I turned to Liz about twenty minutes before kick off and remarked on what a good day I’d had. First decent day in about two months in fact. Those who know me beyond the world of football will be aware things have been, of late, somewhat bumpy Chez Stew. Yesterday however we had seen a glimmer of light pierce the dark clouds and I was basking, just a little bit. It was about then I glanced at the clock and realised what time it was, what was about to happen and what I’d just said. How could I possibly describe Monday as a good day when there was such a potential game changer still to come? I tried to remember the lofty words I’ve often used to others. That old flim-flam about rising above the fray, employing some perspective and realising that in the grand scheme of things an FA Cup quarter final at Old Trafford was not really the most important thing in my life right now. It was merely a side show, a theatrical distraction to our real life drama, and regardless of the result I would still have had a good day. I forget the poet’s name but I think the quote I’m looking for is what a load of old bollocks. A defeat last night and my warm glow would have been swiftly translated into permafrost. Silly really to let the antics of a bunch of millionaire footballers undo all the good I’d worked for but in the end that is precisely what we sign up to isn’t it?
As it happened I need not have worried. Far from the dreaded and frankly unwelcome turd in the swimming pool, last night proved to be icing on an already tasty cake. We all saw it so I’ll spare you a blow by blow but for what it’s worth here are my impressions of the thrills and spills. Firstly, as George observed in the immediate aftermath, what a difference a decent performance from a referee makes. The players may have worked hard, really hard in fact throughout a tough match and eventually got their reward but the man in black was rivalled only by de Gea for his individual quality. We all know that back in the era of Ferguson and his horribly unhealthy relationship with the football establishment none of the yellow cards never mind the red would have happened. So credit where it’s due to Mr Oliver, and in a world of inept and probably corrupt officiating it is quite a joy to be able to say that. I have to add however that the final result had far more to do with resolute defending and a one dimensional approach from the home team than Di Maria’s stupidity. Per was back to his imperious best, Coquelin and Koscielny snuffed out Fellaini’s lumpen threat and the full backs, properly supported by the wide forwards stuck to their task impeccably.
Once again Arsène’s tactics were flawless, and it was good to see the players employ them effectively. Sent out to press and harass defenders who are drilled never to hoof away possession but always pass the ball even if that means going back to square one they did just that. This was surely the reason he opted for raw speed over assured insouciance by starting with Olivier on the bench. Eventually of course it was the pace and poaching skills of Daniel Nii Tackie Mensah Welbeck which made the difference. Just as the manager must have suspected it would. His substitutions were perfectly timed, even if one was forced, this being the only real blot on Arsenal’s otherwise pristine evening; yet another injury for Chamberlain. I am beginning to worry about that young man. The silver lining however was Aaron’s introduction to the fray. Some people have put forward the frankly ludicrous proposition that being injured for much of the season and not scoring ten goals a game means our Welsh maestro has somehow been a disappointment. Last night his calm assurance on the ball, his defensive work rate and his clever movement were vital in preventing United building a head of steam. I honestly thought they’d give us more of a headache towards the end of the match. I was bracing myself in my lonely room, waiting for the traditional United onslaught, but it never really came.
The pundits, pub bores to a man, all tried to say it was a poor Manchester side that lost the game, but we know they would rather be buggered on live television by Carlton Palmer’s Doberman than give us any credit. The fact is their new manager has spent this entire season drumming into his charges the style in which he wants them to play and, most footballers not being conspicuously over endowed in the cerebrum, they’ve just about got the idea now. The problem was when they needed something different all they came up with was to stick their filthy Belgian fouling machine down the middle, bang it up high in his general direction and when that didn’t work then it was dive, dive dive. Sadly and unusually for the men in red the Das Boot routine failed them last night. What a glorious sight it was to see them finally get their comeuppance after years of cheating impunity. Still, it doesn’t do to gloat does it? Well, perhaps just a little.
So what of the future? The planets seem to be aligning to produce a repeat of the first ever cup final I watched as an Arsenal fan. Back in 1970 when I elected to follow the red and white having dallied with, bizarrely as it seems now, both Celtic and Chelsea, a perfect first season culminated with Bob Wilson in his green cap and Charlie George lying prostrate on the Wembley turf. It may not be so. Blackburn could do everyone a favour and cancel the Stevie G media love in, Reading or Bradford could prevent us getting to the ultimate game of the tournament. Never forget how close Wigan pushed us last year. There is indeed many a slip twixt the FA cup and the lips of our captain upon it. But given the form and stature of the teams left in the hat I bet you’d get great odds for a Villa versus Reading final.
