There is a chance we may have an exciting team taking the field in red and white. The BBC are expecting Tommy Rosicky to get a kick!
I recall speaking to Kelsey about Tomas a few years ago and we both agreed his time as a PL player was over, yet here he is making a Lazarus-like resurrection (somewhat appropriate with Lent around the corner). I am delighted. Top bloke, top player and a man whom, if he lasts a few games, will add much to our run in.
There is another rumour … apparently someone purporting to be Danny Welbeck is in training and could be available for selection. Now this I cannot believe. I am easily led and extraordinarily gullible but this is a step too far.
And Coquelin!! The boss said 6 weeks and here is Le Coq back within AW’s 6 week time frame which as everyone knows is 3 months in human time. Do you think that AW lives in a different time dimension to us? He is a remarkable man and who knows, perhaps he is not of this earth? An alien. This may explain his eyesight problems, his lack of understanding the need for a 40 goal a season striker and his strange sense of time.
Mr. Wenger’s Father (and Mother)
Our opponents: I have written of Burnley in the past, of my affection for a proper old fashioned club, of Bob Lord, of claret and blue. Of Hovis adverts, coal mining and cotton. In my research about Burnley F.C I discovered they had once been managed by a chap named Albert Pickles. Fair play to them.
Burnley are a decent team who will cause us problems but hopefully not too many. They sit a handy 3rd in the Championship and could easily face us in the PL next season. No mugs and in Sean Dyche have one of the best young managers around. We have won our last 5 FA Cup games against them with an aggregate score of 16-1.
Another exciting prospect for Gooners is the almost certain first appearance of Elneny, our first Egyptian player to play in the first team (Rami Shabaan had Egyptian parents and we had a chap called Fathy who played a couple of reserve games in 2004). I have a good feeling about this bloke.
I would like to see Theo given a start at CF today and OG on the bench. The big man needs a break and Theo is more likely to score and gain some confidence at home against C’ship opposition. The same can be said of The Ox who will surely be given Ramsey’s role again.
Another chap I would like to see rested is Koscielny. The man has become a masterful CB but like many could use a break, this would allow us to see our future CB pairing – GAbriel and Chambers. The more practice they have together the better the chances of them becoming a solid partnership.
Gibbs ahead of Monreal and Bellerin on the other flank thanks to our lack of a back-up LB. And Ospina in goal (if fit).
Sanchez, Walcott and Campbell up top with perhaps Ozil behind depending upon how his foot/leg has responded to treatment.
There is a chance we could win a hatrick of FA Cups. History making. Mr. Wenger deserves it. He could be the manager who went through a season unbetaen and one who won 3 on the trot.
Let it be so…
COYRRG
Arsenal News 24/7
Excellent, BR.
Arsene does appear to be from another planet sometimes. 🙂
I always put it down to me be being so far below him intelligence-wise.
These games are always ‘hiding to nothing’ games.
Win, and everyone says, well we should have.
Lose, and kelsey sharpens his divining rods. 🙂
I have a feeling Iwobi and Jeff might get some pitch time, too. Looking forward to it.
Thanks.
Great report Raddy. If only Mr Wenger would use his contacts and pull some strings then by tonight Lewandowski, Cavani or Aubemayeng could see a strange light in the sky, mysteriously disappear for 1 week only to turn up at a place called London Colney insisting this is where I belong.
That was a really, really good one Erik, thank you.
I completely agree with your idea of picking our strongest possible attack ( 🙂 ), then once we’ve put the minnows firmly in their place, I agree with Chas that we can bring on Jeff and Iwobi to take the piss.
It’s also hard to disagree with your “other worldy” view of Arsene, for he certainly speaks in a tongue from an unknown land,
Mmmm, some missing from that comment 😦
Nice to see Beardy back earlier
Oh yes, just remembered what I was saying
Me also looking forward to seeing Elneny. Does he have a first name, apart from “The”?
Got it. Mo 🙂
chas, behave: i make it a 60/40 game Raddy
The inbreds are babg in form
AW confirmed Gibbs and ospina start.
I don’t go along with “a cup keeper”. Cech has been our most consistent player these past few games and can bollox the defence,Ospina is so small he can’t even see them.
