I should stop here – this post will not get better than the title 🙂
The Northern Hordes are coming to the Emirates flying the flag of Attila Allardyce and our brave few are going in to battle defending the honour of free-flowing, intelligent, attacking football.
I have written enough about The Walrus and his brand of football but if one wants to see the damage he can do to a club just look East of the Emirates to West Ham. A sorrier tale of a club’s traditions reneged for the sake of points will be hard to find. Sure he could keep a dreadful Sunderland team in the PL but at what cost? He is the prime example of Money over Aesthetics. Serve up “19th Century Football” (thank you Jose) and you may win points but certainly no fans and the locals will hate you for it. Keep doing it once you are secure in the billionaire playground of the Premier League and you get the spanish archer (cockney slang for El Bow”).
A man who will never get the spanish archer is our manager. Many believe Arsenal are wrong to commit so firmly to the Wenger philosophy but win, lose or draw people watch Arsenal. Why? Because in a few seconds you may see something not witnessed anywhere else in England – imagination of pass construction at a speed of thought which at times seems inhuman. OK, we do not win as much as a huge club should but in my opinion the manner of victory is more important than the victory. The only time I have considered giving up on Arsenal was in the last few Graham years – I just couldn’t stand watching them any more.
Can I get through this without mention Santi, Welbz, Little Jack, Alexis, Tommi, Arteta, Kos, Gibbo et all? Clearly not, but they cannot help us this afternoon, so who can?
Will Mr Wenger let Theo play against a team committed to hoofball or will he sacrifice Campbell? Given the big game midweek I would give TW 15 minutes .
There remains enough attacking talent to win. Concentration and strength at defensive set plays will be essential. If we go behind it will be a long climb back.
Given our recent poor form and injuries I hesitate to suggest we will win at a canter but I do think we have enough to win this
COYRRG
written by Big Raddy
Arsenal News 24/7
arsenalarsenal.net 
Lovely pre-match thank you Radish.
I have to say I’m a bit nervous about his one, is there life without Alexis? Can we cope without the Coquelin/Cazorla axis? Will Wenger risk Walcott?
Too many questions and not enough answers.
Behind the sofa this afternoon.
C’mon you GUNNERS!!!
Well done Raddy.
If Campbell plays we will be in the soup 😉
I have spoken to Simon, thanks he’s interested (coded message)
An early goal and speed are essential. Start sluggish and they will smother, kick and hoof their way to a point. Treat this game like Zagreb and we’ll be okay. Dropped points is disaster if we harbour any thoughts of a decent finish.
nice one Raddy, thank you. 🙂 I have to say I am a bit nervous. COYG. 🙂 🙂
Just finished reading the tail end of yesterday’s comments.
Very impressed with the sustenance that I will be consuming on my vicarious train journey with Chas .
Eddie, the thing you are not taking into account is the amount of calories you burn while watching, no, make that worrying about Arsenal over the course of ninety minutes.
If I have one nit pick it would be that two Snickers equivalents may have been a better call.
Right, time to read the post.
Thanks, BR.
Anything could happen today. A bit like most footy matches, I suppose.
Maybe we’ll all be pleasantly surprised. Let’s hope so, anyway.
I can confirm that Chas likes baps
Seat confusion at East Midlands Parkway with people sat in reserved seats. So far we’ve escaped with a four to ourselves. No idea how or why. https://twitter.com/fumbucker/status/673091240380997632
Oh fuck…. it’s Saturday. Matchday against fat Sam and we haven’t got 11 first team players. Behind the sofa (well today behind the bar) wearing three pairs of knickers…. just in case 🙂
Nice PM from the viking…. is it true Raddy that in Copenhagen they have an Art Museum called the ‘Kuntz’ ? Perhaps they’d exhibit some of my nudes ha ha ha
Ant’s just raided the complimentary extras with our first class ticket. Another couple of hundred calories.
Plus these calories
That should have been ‘Statens Museum for Kunst ha ha
I’m not tucked into my trousers..
Or wearing plimsolls playing the violin
ha ha ha. love the Ant n’ Duck show. 🙂
Some good stuff from Ant and Duck. 🙂 any photos of strange looking people on the train?? you know, funny shoes, nice bums…. arsenal christmas sweater tucked into trousers?
Ant n’ Duck are back 😆😆 who cares about the game?
