When the draw was made, my first thought was “yikes”. Here is a team with their priorities firmly focused on grabbing one of the play-off places in the Championship. Playing in front of a packed house at their fabulous new ground, The Seagulls will go into the game with little pressure, and can enjoy the possibility of causing an upset.
When I saw the team sheet, my reactions were twofold. Firstly, I wondered whether this eleven had ever played ten minutes as a unit, let alone ninety. Second, I was delighted, and surprised, that both Santi and Jack would be rested.
However, I felt that if we could be solid at the back, and the midfield could find a way to gel, then with the Pod, Ollie and Ox up front, then we’d have enough to score more than them.
Well, what a Cup Tie!
The game lurched this way, then that way. Arsenal, understandably, did not show the continuity and fluency so evident a few days’ earlier. Despite going behind, it was clear the home crowd were going to enjoy the day and lift their team, while Arsenal were never going to be allowed an easy passage into the next round.
I am not going to give a minute by minute, blow by blow, account of the game, but before I dwell on something very dwellable, I will point out some understandable negatives.
Neither flank operated well. It has been very apparent how in recent games, the Podolski/Gibbs axis is really beginning to gel and operate as a well oiled unit, serving both the attack as well as defence down the left. This kind of cohesion simply was not on display yesterday.
Similar problems down the right. The Ox/Jenks teamwork operated ineffectively. I have on other occasions aired my concerns about Alex, and his progress since his debut against Shrewsbury a few seasons ago is something that really bothers me. I have said a few times how I think his final role will be more central, and finding ways of giving him constructive learning pitch time there needs to be addressed, if indeed that is his optimal role
I am not going to dwell on individual incidents that may be blamed for conceding, as I want to do some serious dwelling as I said earlier.
Olivier Giroud. Oh Boy.
At half time during the W’Ham game I made a borderline genius comment:
I pointed out that Big ‘Ol was far better with the ball to feet that many assume. The second half of that game began with a cleverly worked corner that saw the ball played in low and hard, where it was buried by the on-coming Giroud.
Now, like many on here, I have watched Mallard’s clips of both of his goals over and over again. Sure, the first goal was brilliant. The second however, and I have watched this about thirty times so far, is absolutely sensational. Great and perceptive though the pass from Diaby certainly was, it was slightly over hit for anyone other than a sublimely skillful footballer. Look again (and again). The way Ollie took the pace off it before his superb finish was technically top drawer. This was the goal of the season for me by a country mile.
I am not doing player ratings for two reasons. One is that I can’t be bothered, and the other is that I’d have to mark a few players lower than others, and given that they are not first choice starting XI’ers, I think that would be a little harsh. I will, however, compromise a little. Giroud 10.
It was a tricky away fixture fraught with dangers. There were five goals, we are in the hat for the next round, and in my view a Star has been Born. What’s not to like?
Written by MickyDidIt89
Arsenal News 24/7
I’ve only got one thing to say about Giroud. I told you so. From the moment I saw him play his first game for us against koln I knew he is class. Even when he was missing sitters I knew that this was about mental pressure not lack of ability. I still think that there’s more to come from him as long as he gets a consistent run in the side.
There was so much to like about that game, where do I start.. The “classic cup” entertainment, Girouds incredible brace, giving minutes to some of our fringe players while resting our big guns ,and obviously, WE WON. Now let’s go and do the double over the scousers on Wednesday to keep the momentum rolling before we meet Bayern
I thought the post was going to be about George!. What a great game. I’ve never doubted Giroud but I did doubt Theo. Theo is improving all the time. I’ve always liked Santos but he was woeful and we really need to get a left back in. Great match report.
Good morning to you all,
There were things about our performance yesterday that gave cause for concern but this morning is not the time to dwell on them. Instead let’s celebrate a win, our progress to the next round and the blossoming of a striker worthy of the name. Olivier Giroud…a legend in the making.
Sorry, I omitted the question mark at the end there.
Micky thats a fantastic match report, you should do them more often….(wimp 😀 ).
I’ll raise a glass to Giroud this morning, very complete performance, his finishing still needs a little more calmness but he has lots more in his locker that many pundits and fans laughed off at the beginning of the season.
