I feel, even more than is usual after an international break, like something small and furry testing the warming air with twitching whiskers after a particularly inhospitable winter. That is not to say that the pointless, tedious, and above all dire international matches were any worse than usual. On the contrary they were every bit as third rate as they always are and on the few occasions I attempted to pass a little time watching one I ended up switching off long before the half time oranges were sliced. The reason this past fortnight has limped along on leaden feet has as much to do with a stinking head cold as the lack of any palliative Arsenal action, but as I sniffed and coughed and crunched paracetamol there was another thorn thrust deep into my abdominal external oblique. The moronic drone of the transfer tattle started up almost the moment the real football stopped.
I won’t dignify any of the baseless gibberish by discussing it here. Suffice to say I was appalled by the way some of my twitter contacts and fellow Positively Arsenal regulars joined in with the nonsense. Is not the ruination of every summer enough for you people? Why pollute decent conversation by stooping to this level? Why debase yourself by giving credence to the wholly mischievous, entirely invented tales of what is going to transpire once the season is ended? Even if you only join in to say I shan’t hate player x until he actually leaves, or I’ll support player y as long as he wears the shirt, that is still a step too far. Can’t you see the reasons behind the fantasy transfer speculation? Isn’t it so blatantly obvious to you? This is another attempt to distract from the real battles being fought on the pitch, to turn supporters away from the excitement of the seasons end and the team’s tilt at glory. This is another weapon in the armoury of those who despise our club which they use to divide and rule, to separate us from the players and cause us either to cast longing glances at those wearing the colours of other teams or worse to plant seeds of doubt against the loyalty of our own. I despise those who propagate this filth and despair of every one of you who enters into such a devil’s bargain with them.
Now, I trust that issue has been put to bed once and for all, so let us glance forward towards today’s fixture. Not too far forward as it happens given that we face the mixed blessing of a lunchtime kick off. I say mixed because while I know many people are superstitious of these games they do come with certain fringe benefits. For one thing, should we win we get to lay down a marker and say to the rest of the teams in the scrap there’s the bar now see if you can jump it. Better to have the result in the bag than to go into our game under pressure from an earlier scoreline. The other advantage is that we get the rest of the weekend off. A late Sunday afternoon kick off would leave us pacing up and down, distracted from Friday evening onwards, unable to concentrate, preoccupied, distant from family and friends. Once this early kick off is out of the way we can actually function like normal human beings and pay full attention to our partners on that all important trip to B&Q.
The question is, will we be whistling through the grass seed or scowling in the screwdrivers? I am shy of making predictions, they seem a little pointless and I’m patient enough to wait and allow events to unfold but I’m quite happy to share a couple of wild guesses. I’m guessing for instance that Liverpool, although desperate not to lose will not set out to defend against us. Under Brendan Rodgers they have often displayed a proactive, gung-ho approach and have, on a notable occasion not that long ago, profited from coming at us, guns blazing, straight out of the blocks. I think they’ll treat today as a cup final, an all or nothing, caution to the wind affair. If so it’ll be a hell of a game.
I alluded to last season’s encounter at Anfield in the previous paragraph and while we’re on that subject I’d like to set straight another piece of wayward thinking. There have been a number of people suggesting that today is about revenge for the home team. That in some way we have an unpaid bill hanging over us from last year and this game will be the time of reckoning. Strange how distorted and fickle memory can be, the tricks it can play. How exactly did we come up short against Liverpool last season, pray tell? Unless I have been misinformed we beat them at the Emirates, they beat us at Anfield which by any calculation would have left us even-stevens. At least it would have had we not then also taken their little ball from the sack for the sixth round of the FA Cup. I make that played three won two. We don’t owe anybody anything.
The simple fact is that until their last match they were the in form team in the premier league, now they are joint second with Man United, and our record over the last six matches is better than anybody else’s. The other interesting statistic is that they have the best away form over the last six and we have the best home form. It is set up to be a real humdinger. Two teams that love to attack both needing a win, both with one eye on an FA Cup semi final and both wondering if this might be the dress rehearsal for their fourth climactic Wembley meeting in that venerable competition. I think that on their day they keep the ball and move it around as well as anyone and I think that on our day we do too. It could be a game of tight margins. Which players are best able to shake off the dust from the dreaded international death march, which side benefits from the hapless and often surreal decisions of one of the most raggedly unpredictable referees ever to blight the game. I just hope that for once the side playing the best football, and creating the most chances comes out on top and whatever the result today I hope that Man United lose their remaining fixtures so that both sides can finish in the top four.
