I love watching a good game of football, and thats exactly what The Arsenal and Manchester City(the league champions by the way) served up to us yesterday.
Am I disappointed we didn’t win ? Yes, I always am.
Am I disappointed with our performance? Hell no, I thought we were fantastic.
I really don’t understand how people can suck the joy out of the game. It’s beyond pathetic the way fans ignore the good things and focus on the negatives. Why watch the game if you don’t appreciate the aesthetics of it. Just read the result in the morning paper if the result is all that matters.
Completely against the run of quite superb play we went a goal down. Flamini was at fault and they scored. But don’t all goals come from mistakes? Yes it was a poor goal to concede, but what went before was not instantly erased.
We then scored two wonderful goals and perhaps should have gone on to win. Sadly we let in another poor goal which if not for Wojciech Szezesny’s supreme athleticism in getting a hand to it, Flamini would have nodded clear. A bit of bad luck on top of a bit of bad defending and it was all square.
We then rode our luck for a short spell and in the end I was happy with the point.
Hey, we are unbeaten and looking better, much better, much much better.
Plenty to be optimistic about if you ask me.
Jack was quite simply outstanding.
Alexis is looking every inch the player we hoped he would be.
Danny looks a fit.
Some, like Ozil and Aaron, are not up to their usual ridiculously high standards but I’m sure it is just a matter of time.
I loved the way we played yesterday. How could I not?
Right. below is a bonus from @anicoll5 with his recollection of the fixture some 50 years ago
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My heart hoped for the home win, and on the balance of play it could have been. Citeh are however a wily serpent, slithering and striking around the defensive shield and it was not to be.
My head, to its credit, had settled for the draw. As I left the house in the morning, trotted after Steve towards the stadium and finally settled in my seat at 12.40 it was certain the points were to be shared.
How !?! You cry – such certainty of a draw, such a limit of ambition, so little of the Positivistas joie de vivre – it cannot be.
Well it was the cycle of history turning my friends. Fifty years ago was my first game at Highbury ( I know I have bored you with this theme before but stay with me a little longer).
The sun on that day shone in 64, it shone as bright yesterday. I sat on the North Bank, actually on the terracing but as I was by the fence at the back and the ground was half empty it was easy to see the action. It was a time of rosettes and rattles, and dark clothing, men wore dark clothing. I sat yesterday in the North Bank, wedged tightly between Arsenal fans other than when the goals went in and we popped up like a seed pod bursting. Some fans yesterday wore short trousers as they used to be known, clad in replica shirts mostly. In 1964 no adult owned shorts, let alone wore them out of doors irrespective of the weather. In 1964 I wore short trousers to the match (undoubtedly), so Ah – ha.
To be honest fifty years ago watching the tiny figures whizzing round miles away was pretty much beyond me and I suspect my mind wandered pretty soon. I persuade myself these days I know and understand a little more of what is going on, but I am prone to self delusion. Those replay screens have saved me from moments of embarrassment more than once.
And on that day many years ago you know what happened on the pitch ? The opposition scored first, the crowd groaned and tutted. Had I been more mature I expect I would have heard a few discontents muttering about Billy Wright. Our brave Arsenal lads battled back, then late on Joe Baker scored what in my mind’s eye I can still see as an excellent strike from outside the box in front of my North Bank perch to level the contest, and both sides went at it to the end. Some long forgotten referee blew his ceremonial silver whistle and the players exited for a plunge in the communal bath and for our visitors a fish and chip supper on their long, long journey back to East Lancs by stagecoach.
And “So What?” concerning all this misty eyed sentimental reminiscing you ask, what relevance might it have to yesterday’s events ?
Well just to say that I do not think that football has changed very much. Players were exceptionally talented athletes 50 years ago compared to the men and boys on the terraces, and they are exceptionally talented now, another breed. They are dedicated to their craft. If they were not they would be the same as us, and spectators in the theatre.
The geographical origin of players has changed, and it was pleasing to see an old Arsenal player called Johnny McLeod on the pitch at half time (who even pre dates me) talking about how he had persuaded his former Hibernian teammate Joe Baker to sign for the Gunners. From what I saw on the pitch yesterday the joy of playing, the excitement of scoring, and the frustration of letting in a goal has not changed for players or fans. Admittedly the notion of Joe Baker ripping off his shirt after his goal to reveal a perfectly rippling torso would be from another Universe compared to Alexis yesterday, but Joe had his moments, in a 1964 kind of way. Eye contact, manly handshake, firm but friendly pat on the shoulder, you know the form.
That I do not think the attraction of watching a real contest that had lured me to Highbury fifty years ago and has kept me returning year after year, though not always week after week, since has changed very much.
