Much of the pre-match attention will focus on the tragic loss of Sala. In a sport dominated by brusque masculinity it is rare to hear someone speak with as much dignity and emotional honesty as Neil Warnock. Hats off to the chap (henceforth known as David Wagner). I know Arsenal will handle the event with the tact and grace we expect from our club.
Chapeau
I appreciate Mr. Wagner the man but certainly not his footballing philosophy. Wagner/Warnock knows his teams don’t have the skill sets to compete so he instills them with aggression, shit-housery and an ability to PTB. All of which we will witness this evening.
As you would expect the prime reasons for Cardiff being in the relegation zone are an inability to score goals allied to an propensity to concede. They have scored only 19 goals, second lowest to Huddersfield, and conceded 44, second highest to Fulham. Mr. Wagner has problems. Thankfully, David is used to the relegation battle and I wish him luck in keeping Cardiff in the PL, hopefully at the expense of some Northern team of cloggers.
Mr. Emery. These are our 3 Best Players
We go into this match with a skeleton crew of defenders. Two lost in our last match. With both Bellerin and Holding on a gap year and the young Greek lad still in the treatment room we are down to bare bones. It must be awful if Mustafi is the first name on the teamsheet 😦
There is the possibility that Koscielny may play with a mask – he can be our be our Lone Ranger with Monreal as Tonto and Mustafi as Silver (only the older reader will get that joke!)
Elneny can play central defence. A chimp can write Macbeth.
No problems upfront, just a selection. Does Mr.Emery play an attacking team or continue with the midfield diamond? You know my opinion. We are at home against a team in 19th who have picked up 5 points on the road, scoring just 6 times. It is a night to unleash the attacking talents in the squad.
I would like to see Iwobi start, alongside Ozil, PEA and Laca. Drop Ramsey and Wardrobe and Nacho playing left of a back 3. This requires Iwobi to cover much ground but the lad is young and will love running about on a chilly night in London.
We need a win after the confidence draining result last Friday and with a trip to Maine Road on Sunday.
Let it be So
COYRRG
Arsenal News 24/7
arsenalarsenal.net 
Excellent, BR.
Particularly liked the ‘gap year’ (not them having one, mind) and the Macbeth crack.
I think Mavro is in full training and may get the nod tonight.
Three at the back, Nacho, Mavro and Shkod with Wardrobe and the Corporal as wing backs (Jenks has been working on his crossing).
Don’t want to see Kos rushed back – his play would bound to be affected after that trampling from Lukaku’s hooves.
We need a win, badly…we need our most competitive team out and one that can deal with Cardiff’s long ball, set pieces and aerial threat.
Here is my line up: 3-5-2
Leno – Lichten Mustafi, Monreal – AMN, Torreira, Xhaka, Guendouzi, Kola – Laca, Auba
We can then bring in Ramsey, Ozil, Iwobi if we need this extra creativiy and pace BUT at this stage, I play as a 3-5-2 and hope that AMN and Kola are going to split Cardiff open to allow for Laca and Auba goals. If it doesn’t work, remove Xhaka and bring in Ramsey or Ozil or Iwobi and swith to a 3-4-1-2 (Ram or Ozil as the 1) or a 3-4-3 with Iwobi on the left and Laca on the right.
Potential recruits assessment: Perisic and Suarez.
– Perisic – I like the bloke, hard working. Would totally buy into Emery’s style. He is got great techniques and he is physical. Not the fastest though but he is tactically aware. A good signing for me.
– D. Suarez – I am not a massive fan of the guy. He is not strong physically, he is not so fast but he is very gifted technically and has a great vision. His work rate is decent but his defending is lacking. I would say he is a Ramsey type of player but not as good as Ramsey yet. If we part with Ozil soon, it makes sense to have Suarez just because of his passing skills. I would say he is an “OK” signing for me.
Emery says we are not in for a defender. He said he is in the market for mids and forwards to replace Ramsey and Danny…
This summer, Emery will make many adjustments to the team. This may lead to some shock departures like Miky and Laca so let us see. Minslat left because he was not to be given the role of Sporting Director as previouslye promised and also because Emery had a different opinion on how to build the team so ultimately, Minslat could not stay in these conditions.Shame – he had done a decent job.
When all fit and if we get Perisic and Suarez, here is the possible line-up before the end of the season:
Leno – AMN, Sok, Kos, Kola – AMN, Torreira, Perisic – Suarez – Laca, Auba
Thanks Raddy
Couldn’t Mustafi be Silver’s end deposits! And left to fertiliser the roses.
