It starts.
What an interesting couple of games to get us going – especially with our injury situation. Two teams beginning with L. No idea what our record is agains teams beginning with different letters of the alphabet but I know we do well against T teams.
Strangely last season Liverpool struggled upfront despite having Origi, Benteke, Ings, Sturridge and Balotelli :-D. This is a massive investment into centre forwards but Klopp is so unsure about his attack that he has spent another bucket of money on the potentially excellent Mane (who would have fitted well into our squad).
I noticed that they have signed an ex-Gooner in Alex Manninger. A pleasant and unexpected addition to Alex’s pension fund.
If you look at Liverpool’s squad they are very strong in all positions, especially midfield. Klopp has strengthened an already promising team and in Coutinho they have a player who is almost Ozil-esque … almost.
But despite having a manager we coveted, a team which cost way more than AFC’s and a huge fanbase, they have consistently failed to get amongst the Big Boys. Why? In all honesty I do not know and more to the point I don’t care; this is an Arsenal blog!
So, what of our boys? Well, the Boyo is likely to start following his heroics in the Euro’s, so is our new boy, Xhaka, who is likely to have a major influence upon our season should he stay fit and strong.
Injury problems in defence will surely result in us playing with two DM’s to assist the youngsters. It will be interesting to see whether Coquelin or Elneny starts alongside our the Swiss chap. Midfield is going to be fascinating as we progress through to Xmas we have Cazorla, Ramsey, Iwobi, Wilshere, Ox and Ozil all vying for the attacking MF position.
My Team:
Cech
Bellerin Holding Chambers Monreal
Xhaka Coquelin
Ramsey
Ox Walcott Sanchez
It hurts to leave out Santi – he is such a wonderful player and perhaps he will take Ox or Ramsey’s place, more likely he will be a super-sub. Iwobi is a Wenger favourite, and rightly so, but I just cannot find a place for him although an alternative could be to play Ramsey on the left in place of Ox with Iwobi on the right of midfield
Walcott has to lead the line; he is a confidence player and should he score a goal we will benefit.My fear is that the Emirates faithful will scapegoat him should he endure a poor half and then we know that Theo will hide. Alongside Ox, Sanchez and Rambo we should have enough.
I don’t think we can judge how the season will unfurl from this afternoon – we lost to Villa a couple of season’s ago and our record over the past 5 seasons is W1 D3 L1, not too dusty.
A win today would be terrific, the bookies have us at 55% likely to win and Liverpool just 33% (the remainder is the draw).
Come On You Rip Roaring Gunners
written by Big Raddy
Arsenal News 24/7
arsenalarsenal.net 
Wonderful pre-match to get us started Raddy, thank you.
Personally I think Santi has to play but that means shoe-horning others into different positions and I think our team needs to know how to play as a team rather than a group of talented individuals. Arsene has a problem ……… same old same old 😉
Looking to Oxchambo and Theo to stamp some spirit and authority on their positions.
I’ll be at the Emirates, so by 4pm I’ll just be wanting a great game and for us to win of course 🙂
And they’re off!
https://twitter.com/fumbunker/status/764756490142027776
Chas and I have become teetotal for this season..
That’s a golfing term Eddie.
Cheers, BR, great to have you back with another fine pre-match.
Even with a few players still working off the summer burgers and paella, we still have plenty of options.
I fancy Cazorla but that’s another matter entirely.
One thing’s for sure, we’ll have a fine day out in London. 🙂
Thanks for that BR
There is plenty to think about and what rises to the top for me is the amount of options we have regarding who will and who won’t start.
On Theo, although he is the pantomime villain on the blogsphere I don’t think that that carries over into the Emirates; he seems to be liked and I expect him to get a good reception, although, I don’t expect him to start.
I also don’t expect Xhaka to start either, I anticipate that Wenger will do everything he can to protect the central defenders and that is Coquelin and Elneny
I think Cazorla is the fittest of the attacking midfielders and as such I expect him to start over Ramsey. And again Iwobi is a favorite and rightly so as you say and as such I expect him to start.
