Villa, Android Digital Programme, And Vic Groves, A True Gunner
Jan 31st, 2015 by 'holic
By the time you read this dry January may be but a memory. Well done if you partook. If only my birthday could be moved I might give it a bash one day. Anyway, lots to cover in a short space of time, so let’s crack on.
Aston Villa at home, with Anthony Taylor in charge. What could possibly go wrong? Let’s not go there. The injury list looks remarkably similar to last week although it is not expected that Alexis will pass a late fitness test. Add to him Danny Welbeck (thigh), Jack Wilshere (ankle), About Diaby (calf), Mikel Arteta (ankle), Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain (groin), and Mathieu Debuchy (shoulder).
Despite the midweek capture of Gabriel it is a fair bet we go with David Ospina behind a back four of Calum Chambers, Per Mertesacker, Laurent Koscielny, and Nacho Monreal, although Hector Bellerin would be my shout at right back, and Kieran Gibbs will feel aggrieved. Gabriel should get a late debut if we can get ourselves into a comfortable position in the match.
It is in midfield where one simply cannot double guess what Arsene is thinking. Hopefully Francis Coquelin will get the nod over Mathieu Flamini in the spine, but now how can we shape the team with Santi Cazorla and Tomas Rosicky on fire, with Mesut Ozil so impressive last week, with Theo Walcott back amongst the goals, with Aaron Ramsey contesting the box to box berth. It’s a lovely problem we haven’t faced much this season and no matter what he does the boss will have his detractors. Let the performance speak for itself.
Olivier Giroud must start up front. That is the one area where Arsene won’t have a decision to make. He seems to appreciate it.
“We have a good, balanced squad now, It’s a compact, short squad but its of top quality and the advantage it can have is that many players have been rested. Aaron Ramsey had a good rest, and Olivier Giroud, Laurent Koscielny, Ozil and Rosicky have not been overloaded with games. Theo Walcott is now coming back slowly, so all these players are not overloaded.”
Of course we remember Villa at home last season. Who will ever forget the atmosphere, the home-made signs, the refereeing performance? Could they repeat it tomorrow? The visitors have not been in great shape this season. They haven’t even scored in the top flight since December 20th, but that was against Manchester United, and tomorrow they welcome back Gabby Agbonlahor and Fabian Delft from injury. They also introduce new loan signing, Scott Sinclair. That could solve their problem.
The ‘holic Pound
The ‘holic pound is lured to a twist of fate. Last year they went away with a 1-3 win, not even sure themselves how they had done it. Paddy Power offer 10/1 against us turning the tables. The only part of that which worries me is the one to Villa, so I am having a back-up pound on 3-0 as well, at 7/1 with the same firm.
Matchday Programme On Android
As an iPad and iPhone user I have changed from the printed version of the programme to the digital issue. This has been a service denied to Android users until now. The digital version of the matchday programme includes a selection of the most popular features from the iconic publication – but with a difference. The digital programme also incorporates video, audio, picture galleries and more to give fans across the globe a unique guide to matchday.
The digital version is available from iTunes and Google Play priced at just 79p per issue – monthly and yearly subscriptions are also available from iTunes.
Vic Groves
It is with extreme sadness that I read the news of the passing of Vic Groves. The uncle of Perry was a stylish and energetic midfielder in the first Arsenal teams I can remember watching, having converted from a centre-forward after a string of injuries.
We signed him from Leyton Orient in 1955, and Vic went on to make 203 appearances for the club, scoring 37 goals. At the start of the 1959-60 season George Swindin, manager and former Arsenal goalkeeper, appointed Vic as captain of the Gunners. The arrival of Frank McLintock saw Vic transferred to Canterbury City in 1964.
He was acknowledged as a ‘sturdy tackler’, which in those days meant a damn sight more than it does today. He was remembered with respect and affection by all who came across him at the club. A true Gunner, we could do with his like again.
Have a good Sunday, ‘holics.
173 Responses to “Villa, Android Digital Programme, And Vic Groves, A True Gunner”
Two on the bounce?
Great preview H.
And cheers for your take on Vic. I always appreciate learning about our past. This time under sad circumstances but he seems from the memories people are sharing to have been one of the best.
I am going for three goals to Arsenal. No goals to Villa. But it is Taylor’s score that worries me. I hope we have enough to negate it, whatever it comes in at…
Great Stuff H! We will win. Have a great day out.
A very nice summary both of the Villa game tomorrow and of the life of Vic Grves for which many thanks. We have some options tomorrow although Inhad to laugh this evening when commentators be,owned the Chelsea injury list of Fabregas and er…? Costa is a stupid boy rightly suspended. Even in what seems a much more favourable period we still have lots of important players injured. The thing is that the only really vital player out is Alexis.
Watching the top two play tonight made me feel again that on our day we are the most attractive team in the country and also probably , currently the best. Certainly we gave Citeh more problems than a ditchwater dull Chelsea did.
I think 3-1 is about right although we should be capable of repelling them if the team functions as it did at the Etihad. A God home win would be a nice epitaph to a fine and popular Gooner. As someone who played against my Dad I hope they can both reflect happily on a good result tomorrow in the Gooner section of Heaven. It’s pretty large I understand!
Got a bit religious at the end but I meant a good win not a God win!
Evening mates,
Understood totally Ttg. Totally.