I too believe Mav might be ready for a return, but hopefully alongside a “masked” defender of the true and just. No cowboys for this game please! I would play Nacho and AM-N on opposite sides in a four at the back.
It will be a wrap up warm for Ants and me, and hopefully not too much trouble getting home.
COYG.
There is the possibility that Koscielny may play with a mask – he can be our be our Lone Ranger with Monreal as Tonto and Mustafi as Silver (only the older reader will get that joke!)
the Johnny Depp/Disney version of the Lone Ranger only came out about 6 years ago… hehe!
another great post BR.
I agree, we need to come out strong and win big.
As for Perisic, he is Croatian, following in the footsteps of the great Davor Suker, what could go wrong.
Raddy, there’s no doubt that Cardiff are a team of plodders who will try to kick us out of the game and with our defense away on their olidays they may just find a way to score a goal or two.
I don’t get a lot of joy out of the current team as I find myself myself waiting for our “oh shit” moments – we are a roller coaster team that goes up and down, round and round, and where it ends is nobody knows.
If we have a cohesive plan it’s hard to make out – it seems that we always have to fall back on our true, tried and over used excuse of too many injuries.
I think I need to go and find a happy pill.
The transfer window closes at 11:00pm on January 31st, so we have less than 3 days to improve our squad ( which is not hard to do) personally I’m under whelmed with the job our new backroom boys are doing.
The Emirates stadium has been announced as a venue for the Rugby League World Cup in England between 23 October 2021 and 27 November 2021.
Bang goes the pitch.
Stoke are rumoured to be entering a team.
Stoke would have to abide by Rugby League rules, however……and rules are difficult for Potters!
Gm everyone
Fred
Don’t like that genetically modified shit.
Arsenal head coach Unai Emery revealed he had been told by the club he would have more opportunities to buy players in the off-season.
The Premier League side are yet to make any additions this month despite being linked to numerous players, including Inter attacker Ivan Perisic.
But Emery, whose team host Cardiff City on Tuesday, said it would be a different situation ahead of next campaign.
“When we have the possibility to buy different players with big quality to help us with their performance, we can do that,” he told UK newspapers.
“At the moment though the club is telling me this is not a good moment to buy new players. But the club say to me in the summer it is going to be different. And we are going to have chances to take and spend money to buy players.
“I know because I’ve spoken with the club, now the transfer market is difficult but we can take different chances in the summer.”
Arsenal FC
✔
@Arsenal
“We are looking at two different players who have the possibility to come here.”
@UnaiEmery_ gives an update on the January transfer window…
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Unai Emery gives update on the transfer market
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There has been little movement in January from the Premier League’s leading clubs, with Chelsea making the biggest move by bringing in Gonzalo Higuain on loan from Juventus and sending Alvaro Morata to Atletico Madrid.
Emery, whose team are fifth in the league table, said that highlighted how difficult it was to improve a squad during this window.
“If we look at the other teams in this transfer market, it is very difficult for them,” the Spaniard said.
“Only Chelsea have signed somebody, with Higuain changing with Morata. The other teams? Not Liverpool, not Manchester City, not Manchester United.
“And we are also in the same situation in that it is difficult to find one different and better player in this transfer window.”
Thanks Raddy, great work, a difficult PM to write for a difficult game.
We have to focus only on winning, the other dreadful circumstances surrounding the game will not change if we win 3 nil or lose 3 nil.
I’m not as down about things as some. There have been some very encouraging signs and it is clear that UE has a clear idea of the type of football he wants us to play. Added to that, all of the players that have come in (I’m not including Lich in this) have been a success and improved the team.
I’m sure if any of us had asked where we would be this far in the season with all the changes, it would be pretty much where we are now. If we hadn’t had the injuries we’d be in a far better place.
I’ve been reading about the huge cost of parting with Arsene and his support staff and that has been an added burden to our ability to bring in players … the prediction of 2-3 transfer windows before we can expect to be competing at the very top by many seems to be about right.
I think may and mustafi could work, remember how well mustafi and holding worked closely some reason
So probably mustafi can’t play with experience CB
Any think cech should get a shot this game, seems we hardly play out from the back any more
Mav (auto correct thought I mentioned may)
Sometimes I get the feeling all arsenal fans want is signing even if they aren’t good
What that chas?
Super-Pre-Match, BR, thank you.
I am hoping, without much conviction, that the young CB, Medley, at least gets on the bench tonight.
We should give future stars like him a taste of the top league action, even if it is only sitting watching from the side of the pitch at first.
