Good morning and welcome to the penultimate pre match preamble of 2015/16. I can’t believe there is only one more to go after this one. It seems like only yesterday we were all getting our knickers in a twist about beating Jose in the Charity Shield. Now you remind people of that match and it’s all “Jose who?”. Curious how time stretches and compresses all at once. Watching the Graceless One collapsing and falling, already feels like ancient history and yet at the same time thirty six games have flashed past us in the blink of an eye.
We’ve all become somewhat used to having a cup final to look forward to as the first thunder storms of the year herald the opening chorus of another British summer. In stark contradistinction this season we have to make do with a play off for third place at The Etihad stadium. There may be even more at stake should Spurs’ raggedy band of prima donnas continue their petulant implosion. Personally I don’t see them losing both of their last two. They lost the plot at Chelsea because they were in such an unusual position for a club which has spent decades in Arsenal’s shadow and simply couldn’t cope with the rarefied air near the top of the tree.
When they realised they were not going to win the league their moral collapse was as spectacular as it was heart warming to watch. They have, however, had time to get over that and pull themselves together. That they haven’t faced a points deduction is of course a different story but we shan’t concern ourselves with their woes any further. If they lose and we win today, well then the final weekend will have a little more spice to it, otherwise our focus must be on the blue half of Manchester and nowhere else.
Man City are a bit of an enigma at the moment. Like us they are capable of dirge and dazzle in equal measure. They have a manager who, all things considered, they’ve treated pretty shabbily and who has nothing to gain from automatic qualification. They have some outstanding players who have performed in a patchy, inconsistent manner all season and yet they are right up there with us and Spurs, the only teams remotely close to the champions.
So what do I think is going to happen this afternoon? Absolutely no idea. Honestly why George picked me to write the pre-match is a real head scratcher. If I have any Mystic Meg in my lineage then Dad kept it very quiet and it’s a weak gene at best. If you like I could share what I think the manager might do selection wise. I suppose if nothing more you could disagree with me and we could have a heated debate about it. Although given that I’m happy to wait for the teams to be announced the heat in that argument may be somewhat more frigid than advertised.
I don’t see him changing much except perhaps for bringing Coquelin back and pushing Aaron further forward. With Welbeck staking a claim for a start it is possible Larry and Alex Iwobi may make way. But honestly what do I know about it? Given that our success against City has come from a more defensive performance in the past, Larry is an obvious starter as he can cope hanging around on his own up top waiting for the cavalry better than anyone else in the squad. I think the back five pick themselves at the moment but beyond that only Mesut, Elneny and Sanchez seem guaranteed to start. As for City’s line up I have no idea as I never watch them play.
So there you have it. I’m so stuck for anything to say I’ve resorted to the hack blogger’s ploy of second guessing the manager. Now I feel dirty. In fairness this end of season ennui was bound to affect us writers just as much as any other fan. Like the empty red seats at the Emirates there are empty spaces in my frontal and parietal association regions which are usually bubbling over with witty one liners, clever couplets and devious dactyls. I hope the Arsenal players are less devoid of creative inspiration today. Similarly it is my fervent wish that City and Spurs are so overwhelmed with grief at the tragic end of their hopes and dreams domestically and in Europe that they fail to raise themselves for the fight and bow out with a no more than a damp squib.
I wonder if lasagne is on the menu at White Hart Lane?
Positively Arsenal 
Apart from the tragic loss of Welbeck *weeps* all good at HT.
One less sub to mix it up with in the later phases.
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City in their last significant match under the greatest manager in their recent history hard not to imagine their crowd and players not being ‘up fer it’.
Arsenal doing well all things considered (great goal from a great opponent, great loss of a great English teammate).
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It was pressure from Welbeck which caused panic in the city defence, nearly an own goal, followed by a free run from a corner for AFCs big lump. heh.
Arsenal doing fine.
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Any critique would be of Arsenal’s failure to make one or two of those attempted through passes or balls over the top (contrary to popular misrepresentation they do try it, when the opponent leaves the six yard line…) or not looking for them when the opportunity might’ve been there.
However: why risk another counter in the closing stages away against good opponents just before HT?
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No protection for Alexis.
Now Arsenal in trouble after they allow KDB a shot.
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51 minutes – city 2-1 up, KDB, no one put in a tackle on him and then Cech beaten at his near post from outside the area once again.
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walcott has come on for iwobi
64 minutes – walcott wins a corner that was not, comes to nothing
arsenal still very much second best here, city with much higher energy levels
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Arsenal will forge some openings.
Like that one! Giroud runs to the far post when his more usual run would’ve met walcott’s cross.
COYG
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And that one!
Walcott not finding the finish with his left.
But how about that!
Sanchez! Sanchez! Giroud with another flick.!
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67 minutes – alexisssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssss 2-2
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With that bench the game plan was surely to go for the win late on.
Shame they let City go two up so early. winner takes all now. My poor heart.
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alexis ran at the city goal, played a one two with giroud and finished very well indeed
walcott has livened up our attack, he has got in behind a couple of times, one minute before the alexis goal he had a one on one with hart and lifted it over the keeper but well wide.
Cazorla was ready to come on before we scored but has sat down again.