And so the starting line up that I expect Wenger will go for is this:
——————-Czech
Bellerin, Holding, Chambers, Monreal
———-Elneny—— Coquelin
Ox—————Cazorla………….Iwobi
——————Sanchez
I enjoyed writing that comment.
https://twitter.com/antvines/status/764764701507121152
https://twitter.com/fumbunker/status/764764717869129728
Agree mostly about the team LB.. But I think Ramsey will play at 10 with Santi on the wing to use his pace.
Happy Birthday, LB.
I hope you get everything you wish for, especially the 3 points. 😉
And cut this crap about Olly Mickey, he is a skilful world class striker
Ant
I think Santi might be wide after a summer of paella and patatas bravas, but playing wide – not a snowball’s.
That looks an excellent team LB..very excited
Where’s the Polish assassin?
https://twitter.com/fumbunker/status/764767524479176704
And Bounds Green
With TMHT
Ant
Eddie has a termination contract to fulfill on Marmite DJ before coming on here.
The last time I looked Eddie’s termination contract list was over a hundred..
Terry
Everyone used to wear donkey jackets and their old school scarfs like that. I’m quite offended by your ‘unemployed actor’ comment. 🙂
https://twitter.com/antvines/status/764770755687149568
I miss the Scottish bearded one
And where’s RA?
I’m back in Blighty – bugger I could have made the game 😦
So we haven’t signed a world class CB, who can get straight off the plane, put his kit on and play today? 😆
Yes we have their names are Chambers and Holding
Rasp
Were you in Vigo or Baiona or both?
He was in Balsall Heath.
Hi, LB, we could see Vigo from our mooring in Combara. It was great fun but we were shrouded in a mist which I believe is common to the area, also there were forest fires and the smoke was also rolling down the hillsides. It’s a lovely spot and the food and the locals were great.
Have I said something to upset you and? 🙂
Cheers BR, ‘Danish’ King of the Match Preview 😀
The line up looks likely but I reckon Arsene will come up with some surprises as he is wary of Pool’s Gegenpress. I was at THOF to watch this match last season and it was frightening how they played us off the pitch during the first half at times. Cech saved us more than once with sublime goal keeping and then we turned it round in the second half and were unfortunate not to win.
I don’t know how anybody can leave out Elneny. He is the best player we have bar Das Ozil, Alexis and Koz. Best passer in the game and always looking for the best pass, huge physical and athletic presence and he knows where he has got to be.
Agreed with the birthday boy that Coq is likely to play next to Elneny. At the back I expect Nacho to partner either one of your CBs. Up front I am hoping for Rambo behind Alexis but I reckon you got the line up about right, even though it is more likely to be Campbell for Oxie.
Enjoy the game AAers and here is to another exciting journey towards achievable glory. CoyGs! 💥💥💥💥💥💥
We also sailed to Porto Nuovo and round the Rias LB
No of course not Rasp.. Just jesting
Sadly accidentally we moored off a nudist beach 😦 I kept my trolleys on but my brother let it all hang out – especially his eyes on stalks 🙂
Sorry Raddy, top notch PM. I like your team but agree with peaches that Santi is too good to drop. I’d play him in place of Ramsey but that won’t happen. I’m envious of those going to the game, give them a loud cheer for me guys and gals 🙂
Coutinho is over rated. A very capable player who can do wonderful things, but will then go 5 games doing sod all.
I’ve already read one article today saying if we don’t win then we can’t challenge for the title! Hilarious. Given our defensive issues and Liverpools high press, a draw wouldn’t be a terrible result, but if we can keep it together at the back then we should outscore them.
No idea how the final line up will look but I wouldn’t be shocked if Monreal plays CB, Xhaka starts, and Theo plays up front.
Enjoy the game.
What formation are we playing today Rasper?
Combarro, there is probably a Spanish and Galician spelling. Is that the the historic, beautiful little town with the distinctive stone buildings on stone stilts? If it is the same place then I know you were in a special place with very special food.
I am dreaming as I write this, ah well back to football.
Rasp
Put up the team you think that Wenger will pick?
Morning all,
Yet another great pre-match from Raddy.
We are so overloaded in the mid-field that we could field many different combinations that would all look good.
