What is the greatest of all human qualities? Charity? Self sacrifice for the greater good? Giving with no expectation of personal gain? I suspect these and variants thereof would figure pretty highly on everybody’s list. How about humility, modesty and a humble willingness to allow one’s good deeds to increase anonymously the water in the well of human kindness?
All of this and more can and should be applied to many altruistic, humanitarian, noble, and self effacing people working the world over with tireless dedication to alleviating suffering and fighting injustice. But there is another entirely forgotten, overlooked and ill used species of human for whom no eulogies will be read and no tears shed. I speak of the humble football blogger who despite churning out a thousand words in anticipation of Saturday’s Premier league clash with Southampton is expected a mere three days later to come up with another carefully honed verbal sculpture. Not only that but he is presumed to be content writing about a game which (and it is painful merely to contemplate typing these words) he will not even be able to watch himself.
One of the many great achievements of Arsène Wenger’s tenure in north London has been continuous qualification for the Champion’s League. A staggering achievement for any manager at any club but when one factors in the years of thrift and expediency when paying for a new stadium during a global financial crisis it is quite simply astonishing. Our reward for supporting him in his endeavour comes on days like these, when our beloved team gets to pit its wits against the best of the best in European club football.
The fixture dwarfs the domestic cup competitions and throws a deep shadow over its déclassé neighbour The Europa League. To miss the opening of this season’s European campaign is unthinkable. To miss it and still step up and write for the pleasure of those lucky or sensible enough to be watching is an act surely worthy of sainthood.
But I don’t want to draw attention to my own plight. It is a given that charity and true selflessness are conducted quietly and away from the spotlight. I shall soldier bravely on knowing that at least my friends will be settling down on their sofas this evening with a chilled six pack of Bavarian Pilsner and a family bag of paprika Kettle Chips ready to witness the curtain raiser on our tilt at the European crown.
In case you have recently arrived from Alpha Centauri allow me to explain. Arsenal are travelling to Paris this evening to play against the Champions of French Ligue Une. Champions for the previous four seasons I might add and a side who boast such luminaries of world football as Adrien Rabiot, Serge Aurier, Ángel Di María, Layvin Kurzawa and Lucas Moura. Last year PSG coasted through their qualifying group just three points behind Real Madrid, the eventual winners. They brushed aside Chelsea in the round of sixteen before losing by the odd goal in the Quarter finals to Manchester City. It’s fair to say then that they’ve had mixed results against British clubs in recent times.
Given their resources and immediate history in the competition one would expect them to top the group and stroll into the the next round. I’d like to think that Arsène’s army can shove a stick into the spokes of that particular wheel, starting tonight. Unfortunately in the last two years we’ve not started well in the Champion’s League, losing both of our opening matches. However as I’m sure Shotta would point out these results were statistical anomalies when compared with an unbroken string of unbeaten opening games stretching back to 2003.
Neither side has been in great form recently. After a good start to their season our opponents were roundly gubbed by Monaco and suffered the ignominy of a late, late equaliser against St Etienne. As you know, but for the benefit of our inter galactic visitor I’ll say it anyway, Arsenal have yet to hit their stride this season. Ending up on the wrong side of a seven goal opening day thriller with Liverpool the subsequent games have seen us unable to find the net at Leicester, brilliant for forty five minutes at Watford and patchy against Southampton. I like to think that the first half at Vicarage Road is the true indicator of what is to come and once we regain our touch and composure the Wengerball will start to flow again.
It’ll be interesting to see who starts up front tonight. I thought the new boy showed a good work rate and some nice touches but looked, unsurprisingly, as if he was unfamiliar both with and to his team mates. Whereas in Olivier they have a man who’s game they know and understand. The biggest difference seemed to me to be in hold up play. Larry is possessed of preternatural touch and control combined with massive strength. He is adept at winning and keeping the ball and turning it around the corner for the midfield runners to carry the threat beyond the central defenders. Perez or Lucas or whatever we’re supposed to call him (I’m sure I’ll be told) seemed to look more for the immediate one touch lay off enabling him to spin in anticipation of the return pass, and go beyond the defence himself.
Both are perfectly acceptable strategies but in Olly’s case the players around him know the game and play to his strengths, whereas at times Lucas Perez caught them unawares. Will the bedding in process continue from the start or will the manager opt for continuity, familiarity and a man proven able to play alone up front on a difficult European night? We shall see. The other decision seems to me to be a choice between Granit and Francis and Santi. Perm any two from three. Given Santi’s age and his endeavours against the Saints on Saturday will we see a less creative but more solid anchor or will the tried and tested SC / FC axis be preferred?
