Good Morning Positivistas,
What a gorgeous Spring morning. Little lambs gambolling happily and noisily in the field, scurrying packs of ducklings on the river bank. Hullo clouds, Hullo sky.
As you can probably tell it is my last day before the annual retreat to the Hebrides – and my mood is rather good.
And to send me northward we were treated to a sumptuous footballing display last night against the ‘Ammers. 3-0 may have been the official score but if it had been 5-6-7-0 then the visitors could have had no serious complaint. As Shankly quipped “they were lucky to get nil”. The unusual thing about our three goals was they all went in the same spot, low to Randolph’s right.
We saw on Sunday confidence seeping back into our players against Citeh. No sudden upswing, just a little more assured, less hesitant. The recent domestic and European misfortunes had clearly dented their belief in themselves. Last night that improvement moved on a further pace. Ozil had his best game, in terms of influence and involvement for three months. It was Mesut’s snap shot that undid what had been, up to then a good night for Randolph.
The recent boo boys target Sanchez had a very good evening, working like clockwork with the German maestro and chipping in two of the sweetest balls to Danny and Hector that I have seen this season. We saw Granit last night also hitting some sweet passes, again the Swiss played (to my eye) like man with a weight lifted from his shoulders. Much praise has been aimed at the Elneny and Xhaka combination last night. A little early to say yet but two tall, long legged central midfield players ( neither of whom is the new Vieira), both comfortable on the ball, certainly did for the ‘Ammers.
Going forward therefore we were totally dominant then but spare a thought for the lads at the back. Andy Carroll has a reputation for success against Arsenal, with his biff-bash-bang style unsettling even the smooth Koscielny in seasons gone past. With Kosc out and our third string keeper in last night Oor Andy must have fancied his chances. But no – not at all. Last night the pony tailed one received just as much stick as he handed out, courtesy of Gabriel. It seemed to me every time Carroll was in the air or challenging for the ball that Gabriel was all over him. At one point in fact he was through the back of him. It is good to know that an opposition striker went home with a few bruises for once. Martinez had one serious save to make all night. Says it all.
For the team from the London Stadium, soon to be the Vodafone Stadium apparently, a fifth defeat on the trot. Bilic tight lipped, relegation looms. What a shambles that enterprise is turning into.
Poor night for Martin Atkinson. Evidently he had set out not to award a penalty no matter what and resolutely stuck to his guns. Let the cameras roll.
For those of you who cannot stomach the MSM I can save you the bother and we are now “officially” back in the hunt for a Champions League place, as though we were ever out of it ? Liverpool and Citeh obliged us last night. With games in hand and the confidence flowing I rather fancy the game at Selhurst Park to be a opportunity for reeling them in some more rather than an obstacle.
Enjoy your Thursday.
Positively Arsenal 
Your review is as good as last night’s performance.
Great game from the Arsenal and great performances all round from the starting 11 and the 3 subs.
Did they play for Arsène Wenger?
They might have but I would like to think they played for you Andrew. After putting you through the proverbial ringer the last weeks they owed you that one, deserving so…
It feels damn good to support the Arsenal.
LikeLiked by 7 people
Good morning everyone, good morning Andy.
Chipper it is .
LikeLiked by 4 people
Further good news is that Atkinson has already done a cup final so we should be safe from him if we get there.
Bad news is we’ll prob have him for at least one more big league game, prob Spurs, and he could get the semi.
Oh, and Taylor might not have had his go at a cup final yet!
Sorry, it’s incurable with me. I only saw the bleeding highlights but have been stirred up by talk of Atkinson’s usual antics.
LikeLiked by 2 people
so so happy for the team… efforts rewarded for a change
LikeLiked by 2 people
Morning Andrew, Labo, George, everybody.
Perfect write up, calling spades spades; let the cameras roll indeed.
After recent protests and much nonsense on social media about ‘the terrible atmosphere’ at the Emirates, courtesy of a last-minute call from a pal I finally got up to town for my first game of the season last night.
