Weeimba gilee Positivistas,
A memorable game yesterday at the Ems against a Norwich side who showed great endeavour and considerable footballing talent over the full 94 minutes. Credit to both teams.
Unlike those of you lucky enough to see the game on the TV I had the interesting experience of watching from a seat high up above the Norwich fans and under one of the large replay screens. As a result I had an excellent view of all goings-on in the ground, of which much has been spoken, but never saw one replay or reviewed one incident during the game. By the time I got home I was too drunk tired to watch the match again. That is a task for later today however as the family assure me I have a ‘doppelganger’, a perfect facial and body facsimile elsewhere in the Emirates. I await sight of my reflection with narcissistic enthusiasm. My recollection of footballing events is therefore based on “one take”!
As is our usual style we dominated possession first half but with limited threat to the Norwich goal. When we got toward the visitors’ box we could not slot through the next ball to split the defence, with a Norwich boot or head intercepting. Olivier worked hard against their two centre backs but to no result. There was a lot of sideways Arsenal movement from Mesut, Alexis and especially Alex Iwobi (who was in front of me). The ball moved mostly East to West as the stadium lies, rather than North to South. Now lateral movement can be a great means of testing defences, or identifying and prying open that weak spot in an opponent. In itself though, and with no direct thrust to accompany the sideways movement of players and ball, it achieves little. While the memory is a little fuzzy I think the only chance we had throughout the first 45 that caused a gasp was a Kosc header on half time? Correct me if I am wrong.
For their part Norwich managed to gain control of the ball and on at least one occasion Cech was required to turn away what could very much have been the opener during what for him was an under-employed first half.
After half time I thought we set off at a brisker pace but still the Canaries managed to hold us off, although they began to sweat a little harder. Per departed with a hamstring problem, the first of the afternoon’s substitutions and soon after Danny Welbeck replaced young Iwobi. Thereafter Gabriel was very good yesterday, just the right combination of speed and steel. The latter change was greeted with some consternation but the manager’s reasoning was clear to me. Danny brought that direct “run-towards-the-goal-and-take-on-defenders” that our offensive probing had lacked for an hour.
Norwich were not really ready for that sudden adoption of the North to South movement and within a couple of minutes their defence cracked open and we took what was a deserved lead.
Thereafter the game was exciting. We had chances to increase out lead, a great shot on target from Mo, and two moves in which we opened the Norwich defence only for weak finishing or the offside flag to intervene. Norwich brought on a second striker as well as the most devious of footballers in Naismith (Boo). They huffed and they puffed but we were never ragged and the bit of luck that Palace had with their long range shot never came the Canaries way.
Referee Jones peeped his final contribution and off I went into the very pleasant North London spring evening. I read on here last night that Norwich were rough but I did not notice them being any more physical with us than we were with them. Naismith will certainly still have a bruise on his head.
I hope to see something of Jack and Santi before season end. If not then we have more than enough players to collect the points we need to ensure third place, or even better if Tottingham slip at the Bridge.
Two snaps today – the top one is the Clock End on 78 minutes. It is not a matter of what you can see, but what you cannot see.
And below we have three people who went to the game, met up with their friends, and had a good afternoon watching Arsenal Football Club, their team.
And ‘that’ is what it is all about.
Enjoy your day !!
Positively Arsenal 
Yes yes, but tell me all about Shotta.
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Lovely chap. He drinks Stella ……er ……?
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The old fart’s thoughts
Consistency has been one of our big let downs this season. For once we proved that we can be consistent. Our first half was a continuation of the second half against Sun’land. Fortunately we had Petr making some great saves that kept us at 0-0 for the first half. How much I wonder, was the team affected by the minority of so called fans bearing idiotic placards? It can’t have helped.
One fan however was brave enough to display “Proud of Arsenal. Ashamed of fans” Such a pity he didn’t make it “some fans” as it became increasingly obvious that the vast majority attending were supporting the side… even if it was a trifle difficult to watch us struggling to find any rhythm to go with the possession.
Both Jack and Santi on the bench must have been more than a trifle hungry to get on the pitch but our first substitution was Gabriel who came on for Per. Gabe made a wonderfully timed tackle to deprive Norwich of another chance and overall was far more steady than his more recent displays.