Thanks Micky, tasty little amuse bouche of a match report.
We paid under £12m for Giroud, he’s getting better every game and would probably be valued at around £20m in the prem market going by what is paid for other ‘prem ready’ strikers.
I don’t know where these idiots in the media are getting their info but I continually hear it said that he is slowly winning over the Arsenal fans round … rubbish, we’ve loved him from the start.
Our defence and the defensive side of our midfield are the areas where we are weak.
We should definitely sign Diame. He wants us, we could do with him, he’s reasonably priced and not cup tied for the CL … so we won’t 🙄
Effin brilliant, Micky.
Rasp
The media base that on any number of negative twats on twitter. Yesterday I saw someone calling him a waste of time. Lot’s of people say he’s not good enough to be our number 1 striker. I’ve always liked him.
Morning all
Some one asked when the FAcup draw is on,I think it’s on about 6pm uk time after the liverpoo game.
We needed that win yesterday I did not see it but have seen the goals on SSN.
re Giroud let’s not forget it takes time to adjust in the PL it a difference from the French leauge I think he’s doing his best wait till next season I bet he bags a few next season.
Give him time.
Much Love
Sheep Hagger ™
Mobile Mallard,
Migration?
Back after tennis.
In 5 minutes then Micky
There you go. Bad luck Murray. I think he’ll win grand slams in the future.
Time to start doing my roast
You’re dead right about the second goal: it took more skill than the first one. If RvP had done that everybody would have (quite rightly) been raving about his sublime left foot. Great stuff.
lol chavs
Good quick post Micky, and to think your scouting report came back with…Remy. I’ve been shouting about this bloke for over a year, I’m just glad he is going to be an Arsenal star. Arsene and Arsenal fans you are welcome!
Brentford another!!!
Nice post Micky. My only worry about Giroud was that Arsene would ruin him by not giving him enough game time ala Chamakh but the guy is making himself un-droppable. Great player, great work-ethic and great attitude.
Great player OG12 is He’s already on double digits for goals and 9 assists! Good return from our attackers. All of them!
spuds are 2 down LOL
How long until we ROLF?
Glad no one said we won against a Championship side and therefore shouldn’t get over excited, that’d be embarrassing. Especially as we fielded so many squad players.
Also great news — Real Madrid the ‘richest’ club in the world, strongly linked today with trying to sign Arsene Wenger to replace Mourhino — again, and again!!
Wenger — clearly a crap manager!! 😀
[No chance, Madrid – sod off!] 🙂
Good to see Spuds have so many game changers on the bench too…..
RA something we agree on 🙂
Lucky Wenger shows loyalty to us. Although if I were him and I read blogs my ears would be open.
We were lucky to win against a championship side!!!
There we are, GIE. 😛
Shite one back, i’m holding onto my ROLFs
I’ve just come in from the garden and there are 2 young spuds in the house …….. I’m going about my business quietly shhhhhhh
It wouldn’t be too bad if they get a replay – more chance of injuries 😕
Here’s what Tom Huddleston gets up to in his spare time….
gm – I saw you asked on twitter earlier about watching away games at the Ems. It’s fantastic, like having 1,000 gooners in your front room for a game, great atmosphere. I assume you’ve booked for Sunderland, I’m going too, Pires is going to be there 🙂
Peaches point of order…..how the hell are there two young spuds in your house? how did they get in?!?!?
Lol Leeds fans “Ole Ole Ole” – cheeky
Just came across this little gem.
Maybe we now know where the profit goes ??
………………………………………………………………………………………..
The most expensive estate sold in the U.S. is likely a Montana ranch that was listed for $132 million but sold for an undisclosed price last year to real estate billionaire Stanley Kroenke. He also owns the NBA’s Denver Nuggets, the NHL’s Colorado Avalanche, and the NFL’s St. Louis Rams.
They’re nothing to do with me but I’m staying in their house while I have no roof, usually they’re not here but the lure of my ESPN was too much for them #keepingoutoftheway
Now if it were my team losing to Leeds I wouldn’t want any spuds anywhere near me but they’re taking it very well, how bizarre 😆
I can’t go peaches as I working. My wife her sister and sisters husband are going.
