes responsible for his actions.
At the start of last season we had 6 CB’s and ended the season with 1.
What Wenger has started to achieve this season is to keep midfield and attack over stocked with a realistic ability to rotate.
Luckily Fabianski has come of age and we all know about Shezzer!
We have not been as lucky in defence this season and at one point had to play Song Billabong (successfully – clean sheet) at centre back.
History has a way of repeating itself and I have this gut feeling that AW will not buy a CB in Jan, whether Vermaelen is ready or not.
If we lose another CB to a long term injury then we will have no other choice but to invest.
The question is if the likelihood happens, will our current CB’s carry us over the finish line?
The short answer is they will have to, and to be honest they have kept us going quite well. But things are not as they should be.
My gut feeling is that TV will continue rehab and his progression will be slow, but he will not return to his best this season.
I believe that if the players at the front carry on doing their jobs the players at the back should be okay. We saw what happened when we fell short at the front last season as we paid the price by losing bill and TV at the back at final hurdle. Now we are more than stocked up at the front.
So on that note, I raise my glass to the speedy recovery of TV!
Cheers Holics!
Goonertown
Very good insight and you are probably 100% right that Le Boss will not invest in a CB position infact he won’t buy full stop.
I’ll join on the toast for Verminator though, here’s to a very speedy recovery!
Now bring on Man IOU…
It will be interesting how those LWC’s handle Chelsea on the weekend as well, but hey no one is better than Bale! 🙂
i fed up with everyone saying our defence is crap,blabla.
Our defence is doing good , we have the 4th best one in the EPL (1 goal more than MU)could do better true but with 2 new players in the english game,one just comeback from a very long injury recovery a brand new number one GK i think they are doing a very good job.As the season is going they will get much better.
I ll bet the chav and manure would like to have 4 very good CB.
Yesterday was not a great display but we win ,as ask by the moaner and the press we win ugly but now it s no good enough too.The chav and manure play crap and win they are playing like champion but us we are weak…….f***k **f
Arthur –
Thank you for sharing this toast on this dry December evening!
LWC v Chavs aye? That should be good old knees up for our London counterparts to say the least. A right old sea of blue and LWC’s. (Ahem)!
Bring on the bloody Man!
I know they think their tough!
Goonertown, you couldn’t have put it better. There’s a fine line between faith in the players you’ve brought in and taking too many risks. . sometimes I feel le Prof falls too much into the risk taking category.
Others have commented in the drinks that we’ve reading too much into one conceded goal, and while I agree with that, the goal was a symptomatic of Koscielny being a (relatively) young centre back still learning his trade. Fingers crossed for our two crocked defenders getting back on the pitch as soon as possible
Lonestar Gooner, love the Georges Danton quote you pseud… 🙂 Que je parle le francais comme tu!
cheers holic, mine’s a triple Scotch, splash of iced water.
Will,
Mes apologies, je parle seulement un petit français. But, if we should win the Beer Cup, come May, we could all be singing, “Laissez bon temps rouler!”
Up the Arse!
Let the blue and white bloodbath begin!
A few more direct observations on the Partizan game, specifically the crowd.
First half crowd was painfully quiet. At kick-off, stadium was still only two-thirds full. This is not conducive to a rousing atmosphere. The cold (for those without hipflasks and thermals) didn’t help either. Even when settled, the ground was only about 90% full with plenty of visible gaps. I shouted myself reasonably hoarse and a star supporter behind my left shoulder led much of the singing so felt obliged to give the fella my support. Things got much better after the inveviatble shipping of the goal. The crowd really got behind the boys and they responded with two fine goals – soooo good to see The-o back on the scoresheet.
When the crowd goes as silent as it did in the early part of the first half (unusual for a night match in my experience), it doesn’t help the team. Nor does the early departure brigade leaving a full 10 minutes before the fianl whistle – it’s just plain inconsiderate. The players pick-up on this too and it helps no-one.
TS rant over.
PLENTY to be positive about…
We’re top of the league.
We’re Carling Cup semi finalists.
We’re into the CL last sixteen with a chance to get revenge on Barca.
A great chance to show Manure that we are not boys and they are not men on Monday.