Taylor scares me like hell, but I hope our players just ignore him and play to the best of their abilities. There is no room for effin’ up at this point.
Big chance to close the gap on Chelsea, although I will still settle for third at this point.
Considering the start we had to the season I’d be happy with third. If we get third and manage to defend the FA Cup then I’d be really bloody happy.
Ground gained on the top two is good, but teams immediately above and below us have all won again (Saints pending), so essential we win. Which we should on current form (A Taylor permitting). 3-0 looks sound, but I’m still expecting a romp against someone before season’s end and maybe this will be it. With a hat trick for Theo.
RIP Vic Groves. Like you, ‘holic, Groves is one of my earliest Arsenal memories, though not exactly crystal at more than 50 years remove. If you think remembering the ’60s is a challenge, try the ’50s! I seem to remember girls taking precedence over football for some reason. Predictable teenage hormones…
Öskar
Lars@9 Absolutely.
Plus getting our hands on big ears. Wink.
God’s not playing, Ttg, he retired in 2006.
Öskar
Good Evening Holic and holics
Holic, here’s to you being 100% by tomorrow. Thanks for the dish on Villa, haven’t seen much of them this season. Agree with your player selections though I must say Gibbs sure knows how to put in some of the most tantalizing crosses, just begging for the final kick 😉
Lovely tributes to Vic Groves by you and those holics who witnessed him play. Arsenal is not just our team, but part of our family. xx
Indeed, bar keep.
Props to Sarah from the last drinks. Well said.
Hey abb. Great last line.
Barca do not know what ‘more than a club’ means.
Thanks GSD and BB (previous round) 🙂
And we’re still in Champs League, fellas. And with that scrumptious reminder, I bid you all a very good night. 😉
For those concerned over the absence of Ox and Alexis, remember that neither of them featured at Villa Park, yet Villans still succumbed easily. Also, Arsenal will be without Welbeck who scored in the earlier contest, but will return OG who was out injured for that fixture.
Playing against twelve man Villa will not be easy; Gunners need to monitor their talisman, Anthony Taylor, who has shown that he can be extremely dangerous anywhere on the pitch.
Thanks for the preview guv’nor. I agree we are absolutely capable of a three goal home win against Villa if our application and tenacity is on display as we must expect it will be after 7 days of rest, and if Anthony Taylor, the guardian of the gates of Hell, is kept at bay. Thanks also for the great drinks in the previous round by SarahJ and Abb, not to leave out all the other level headed drinkers for keeping so level headed while you were drinking. 🙂
Typo alert, it’s Swindin with an i, not Swindon with Don Rogers 🙁
A painful memory.
Good stuff, H.
I for one am glad it’s a lunch time kick off. A good win, a good lunch, an afternoon kip. Growing old has its good points.
Here’s one I really really really hope has some truth to it … http://www.dailystar.co.uk/sport/football/423046/Marco-Reus-Chelsea-Arsenal-Liverpool-Man-United-transfer-news … My #1 wishful thought, on a par with DB10, imo. Imagine a player snubbing Manure to play for us! Wenger Aaht?
With Schneiderlin apparently a done deal all I want now is Mats Hummels and anything will be possible.
Öskar
Cynic, I know. I can’t turn this fucking spill chucker off, and it is doing my fucking swede in. I need a subbie. 🙁
@ oskar
Reus would be brilliant and that surely adds to our team strength and depth.
If we are talking about wishlists, would like to see us add another out and out striker as well.. that would be Mandzukic, he would give Giroud proper competition!
We’ll then be firing on all cylinders!
😀
Ooh no! So now even Holic on the injured list. Glad to see it does not affect the quality of your work. Hope you feel better and for a speedy recovery.
Spell checker in the Mac? Suppose you know how to do it but it won’t stay off?
Morning all. Nice preview H. Sadly another 1.30 on a Sunday means another ticket on ticket exchange. 1.30 is no good to me at all with two sporty kids.
Could be interesting today but I would expect a convincing win. I know absolutely nothing about Gabriel although I would expect him to get a run out at some stage. Let’s hope we have more than enough to send Villa packing without having to worry about the referee. The fact that some on here have been blaming the ref 3 days before kick off did make me laugh.
Enjoy boys and girls. Wrap up warm.
You gotta watch out for ‘some on here’ Martin. Odd bunch. They’ll (we’ll) say all sorts.
Although I do wonder about the difference between voicing fears over the fact that a typically poor reffing performance from an unusually poor referee in a fixture he has previous in may affect the outcome and ‘blaming the ref.’ For blame to be apportioned doesn’t something actually have to have happened?
But hey, if you found it funny then fair enough.
Personally, I am worried about what could happen. But I ain’t laughing…
Nice preview, H.
Frankly, Anthony Taylor frightens me far more than the 11 that will be wearing Villa shirts. We need a performance that makes that referee’s erratic decision making irrelevant to the Arsenal victory that is the essential outcome today.
Reus wants to play for Arsene? Just as well the boo boys didn’t get their way, isn’t it? Hope it’s true – another top piece in that jigsaw.
COYGs
The fact that some on here have been blaming the ref 3 days before kick off did make me laugh.
I have just two words from the past to say to you that may explain advanced ref worry.
Mike
Riley
Arsenal: Ospina, Bellerin, Mertesacker, Koscielny, Monreal, Coquelin, Ramsey, Walcott, Cazorla, Ozil, Giroud. Subs: Szczesny, Gibbs, Gabriel, Rosicky, Flamini, Chambers, Akpom.
