A match report from Tim, @foreverheady
Saw the game (as live) very late in the day due to a disjointed and complicated Saturday, and would put it down as one of the odder matches I’ve seen. Almost total control in the first half never really looked like leading anywhere and a curious sense of detachment from just about everyone. At half time I really couldn’t tell whether we would win 2-0 or lose 1-0 as both scenarios seemed equally likely. In the end it was neither, but what a strange second half: more Arsenal pressure, more frustration and then a wonder goal showing what a magnificent signing Welbeck was – talk about a farsighted solution to a short term problem, Dat guy Welbz showing Dat guy Arsene still has few if any peers when it comes to deadline day transfer deals.
But then the legs ran out (and why wouldn’t they after International action, Man U and Dortmund in the very recent past) so the last 15 minutes which should have been comfortable ended up with us struggling to get hold of the ball and ticking the clock down with ease. But handsome is as handsome does and a decent and important 3 points that might not have been that pretty at the time but which will no doubt be worth their weight in disappointed banners come season’s end.
Martinez again looked solid and he has a size about him that could well turn into a commanding presence, and it was good to see Kos back in action. Poor old Nacho, limping off after a knock that was hard to spot, and even poorer Gibbs whose brief rest turned into no rest at all and perhaps another worrying injury to boot. The Flamster was OK and did his marshalling job sensibly, while Aaron again showed signs of a steady return to form that I suspect won’t come totally to fruition until he plays alongside Ozil once more – at times he and Alexis couldn’t get out of each other’s way, which didn’t really help: both will benefit from the return of the space-maker. And so it was left to Santi to provide his class and recent doubters wrong with a twinkle-toed display of impish magic that was an utter delight all day long. His new shirt seems to be fitting a little less snugly now than it did back in the early Autumn and you sense that he has decided that it is up to him to take responsibility for the team’s success.
The early start yesterday didn’t help after Wednesday night’s exertions, but at least provides more recuperation than Southampton will get as they have City to negotiate this afternoon ( let’s hope for a hard-fought draw there) before travelling up to us in midweek. So a day of rest for our players today, and although the matches now come thick and fast at least they do so for everyone and I just have an inkling that yesterday was the day when the luck began to turn in our favour.
And now Andrew has some comment on the halfwits with a banner @arsenalandrew
I can hardly bring myself to dignify the cause of the banner wankers by commenting on it.
Suffice to say, whilst they clearly relish the Arsenal spotlight, now that the wider footballing world is laughing at our residual embarrassment, maybe they’ll curb their ill-judged activities. Unlikely though as they must derive great encouragement from their association with all that is most hideous within the Goonersphere with the likes of Piers, Payton and Pedro as ugly bedfellows and the worst of the so-called Arsenal old-skool braying along in noticeably thuggishly aggressive fashion.
When a cause has to fall back on the underlying suggestion of threat, violence and intimidation, as evidenced on the more colourful Twitter exchanges, then you know it’s a flakey one.
But as I say, they do appear to be making inroads with their protests as not only are the majority of Arsenal fans pointing at them now, but so too the rest of the football world, whilst collectively enjoying a good old laugh.
Whilst on the one hand I slightly fear being tarnished by association, on the other, my confidence in the club enables me to thoroughly enjoy the ill-judged entertainment they bring as their preposterous behaviour gains ever greater exposure and they inevitably start to soak up the reputationally-ruinous ridicule.
They see themselves as robustly challenging the club but are much more widely recognised as the spoilt brats that they are; punch-drunk on self-entitlement, blind to their club’s successes and its undeniable progress and clearly oblivious to its massive long-term future potential.
Has anyone ever previously seen fans protest in the wake of CL qualification and a decent away win in the league? Most clubs and their fans would give their proverbial right arm to be playing in Europe next year.
Apart from having little in the way of convincing argument, some Goners, at least, have no sense of timing.
To display such a banner in front of a winning side as they walk towards you to thank you for your support is as rude and as paradoxical a situation as one can possibly imagine. And when some subsequently complain of the ‘outing’ of the banner-wanker’s identity well, you’ve gotta laugh, haven’t you.
Of COURSE you should be allowed embarrass yourself, in public, in complete anonymity.
Well done, lads, nice one.
Positively Arsenal 
Thank Gawd we have a game on Wednesday !
Southampton, the Saints, flying high until they hit the buffers against Aguerro and his merry men – winners at the Ems in September. Koeman has somehow managed to reassemble the side who were pillaged by transfer predators over the Summer and whose manager pissed off to the dark side to be a good side. Joint favourites for relegation they were in August – hugely impressive.
Is there fuel tank beginning to run low though ?
What can we expect – other than banners and bullshit ?