I would like to seee Gab and the Egyptian together, drop Walcott and let Flamini continue his CF role 😉
You never know which Arsenal will turn up so I just don’t get too excited about the whole thing, just sit back with 6 packets of crisps and half a dozen lagers and a big packet of chocolate buttons at half time, then start allover again in the second half, usually behind the sofa.
Apparently Burnley score a lot of goals from set plays, so we have to watch out for those. Will Ospina start? I doubt it. I think his Arsenal days are essentially over. Next season either Szczesny or Martinez are going to come back to be the backup keeper and Ospina will go somewhere in Spain.
Pickles & Dyche would be a great name for either an old school buddy cop show, or a porno.
Looking forward to seeing Elneny, and indeed who he partners in midfield. Is Coquelin back? I hope to see Iwobi and Jeff get some game time too. Maybe score a goal.
Though I would prefer goals for Walcott and Ox over those two. They both need the confidence.
The cop bit I get but my god Shard, pickles and dyche? What types of pornos do you watch? Are you sure this is not Terry masquerading as Shard?
Sadly, nothing in life is as it seems – that famous Hovis ad ‘oop North’ was actually filmed in Shaftesbury, Dorset. Let’s hope that Elneny is a genius, Le Coq comes back even stronger and we win 4-0. Maybe then, the record cup holders will be shown live?
GB,
I think you need to break the news to our man Shard that Dyche is pronounced like dike and not dick — anyway, have you never put pickles on your dyche? 😀
Superior quality Post, Raddish, written as only you can. 🙂
Ooh, and a late good morning to one and all. 🙂
I just saw the photo’ of AW with the new Nigerian lads who are about to sign for us, and also in the pic was Kanu.
I knew, of course, that Kanu, apart from being magically skilful, was also tall, but he must have put on about 5 stone since he played for us. Looks quite a lot like me vertically and horizontally actually 🙂
Lovely curtain raiser, Raddy. 🙂 COYG. 🙂
Cannot complain with Ospina starting. But with Giro not starting, where will the goal(s) come from? hmmm.
Non-PC warning. Is dyke more respectable than dick? maybe, but only just. 😛 https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dyke_%28slang%29
The politically correct dyke I was referring to Arnie ( and hello to you 🙂 ) was one where you can stick your finger in, like the little Dutch boy Hans Brinker.
To be absolutely clear – he stuck his finger in the dyke to save Holland from flooding. A hero! 🙂
Dick? Well there are so many dicks in football they can’t all be political, can they? 🙂
Arnie, you do have a professorially political take on things. 🙂
Redders. 🙂
I’d love to see a Gabriel-Kolscieny pair at CB and LeCoq-Elneny pair in midfield. Just a dress rehearsal for the Barca game coming up later in February.
I meant it to sound like dyke :p
What a delightfully off the wall PM, thanks Raddy.
We can’t have too many debutants. I agree give Ollie a rest for Tuesday. I think I’d rather start with Iwobi or Jeff and bring Tomas on as a sub.
We mustn’t underestimate Burnley, they will be full of energy and endeavour. Elneny to start and Coquelin on the bench I’m guessing.
nice thought, broodyjoe. 🙂
Just to let you know that a certain cretin known as “Joseph Barton” is playing.expect a sending off from somewhere.you have been warned….
Arnie
“But with Giro not starting, where will the goal(s) come from?”
Fear not my bearded academical chum, absolutely anyone who hangs around long enough in front of Mesut WILL score 🙂
Uwot
Yuk, very nasty thought
Here I am, desperate for a quick kip, and just hanging around for team news. Cannot possibly relax until then.
So, being bored, I’ve been googling.
Nepal U19’s beat Ireland U19’s at cricket. Hooray
I’m in the pub avec Vines, you lot are letting us down – where’s the team news? 🙂
I’m bloody well looking you layabouts 🙂
Pinched off another site, but not on AFC dot com yet
Ospina, Chambers, Gabriel, Koscielny, Gibbs, Coquelin, Elneny, Iwobi, Oxlade-Chamberlain, Alexis, Giroud
The team is on the net!!! Elneny and Coquelin both starting
Rasp
The official site says Puma are launching Evopower 1.3 if that helps?