Can only assume it must have been one of our best nights as not only was the famous awful atmosphere nowhere to be seen but it was noisy (in a good way) and ultimately jubilant (in a jubilant way).
The first half was a patient, probing affair but the crowd was noticeably appreciative of our efforts in attack, a commanding performance at the back and what can only be described as an ‘effective’ midfield partnership between Elnenny and Xhaka.
Even ‘lazy’ Ozil was, quite literally, everywhere.
I loved ‘that’ tackle by the arch-assassin Gabriel on the distinctly unangelic Carrol but the move, the moment and the goal of the night for me was inevitably played out directly in front of my pew by the holy trinity of Alexis, Ozil and Theo. If there is anyone in the house yet to see it, make sure you do, soon. At least six times, it was that good.
If Arsene can get a spine built around those 6 names then half his job may be done. Even our supposedly ‘3rd’ choice goalie was a bundle of confident agility; we never really looked like conceding.
So full credit all round then?
Well not quite.
I’d been looking forward to cheering on the protesting WOB types but there were none. Irony of ironies, they failed to turn up. Just no consistency there whatsoever. Can’t recall the last time there was a decent protest, they’ve completely lost their touch and I’m guessing they’ve also lost their equivalent of the dressing room.
Face it lads, it’s over.
Unlike Arsene’s reign, which could be about to enter two or three of the most interesting years of his north London career.
Exciting night, interesting times..
LikeLiked by 7 people
The old fart’s thoughts:
A blue moon moment when Hector went past a full back and crossed to Theo whose shot was saved this time. The youngster looked dangerous all night and may well have had a goal of his own.
At the other end, Gabriel had a happy night, only letting Carroll out of his pocket when he was substituted.
All our frustrations of recent weeks disappeared with a second half performance that was akin to a cat viewing a saucer of cream. What an absolute pleasure to see it was.
Oz, Alexis and Theo all turned up at their best and Olly came on late to demonstrate to Danny how it should have been done. Behind them, Granit and Mo Elneny did well, Granit having one shot that showed he’s not lost the art.
All in a really good night for the good guys. Keep the faith.
LikeLiked by 4 people
PS. I forgot to mention Atkinson who was at his disgraceful worst. He really should not be allowed near an Arsenal game, he’s bent.
LikeLiked by 4 people
I love how your tone matches the performance and the weather. A jaunty piece of prose written with its cap tilted at an angle and a knowing smile on its lips. Bravo.
The man who has impressed me most over the last two games has been Granit Xhaka. It’s the speed at which he looses those long passes, he barely seems to think now just acts and that is the sign not just of a good player but of a good player in confident form.
LikeLiked by 5 people
there were lots of empty seats last night, but if anything it was a blessing, it was the WOB and malcontents and self entitled – yeah I know all three are usually one and the same – who stayed away, and boy look at the difference, we had less bums on seats, but what was there were supporters, they came to back the team, and you could hear it, the difference was clear to be heard, of course the antics of Atkinson helped get some of the reluctant fans to make some noise, even a blind man could see from early on that it was an 11 v 12 contest, and those in attendance were having none of it, Randolf wasting time from minute one also helped get our fans riled up. Oh what a pity we don’t see much more of this, hopefully the stay awayers will continue to stay away, last night might only be a small sample but if it proved anything it proved we are far better off with only having supporters in the ground, let the whingers fuck right off.
I have advocated for some time that the club should actively id the protesters and withdraw season tickets from them and I have not seen one good reason why it would not be a good idea.
LikeLiked by 3 people
i hope there is a number of games that can be missed and season tickets will be taken away from them?
LikeLike
Well done Andrew. So my optimism that Arsenal would revert to the mean was not wishful thing, not blind faith. After at least 760 games over 20 years with an average league position of 3rd with a standard deviation of 1, the unbiased data does not lie. The the normal (or Gaussian) distribution is an iron law of statistics. (For those with a data background the foregoing statistic is based on an entire population, not a sample.) Without being a Math major, we can say with 95% certainty that Arsenal under Arsene Wenger will revert to somewhere close to 3rd position.