Every single game is a clean slate which will be won or lost by an unknowable amalgam of physical skill, game intelligence, perseverance, organisation and always of luck. Luck in some games consists of a few grains, in others it is delivered by the bucketload.
If football had changed, or the object of my affections had changed then my life may have been different. Nothing has changed, other than the colours perhaps. The flame burns bright. My appetite for the game, for the Arsenal and for the contest is as sharp as it was then. I suspect the hunger may carry on in the future as long as there are sunny days like yesterday, great players, great contests, though perhaps not for 50 years.
I thank you.
Positively Arsenal 
I am genuinely drooling at the prospect of our 2nd XI against Southampton next week:
Ospina
Bellerin Chambers Hayden Monreal
Diaby Zemaalen (Crowley?)
Gnarby Rosicky Ox
Sanogo or Campbell
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Shotta, with regards to Danny Mills stupidity, he was questioning Ozil’s contribution to the team while the German was battling against Kompany and Fernandinho. Two seconds after that stupid comment, it was Ozil’s harrying of the City defence that forced them to give a pass to an Aguero who was surrounded by three Arsenal players. Jack’s goal resulted from the subsequent turn over.
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George, we were both wrong about who’d have to sit on the bench upon Ozil’s return. I sincerely had no idea it would be Santi.
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Hello ladies and gents…haven’t posted here in a LONG time but I just wanted to find out which of you will be around at the Tolly before or after the Southampton and Spurs games next week. I’ll be in London again after 2 years and it would be great to bump into some of you!
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I can definitely be there before the Southampton game Adi.
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Clearly I am glued to Hull v Spam
Wondering if Song will get off the bench
Not good, not good at all
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I am told by some that we have no defenders for tomorrow, but when I look I see Kos, Per and Gibbs lining up with Bellerin likely to start if Chambers’s Mum won’t let him play because of his sore throat. (I don’t quite know why but I always think of Private Pike when I see Chambers; maybe that is just my antidote to those who tell me we are all doomed).
Most great players have needed to make their proper debut at some stage, so for me the sooner our defenisve youngsters get going the better. At least we will know then, and from my own perspective I know what can happen when you are ready to play but then get held back for too long. Ever the optimist of course, but I reckon AW knew just what he was doing with regards to defenders this summer, just as I also think he was frustrated in his efforts to sign the Viagra type he needed to firm up the base of the midfield.
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I have read some of the ill informed gibberish about our alleged lack of squad depth tomorrow – as a result of injuries – and how we shooda/wooda/cooda signed player XYZ in the transfer window
The ‘experts’ don’t seem to understand or perhaps even know about the named A squad/B squad UEFA system for the CL (sighs)
Bellerin in 19 years old – it is high time he got to work – I have not a single worry that he is hungry and perfectly ready
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To read some of the on line nonsense you might think that if Debuchy had not turned his ankle on Saturday he would be starting in Dortmund
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Well, it is always disappointing to go from a winning position to a draw, especially after two such superb goals to come from behind. But as everyone has been pointing out here: the improved performance was quite encouraging. And Leicester is showing that a point at their place is nothing to sniff at.
As far as Ozil, I wish gooners would give it a rest. Why do we have to have a player being scapegoated at any given time? I am sure he’ll have some terrific games with enough obvious contributions that even his detractors will be able to notice his quality.
I got tickets for the Southampton cup match, quite the bargain these league cups! Taking Ms. Limestone and Gunnerinho. But first, major item on the agenda–away win to snatch at Dortmund! Should be a cracker and the improved performance will buoy confidence. Chambers will step up–he seems a confident young man. I’d love to see Ozil light it up in Germany.
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Lime: “And Leicester is showing that a point at their place is nothing to sniff at. ”
Especially after a tough Champions League match.
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We’re stretched for defenders alright. That is if you don’t count Coquelin, Bellerin, Chambers and Hayden. How long has John Cross been covering Arsenal anyway?
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Dortmund seem to be missing some key players. Could be a good opportunity for an away draw or win to get started well in the group. Busy time with the derby ahead and Chelsea after in the league, but if we play like we did v. city–apart from an awful lapse on the corner–we’ll be alright. The refs can’t let someone get away scot free from three yellow card challenges– Chelsea will go with the same approach. We are spirited–just look at the games Jack and Alexis had–but we are smaller than some teams that have skill as well as physical attributes to gain an advantage. No Toure so perhaps that explains the rotational fouling. Diaby would have been useful in a game like that. Dortmund should be more technical. I’ve talked myself into thinking we will win tonight. Come on, Arsenal!
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Just heard Chambers has tonsilitis–now there’s the risk of such young players! Next we’ll hear Bellerin has the chicken pox! These injuries can be almost absurd sometimes for us.