Is he a striker is what I want to know
Wot bloody net and who are the subs? 🙄
😆 Micky. This is very poor, I expect one of you to put the team up as soon as 🙂
Iwobi is also starting with Ospiller in goal
Have you got the team or shall I find it for you?
I’ve just read down, you’ve already put the team up. It’s hard to concentrate in a noisy Irish pub 🙂
Still looking
It does say the score is still 0-0 if that helps
Jesus Christ Fenton!!!
13Ospina
21Chambers
5Gabriel
6Koscielny
3Gibbs
34Coquelin
35Elneny
45Iwobi
15Oxlade-Chamberlain
17Sánchez
12Giroud
Substitutes
7Rosicky
8Arteta
14Walcott
18Monreal
24Bellerín
28Campbell
33Cech
Excited by Iwobi and and Elneny
Mesut? I thought he had a fake injury the other day 😦
Never ever leave me in charge at head office again
Simply not the right man for the job
channel 11 micky
no, channel 13,sorry
Thanks Crystals
I’ve been struggling to find that as well 🙄
Micky. 🙂
COYG.
Ospina started well
well 10 minutes gone and still 11-11 we can only improve.Notice Burnley are sponsored by Sofa.
I would like a bit more urgency in our game,a bit lacklustre so far, eh chas 😉
Chambers my hero (cough)
Elneny is playing the Ramsey role, box to box. Iwobi is an Arsenal player, keeps it simple and moves the ball on quickly, I’m impressed with him.
hmmm. poor defending
Coquelin is clearly not match fit
A few players not playing too well.
Sanchez is a magician. Brilliant to watch.
We need more from midfield.
Loving Elneny and Iwobi
That’s funny Raddy 🙂 from where I’m sitting (upper tier) Sanchez is holding onto the ball too long and Iwobi and Elneny have been very good 🙂 Who was the defender who was out-jumped for their goal?
Not sure why we’re giving Burnley so much time on the ball. Hope Theo comes on for the second half there’s loads of space for him to run onto balls.
Sadly we’re playing the wrong way now, shooting at the Clock End 😦
Yes, we’re not working hard enough to win the ball back, we need to press higher up the pitch.
Nice to see Arnie back, hope you had a good trip.
Just me and Rasp then, you’re all getting more crisps and beer 🙂
Nah, they’re hiding behind sofas I reckon 🙂
Chambers didn’t jump for the Burnley goal. Our fluency has gone, our build up play is far too slow and The Ox couldn’t hit a arn door.
Regardless who is playing we are not entertaining as we used to be,though with Ozil not playing we realise how much he pulls the strings.
I can’t really pin it down but defensively we are often just hoofing the ball away,not our style at all.
barn not arn 😉
peaches 😉
great move and great goal from the kid who couldn’t hit a barn door
yes, Peaches, I’m back. 🙂
enjoying watching Elneny and Iwobi as well. 🙂
oh no, it was Sanchez they look so much alike 🙂
very quiet at the Emirates. its hard to belive it’s the same nation that produced the Beatles, Wham and Take That
Not sure Arteta is the man to bring on?
What I find very disappointing is that, as I understand it, Ant and that sneaky Duck have gone to the Emirates without giving us a glimpse of their trip.
Rasper, you make it sound as if we are clinging on, and if so, that is not good news, as we only know one way to play, and it is not clinging on.
Kelsey,
Are you scrying your ball, or are you watching a hooky stream, either way you either need a new ball or a better stream.
A beautiful ball to Alexis by the Ox and Bob’s your auntie – you’ll never notice – like you never noticed the Ox goal, that never was! 🙂
Redders, we are not clinging on, but we are not pressing them hard enough, we’re giving them too much space.
Elneny has covered every blade of grass.
Elneny motm – or should it be Iwobi? 🙂
Thanx, Rasper. 🙂
RA
I said it was a very well worked goal.Good win but not one that will live in the memory for long.
El Ninny had more shots than anyone.
