I’ve tried to gain inspiration for today’s preview from the deluge of football which has swamped us around the turning of the year. Unfortunately as I don’t care about the other teams involved in these fixtures all I got for my troubles was a crick in the neck from trying to do other things while simultaneously keeping an eye on matches I wouldn’t normally condescend to acknowledge.
Of course it’s disingenuous to suggest that the results of our rivals have no impact on our season. The final league positions are decided by an holistic interweaving of results each affecting the others in a complex web of possibilities. That wasn’t why I watched Middlesbrough though. Not really. I watched them simply because Calum was playing and I’m intrigued to see if I can glean anything from his performances.
After Francis Coquelin’s inspired return from the barren wastes of the loan wilderness any Arsenal player currently honing their craft on alien pitches has that delicious potential to become an Emirates based game changer. The problem I have with watching an entire match just to enjoy the contribution of one player is the same as watching the Welsh international team. I’m simply not invested in the result nor the contest as a whole. One doesn’t enjoy a gourmet meal by lifting a single ingredient onto one’s fork and abstaining from the rest.
Not that ‘boro or Wales provided cordon bleu cookery, far from it, but I hope my point still stands. The gastronomic delight du jour in the Arsenal kitchen has been cooked up of course by our Gallic heartthrob. He has been promising a goal of such superlative defying elegant ostentation ever since he joined us. Older readers may remember February of twenty thirteen when I was moved to write these words:
“Out of absolutely nowhere and without bothering to so much as take a touch never mind think about a pass, Olivier Giroud, still some thirty yards from goal and near the touchline unleashed a terrifying dipping shot which would have snapped the Mordor keeper in half if it had hit him. OK so the shot missed the target by a fraction, Arsene got off the bench and signalled his displeasure, the commentators pointed out how well placed Ramsay was and we came home with a well earned point but no more.
But I was captivated by that moment. The audacity, the confidence, the technique. Name three other attributes you want more in your centre forward. Go on. Name them.
But of course the goals started to come. He opened his account against Coventry in the widdley diddley cup and gave us this fantastic quote “This goal has taken the pressure off me. It’s done, I have my first goal. But it has to be the start of a beautiful adventure.” And I started to love him just a little bit.
“But it has to be the start of a beautiful adventure.” Perfect. I’ve been accused of being a bit of a romantic where football is concerned and maybe that is true but like Larry I believe a player’s career and relationship with us should be just that. Wasn’t Thierry’s Arsenal career a beautiful adventure? How else would you describe it? I like that bit of poetry in Giroud’s make up. It complements his physical prowess rather neatly.”
What excited then me was the sense of adventure and invention which all great players have and which provides the moments we love and cherish, briefly lending the epithet ‘beautiful game’ a ring of truth. I think Giroud’s subsequent contribution to the side has vindicated my optimism. The blend of the sublime with an obvious physicality has been present in many of his goals and his vital assists.
His misfortune was to be born into an era dominated by over reaction and the promotion of idiocy which the internet has inadvertently spawned. Had he played in earlier times he’d have been rightly lauded for the player he has always been and not just for one moment of brilliance.
Today the players will need to find other attributes to compliment the skill and speed of their natural game. With an extremely ill timed flu bug working through the camp, injuries still robbing some players of match sharpness, others of any fitness at all, Elneny departing for international duty, and having played just the day before yesterday, stamina and determination will matter as much as fluency and improvisation.
Bournemouth have won and lost three each of their previous six games and are one of those sides I find difficult to predict. They don’t strike me as naturally suited to the suffocating defensive tactics beloved of many of our opponents nor quite good enough to go toe to toe in a straight footballing contest with us. But then, neither did Everton.
The Cherries’ best result was probably the four three over Liverpool who are enjoying their best form for a few years. There was also the six they stuck past Hull but then they’ve contrived to lose to Burnley, Sunderland, Stoke, and West Ham so pick the bones out of that lot. As I say, unpredictable, up and down; they are capable of flowing football and abject defending and their best hope will be our lack of fully fit players. They’ve had one day longer to recover since an away win at Swansea. Precious little you might say but when we’re talking of a four day period it is significant nonetheless.