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Gibbs might be back for Arsenal tonight.
What a disaster.
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Love to meet you before/after the spurs game Adi.
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Unless I misunderstand the injury situation we will be starting a defence tonight featuring Szcz, Per, Kosc and Gibbs all of whom are fit. If Chambers gets over his tonsilitis he will start at right back, if not then Bellerin is likely to start although there is mention of Flamini slotting in.
As Debuchy is suspended he would not have played. I am unclear why, reading the press this morning, we are a club this morning in an injury ‘crisis’ ?
In line with my comment last night please have a look at the Arsenal squad who are registered to play CL football this Autumn.
http://www.uefa.com/uefachampionsleague/season=2015/clubs/club=52280/index.html
Is that not a strong squad ?
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Talksport news this morning referring to Arsenal’s defensive crisis. If we fail to win it’ll likely be down to this crisis and so the myth is born.
Today’s and tomorrow’s headlines sorted.
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Arsenal are doomed.
There’s no point in watching tonight’s game.
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Might as well just watch City and Gazprom burn up all that crude.
That’s what football is all about, eh?
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I could not resist a peak at the Twatter feed following this article:
http://www.thetimes.co.uk/tto/public/football/article4206708.ece
Very very funny.
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There’s more:
http://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/football/teams/tottenham-hotspur/11097885/Tottenham-and-Takeover-Panel-confirm-club-is-in-official-bidding-period-with-Cain-Hoy.html
No one saw this coming!
“A source involved in US investment in the Premier League told the Telegraph: “Tottenham are not Arsenal, but they are in the same zip code. With the new stadium you would have a shot of spending the kind of money it would take to challenge the big boys.”
“the same zip code”
It’s too funny.
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Fortunately we can ignore all that and focus on the Football.
Very kind of the Arsenal to consider all the injuries to Dortmund and attempt to even things up a little before KO. It’s going to be another insanely intense game of high quality football, I can’t wait.
I’d quite like to see Bellerin play, even though he’ll probably be up against the chap whose name I can’t spell.
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I suppose Rozza won’t start tonight, I’ll just have to make do with Cazorla, or Ozil or Wilshere. Terrible, isn’t it?
Rosicky might have to wait till next week and Southampton.
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The question is whether it is better to play Chambers with an illness, young Bellerin or Flamini at RB. I wouldn’t go for playing Chambers at CB and having Kos at RB. Why weaken two positions? I think my choice would be Bellerin. He plays the position and will just have to rise to the occasion. Reus is out, the biggest danger from that side. Arteta and Ramsey will just have to watch and support the youngster. I’m more concerned about Gibbs just back from injury and having Ozil ahead of him–Ozil will be coming centrally quite a bit so Pisczek and Kagawa might put him under pressure. At least you expect flagrant tackles from behind to earn some sanction in Europe. With the strong performance v. City, we should be ok for a very intense game. I wonder if Klopp will try something different from last year. Will our approach be different? I think we have more attacking options this time around but best suited for quick strikes with Welbeck and Sanchez pace.
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Like NB, I don’t just want a good game for the neutrals!
Is the game broadcast on free to air channels or are we being bumped for the thrilling return of Liverpool to the CL against mighty European power Ludgourets (sp?) of Bulgaria?
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So here is a tweet from none other than Myles Palmer:
“Injuries in defence? Gooners feared this situation arising soon. But it’s AW’s strict strategy NOT TO HAVE EXPERIENCED COVER. Deliberate”
My question to you all is what does he mean by “deliberate”?
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It is a great article from Matt Syed on Abramovich Fins and you may have noticed of you scroll through the comments my good lady wife has added her threepenneth – she even got a recommended off Matt Syed for it – her ego is huge at the moment
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Here is a tweet from none other than Myles Palmer:
“Injuries in defence? Gooners feared this situation arising soon. But it’s AW’s strict strategy NOT TO HAVE EXPERIENCED COVER. Deliberate”
Dear all, I would very much appreciate a discussion/explanation of Palmer’s intended use of “deliberate”….
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Do we absolutely have to GP?
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GP
According to reports MP is a Gazprom fan! Don’t go there…
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I thought Palmer was just some self important little fart who no one took any notice off – not having heard of him for months I assumed he had died or something equivalent in the digital universe
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I need you all. I value your opinions and insights. Myles Palmer is pernicious and I would like to hear how you chaps and chapesses interpret his comment. Can he really be so manipulative?
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Limey
Game is on Sky.
Also, don’t worry nobody is just interested in games for the neutral, this is an Arsenal blog! If Arsenal play well the neutrals will be impressed. Unless they work on MOTD etc.