Walcott yet again one on one with the entire Burnley outfield still in our half, mucks up what amounted to an easy chance,mind you he is on onl 140K a week and is still learning as he starts our 11th year with us.
🙂 🙂 🙂
Just kidding, Kelsey, but don’t get me going on Theo, I have not seen the game, obviously, but why am I not surprised,
[Don’t tell GB, he will go on forever saying Theo has never been given a chance over the last 10 years!!] 😀
Result 10 out of 10
Performance 7 out of 10
Entertainment 6 out of 10
Kid that played Iwobi 8 out of 10
Aye, Aye, Arnie is happy! 🙂
A win for Exile seniors to enjoy at the ground. Not pleasant watching on text update, although a win with the mixed bag of a team on the pitch all good….valuable rehab time for Alexis and Coq….and a nice game for Elneny to get an idea of English pace.
Sanchez superb, but loved Iwobi’s performance. He’s only 19!
Definitely liked the look of Mo 🙂 Moves around an awful lot, and very quickly too. Thought he kept things simple and tidy. Encouraging start.
I did have a cheeky kip at half time, which spilt over into the second half and missed the Sanchez goal. That’ll learn me 😦
Elneny moved around loads and didn’t look like a midget. Good start.
Arsene has a headache, what to do with Iwobi? After a performance like that you’d want to play him every game. His close control, movement and crisp passing was excellent 🙂
Was it all the moving around that woke you up?
Yes Chas
A sensation that you will understand well, is that footballers shorts are made of plastic, and the ones that move about quickly create sparks, and sparks making a short, sharp, snapping sound
I didn’t get Elneny. Where was he playing? The man seemed to be given licence to just run about and get involved. Is he is a Flamini replacement or more of a Rosicky?
The bloke had a decent first game whatever his role.
But I have to talk about the elephant in the room. The FP. What is wrong with the man. Every time he got on the ball he tried a backheel without looking to see where his partner was. It worked once. His play was just infuriating and a proper CF would have scored a hatrick whereas OG didn’t even have an attempt on goal.
And then there is Theo. The man has lost his mojol. When he missed the sitter in the final minutes Elneny was just to his right with an open goal in front of him but Walcott chose to try and round the GK. Crap play from a man who should be riding the pine for the foreseeable future.
AW has 24+ hours to buy a proper striker
Redders. Not with the game so much, but happy with the result. Agree that El Nino and Iwobi were the positives.
Onwards and upards. 🙂
Anyone want to write a report for tomorrow’s post?
Arnie. Good to see you back from your travels
Rasp
Could Iwobi play wide right
Peaches
Before all our keybrds cnk out bcse f splt bvril nd sht, mybe wait for LB nd se if his is wrkin 🙂
Raddy. I found it very strange as well. It seemed to me that he was playing left of centre. Very strange.
I’m fine if it takes a big game to get him moving. Barca away?
Thanks, Raddy, glad to be back. Winds and snow notwithstanding. 🙂
It was nice meeting Shard in Delhi, and both of us refusing to discuss the game. You know which one! 😦
oh that one
😆 Micky. Actually Iwobi played right across the pitch. I see him as a playmaker in time. He just knitted things together for us today and looked to have an understanding with Elneny more than Coquelin
Not impressed with the pundits on BT sport for the pool / wham game: Owen – boring, David James – thick, and ‘Arry – bent and twitchy!
My main concern is that kos is not playing to his usual high standard and that has been noticeable for a number of games.
My main concern is that we are incapable of putting teams away. Gone are the days when if we scored we won. Even Burnley come back at us.
AW has some tough decisions to make because we concede too easily from crosses.
I got the impression Mo El would have been a little surprised at the physical side. Once he realizes you can push and shove a little more in the prem I think we may have a good player.
Erik
I really don’t like to keep having a go at Ollie, but he really was awful.
Spot on Erik
We simply can’t bury teams and put the result to bed.
Crystals
Just acknowledging your presence. You know, being alive, having hair, wearing shades and the like 🙂
Cmon lads, we only had 4 first XI players on the pitch, one who hadn’t played since November and one just finding some fitness. What exactly did you expect?
BTW today was my final Bowie themed post (not that many got it)
Peaches, I have it.