Klopp will have his players wound up like a spring and I think they will come out on full offense, so it will be critical to have a solid defensive display – especially in the 1st 15/20 minutes.
FGG – I think that Coutinho is a player to be feared, he can, and does, score from distance.
In a few short hours all will be known – I can hardly wait………
LB. Happy Birthday.
Many happy returns. Those stone structures are apparently grain stores, they’re on stone mushrooms are to prevent rats etc. As you say there is a heritage area with all these old structures renovated – very atmospheric
My team …. same as Raddy except Cazorla for Coquelin, Nacho for Chambers and Gibbs as LB
A 4:2:3:1 with Xhaka staying in front of the back 4 and Santi with license to go forward.
prematch that was well worth waiting for, thanks Raddy. It’s a shame you don’t hate Scoucers – your pre matches are best with an edge 🙂
Santi must play, but you are probably right – power sub.
I want us to win. I will support my team. I am nervous. Very.
Captain for the day: Petr Čech
ant and chas teetotal my arse. What would you do on weekends? Watch Arsenal? stone cold sober?? no mate (s) you could not do that.
Funny that, in my drinking days I thought we were the best team in the world. And I loved Wenger then and GG before, I would have loved Sam Allardyce if he was our manager. maybe I should take up drinking again
Liverpool’s line-up
Everyone I speak to seems to think we get a beating today. I can’t say I’m feeling massively confident myself but I know we have players who can hurt them so hopefully we can play around their press and be clinical in our finishing. Rambo and Elneny could be key today.
quick qick
Cheers Erik
Nice team
Come on you Gunnnnners
Iwobi instead of Ox – a sign of the future?
BR. 9 out of !!. Could do better.
Right ….. COYRRG
This new fierce Theo needs to watch where he puts his foot in.
Rubbish penalty. Let’s hope it is not costly.
Brilliant from Theo. Superb shot.
Why did AW say Theo will no longer be considered as a right winger?
Not costly at all 😃 Theoooooo
Iwobi. Theo. Goal. Deadly yipeeeeee 🙂
FFS. We have been all over them and go in level.
We have been playing well with Theo and Alexis really buzzing.
Football can be a cruel game
Superb half
Don’t care about their diddy little goal
We’ll score more
Great free kick. We didn’t deserve that before half time. We’ve played pretty well but just need to get the likes of Ramsey and Sanchez involved a little more. Good half.
Hey Erik
Just to say I read your PM during lunch break on the beach and loved it.
Very, very good 1st half from team.
Theo drew penalty and then missed by a mile. Why is he taking the dang thing anyway?
He then scores one to put the Arsenal back on top.
Give up a soft foul from a mile and of course pool score in injury time.
Time for another goal for the win.
Come on Gunners!
I feel Ramsey is too far forward, there’s often a front four and too much space between them and Coq and Elneny
Can see a red card in this game. Just hope it’s Henderson or Lovren!
Feel there is a chance to get Sanchez or Theo in behind their defence but we are just not quite seeing the pass fast enough. Definitely more goals in this game though.
FGG. I worry every time the ball goes near Coquelin
Brilliant, Raddy. 🙂 Nice to be back to business.
Have we started the race to the bottom yet? No, no way!
Poor penalty miss, nice goal, and an unlucky goal to concede, all to play for! COYG.
Oh poop 😦
Tore us apart there.
Counting I showing me up and having one of his good games!
Chasing shadows.
Gone to pot now, can’t get the ball can’t get out of our half
What a joke. Lets see what the match going crowd thinks of Wenger at the 90th minute.
Sugar.
We were concerned and we were right to be. Awful defending. Twice.
Still we have 30 minutes to get some pride restored
disaster, unmitigated disaster!
And now we get our first injury of the season. Not really surprised that it is Ramsey.
Wow. That is some goal from Mane – we really should have bought him.
Going to be a fun week.
Frankly, Arnie, everything was going swimmingly well until you turned up 🙂
Oh shit. 4.
4 shots 4 goals!
Crap!
Think I am going to watch the Olympics. 😦
Brilliant from OX…. maybe I should watch more.
Superb Ox
What did you expect??!!
