So to start this post off, let’s have a little count to see if we all arrive at the same number. Ready, right then, how many teams are there in London?

Hahahahahahaha

Any match report from an Arsenal supporter after that game would and should be one long list of superlatives, so here you go.

Player ratings:

Cech: Solid as a rock 10

Bellerin: Phenomenal 10

Mustafi: Vorsprung durch technik 10

Koscielny: Magnificent 10

Monreal: Brilliant 10

Coquelin: Hero 10

Cazorla: Outstanding 10

Ozil: God like 10

Iwobi: Sublime 10

Sanchez: Awesome 10

Walcott: Exceptional 10

Well that was fun.

OK, the thing is that anyone reading this obviously saw the game so instead of me trying to point out all the things that were special or might have gone unnoticed what I would like you to do is to point them out in the comments below.

For example: one of the things that I thought might have gone unnoticed is that for the first time the team stopped hoofing high balls up to Sanchez and instead only played to his feet, in other words that was the first time that the team played to Sanchez’ strengths rather than what was Giroud’s and surprise, surprise the result was one of the best performances we have seen from the Good Guys in recent years. Interestingly to me was that when the Frenchman did come on he looked completely out of place. I know, I know, this is not the time to start picking holes and furthermore I am sure that there will be times when his skill set will come in useful but any thoughts that Sanchez can’t play a number nine have now vanished from this Arsenal supporters mind.

Have the best Sunday you have had in ages.

Written by LB on Cloud 9

He was born in Oxford and was a natural sportsman, winning medals for swimming and diving as befitted the son of a Headington boat builder, reared by the river. He was an outstanding school track athlete, played cricket for Essex Seconds for four years, turned down a place as a professional with Middlesex and reserved his penchant for fast-medium bowling in local club cricket.

Later, he became an outstanding golfer, serving on the board at Hadley Wood, still playing off a seven handicap and working for the Herts Handicap Committee. His father’s view was that professional football was a dead-end job which prompted Cliff to become an apprentice tool-maker with Morris.

He began his football life as a defender, serving Isthmian League Oxford City as a full-back before joining Arsenal in 1947. It was not until 1950, after National Service in the Army, that he was switched to centre-forward and he earned a place in the Gunners’ senior side in the spring of 1951. Imposing, strong and far quicker than was suggested by a rather ungainly, loping gait, Holton adopted a rampaging style which unsettled opponents. He wasn’t a bad passer either, but he was most famous for the thunderous power of his shot with either foot, which accounted for many of his goals.

He was in the Arsenal side to reach the FA Cup Final in 1952 and his19 goals in 21 outings helping to secure the League Championship in 1952-53, and the promising 24-year-old was spoken of as an England international of the future. He continued to figure for Arsenal for another three seasons and on 6 October 1956, he scored four goals in a home match against Manchester City, becoming the first player since Jack Lambert to score more than three in a game at Highbury.

He lost his place to an ageing Tommy Lawton but a year later, having been switched to left-half, Holton was restored to the side and became captain for a spell. But despite doughty service in various roles, he was judged surplus to requirements as the new manager George Swindin sought to revamp a lacklustre team. Holton was sold to Watford for £10,000 in October 1958. After taking a little time to settle at Vicarage Road, he became one of the most revered figures in the Hornets’ history, netting a club record for one term of 48 League and FA Cup goals as he skippered them to promotion from the Fourth Division in 1960.

His departure from Vicarage Road in the late summer of 1961 to Northampton Town caused such a furore; his shadow remained over the club for a decade. Fifteen years later, when Jim Bonser resigned as chairman, he was still trying, to no avail, to justify that transfer, which disillusioned a generation of Vicarage Road regulars. He finally admitted when he stepped down, what everybody had known 15 years earlier: “We got rid of the wrong man”.

At Northampton Town in 1961 – he scored a club record 36 goals in 1961-62, achieving the rare feat of holding the all-time goals in a season record at two different clubs. He went on to play for Crystal Palace, signing in December 1962 and was part of the Palace side which achieved promotion to the second tier in 1964, with 43 appearances that season scoring 20 goals. He then returned to Watford on 6 May 1965, before moving on to Charlton Athletic and subsequently Leyton Orient.

