I honestly cannot remember being so nervous before a Liverpool game. Not for ages. They’ve been in fine goalscoring form and we struggle to keep a clean sheet these days. I blame Mike. Ever since he put Wojciech Szczęsny in his fantasy league team we seem determined to leak goals win lose or draw. He will be all smiles when I return to work tomorrow though, thanking me for the points, which is a little insane but when you’re as unpopular at work as I am you have to take it where you can get it. The bizarre thing is of course that hidden behind the quite breathtaking talent that is Aaron Ramsey, Wojciech Szczęsny has actually been one of our very best players. The defence in front of him looks as settled as I can remember it and the midfield generally work their socks off to deny teams room in which to operate when they enter our airspace. And yet I was nervous that we would not keep them out yesterday. In my defence I kept my jitters to myself and didn’t pollute either this place or twitter with such pathetic weak kneed negativity. There was one other reason that I was concerned, not just for Mike’s fantasy league side but for our very real team as well.
Let us be perfectly honest we have been in a small dip, a minor depression, operating under a briefly passing black cloud of late and Liverpool have been in rampaging fine spirits. Our blip, as I sincerely hope it will prove to be, has been at once entirely understandable and at the same time extremely interesting. Understandable because we play in a fast hugely competitive league where players are usually only good for about four matches before they start playing in the red zone and given our injury situation we have had to wheel out the same old faces for just a few more games than has been desirable. The blip, or dip if you prefer coincided with some players returning to the side. I never expected such crucial personnel as Santi, Tomas and Mikel to simply glide back into their best pre injury form, who would predict such a thing? They didn’t of course, all players need time to find their groove, and with Mesut still adjusting to the frantic pace of the EPL and still finding the pushes and shoves shockingly under punished by lenient refereeing it was no surprise that we have struggled of late. This little period has been interesting though hasn’t it? Interesting and telling because we have somehow contrived to come through it five points clear domestically and joint top of our Champion’s League group. Oh and I ought to mention we’re shot of the pointless fixture clog of the league cup as well. Which I consider to be a result. How often in the past have we turned in below par performances, lost a couple of home games and been in such a powerful position?
Happy days to be an Arsenal fan.
Yesterday I was proved wrong. I had no real need to worry did I? I don’t need to tell you what happened of course. This isn’t the nineteen fifties where you need the written match report to tell you how the drama unfolded, but I shall at least share the moments which stood out for me.
Per’s ludicrous level of calm insouciance as he intercepted, dummied a Liverpool forward before instigating a counter attack. It was simply gorgeous.
Wojciech Szczęsny playing a one two with one of their player inside his area with the relaxed attitude of a man who meant to do it.
Giroud’s entire performance. Yes, yes I know he fluffed his lines in front of goal a couple of times but he made more dribbles than anyone else on the pitch, was a tower of strength in our goalmouth whenever they had a corner, he bothered and pestered their defence into errors all afternoon thus relieving the pressure off those behind him and he tracked back, closed down and generally made a nuisance of himself all day long. A fantastic, skill filled, gutsy, tireless performance.
Santi’s goal. What can you say? The guy scored and got the assist. Not many players can play a thunderous one two off the opposition woodwork and then crash home an unstoppable volley.
Aaron’s goal. I laughed out loud. How else could you react?
Koscielny’s performance. All of it. Suarez must still be smelling Kos’s deodorant on himself. The young man not supposed to be Arsenal quality continues to keep our club captain out of the team and world class strikers in his back pocket.
Arteta’s tackling. No individual moment stood out but the slight of foot with which he gently relieved his opponents of the ball was just a joy to behold.
Arteta late in the game making Stevie G look so very past it.
Arteta dragging/back heeling/side flicking the ball to Gibbs next to the corner flag while under pressure.
Arteta’s hair.
Tomáš Rosický spinning, running, injecting urgency wherever he went and looking like a man ten years younger. Long may it last.
There were many other moments – I’m sure you have your favourites, but before I go I have to credit Liverpool for making a game of it, they had their chances and on another day might well have got something out of the match. However their strength is their attack and we neutered that strength for the most part by keeping the ball in their half. Can you imagine how good we will be with Podolski and Theo back in the side? It is a terrifying prospect. Oh and while I’m gazing with my red tinted spectacles into the future how about when Mesut Özil catches up to the speed of the EPL? It’s like we have this unexploded bomb ticking away in our midfield. He already has an understanding with Aaron, he just needs to adjust to the crazy pace of the English game, and, well, boom!