And then came Welbz, on for Iwobi and he made an almost immediate impact firing home Olly’s cushioned header from a Hector cross. For both the creators it was their personal highlight of the game. In all honesty, their previous contributions left much to be desired. Talking of which, Alexis and Rambo both had games to forget and our bench (Campbell’s absence and Walcott’s presence seeming somewhat spiteful?) certainly couldn’t have done less.
So we held on and yet another 1-0 to the Arsenal can be hesitatingly placed in the record book. As must Monday evening when we go blue for the night. A real Chel$ki revival would be pleasant viewing.
Keep the faith.
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I really enjoyed the game though am perplexed as to why we don’t try more shots from distance.
Ozil, Rambo, Elneny and Alexis have all shown they can hit the target, so why not, just a couple of times, have a bloody shot? Do so and the defenders have another problem to think about instead of concentrating purely on tracking runs around the 12 yd line.
3 good points in a highly competitive game. Happy Days.
Thinking of which, Happy May Day
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Weldone andrew… enjoyed the write up
so who are those in the pix – andrew shotta and passenal?
So proud of the fans that stood up to the nonsense from the protesters… what nonsense is that… Set off on a protest of their own. LOL…
more renditions of ONLY ONE ARSENE WENGER please!
Arsene deserves to retire at his own pace… he has done more than enough to deserve that kind of respect!
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Shotts Ranty and Pass Team in the sunshine at the Bank of Friendship – I even met up with OutforaCorner at HT so a good social afternoon
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Delighted that Shotta got to see the game, and got the deserved result!
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big raddy I think stats show that there is only a 3% chance of a goal being scored from a shot from outside the area. We had half a dozen such shots yesterday and the goalie had to touch one of them.
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Great pictures, both of them!
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Looks like it’s fairly obvious that the coaches and physios have been managing Welbeck through his rehab and through what was a scary career threatening injury. The S&M Groaners who have been groaning, whips included, over selections have whilst editing out the Sporting element from their narratives.
Listening to Walcott talk about his shoulder injury at HT on the wireless Arsenal audio broadcast made me think twice.
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A remarkably good take, Andy, on a game based on a single view, and from the loftier ‘terraces’, and all.
I think most anticipated an Arsenal victory on the pitch but few of us guessed to what extent the ‘protest’ would backfire on those tiny numbers participating. Whilst there may indeed be a majority in favour of ‘improved performances’, the opportunity to dig out le Boss was comprehensively eschewed in favour of a markedly noticeable “One Arsene Wenger” chorus by way of a deserved and somewhat overdue endorsement of our greatest ever manager.
The net effect of the protesters’ actions will have been to embolden both manager and club to push on with another three year contract, assuming there had been any doubt in any minds of significance, in the first place.
So Twitter, as a barometer of sporting opinion, was shown up to be a noisy but largely unrepresentative place. We picked up three points (second place is still very much on), and Arsene is nicely set for another three years.
All in all, a very good day.
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a group of the banner boys were videoed singing an anti wenger song with the hope that he dies in may. I really do hope that all those involved are identified and banned by the club. the banner gimp was in it, denied it ever happened, then when video was put up, he then denied hearing the song or taking part, even with the video showing him in the middle of it.
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LCFC can become the second team to win the league away at Man Utd, we all know who was the other. AFC have also won the title twice at both CFC and THFC. So here is a question for you gooners, Can you name the team that won the title away at Highbury (all be it by default in a way, as they lost on the day and both sets of fans invaded the pitch to celebrate)
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The armchair experts next to me were complaining about Iwobi being substituted when it should have been Olly in their considered opinion. They were silent when Welbeck scored from Olly’s knock down.
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I guess the must’ve been experts Pass. Not like there are any examples in this modern era whetebteams usually have one out and out one striker of a manager chucking on two up top when looking for a goal that has worked before is it (Leicester Home game, when the Arsenal did the double over the team at the top of the league)?
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the gaffer’s and physios’ gamble in not starting Welbeck and overexposing him too soon or sooner then would be wiser worked a treat yesterday.