I apologise for the somewhat breathless ill conditioned tone of today’s blog. I am perhaps a little emotional still. Apart from anything else I detest watching us play at Old Trafford. It is literally the only fixture where I subscribe to the mantra of the nonsensical i.e. the only thing that matters is the result. Football is of course about so much more but I’ve become so conditioned to us losing there that I could have happily pressed fast forward to the final minute and just absorbed the score. Last night however things were different. As I said before the game I had a curious presentiment that we were due a change in fortune. I may not have expected it to be so dramatic with them missing from point blank range and their cheating ways telling on them so profoundly, but even though the match lacked free flowing sparkling football it had the right mix of tension and excitement to leave me restlessly unable to get to sleep. In short I’m glad I watched it, and you’ll seldom hear any football lover say that after ninety minutes in the company of Rooney, Fellaini and Young.
My final thoughts go to my mate Steve. You may think that the journey home from Greater Manchester would have been one of unbridled celebration but it wasn’t so for everyone. Steve is a coach driver. He drove all the way from Midsomer Norton to Old Trafford and spent the entire evening in the car park outside of the ground being so close that he could hear the game but not see one kick of the action. That’s not why I felt for him though. It was more the prospect of him then having to endure a four and a half hour drive in the company of fifty six miserable, disgruntled, moaning West Country Man United fans. Actually, thinking about it, that sounds like fun.
Positively Arsenal 
That’s what I want to read before I set off to do my days work. Fortunately that will only take about an hour, so I can get back and to my favourite hobby of aggravating WOB’s on twitter and celebrating the team .
Unlike Stew, I don’t enjoy watching any match live. I do of course watch, but it just has me in such a nervous state, it makes me feel physically ill. Sad really that the thing I love, is also a burden.
Thanks again Stew.
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Thanks Steww, and may the dark clouds continue to recede for you, as indeed they must have done yesterday evening for all genuine Arsenal fans. My boy Daniel, who had to go to bed at half-time was overjoyed this morning when I told him the result, correctly guessing the scorer before going on to say that this was one in the face for Zain, the Man U fan who taunted him beyond belief the season before last. So yes, a little gloating is perhaps in order. I am still in a state of disbelief, not so much that we won but because of the way we were allowed to win by a referee calling the game correctly. Perhaps Oliver and Clattenburg will usher in a new dawn for the game, although I shan’t be holding my breath on that one.
As for the match itself I thought the decision to go with Welbeck up front was inspired and that is not because I don’t like Giroud – far from it in fact, but playing them both when we don’t have to is a bit muddly. It made more sense to have Alexis and Oxlade roaming the flanks and nice to know that there is a ready made alternative to poor old Oxlade in Theo. Coquelin was immense and his duel with Foulaini one of the more intriguing sub-plots of the evening. And what a man that Monreal is: should injuries ever permit, a back four of Monreal, Kos, Gabriel and Debuchy would have a reassuring solidity about it. But enough of that: well done to them all and a special shout out to Kelly for rejuvenating her man to play such a crucial part in the final stages. As Steww suggests, I sense he is ready to soar now.
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Am I the only person in the world who didn’t think the ref had a blinder. Certainly in the stadium the ARSENAL fans were giving him loads of stick for being a bit of a homer. Yes he got the diving decisions right but the sending off was a straight red and he allowed foulani 7 fouls ( many of them deliberate to stop our counter attacks ) before his 1st booking. Early on going down easy certainly wasn’t on his mind as he gave FK after FK that were dubious to say the least and he even let manure take a free kick from the wrong half surely not a sign of a man on top of his game. I think many people are judging his performance on the woeful performances of others with the conclusion being if he wasn’t as bad as the rest he must have had a good game. The other factor is the win clouds our judgement at the final whistle but I believe we won inspite of this ref not because.
Apart from that despite not back till 3:30 and getting up already I feel great
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Judging by what I read, yes Ian, you are in a very small minority. I accept completely we are all measuring the referee against a backdrop of incompetence, mediocrity and corruption, and by those yardsticks he had a good game.