I think we could soon hear a portion of the fans asking the board politely to spend some money 🙂
Come on Eddie
20 mins still to go and we’ve had six goals already
I’d take that over a 1-1
Come on lads, 2 more
Oh do come on Arsenal 🙂
I feel for the players
I don’t have to quit smoking , that’s a positive
sad that we came up the wrong side of a fantastic scoreline, but not to worry. onwards and upwards!
7 goals is good 🙂
LB – looking forward to your report 😉
what a start to the season!
Need to build on this- there was some belief from the team after Ox scored that goal!
All of pools goals had to be perfect and the were fortunate. Only guy on damn team for pool scored who could and they were brilliant shots.
Thought Arsenal took it to them and almost equalized.
No where to go but up!
Can’t wait until next game.
We deserved better. We were the better team apart from just 15 minutes.
There has to be question marks about the way our midfield protected the inexperienced defence. It was simply not good enough from both Elneny and Coquelin.
Upfront we have potency and pace but I feared the missed penalty would cost us and so it proved.
Well I expected 2 awful defences against 2 very good attacking units and that’s exactly what we got. Unfortunately Liverpools defence held out better than ours and they were more clinical. Showed a bit of pride at the end but still not good enough. Hopefully we can get Koscielny, Özil, Wilshere and Giroud back in good form and bring in the ST and CB we desperately need. Frustrating that once again the injury plague has struck. If anyone wants to know why Kos didn’t play then have a look at Ramsey’s hamstring. Why can our players just not stay fit!? Saying its Wengers fault isn’t really an answer by the way!
Result that was expected. Arrogance to play that team, and keep experienced defenders in the stands. This is Wenger’s last season – if he lasts that long. Total disgrace of a performance
Not a great start to the season surely – unless you’re a neutral. We may have played well, but we lost – 3 points to pool, 0 to Arsenal. Long way to go. Did AW get his tactics right or was it just the fact that they were more clinical in their finishing?
Add Ozil, koz and Giroud and we would have won
It feels a bit strange starting seasons when teams have lots of players still resting from international tournaments and the transfer window still open. I think the FA need to look at that as it would surely make more sense for the window to be closed and everyone fit for the opening games.
Not an excuse, as Liverpool were also missing players, but I do find it odd.
Ian. Sorry but that was not a disgraceful performance.
We were the better team for the first 45 minutes, had a crap 15 mins and finished the game well.
I agree that AW should have played an experienced CB, but what happened to Ramsey is proof of what happens when using a tired player. The same happened to Sanchez etc at the start of 2015
I think Aaron makes a very good point
Pool goals were perfectly executed, and no team does that four times in one game. Sure our defensive side was weak, but his point is valid
I would say timing, Rasp.
Goals just before and just after half time are killers.
Tactically I don’t like Sanchez as a ST as he either stays up top and can be isolated, or comes too deep to get involved and leaves us lacking up front. I’d prefer him more in the game so the LW works better I think. Then again I don’t like Theo up top either so the failing has been not getting anybody in rather than tactics. We really need another option.
I thought we played ok but that 20 minutes from Liverpool was deadly. They ripped us apart.
Thanks fgg, well I hope Arsene works out his strongest side sooner this season. We may have had no choice today, but when the EC contingent returns we need to find s balanced team with leadership qualities throughout
Our guy doing well in the men’s floor final, guaranteed no less than bronze as it stands
…… And he gets the gold 🙂
Liverpool weren’t that good, if we hadn’t collapsed at the start of the 2nd half I’m sure we would have won.
What is it about conceding that means we go to pieces????? I know, no leaders
Anyway back to the Olympics which is scarily addictive
Raddy,
I disagree – it is a disgraceful performance for a top team to let in 4 goals at home (and all in the space of 20 minutes). We can talk about spirit and mental resilience by trying to come back, but that is bullshit as the resilience was required at the start of the second half. Instead, we felt sorry for ourselves for letting in a soft goal at the end of the first half and no-one on that pitch took charge and gripped the team. Just my take on it, sorry it differs from yours but after all, reasoned debate is healthy at least!!!!!!