But Chas Mobile,
We’ve bigging up players left right and center. Crystals had a go at Kos but we ignored him, which only leaves Erik and I having a go at Ollie, and that’s ok. 🙂
Three cheers for LB
Hick hick hooray
I thought Elneny was ok, give him a decent haircut and he will fit in nicely. I thought he was trying too hard, stressing out a bit.
My main concern is that we concede more than one goal on average per game. Which means we have to score two to win. Ollie scores one goal on average every 90 mins, and somehow we are left scraping the bottom for another one.
If we could be tighter at the back, it would be nice. Alas!
No Raddy, I didn’t get the Bowie theme at all. Oh yeah, he did have a stage of his career when it was all about space, Major tom to cruise control and alliens. Of course 🙂
I like you like Burnley and secretely, shhhh don’t tell anyone, was hoping that Eddie Gray would score against his childhood club that didn’t want him
Arnie
I reckon the return of Coquelin will rectify our defensive weakness enormously. As for the other end, not enough goals from the right, or left without Sanchez, or the deeper mid.
Oh, no, disappointment and pleasure assails my senses — disappointment because I was going to do a Kelsey and offer to write a match report – even tho I did not see the game, but now LB is going to do it – and hence the pleasure – he writes so well! 😀
Raddy,
For what it is worth it also bugs me that Giro, who is OK when he puts his mind to things, can drive one wild with frustration when he does his rather dopey flics and flacs and pointless back heels.
On Theo – no comment.
You are not alone in the universe, oh, great tourist guide! 😀
Micky. You could be right. Let us see. 🙂
My stream was quite restrictive in terms of making sense of the game, but those Giroud back heels. I felt they were more often a case of his teammates letting him down than Giroud being wasteful. They were mostly in a nice spot, and where Ozil would usually be.
Shard. I would love to be convinced by you but sadly I am not.
It is not OG’s job to do backheels, his job is to hold the ball until the cavalry arrive or to drive at goal. He did neither
Excellent news LB, thank you 🙂
Raddy, dont agree fully. Backheels produce goals, like the Sanchez goal today. Or that goal by Jack. Yes, that one! 🙂
However, I take the point that the primary job of a CF is to get into scoring positions. Which Giro did not do enough today. Nevertheless, the one time he did so, he took with him two defenders within the box, leaving it free for Sanchez to score.
Dont believe me? Just look at the video. Just my tuppence. 😛
But Micky
I was responding to the ‘we can’t hold on to a lead’ comments when we’d changed 4 of the 5 regular defenders.
But Chas Mobile
Oh…I see 🙂
Anyway, bottom line is, we’re in the top hat on monday
Will take that all day!
2 key developments against a very good Burnley squad:
possession almost 70% and 23 shots taken with 8 against.
Exactly the numbers I hope for the rest of the season.
Arnie spot on…..that’s the one thing I noticed about Alexis’s goal, the flick from OG in the build up to move ball quickly to Iwobi, then the run that left that gaping hole that Alexis could be picked out in. Was avoid run by Alexis too as he filled the space left by OGrather than heading towards goal as a less aware winger would have done.
A word for Iwobi too, anyone who plays with his socks that far down his shins understands style 🙂
Shhhhh, can you keep the noise down in here, I’m trying to read about Labradors.
Oh ok I give up
The heads in barrels. Tried cheating. No luck. What are they up to?
I’d say packing pilchards but can’t see any of the slippery fellows
Morning All,
Micky. Go black – you’ll never go back.
6.26. Spurs fans equivalent of LB’s sofa
Erik
Should be off to see one today. Black he is too. Or she. 3 yrs old.
Love the facial furniture in 6.26 pt1
ha ha
I love the balloon one. One posh bloke. One potty inventor. Two oiks to chuck over the side he you need more height. Or shoot if you’re hungry 🙂
Preparing herring barrels with salt apparently.
Grand-daughter slept over last night. I was relegated to sleeping in the living room and the little sweetheart woke me up at 6 😀
Deep Joy
Oiks 😀
Brother plus his hound called Brady
Great pic of Bro
Great name too 🙂
Herrings eh. I was close.