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3 things :
team responding to wenger’s instructions and following them to the letter.
michael oliver punishing those cheats ( #50 never forgotten)
the psychological impact of beating teams that they were used to losing to. man city, now manu..need to do same to chelsea..( even if they win the title…still open ? ) and set the tone for next year.
p.s santi cazorla…..watch and count the amoutn of times he receives ball in tight spaces with two or three marking him and then watch him get out of trouble….messi does that too some times but not as well…
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A fine morning after the night before and I felt that once we edged ahead last night the home side did not have the tools to open us up. As good a second half defensive performance as I have seen all season. And but for some good work from DeGea it could have been a scoreline that more accurately measured the gulf between the teams at 1-4.
As for Sir Michael Oliver, well what can I say? Another official from whom we enjoyed fair but firm treatment in what was a hot atmosphere. I am delighted to see diving spotted and punished. I am chuffed to mintballs to see an official who is surrounded and hounded by players who think they are God’s gift whip out the red card to deter his abusers – in fact he stopped them in their tracks. And his treatment of Bellerin also had a whiff of common sense which Arsene, a man quick on the uptake, reciprocated.
Yes that was a fine evening.
And I am pleased to hear there is a chink in the cloud Stew – good writing
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Euphoria not only because we finally won a game at Old Trafford since 2006(?) but as evident in Steww’s own words, it is a rebuke to the moaning and whinging amongst many so-called Arsenal bloggers over the last 10 years who doubted the ability of our great manager to bring back the glory he brought to our club.. We built a new stadium and had to focus on paying for it while United not only outspent us but had to cheat and tilt the playing field in their favor to keep us at bay, aided and abetted by a compliant refereedom and a fawning press. First Manchester City and now United, both on their own patch. The route back to the top has not beena straight line, dogged by reversals and setbacks but is there any doubt that this squad will bring us glory in the near future.
Thanks Steww for a wonderful job.
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A5, he whipped out the yellow for a player pushing him in the back wrong decision! If di Maria contributes in the games where he should be banned and its make CL it could be worth millions and could even impact us. On a glorious morning I don’t want to seem grumpy but I just don’t get the praise. I do recognise that getting pulled into the atmosphere I may have missed bits so I’ll sit down calmly and watch it again and if I wrong I’ll come on here and admit it.
On a happy point what a great win COYG
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You’re right Ian – the moment Oliver felt Di Maria’s hand on his back he should have gone over = straight red and a ten match ban
( banned winkey thing)
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‘We built a new stadium and had to focus on paying for it while United not only outspent us but had to cheat and tilt the playing field in their favor to keep us at bay, aided and abetted by a compliant refereedom and a fawning press.’
whoever chose the period where arsenal had to rebuild stadium to moan about titles and ‘optimal use of resources’ is an arsehole who is not fit to comment on wenger or arsenal. as simple as that.
and those who conveniently ignored that arsenal had to face a grand distortion of the playing field with russians and arabs allowed in to launder money are even more stupid. dangerous. should be locked in.
heh corrupt fifa and blatter…not like these guys here who are crystal clean …allowing dodgy tycoons, 5 bln cartel etc etc….. ‘those damn qataris cheated us’ …lol.. hypocrite clowns. suarez to score everytime he meets them to punish them cause thats what they deserve for making wenger’s life in england a fucking tyranny with their fucked up media and perceptions …..
my biggest problem is that when you clearly know and prove them wrong, they expect to see it in form of results to be convinced before admitting it…those guys are not true fans…those guys are idiots. and i have no problem calling them such. they can ban all they want but they know deep inside that they could not tackle the arguements and caution and went for the messengers………..
is it shauvinism, racism, chip on shoulder, territorial. tribal ? what is it that makes the arsenal fans think they can ignore advise from clearly superior football intellect ? praise the overseas arsenal fans..they have held the fort internationally speaking. the locals have taken things for granted and only show up to moan.
they think that because they are local or whatever that they know whats best for arsenal and how to go about it. They know fuck all….just a bunch of confused muppets using blogs and social media to kill time and pretend the all-knowing.
yes my style and words are contorversial but i mop the floor with yogis arseblogs arse2mouths gunnerblogs and whichever other cunt thought himself capable and clever enough to understand what wenger has/is doing for this football club. All those cunts FAILED to support their club in its most significant and toughest transition in its history.
sorry for swearing , but beating those bastards in their backyard when for the last 10-15 years they have viewed this encounter as @englands heart and soul against the scummy cheating foreigners@ combined with the weak mindedness of our fans during the transition are good enough reasons for me to get offensive.