Martin
I know we sound paranoid but that useless twit sent shock waves through the start to our season last year. I’m still recovering.
Oooh BB that side looks tasty
COYR
Wot is going here – watching bulg@r tv and one of experts is wearing a bowler hat whilst discussing Kos goal ( from him to alex on the left then bootiful return to be headed in). Mind you anything is better than S@vage
Thoughts going out to Mr Groves family.
Let’s win today for them.
COYG’s
COME ON!
Hi holics! Thanks 8ball 🙂
Here WE go!!!
Come On!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
oooooooooooh Aaron, more of that, please!
Cooly taken Giroooo
GIROOOOOOOOOUD
WOW, that was one hell of a pass!
hehe ! Giroud goal 🙂
mesut..genius!
And what’s even better, is that we have such a lovely turnout here in the bar! ♥
Boy.. we’re really up for this one!
😀
COme on! Get the goal difference!
Is Theo afraid of the ball?
Not wanting to say anything negative, and as of yet, I do not think it is. But fucking awesome start. Gone a bit scrappy. Would do well to continue as we started for one more goal. Now, we are a bit in “anything could happen”-territory.
But what a start, eh!
On a more positive note. Bellerin and Coq doing really well, aren’t they?
The Beeb just HAD to go and do it:
“Francis Coquelin makes another crunching tackle in Arsenal’s last third to stop an Aston Villa counter-attack in its tracks. He’s buzzing about like a young Claude Makelele.”
Sign the contract Coquelin!!!! 🙂
COME ON!!!
Bad offside call.. but nevermind.. we’ve got time!
COMME ON!!!!
😀
Tasty tidbits! Something gonna happen!
Usual suspects playing well but play breaking down when it gets to Ramsey or Walcott. On current form Sanchez and Risicky would add more bite
Ospina oozes confidence… catching everything in the air.
We should be more than one up… !
More end product required. Some lovely approach work, Ozil’s ball to Giroud was pure genius but we need more cutting edge. Theo hasn’t got the strength of Alexis but we need to allow him to find his way back to full sharpness
Agreed TTG.. however this is probably the best game to get both of them up to speed! Hope to see them at their sharpest soon!
🙂
But of a stroll of a first half. Super strike to go one up but I do think we need to push on and put this to bed. We need to be a bit more clinical in the final third.
GSD and others. My point re the ref was slightly tounge in cheek. I have always thought that we should be more concerned about who we have available three days before a game than who the ref is. Hopefully, if we do our job then the choice of ref will be immaterial.
45 minutes to take them to the cleaners. Bring it on.
Spot on ttg @53
Not sure how we aren’t at least three goals up at halftime.
Ramsey driving me up the wall. Why, even when he’s in acres of space, does he have to turn back on himself just about every time he gets the sodding ball?
Too slow.
Should be three or four up by now.
Ospina very good with everything he’s had to do.
Everybody raving about our impressive Coq in recent weeks, but Bellerin is making the huge spend on Chambers look like wasted money.
Just need to sharpen up going forward.
Sad to see Ox is not available. I would have thought after that first half he might be the first substitute if he had been. Didn’t like seeing us give up that chance just before the half, and we must keep the pressure on Villa.
Ozil’s flick.
Not even human.
OZZZIIILLLLL
Get the fuck in
🙂 God has scored!
what a classy finish!
THEOOOOOOOOOO
THEOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO, that’s my son out there! ♥
get the fuck in Theo!
Remember we are playing without Alexis, Welbeck and Rosicky.
Walcott!
Santi with the assist, Ospina with the pre-assist.
Yes! Mesut and Theo both on scoresheet again 🙂
@ 71, and their just getting started! 😉
I’d just point out how we’ve really started to share the goals now for the ones that deliberately misinterpreted Theo talking about the strength of our attacking players the other week.
We’ve got a proper arsenal of attackers at the club.
Hope we stay thight and can do soemthing about our goaldifference
I know abb, let’s see what they will do after a few games in a row 😉
Like the subs choice from Arsene.
Datsyuk, it’s a good feeling, very happy for them both 🙂
I’m with you Toby. Rather have 5 or 6 players each scoring 10 than one that scores 30 🙂 math is simple 🙂
What a confident player young Bellerin is. Great tackle.
Oh, can it any better! Penalty 🙂
SAANTIII (Phew)
Chuba is such a powerful weapon, has all the atributes to become great striker, hope he signs the new contract.
That boy Chuba has some long legs! He really does cover ground.
Wow. What a fucking great display.
BELLLLLLLZ
…and those former La Masia-boys can sure strike a ball.
oh yes..sweet sweet 🙂
Ospinaaaaaaaa.
Hector, cracking goal!
Chuba, nearly had 3!!!
Proud of them all ♥
Yeeeees, he really deserved that 🙂
Hahaha, in some way, it was only fitting that Ospina got to make a proper save in the end.
result like this was long overdue ..great great display and so good to see Theo and Mesut on scoresheet..hard to single out any player really.
Any doubts over who is our first choice keeper at the moment?
A word for Nacho as well. Great attacking performance today.
Overall, a fucking fun game to watch.
Wow Hector, can’t find the words for him right now 🙂
Five different scorers today, gooners and goonerettes. And again, that was without Alexis and Welbeck.