If any of this has any bearing on the manager’s thoughts then whither Mo Elneny? Withering on the vine or flourishing under the Parisian spotlights? This squad really does throw up some fascinating conundrums. All will of course be revealed to those of you fortunate enough to be glued to your screens this evening. Some of us however, and I mention no names, are giving their time to a good cause and must miss the match. The less charitable among you may suspect that I agreed to this evening’s task in a moment of forgetfulness not realising there was a match tonight. I prefer to see myself as the martyr laying down his love of the beautiful game to help out a pal. But like Smashy and Nicey, while I may do a lot of good deeds, I don’t like to talk about them too much.
Positively Arsenal 
That will do nicely Stew. I cant wait. Of course I will have too .
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Hope you enjoy it. Don’t worry about me, I’ll be fine.
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Good morning Stew, May your vine curl upward toward the light, strong and firm, your fruit be as succulent as ever, and your crop remain abundant.
Definitely a great tie in prospect tonight – two talented teams, no reason for caution on either side, no serious disruption for injuries ( touches wood) and even a top referee.
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Thank you for your best wishes Andy. Glad my succulent fruits are on your mind this morning.
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Personally I’m in total admiration of yourself Stew, and A5 and Shotta for regularly writing articles,no easy task-I don’t know how you do it . And yet these article always give another perspective on the games,and keep our personal analysis turning and the old synapses sparking off.
From the outside in, I was looking forward to seeing what you would write, as I really enjoy your articles.No I really,its as much a part of my match day as anything else. I’m always interested in what you write as it combines life and football.
I hope whatever you’re doing is safe ( I wondered if you might be doing some gigs?)and the listeners of Slow and Dirty (going to miss Shottas tunes-those “Scratch” Perry tracks have been hitting the mark in recent weeks)and AFC will miss you mate.
I’m sure everyone agrees, I personally really look forward to your words and am grateful you put in the time. Thanks you and long may be so-and I hope you drank from the Arsenal mug today!
COYG!
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Thank you Mills – I did indeed use the appropriate mug. I’m not gigging tonight but it is a musically related engagement.
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Oklahoma?
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Ha no, not a musical in that respect.
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I be joshing. Although the jokes on me as I like a few songs from the film at least. Hope you have a great time. Thanks again.
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Like the great Bob Wilson I’ll be putting you up for a knighthood.
First it will be interesting so see our solidity with the returning Xhaka or perhaps Elneny and how that allows us to spring into attack with the vision of Santi the precision of Mezut and the speed of Theo add to that the unpredictable Alexis and the Physicality of Oli and we have a great side
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Greetings St.Stew. Very enjoyable as always. Hope your charity raises plenty.
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some reports that Walcott did not travel with the squad to France, as he has a minor knee injury
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I will reveal a secret to the world; I am entirely in awe of Steww’s writing. Millsy nailed it; the ability to use the personal, the mundane, to spin a profound tale. As I already confided to Stew, he is the writer. Now I am like my infinitely impatient grandkids; I can’t wait for tonight.
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I see tickets for Basel have gone on open sale – £50.50 for any who are keen for a bit of CL entertainment in the upper tier, £37.50 lower tier.
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PA is trully a special place. Well done Steww and thanks….
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Vulcan salutations Stew. Planet earth is a swell place. Really enjoyed this introductions to the day’s proceedings, especially coming from such a humble soul. Gratuitous comments above liked.
I’m anticipating a great contest tonight, PSG is no bus depot and our boys have a penchant for the races.
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i’m kind of nervous tonight, maybe for a long time i expect us to win the game at all cost. i just want us to top the. group and probably avoid the big boys in the next round. although we are in the competition to win it and hence must beat all comers.
if Theo isn’t available, i hope Wenger starts iwobi on the left while Alexis starts on the right. i like the fact iwobi keeps the ball more and we to do that more tonight.
i have seen some asking for xhaka coq pivot, but i feel we need to start on the front foot by including santi and ozil.
good luck to the boys
thanks for the post steww
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i’m sure Wenger will let the lads understand that psg are still very strong despite the loss of zlatan. personal i’m still surprised at his start to. the season. it will be a great mistake think psg are significantly weaker.
we are capable of beating anyone if we play to our strength.
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OOOOooospina – wahey !!
