Are you confident of a win today? Really?
We always used to win at Southampton but in recent years our win ratio has plummeted.
Given the lack of Elneny, Xhaka and Cazorla we are reduced to just two effective MF’s -Ramsey and Coquelin, a partnership which has yet to blossom. Furthermore, we are playing Watford in the PL on Tuesday and away at The Bridge on Saturday.
AW has problems. How will he resolve them? Will he play AR/Coq in all three games? Or Sanchez and Ozil? Or will he prioritise the PL? I know I would.
Much as I love the FAC the need to have our best team available and fresh for Chelsea is paramount. So, what is the solution? Do we go all gung-ho in Didit style or do we throw in an extra defender in the hope we can keep it tight and sneak a win?
I would prefer the all-out attack route, either go down in flames or live to fight again following a glorious victory.
My Team:
Ospina
Gabriel Mustafi Holding Gibbs
Ox Coquelin Iwobi
Perez Sanchez Welbeck
There is zero chance AW will play this team, but it would be great if he would.
I would keep Bellerin for Tuesday and play Gabriel, giving instruction to Ox to play the Ramsey role and get up the wings. In other words, a 3 at the back with Gibbs pushed further into midfield.
Imagine how worried the S’ton defence would be to face such a potent front line. If only Theo were fit to play his former team, but Perez is a fine replacement.
Is Welbeck ready to start a game? If so, should it be at St. Mary’s or at the Emirates on Tuesday. I would give the fellow a run this afternoon but doubt AW will.
Mr Wenger has said he will play one or two youngsters, so perhaps Maitland-Niles will start alongside Coquelin with Ox pushed further forward. Or even better we may get to see The Jeff!
Mr. Wenger will have a chance to rest his ageing bones in the stands, talking into his sleeve to Steve Bald (sp.) who will undoubtedly ignore him.
And what of the opposition? They play in red and white striped shirts and black shorts. Matt Le Tissier used to play for them. So did Kevin Keegan and Gareth Bale.
And they have a very good young Danish MF called Højbjerg (which means High Mountain) whom they signed from Bayern Munich.
We have a mountain to climb this afternoon. We have the necessary equipment, all we need is a bit of luck, the right weather and steely determination. It worked for Hillary and Tenzing – it will work for The Arsenal
COYRRG
Arsenal News 24/7
arsenalarsenal.net 
Superb read BR
I don’t think Wenger will change too much.
—————-Ospina
Bellerin, Gabriel, Holding, Gibbs
——–Coquelin——Ramsey,
——————Ozil,
Iwobi———Giroud———Sanchez.
This would be my guess.
Super stuff, BR.
Ant and me like your team.
We think Theo may get a game.
https://twitter.com/Cataphonics/status/825294640677011456
Wonderful bird. Makes me proud to be a Gooner
Thanks Raddy, excellent witty PM. I agree, we may as well go out fighting so let’s send out an attacking side and take our chances.
I think we could see Gabriel alongside Holding at CB …. we can’t afford any more injuries or suspensions.
In
Wow. Not a good afternoon for L’pool 😀
Fred’s in
Ant’s working his way down the board
https://twitter.com/fumbunker/status/825352869301862400
ant @2:45 – amazing! Cold January day and on your photo flowers are in bloom and women wear summer clothing! If I didn’t know any better I would have thought you are a liar presenting photos taken god knows where and hell knows when
Eddie
That’s what happens on a pretendie. ☺
thanks Raddy for a great PM. I think you are right and Wenger will prioritise the PL. As much as I hate losing, I won’t throw my toys out of the pram if we get kicked out of the competition today. Chavs next week is far more important and prestigious game to win
gung ho DidIt style 🙂
We had a beer in the Giddy Aunt but forgot to take a photo so Ant got that from Google.
Nice SherlockING.
We’re now at The Guide Dog.
Taken in 2015!
https://twitter.com/fumbunker/status/825361252792819712
you will need a bloody guide dog if you started drinking at noon for the 5:30 ko!!! Do any of you care who wins today?
At least we see the game (through blurry beer spectacles)
Eddie
You have been considering not supporting Arsenal anymore because it’s not worth the stress.
How dare you question who we want to win.
how date you?? already pissed, happy no matter who wins
You watch a few games sober, mate, and then see how long you’ll last with your support
What you on about mad Polish?
your spelling you sly English
https://twitter.com/fumbunker/status/825369351310147586
Football was not made to watch sober
Sobriety never works for me when watching the Arsenal
no Raddy, doesn’t work for anyone
whose mutt is that?
Hello everyone
Nice attacking team 🙂 Midfield could be a bit of a problem but hey ho we love the FA cup 🙂 🙂 🙂
Speaking of sobriety I’m going for a delicious red.
Theo Danny and Lucas ……,,surely that’s one of our dream front threes
behave peaches!! delicious red, dream fronts, love the cup…it is football you are talking about, not Chelsea bloody flower show
Why we only playing perez on the wings
Feo and Ox are wingers, Perez should go through the middle
I got 8/11. Happy with that!
Good start from the boys, much better than the other Arsenal, and great to see Theo back.
well done Raddy. So Wenger had seen your team selection, a couple of twicks, and off we go. Simple 🙂 you could be earning £7m pa
Nice quick paced passing so far …. The Ox needs a goal for his confidence
Nice goal
Dannnnnnnnyyyyyyyyyyy
oh wow!!!!
hi sweetie
Oh Danny Boy 🙂 🙂 superb 3 passes leading up to a sublime finish 🙂
Danny’s first of the season. There will be many.
Deep joy.