I’ll settle for a win however achieved but I wouldn’t say no to another slice of scrumptious footballing cuisine from the man who stole my heart over four years ago. As I said back then “A man who should have taken a season to win me round had me in that one sparkling moment of near brilliance back in August. There’s just something very Arsenal about him.”
Positively Arsenal 
Another masterpiece Steww. Glad your memory remembered that Olly quote. His el scorpio will remain in mine forever.
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A gourmet breakfast blog,
The 2 days thing is massive,
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Good morning Stew – usual chaos this morning first day back at the coalface proper.
To achieve anything in football teams need to score goals, and the team that has a range of goalscoring weaponry to hand will do better than one who relies on a single blade, no matter how sharp that implement is. I think Arsenal, with Larry, Alexis, Perez flashing brightly when he gets a chance, and with Danny on his way back are VERY WELL EQUIPPED in that regard. We also need the midfielders to chip in with goals. Xhaka we know can shoot, and it is high time Aaron got his eye in with a net burster.
One question though – I am a bit puzzled why Elneny is not playing today, as Sane turned out yesterday for L’pool ? The tournament does not start until the 14th and Egypt do not play until the17th – I cannot see what it would be any disadvantage for Mo to improve his fitness and sharpness tonight then head off to join up later in the week ?
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Top work Stew and how good to be reminded of that early near miss. If my memory serves correct he came on as a sub in the first game of the season and almost scored (probably should have). Be interesting how he would have been regarded had both of those gone in. He seems to have scored a lot of headed goals recently and I wonder also if it took the team a while to adjust to that astonishing strength of his. The goal to equalise against Manchester Utd earlier this season as good an example of that craft as any – but he can’t score those without the crosses! He strikes me as just about as model a pro as you could hope for and I think I am right in saying he came to football relatively late and after a University education. I remain convinced that if that route was more readily available to English players the English leagues and side would benefit. Notwithstanding difficulties against Indian spin the success of hockey, cricket. Rugby and athletic teams suggests that there is a greater pool of sporting talent than that which the current league clubs are fishing in.
Of all the sides to play away tonight I am glad it is Bournemouth, which is not to say I expect us to win, but it might be more attractive than some games.
Thanks also for your various kinds messages. Situation a bit more stable but am becoming an expert on the road to Chichester. I shall do my best to resist the temptation of turning right at Southampton this afternoon.
Coyg!
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To be a World class striker.
Master of the one touch finish.
Love watching the darts, it’s all about the finishing even if I don’t watch all the rounds, I try make sure I catch the semi’s and the final. With proper development of the sport (All hail Barry Hearn, it is true though) the standards have elevated along side the atmosphere. Michael van Gerwen vs Raymond van Barneveld . Van Barneveld had an incredible 112 point average, an average that would him sweep anyone else in darts but was absolutely destroyed by his opponent, it was not even close, because you need to finish on a double.
to be a World Class striker, you need to have the ability to score a goal when the player recieves the ball, it can’t be a half chance or a quarter chance, it must be no one is thinking goal or chance. Then the player does something, then everyone is says “What was that” at least 5 times a season.
World class players give you hope.
steww (Great piece again)and I saw the same thing, Giroud shot against Stoke was the statement I wanted , after watching Chamakh crumble under the weight of the shirt, as he realised the challenge of Robin van persie, I needed to know the next plan B had something extra. Did he have the right stuff? Now he is playing his role, we don’t have to burn him out.
I can safely say, I have never seen a player finish of with one touch so deftly on such a regular basis, big goals important goals.He can make it look easy, like anyone can do it, his combinations on some of the best goals ever seen at the Grove, is legend.