Silly foul there
Spuds got peeled…………..
ROLF ROLF ROLF ROLF ROLF ROLF what a lovely finish from the half way line
They didn’t let it stand…outrageous
Spuds lost lol lol lol
I want Leeds next round dirty Leeds.
Leeds are for walking dogs 💤🐕⛔
Excellent Micky
The press were so delighted that OG went a few games without a goal at the start of the season (after we had sold BSR) that they invented the story about him being a flop.
The vast majority of fans have rated him from the beginning and now that he’s showing what he can do, we’re not the slightest bit surprised.
However, for the media to avoid looking stupid they have to maintain their BS narrative, hence the stories about him “slowly winning over the fans.”
spuds Mashed 🙂
Hahahaha Spuds 😀
I’m glad we won’t have the possibility of facing them.
massive ROLF
Come on Oldham, make my day, and put pool out too
na, na, na, nanana, nanana, Giroud…
Looks like the Spuds implosion has begun earlier than usual this season.
Oh how I ROLFED when I heard the score
Great stuff Micky.
Spurs 🙂 😀
Right, hands up who pushed “Play” on Mallard’s Rolf Harris clip. Rasp aside, of course, ‘cos he’s like that 🙂
“Great stuff” indeed Raddy.
I’ll let you into a little secret. I saw a Peaches in distress, so came over all weak (as GiE would say). Thing is, I wrote the post not having watched one minute of the game, read no reports, not seen MOTD, heard only five minutes on the radio, and did it from comments on this site alone.
That’ll really learn you lot!!!
Oh, I had seen Mallard’s goal clips, hence the slight emphasis on the Ollie goals 🙂
😛 That’s brilliant Micky, thank goodness you didn’t base it on comments from elsewhere….. maybe that’s how spectrum operates?
I clicked on ROLF, did anyone click on my drum solo @ 3:33
Rasp
90% of all comments on that site are Gambon impersonators. None of them have an thought of their own.
A peaches in distress 😆
Peaches,
GiE says I’m “weak” caving in to you. Any suggestions?
The best part of Giroud’s game is his runs; once the rest of the side gets to play off of that consistently it could prove really devastating.
And how about a really really old rocker from Buddy Holly and the Crickets as an ode to the big Frenchman — “Rockin’ With Ollie Vee”? Sample lyric:
“Well we’re gonna rock
To the rhythm and the blues tonight….
Every little thing’s gonna be all right
Cause tonight we’re gonna
Rock around with Ollie Gee, Ollie Ollie Gee”
Actually, I’ve been itching to write a match report having no knowledge of the game at all, save the score.
I clicked on both…..in my defence I love Rolf, Glastonbury when I went they out him on World Music Stage, they had to close off the area because it was overcrowded, next year they put him back to his rightful place on the Pyramid stage.
Two Little Boys always gets me…no matter how many times I’ve heard it.
That’s two things on my must do with George list, go to the Emirates, go to Glastonbury and see Rolf (should be doable in next couple of years…kids go free at Glasto).
Micky,
I loved your report.
In future, peaches will have to ask for volunteers from those who haven’t seen the game.
It’ll be far more fun.
I typed massive Rolf into youtube search, soz.
Micky,
You are trying to make me feel bad, as I declined to write a report as I had ‘only’ seen the 2nd half.
You are not a journalist are you? Their reports are often written without seeing the game either. 🙂
To me Giroud looks like the best CF we have had since TH14. I never regarded RVP as a centre forward. I hope we get a minnow at home next round. One of the magical side effects of the cup is seeing a small team make 500,000 on one match when drawn away against us or MU.
As a Rangers fan while I thought they have been treated unfairly in Scotland I am happy that their sourjon in the 3rd division is a real benefit for the other teams. The two home games they have against Rangers gives them more money than they ussually get in a season.
I was involved a few years back with a small div 3 team in Scotland and they live a hand to mouth existence. But its the way football should be, a small team backed by their local fans.
I am finally up to midtable in the Arsenal, Arsenal FF league. Noticed a few familier names there.