Reading back over my opening remarks I wonder if the influenza which has so cruelly afflicted my already weak and ageing mind might have made me a little more grumpy than is usually the case. Of course if you wish to to be led by the nose by scurrilous journalists and do as they tell you rather than have your own thoughts and ideas then by all means talk about prospective transfers, it is, after all, a free country. I don’t need to read it and I don’t need to join in, do I? So I apologise unreservedly if my remarks have offended those of you who think media inventions, gossip and lies are so worthy of discussion. Now where is the Vicks, and more to the point who’s going to rub some onto my chest?
Positively Arsenal 
Morning Steww, morning everybody, from far and wide.
Great article but must admit I have to agree with ol’ grumpy pants with regards transfer speculation – AND hold up my hand to some measure of guilt in the matter.
My guess is that rampant speculation is the work of two devils – the club detractors and the media (often one and the same thing, but not exclusively so). Where I get sucked in, from time-to-time, is when a prospective, potential ‘maybe, maybe not’ non-story has a high degree of entertainment value attached.
So whilst I don’t wish particular ill on Liverpool, for example, I do find the whole Sterling saga hugely entertaining (and for all the wrong and dastardly reasons). I doubt he’d end up at AFC as I can’t really see him getting in ahead of too many of our existing squad, neither do I see him doing similar at too many other big clubs. However, the sound of a money-grabbing kid denying he is a money-grabbing kid and claiming it is all about the football does leave me sniggering somewhat. He’s hardly painting himself in a great light and Brendan’s ego must be taking a pounding at the same time. Meanwhile the LFC media mafia are falling over themselves to say exactly why the player owes himself to the club. You can’t make it up because, of course, we’ve all already lived through the equivalent in recent supporting memory.
But Steww IS right; having gone through similar with RvP and Fabregas, I really should know better. It’s not big, or clever but I do find it very amusing.
Just as amusing are the early stories of Levy reining things in at Tottenham, partly in response to the squandering of the ‘Bale money’ and a squad riddled with damp squibs of a bygone transfer window. But also, ooh look, they have the expense of a brand new stadium coming up. Coincidence? I think not? Will they lose Harry Kane this summer? Well if it helps to pay a chunk of the stadium costs off …? But will they remain competititive and finish in the top four, er six, or eight? (And how will Liverpool cope with a return to life out of the top four? Or Manure with a second spell of conspicuous absence? Yes, that same top four finish countless AFC detractors spent years belittling)
So, yes, guilty as charged, I do find some transfer speculation compulsive viewing – and I SHOULD know better.
Looking forward to getting out of DIY Central in a couple of hours and it’s days like today I’m particularly appreciative of living near the stadium and fortunate enough to have a season ticket for what is always one of the biggest games of the season.
And yes, I’m certain it’ll feel like a cup final – these games always do (to me, at least).
Enjoy the day everyone.
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Andrew. I blame myself. If I hadn’t mentioned it then you wouldn’t have either. This is the first I’ve heard of anything to do with Sterling leaving Liverpool and I hope it’s the last.
The fact is I can’t gloat when other teams suffer in the same way we did, whether it’s Spurs or Liverpool. If it was wrong when it happened to us then it’s still wrong now.
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Morning Stew and the past ten days have passed a swiftly as the twitch of a newly born lamb’s tail this rather misty Easter morning.
I have had the enormous benefit of being virtually excluded from any form of media, social or mainstream, and even the TV remained off.
I think the man today, as in THE MAN,will be Francis Coquelin in a tight game that will be decided by a single goal.
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Nice work young Steww. If we are able to put out a midfield of Coquelin, Ramsey, Alexis, Ozil and Cazorla we ought to be able to give most sides a run for their money.
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fuck this is so early….wheres the sun? … .the sacrifices we make … cant rewally see properly…
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As expected I have been edified by the wise words of a sage and his followers……
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Coffee can help. And now it’s starting to drizzle too. I’d better try and muster up some grit.
Come on the Arsenal! If Welbeck is still niggled we could see a similar line up to that at City away, but that’s assuming Ramsey is fit. Can’t wait till kick off.