That wasn’t ‘holic who caught Ozil’s shirt in case anyone wondered.
😀
MY Gosh!
What a headache! We have a huge selection problem now!!!
(And we still have Debuchy and Arteta and Wilshere coming back too…!)
😀
P.s – Ospina got everything in the air and concentrates even till the last minute.. beginning to like him this one..! 4 clean sheets?!
😀
Terrific effort, I stand by what I said in the week that we are currently the best team in the country – by a distance at the moment. The young lads coming in have freshened up the team and Cazorla is on fire. And Ozil showed how he can fit into the team with Santi playing centrally . We looked even better when Rosicky replaced Ramsey. I would give either Bellerin or Coquelin man of the match. And if I was Ches I would reconcile myself to some bench sitting for the foreseeable future.
Wenger Aht!
i am more calm with ospina in goal.
I am a very happy man. everyone contributed to the game, perfect subs, and while Villa were dire, Arsenal were in joy-generating mode.
it is going to be a great day, even with all the cack about the stupor bowl.
Fantastic second half, capped for me by Santi Cazorla passing to Hector Bellerin for a great first goal in the Arsenal shirt. Great day for Lee Dixon in the broadcast booth too. 🙂
Forgot welbeck too.. !
Coquelin looks good!
We got to make sure he signs a proper contract and soon too.
What a Superb performance from ALL of them.
(Alexis must be jealous…!)
😀
Swans to beat the saints by 4 and we’re 4th place 🙂
oops… sorry make that by 3 goals!
5-0
I LIKE IT A LOT!!
@101 scruzgöonér
Bowl : http://i.imgur.com/nR5TgZs.png
Footbowl !! : http://i.imgur.com/PWRSH4E.png
IF we pick up steam from here, daresay we’ll do well in the CL… let’s give it a good go! With a bit of luck, it may be our year!
(With Alexis, Ozil, Tomas, Theo and Ramsey at their peak and our defence holding out.. might just be more than a sliver of a chance!)
The progress of Bellerin in last few months has been unbelievable. That is the sign of a great in the making, not just talent but ability to grow quickly. Theo had a typical Theo game, some great offensive moments but offering little defensively for much of the match but Bellerin covered the flank excellently. Having Coquelin around helped.
We played a counter-attacking game for much of the match, at home, against a lowly opposition, to perfection. That first goal was instrumental and it seems that we are much more comfortable now playing this way.
Santi was brilliant, Ozil had a few defensive lapses but some great moments and really grew into the game, and Giroud was quite excellent dropping deep , contributing in the middle of the pitch and feeding Theo. Offered excellent variation.
With Alexis back hopefully next week I guess he will start ahead of Theo. So the question becomes should it be TR7 or Ozil (or Ox if he is fit again)? In NLD I would prefer TR7 given his experience and record in this fixture, and then at home against Leicester Ozil can start.
Hopefully Akpom would now be convinced to stay. He is going to hurt opposition defenses very soon with that turn, pace and physicality.
We won 5-0, at home, with 48% possession. Love it.
The so-called “Plan B” in full demonstration. Arsene is tactically as capable as the best of them, and we are building another fantastic counter-attacking team now we have the weapons to do so: Alexis, Ox, Theo, Ozil, and dare I say Giroud who gets so little credit for how he is such a fantastic attacking pivot for both horizontal and vertical transition in attack and to score the necessary goals.
@109 DocFaust
We’re the “Counter-Barcelona” !
😀
Lurky — yes the maturity, composure and game-reading of Ospina is evidently much superior and happy to have him as #1 while Szczesny takes the next step. Conveys a sense of calmness.
Similarly a next step evolution needed for Gibbo now to displace Monreal, superb and intelligent performance. Haven’t see that kind of composure in an Arsenal LB for a long time, even Clichy for all his excellent athleticism could be so hair-brained with decision making.
BB@110: Next weekend we should play like this or as we did against Man City, compact and super-fast in transition, and not give in to the temptation of playing a hurly-burly mad NLD. Stay calm and compact and our offense will get us goals.
BB@107, that first graphic but exactly…
@112 Doctor Faustus
We’ll win matches with good strikers but we’ll win championships with a good defence!
Fully concur, if we can keep it tight at the back, with the quality we have up front we’ll do ’em in! We have got to keep this run going.. would be a major boost for our CL campaign as well!
Hope Chuba stays and Coquelin and Theo sign long term contracts too, in the past we tend to lose players at their peak, this time we gained Ozil and Alexis.. players should want to come here instead!
Things are looking up indeed.
😀
BB — Yes, Theo is I think the only one left who hasn’t yet fully gotten into the defend-from-the-front ethos, but he will get there as the fitness and form comes back. Akpom was so impressive even tracking back and tackling. A few goals and he can be a good option from the bench, the directness of his runs and the turns are top-notch. Sanogo has a strong competition next year, I think Sanogo will eventually be Giroud’s and Welbeck’s understudy and Akpom Theo’s with Ox moving inside with TR7 probably calling it a day in a year or two. Exciting times.
Nothing to disagree @111 Dr. Faustus, cheers. It is great to have two decent options fighting for their place on every position. Can’t remember the last time we were this well covered.
Arsene fixed his summer mistake and did what he needed to do and signed a CB , as that was the position we were lacking cover.