Oldham’s CF Smith is 6′ 6″ and he CAN jump, maybe 4 feet off the ground – great goal — are you watching Herr Mert??? 🙂
Didit. Even better knowing the background.
Re-showing the game on dansk TV. Our defensive mistakes were awful and worrying.
Chelsea. 🙂
Spurs. 😀
Now Liverpool……..
Show this to The Sack…
Just as Kanu did….
Haha – ‘Pool losing 1-3 at Oldham.
I once saw us lose at Boundary Park (back when Oldham were in the top flight).
I’ve never been colder in my life.
Haha Arthur… the only difference was that Sylvain was on his knees…
brendan should have stayed at a big club like swansea
Surely you’re kidding me, Rocky.
Even at 46 years old in 2002, Kanu could leap a tall building.
I saw that Rangers got a home crowd of 40k for the bottom tier of Scottish football.
Lots of rumours that Rolf has been questioned by the jimmy saville police
It was right in front of me Arthur.
Sylvain slid on his knees and Kanu jumped over him 🙂
Come on Oldham – don’t blow it now!
they didn’t blow it LOLERPOOL
Arsenal vs Blackburn Rovers
Good draw.
Has to be said but
Who did the spuds get?
They got peelings.
Nice draw for us
I was hoping for Leeds got a few fans who are leads fanz shame
Looking back it has been a good weekend for us gunners.
Much love
Gordon Strachan
Full draw.
Huddersfield/Leicester vs Wigan
MK Dons vs Barnsley
Oldham vs Everton
Luton vs Millwall
Arsenal vs Blackburn
Man C vs Leeds
Man U vs Reading
Middlesbrough vs Brentford/Chelsea
We’re are spurs ?⛔🚾
Sheep,
For Spurs see Leeds.
Nice Micky.
I can realy empathise with Giroud as i too am a good looking bastard. Its very difficult when you have to carry the adulation of others on your shoulders. Thats why he dived into the crowd, he wanted to share the love.
I had a similar explosion of delight recently when i scored a fantasic subbuteo goal. I lept on my opponent and got him in a head lock. i held on to long so he started punching me in the stomach so i retaliated by kneeing him several times in the groin. I only stopped when i heard the door bell ring. It wouldnt have looked good for his mum to see a middle aged man kneeing her 13 year old boy. hahaha
So the cock is dead long live the king and bring on the chickens.
Terry. I have read of your masculine beauty many times on the interweb. Is it true that you once dated Jennifer Aniston?
I used to beat up my daughter until she reached the age of 8 when she decked me with a beautiful left hook. I appealed to the ref stating I was blindsided but to no avail. It was a humiliating defeat and there was no re-match. I am sure I could have taken her if Mrs. Raddy hadn’t stopped the bout.
BTW. All the big guns at home with relatively easy ties. This is going to get messy
Terry
The sheep is handsome my wife mates say .
And I often get asked am I gay ?
Mad mad world terry what shampoo do u use
I’ve got hair like Kelsey but not as Gray
The wife is writing a book.
It’s called 50 shades of sheep .
Much love
Sheepy
Yes. its all true Raddy. Unfortunitly i had to let her go. Broke her heart but i had to be straight “listen here Aniston Baby, Terry cant be held down, too many other chicks out there that want a piece, you dig”
Sheepy, i use Umbrulingualin shampoo. Its ingredients are known only to the elders of the sheculquatci tribe of the deep amazon. its gauranteed to give you a full head of hair, Kelsey probably bathes in it. Havnt had any growth yet, but its early days, only been using it for 12 years. hahaha
Lol terry at
Sheepy, i use Umbrulingualin shampoo. Its ingredients are known only to the elders of the sheculquatci tribe of the deep amazon. its gauranteed to give you a full head of hair, Kelsey probably bathes in it. Havnt had any growth yet, but its early days, only been using it for 12 years. hahaha
12 years ffs u should have hair like my mate shakin Stevens .
I have got a copy of shakys classic “Green Door” Sheepy.
Ive only played it once. The rest of the time i practice the theories of Professor Wisenburg of Viena university who belives that through mind power alone one can alter ones appearence. So for the last 20 years i have stared at shakys hair line willing my follicles to sprout. No luck yet, but ime sure something will happen soon. hahaha
Evening all, I’ve added a new widget – see if it makes sense to you?