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Well said, Finsbury.
The pity is that a few people with a stupid and pointless flag have captured the attention of so many fans.
Not me! Bollix to them. That is not to say they do not have the right to express their views, no one wants censorship – well, I don’t, but they have had more that their share of publicity and rubbishing a great manager and through him, a great club.
I refuse to end on that note, so I just want to say how thrilled I was with the game and the way we are beginning to evolve our manager’s strategy — yes, yes, I know – he is apparently clueless when it comes to strategy — but the way the forwards are now playing with Giro back is beginning to look the dog’s bollocks.
As I saw it, Giro was the big CF pretty much remaining central, parallel to the two penalty areas, Welly and Sanchez playing on the left and right wings respectively with Rambo and Cazzor playing tucked in behind them.
But hold on, that was just in the first half. After the break, Welly moved over more to the central position alongside Giro, and Sanchez began to rove across the width of the pitch with Ramsey and Cazzor moving out to the wing positions.
With that set up, it seemed too obvious that raids down the wings, with Sanchez confusing the WBA defence lurking behind the two men now playing CF led to the inevitable goal.
A wonderful dribble from little Santi, playing his best game for a while, saw him dance past the defender and place a cross invitingly for Welly to rise two feet higher than the defenders, while another defender was trying to marshall Giro, and bang we were one up.
What am I saying? Am I mad? This sounds like tactics and strategy — that is impossible – those guys elsewhere keep telling us – AW does not know anything about such things.
Must have been the fairies then!!
The attack are only going to get better as they perfect the system, and what’s more, with Kozzer back to boss the defence and use his speed, and the determination of the rest of the team to keep a clean sheet can only augur well for the future too.
To prove that, when interviewed, after the game, Danny W, despite his winning goal, when asked what the most satisfying thing was for him, said, without hesitation, “Keeping a clean sheet!”.
What more needs to be said?
Now that is what the Arsenal’s fans should applaud the manager for!
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Sorry Andrew, I attempted to describe some of the glorious football we saw last week and then posted that very last comment here by mistake. Undid all my own thoughts. Not for the first time. Damn it.
What can we expect?
Same as last season between these two teams, a top top quality game of football. I’m an idiot for not looking for a ticket earlier, hope I can find one now.
As I wrote yesterday undoubtedly the settled midfield core has been key to Southampton’s form. And it fortunately looks like Schneiderlan has handed in his transfer request a little in advance of the window this time. I’m happy to make things up and take his first absence of the season (I think) as evidence that he wanted to come to the Arsenal in the summer. Though the truth is I’m not sure I care! The team that played in the leage cup is now their starting eleven. If so I hope Chambers can cope with Mane’s pace, he’ll be his biggest test since Swansea IMO. The very green Bellerin did ok against the tricky speedster. He could out run him for a start haha!
Both teams will be missing their midfield generals, Arteta and Schneidy, and the team that copes better should win the game.
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I tell you what tho’ animal, the S;Hampton manager made some very astute buys to replace the guys he sold, and blow me down, apart from our man, Calum Chambers, those who left have made a right old horlicks this season.
My next comment does not apply to this coming Wednesday, but I am taking a passing delight in how they (S’Hampton) have performed so far this season.
Like most people, I thought it was madness for them to sell the family jewels, which only shows I know bugger all, but at least I am prepared to admit that, unlike some of the self professed football savants who profess to know more than our own manager, and refuse to admit they really know bugger all.
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anicoll — apologies — my self correcting software has, not for the first time, changed ‘anicoll’ into ‘animal’. How embarrassing.
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As Arsenal’s midfield evolves over the next few years it is worth bearing in mind that the midfield during the infamous 1-1 at Newcastle that helped to achieve that squeaky-clean sheet and then the purchase of Özil and the clear upwards curve the club is now upon (no wonders the Groaners are sounding so shrill, eh?) was a CM base of:
Chamberlain-Ramsey
Interesting, isn’t it? Both players now have their form and fitness back, hopefully Chambo’s knock was nothing too niggly, and they are going to be very interesting to watch. Two of the brightest British talents you could think of.
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Chambo and Rambo played opposite Cabaye and Tiote that day:
37 Harper
02 Coloccini
13 Yanga-M’Biwa (Campbell – 80′ )
26 Debuchy
27 S Taylor
04 Cabaye (Anita – 57′ )
10 Ben Arfa
18 Gutierrez (Booked)
24 Tiote
09 Cisse
11 Gouffran (Marveaux – 64′ )
01 Szczesny
03 Sagna
04 Mertesacker
06 Koscielny
28 Gibbs (Booked)
07 Rosicky (Booked)
08 Arteta (Oxlade-Chamberlain – 28′ )
14 Walcott
16 Ramsey
19 Cazorla (Wilshere – 88′ )
09 Podolski (Giroud – 77′ )
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We played fairly well against Southampton with our 2nd string team.