Many fans here suggested that what we lack a DM but we already had a perfect solution in Coquelin. I wonder what would happened to him if Arsene listened to all those who were confident that his career as an Arsenal player is over and that he will never make it here.
@DocFaust
Akpom looks strong and fast going forward and it is as you say he covers well too.
I think if he’s given a few games and Welbeck is out for an extended time, he may be in contention with Giroud instead.
As for Sanogo, he’ll have to really impress, if his finish and touch is good he can be like Kanu! Otherwise it would be difficult for him to find a way back…!
Only regret is that we could not find a permanent position for Poldi.. what a left foot.. best in the business!
😀
Happy Sunday everybody! Brilliant performance from everyone. Loved Bellerin’s goal in the last patch. All the goals were superb not to mention that audacious yet nonchalant flick from Ozil. The commentators were likening this team’s counter attack to the Henry Pires Viera combination. Nice. Nice to Arsene smile. ‘night all.
What to say? Splendid performance all around, with Santi again MotM. Lee Dixon in commentary said it all: “Are there two Santi Cazorlas out there, because he’s involved in everything.”
And great team effort in keeping Anthony Taylor under control.
Dr F@108 & 109: on the button. Top games from Monreal and Bellerin. They would be my joint MOTM, ahead even of Santi and Ozil. Ospina justified his place ahead of Woj with two good saves and a composed all-round performance. He didn’t look dodgy on crosses, the charge laid against him. Another good game from Le Coq, too. Feels mean to carp after a 5-0 win, but I thought Ramsey looked off the pace in his decision making. However, with Santi in the form he is and Ozil so quick to see those one touch passes at which he excels, any midfielder might look sluggish in comparison.
Cynic@59: more Le Coq than Bellerin. Chambers was never bought with any long-term intention of him playing right back. Question now is has Bellerin done enough to stop Debuchy coming straight back on the side once he’s fit? I also wonder how it was decided which of Bellerin and Jenks would go out on loan. I do wonder if AW had never expected him to play this frequently. But he has certainly grabbed his chance.
This is why managers earn those big salaries:
when you don’t score you don’t win games
— Paul Lambert
Keep it up, Fabianski!
So’ton one down
Swan strike.
To Mr Lambert.
Letting in 5 doesn’t help much either.
Red card Soton.
Don’t whisper it too loudly but 3rd place is one point away.
Bye Bye Saints. We are undoubtedly good enough to get third place. If the season was starting now I’d be even more ambitious
The cherry on the icing of the great day cake.
Just keep Santi orchestrating things and with Coquelin, Bellerin and Monreal spicing things up we should have a symphonic recipe on our hands. 🙂
NBN @ 120: I agree with you about Rambo, still a bit hesitant in decision making. But I also agree that he does suffer in comparison with the magical feet of Santi and Ozil. Last season when he was at his peak Rambo was displaying some sublime skills as well but I think that part of his game is fully reliant on his confidence and fitness, he is not as natural ball-player as Santi or Ozil and he probably is trying to get to that level, which is not a bad idea at all. But he just needs to keep stay fit and do the basics of his game right and he will be back scoring those fabulous goal again.
Cheers BB. Just watched the replay.
Ospina looks so composed in goal.
Bellerin with a goal. Looked very good defensively.
Theo looked good. Like hes nearly back to his best finishing self.
Ozil and santi together – whew!
Le coq tho, woof!
How to describe the performance? Massive? Huge? Stout? Best stop there i think …
Saw the second half of the Southampton-Swansea game, Swans looked more capable in counter-attack and I guess the small squad has finally started to take its toll on Southampton. Hopefully we can open up a bit of a difference now in the next few weeks before our schedule gets congested again.
We are playing ManU towards the end of the campaign, and if we can keep the performance and commitment and discipline level at this we should be able to move up them at #3 by then.
Fantastic arsenal performance. Wengerball coming to the fore again and it is exhilarating to watch. Swansea winning also is great news.But what spoilt the taste on an otherwise great day was that pathetic challenge by Bertrand. His Chelsea background showed up in that leg breaker…
Southampton should have been out of sight long before the second half began, Doc’. How they went into the break on level terms I really couldn’t tell. Just one of those days that they just couldn;t get the ball in the back of the net.
I wish them many more.
H2H @ 136: I see. Good I didn’t see the first half. 🙂
I know they are having a terrific season, especially given the exodus at the summer, and we already lost twice to them, but not yet fully convinced of their overall quality. They have been very disciplined and hard-working but many times I sat down to watch them they have been attritional.
I think Tadic is an excellent prospect though. Him and Schneiderlein are rather impressive.
Was hoping for a 3 goal difference from the swans.. ah well, not to fret, we’ll get 4th(or 3rd!) come next weekend!
Up The Arse!
😀
Very good performance today, as if it needed saying again 😉
I will join all the others who are anxious for a Coq extension – a really long one, please Arsene 😉
One small gripe – it’s a trifle irksome when some on here refer to other posts as being by some on here.
If you have an issue with a post, just name it, then you will hopefully get a decent reply.
For example, I suggested that the club might have to look at the future of our ‘British Core’ in respect of their generally awful fitness record, and trying to challenge for two major honours with a constantly depleted squad.
That was met with a rant which I wasn’t sure whether it was directed at me or not. I certainly didn’t go to anything like the lengths criticised in the rant but how could I know.
Sarah J – ??