I’m soo gutted about the sperz result I can hardly type☺ but were there any witty chants about Brighton player’s extra curricula(sp?) activities like when ‘you know who’ was convicted for kerb crawling?
Rangers are amazingly averaging something like the 3rd or 4th highest in the UK. 46000.Celtic are getting less, around 44-45000.
Rasp..?
Wats a widget help .
Sheepy
Raspers,
I like the new widget……..
except,
I’m not sure comparing our performance this season in each competition would be as valuable as comparing our performance this season in each comp against last season’s performance in each comp?
Or am I a complete thicky?
Mallard any welsh in you cause I’m fick
Blackburn, I was there around 10 years ago when we got them under Souness in the cup. Nice game we had it won in 15 minutes
20/20 Apparently the Away fans sung “We can see you holding hands” to the Brighton faithful 😀
Thanks gonad, the trouble is there isn’t enough width in the sidebar to fit it all in. We’re gonna score loads more goals this season than last – but we may concede as many 😦
Sheepy, widgets are the snippets of info/pics to the right hand side of the page as you scroll down from the top.
What it highlights is that our problem is not in scoring goals but in conceding too many ….. 76 scored so far but 46 conceded – that’s too many
100! Is that two sperms chasing their tails? i thought it would be more like (ahem)…’you only sing when you’re r@ping!’ ☺
Good widget Rasp:
I would suggest that you simply add lines below each category to show the final stats for the previous season as a comparison/point of reference. Also you could add another category showing points won vs points played for.
Thanks GN5, its a work in progress, I’ll play with it
Rasp,
I would even volunteer to maintain it for you on Excel and email you the updates.
I wrote this last night. Should have taken a wager ….
“If not I can write something early morning tomorrow which will suffice as a starter – Leeds beating Spurs will be the main course and Oldham tonking L’pool the dessert.”
Ok thanks GN5, I’ll email it to you, the only thing is you won’t be able to widen the columns because that makes it unreadable when reduced to widget size, but you can extend its length
Cheers rash
Got it now
Ok Rasp I’ll play around with it and send you various ideas for your consideration.
Hi Raddy, while you’re being so omnipotent, what’s your prediction for the score on Wednesday? 😉
Rasp 5-0 to Arsenal, my prediction is the same every week though 🙂
I’ve just had to sit through Top Gear on the TV, I was never a fan but it really is the most juvenile load of old tosh on TV
Like that widget Rasp, was like GN5 going to suggest a prior season, just a question does it need the COC and FAC, as they are cup comps and can be hard to use as comparatives to prior year considering the one off nature of the games and varied levels of opponents. Also number of games played varies.
GIE
I think that the cup competitions only makes sense when comparing them on a goals for and against per game basis.
Good points GiE, its proof that even stats can have an agenda 🙂 I was just examining the relationship between goals scored and conceded so a comparison with last season would be useful.
It does illustrate your point that the lesser the competition the more gung ho we are – by virtue of fielding less experience players.
I’m going to send it to GN5 for tweaking
Just woke up from a Saturday night hangover to the news that Liverpool had been beaten by a bunch Dickovs and Spurs had been wanoked by Leeds.Off to the off Licence to grab some super Kestrel for the celebrations.
Got the email Rasp I’ll send you a few tweaks tomorrow.
Rasp
Who made you sit through that rubbish. I can’t stand that idiot and I’m not interested in cars. I watched the Iran embassy siege instead.
Thanks GN5
My son gm, but even he thought it was puerile.
Why do TV producers think we’re all stupid?
You’ll be surprised how many people like it Rasp.
Top gear only does posh cars its shit rash
Alzheimer’s
Rasp
Giroud Brings Cheer To Arsenal
Olivier Giroud has suffered somewhat for a problem he can do nothing about: he simply isn’t Robin van Persie. This season was always going to be after the Lord Mayor’s show for Arsenal fans, and Giroud’s struggles in front of goal have been well-documented.