They are a strong outfit and deserve to be where they are in the league, but they have lost every time they have played against a big Club this season.
It’s up to us to show we are still a big team.
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Woof Woof !
Southampton’s rise is exceptional, in August 2009 they were bottom of League One with a 10 point deduction, managerial merry go round, debts on the St Marys ground etc. Very impressive recovery.
For those of you who enjoy a good goal have a look at this one from 1982, the last time Saints were in a similar position as today.
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No doubt if Channon’s goal had gone in this weekend against the Arsenal I would have had to listen to the “who was to blame” inquiry with Per and Flamini taken out and flogged afterwards
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double canister if only the guy described as an English superstar linked to us by Fresh Arsenal was as good as Barry, it is in fact the Ipswich Town defender Tyrone Mings, yeah that is who they call a superstar.
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debuchy says he is looking to be fit to face qpr on the 26th
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I dont think Arteta will be as missed as Schneiderlin. One thing that hasnt been mentioned enough about Santis brilliant performance last game was how he regularly dropped deep to act as distributor instead of Flamini, who isnt exactly the best while in possession. It allowed Mathieu to keep it simple while Cazorlas superior passing range and calmness on the ball emulated Artetas. We have also been forced to cope with Artetas absence several times this season already while Soton has had Schneiderlin available all season as far as I know.
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Arsenal Under-21s to play Brighton: Huddart, Johnson, O’Connor, Ajayi, Robinson, Kamara, Maitland-Niles, Iwobi, Zelalem, Crowley, Akpom
subs: Keto, Dobson, Sheaf, Willock, Mavididi
interesting that Robinson who is normally a winger is selected at left back, and that Moore is not in the squad, maybe a call up to the first team squad in on the cards, with Gibbs and Monreal set to miss Southampton game
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Taf is excellent full back either side although a little small at the moment needs a few more inches. He had an excellent game against Dortmund last Wednesday. The U21s are two up at the moment
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The WOB twats with the banner are an embarrassment.
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Arsenal FC @Arsenal · 26s 27 seconds ago
Half-time: Brighton Under-21s 0-3 #Arsenal Under-21s. Kamara and Akpom (2) are on target in a dominant first-half showing by the Gunners
AFC unlucky not to have scored several more
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full time, 4-0 to Arsenal U21’s, Akpom got his third with a last minute penalty, he had come close several times in the second half.
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Does anyone know the state of play with regard to Hayden, Gnabry and Diaby?
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Hayden returned to outdoors training today, he expects to play in two weeks, probably an U21 game
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This week’s buzz word from the miserables is ‘stagnation’ like they get media briefings from a political party.
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Diaby must have gone to take the waters in Lourdes.
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Short clip this week of Gnabry talking about his slow recovery from injury on 29 November on Arsenal Player but no further info from him on possible return date TH
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I see Peter Hill-Wood is keeping his hand in.
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anicoll,
Is Hill-Wood a puppeteer? Hope he does not mistake Gazidis for his puppet, or he makes sure his hands are not cold. Brrr
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Debuchy and Ospina are only one week away. Arsenals medical team nicking a living, eh?
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Gaffer said Gnabbers was behind Walcott and that was before his groin strain so probably we won’t see him before Xmas. A big blow for a player who before he got injured was considered by Jogi Lowe for his WC winning squad. Given some time he should hopefully recover but after a long spell out he’ll need to work his way back.
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Serge already made his comeback in the same game as Theo and performed better on the day. Obviously Theo has since had his groin problem but not sure what serge has picked up but its common to pick up smaller knocks after long layoffs. Would be nice to see both back soon and then we would see more of the Ox in the middle after all that is supposed to be his intended position
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Got to love the AFC old skool Tory boardroom wallah’s. They certainly enjoy putting self-inflated toryboys in their place. The big fish…
His Lordship PHW is only stating the bleedin’ obvious: why would the owners of AFC listen to those such as a supporters group that they used to subsidise that was mismanaged and is now out of money (something like that…I don’t really care for the details…), a group which chose to repay that investment with behaviour that can most efficiently described as Vile considering no other club puts out like Arsenal have done in this area.
One day (when the contractual conditions Fizman imposed upon Kroneke on his deathbed expire?) we will need a supporters group that has not castrated itself through it’s own vanity and stupidity by attempting to focus on the pitch, an area way beyond their capacity ability or simply their remit. The existing ones have blown their credibility with all football fans. Such a shame considering the hand offered by the club. Tony Atwood and our Andrew are correct, some of these people are clearly unwell. Plenty of evidence.