I am tucked into my trousers
Don’t jump off the roof Dad…
You’ll make a hole in the yard
Big Raddy – thank you for another great PM! You are such a star, we can almost always rely on you to deliver, amazing man
Attilla Allardyce made me laugh 🙂 But. Allardyce gets teams out of relegation, that is why he is still 13th best paid football manager in the world. Also, he is allegedly a terrific, witty guy, I am not saying I like him, but he ain’t all bad. I suppose he plays style of footy to do the job. Perhaps if he managed a team like Arsenal he would raise to the occasion? Who knows
I hope we bury them today.
Chas’s high waister shot
ant -behave!! Take the shirt out of the trousers and lose that high up the waist belt boy! and go easy on Chas’ baps
oh no 😦
I’ve never behaved before so why start now?
True ☺
Attila Alardyce hasn’t managed a win against Arsenal since 2010.
I’m beginning to feel a little less nervous.
Where’s the camel wormer and his “amazing” tactical and physical knowledge theories?
So, Ant, who do you think is best suited to playing in the hole, today?
I’m not sure but maybe Mesut needs to be more central and therefore I can see the Ox floating around The FP and creating mayhem
Hmm, I like the sound of some Ox mayhem. The FP floats around anyway. Mesut will have his work cut out today trying to disassemble the Wes Brown/ John O’Shea partnership, do you think?
I am concerned about the cutting creativity of Lee Cattemole as he has so much vision and sees things that no-one else does.
The tucked in look really suits Ant.
Ant 👁👁👁
🙂 🙂 🙂
Context: Forth Road Bridge closed until the New Year
Hi all, a BR PM of the highest order 🙂
I’ve been lucky enough to get a ticket for today and am preparing to sing my loudest – I think the boys may need the 12th man today .
Stoke two up after twenty minutes.
It’s a big test of Ozil today to see if he can influence the game without Alexis or Cazorla around him.
Who at the game any close to section 34
Who would have predicted Stoke to be two up at half time?
well done, Rasp. 🙂 COYG. 🙂
It’s always a treat on game day when you get to read a pre-match from Raddy and get entertained by Chas and Ant during their train ride to the game.
Great looking breakfast – is it the latest recipe for a “Full English”?
TEAM NEWS: Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain start
Arsène Wenger has made two changes to his side for the game against Sunderland.
Joel Campbell and Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain were named in the starting XI in place of Alexis and Santi Cazorla.
Theo Walcott returned to the bench while Olivier Giroud retained his place up front.
Arsenal starting XI: Cech, Bellerin, Mertesacker, Koscielny, Monreal, Flamini, Ramsey, Oxlade-Chamberlain, Ozil, Campbell, Giroud
Arsenal substitutes: Ospina, Debuchy, Gibbs, Gabriel, Iwobi, Walcott, Chambers
Copyright 2015 The Arsenal Football Club plc. Permission to use quotations from this article is granted subject to appropriate credit being given to http://www.arsenal.com as the source
Stoke are playing good football Radish, they could have had four in the first half alone.
They seem to have a good mix of skill and steel in the team and they all work hard.
Maybe Sparky has something as a manager after all.
Imagine Stoke,Leicester,Spurs and Watford in the CL 😉
Thanks Erik
“Will Mr Wenger let Theo play”
Mmmm, very interesting choice of words. I wonder if players get the say, or the order
Either way, a wow scoreline for Stoke at the moment, so another great opportunity.
Really hoping The Ox performs
Come on you Gunners
ps Great pics of A’nD all tucked up 🙂
Full time Stoke win 2 – 0.
That is the team I would have chosen. Despite the crisis we can still put out a team with 9 full internationals
Who will score first Campbell or the Greek God
Oh come on Kelsey Stoke, Watford and Leicester okay but Spuds?
Erik
I would have started Theo instead of Ollie as I’m afraid I’ve come to the thinking that this game is more important than Olympiacos despite my own selfish needs 🙂
Besides, if Theo is fit, he could come off at 70mins, with Ollie then on. We know this is a winning formula, and Theo may then be actually better prepared and sharper for The Greeks anyway
Chas – what is the stream for pretendies?
what do you mean, Evonne? Chas is in the ground.
Come on Arsenal. That is 3 clear chances given to Sundrland. Thank goodness for Cech.
Same old nervous disjointed start by us Raddy.