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Well that’s me told.
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Not aimed at you in particular George. Even the greatest Arsenal poster in the history of Twitter was at it.
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Nerves are coming now. 15 mins to go.
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I wasn’t going to say anything about the Liverpool-Sterling thing, but I can’t help but think that the Sterling problem is one of Liverpool’s own making. The truth is Sterling was on the Arsenal radar whilst he was at QPR but he listened to stories that Liverpool would make him an amazing player like one of his heroes John Barnes and so signed for Liverpool. They haven’t delivered on their promises.
They had him in the reserves for ages, didn’t loan him out for development but instead eventually due to injuries dropped him into the first team. His body wasn’t developed for the physical and fast EPL, hence the fatigue, injuries and burn out he experienced in his first season. Instead of Brendan Rogers easing him in slowing by starting him as a sub and building up his strength, stamina and mental capability, he was started time and time again.
On the money side of things, in his first full season at Liverpool, Sterling was still on a trainee weekly wage of around £2k, whereas most EPL clubs when a player is promoted to the first team automatically bump up a players wages to around £15-20k. It took a long time for Sterling’s people to realise that Liverpool wouldn’t do that without issue. When they finally did improve his pay – they leaked it to the press, reluctantly paying £30k to one of their ‘star’ players in the modern game is a situation that wouldn’t go on for long.
As much as Liverpool would like to involve Arsenal and make us the bad guys in this situation they need to take a long look at themselves.
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That said I hope Raheem Sterling has an abysmal game today, especially since he has recovered from injury to straight into the Liverpool starting line up!
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GG, I bow to your superior knowledge on a subject about which I am entirely ignorant
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outstanding finish by Bellerin with his left foot, Ozil to Ramsey to Bellerin who cuts on to his left foot and curls it into the far corner
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brilliant freekick goal from ozil,
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For a while I thought we would get stung by a counter, Liverpool on the ropes now. It will be a test of character to see how they come back at us.
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Alesissssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssss with a thunder strike 3-0
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Even Anthony Taylor can’t do a thing about this.
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Half time 3-0! Even more annoyed i’m not there now!
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HT: Arsenal 3-0 Liverpool
3 goals of the highest quality
Bellerin with a superb curling strike with his weaker foot after good play from Ozil and Ramsey
Ozil with a great freekick goal from about 25 yards after he had won the free kick
Alexis with a power strike after a good pass by Bellerin to Ramsey who turned well and played a defense splitting pass to Alexis who beat Toure well.
We missed a couple of early chance and were then lucky liverpool did not take advantage of their two good chances. Now looks like Arsenal are in control, just need to keep it tight at the back and not overextend ourselves in the second half
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I hope you’re right steww@1.33
Brilliant football. Tore them apart in first 10 minutes then let them get back in the game. But 3 wonderful goals. And some great long passes from the back by Coquelin and Koscielny. Anybody who doubts Coquelin now needs an eye test. And those Özil haters can just stfu.
Hat-trick for OG in second half anyone?
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Liverpool perhaps a little off their best following the home defeat against their hated rivals but I’m not sure they could have stopped those three finishes at their best.
Ektor’s left foot breached the Liverpool linesfollowed up by the rockets from the shooting stars. Meteorites.
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4-1 atones for the 5-1 hammering they gave us and will shut a few Liverpool people up I know. The pressure is now on our rivals and I can relax over this Easter break. Good times.
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Michael Owen rabbitting on about Minge should have stopped two of the goals. Very strange man.
Anthony Taylor also made some strange decisions but, all in all, rather redeemed his reputation with this observer – not a bad effort. Penalty decision was pretty bang on, as was Can’s red card.
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Perfect preview by Steww, only bettered by our annihilation of the Scousers. It was closer than it seems given the 2 chances they missed prior to our flurry of goals. But in the end our superior quality prevailed.
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Well, great performance. Great relief, time to relax….
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OptaJoe @OptaJoe · 3h 3 hours ago
559 – Liverpool have not conceded a Premier League away goal in nine hours and 19 minutes. Steely
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Michael Owen: “Sterling is better than Özil. Probably better than Welbeck.”
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Now is exactly the time to shrug off any potential magnanimity in defeat and thoroughly enjoy what was by any standards a great performance. If we can score a few verbal points off some of those who seem to spend a lifetime knocking us down then so much the better.