Oh, and Matin Wellbourne,
you bet your life I worried about Anthony Taylor. Do you remember Villa at home last season ??
A question to NBN’s monks: when was the last time we had scored 5 or more goals in PL with 5 or more different scorers? Can’t remember any.
Let us all take a moment to console a fellow fan,
(he’ll probably never live it down…) :-
http://i3.mirror.co.uk/incoming/article5087042.ece/alternates/s615b/Arsenal-fan-instagram.jpg
😀
I like Trev and many others had pre match ‘ Tayloritis’. As it turned out not even Taylor at his worst could have seen us lost that one. We are in a much better place than last season’s opener although I seem to remember we started that one well. I thought that the disallowed Oxil goal looked harsh but apart from putting us above Saints it didn’t really matter.
I didn’t refer to Akpom before. I thought his cameo was mega- impressive even though he didn’t score. He is more impressive than Sanogo ( and I think Sanogo could make a decent player) . He has frightening acceleration, great ability to turn and he has an excellent scoring record in youth football. This was a great time to introduce him.
Dr. f produced two great posts on today’s games. He suggested Theo could be understood by Akpom but I suspect that Gnabry has been earmarked for that job if he can get fit. Gnabry has lost almost a complete year and may have lost some speed but if he makes an eventual recovery he will have a major role to play.
Now the one concern: Ramsey. I thought he was pretty frustrating today, continually turning into trouble and halting the impetus of attacks. I have been a huge supporter of him and very much kept the faith the season before last when he was getting dogs abuse from the fans . But he has been poor all season even before his injury. I desperately hope we can find that terrific player of last season but I do wonder if last year was his annus mirabilis and we may never see him reach those heights again. Let’s hope that it’s just a case of sharpness needing to return. Certainly Id go with Tommy at the Swamp next week.
Cynic @97.
Heh! Bet you did a quick rewind of the old sky+ plus box to make sure though! I fucking did.
TTG @ 142: Thanks and spot on about Chuba, we cannot lose him and hopefully the cameo appearances would convince him to stick around and learn from some of the best players in the game. Ozil’s nonchalant flick to Giroud and Giroud repaying the favor with a cross-field inch-perfect pass, phew …
I also agree with you we should start TR7 next week, but if he is starting I think it will be at the expense of Ozil (and not Rambo, assuming Alexis is fit again) who probably needs just a bit more match fitness to start a game of that importance. Even when Rambo is not playing that well his engine and work rate gives a very good platform for the attackers without losing the balance as Coquelin can sit a little back and expect Rambo to cover the vertical stretch. TR7 does it well but that is not his natural game and against the swamp dwellers I think his front-foot pressing and acceleration would be more useful.
The central midfielder we are hopefully going to get in the summer should be capable of rotating with both Coquelin and Rambo. With Bielik as their understudy.
I did, Esso, which is how I was able to be sure. 😀
Not back-drunk yet so I will probably re-iterate what has alread been said 🙂
First things first: massive props to David Ospina for what in my eyes was by far his best performance for us so far. Calm and composed and came for the balls he should have come for, and started the attack which gave us 3-0. Note the difference today compared to earlier when he was often too eager to put the ball in play even though we really didn’t have any opportunity to counter. Good save at 1-0 as well to deny Weimann. A bit lucky, yes, but he did everything he could to maximise his chances to save it and you can’t do more than that. If he keeps this up then Woj will have a massively uphill task ahead of him to get his place between the sticks back.
Oh, and I almost forgot the save at 5-0 to keep his sheet unsoiled. Really good save that.
Other than that it was nice to see us blitz a team on the counter again, it’s been a while since we did that. Henry and Pires up there in the director’s box must have enjoyed watching us conjure up memories of the past.
And the “one man team” has now got 19 different goal scorers in the league, which is more than any other team has. And our “one player” has not scored a single on of our last ten goals.
Bellerin is looking more and more like a proper player. Well chuffed for him for getting the goal.
Well, I could go on I suppose. Apart from about four minutes at the start of the second half and that Weimann chance I mentioned we were in total control and 5-0 flattered Villa more than it flattered us.
One word for Anthony Taylor: yes, he didn’t fuck things up this time but I’m not going to say he had a great game by any means. It was a very easy game to referee, and I think he should have sent whoever-it-was off for that tackle on Theo in the second half.
Anyway, a very good game. Also nice to see Soton drop all three points very unexpectedly v Swansea. We have to keep winning of course, but for tonight I am just going to enjoy this win and try not to worry myself sick about the next game… I really hate the few days before an NLD, I just get so fecking nervous thinking about the game!
Right, pints on the bar for everyone.
@ Dr F. Good stuff above. Always appreciate your comments, man.
The boss will have some selection headaches for the NLD, next week, with Sanchez, Ozil, the Ox and Theo all vying for the wide positions. Welbeck will be available too, but just coming back from injury, and with Giroud in such strong form, I imagine that one’s pretty cut and dried at least for now.
Don’t know if anyone else listened to the Arsecast this weekend. Tim Stillman was on, and made some great points about the marked improvement in our individual quality over the last two or three years. Players like Podolski, Vermaelen and now possibly Theo as well, who were automatic starters a couple of years ago, have been squeezed out simply because of the improved quality in front of them. I have to say, with everybody fit our first 11 probably doesn’t include Theo at the moment, and won’t unless he can improve his work rate and his all around game. I love him, and no matter what he’s a wonderfully dangerous player to have and he’ll have an important role in the rest of this season. But I do see a diminished role for him in the coming months, and possibly a move away this summer? We shall see.