I wish people (Henry) would stop going on about how Vardy rejected Arsenal. It’s a unique situation where Leicester are in the CL and he wanted to stay to have that opportunity with them. Do you seriously believe if we had gone for Vardy the year before he would’ve turned us down? Would he bollocks. The fact he turned us down doesn’t mean we can no longer attract players. Get over it!
How ironic that our RW’s start scoring and everything else goes to shit! 😄
I don’t really blame the 2 CB’s for the loss. I think our defending as a team was a poor and we looked tired towards the end. Even the players that came on looked shattered after 10 minutes. Lots of work to do in the next few weeks but I’m sure we’ll bounce back.
If we sign Mustafi and a ST and pick up wins against Leicester and Watford then we will go into the international break all rosey again! Easy.
Peaches
“What is it about conceding that means we go to pieces????? I know, no leaders”
I agree. I find it quite staggering that Arsene selects players like Arteta and Per.
He simply doesn’t believe in yer Tony Adams’
Tennis final soon
Was that 2 Cazorla assists even though he looked like he couldn’t run!? 1 for Iwobi too I think.
Expect the phrase ‘as reliable as a Ramsey hamstring’ to be a thing of the future. That lad is ruined by hamstring injuries and it’s becoming a big problem for us. I suppose it makes selection a bit easier though. Özil number 10 and any 2 from Elneny, Coquelin, Cazorla, Wilshere and Xhaka. Looks like Iwobi out aswell so Sanchez back on LW although Ox did ok when he came on and scored a great goal.
Ian. Fair point – discussion is what this blog is all about and I respect our differing opinions.
I feel far happier that the defence was poor as opposed to the attack because our best defenders will return soon.
Thanks Raddy. Appreciate that.
As a further aside, Arsene stated in his post-match interview that a number of the players weren’t ready for the new season – there is a discussion alone in that point, but bearing in mind our woeful record in recent seasons on the day 1 opener, is it worth the club reverting back to the Austrian training camp of old rather than playing pointless, but lucrative, matches globally against the likes of that pub team, Viking FC. Someone may have the stats of Arsenal’s season starts when Arsene did the Austria camp. As we have so much money, and don’t bother to spend it anyway, why go to all the hassle of doing these money-spinning global pre-season tours??? Just a thought.
Cut out the half-time ganja and we’ll be fine.
We could be looking at 5 or 6 gold medals in the Olympics tonight! We’ve already had 2 today and 1 guaranteed in the cycling, 1 in sailing, Murray in the tennis final, chance in the gymnastics again. Brilliant!
Not surprised at the loss given the line up. We also lost Ramsey and Iwobi to injury. We should have played Xhaka El Neny Coquelin in the middle and then cazorla as 10 with Ox and Campbell up front.
Anyways another loss at home to start the season and another poor defensive display. Well done gunners
Loving the gymnastics.
RC. Was Iwobi injured?
People keep thinking wenger is going to add a striker. This is delusional thinking. It ain’t gonna happen people! Why do you think he’s been talking walcott up as a striker, as a solution.
Good first half, late goal aside. Certainly exceeded expectations
Disastrous 2nd, all too typical wasn’t it. ‘pool ain’t that good are they.
Result was unsurprising.
Has our birthday boy been seen at all? Just thinking about tomorrow’s post……..
The birthday boy has been writing. I’m getting tired now. I will put it in drafts tomorrow morning I need to look at it again after I have slept.
BR – yep. Iwobi has a thigh problem.
That’s perfect LB, thank you 😃
belated happy birthday LB. 🙂 as you might imagine, I am out of tune. 🙂
– Scored 3 goals, while also conceded 4 goals in a home defeat.
– Both Ramsey (hamstring, could be out for months) and Iwobi (thigh) are injured, adding to a slowly mounting list (with Mertesacker, Gabriel, Jenkinson and Welbeck still out for months)
– Debuchy, Campbell, Sanogo were not selected in squad and are likely to leave (either on loan or permanently).
– Koscielny, Ozil and Giroud might still be short of 100% fitness for next week’s visit to Leicester. Xhaka was not in starting line-up because of similar reason (from Wenger).
Morning All,
Not the start we all wished for but there were positives.
Looking forward to the Birthday Boys post
Your wish is………new post.