What a crazy game of football! No wonder we are always on telly when we can be so easily  turned over and then forge such an amazing comeback, all in the space of a couple of hours.

How can Michael Oliver see Xhaka’s shove as different to the one which produced Bournemouth’s 3rd goal? It beggars belief.

Why did it take two thirds of the game for Arsenal to match the intensity of the Cherries?

Did Coquelin deliberately get injured so that Ramsey could move to a more natural position?

Lucas looked sharp when he finally came on to the pitch. I was really hoping he’d start. What a brilliant, controlled volley for his goal! More please, Mr P.

(Photo by Warren Little/Getty Images)

Giroud’s celebration was pre-planned, but surely he could have left it for another, less crucial time?

Seven points from 9 from the three Christmas games isn’t too bad?

Maybe BR’s pre-match was portentous – go out on the pull and all of the excitement is encapsulated in the last 20 minutes. 🙂

chas

The excuse: we’re poor minnows and can’t out football you, so we’ll out bore you for a point.

My response: bugger off and don’t darken our doorstep again.

The object: reward adventure. Stamp on dullards. We want goals.

My plan: 1 point per goal and a further 2 to the victor. O further points for the draw.

Your thoughts: how can we stamp out the bus parkers, and other ideas?

MickyDidIt89

That question was not mine. It was Eddie’s. But, here is our answer. YES,we can!

There was a lot of discussion, following Micky’s fantastic curtain raiser yesterday, as to how much risk-averse Arsene should be. Truth be told, we were not expected to win the group. Like last year, and the year before, and the previous year as well. Same old, same old!

To be fair, splitting points home and away against the French oilers PSG was no mean feat. Nevertheless, given UEFA’s strange new rules, PSG still were above us in the standings before the match, despite our far superior goal difference. Plain injustice! Nevertheless there was all to play for. We have already had a measure of PSG’s visually stunning but ineffective acrobatics in front of goal. Ludogorets had all to play for, to try and manufacture a fragile progress to the Spursday league. And so had Basel!

What can one say about FC Basel 1893? A proud club with a long name and equally tall pretences? Not! Their home record in CL against English clubs speaks volumes.

2002/03 Liverpool 3:3
2002/03 ManUre 1:3
2011/12 ManUre 2:1
2013/14 Chelsea 1:0
2014/15 Liverpool 1:0

In the event, Arsene chose a team that was fit for purpose. Perez up front which I thought was just ideal. No funny histrionics, just going about your job industriously. Use your anticipation to take promising positions within the box, and just take your chances. Simples! What a fantastic hattrick as well. Well done Perez.

The most important part of Perez’s game for me was not trying to do too much. No jostling for space in the central midfield, leaving all the opportunity, as GiE puts it, for “Ozil’s and Alexis kick a ball round a dustbin all day, you just know they’d find ever more creative ways of making it look beautiful.” In the event, it turned out even better. Not only beautiful, but also superbly effective, as we saw yesterday. To quote Beebs: “Lucas Perez’s second goal came at the end of a 33-pass move. No goal in the Champions League this season has involved more passes.” Wow, just awestruck!

And then Iwobi! What can one say. Fast, hardworking, picking up loose balls in the midfield and relay them along to the magicians, Alexis and Ozil, to weave their magic. And then wait in the box for any opportunity that might arise. And what a nice goal as well! My highlight of the game was Iwobi’s big smile after the tap-in and running off to hug Ozil. Just brought a tear to my eye. It really did!

I thought Rambo played an effective role, waking up occassionally to team up with the two magicians to weave the wand in the midfield. Xhaka (the Gooner one, the other one was rubbish) just played tango very effectively. Good solid game. So, did Gibbs. Gabriel and Kos were effective. I would like to make a special mention of Rob Holding. A good honourable CL debut! Well done son!! Could have done better on their consolation goal, but a good show nevertheless!!!