Like some kind of plan? Blimey!
One that those who tell themselves that AFC don’t have any game plan during matches will be studiously ignoring. Which when you think about it, it is kind of funny.
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I’m told that Welbeck is still not fully over his injury, and that he takes pain killers to play, and he can not play two games in a week. It might not be a bad thing if he is not picked for the Euros, and give him the time to fully recover.
Welbeck admitted after the game yesterday that he is not fully match fit.
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Well Woy will have Welbeck down as a starter that he might hopefully rotate through the tournament Jogi Low style (fantastic juggling of Khadeira and Schweiny who both played themselves into an early retirement by not resting that summer, but they won’t have any regrets!) so I can’t imagine he’ll be left at home even if he’s only half fit.
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Alastair Brookshaw @albrookshawAFC 15h15 hours ago
Some fans discovering a reality of social media -only following people you agree with creates an echo chamber where you assume ur a majority
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For once Hodgson has a choice of strikers to start for England and while I love Danny and what he gives us he is behind Vardy and Kane in the England hierarchy. Danny will probably get a squad place as a striking back up and a flank player. I would not even rule out Rashford getting a place in the squad for France.
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Great pic!
Football is to be enjoyed, or at times for some endured, save protests for the many things that are worthy of protest, and Arsenal football club are not one of them , by any stretch of the imagination.
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Two fantastic pics, the way we love football.
In other news: “The same angry insurgents could be found standing on a roundabout an hour before kick-off. Maybe two dozen were there, encircled by almost as many press and photographers.”
You know it’s pathetic when even daily fail feel compelled to report the truth. Big ups all the same to the supporters at emirates yesterday. Togetherness is strong shit you don’t want to mess with.
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Positively Arsenal @Blackburngeorge 4h4 hours ago Blackburn, England
The problem is not a lack of ambition, its he has been over -ambitious with his targets .
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Thanks, Andrew, for the usual level-headed post game assessment. And I’m so glad Shotta got to see a win! Meeting up at a pub called The Bank of Friendship just seems fitting. I’m sorry I missed that place – it sounds charming.
I was hugely frustrated on Twitter yesterday. Not because of the protest bullshit (which was much ado about nothing as it goes) but about the fact that I couldn’t find anyone who thought the boys deserved much credit for gutting out that win. The number of people who thought we should have put Norwich to the sword…Smdh. They’re fighting to escape relegation, we’re struggling with confidence and braced for a protest (you know the boys had been warned about it). What happened to winning when you’re not playing well being a show of character? Oh sure…goalposts moved again.
And speaking of moved goalposts, I hope you’ll indulge me a tiny rant re: Aaron. I thought he was very disciplined and positionaly aware yesterday…something that people have been screaming at him about for half a season. He sat quite a bit while Elneny went forward (to no great effect either, I would say, but that would be petty of me). And now I see he had a game to forget, and people are having a go at him for not shooting. Jesus. What does that boy have to do to please people? Never mind, I know…be 2014 Aaron. Well, this is a different team, and it’s not set up for him to be that anymore. Here’s Aaron’s life in a nutshell: if he bombs forward, he’s “selfish” and “undisciplined”; if he sits he’s “useless” and has a “game to forget”. Sigh. He will fuck off from here one day, and go somewhere where he’s appreciated. Just like Arsene.
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Straight and to the point A5. Just like those understanding the concept of supporting of support yesterday. I was so proud when they showed their loud support to Arsène Wenger in the face of adversity. He is a humble man and I know it must have touched him.
PS: Seeing the image of the PA faithful I’m once again reminded how much older most on this blog are than my 35 y/o self, I just wanna say through your life experiences, perspectives and wisdom you have enriched ny life. I’m thankful for that.
UTA.
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“Sigh. He will fuck off from here one day, and go somewhere where he’s appreciated. Just like Arsene.” I certainly would,flashing two fingers on my way out.