Now we all have a “scorpion” for our memory banks
He is no Van Basten or Gullit (position players of similar height and build ,I just thought I might as well finish Dutch) but,
Giroud can give us a New Hope.
Happy 2017 to all who are positive.
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I always love reminding Steww of his ode to Larry four years ago. As we both remaked then, it was the sheer audacity and velocity of the effort that amazed us. Deep inside though, like Arsene, I felt it was a low probability attempt which he should not waste his time on (Granit Xhaka I am looking at you). The only successful longe range effort I recall was that consolation goal vs United last year. It was the start of 10-goal run that lifted us in the tables. Happily Giroud is now doing most of his damage in the 18-yard box. He is tops in the League for headed goals, lethal with those flicks and backheels to runners and, as “When We Were Boring” correctly observes, Larry is the master of the one-touch snap shot. Unfortunately he is so left-footed it hurts; this was painfully evident on Monday vs Crystal Palace when he missed that early cross by Monreal trying to flick it with the left when the right peg would have been the better option.
Based on the data I am of the conviction that we cannot win the league without a significant input from Giroud.
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Giroud has always been a rogue one (I’ve got me coat on!), leading the rebels from Montpellier to beat the gas guzzlers of the Imperial Parisian petro corp colony (doesn’t get more ‘imperial’ then that!) to a French title no less.
As WWB says above he might not be a Van Basten but for me he’s a different style of player, therefore I’d compare Giroud to the slightly older Ibrah. And Ibrah has always had it easy, played with great players, yet I’m not sure if he’s ever scored a better goal then Giroud’s ( he may have ). Or with someone like Adebayor (pre-retirement after which came after move to City) who was slightly different in style (more mobile).
I’ve been mulling this one over: it was a better goal then any scored by RVP (different style of forward) at his time at the club. There. I’ve written it!
Giroud had already superceeded old two face in the Arsenal record books with that backheel at Wembley in 2014. he’s just reinforced that understanding and appreciation.
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Giroud is less left footed the Perez! Hehe.
Or Wilshere, though Wilshere was improving there before injuries and still has time of his side.
The headed finish against West Brom was not bad either!
Not one but two incredible goals for him in the last two matches.
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Lovely stuff Steww
I watched this ten times during my lunch break back at work:
https://mobile.twitter.com/ArsenalTerje/status/815621648225366016/video/1
Just love Martin Tyler: “…behind Giroud oooooooooooooooo! He’s come up with it the scorpian touch”
Gary Neville: “Oh my God this frightening…”
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So close to another all-time great goal here. Both angles needed to appreciate touch and skill before the shot
http://www.101greatgoals.com/gvideos/olivier-giroud-hits-the-crossbar-in-final-seconds-of-arsenal-1-everton-1-gif/
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Humorous touch on that clip is that as Giroud is expertly controlling ball before unleashing that shot, you hear someone in crowd complaining ‘Giroud…what you doing there!!’
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I haven’t finished reading the comments from A5’s review yet. Tut.
Also, tut, at the very moment I read: “The gastronomic delight du jour in the Arsenal kitchen”, I thought of that of that strike by OG. (I think of it several times a year, even during off-season).
I flitted between elation and despair when I read on and saw your (Steww’s) recall of your own article from back then.
Nobody mused on OG’s potential as a result of that audacity – except – apparently, everyone, and I well remember AW looking cross.
I’d be cock-a-hoop if our Arsenal can come up with two masterpieces in three days – as you have done here, Steww.
COYG
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@shotta_gooner I agree totally with you it was a low prob shot, I am one who hates those 1 in 30 range shots, but coming from Montpelier I wanted see if he would have the nerve knowing he was plan b if he had “dreams” and the shirt would not weight him down.
“The Arsenal shirt, is a very heavy shirt”
World Class players can keep you in contention and get you ‘over the line’ , but mostly they get you ‘upto the line’ and then players like “Larry” will get you over it. 1997 NBA Finals Steve Ker, MJ, 2016 LeBron, Kyrie ,Diego Maradona 86, Bobby Charlton 66 are examples (Some would argue Kyrie, but he has never had to carry and help grow a franchise before) Giroud is a vital piece.