Positively Arsenal 
Nice one Steww
I’m only posting as George is bullying me to on twitter! 🙂
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Dex – I only wrote the fucking thing because he bullied me on twitter. We’re just pawns in his evil masterplan.
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The only minor concern I had from yesterday was when we got caught out from our own freekick deep in their half. Sagna got booked for pulling Suarez down. We are still prone to getting caught out like that too easily.
Its not even that big a deal, all it takes is for someone to hold back and… oh shite, I sound like Alan effin Hansen.
I’m off!
Up the Arse!
🙂
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steww
Ha! True, minions is what we are! 🙂
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I’m in quite a good this morning chaps and chapesses…….
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Lovely piece Stew, you encapsulated the game perfectly. Atmosphere inside the stadium was great too. Still haven’t come down from last night. We just played so beautifully! Thank you
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It was an afternoon when I expected our players to do a good job and they fulfilled that in spades. I did not think Liverpool played badly and should have got at least one from Sturridge – we were very organised at the back all afternoon though and that was the difference between the sides – crowd were good, I will forgive the boo for Bendtner’s name
It struck me that second best in the Budeslegia is way ahead of 2nd in the PL at the moment
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Andy Dunn on the Sunday Supplement when challenged by Henry Winter on whether Arsenal can win the title said, “Arsenal WON’T win the title with this squad”….
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They have changed their collective tunes so many times these hacks. Arsenal needed a GK, then it was a top CB, a defensive midfielder and now after telling us Giroud wasnt good enough, he is suddenly crucial to all our hopes and dreams this season.
And Andy Dunn has been one of the most bile filled in his criticisms of Arsenal and Wenger so no surprises he doesnt think we will do anything. Even when he’s being slightly complimentary its through gritted teeth and full of faint praise.
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what a performance …good enough to blow hanson off the telly and into scouse hideaway
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Still smiling, still pinching myself.
“Tomáš Rosický”
Show-off.
I think Ollie’s efforts may be starting to catch up with him, perhaps he missed those two shots because of tiredness. Come back soon, Poldi and Theo.
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I overslept and missed Dunn and co.
Bollocks.
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What a lovely read in the morning.Thanks Stew.
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Happy to help Mr George sir.
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When’s the next podcast, PG?
***
Forgot to say, Arteta reminded a few people that he protected the back four for two full seasons and that we went on a 12-match unbeaten run at the end of last season, all before Flamster returned.
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the two so called big games in the league at home this season have been brilliant. in both we have been disciplined ,extremely hardworking, quick paced and fluent. two clean sheets and six points have been the reward and in both games the crowd done there job lifting the team in the patches when we looked like dropping abit.
yesterday I expressed concern about Mesut and Santi playing together and how it might leave the team vulnerable, well Santi was excellent yes he lost the ball in dangerous areas but weve discussed that on here before and when he plays like that its a risk worth taking. Mesut I thought was poor again but how wonderful was the little dink to Aaron for the second goal and like Stew says he just needs to battle through the adjustment faze and he will explode against teams everywhere.
I know our bench was light yesterday but I would have preferred to put Chuba on to keep pressure on their back four than to regress into our trench as we did but like I said what do I know
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So Steww you whipped this out within an hour. No wonder George defers to you and only you. Ha. Good stuff.
I have to admit the 2nd goal by Ramsey was my high point. Prior to that I was a bundle of nerves. I erupted from my sofa when the ball arced into the net. 1:0 against that lot was never enough.
In the cold light of day, despite our excellent defending, they had one or two good chances which they should have put away.
Dexter is back, again. Long live bullying by George.
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no i wasnt nervous at all. there was no way we were going to lose three at home in a row, especially in a game that mattered. especially against a muppet like rodgers. yes it is true all 60k of us would close our eyes and prey whenever luis got ball and faced our goal but kos was switched on all night…still i would like to see him join us though..i understand his controversial behaviour ( passenal) but ive followed him since ajax years..always bought him in fm and ever since the handball in the world cup that sent his team to the semis ive fallen in love..never bought the media witch hunt either…would love to see him dive and cheat united and mou for penalties while wenger smiles saying ” i didnt see it” for years and years…karma…
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Lovely stuff Steww.