Koscielny has been outstanding so far
20 minute of rubbish kelsey
Flamini iis having a horrible game so far.
We are a shadow of the team that we should be. Campbell is useless, Giroud is wasted in this system and Ramsey is having a mare.Surely it can’t get worse,can it ?
Any game changers on the bench.Yes, only Walcott and get the Greek God off 🙂
1 – 0 to the Arsenal
Campbell of course.I thought he was going to get his manhood out 😉
That Campbell is f*****g useless, but can score a goal now and then.
Brilliant from Ozil. What a player👋👋
Mesut with the assist.
Arnie – welcome to the 21st centuary and the age of Internet ☺
Can we forgive Campbell that celebration?
Yes Raddy, is Giroud stil on the pitch 🙂 our defence looks very iffy.
Oh fffs not again
Evonne. 🙂 I liked the celebration, a bit childish, but OK! OK, make that infantile, still OK. fiddling with his shirt 5 mins to get the device out was Wenger-esque. 🙂 🙂
The effing Greek God
Giroooud with an own goal. Priceless!
why do we always concede after scoring first?
He is a bloody liability get him off, what was he doing there in any case.
3 weeks running we have conceded just before half time.
How many OG’s have we conceded this season.
Mind you the other OG can put that down on his CV 🙂
We just can’t hold on to a 1 goal lead up to half time? Please bring Theo on for Giroud
I am speechless. We deserved to be ahead and then the ref gives a foul against Kos which was questionable. But the way the defence lined up was pathetic and it is no surprise that we have another OG.
Crap, crap defending and we clearly need a new defensive coach because the wy we defend from set plays is abysmal.
I wrote in the post that “Concentration and strength at defensive set plays will be essential” for us to win. Can’t they bloody read!!
The co-commentator is an absolute arse. We had 73% of the play in the first half yet he thinks S’land had the better of the half. Twat.
Was it mannone on the bench for SFC?
My stream must be very distorted because I thought that Sunderland deserved a goal
Giroud in the right net for a change.
Ffs Giroud is pregies, another player sidelined for several months
I take it all back well just for now,that was a really good header, Ollie.
Well the same net actually, but you know what I mean. 😀
Will he get a hattrick 🙂
Who for?
Crystals 2.44. Spooky.
Are we going to hold out for the three points?
NG has a headline.Giroud scores at both ends.;)
3 – 1, what was all he fuss about? 😀
Cannot complain. Defence a bit iffy. But Giroud scores a brace 😛 , Campbell finally scores one, Theo back, and Rambo scores one in five.
Bring on Olympiacos, and then on that high note, win all games in the Christmas period. COYG. 🙂
Up to second in the table, that was a very important three points.
of the top 4, the only one I fear is ManUre. But Leicester is in some form, it has to be said! 🙂
Hated the commentary. Just dreadful.
MotM. Either Monreal or Cech. Both excellent..
Theo and Ox clearly off the pace and need games.
My MoTM is Ozil, followed by Cech. Monreal and Bellerin made too many mistakes at the back. Our blushes were saved by Cech. IMO.
Where you all go after the game
interesting excahange between Kelsey and Raddy earlier about our “nervous start”. That was the case one year back, IMO, when we would concede within the first 20 mins. No longer. Now we concede in the second quarter. Why?
My man of the match is that poxy, Puma zip up duvet that Wenger wears when we always play like shit. Today it stayed in the cupboard and we won, but by the sound of the commentary we still played like shit.
Still who cares, we got three points and no new injuries.
What’s not to like?
Great win, Koscielny motm for me
NG
I assure you if Cech is man of the match it tells the whole story.The game could have gone either way.On chances not possession Sunderland had as many if not more than us.
The three players who had preety poor games all scored.Campbell trys but is that good enough. Bellerin has had three poor games on the trot and generally we are a shadow of a squad that we need to win the league.l
Rasp
It wasn’t a great win believe me, but the points are most welcome.
Honestly Kelsey, I haven’t nominated any player as man of the match.
I nominated that poxy, Puma zip up duvet that Wenger wears.
kelsey Whole story?? Shape up man.
We had 73% possession in the first half and 83% in the second. We created chance after chance with Ramsey missing at least 3.
It is true that Cech made some fine saves from breakaways.
I made Monreal MotM because he was always available to attack from the left. But if I am honest the best player on the pitch by a country mile was Ozil
p.s. Is a country mile longer than a city mile?