Ospina had little to do, but made a solid contribution as the first line of attack. Altogether, a pleasing team performance. As Arsene said earlier: “That is what football is about. It’s not about one player. It’s not me, me, me. It’s about one, two and three”.

Finally, it is time to wait in the wings to find out who gets the opportunity to face our next onslaught on the CL trophy this year. Onwards and upwards!

Written by Red Arnie.

Subjective as always and I realise the opposition were very poor on the day, but you can only beat what is in front of you and I had a wonderfully rose-tinted day out in Straford.

Cech – Didn’t have a deal to do against a team struggling for confidence. Covered his posts nicely when the Hammers did threaten. Stood and watched when the ball came back off the bar for the West Ham goal  – 8

Gabriel – We really couldn’t work out whether Gabs was severely injured or not. Appeared to have Chazzed his knee at the end of the first half, but, to our amazement,  came out in the second half only to sit down injured again moments later. Seems to be settling in at full back and wasn’t unduly troubled by this season’s Payet. His height is useful at corners, too. The Hammers most dangerous chance did come from their left flank, but compared to the Hammers’ right side of the defence, Gabs’ side was like Fort Knox  – 8

Monreal – Looked excellent going forward, linking with Ozil, Alexis and the Ox – 9

Koscielny (C) – Settling in nicely to the Captain’s role. He drove the team on all game with his flawless example – 9

Mustafi – His instant passing forward is becoming a useful weapon in Arsenal’s armoury. Defended as if his life depended on it as has become customary. Love him – 9

Walcott – Poor Theo must be having a few disturbed nights with his new bab. Barely touched the ball before being subbed. Had one excellent chance but failed to get a shot off quickly enough – 6

Ozil – I just don’t think you understand. Majestic world class, a Rolls Royce of a footballer – 9

Coquelin – Excellent throughout. Really silly getting booked by kicking the ball 50 yards to the advertising hoarding. Wasn’t made to pay by being booked a second time – 8

Oxlade-Chamberlain – Alex looked the player we all know he could be at the London Stadium yesterday. Driving forward at every opportunity, using the ball wisely, involved in the goals and to cap it all scored a peach. More of the same, please, young man – 9

Xhaka – Another settling in, in a most agreeable way. Staying on his feet more in the tackle is helping and his quality on the ball was very evident yesterday – 8

Alexis – If Mesut is a Rolls Royce, Alexis is a Ferrari. His road-holding, acceleration and fancy handling are all qualities from the top echelon of motor vehicles. Three glorious and very different goals capped his MOTM performance. I’m not sure about this short backlift business but more that it’s the speed he gets a shot off which is his strongest feature in front of goal. The dummy and chip for the hattrick were just sublime –10

(Alan Shearer knows almost nothing about football even after playing it for 20 years. I suppose his managerial record is testament to that, in part)

courtesy Justin Tallis

Sub

Ramsey – I saw a comment on twitter that someone at the game thought we’d be holding on to the 1-0 for the last 25 minutes. I’m not 100% sure that it was Rambo who was the catalyst for the bombardment that followed his arrival on the pitch but he certainly contributed a large amount. Aaron finding some form could go some way to making up for the loss of Santi – 8

Written by chas

Truth be told, this loyal Gooner has been very patient.

Bearded, cantankerous and grumpy he may be, but very patient.

Well, until now. But ultimately, the limits have been breached, and sadly, a spade has to be called a spade!! I am truly outraged.

Since the past quarter century or so, we fans have been promised the holy grail of European glory. The lottery ticket has been duly procured every year, only for us to stumble at some or other hurdle. Admittedly, the lottery ticket itself is somewhat valuable, particularly for the countless numpties populating the English League that have not managed to procure a ticket consistently for such a long time. Still, this is no better than a fourth place trophy, really! Such a disaster!

At the same time, the predictable same old stories have continued. Lack of activity in the transfer market, tiring European group stage adventures affecting our chances in the League itself, together with an injury-plagued lion’s share of the season, all contributing towards no better than fourth place trophy! Such a disgrace indeed!