Yup, despite being heavily outspent by Chelsea and City, no longer having first dibs at the best talent in the French league (Henry, Viera, Pires, Petit, et al) Wenger has proven time and time again he is the greatest living manager in the PL who can turn lemons into lemonade. This is despite the best efforts of the corrupt, corporate, mainstream media to use a streak of poor results, which btw is due mainly to the absence of Santi Cazorla, to turn the fans and the public against Arsenal’s greatest. asset. I wrote a blog last October using the data to prove that Arsene would be our manager indefinitely. I had hoped the management would republish it to put all the baseless fears to rest but alas.
As I told Muppet on twitter last night I have absolutely no sympathy for the bitter, deluded fan who chose to ignore the data and to sink into despondency and despair. I am happy they are disenchanted and heartbroken because it is as clear as a summer’s day that Arsene will sign that new two year contract. Their idiocy and stupidity is of their own making.
LikeLiked by 2 people
Like others have said, let’s hope they are good to their word and give up their season tickets. I sadly know a chap I’ve known for 40 years who I stood n the North Bank with and have shared many happy Arsenal moments with who now has taken the WOB view, he will get short shrift from me if he broaches regret following his action.
LikeLiked by 3 people
Actually, I don’t especially have a problem with people wanting Arsene Wenger to leave. It’s also the same with our right back, Hector Bellerin. Or our playmaker Mesut Ozil. If people want to see them gone that’s fine – providing they can tell me precisely who they would replace these individuals with. Because change for the sake of change won’t cut it with me I’m afraid.
There may be a better right back than Hector – fine, let’s go get him, whoever he is. Then if it turns out he is indeed the superior player we can have that conversation with Bellerin.
But never once in all the ‘Wenger Out’ years has anyone convinced me there is anyone better than Arsene Wenger for the job and that’s where my sympathies end. If you are idiotic enough to agitate for change without a specific replacement in mind – and one that we know will come to Arsenal – then I shall remain uninterested in your arguments, your complaints and your protests.
And let’s also face it, there’s a long and staggeringly inglorious list of players and managers put forward by our online experts who, invariably within two years, have disappeared from view and exist in our memories only as mere footnotes to the follies of those for whom talk is cheap and meaningless.
Christopher Samba, anyone?
One Arsene Wenger.
LikeLiked by 6 people
Thank you Andrew.
–
Attendence looked like it was still plus fifty thousand,
Unless the side of the stadium i was in was empty which I don’t think it was…
LikeLiked by 2 people
Samba? Meh!
What about the Chosen One, the candidate annointed by such experts as professional comedian Alan Davies:
David Moyes!
Unlike the others this is a suggestion that looks better with each passing season. I certainly am appreciating such comedy from the professional comedians at this moment in time.
And Rooneh is appreciating that 300K contract his old gaffer signed for him whilst he settles down to eat some more pies. Win win for all concerned.
Anyone who disagrees with me is going to get a slap…
LikeLiked by 3 people
AA: Try Pep “4th place is like a trophy” Guardiola for Arsene Wenger.
Remember he doesn’t stay any longer than 3 seasons and is used to having the best players. Just a couple of inconvenient facts.
LikeLiked by 3 people
Every one knows me to be the unyielding champion of the PL referee, to keep my head when all about me are losing theirs and blaming it on the bloke with the whistle and/or the flag – to steal a little from Kipling.
But for FUCK’S SAKE ATKINSON PULL YOURSELF TOGETHER, MAN.
LikeLiked by 9 people
Your indefinite piece will be published Shotta – just looking for the right timing – at present the games are solid.
LikeLike
Lovely stuff Andy.
Nothing to complain about from last night.
Except the terrible man in black.
LikeLiked by 4 people
According to Carragher,
Klopp is working on a project at Liverpool.