In any case. A great day for the good guys. It’s been a while since we abused someone like that, and it feels mighty good. 5-0 and beer o’clock!
Win the next one.
Lars! I count 14 different goal scorers (in the league that is), which in itself is a great number anyhow, and I do not think that subtracts anything from your observation really. And I might even be wrong!
Toby: ok, must have been all competitions then (I took it from a tweet from one of all those stats accounts). Sanogo and the BFG have only scored in the CL or FA Cup, and didn’t Poldi also only score in the CL?
In any case 14 is still a very healthy number as you say.
Take it from me, Dr F, you’re asking for trouble (#144) suggesting TR7 start ahead of Özilla next week. That is verboten spiel here. Especially after that gem of an assist, which will end up legendary in the minds of some.
Yes it was very good, but otherwise he showed a lot of rust and some basic errors, and the difference was immediate when TR7 cruised into the game and teamed beautifully with Santi in midfield.
Theo also still rusty, but a cracking goal promised good times ahead when he really kicks into gear.
I’m with Ned giving motm jointly to the two fullbacks. With honourable mentions to Santi, and to OspinO with an excellent save towards the end when he could have been excused for being asleep.
Equal 4th just a point off 3rd and with the opportunity to put 5 points between us and the spuds next week. We’ve been in worse situations!
Öskar
Dr F@140:
17 November 2012 in the league.
Arsenal 5-2 Tottenham
Mertesacker, Podolski, Giroud, Cazorla and Walcott.
We scored five or more goals in seven games in all competitions that season, but that was the only one in which all the goals were scored by different players.
Didn’t manage to score five once last season. Today’s is the first five goal haul since the league game agains West Ham in January 2013 (Podolski, Giroud (2), Cazorla and Walcott).
Time before that was the 5-1 win in the home leg of CL qualifying in 2010-11 vs Shaktar Donetsk: Song, Nasri, Fabregas, Wilshere, Chamakh.
The last time we won 5-0 was vs Leyton Orient in the FA Cup fifth round replay the same season: Chamakh, Bendtner (3), Clichy.
I’d second your honorable mentions for Santi and Oooooooospinaaa. I hear that those at the Clock End were already picking the ball out of the net before Ospina pulled out that remarkable save towards the end to preserve the clean sheet. I see what you mean about Ozil’s rustiness. He moves the ball on so quickly he is prone to give the it away if his touch for the pass isn’t 100%. But he still seemed to have a pretty good game. And to my eye he looked less rusty than Theo, who doesn’t seem back to full pace. The goals will have done both of them a power of good, though.
Oops: My @153 in response to Otd’s @150.
Dr F: Six goals; six different scorers
4 October 2009
Home to Blackburn Rovers in the league, won 6–2 (Vermaelen, van Persie, Arshavin, Fabregas, Walcott, Bendtner)
I’m happy enough with Özilla’s progress, Ned, and hope he keeps progressing. I’ve never doubted his ability so much as his application, which seems more promising this time round. With Theo I’m sure it’s just a matter of finding more match sharpness than anything. He’s still the most gifted striker in the club (discounting Poldi now on loan).
Talking about speed, did you notice Gab Agbonlahor when he came on? He looked fat as a barrel! But Scott Sinclair looked more than useful in his cameo. No idea why Lambert held him back so long, he’s class but has made some poor club choices.
Öskar
Lars@148& 149: In all competitions we have 19 different scorers (not counting own goals); in the league alone: 14 (plus an own goal). Champions League: 8, FA Cup: 5, Charity Shield: 3, League Cup: 1
League: Bellerin, Cazorla, Chambers, Debuchy, Giroud, Koscielny, Oxlade-Chamberlain, Ozil, Ramsey, Rosicky, Sanchez, Walcott, Welbeck, Wilshere + own goal.
CL: Arteta, Gibbs, Oxlade-Chamberlain, Podolski, Ramsey, Sanchez, Sanogo, Welbeck
FA Cup: Mertesacker, Ozil, Rosicky, Sanchez, Walcott
Charity Shield: Carzola, Giroud, Ramsey
League Cup: Sanchez
You are right about Scott Sinclair, Otd. He gave Bellerin a run for his money and there aren’t many who can go stride to stride with him. But for someone who has played for England up all the age groups to U-21, Sinclair has played for some very average clubs.
It’s OOOOspina, totally four clean sheets.
Wishing it like OOOOOOOOOOOOOOO…OOOOspina.
Thanks NBN. Now a little bit embarrassed for not being able to recall, especially given that following your reminder I do remember both the games well, and all the goals, except for Cesc’s and Bendy’s goal against Blackburn. Let me look them up again.
Oskar — I agree with NBN about Theo looking rustier than Ozil. I think even when Theo regains full pre-injury sharpness he will need to make that step forward of being a better player even without the ball and not just stroll around when we are defending. He also should learn to be a little less selfish in some situations, it is a fine balance between confidence and making poor decisions and his decision making needs that final push.
The main aspect of Ozil’s game that I think needs improving in Arsenal colors is the pressing from the front, and he can learn from both Alexis (who probably is a bit of a freak of nature in terms of fitness, hope our top-notch medical team doesn’t break him down with too much discipline … let him have his Churrasco and Malbec 🙂 ) and TR7 in that respect.