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I agree with ian that the ref was not all that, yes he got two blatant dives spot on, but what about turning a blind eye to Felaini fouls, what about the penalty decision in first half(as Roy Keane said, if it happened outside the area a free would have been given). Are we so used to corrupt and inept refs doing us over that we going over the top when one ref actually does his job to a decent level. I have seen several Gooners say we were very lucky utd did not get a penalty for Januzaj’s clear dive, Is this not a clear indictment of the reffing we have had to put up with year on year for far too long.
By the way Adnan Januzaj’s record for Man Utd is Game 53 Goals 4 Booked for Diving 5, but he is the next George Best. Imagine the uproar in the media if Arsenal had 2 players booked in the same season for diving, let alone 2 in the same game, but not a bloody peep out of them today, cos its utd, Same old Arsenal always cheating.
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from now on let it be known….the bombardment begins !
bring on monaco liverpool chelsea bayern ( maybe not messi yet but all the rest …heh)
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I agree with Ian. I tweeted yesterday that I hoped for only a slight bias towards MUFC from the man in black. I think that was what we got. And that was enough.
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Are we so used to corrupt and inept refs doing us over that we going over the top when one ref actually does his job to a decent level.
bingo!
for me…..rojo should have seen two yellows..di maria’;s was harsh for me…colina would never give a second yellow for that just after already giving one. He would look at di maria and di maria would crap it and realise that next foul or anything and he is off… rojo though and felaini were bigger suspects for two yellows.
im just glad that a ref finally did not fall for o.t intimidation.
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https://pbs.twimg.com/media/B_uWLIrWIAAKfsD.jpg:large
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Ian I think the reason you feel isolated in your opinion may be that the rest of us are judging the referee in the context of history. Historically those decisions have not gone against United. Historically they get penalties for diving and not yellow cards, historically they and their management bully referees to good effect last night they got a red card for it.
Regardless of whether you think the ref was good or bad in the context of what has gone before he was exceptional.
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Goonersphere.com @Goonersphere · 14h 14 hours ago
Arsenal now holds the record for semi-final appearances with 28. Wenger has been in charge for 10 of them.
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Interesting to see the player the Mancs are raving about this morning – the Ox – skinned Shaw all the first half so badly the boy had to be taken off, created the first goal and bossed midfield right up to his injury. They know a good player when they see one.
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Tut. Someone could’ve let me know there’d be an article on here, the following morning. I’ve been ranting over at other places – when all I had to do was come here, and see, firstly, another excellent piece from Steww, which has added much needed perspective for me, and the usual excellent comments.
Watching live, I was raging at the Utd tackles going unpunished. Bellerin was in the book within 4 minutes. It’s not that he was booked that bothered me, it’s the fact that in any match Arsenal play, the opposition can absolutely batter my team without so much as a by your leave (is that the expression, albeit, ancient)? And that’s what Utd did.
Ox was kicked out of the game, make no mistake. and I’d anticipated his further involvements would prepare him to do what he done against Milan a couple years back, against Mnaco, but no…
Anyway, Ianspace and others have seen what was going on, and I’m sick of carrying on about it all elsewhere. The reason the ref started punishing Utd was because they totally pissed him off, with their questioning, surrounding and utter “wretchedness”. (Rest assured, that’s a euphemism).
Ta, Steww.
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I would like to raise the performance of Szczesny last night, can anyone explain why so many on the web are having a go at him, what did he do wrong, what did he do that was any different than Ospina has been doing to acclaim from these same people recently,
Those that accuse Szczesny in the past of being arrogant are now slating him for not acting arrogantly, but they hide it in their favorite soundbite for him – he looked nervous or was a bag of nerves – his save from Di Maria is not mentioned, while such saves made by Ospina are deemed proof that he is superior to Szczesny,
we are told his kicking last night was woeful and put us in trouble time and again, not only untrue but the fact that four or five times he had to lump the ball down field cos defenders who had more time on the ball than he had, played the ball back to him for no good reason.