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just wondering did you guys who were lucky enough to be at the game notice the “big fans boycott” that tim payton claims happened. Looking at it on TV, I can only assume he was referring to some tall or fat guy that did not attend, or maybe it was big ego guy like piers moran
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Interesting point – Aaron is among those players whose profile may well rise this Summer as they play in the Euros and he will be central to their success, if they have any. I can see Aaron and his intelligent football fitting into a German or Italian club easily.
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it seems all clubs have idiot fans
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I see Sturridge actually picked for LFC today, in what is a second string team, seems he will again be left out of their big EL game on Thursday, as Klopp has rested nearly all the team from Thursday’s game. Sturridge voiced his unhappiness over being left out of that game, and it seem he does not fit into Klopp’s ideal team.
Despite his injury record I would not be adverse to AFC signing him this summer, if we can’t get better and fitter.
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I have no idea if there was a fan ‘boycott’ any more than Payton does. There were plenty of empty seats including, surprisingly, in the Family section. Why people were not in their seats however no one knows. Let me however speculate;
1. There are the ghost ST holders who never go but are able to sell their tickets on, to touts and tour firms, but who have been left holding the baby as interest dried up.
2. There are plenty of fans who can’t be arsed and had something better to do. They have always existed, they always will.
3. Those who could not go, everyone is entitled to a weekend off, but could not move their tickets on the Exchange.
4. Scarfist deviants with no printers
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I’m glad you mentioned about the family enclosure not being full, Ivan Gazidis has pointed out that the £10 tickets seldom sell out, and yet we have the myth pedaled that fans are being priced out of going to home games. Yesterday was a Cat C game, and they rarely sell out either, and even when they do sell out, thousands of seats always remain unfilled.
Tickets sold for yesterdays game was only a handful short of 60,000, something like 59,980.
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FT: Swansea 3-1 Liverpool
not klopps team again today it seems.
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so was that non award of a penalty for foul on Marhez, the Vardy dive coming back to haunt them
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isn’t is a disgrace that the BPL refused to move the southamton v Man city game to yesterday. All of the other CL teams had their games yesterday. Its amazing how the BPL do everything they can to hinder the clubs in european competitions.
The new TV deal will see BPL games on a Friday, and it was suggested that they could follow the example of the Germans and French who use the Friday night games for their CL teams, to give them the extra day or two that can make all the difference, but the BPL have already ruled that they will not do this. there has never been an explanation as to why the BPL hinder the clubs playing in Europe.
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Is it a “disgrace” that Manchester City play on a Tuesday against Real in Manchester, have a break until Sunday before their 2nd game in the PL, before their return game in Madrid on Wednesday ?
3 games in 8 days – the only difference is the Spaniards have a slightly shorter break before their league game and a slightly longer break before their second leg. Both sides effectively have the same workload, same travel, same schedule. So no it is not a “disgrace”.
Are Citeh fans whining about the arrangement ? Tell them to do some placards
What is probably more dubious is Atleti v Bayern’s schedules with the games on Wednesday/Saturday/Tuesday or three games in 6 days. I can’t see why that should happen.
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I’m getting up soon.
I was taken to an all-nighter in Brixton last night, by friends who’d previously travelled far to see and celebrate with me. Amongst those on stage were Spice, who regularly & loudly extolled the virtues of “poom poom”, which left me wondering, what is it and where can I get some?
Prior to that I’d watched the game with Czech commentary, which was great, although I experienced some kind of generic crowd noise as I didn’t hear any singing about Arsène.
However, my main mission for the day was to meet PA’ers, esp. after missing Kelly & Mike etc, recently.
Shotta, twas wonderful to meet you, Passenal, I didn’t know you’d be there and when you introduced yourself I went wobbly at the knees. This came about due to a feeling of Knowing you – because I Feel what you say in your posts. To have met you Classy Caribbean’s, along with the welcoming, knowledgable an5 Andy, was an absolute Thrill.
(Maybe I’ve seen you at Puma kit launches, or perhaps your doppelgänger?)
Charging over from the wild West to the BoF turned out to be an inspired choice for the start of a beautiful day, and even if Arsenal had lost I’d have remained effin ecstatic!
It’s so long since I’ve watched a game from the upper tier. (Last time was C cup v Bolton, probably 3? years ago. Mr Dench was as unfortunate in his play as he’d been at the Reading 5-7, which I’ll mention in order to show I’ve been to a few matches).