Aren’t black labs generally considered mad as a box of frogs?
Yep.
Or so he says. 🙂
Exile
Mmm, didn’t know that. Mind you, we’re after a recue one, so won’t be too picky. Just stated age preference between one and four, and don’t like the chocolate ones. Yellow or black.
Apparently they stop behaving like pups at 3 to 4.
THAT piece of information Chas, will remain strictly between us. Mrs D stimulated no puppy eating everything, hence the age. Guess we just get the beast back here, then it’s too late.
Ok, so she stimulated an idea 🙄
What fun is a dog that is just well behaved all the time?
chas. Lovely pic of your bro.
Erik
That Bro always wears a ’71 home whenever I’ve seen him, and like the reformed Exile boys, it’s the only time I look at a shirt and think Mmmm
the name micky, it is all in the name
Shirley (after Shirley Valentine) mad as a box of frogs ( 🙂 ), Romeo a sex maniac and Bambi a sweetie. Brady would be a handful
mind you, at 3yo the dog will already have a character. You will have to work around it 🙂
How much do you want to bet that Mrs D will fall in love with the pooch?
motning all, warm afterglow. 🙂
my fav. Basenji, 🙂
Bet the dog gets called something silly like Hillman Imp or Great Northern
how about Eboue?
Great Northern??!! OMG, would any dog come back when called that?
It has to be an Arsenal name without being too obvious or Mrs D might object. Dennis?
Morning Arnie.
Lovely sunny morning here. Must be time for a walk in the woods
Eboue is a fine idea. I have decided that if I am blessed with any more children they will be named Eboue
raddy – no chance then 🙂
City and Totts had a ball yesterday 😦
damp here, but the snow has stopped.
Chelsea bid for Sanchez? ha ha ha ha
GIe you obviously know nothing about Labradors regardless of colour >)
Can’t be arsed to talk about the game yotally uninspiring except for the win,
The draw is tonight micky we are No 3 and will play 5 or 6 at Home.
No new signings except the soon to be 36 Rosicky.
Our general play is sloppy and even id the W,s return that still makes our defence totally suspect.
Iwobi was good and composed but let’s jusge him on more than one game.
We are nowhere as good as we were 2 months ago and that’s rather sad.
Prove me wrong AW and I will be delighted.
Giroud and Walcott again disappoint and the ox needs a loan or even sell him,he is the biggest disappointment of the younger players we have bought in recent years.
Kos is also having a bad patch and he is usually our rock.
Lack of confidence or taining technique or a combination of both but above all no real leadership.Teams like burnley should have been buried but time and time again we shoot ourselves in the foot and pray someone will get us out of a mess we created ourselves.,
Sanchez was a class of his own , then add Ozil into the mix
add two more players of that calibre with a physical presence not the aging Artata and flamini and then we are a force to be reckoned with.This really is a spoilt opportunity which might not happen next season.
Too many fans don’t want to know the truth and see ehat they want to see.This team could be so good.
come on Murray, make a fight of this!
He’s outclassed, Arnie – a bit like Burnley were.
Morning all
Just .looking for some pics for LB’s excellent post ………………… back in a bit
I have always been an admirer of your match insights Kelsey and I agree with most of what you say especially the use of the word “composure” to go alongside Iwobi, I have written today’s report and that certainly is a word I would have used had it come to mind at the time.
I agree with your views on Giroud, Walcott, Koscielny, Ox and Sanchez but the twinge of sadness as you rightly point out that we are not playing as well as we were two months ago should surely be coupled with the fact that two months ago we had both Ozil and Sanchez fit and playing. The optimism for me is that they will both be playing again together on Tuesday don’t you share that?
yes, Chas. sad. always the bridesmaid, never …. 😦
Just heard (love him or hate him) Terry Wogan has died after a short battle with cancer.He was 77. Links in with the Eorovision I just mentioned . R.I.P.
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Thanks LB, but wren’t we just a bit too dependent on them especially when things go wrong that’s why an addition of two other world class players and we have the money might have been prudent back in the Summer.
New Post everyone ……………
………. I couldn’t find any pics of Alex Iwobi ……….
Sorry kelsey and LB to break up your chat