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Charity Shield against Man City and outside the box in a cup-tie v Brighton were two other long-range efforts from him. But despite the potential we all saw and the subsequent delivery of said promise, we owe a big thanks to Andy Nic and Harry Gordon’s superstore.
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https://streamable.com/nnn9q
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A very enjoyable read. Thanks.
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Fins
That’s an absolutely sensational montage!!!!!!
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Fins – the Finnish commentator almost exactly mimicked my response – a sort of laughing scream.
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Can’t see video link by Fins. Taken down because of frickin copyright issues.
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Good job I downloaded it Shotta!
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probably the next best Giroud goal was v west ham, a high ball in, defenders hanging out of him, like they tend to do, he controlled the ball instantly with his left foot, and powered it past the keeper with his right foot.
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Sam Elliott@SamElliott_NLP
Hearing Arsenal have won the race to sign Hednesford Town’s Cohen Bramall, the 20-year-old left-back. Will be confirmed this week
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Thick and fast (the games and the blogs not the Steww and Andy combination) at the moment difficult for anyone to catch a breath.
This is one of those games we need to win and get out the way. I really want to enjoy it but I think the nerves will be jangling for a while.
We played well enough in the palace game for a hatful if we can shake off fatigue and play that well again the goals will come.
3 points and then a rest for some off the tired limbs before the next league game would go down nicely. COYG
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looks like jeff and AMN in the squad tonight.
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Didn’t expect LP to be dropped but Ramsey must play. Tough on Gabby too – hasn’t done a lot wrong that I can see.
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only 3 changes in the starting 11, I had expected a couple more, really thought ox would have started.
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Arggghhhh I did not hit the download button!
–
COYG!
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Mustafi might be better suited for AFBC (assuming he’s fit) with one day less to prepare then opponents when playing twice in 48hrs it makes sense to change as many as feasible so Gabby gets the short straw as Koscielny is skipper!
The wide midfielder might for wide forward could be tactical (I have no clue!)
I’d also expect good odds for Chambo coming on for Alexis, who’ll be flagging after 55 odd mins. Shame Ozil and Gibbs are both out!
Afobe doesn’t get the start but he’ll be a fresh sub against tiring legs, this will be a tough contest especially as an equivalent passing opponent who have had three and not the dreaded and much analysed two day recovery window.
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I’m disappointed for Lucas Perez as I felt he needed a couple of games to get on the wavelength of the rest of the guys but them’s the breaks . Aaron replaces him and not Iwobi. I kind of thought it might be Aaron for Alex, Ox for Sanchez but what the fuck does it matter what a fat, bald, old, unemployable fart like me thinks?
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actually yes
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http://vidi.tv/embed-player/Korvalol
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thanks for that link steww
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http://stream-planet.eu/quzGPR
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Sparkling start. Looking very sharp.
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Nice attacking open game from both teams
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Spent all day trying to get to the computer to say how much I enjoyed this post.
My prediction for the game was for a tired looking Arsenal to struggle to get to grips with the last game of the festive period. Instead, both teams have started brightly, asking questions of each other, a nice ebb and flow to the game early doors.
COYG’s.
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Petr Cech earning his corn.
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we are struggling a little so far, our final ball is poor
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Bournemouth attacking hard hoping for an early goal. They want a tired Arsenal trying to chase the game. Good tactic.
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new offside rules for Arsenal I see,
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pathetic defending by Bellerin,
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Superb ball, very well taken goal. No complaints about that one.
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Fuck off. Bellerin was a millimetre away from taking the ball off his toe. Pathetic? Get a grip.
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he sold himself steww, it was schoolboy stuff from him,
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silly from xhaka, penalty to afcb
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2-0
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is cech ever going to save a penalty
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Plenty of time to put this right – we were a bit disjointed in the opening
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