COYRRRs
Excellent comments all round.
I think the main problem is that we concede goals when we shouldn’t be conceding. We would be 1-0 or 2-0 up and you would think we should be cruising, and they score with their first chance.
I reckon there’s going to be goals on monday.
Last year 2-1 was painful. Almunia came out needlessly and Diaby…Oh god. The look on his face afterwards said it all .Mancs were shit and they still won. But this time we have magic-feet 🙂
Cheers
Amazing how 1 day of retrospective action changes the mood and tone for most people.
Thus abiding by the “let’s not write a blog post till tomorrow” rule – ™2009 ‘Holic, is a good idea.
@Goonertown
Yeah I’m actually hoping for 2 from Sammy. He won us a match against IOU 2 seasons ago, hopefully there’s a repeat of that.
I hope i didn’t just jinx him.
*does the hail mary a few times*
We haven’t won in the last 10 games against the mancs and the chavs in all competitions. In fact we have lost 9 times.
I say put this right.
Come on Arsenal!
Will –
Thanks. Sometimes Le Bosses risks pay off (see: blooding youngsters in the Carling Cup in recent years). Sometimes they don’t (see: Chamakh transfer issue 2009 v RVP going out injured for several months).
TS –
I can only speak for myself personally. I moved house on Nov 1st so I and the family are just recouping at the present. Plus been a little busy. On the lazy side, I noticed that most of our games were being shown on TV/Cable up until Christmas and so I risked the odd couple of games in the Irish Bar via Setanta Ireland until they told me I wasn’t drinking enough drinks (apparently two was not enough), so I have had to tune in to a couple of inconsistent streams otherwise.
I intend to get back to going to the games again in the New Year, especially since we appear to be regaining our home form, since my last visit, which was shamefully v West Brom, the first time I ever witnessed a defeat whilst sitting in the Emirate Stadium (Nuff said)!
TS-
Also thank you for raising that point about the support in the stadium effecting the team. It is so important that supporters realise the detriment of support or lack of whatever the case. Imagine I was seated a few seats away from the front of section 2 and heard a supporter call Chamakh a C* out of frustration. Of course he heard it. Just the same as when Flamini heard a supporter insulting his mother in Italian during the Emirates Cup. Sorry but I have to be explicit because the message has to be clear.
TS, Harsha and Steve-O
Bring on the bloody Man! I say one from Samir and Arshavin is due a little magic moment. Lets show Cesc, Henry and Wenger we mean business!
Let’s march forward and say – Take that! We meant business before we arrived and that’s how we’re leaving it!
Cu’mon you Reeeeddds!!!!
http://www.dailymail.co.uk/sport/football/article-1337385/Arsenal-crisis-Manchester-Uniteds-Patrice-Evra-blasts-Gunners.html
Evra is yet another Hansen to be added to teh Hansen list!
Arthur –
There goes Patricia waving her handbag around again!
She should do her talking on the pitch!
@89 Arsene just post those last two paragraphs up on the dressing room wall mate!! What more motivation will we need?? let’s show them we’ve become MEN!!!! W@€££R!!!!! bring on the debtors!!!!!
F* it I want Maure on Monday and a draw against Barca on Friday!
The best squad in the UK v the best squad in Spain!
We need to show how good we are win or lose against those secondary reds! That ex Division 2 club that…that…
Arrrgh!
Sorry!
I know Theo certainly feels the same…
http://www.arsenal.com/news/news-archive/walcott-why-i-want-barcelona-rematch
Ok as usual the retard Evra is at it again, i so wish someone kicks him…
@91 Nez-lol@Debtors!
That club reeks of debt!
So weird to wait till Monday for the match…
A Guinness for Goonertown please, Barman
Xmas dinner from work tonight, Holics enjoy your weekend!
For all the Hansen critics, he has a pretty solid assessment of the way our match sets up on Monday: http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/football/eng_prem/9277724.stm
Harsha –
Thank you
Arthur –
Enjoy your dinner tonight mate!
Nasri – Thanks
Sam Wallace in The Independent today made his predictions for the top five between now and early January – he said we’d get 16/18 points and go five points clear! Wish I could be that optimistic, hope he’s right though!