He is getting faulted for the goal, laughably by some who also blame both Per and Kos for the goal, they seem to be unable to decide who is to blame really,
A bit of fuss is made by some for Szczesny taking two goes to collect that dangerous cross, when in fact he done extremely well to get to that ball, it was aimed at Fellaini and for me Szczesny could best take the ball the way he actually did, by making sure first and foremost that it did not reach MF and to do that he had to take it down one handed and then collect it.
I have mentioned it a few times this season, but it is very noticeable that two things come into play by a section of our fanbase in regards to viewing our players
1. there just has to be a scapegoat or two (some are taking great delight to have the opportunity to have a go at a couple of players who shut them up last season – Szczesny, Ramsey, Theo)
2. some seem to go on the mantra that if you like player x you have to find fault with player y who might rival player x for his place in the team and visa versa
like jack can’t like rambo
like ospina can’t like szczesny
like giroud can’t like welbeck
like ox can’t like theo
like caz can’t like ozil
like monreal can’t like gibbs
any little bit of good play by their favorite is proof he is superior to the scapegoat, any blame, no matter how spurious, will be used against the scapegoat to prove he just not up to it, and the more soundbites you can use over and over to back your views is a must, e.g. Ozil is lazy, Giroud misses too many chances, Theo does not defend etc etc etc
are all fan bases like this or do we possess a special kind of idiot supporter(I use the term very loosely)
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Szcz looked a little too eager to please last night as I would expect from a keeper who has spent a few weeks on the bench – as matters stand though he may end up with the FA Cup medal that he could have picked up last season if Arsene had not stood by his decision to play Fab in the FA Cup.
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eduardo do you really want to go there?
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Ospina is the man with the PL gloves and while he has not shown himself in the De Gea or Courtois class just yet he is a good solid ( literally) keeper who has committed no howlers. I really dont think there is much between them.
I am happy where we are, with Szcz keeping up his match sharpness through Cup games.
Not really a matter of favourites but of pragmatism.
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Fantastic stuff from our number 10,got to be honest-I watched the game on a cocktail of booze & painkillers and thoroughly enjoyed it,never doubted us for a minute..
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Arsenal U21’s away to Derby County tonight, and Jack Jebb is included in the squad after his spell out injured.
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can’t believe this
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Not really a matter of favourites but of pragmatism.
bingo!
one is a man …the other is still a rookie
the rookie could turn up to be oliver khan when he is 29-34 but right now fabianski and ospina are head and shoulders more ready and mature to deal with pressure of big games.
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i had written a thesis on wojo/ospi but ….no point really…
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Write-up worthy of the result.
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the get out of jail card : ‘delighted to be proved wrong’.
fuck youuuuuuu …have conviction for your beliefs/opinions……
‘ wenger is shit and arsenal is going nowehere, but id be delighted to be proved wrong…so ill keep talking bollocks till arsenal and wenger delightfully prove me wrong. real fan here…arsenal born and bred since the 60’s’
hahahahahahahaha
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and i shall also make a blog……and create negative momentum for the football club i support….until im delighted to be proven wrong…..
he he he h love it……. all posandos ( my word from positively arsenal and commandos) break formation and go solo attacks and sabotage missions!!
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Outstanding write-up Stew. I sympathize with PG as one who finds herself physically ill while watching high stakes matches. The nausea rarely subsides until the final whistle or at least a three goal lead. I could ask myself why I do it, but I know why: I love this team. As Stew said, this is precisely what we sign up for.
Yesterday was an easy one for me. Into a meeting at 1-1, and out 3 minutes into Fergie time. So by the time I got to watch it last night, I was relaxed and in a jubilant mood. It’s amazing what you see when you’re in that frame of mind. I can’t imagine what in the world anybody could find to criticize.
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Your right Steww, when looking at everything with a bit of historical context the ref was definetly better that his predecessors and maybe I was being grumpy through lack of sleep but I just felt our team wasnt being giving the credit they deserve as everywhere the ref was being the Motm. So he did do well to spot the dives and not be pushed by the home crowd and not be intimidated by the utd players which is the priority I suppose but our team and our manager done bloody good. manure didnt lose it and the ref didnt win it for us it was all us. However I do understand where youre coming from.
