They keep saying that we haven’t played any big teams yet. The same people who talk about the strength of the league and how there are no easy games are suggesting that the points we get are somehow easier gained than those of our rivals. What is a big team? Should we win today, it would be hard to imagine our old friend Alan Hansen saying that Liverpool are not a big team but some will. There will be those who move the goal posts and say that we must beat Chelsea and/or the Manchester clubs before we’re “real contenders”. The fact is it doesn’t matter how highly any outsider rates our chances. What does matter is that we’re top of the league after this weekend – and every weekend.
I believe that it’s up to Arsenal who wins this game and Liverpool will prove a good yardstick for how far we’ve come. They have won three out of their last four games with the most recent being an impressive win against West Brom. With every second pundit being an ex-Scouser, their strike-force and three-at-the-back shape have been analysed to death so there really isn’t much left to say. They’re dangerous in attack but 2-2 away draws against Swansea and Newcastle suggest that there are gaps to be exploited. If Arsenal go out and play at close to 100%, we’ll see Szczesny enjoy a comfortable afternoon. Our midfield is more than capable of controlling the game and creating chances for Giroud to finish. It’s up to The Arsenal.
The Arsenal back five will more than likely be the usuals upon whom we’ve come to rely. I suggested that Vermaelen should start ahead of Mertesacker during the week but I’m putting that down as a moment of weakness. Per will start and rightly so. Arteta, Ramsey, Santi and Özil are also likely starters so the big question is over the right wing. Jack has played well there, in my opinion, and I think he might start ahead of Rosicky — complete guesswork, of course.
Whatever has been said about the atmosphere in the stadium recently, I have no doubt that it will be electric today. Every player and fan is desperate for this win so let’s hope our boys can do it.
Thanks for reading and enjoy the game.
Up the Arsenal!
Positively Arsenal 
DC, 7 players and a wig would do it, or so they say.
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Jeez Norwich put yourself together.
Januzaj the best thing since…cleverly.
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Rosicky, Ozil and Cazorla? Isnt that illegal?
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Only if masturbation is, sensational arsenal.
Hayden and Akpom on the bench, our injury list is getting ridiculous.
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Lot of Germans in tonight – we need an oompah band
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Martin Atkinson has refereed two games between Arsenal and Liverpool before, one lose and one draw.
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Ok, I officially don’t like sitting around all morning waiting for the match to start, How do you guys do this every week?! I’ve decided I much prefer waking up, turning on the TV, and bam, we’re ready to go. 30 minutes now…
And, BTW, I am pro the wearing suits thing. The boys look so classy. Come on you Gunners! Let’s do this.
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haha Apropos.
With that defence and that midfield and Giroud, it is going to be good guys.
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Alabamagooner, you just need to learn the mandatory self harming ritual before games. Drinking alcohol, chain smoking and biting finger nails. It helps.
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George gets his first wish. TR7 will be great. Mature and cultured. I like the suits the team is wearing–classy!
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Very dangerous match coming up. Thanks for the write-up, Ronan. I caught you and George on the Goonersphere podcast. Top stuff hehe.
I wish I could predict the future, but I guess thats the beauty of football. You never know. May the best team win, I say! Which is Arsenal, of course.
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Oh dear, Robson commentating on my feed!
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The biggest problem for our players tonight is to take the opposition seriously with that shirt of theirs. Not smart design but clever.
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Beautiful calm from Per and dynamic stuff from Santi! 1 – 0.
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I think the good Liverpool players are very good. I just think their ordinary players are distinctly ordinary.
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Yes yes yes
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Still only Suarez would make it into our team.
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Apropos – I certainly wouldn’t touch their keeper on this showing.
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Aaron caught in two minds in their area – not often that happens these days.
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Yeah, usually he shoots or sees the open man. Happy to have him take a shot.
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Bit more indecision but I think we are looking strong.
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a bit annoyed that the ref didn’t book Sturridge for his obvious dive. That’s one of he worst I’ve seen this season. Otherwise good half from us, can’t remember any clear Liverpool chance that wasn’t offside while Mignolet had a lot to do so far. Keep it up, boys!
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Commentators maki g a big deal about the supposed controversy on the disallowed goal. The ref blew again after Suarez kicked it to Sturridge, to call the play dead, for whatever reason, and WS and our defenders stopped playing. There is no reason to think that if he hadn’t blown that WS wouldn’t have simply jumped on the pretty poor cross from Sturridge.
Frankly think we deserved a second goal and I hope we come out firing and get that second early next half.
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@LSG
Yeah, there is no controversy whatsoever. From the moment Sagna fouled Suarez I knew that there wasn’t going to be a quick free kick because the ref would want to get his card out. And the referee had blown nice and early, it’s not like the ball was in the net and only then had the referee a change of heart.
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Santi, Tomas and Mikel were all going to need a few games after time out of the first team. They are starting to look like their old selves now. Mesut on the other hand looks bewildered by the speed of it all. He just can’t force the tempo down no matter how hard he tries!
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Very tidy we look – like to see us pulling the trigger quicker and seeing if Mignolet is any good
He looks windy to me
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Agree with Anicoll. A bit quicker to shoot as Mignolet looks a bit shaky and occasionally out of position. Test him further.
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Mignolet has had a ‘mare. Lucky to have only let one in.
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Anybody else getting violent thoughts after listening to the commentary?
It is Robson? I thought it was some bitter ex-Liverpool player. Throughout, it was Liverpool this, Liverpool that.
He kept saying how it was 1-1 and it was a disallowed goal. Didnt our players stop playing? When did that become a disallowed goal? Maybe when the match is over and everybody goes home, one of us can wear an Arsenal shirt and shoot some disallowed goals at the Emirates.
What infuriated me was saying that the really bad stamp on Sagna’s ankle was not an yellow. He said that the yellow was given based on Sagna’s reaction. It was a horrible challenge, you asshole.
It is really bad that these guys piss on the game like this. Liverpool look dangerous on the counter. We are winning back the ball well and Rosicky is shining so far out of the three. Ozil is good too. Cazorla seems to lack a bit of confidence. Hope he gets it back soon. Giroud is being a warrior out there.
Sagna is doing a great job on the right.
Loved the moment when Liverpool counter attacked thinking they were on for goal, only for “Thou shalt not pass” Mertesacker to step it and give the ball back to Arsenal.
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Lee Dixon on NBC over here. He’s a bit concerned with the high back line but acknowledges that so far it has worked. Their back three giving us space on the flanks.
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Should be up 2-0 maybe 3-0. Hope we create a few more and finish them.
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What a strike!!
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There it is!! Ramsey was a bit tentative but had the space and then crushed it!!!
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Oh my fucking good God. Aaron Ramsey.
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Perfect shot!!!!
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YES
We love you too Aaron
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Best player in the PL, Aaron Ramsey. No question.
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Mesut must love having Aaron on the pitch. Always available always on the right wavelength.
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Agreed stew, them two have clicked since day one
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From a Liverpool fan on twitter “Always respected Arsenal, a club with history and class and by far and away the best team in the prem currently”
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Steww even. Damn autocorrect
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Don’t think we can expect same curtesy from the media. Still untested blah blah blah
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How is Sturridge top scorer in the league? He looks so ordinary out there.
Rosicky off, Monreal on.
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Hansen hahahaha
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This is wonderful…..
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@Apropos
MOTD is going to be fun!
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Sagna standing up for his team mates. Great to see.
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This is wonderful…..
BOOM SHAKASHAKA BOOM……..
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Arteta doesn’t tackle so much as ease the ball off the opponent’s foot.
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Evil, I’m loading up popcorn as we speak
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