Only four men since the Second World War had scored more goals in English League football than Cliff Holton namely Arthur Rowley, Jimmy Greaves, John Atyeo and John Aldridge, all of whom, unlike Holton, concentrated solely on a striking role. However the big, burly Oxonian never scaled the giddy heights predicted for him as a young Arsenal star during the early 1950

He finally retired in 1968, due in part to a knee injury and left the game completely. A forthright and articulate individual, Holton seemed ideal soccer management material but he preferred instead to concentrate on a precision engineering business, which he ran until 1989 before working part-time in sports marketing.

He died suddenly in 1996 at the age of 67 while on holiday in Almeria, Spain.

His scoring record was –

GunnerN5

Apparently it was the anniversary of Brian Clough’s demise as well as the return of Nicklas Bendtner to his adoring Gooner public. A photo of Cloughie, our designated meeting point, was obligatory. He would definitely be a staunch advocate of the style of football played by teams managed by AW.

A merry pre-match bevvy ensued, taking in the Joseph Else, Vat and Fiddle plus the Trip to Jerusalem amongst others.

I’m still not a 100% sure who started for The Arsenal. ElNeny, Xhaka, Lucas, the Ox, Holding and Gabriel seemed like a fairly decent core.

Forest are obviously a lower tier outfit these days and the first half clearly showed how Arsenal’s second string were levels above a fairly average Championship side. The minute’s applause for Cloughie in the 12^th minute was beautifully observed by the whole stadium.

The first half was illuminated by Granit’s shot from distance which the Forest keeper seemed to try and save with the wrong hand, allowing it to spoon into the net. Arsenal’s passing was sharp and gave us hope for some tasty action coming towards us in the second half.

The penalty for the second goal was so clear from the terraces. Akpom was just about to shoot when he was unceremoniously barged off the ball. Lucas stepped up and sent the away fans into raptures with his first Arsenal goal.

The gulf in class, even between an Arsenal second string and a reasonable Championship side grew as the game went on. I doubt the 11 players who started the game had ever played together before but all showed the benefits of the tutelage of our current manager. Xhaka is obviously one of those players foisted on the manager who will clearly struggle to fit into the current Arsenal plan. Not.

Lucas’ second, soon after his penalty, gave us great hope that he might become the finisher we need. He showed magnificent control under extreme pressure and produced a calm finish to boot.

The Ox improved as the game went on and his finish in injury time was sublime.

I must admit to feeling a little sorry for the Forest fans. Their ‘Have you won a European Cup’ was matched by the Gooners’ ’Forty Nine, Forty Nine Undefeated’ and eventually countered with ‘Nottingham Forest, You live in the Past’. I suppose living in the past is inevitable when the present is so mediocre. Ant and me couldn’t agree with ‘Nottingham’s a sh*thole, I want to go home’ as we both love our adopted city. It’s a fine place to live.

What a fine evening out for anyone supporting The Arsenal.

Player Ratings

Martinez – The young keeper makes you feel reassured. Quick off his line, unflustered and agile for a big old unit – 9

Maitland-Niles – Not really troubled. Probably more scared of his Mum than the Forest forwards – 9

Holding – So composed on the ball, strong in the tackle. What a purchase! – 9

Gabriel – Still gets a little flustered in possession but made some excellent blocks and recovery tackles – 9

Gibbs – Looked like he’s been playing regularly for the first team. A fine professional – 9

The Ox – Not his best first half but grew in confidence as the game went on, capping it with a superbly taken goal at the end – 9

Jeff – Great balance, elegant and with a fine eye for a pass. How on earth are we going to fit all of these great players in one starting XI? – 9

Xhaka – Oozes presence on the football pitch. I’m so looking forward to seeing how his Arsenal career develops – 9

ElNeny – a perfect foil for Xhaka. I keep thinking they’ve played together before at Basel but don’t think they were there at the same time – 9

Akpom – Looked fast and aggressive asked to play out wide. Unlucky not to score – 9

Lucas – Strong, skillful and muscular. Superb to see him get off the mark – 9

Written by chas

Saturday 17^th, 17:00 hrs.

I have spent four hours in the car, with the last stretch listening to Fivelive 2, and Arsenal sticking four past Hull. I’m pissed off as I missed the game with that goal from Granit, and what sounded like another fabulous performance from Alex Iwobi. I left the motorway as I approached destination suburbia, and immediately hit traffic. Superb. A chance to go straight on to the mobile device and AA, where Chas had brilliantly linked to the Xhaka goal. I watched it about twenty times on the final straight before arriving on the crest of an enormous wave of Arsenal euphoria (thanks Chas, you made my day).