That was an emphatic victory.
Like your good self, I had some nagging worries pre kick-off, I always knew if we played to our max though, we have the quality to blow them out of the water. And how.
Great team performance, great result, great goals and a great atmosphere. What more could any sane, er, Arsenal nut ask for? (Spurs in a relegation battle? greedy buggers).
Ramsey’s goal was a thing of wonder and a joy to behold.
Sunday supplementzzzzzzz. Andy Dunn? he’s that Liverpool fan isn’t he
Arse.
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Hello shotta! Long time man!
Yes, trust George the bully!
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Hunter – No nerves, eh. Good for you bredrin. Not me. This team is like a child to me. I suffer with their ups and downs.
But we are agreed on one point, Suarez. If we can get a striker of his caliber alongside Giroud, we would be simply up there with Bayern, Barca and Real Madrid.
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no nerves at all…maybe its cause of all them diazepams ….lol…just happy to be able to attend..when both flam and i are out we struggle… 🙂
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@ shottagunna November 3, 2013 at 10:38 am
“But we are agreed on one point, Suarez. If we can get a striker of his caliber alongside Giroud, we would be simply up there with Bayern, Barca and Real Madrid.”
Yup.
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ok fantasy talk…we wither go for cesc + luis …or sergio + silva…..either pair will do.. 🙂
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Thank you very much Steww.
I’m still speechless after the match, thank the Dennis you are never at a loss for a word.
Per was like an Ent, stomping little scouse orks.
Apart from one slip onto his arse, Kos made superb tackle after tackle and Arteta had perfect discipline staying in front of them all evening.
Some of us older Gooners really do like to see a water tight defense.
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Hunter.
Santi is WAY better than Silva.
We have to define the long term replacements for Arteta and Rosicky, who have 2 more useful playing years left in them. Jack is nowhere near the same quality as a fit Tomas Rosicky. Aaron is not becoming a DM.
Cesc can come back, as long as he is a bench warmer.
I would hold-off on demanding new recruits until we see Poldi and Theo back. It will be a conundrum thinking about how to play the Ox in this team too.
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“Jack is nowhere near the same quality as a fit Tomas Rosicky.”
Very true,but its a hanging offence to say it out loud.
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Tony Adams on Goals on Sunday re Arsene and Arsenal is very interesting. Two different philosophies. One worries about the other team while Arsene cares more about how his team plays. Very contradictory as he observes that to cater to both Arteta and Flamini, Wenger has to push Ramsey to the right but playing only one DM Ramsey is able to play center, his best position. So what would you do Tony?
You have to make a choice. Be a leader, not a follower Tony.
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PG, I can’t see hunter’s comments.
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@ shottagunna November 3, 2013 at 11:30 am
“You have to make a choice. Be a leader, not a follower Tony.”
Yup again.
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Fantastic stuff Stew,don’t be surprised if Arsene takes Ozil out of the starting 11 for a couple of weeks post Dortmund just to freshen him up-this will of course be jumped on by the likes of Andy Dunn as a huge negative rather than a great managerial play by Wenger,let them all talk & analyse-lets just enjoy this team.
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We can all do what Tony Adams is doing. Sit there watching highlights of a past game and say, what was good or bad about a goal, tackle etc. Or suggest this player should have played instead of another after a poor result/performance. Thats not what managing/coaching is about.
As Thompson, Merson, Redknapp, Townsend, Hansen, Shearer, Lineker et al have all proved, any twat can be a pundit and pontificate in hindsight. Thats the easy bit.
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And right on cue, Tony comes out with this;
Crystal Palace; all they have to do is get organised and stop conceding goals from set pieces. Easy.
Give that man a job, somebody, anybody please!!!
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Fungunner
He is eyeamsick13 at the moment.
He is also on a lot of meds.
Not that anyone would notice..! 🙂
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So, which midfield no. 8 looked like a World Cup player?
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Excellent work Steww – I’m still a little lost for words today. I too was nervous for all the reasons you. I was dreading the backlash if we didn’t do it.
Great to ‘see’ you Dexter – don’t be a stranger now that you’ve found us again.