The more vile Groaners are in for three years of pain, and considering the abuse they have thrown towards the manger, the disingeniuity (“he inherited GGs back line to win in 04 etc…”) I should confess that I was laughing at the prospect of their dementia minutes after Our Friend Probert blew that final whistle in May. These “fans” wanted Arsenal to loose the cup final. We knew it then, we know it now.
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“lose!”
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Ah good – its Andre Marriner tomorrow – a man who has a little making up to do with one or two of our players
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Indeed the Professional Game Match Officials Board stated: “Incidents of mistaken identity are very rare and are often the result of a number of different technical factors. Whilst this was a difficult decision Andre is disappointed that he failed to identify the correct player.”
And so were we Andre, so were we.
Water under the proverbial bridge – clean slate tomorrow
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A journo feed’s a couple of bottle’s of La Grande Dame ’96 to PHW and get’s an instant headline. Good value, if you ask me.
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I swear I saw Diaby in one of the training pic’s released today.
Or maybe it was his ghost.
It would be lovely and cheeky of the Boss to play him tomorrow, wouldn’t it?
Diaby held his own very well against the same team in the league cup, we only went wobbly after he came off.
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Sounds like proper journalism to me
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Where can I read the PHW comments?
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Daily Star
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In fact allow me to assist you;
http://www.dailystar.co.uk/sport/football/413218/Former-Arsenal-chairman-BLASTS-fans-demanding-Arsene-Wenger-sacked
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If anybody want’s my opinion, just buy the champagne.
….hello.
……anybody….?
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DC: Unless you have been on the bubbles already I think you may be right – wouldn’t it be wonderful to see him feature tomorrow?
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I seen on one of the negative arsenal sites a group of the moaners having a real go at PHW, I had not seen the article and their reaction really had me wondering what he had said to have warranted their hissy fits. when I actually read the PHW quotes all I could say was that it was understandable that the moaners had got their knickers in a twist, after all how dare PHW tell them the truth, bumbling old Peter hit home hard. Well done Mr Hill-Wood
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The braying of a Jackass is only of interest, to other jackasses.
The 32 clubs who participate in the Champions League, are raking in the lolly.
The top 4 in the English Premier League, are raking in the lolly from the Broadcasting deals.
The relegated 3 from the EPL, are desperate to rejoin ASAP.
I have nothing against Old Etonians, that I have met. Good old PHW, his heart may be a bit dodgy, but it bleeds “Arsenal”.
Why waste any time on those who think, finishing 4th, is doom and gloom. Their thoughts are redundant, from the moment the words are tapped on the keyboard.
Well done Soton, even defeat will see you riding high!
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I have a brilliant comment to make however I’m not going to make it for another 9 comments
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Good man Eddy – keep an eye on the vermin
I am pleased that PHW’s comments drew a reaction
I hope he does not leave it there. Unfortunately unlike Morgan, the cuff link gang and the Uberbloggers I suspect PHW has too much respect for the club to engage in the sort of yelping melodramatic attention seeking that passes for ‘opinion’
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I mean wtf does PHW know about AFC
30+ years chairman
Probably another 10 years before that on the board
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Unfortunately all Arses have embarrassing pimples and ours is no different #bannerwankers
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His Dad ? Pfftttt
– also chairman of the club for 30 years – he was lucky though
His grandad ? Ok ok ok chairman during the 30s with Chapman – joined the board in 1922
Still wtf do they know about Arsenal eh ?
Compared to you’re average blogger or widely acknowledged ‘celebrity’ (passionate) like Morgan ?
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Admittedly he never actually was CEO of a merchant bank – just second in command
Obviously had no idea about finances or how to read or understand financial reports
The old fool
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but anicol is PHW a real fan who goes to games
I notice both a ramping up of the use of this term to belittle non local fans, and the use of the term “cult of Wenger”, for anyone who is not rabid in their references and views of Wenger. Maybe its time the reasonable fans started to use the term cult for the WOB,
by the way can anyone explain why so many of these idiots have to be so vulgar and disrespectful towards Wenger and our club. I have stated before that I would have gladly seen Wenger leave during the summer, but for many of the moaners I’m an AKB cos I had the audacity to refuse to accept the view that he is dragging our club through the gutter, and worse still I fight against this nonsense of them using insulting and vulgar terms in reference to Wenger.
As stated I would have been happy for Wenger to have left in the summer, but once he signed his new contract I will back him till that contract is up, it will not stop me finding fault in things that I think are wrong, but he is manager of our club, and so will get the respect that comes with that.
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How the hell was that a foul on Valencia?
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