Imagine my joy last season when the so-called pundits and realist doomers proclaimed, finally, that we were not good enough for fourth spot. Finally there was light at the end of the tunnel, a chance to turn our back on Champions League and overturn the permanent saga of fatigue and injury. Finally, then, there would be a chance to win the League this year. In the event, this turned out a blank promise! The light came from an oncoming train that would run us over! Useless doomers! No fourth place trophy, but instead second place! Pray, what good was that! Same old, same old! Such a disaster!

This year, the realists and pundits were at it again. Predictions of doom were duly proclaimed, and gullible me, I even believed them. Finally, we were destined for the lower half of the table. Perfect for a good shot at the title next year; or so it seemed! Particularly, come November, and surely the good guys and their classy manager are going to vanish off into oblivion.

But, as usual, M. Venga had to spoil it all. Take the trip to Old Toilet, for example. It started off nicely, leaving our most productive striker on the bench and inviting our other tall Frenchman to leave his defensive role to populate the ManUre box. Oh, how one would have wished a quick counterattack to then leave us exposed at the back and jettison us out of the top four. That would be a good start. But the wily cruel Venga had to spoil it all. Who asked him to bring EFF (Everyone’s Favourite Frenchman, courtesy chas) on for a final few minutes, against the best advice of the doomers. And then the inevitable happened. The EFF just spoiled all the fun with yet another last minute goal.

How cruel! And such blatant favouritism towards the French. Sadly, we still remain in touch with the leaders. This way we will continue to remain in contention well into the new year. Such a disgrace!

Why, oh why? When can we have the pleasure of a lower half finish for a change? With nothing to focus on except the following season’s league triumph, which will no doubt automatically follow. Alas! All that we fans can do is remain in hope.

Sadly yours,

Red Arnie

A subdued Arsenal performance was rescued with an 89th minute equaliser at Old Traffford with Olivier Giroud thumping a header from an Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain cross and earning Arsenal a point.

The journey to the North West began at 6am and much of the talk on the coach journey was whether Alexis would start after international duty and a slight hamstring strain. The other conundrum was who would replace the injured Hector Bellerin as it was confirmed the Spaniard would be out for 4 weeks with an ankle injury. There was some reservations about Jenkinson playing in a game of huge importance having been out for almost 9 months and not having played much first team football since his return.

The news filtered through at 11:30am that Alexis would start but despair about Xhaka not playing and Ramsey slotting in which seemed a surprise. As the Arsenal supporters were streaming towards the away end the fans were in fine voice as per usual.

The full ferocity of the Arsenal away fans was felt when Mourinho came out and was welcomed by a hostile reception from the Arsenal fans.. “F**k off Mourinho! F**k off Mourinho! F**k off Mourinho!” The poisonous Manchester United manager then acknowledged the Arsenal fans with a wave.

The game started and Arsenal kept the ball well and the first real chance fell to Alexis and he missed a sitter. A cross from the left was met by Alexis and his header was wide and the supporters were regretting a missed opportunity with the goal gaping at his mercy. By this time the fans were questioning the Manager’s decision to play Ramsey who was looking very slow and the decision to also stick him on the left hand side. The travelling support were becoming more and more frustrated with Ramsey’s lack of effort. One fan declaring “Monreal has been made to look s**t because Ramsey is not helping him!!!”

The fans then became very irate as referee Andre Marriner did not produce a yellow card for the Utd player who hacked Walcott down on an Arsenal counter attack and then a minute later booked Alexis for a foul in the same area of the pitch. A chorus of boos greeted the referee.. The fans were then screaming at Marriner to send Darmian off for a bookable offence. “Off off off off!” was the scream from the fans. Again the referee bottled it. Then, as Valencia entered the Arsenal box, it was claimed Monreal had fouled the right back but the penalty appeals were waved away and Arsenal fans gave Valencia a rollicking for what we thought was a dive.