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GP
He’s an idiot! And a troll.
Not a very good one. He’s been an object of ridicule for many and most, those wittier then me. Long may it continue.
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Sometimes on a long walk I get a stone lodged in my shoe. Rather than deal with it I shuffle my foot about and try to ignore it. In the end though I have to take my shoe off and remove the stone before proceeding onwards.
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GP,
Clear your palate with this lampoon by Master Leopold Mendacious:
http://anr.arseblog.com/the-beginning-of-the-end/
“Watching Arsenal it seems to this ol’ Marine that Arsene is in a precarious position.
It reminds me of a situation I found myself in ‘Nam in 67. I was dropped deep in the jungle, behind enemy lines, a one-man experimental combat unit.
You’ve seen the film The Men Who Stare at Goats, about a special forces unit that tried to use psychic energy in war.
I was The Man who Shouts Poetry. The concept was devastatingly original.”
It’s perfect!
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Excellent, Fins! My thinking exactly. I do believe though that the performance v. City does bode well for tonight though. Looks like I’ll be off to the pub again but too far on a school night to get to Highbury. I heard from a friend that the Dartmouth Park Arms is a local gooner hub. Apparently Ed Milliband lives a few blocks away–there goes the neighbourhood! I’m definitely in the more plebeian section of this area, but the pub is close. I hope it is an Arsenal supporting place…
GP–life is just too short to engage an out and out viper like him… I do have to say though that we could have used another player perhaps in defence or a central midfielder who could drop back to cover in case of injury disaster. But as Anicoll pointed out–we have three starters (mind you throwing Gibbs on wouldn’t have been my first choice immediately after coming back from injury with Ozil playing wide left but it may still have been AW’s) and would have faced an issue with Debuchy’s absence due to suspension for this game anyway. The issue is more a long term one, but right now we have a big game and need to concentrate on that. I say let the kid start–Bellerin and keep Chambers available on the bench for duty later in the match to shore up central mid/defense if we are protecting a lead. He’ll have enough energy for that. And then he can get his tonsils out…
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Anicoll has a stone in his shoe. Someone should be afraid they’ll wake up with a horse head in their bed!
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Fins
You love your allegory!
Enjoy the game Limestone…
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Should be an absolute cracker, GP. I’m used to gearing up for the match at 2pm–though I can’t always watch it live (maybe streaming on the computer sometimes), it seems like such a long wait for the match now that I am not five hours behind.
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Just when thought I was out, they pull me back in
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mp is an extremist and his views have no relavance. the decision to loan Jenks out meant that young Hector would play at some point it was just a matter of when. With the flamster, le coq and Hayden also available to play full back we are not short in that position. many of the doubters of Hector said the same about a young cashley but when your as talented as Bellerin the step up will come
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Btw I just wanted to point out to the lucky readers of PA that very few previews of Saturday’s game guessed correctly that Pellegrini would start Navas (and play one up top), even though it was all a little bit obvious.
*coughs*
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Fins, modesty truly becomes you! (But you can’t help being right–good one!)
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So, give us a preview of this match unofficially (since none has been posted today–expect we’ll get a good match report tomorrow).
My tea leaves say 1-2 Arsenal. Welbeck (though he might not start) and Ozil.
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If Bellerin starts he will score Arsene told everyone today when he said he was a very dangerous player and when he scores they are normally crackers
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Desigunner’s previews are usually the best when it comes to the tika-tactics, but even he thought they’d play two strikers. The clue for me was that Abu Dhabi City ended last season with a sole striker playing more often then not. The AAA groan about Vengarrgrh’s tactics, one striker as a betrayal of Football, whilst ignoring that almost all the top teams are playing very similar tactics. The differences are too subtle for me.
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The following is from Gunnerblog via another source on Bellerin:
“I’d been at Barcelona all my life so it was very difficult. But after evaluating things I decided to join Arsenal. When you want to be a professional you have to look to make your way. And I believe the right path for me was to choose Arsenal. We met Mr Wenger and it went so well. When there is a team that guarantees you can play in the first team and above all in the Premier League, then it is very difficult to say no.”
The very interesting thing is that Bellerin was fighting for minutes last season at Watford behind Scottish international Ikechi Anya, who scored a great goal in Germany last week for Scotland against Germany! That’s got to be a good omen for tonight’s game. It will do for me.
If Chambers isn’t 100% than Bellerin has to play! I want Chambers as CB/CM cover only – Hector is good to go!
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I would play Belllerin regardless of Chambers fitness.
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Me too.
Though the latest rumour is that Flamini will get the nod. If you read the funny papers you’d think there weren’t any options. I guess that’s why they call them the funny papers.
We’ll find out soon enough.
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