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on keepers i think De Gea is the best closely followed by coutois. czeh is on his way down but still quality and the slow lloris is up there as well. The rest of the keepers in the division are about the same with not much between any of them including the english boy at city. Szcz is on the up however and will prove to be top quality
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Bielik makes his U21 debut, Ormonde-Ottewill makes his return after long injury lay off, as does Illiev in goal and Jebb on the bench. Akpom plays after being sub at OT last night.
Arsenal Under-21s to play Derby: Iliev, Kamara, Dobson, O’Connor, Ormonde-Ottewill, Bielik, Maitland-Niles, Zelalem, Crowley, Iwobi, Akpom
Under-21s subs: Macey, Bola, Willock, Jebb, Mavididi
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the breakdown by adrian clarke
http://player.arsenal.com/player/6077-the-breakdown-man-utd-a
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If De Gea had not been playing superbly the Mancs would be mid table now and Van Gaal on his way out.
An interesting Summer if the Mancs blow CL qualification (again) and with Real or Barca come calling for the Spanish No1.
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I see Akpom is not the only sub from OT last night to be playing for their teams U21’s tonight, Falcao is in the Man Utd U21 side
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Hey AorB – hope you’ve managed to catch a nap. I did say in the piece “So credit where it’s due to Mr Oliver, … I have to add however that the final result had far more to do with resolute defending and a one dimensional approach from the home team than Di Maria’s stupidity”
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anicoll5 – I agree with that 100%. I think in fact both Spurs and Man U are heavily reliant on pretty good keepers.
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No media agenda then, glad bleacherreport pointed it out
@seanswaby
The Özil effect: wherein an 8/10 is inferior to a 7/10 http://bleacherreport.com/articles/2391667-arsenals-mesut-ozil-cant-win-even-when-he-does-win-in-match-ratings …
https://pbs.twimg.com/media/B_wFzY7UgAEhAbE.jpg:large
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Arsenal Fixture News @AFCFixtureNews · 3m 3 minutes ago
Chris Foy is the Referee for Saturday’s London derby against West Ham United.
Will he bring his bike (this is one for the tottnum fans)
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Chamberlain, Coquelin, Schezzer and Jenks* all played in the 8-2 game.
I think Coquelin and Chambo made their home debuts in the he league cup against Shrewsbury? One fine example of the anti-arsenal arsenal genius was their attempt to smear all who openly love their club as AKBs etc. as people who never critique or disagree was shown up on a blog where all these memes are held dear to the chest where me and Passenal had a fun discussion on who had impressed more out of Coquelin or Chamberlian that night. It was a big night because these two players made their home debuts, the beginning of a new era. The post F-Word and Van “the Ego that got stitched up by Slurgus” Persie era.
Can’t believe I had to work through the game. Just my luck. Thanks for all the comments, good to catch up on what I missed, hopefully I can watch the game later on tonight.
*I still believe we might see a loan swap between him and ‘ektor next season, one in one out and then both back when Debuchy is ready to move on or to CB? It’s a possibility, who knows? Not me.
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Excellent write up, Steww.
First things first. The “lazy” Özil ran his ass off yesterday to deny any space to Blind, Herrera and later Carrick. He was my man of the match.
I am one who thinks the ref had a so-so game last night. Up until he correctly booked Januzaj and Di Maria for diving, he let Marouane Elbows hit every Arsenal player and didn’t receive as much as a talking to. And the reason he didn’t give Bellerin a double booking is because Ashley Young dove when young Hector caught him.
Their goal came thanks to Alexis laying off Di Maria. Letting a cross like that come in was criminal.
I thought Szczesny was magnificent. Why anyone would have a go at him is beyond me.
I would like to say bravo Arsene for getting his tactics right against Van Gaal, but the Dutchman is so horrible tactically that a league one coach could shut down Manure. As soon as he reverted to the 3-5-2, I knew the game was in the bag. LVG must be the most hyped coach I’ve seen since Erickson.
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Arsenal FC @Arsenal · 2m 2 minutes ago
Half-time: Derby County Under-21s 0-0 @Arsenal Under-21s
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i find that a bit extreme on van gaal….i mean… he did change european football with his ajax…just the names he produced in that epic team put him in the hall of fame… he produced/developed xavi …he brought out mueller in bayern …he is not useless. maybe he is not fit for united. but thats another story all together.
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