Now picture this. Twenty minutes later and I am sitting on the floor opposite my eight year old nephew. Between us lies a green felt area, four foot by three foot. It’s a Subbuteo football pitch.

The years suddenly roll back, and I too, am once again eight years old.  Nephew graciously allows his Uncle to take the field with the Gunners. I study my XI carefully. Hooray, two black players. Theo and Iwobi start.

It was strange how seamlessly I slipped back to my old self. Before I could blink, my XI were lined up for kick off in their traditional 2-3-5. Oh happy days. The good times were back.

I stared across the green at his hideous looking  4-4-2. The modern young. How lost and brainwashed they are.

Ok, a little background. Last time I saw Nephew was at Christmas, when he had asked me in his squeaky little voice “Uncle Didit, who’s your favourite Arsenal player?”. “Iwobi, of course” replied I.

Back to Saturday, and he asks me “Uncle Didit, is Iwobi still your favourite player?” “Yes, of course, he’s a tryer, smart, great control, forward going, speedy and shooty”. At this point, he leaps up with a massive smile on his face, and beckons me to his chamber. There, on the wall, is a massive poster of Alex Iwobi. This made me very proud. I have power.

Right, back to the game.

I said two things on AA last week. One was a question “Could Iwobi be a No10?”, and the other was “I think Iwobi is a better footballer than Aaron Ramsey”.

Some think Aaron’s only role is as a No10. I don’t. I think he belongs only in a Nephew style 4-4-2.

My Arsenal had Alex as No10. He scored four as The Arsenal smashed Chelsea 7-2.

Would either Aaron or Alex get into your Arsenal Subbuteo XI, and if so, where?

Written by MickyDitIt89

Arsenal won comfortably away from home, mmmmm, is that true, did they? Was it as comfortable as the score suggests? Not quite. Arsenal started brightly enough creating numerous chances but seemed to lack the ability to clinically finish the opportunities that were being laid before them. Away to Hull should always be regarded as a three point banker but as hard as we tried to even things up by squandering chance after chance the sheer volume of opportunities made it almost impossible to continue this benevolence and avoid converting at least one of the openings. And so it was: Iwobi fired home for what looked like his first goal of the season only to find out on closer inspection that Sanchez touched its way giving him the right to claim it for himself.

One – nil and all was going to plan. We were obviously going to push on from here right? No. More and more chances were being created and all coming to nothing. This wastefulness seemed to lift Hull’s spirits and they were starting to see a way back into the game but being the helpful chaps that they are one of them decided to put his hand out to block a shot that was going harmfully into their keeper’s arms. Hand ball! Yes it was. Livermore was sent off and Sanchez stepped up to put us two ahead and thereby allowing us to relax and enjoy the rest of the game. Nooooo. Sanchez propelled himself high up the charts of Arsenal’s most limp-wristed penalty attempts.

There is always a worry that any opposition can get back into the game when you are only one up even if you they only have ten men. So we had to suffer another twenty minutes of anxiety before Walcott earned his £90,000 wages this week and put us two up and the game to bed. Noooooo again. We ridiculously let them back into the game again when they were awarded a penalty for which Cech was lucky to stay on the pitch.

      Clearly a dive

Snodgrass (yes I know) showed Sanchez how it is done and converted the kick with power and accuracy. This led to more unnecessary worry for the next ten minutes before Sanchez put Snodgrass back in his place with a powerful drive of his own to make it three – one. Not even Arsenal were going to let that one slip and so the game came to an end and we all turned our attention towards the mid week game against Nottingham Forrest.

Smoke coming out of his fingers

Ooooooh no we didn’t; I have just waded through that lot up there to get to the golden nugget lying at the end of this rainbow. There is the small matter of the fourth goal and I am going to savour it. OMG and other very youthful over the top expressions; what a goal? The Exocet, the Howitzer, the Xhaka pile driver, can you think of the last time someone scored a goal from that far out? I just stood clapping in the middle of the 12 Pins for a good full five minutes. Which by the way has been modernised at last, more screens and all in HD. £9 to get in which gets you two drinks.

Back to the game and perhaps a little less of the snippy tone; this was a good win from a continually improving side. Wenger deployed his troops well, slowly introducing the new arrivals and giving opportunities to Iwobi and Walcott who are close to fulfilling their potential. My guess is that at the end Wenger was trying out important combinations in preparation for next week’s test against Chelsea. Can’t wait?