Well, prick back your ears and listen to this: Van Persie scored ten goals in his first 50 league appearances for Arsenal. So far this season, Giroud has 13 goals in 33 games, a more than satisfactory return. He also has nine assists, a total bettered by no other player in the Premier League.
Whilst the Frenchman’s two finishes against Brighton were registered with suitable aplomb, most pleasing for Arsenal’s travelling fans will have been the link-up between Abou Diaby and Giroud for the striker’s second goal. It was reminiscent, dare I say it, of Van Persie and Alex Song on occasion last season.
Giroud may not be the second coming of Jesus, Elvis Presley reborn or the new Van Persie, but he’s still a damn good striker at times.
” This season was always going to be after the Lord Mayor’s show for Arsenal fans”
That line really annoys, the supporters were behind him as we could see his effort from the first minute he played for us, we can see his loving playing for us, and any football observer with half a brain could see his movement was top quality.
And if you want a real barometer against RvP, then it’s in song, Giroud had a unique song within a month of being with us, took RvP 8 years for something better than just chanting his name with a couple of claps.
Morning All. I have always been confused by the song thing. Why some players and not others?
Why isn’t there a Sagna song, after all he is our senior player? Is there a Vermaelen song? Or a Gibbs song or even a TPIG song?
In the early days all the teams names were chanted pre-match and the players responded by waving, of course this was pre the inane DJ, when fans were allowed to create their own atmosphere.
Can a regular tell tell us armchair chaps ?
If Giroud was quick he would be worth £50m! He wins headers for fun, has a great first touch, and his link up play is often superb. He is starting to find his shooting boots now, which is a worry for PL defenders. 13 goals and 9 assists in 33 games is epic for a first season in a new league.
Loved the guy from day one, and im pleased he’s starting to show what he can do. Funnily enough my mate at work is still saying he’s just another Chamakh! He can lick his own elbow though so his opinion doesn’t really count 🙂
As for ‘after The Lord Mayors show’ the new boys that were brought in to replace RvP and Song have scored 32 and assisted 29 goals between them so far this season. I think Wenger replaced them pretty well.
On a side note, I owe Theo an apology. I was one of those who said they weren’t too bothered if he was let go, mainly due to his inconsistency, but if it 17 goals and 12 assists is what an inconsistent Theo brings to the table, then he’ll do for me!
Morning all.
Slime,
I agree Ollie lacks pace, but unlike some of the “little skinny quick ‘uns”, he does have strength and power to help him keep great lumpish CB’s in check.
Worryingly, I did have to check whether or not I could lick my own elbow. Luckily, I passed the test.
Love the post Micky, possitive, uplifting and to use your expression, what’s not to like?
By the way, I just want to give a shout to GM, who two months ago wrote on here that we will not see the best of Giroud until after Christmas, where as I think I described him as an Andy Carrol without a pony tail. He doesn’t have the ability to control the ball and beat a man but uses the skills he does have well.
I also liked Evonne’s joke about men obviuosly not being from Mars which seemed to get lost. These two comments are not connected. lol
yes Micky, best report in the long time, cheers
It was a terrific game and a turning point for the team, I think
Morning LB – you are JUST going to love this one: “You can be anything you want on internet; it is strange how many people chose to be stupid” 🙂
Yep, the cap fits perfectly.
my source is still confident that Diamy is ours, hm…just as well I didn’t promise to eat anything if he isn’t
Is Liverpool going to be a doddle?
Nothing is a doddle to the current AFC. Think Swansea, the B word, and Norwich.
The scouse are in very good form and will not lay Coates at CB who was awful.
For some reason Rodgers chose to tinker with his defence and it cost them – they will be full strength on Weds. An important game for both clubs
Morning evonne, how trustworthy is your source?
I am astonished that all of the stories (and there are dozens) linking us to Diame are quoting just one article in the Daily Mail – so in fact there is just one report linking us with Diame.
I accept he is interested in Arsenal (or his agent wants to send out that message) but I haven’t read anything which suggests we are interested in him.
The widget I put up lst night shows we are shipping too many goals. We need a player who can do the job we wanted Song to do – protect the back four and deputise at CB if required
Morning all
New Post ………………….
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