Suarez on his way to Arsenal for a loan until the end of the season estimated at 2.5 Mln EUR. Purchase option between 20 and 25 mln EUR.
LBG,
Is it only you and Ant going to the match – without Duck? Or is our Chas in no need of wrapping up warm.
Either way, I hope we get some shots of the Vines en route.
There are reports of rain/snow in the London area before the Kick Off — although TV forecasts are notoriously fickle. 😀
Knock knock Emery, anybody home?
pool, manure, and $h*tTy are winning you fool- they do not need anyone else at the moment.
Signings in the summer when everyone else with big time $$$ is looking too, and the Arsenal have none.
What the hell is going on in the backroom?
Kompany is not even going to get a contract with the oilers, yet the Arsenal want to sign more average signings…
Appropriate post BR, with a few laughs thrown in for good measure.
Just hope no one else gets injured in this game.
Play the dang youth. All of them!
RA
I’m only a fair weather attendee these days.
Hmmm, looks like that Denis Suarez loan is going to happen, well it has already been announced in Barcelona anyway. One thing I hadn’t realised is that Emery has already worked with Suarez at Sevilla. A loan is a good idea, see if it works, if not ‘hasta la luego’.
I still wouldn’t rule out Cahill as well again on loan.
LB…please read my posts before you post :-p
Now – Perisic wants to leave Inter and join the EPL. Inter wants a transfer so there is competition BUT we may be the only real option for him in the end so we may be able to get him on loan now BUT there will be a MANDATORY BUY-OUT CLAUSE ESTIMATED AT 20-24 Mln EUR….
Let us see…
Erik
“Elneny can play central defence. A chimp can write Macbeth.”
Evidence you’ve practicing this writing thing. Coming along very nicely indeed 🙂
Chas,
It is hard to imagine you as a fair-weather attendee!!
Fed up with Arsenal? —– Mmm Not you.
Fares, food, drink and match tickets too expensive? Nope can’t see that.
Women? Ahh, now that is a possibility. They take over a man’s life eventually!! 🥺
Whatever you choose to think, RA.
Micky. 5.02. It had me laughing when I wrote it 😀
VP. Didn’t know that they made a re-make of the Lone Ranger. Was it any good?
RC
I did read your post and went straight over to the Barcelona Bible to find out how what was going on and they we talking about it as a done deal so I came on here and reenforced what you had said.
Thank you for the heads up.
Oooh and I don’t believe there is such a thing as a mandatory buy out clause. If you agree to such a thing you have brought the player and will pay later. That is a purchase.
‘La cesión de Denis Suárez al Arsenal estaba pendiente de la firma de todos los contratos y se ha llegado primero a un acuerdo de renovación hasta 2021, para posteriormente ser cedido. El Arsenal pagará dos millones de euros por la cesión y se reserva una opción para comprarlo en verano, pero no obligatoria.’
Very clear: you can see the word ‘option’ and you can see the the words ‘no obligation’.
Cesion means loan.
Leno, Lichtsteiner, Mustafi, Monreal, Kolasinac, Elneny, Guendouzi, Torreira, Ozil, Lacazette, Aubameyang.
Subs: Cech, Jenkinson, Mavropanos, Xhaka, Ramsey, Nketiah, Iwobi
Mesut Laca and Auba hooray
Elney Nice guy I’m sure, but what’s the point
Elneny even
Xhaka not even on the bench!
Looks a very lop-sided team with nothing on the right side of attack, unless Ozil is playing as a right winger.
So Özil gets a start against lowly Cardiff. Let’s hope he produces a good performance. It will be interesting to see if he stays in the team moving forward. I imagine this will be an emotionally fired up Cardiff although that could play into our hands if they are rash and push too many forward. I expect a lot of play down our left hand side with Kola causing them all sorts of problems. 3 points and a goal each for Laca and Auba would be nice
Mesut captain …. UE is giving him every chance to show how much he can influence a game …. excellent strategy
Cardiff are likely to be very physical so it’s a tough challenge
Dear God, Erik
Xhaka on the bench in my stuck up XI, and clearly in Chas’ picture XI
Excuse? Mead?
Wouldn’t get to excited about mesut having a great game, last time he started was when he played the magnificent pass to Kolasinac and Iwobi and in the next game he was hooked at half-time
Tough perhaps, Rasp, but equally lacking in any footballing ability whatsoever ie useless 🙂
Lichtensteiner and mustafi recipy for disaster
Fred
What is there to get excited about? Licht at right back? Mustafi at centre back? A goal keeper? 🙂
Ok, while we’re all bored waiting to thrash Cardiff, can I ask for a hands up anyone who has ever given a single shit about one word President Macron has ever said? 🙂
It is cold, miserable and raining. Still Mesut is playing yeah.