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The scale of Steww’s sacrifice is impossible to fully comprehend, laying his own interests down time and again for the greater blog.
If needs be I reckon he’d write them on the beaches (if he could get his noble caravan down that far), write on the training grounds, in the fields and in the streets.
And it will all be worth it for an Arsenal victory, however long and hard the road may be.
We all know great football when we see it.
And great writing, too.
Thanks for another corker Steww; your personal blood, toil, tears and sweat are always fully and widely appreciated.
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Stew, thank you for the dedication to selflessness!
From season 2006/2007, the Champions League broadcasting rights have been paid in €. Added up, the Arsenal have received € 259,139,000. Thank you very much, the UEFA Financial Reports.
Previously, the money was paid in KCHF.
Which reminds me of charity games ? Racing Club de Paris? Of long ago!
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Arsenal team: Ospina, Bellerin, Mustafi, Koscielny, Monreal, Iwobi, Cazorla, Coquelin, Oxlade-Chamberlain, Ozil, Alexis
Arsenal substitutes: Cech, Holding, Gibbs, Elneny, Xhaka, Lucas, Giroud
Read more at http://www.arsenal.com/news/news-archive/20160913/team-news-alexis-starts#ADKPpB5LoPBu5SE5.99
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the u19’s drew 0-0 with PSG u19’s
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1 minute in and its 1-0 to PSG, poor defending all round and Cavani has a free header to put the french side in the lead
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Come on the Gunners
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HT: PSG 1-0 Arsenal
poor enough from arsenal so far, poor defending on the goal, especially from Monreal. Second best most of the half, midfield been poor, Cazorla not got in the game, as usual ball not sticking with Alexis. Iwobi been good in parts. Major improvement needed for second half.
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I shall take 0-1 at HT – steadied the boat after a lightning start. PSG ran out of steam about 15 minutes in after which its been even possession wise. Very little threat on goal from us but it will come as we twist an opening. Concentration increase required at the back.
I can’t see anything less than a point at the final whistle.
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Oh my, Steww, this is a wonderful piece. Thanks.
It’s half time and Ive only just read this, but havent got to the comments as yet. That’ll be for afters.
I’m supposed to be helping out, so I’m glad I didn’t catch this article earlier, or I may have neded up having to take a good look at myself – prior to the inevitable couch – sprawl.
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63 minutes – Giroud on for ox
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70 minutes – Xhaka on for coq
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Get in thhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhheeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeerrrrrrrrrrrrrreeeee!!!
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77 minutes – alexis powers in a shot to the back of the net after iwobi shot had been knocked back out to edge of the area 1-1
I think he was about to be taken off, as Lucas was getting ready to come on
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82 minutes – iwobi shot saved, the shot needed a little more power
ospina has made several outstanding saves for us so far.
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84 minutes – Elneny on for ozil
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Giroud booked for dissent
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4 minutes stoppage time to be played
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Barcelona 7-0 Celtic
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Giroud and Veratti both sent off for second yellow cards
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Phew! Good goalkeeping from Ospina, good to grab a point though!
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thot Giroud was a sub?
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FT: PSG 1-1 Arsenal
much better from afc in second half, even if psg had several great chances, Ospina kept us in it, and alexis goal gets us the draw. Giroud unlucky to be sent off. Other game in our group ended 1-1 too.
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i thot we lost follow the grudge on the bbc commentary… glad we drew away then… advantage us clearly with an away goal
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Well there we are then – our hosts huffed, puffed but looked as likely to blow any houses down as an asthmatic dormouse. Stuck to our game. Deserved result.
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psg had loads of good chances, one on ones with ospina, cavani alone had more chances that we had in total.
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I see many saying Giroud actually got a straight red, from replays he did nothing to warrant even a yellow, so if he got a straight red its pure crazy stuff from the ref
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Rory Smith @RorySmith 2h2 hours ago
Skhodran Mustafi is complaining goal shouldn’t have stood because there was a second ball on the pitch. Technically, I bet he’s right.
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The 12th Man @_The12thMan 1m1 minute ago
Ospina made the saves Man Utd fans pretend De Gea makes.
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We could have been four down before we equalised. Not be because PSG are so good. They are not. No. It would have been because Arsenal are not quite gelling. I thought The substitutions made a massive difference. We should beat PSG easily at the Emirates.
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A precious point and away goal – it’s still early days, for the new line up, hopefully that fluency will come soon before the next international waste of time disrupts our preparations.
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