Did yhou watch, no I think you said you listened.cech literally kept us in the game at 1-1
Just seen on BBC that Hazard has not scored for 24 games yet he is playing CF for Chavs today!
Only if you live in the country, Raddy.
I can’t shape up, too many bits missing 🙂 its not about possession it’s real chances and we could have lost if it wasn’t for Cech.
Kelsey. 9:49
John has a long moustache.
Glad to know Raddy you agree with me. just occasionally. 😛
kelsey says:
December 5, 2015 at 3:28 pm
We are a shadow of the team that we should be. Campbell is useless, Giroud is wasted in this system and Ramsey is having a mare.Surely it can’t get worse,can it ?
………………………………………………………………………………………
Kelsey, I think your crystal ball must have been a bit cloudy today.
🙂 🙂 🙂
Hi Kelsey, I was at the game and do believe it was a great win in light of the number of top names missing. Having said that, we certainly missed Alexis but coped reasonably well without Cazorla.
Well I saw a team that is missing some of the best players in the world.
I would like to make some points –
1) Those playing gave it 100% and none of them deserve to be criticized for not being good as good as their injured counterparts.
2) I would like the critics to name any other (available) players anywhere who could step in and be as good as either Santi or Alexis.
3) How do you expect the replacement players to hone there skills without competitive game time?
I fully expect to be ignored!!!
Gn5.6.06. Right on the money
Fair points, GN5. 🙂 Now, that does not mean I am not ignoring you. 😛
GN5 😀Ant and Duck back after 33 pints.
I’ll not ignore you GN5.
You ask how replacement players are to hone their skills without competitive game time.
Perhaps you should ask why Wenger doesn’t give them the opportunity to get that game time by rotating his team selection instead of running his first choice players into the ground.
Giroud does it again..
Magnificent win. Pissed it from the kick off to the final whistle.
Anyone who says otherwise is a doomer of epic proprtions.
Haha, only kidding, we spawned it, mostly down to a glorious finish from our very own FP.
Rotate needed.. My arse!
Glad I wore my lucky high waisters
Very pleased that Ramsey finally found the back of the net. I know he missed a few chances but he was making the runs and getting into those positions again as he was when he had that fine run of form in 2013. I confidently predict he will score against Olympiacos if picked.
It’s always a treat on game day when you get to read a pre-match from Raddy and get entertained by Chas and Ant during their train ride to the game.
Great looking breakfast – is it the latest recipe for a “Full English”?
Best comment of the day from GN5
Rasp is our new lucky mascot
JC confirmed today that at 90 years of age he has only been over the speed limit once and he got nicked for overtaking a milk float
Even with the injuries I expect us to beat the likes of Sunderland at home….we won a must win game against a 4th from bottom team !….a 4th winless EPL game on the trot would have been inexcusable…. no medals !…..just much needed points !.
Look at it this way, if Ant and Duck injure their favoured pint holding hands on a train to the Ems, do we not expect them to compromise and still get rat arsed by any means available ?…..they are professionals !……..take note Arsenal !.
gN5 it is Gazza’s version of a full English
LE Coq yes we won and got rat arsed.. Happy days
nice to be going back victorious 🙂 merry without chemicals??
Sorry Rasp, you were supposed to be the 12th man! pssshhhh I did not hear you once
chas – if you think ours wasn’t a great performance you should watch chavs now….zzzzz what a terrible, terrible game
ant – snap !!
Have you ever played mouses mousetrap Eddie?
Should have been mousey mousey! Lol
Only kidding, Eddie.
With a depleted squad we did the business.
Again the ref let them get away with repeated fouls on breakaways with no bookings.
Do you Vine boys wear hidden flasks in the Ems ?.
Nice behind the sofa was it?
Eddie you must have heard me, I was singing Waltzing Matilda all the way through the game 🙂
Ant, Chas – 33 pints? all I can imagine is that you both inserted extra large catheters bags. 🙂 🙂 🙂
I wonder if Eddie would mind to share her flask at a game !
I’m glad to read that you enjoyed the game Rasp, and that it’s put you into a positive frame of mind.
No…It would soon get too warm and spoilt
Hi GN5, I think we got all the decisions correct today and the prize for in a good performance. So yes, that makes me happy 🙂
Frankly I was a nervous wreck for the last 20 minutes or so, but I was thrilled to see Aaron score the safety goal.