BR, the remake of the Lone Ranger is worth a watch. Its an interesting interpretation at best…
Auba and Elneny in the short sleeve and glove combo
It’s either cold or it isn’t
I am a huge admirer of Mr Macron who in my opinion has the intelligence and political nous of a young Theresa May, 😀
but that’s enough of politics.
Need an early goal whcih will force Cradiff to be less Bus-sy
Lacazette so honest
Lower tier empty tonight
Good job you’re in the upper, Fred.
It’s fuckin pissin dahn
Mesut falling over himself
I reckon Mesut’s playing as punishment.
Dean and two morons officiating.
Team of cloggers kicking at every opportunity with no punishment.
Plus heavy sleet showers and brass monkeys.
Footballing equivalent of Siberian salt mines.
Well that was pants. Something to build upon in the second half.
As usual Dean is having an awful game. Our brave lads are being kicked from pillar to post with no protection. Perhaps to balance the penalty he didn’t give to Cardiff.
Do we look as terribly unbalanced and top heavy as our line up suggests!? The team sheet looks like some bang average players and players very much out of form along with 2 decent strikers.
FGG. You are correct and one of the strikers,PEA, is having a shocker. Can only improve.
On the odd occasion Cardiff get near our goal and we seize possession, we need more men forwards much faster
I’d get Iwobi or Ramsey on
Neither team had a shot on target in 45 mins. We had 4 off taget to Cardiff’s 8.
Half time subs: Wardrobe off for Iwobi?
Dean is a shocking referee. Even Alan Smith recognises the fouls which Dean and his colleagues ignore
We score with our first shot on target. Get in
We go 1 up …. manu go 1 down 😂
Laca deserved that. He has worked so hard
City losing, manu losing … and we won 😁
10 mins to go, Utd 0-2
I couldn’t watch the game Micky … did you? How did Ozil stand up to the test?
crikey 2-2 still 3 mins
Well done lads for bokkin it
Rasp, as there’s no-one around, but I’ll still whisper, but he wasn’t very good
that’ll do nicely, two more points than Utd
That’s fine Micky … it just shows he’s a squad player …. some times he will be amazing … and others ineffective … he’d probably better suited to Spanish football where there are fewer cloggers
There we have it, a fine evening. In the end
Rasp
There aren’t many types of opposition or weather conditions or pitch surfaces that suit him 🙂
Love his skill but
g’nite
Bloody united scored in fergie time 😡
Nite Micky
Well that was a good evening of results for us in the end. 2 points ahead of United and level with Chelsea. If someone had said 9 ponits behind City after 24 games I’d probably have taken that after last season.
Doesn’t sound like we played very well, but the result is all that matters.
Looked a poor game in tough conditions on the highlights. 2 bits of quality for the goals though. Great pass gym iwobi to slide Kolasinac in and a fantastic run and finish by Lacazette.
If you guys made it down from Nottingham, I salute you.
LB
Not me.
Mike “f****** Dean surpassed himself tonight, and he was supported by two blind, gutless loveboys, who were looking forward to him dressing up in leather and beating them when they got home!
Elneny wasted in front of defence. Not good enough. Consequently Terrier wasted on right side further forward. Lichsteiner hasn’t played, so perhaps an excuse, can’t defend, can’t attack. Great to have a defender, Nacho, back. Leno must learn when and how to come for crosses.
Mesut a genius, but not today. Three points. Cold, wet, and looking forward to a toddy on return to deepest Surrey. Safe home, Ants.
Fred
You could have brought your whole family, and most of Jamaica tonight and sat in the front row of the Upper Tier with Ant and I. The touts would probably have given you tickets for free!
Am from Trinidad LBG
Should dean be blamed for the giving the first penalty since lacazette didn’t go down
Fred
Sincerest apologies. I am sure this is deep insult and it is laziness, as I’m sure Chas has given accurate evidence as to your origins before. Put it down to dementia and the cold.
By the way, you could have seated both the population of Trinidad AND Tobago last night. Joke!
Morning All,
Happy days. 3 points, no further injuries, a goal apiece for our strikers.
I completely forgot Elneny was playing – so did he
Weather was dreadful and must have affected the play. No excuse for the dreadful officiating.
As far as matters Arsenal are concerned, it has to be one of those days where you draw the curtains, light the fire and watch The Cockleshell Heroes
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