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Even the Guardian thought it was a stunning performance.
Let’s hope Blackburn capitalise on it on Wednesday.
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did Brendan Rodgers really complain about the Emirates pitch today, he is comedy gold
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I think even Michael Owen must be surprised sometimes at what comes out when he opens his mouth.
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Liverpool now without Skrtel, Can and Gerrard for the cup replay.
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@ Eddy – If BR really did try say that our pitch was part of the problem then, he more of a David Brent than I first thought.
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6:45 am kickoff too early to read Stew’s excellent piece before the game. I’m hanging my head duly chastised re: transfer discussion, but in my defense I only jump in to defend players who are being thrown on the trash heap like garbage. Especially Theo, who has now apparently become shit and is a disloyal bastard for daring to negotiate a contract. Hard for me to keep my mouth shut, but I know that would be the better choice. Stew’s right, shouldn’t feed the machine.
What a brilliant win by the boys today. I wish I could make the whole team the MOTM. Everyone was on song. And you just know they are all thrilled for each other. But if I have to choose a moment…that Ozil free kick. Oh my. Pretty good play from my boy on the wing today, too. I thought he was supposed to be shit when played out wide?
Now, to sit back and enjoy the weekend. Mike made a spectacular breakfast, and I’m sat in the chair watching Everton and Southampton. It’s a beautiful day…I should probably leave the house at some point.
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http://www.arsenal.com/news/news-archive/20150404/wenger-on-victory-ozil-and-bellerin
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The Man U Aston Villa game has not been a good game thus far. If Benteke can rediscover his form from a season ago, there could be an upset.
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We’ve had a few highlights this season haven’t we? Man U and Man City away and this one today. Games we were justified in approaching with a little trepidation, but games in which the team really showed their worth.
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I don’t like anyone in this video, esp. Piss destabiliser Moran, but this might’ve been the only good thing he has said in years:
http://www.snappytv.com/tc/538529/116459
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great post Steww, i had to work so only just had a chance to read it. Most of it absolutely on the button as usual only one bit ridiculas this is england in april and judgeing by the brass monkeys running around my garden with welding torches there’s no chance of a BBQ so its probably decorating for me this bank holiday. However after todays afterglow of football i’ll be singing through the paint fumes.
I too have heard a few titbits on the grapvine, apparently maureen is coming to work at london Colney after doris the tea lady stacked the trolley and were looking for someone abit more cautious. Also after the PMs slating of wee micheal owen he has just started a new club in support of Arsene and starting a petition for a string of Arsene statues to run the length of seven sisters road. Obviously my source must be kept secret as they are “close to the club”.
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“Not aimed at you in particular George. Even the greatest Arsenal poster in the history of Twitter was at it.”
Stew, unless Frank has returned to social media and I’ve missed it, I have to disagree with you.
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Alexis with 20 goals so far this season, not bad for a debut season, especially considering he has mainly been used as a wide player.
Giroud has 10 goals in his last 10 games and has 18 goals for the season so far (20 games +7 as sub)
Ramsey, Cazorla and Welbeck all have 8 goals each.
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Coquelin was outstanding today, but I still seen some Gooners say that his performance “as good as it was showed we need a better player in his position”, I can only assume that its his price tag that is the problem.
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Steww just made the point on Twitter: how does the shower of shite from Manchester play so horribly and still win? At some point it must catch up with them or the referees just keep bailing them out.
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Two passes I enjoyed during the game today:
The first the obvious candidate for obvious reasons, Alexis’ assist for Giroud at the end. I believe that as a player he’ll improve at the Arsenal, as most do. Could be fun.
Coquelin the destroyer. How about that clipped spinning long pass for Alexis in the first half.
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Just listened to Ruud Gullit on BBC Radio 5, and as usual he can not hide his dislike for Arsenal. We expect little else from pundits with allegiance to other clubs but it begs the question as to why ex Arsenal players in the pundit game do not take our side most of the time. Charlie Nicholas is the only one I can think of who mostly takes our side, Nigel Winterburn too takes up for us but he gets little air time.
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shotta as far as I know Man Utd play city next followed up by Chelsea, if we keep winning gaps will open up in our favor on at least some of our rivals
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Rodgers: “It’s actually quite a greasy surface because they water it so much here.”
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