I like this team, well balanced, not sure if Maitland-Niles and Jeff would cope against a top midfield but they’re doing ok here
Hi Eddie 😉 you’re not going to let me forget that 🙂
Oy Eddie!!!!!!
no sweetie, I won’t 🙂 🙂 how could I?? Nobody, EVER called ME sweetie 🙂
that was a REALLY superb goal
what peaches 🙂 you said I could borrow him
fook me 🙂
Wow wow wow Danny, welcome back
Xhaka teaching Ox those over the top balls
Wow, Our reserves are good!!
Danny … pace and power … magnificent.
…and good looks sweetie
we are long overdue a charismatic striker
we are giving them too many opportunities, I could be costly
some assist ey??
Nice pass from Perez again leading up to the0’s goal
Lovely goal but awful defending from S’ton.
Our front three are tearing them apart.
Where’s our attack loving blogger? Well taken toe poke by Theo
How is there 2 mins of added time? No subs. No injuries.
I cannot speak
Sitting here in a puddle of dribble, I’m totally numb with excitement
Danny, Alexis and Lucas …. our dream front 3 Micky??
There you are, you dribble away, it’s bloody brilliant 🙂 🙂 🙂
too much detail DidIt
9 changes and we have played superb football.
Mustafi excellent at the back, what a buy he has been.
And up front we have two 17m players who are working wonderfully together.
But …. S’ton have been woeful
Micky. We are playing Didit style 😀
Danny, Alexis and Ollie for last minutes headers
Seriously though, Welbeck was just brilliant. Shit, shit, shit, why couldn’t he be fit last season, beginning of this season, we could have won the league in 2016 and 2017 with him in form
Ladies and Gentlemen
I’m about to lose control
ha ha ha , go on then
Arsene IS wearing a wire 🙂
Lol
Arsene should leave it to Steve Bould ….
Anyone else detect shades of Diaby in Reine-Adelaide’s play?
Can that be true? According to the commentator AFC have used 26 players this season against S’ton!
Is that 13 goals for Theo this season from just 19 starts and 2 subs?
They’re singing ‘Steve Bould’s red army’ 🙂
Oh God, now Iwobi to join that attack
More spillage imminent
Rasp u mentioned Diaby next thing I see Jeff rolling on the ground
Erik
Thank you for the PM
I read it on the beach and got very excited your attack
It’s been a great day
Although 2 players have scored 2 goals each, there is a good shout for the ox as motm
🙂 Fred
Splendid hat trick from Theo 🙂
Perez gets a 10 who ever doing the review
That was fantastic
Great game from The Ox too
Love that Arsene stood to applaud Danny’s first goal
Might watch it more than just the once 🙂
http://arsenalist.com/f/2016-17/southampton-vs-arsenal-fa-cup/goaall-danny-welbeck-0-1.html
🙂
http://arsenalist.com/f/2016-17/southampton-vs-arsenal-fa-cup/welbeck-goal-0-2.html
GB,
Wherever you may be 🙂 🙂
Just got back from watching it in a sports bar in Marylebone and am surprised how much I was thinking has already been written: Jeff has so many of Diaby’s dribbling treats, Ox was also my MOTM and Perez should get 10 for his performance.
Love Micky’s comment
“Ladies and gentleman
I’m about to lose control.”
A fine start to the evening. Some celebratory drinking of mead and perhaps a virgin sacrifice should set me up for a lazy sunday.
Sayonara
A mention for Maitland-Niles as well. Very assured performance
Dare I say ….. there were no square pegs in round holes … it was a very well balanced team
I am off out tonight so there won’t be an LB offering in the morning.
Brilliant team selection by AW today.
Soton second string were really poor after their 2 leg semi exploits but you can only beat what’s put in front of you.
It was Chas, so the hat is doffed in the French direction 🙂
Bet you two had a great day
majestic day Micky. And back to the hotel for MOTD after 28 pints
Nice morning today isn’t it?
I just noticed your title again BR, spot on.
LB
Let me have a stab about your evening out
The wine flowed, the conversation genial and upbeat while you picked up the bill 🙂
LB
Do you want me to churn out some of my “feelings”
Micky
I have a quick something if you want, let me know?
That was a terrible performance and result!! Dreadful!!
How could Arsene put out such a team? Why did our guys have to show how tremendous our squad is?
There are now poor, broken moaners everywhere who are having to show sour smiles and say ‘well it’s only one game’ — and perhaps there are others who do not know what to do with themselves — perhaps hara-Kiri?
That was absolutely fandamntastic and everything you could want from an exuberant game of football, [well if you were an arsenal fan] 🙂 and some of our kids, The Jeff, Niles and Holding were superb, while the Ox, Perez, Danny and Theo, and ……. well all of them were tremendous!!!!
Wonderful! 😀
Morning All,
Get scribbling Micky.
Should we have some player ratings – they are a good discussion stimulus?
Ooops just read LB’s note. Sort it out between you
I will put mine in drafts, use it if you wish, no biggy, I have got to go out for a few hours.
Thanks LB, if something comes from Micky I’ll combine them if that’s ok with you
Shitballs
Just sent but I’d prefer an LB any day
Sorry Micky
My mistake, Peaches I am happy for you to choose how best to use mine or if you think best not I also understand, it would be nice to get a different perspective.
Peaches
Use both, just switch the credits and I’ll buy you an extra kebab next time 🙂
Excellent. Two posts to read about a 5 goal away victory
On it, back in a bit…….oh gosh maybe Chas has got there before me, probably need pics
Off gardening
Hope to get back to read an LB by Me 🙂
New Post everyone ………………..