Good analysis by Keown: http://www.bbc.com/sport/0/football/31079429 .
And as some astute observers in this bar have already mentioned, Coquelin’s rise in the first team is much less serendipitous than it may look from the outside.
“His recent progress shows you why some players are worth waiting for, because I think by the age of 23, a lot of managers would probably have given up on him before now.
Wenger, however, kept seeing something there.
When I spoke to him recently, Wenger explained to me that, earlier in the season, every time he saw Coquelin train he told him that he should be in the first team but felt he had to go out on loan first because he needed the experience.”
Hahaha look at tommy throwing his toys around. Chin up tommy I know it must be hard for you at the moment.
Holic feel free to delete this reply to the witty one.
Did you see the result of the odi mate? He bowls to the left, he bowls to the right!!!
GL @ 147: Thank you. And fully concur with your excellent observation how in the last couple of years we have steadily improved the individual quality of the players in every position.
I don’t think Theo has much more to do than simply score goals, Dr F. His defence is under-appreciated, imo. I forget which one it was but one of our goals came from him bursting out of the RB position with the ball, and a couple of passes later it was in the Villa net.
One thing I’m a bit sceptical about is all the praise being heaped on Le Coq. I think it’s far too soon to be seeing him as a Gilberto-esque DMF saviour. Much about his game is that good, but much about it also has more the look of Alex Song, and that could get him into trouble. He needs to discipline his aggression a bit more than he clearly wants to. Not saying he hasn’t looked surprisingly improved since pulled back from his loan, but let’s not get too carried away.
Öskar
Kudos to Arsene Wenger for, apparently, having no problems with his zip today. I say apparently because the TV cut to a shot of him beginning to put on his coat, the announcers said “Here we go, we are on zip watch,” but then didn’t have enough time to follow his progress because they (somewhat oddly) decided to show the football instead. The upshot is, the announcers never mentioned the subject again so I can only presume that Arsene’s zip was seamless.
I saw that sequence, 8ball, and what the commentator said was (words to the effect) “Here we go again, Wenger unable to zip his coat up. You think someone would help him”. This despite they cut away before he even attempted the manoeuvre. Typical effin’ commentary, they see what they expect to see regardless.
Actually I found the commentary almost acceptable today, given the audio balance had the crowd atmos practically drowning out the commentary. Exactly how I like it!
Öskar
Oskar. Not to praise the television coverage or anything but at least they haven’t stooped to the level of showing him zipping his coat in slow motion. 🙂
OsKar,
Just have to disagree vehemently … really wrong to even compare alex song with the way coquelin has been playing. Just not factual or fair. The form he has been showing has made all the difference, and its the style we have all been crying out for, before, during and after Song. No nonsense disciplined, energetic, a bit nasty.
And what do you mean by carried away? it hasnt been one good performance.. it has been quite a few, with no let up. He has added something undeniable.
You know how i know this? Wenger has swallowed his pride and is quickly offering him a new contract. I guess Arsenes getting carried away too.
Sometimes we just outsmart ourselves, and dont see whats right in front of us.
Fully concur it’s early days yet for Coquelin… but the signs are extremely encouraging!
As for myself, do hope that he adapts quickly so we’ll have one less defensive minded midfielder to look out for. We’ll still need to find credible replacements for Flamini and Arteta very soon…! Hence it would be good to be in the market, you can never have too many players!
😀
And here’s Keown’s perspective : http://www.bbc.com/sport/0/football/31079429
Some very good posts mist of which I agree with and a renewed appreciation of how Wenger can reinvent himself. Tactically this team is playing quite differently. To beat a team 5-0 after having less possession at home is remarkable.
Positive news all over the pitch but I suspect that at the end of the season some players won’t be particularly happy. There must be real question marks in the minds of Szczesny , Wilshere, Flamini, Welbeck and players like Gibbs , Chambers and Arteta may have to reconcile themselves to less prominent roles. Of course we will get injuries and suspensions and part of being at a big club is facing competition but the emergence of quality young players is giving us some great options.
Saturday is a big game not because it’s Tottenham because they live in our shadow but because they are the highest placed team we face in the near future and fancy their chances. After that we have a very decent run of fixtures and can hopefully challenge for third place as well as kick on in the Cup and CL.
Ned: cheers for clearing up the number of goal scorers issue!
Speaking of high-scoring wins with many different scorers we also had the 6-1 v Southampton in September 2012 where, depending on how you count, we had five different goal scorers. Gervinho (!!!) got two goals, but the other scorers were Podolski, Walcott and two different Soton players who both scored own goals 🙂
Oskar: Agbonlahor wasn’t the only one looking rather plump, Benteke also looked seriously overweight to me.
Villa are in serious danger of going down, but I think they will be OK in the end. Our five-goal haul of yesterday apart, they haven’t actually conceded that many. Nine teams have conceded more, with two (including Tottenham) on the same number and before kickoff yesterday they had conceded only five more than Chelsea and the same number as us. Their incredibly poor scoring is of course a massive problem but the odd 1-0 win here and there will, I think, see them through.
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>
Suddenly Arsenal has too many good players .
The six undroppable in midfield and in front :
Sanchez , Cazorla , Ozil , Giroud , Ox , Ramsey
They leave much less room for the rest .