Not if you stuck a mini fridge down your Y-Fronts as well !……………..actually !….one of you could have a mini vending machine down there too !…..snickers in your knickers !
Yes, I think Ramsey may have turned the corner today, I expected to kick on from here and start scoring more frequently
I agree Rasp and it was also fantastic to see Gibbs, Ramsey, Kos, Walcott and Oxlaide back out playing.
We should see a few more back in a couple of weeks but it will be too late to save us from the indignity of the Europa League.
Young Ant in training to be a proper Gooner away supporter !……Just needs to find a Retro shirt for cover !
nope, I didn’t hear you rasp
nope, I never play games, I am a very bad loser
nope, we were poor, especially Ox and Ollie, and Campbell
yes, it was nice and cozy behind the sofa
ha ha ha ha, chavs missed a sitter, 3 of them had fallen over 🙂
Eddie, Come on now don’t be so down – we won and our 2nd stringers got a much needed run out.
You’d love mousey mousey Eddie!
Bournemouth winnig 🙂
Your are watching a relegation clash Eddie.
This is turning into a very good day, Chelsea losing one nil
GN5 – no, Bournemouth played well and the keeper Boruc is in form
Chaos lose at home again.
ant – who do you take me for???? my granddaughter plays more serious games than that
Chavs.
We maybe a bit biased but well played Bournemouth 🙂
Wow. Both Oilers lost. Nice.
Bournemouth out of the relegation zone, just, and deservedly so.
Watford and B’mouth play proper football and deserve to stay up. Whether they can do so only time will tell.
We are definitely biased Kelsey.
It made my day even better just watching Mourinho pacing the sideline HO HO HO………..Christmas just came early.
Mousey mousey is a game of skill and fast reactions and Khazakstan have applied to the Olympic Commmitte to make it an Olympic event. May be so in 8 years time.
surely Mourinho has to go now. The players were not bothere, their faces told the story. Jose is finishe, xmas in sunny Portugal never to be seen in this country again, please Santi
I’ve heard that Mourinho likes mousey mousey
Mousey mousey is best in a dark room with prizes of vodka shots
Eddie. If you had your way no manager would last survive 3 defeats 🙂
Tell me who you think is a good manager?
Klopp? The man who took BD from a CL Final to almost being relegated in just one season?
The unproven Martinez.
Ranieri? People laughed when he got the Leicester job
So who tickles your fancy?
Raddy – I told you before – Mauricio Pottechino
Ant – I do not play games, any. ever. end off.
Pottechino’s (love that version) mother is a whore………..
Anthony – have you been drinking?!
Does the Pope have a balcony?
Hi all
Just heard that Sir A is writing us a match report so no nagging from me 😃😃😃
well done Rasp, I heard you singing “Hey Jude”! 🙂
well done, Ant n’ Duck, you deserved the 33! 🙂
Norfolk. 🙂
I have written a match report which I shall put in drafts.
Write when we’re winning, you only write when we’re winning.
Errr, yep, c’est moi.
Oh my goodness I have just seen that Chelsea score, they really are the gift that just keeps giving.
double bill tomorrow. brilliant. 🙂 hope the storm ceases up a bit. scary. 🙂
Oh goodie, we’ve got a treat tomorrow, not one but two match reports.
Can’t have too much of a good thing. 😀
Oops sorry. I am going to put mine up now so we have something to read first think in the morning before Sir A’s comes up. I hope that is alright.
perfect by me, LB. 🙂
just in case anyone is stuck on the old page:
LB’s MATCH REPORT IS UP NICE AND EARLY. 🙂
A good days results, what a difference a week makes.
We win others lose/draw we are second again. Onwards and upwards.
LB?
Apparently City only have 13/14 fit players, as they have Aguero, Toure, Nasri, Kompany and Zabaleta out…….altogether now…..Only 5 players out and you’re weak? And you spend all that money? And you pay those high wages? And you can’t have a squad of 25 like for like players……oh diddums….what terrible management.
Apparently VanGaal reckons United would score loads if they had Siluarez or Aguero up front? Wait you signed all these great young players for millions and millions, the best teenager in the world….well he must be for £30, and the highest paid centre forward, and you released DiMaria and Friends because of their wages and demands to pay…..ah diddums.
And Chavs didn’t get a penalty and didn’t get an offside call and no one cares…..ah diddums.