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70 minutes – gabriel booked for foul on kdb on corner of the area.
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Cech tips the free kick over the bar
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72 minutes – aguero given far too much room in our area at the corner, but he shoots wide.
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Away t good opponents. With no protection. Arsenal did well to ping City back and force them to buckle.
Yikes! Aguero. Nearly. City managing to recover from the Arsenal assault. Yup. It’s going to be nervy for these closing phases.
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73 minutes – Aguero and KDB play a one two and Aguero is in on goal but shoots narrowly wide, got in far too easy
Arsenal getting coquelin ready to come on
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75 minutes – Coquelin on for Elneny
I’d take the draw now if offered it.
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Coquelin on for Elneny
34 for 35!
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Monreal charms his way out of the book. He must’ve been paying attention to Arteta when they played together.
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78 minutes – yaya toure on for navas
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81 minutes – wilshere attempted clearance goes over the bar for a corner that is cleared
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Epic tussle there in the midfield, Sanchez and Toure
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82 minutes – Coquelin intercepts the ball, then gets caught out by yaya, then chases back to win it back, then loses it, then Bellerin clears it.
Nervous as fuck
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Omg offside but off the bar from Kozza.
Close.
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Arsenal nearly crafting the winner there.
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85 minutes – kos header hits the bar, but he was offside anyway
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COYG
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Omg now City hit the bar.
My poor heart.
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87 minutes – poor defending sees KDB in again, but players got back to clear, then bony hits the bar
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walcott had an initial impact, but has gone completely out of it
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3 minutes of stoppage time to be played
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otamendi finally booked
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ferdinho booked now
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should that not have been another booking and sending off for the city midfielder
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In honour of the Leicester manager who is admired by all sane people and their own two coaches the two sets of players put in the effort to make an end to end dilly dong dilly dong contest.
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FT: 2-2
city were really up for this game, and dominated in midfield, took the lead twice, but Arsenal showed real fight and character to come back both times with goals from giroud and alexis.
Welbeck injured is a real downer.
Cech beaten from distance at his near post again is a worry.
A win v Aston Villa will see AFC finish no lower than 3rd, and if thfc lose at newcastle we’d finish 2nd. A draw for AFC should be enough for top 4, as utd would have to make up 12 goals in their 2 games
city and utd fighting it our for top 4 finish.
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Cech has lost us two points today as he did against Crystal Palace. He seems to have a problem with low shots to each side.
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Wilshere looks good….
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I’ve found the next manager for the WOB, its Levente’s Rubi or to give him his full title Joan Francesc Ferrer Sicilia, he has just destroyed Simone’s Atletico Madrid’s title challenge, beating them 2-1,
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city fans have very short memories, nearly all have left the stadium before the players come out for their lap of appreciation. Only a few years ago they were in lower leagues, and only midweek they were in CL semi final. it seems all clubs have self entitled fans.
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its unreal how far low Yaya Toure has gone, looks like he is about four stone over weight.
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Lord Sugar @Lord_Sugar 2h2 hours ago
Lord Sugar Retweeted Piers Morgan
I think from the size of you, you should find something to suspend your BOOBSLord Sugar added,
Piers Morgan @piersmorgan
I have suspended my ‘BOOMs’ until Wenger’s gone. https://twitter.com/ho_hall/status/729328052703006720 …
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If you watch the game again, as live, look closely at the first 4 minutes.
That’ll tell you how the game was reffed. Sure, the ref gave some of the big/obvious fouls to Ars, but it felt to me that he only called 50% of the fouls we were due, and City survived most of the game without a booking.
It was painful for me to watch Ars players being hacked, but then it always is, and it’s always happening.
Well done Arsenal. Always playing against the handicap.
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seemingly wenger has said welbeck’s injury is serious and that the lad is very down in the dressing room.
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Spanish Gooner @ElSpanishGooner 21m21 minutes ago
Atletico de Madrid and Simeone have bottled La Liga losing against 20th side on the table Levante, but you won’t read that today on here.
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Not at our very best, but not easily with the lenient approach to rotational fouling of our players, again.
Still, not the worst result, so we’ll done the boys.
We should be ok, but hope the fans really get behind the team against villa
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Wenger says Welbeck’s injury seems to be a Lateral meniscus injury, possible tear.
Clinical signifiance
The lateral meniscus is less likely to be injured or torn than the medial meniscus. Diagnosis of lateral meniscus tear is done with McMurray’s test. If a tear is detected, treatment depends on the type and size of the tear. Small tears can be treated conservatively, with rest, ice, and pain medications until the pain is under control, then exercise may be started with gradually increasing intensity, to improve range of motion and decrease swelling. More severe tears of the lateral meniscus require surgical repair or removal, which can often be done arthroscopically. Swelling and stiffness of the knee can occur when you have a torn lateral meniscus.
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MBFC @MiniBusFC 26m26 minutes ago
BREAKING NEWS: @DeejayDt took out his banner and it kicked off and he got arrested.
Fucking have that WOB’s 😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂
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Shötta @shotta_gooner 1h1 hour ago
Sanchez is an enigma wrapped up in a riddle. For a world-class player it is confounding.
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