“I would hold-off on demanding new recruits until we see Poldi and Theo back. It will be a conundrum thinking about how to play the Ox in this team too.”
Spot on DC – I think people forget about the quality that is currently unavailable to us. Theo scored 21 goals and assisted many more last season without biting, diving or cheating. Poldi and the Ox also chipped in with a few too. If Arsene wants to buy, great, but personally I am not clamouring for replacements. It’s more important that we get our current players back, fit and firing. All they need when they return is to get up to match speed as they already know how to play Wengerball. Any new recruit is always a risk as you don’t know how they will adapt and what impact they might have on the precious team spirit.
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@ double canister November 3, 2013 at 11:55 am
aha, I see.
And (chuckle)
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Poldi and Özil have a telepathic link from the German football team.
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Dex – Yup and yup.
Managing at the top level is not simply being a coach, in the technical sense. To win games you must have a positive approach. Arsene has such a philosophy and goes about implementing it. That’s the difference between Arsene and the majority of his critics. They are more worried about the other team, aiming to keep it close and nick it at the end.
If you are Jose Mourinho, with hundreds plus millions of talent at your disposal, grinding out victories is easy because at the 60-70th minute you can bring in 1 or 2 world class players to have a run at an already beleaguered opposition.
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Hi Pass! Thanks.
Watching the pundits and Goals on Sunday they collectively fail to take into account of our injuries, Dunn saying look at the bench yesterday and using the C1 Cup as evidence.
But using the same logic, chelsea, manu and city arent title challengers after being beaten by the likes of WBA, Newcastle, Cardiff.
I do think we need at least one signing in January, but that doesnt distract me from seeing that we have some great players missing from the squad.
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I can barely imagine how the team will look when we have everyone back fit?
Poldi and Theo have really been missed and having either back for midweek or next Sunday would give us an even greater chance of winning. It sucks that even Theo’s, Poldi’s, AOC’s understudy; Gnabry is out injured!
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dc yes santi is mighty mouse but silva is a mini-pirlo fantastic players both obviously … i would compare him with ozil rather than cazorla though…..santi came to replace the hleb/arshavin/nasri role ..i think…while i would place cesc ozil and silva in another category of midefielders…not very pacey or as dribblers as the other category
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soemtimes with cazorla and hleb you need replays to see what happened, very quick feet…nasri and arshavin although not particular fast knew/know when to add up a gear in your dribbling speed by watching opponents balance ..something ramsey has picked up this year… something that rosicky is a master at…
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Silva is no where near as good as Cesc or Özil!
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well yes statistci wise maybe not but i think he is a great little genius…ever since his valencia years…
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I think Wenger will try (again) to sign a striker in January. Who he goes for is anyone’s guess. But it would depend somewhat on how we do with the rest of the CL games. If we qualify for the next round then I could see us go for Suarez again as he is the outstanding candidate in terms of quality and CL eligibility, regardless of his other unsavoury characteristics. Failing that, then he could try to sign Benteke, Remy (depending on the outcome of his RAPE case! and Suarez is somehow unthinkable?).
If we did fail to qualify (and I dont think that will happen, although it would improve our title chances! We have been given the toughest of CL groups this year), then that would open up our options of potential strikers, but it would require the player to want to come to a club NOT in the CL and the selling club to want or need to jettison a top class striker. The only ones that spring to mind is Benzema or Pato who seem unloved and unappreciated by fans and management alike.
Personally, I’d love us to get Lukaku but that is never going to happen.
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Hunty
I think Silva is a top player, I love him too! When he first came over he really surprosed me as I didnt think he’d cope with the pysicality and the lenient refs but he has more than coped, blossomed in fact, without getting close to the levels of that debut season.
Bit like Mata, now there is a player who should be in the red and white instead of the petrol blue.
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Lot of conversation about our returning players, Poldi,Theo, the Ox, Jack, Flamini and potentially what an impact they can make (add Gnabry and Sanogo to the pot too as pinches of the unknown)
But don’t forget the game at Anfield last season – a 2-0 win
Our best player that day ?
Step forward Abou Diaby – let’s hope the Frenchman can get back on his feet in the New Year and enjoy the success he deserves
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He is out at least until April ‘coll
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The new year anicoll? What year you going for? 2019??? Only joking!
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