The top tier is very good but any seat in the Ems is good. When I win the lotto, blah blah. Sure, there were some nasty “tackles” from Norwich, chief among which included something ludicrous on Alexis I thought may have put him out, and Bassong had a field day battering Giroud, inc. an outrageous elbow to the temple/ear area. Anyway the main thing was to book the dirty bugger Ozil. I refuse to acknowledge the fouls Ars inflicted upon Norwich, cos **** them.
And this is part of why this is such an excellent review, Andrew. Thank you.
Yes Kelly, Aaron’s play seems somewhat circumspect, and i think he has maybe watched our no. 34 & 35 playing together and has concluded that he’d better operate that way whilst he gets back to his utmost fitness and form, but for me, like most of his teammates, he’s brilliant whether in 2014 guise or the current.
And thanks as always to all you commentators. I’d never have known about the minutiae of the banner-wanka ‘ineffections’. (Eff off spellcheck).
I can’t stop smiling. It.Is.Like.That. COPA, COYG.
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FT: Man Utd 1-1 LCFC
that result means AFC need one win max from our last two games to finish top 4
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Good game at Trafford Park – Rooney lucky not to be shown a second yellow, unlike Drinkwater who was unlucky to collect his second caution.
Great to see that Fellaini has just one yellow in all competitions this season, compared to Mesut with five. Hopefully the FA will be contacting Fellaini on Monday about outstanding matters.
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City forced to play their 2nd string team today.
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Eddy
considering we have Villa on the last day……
I’d fancy our team to bang 10 past them.
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The way we are banging them in I fancy a 92nd minute deflection off Monreal’s arse trickling over the Villa line.
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Hi all. Lovely to see the great friendly spirit of this blog meeting up at the match. What an effing and jeffing season eh?
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Man city 5th would be nice cos as much as I like pelegrini I was pep to work for any praise he receives
Want them to beat real then lose to athletico so Europa League.
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Not looking good for city. We can personally kill their 3rd place off.
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Guys: Tried making a post earlier but failed. On the road. Will try later.
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Great stuff Andy Nic – None of the people in the picture look how I imagined them to look so now I have to rewire my brain. Thanks for that. Hello Els – fabtabulous to see you.
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A5, you write better drunk than I do sober.
Great to see the P.A. connection’s tying up once again I was very disappointed not to be there.
Was the protest actually by those who appreciate what Arsene has done by singing One Arsene Wenger very loudly.
It was interesting that the lads who sit behind me and my lad and are usually highly frustrated by the lack of success of the team, were vermantly and aggressively against those who were practicing picking people up from the airport.
It seems there are many who want change but a natural flowing change that allows to the club to progress and not a change for the sake of it bloodbath.
In the words of a famous Norwegen comentator Piers Morgan, Tim Payton, ast redaction, legroan & The wob twitterati yours boys took one hell of a beating.
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with 2 games to go, Arsenal will finish somewhere between 2nd and 5th, with city losing 4-2 at southampton today, Arsenal need a max of 4pts to get 3rd, and in fact a win over city next sunday would be enough for it. Depending on other results 2 wins might very well see us get second spot. On the down side two defeats and we may very well end up 5th
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Andrew, I imagined DW23 will probably be starting as the LF, on the flanks for England, as he did before his shift to the centre for England prior to his injury, depending upon fitness and opposition? If Sterling starts I’ll start to cry, unless that means that DW23 will return to N5 fit and ready for the new season.
Hodgson was happy with a younger and fitter Chambo at LW at the last euros, so happy with his performance that he took an unfit Chambo to the WC as a reward, and he certainly played better in that Euro tournament then Sterling ever has for England, but this summer Chambo will be lucky to be in the squad following his last injury etc.
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so Redaction who claim to be a group whose aim is to improve the atmosphere in the stadium are now diving Arsenal fans into different categories, shameful stuff.
REDaction Gooners @REDactionAFC 12h12 hours ago
A handy guide to the 6 types of Arsenal fan. Sadly, too many in the bottom half of this chart.
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