United then started to ramp up the pressure before half time and Cech saved brilliantly from a low shot from Juan Mata. Half time then came and fans were bemoaning Ramsey’s performance on the left and rightly so. One fan gave his view “He should be making the f**king change at half time by bringing Ramsey off! What does he offer to this team!”

The second half began and the away support were taunting the Man Utd fans for their lack of atmosphere at Old Trafford…… “Shhhhhh shhhhhh shhhhhhh!”.  Arsenal were having lots of the ball but doing very little with it with cries from the crowd “stop passing it sideways!” Twenty minutes had gone by and still no signs of an Arsenal substitution. Then the killer blow arrived on 68th minutes as Herrera played the ball back for Juan Mata to slot the ball home and put Man Utd in the lead. The Arsenal fans felt a sense of injustice at not deserving to be a goal down. “This is absolute bulls**t” said one lady in the stands.

The substitutions were finally made with Giroud and then Oxlade-Chamberlain coming on and were greeted happily in one sense, but with absolute dismay in another. “What the f**k is Ramsey still doing on the pitch?! Why is he being shoehorned into the team and not having to fight for his place FFS?!….. was one supporter giving his rational view on the matter.

Then on 89 mins came the moment which the fans had been waiting for all game. Chamberlain whizzed down the right flank and produced a peach of a cross which Giroud met and powered past a helpless de Gea. This sent the Arsenal fans wild and many rushing towards the barriers to stick signs up at the Man Utd fans.. On a sad note though some Man Utd fans started to racially abuse a fan who was celebrating Giroud’s goal which left a sour taste in the mouth. The police intervened and he gave a statement which delayed our coach getting back to London.

The game ended and there was both a sense of relief as well as a feeling of an opportunity missed, as supporters felt Man Utd were there for the taking today with a makeshift defence. The Arsenal fans had to stay behind but didn’t care as they chanted as Mourinho was walking off, “You’re not special, you’re not special, you’re not special, you’re a ****!”

So Arsenal rescued a draw after a busy international break and now we move on to the midweek game against Paris St Germain in the Champions League. As fans were going back to their coaches much of the talk was about the team line up for PSG and that Ramsey should be taken out of the team or put in his best position. The play was slow and lethargic today because of Ramsey playing on the left when Iwobi or Chamberlain should have played. Perhaps this could be a valuable point come the end of the season.

Up the Arsenal!!!

Written by Sir A Hussain

The current top six teams’ records after the first ten games are –

It’s one of the closest title races that I can remember with Manchester City, Arsenal and Liverpool all on twenty three points while Chelsea are only one back on twenty two points. If it remains this close we can look forward to one of the tensest and most exciting seasons that we have experienced.

Manchester City started off strongly winning their first six games but they have faltered in the last four picking up only five points out of twelve.

Liverpool have the weakest defence leaking 1.3 goals per game and Tottenham have the tightest giving up a meagre .5 goals per game.

After a slow start Arsenal are unbeaten in the last eight Premier League games, only dropping points to Middlesbrough who put up a stalwart display of defence. While in those eight games we have outscored the opposition by twenty goals to six.

Chelsea faltered against Liverpool and Arsenal but have rebounded winning their last four without conceding a single goal. Manchester United cannot be counted out as although they are eight points adrift in eighth place, Mourinho will be foaming at the mouth and urging them on – plus they will most likely bring in new players during the January transfer window.

Games against each other may well be the deciding factor and the record of those games so far this season is below. In this area Liverpool are unbeaten and have the edge with seven points already in the bag, Spurs and Everton are also unbeaten.

The next nine games, listed below, will take us into 2017 and to the half way point in the season.

Liverpool appear to have a distinct advantage in the next nine games as they only meet two of the top six and starting with Watford they have a run of six very winnable games.

Arsenal have yet another difficult November ahead and the outcome of the next two games against Tottenham and Manchester United will give us a measuring stick on our season.

Will we see the newest version of Arsenal or will we see a return of the “old”?

Your guess is as good as mine.

Written by GunnerN5