So taking pressure off him to win anything, over even targeting top 4.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thanks for the update A5. That piece is the best I can do until I complete my tax return prior to April 15th deadline. I will amend the intro by Saturday to make it more topical.
As for Atkinson; what more proof do you need that the refs are biased? 2 nailed on penalties earned by Monreal simply waived away. All Wenger and the players could do was to shake their heads in disgust.
LikeLiked by 3 people
The wobs need a young, new and dynamic manager with fresh ideas and a DM or two AA.
LikeLiked by 2 people
labo, don’t give them any hints… i trust any such manager to choose arsenal and Arsene over them though so then again…
LikeLike
So, it’s off to the Isle of Skye with you, Anicoll – inspired guesswork? no – it’s the only part of the Hebrides I have visited. Clearly if your high class and utterly sensible and amusing Post is anything to go by you must be gearing up to visit your ancestral pile. lol
I have only managed to view snippets of the game, but apart from my delight in winning any game with a clean sheet, it is with equal delight that I read that Andy Carrol was given a beasting by Gabriel, and that all the boys seemed to have recovered their confidence in their undoubted abilities — courtesy of AW.
You and Steww, past masters of excellent Post writing, give sanctuary to weary blog readers like myself, and provide solicitude for the innocent fan, away from all the egregious nonsense spouted by so many.
Thank you.
P.S. when do you return from your self imposed vacation? I will hibernate until your return. lol
LikeLiked by 1 person
The Isle of Islay Henry – Queen of the Inner Hebrides, a much gentler terrain than Skye. Mrs N is from there and still has family on the island. We have gone up around Easter since about 1996 and the kids, despite now being ‘all growed up’ , still join us.
As for the treats on PA – don’t stint yourself – the furry fury himself will be penning the Palace post match !!
LikeLiked by 1 person
I will make sure to diarise that, then, Anicoll – and now you say it, ‘furry fury’ is exactly right for the man himself — a ‘Gaelic furry Fury’ if the Hair colouring and face warpaint are anything to go by.
That is rather a nice family tradition for you to all go, annually, to the Isle of Islay.
My work over the years has occasionally taken me to Scotland to such places as the Crinan Canal and Ardrishaig and the various Lochs – not to mention Glasgie – and I have loved it — and got paid into the bargain. lol
LikeLiked by 2 people
Andy, do you go for the Laphroaig or Smokehead? Last night, both could have gone down without touching sides, but I had to make do with a rather good Merlot!
LikeLiked by 2 people
Mrs N’s family – the Harveys – founded the Bruichladdich distillery back in the 1880s Ian – my hands are tied !
LikeLike
Henry – Andrew can’t go away for long as George is refusing to sign the forms. He’ll have to wait until the Summer Transfer Window, like normal people.
LikeLiked by 2 people
well AA some of the WOB want arsene gone so that they finally know if its Stan they should be targeting, re money to spend on players. Yes, even after all these years, all the articles, all the accounts analysis, these idiots have not got a clue what self sustaining means. They want Arsenal to spend like Man City, Chelsea and Man Utd, and no amount of explaining why we don’t and can’t, will just not be accepted.
LikeLiked by 1 person
LikeLiked by 1 person
i dont know what all the fuss is over Atkinson’s performance last night, it was no worse than his performance in the chelsea v arsenal game a few weeks ago, just ask Bellerin.
LikeLiked by 2 people
Reporter : You’re the first PL side to score 100 goals in all competitions this season. Wenger : You don’t hear good things about us.
LikeLiked by 2 people
http://dailycannon.com/2017/04/arsenal-westham-motd-audio/
LikeLike
Have to say, pretty disappointed with the commentary on the match from Arsenal TV. Not much different to the mainstream. Talking about ‘Wenger’ this and that, making excuses for Atkinson etc etc, might as well watch BT or Sky, Jesus.
LikeLiked by 4 people
Hey Anicoll
Wave at us. I’ll be on the Isle of Arran from tomorrow evening till next Friday.
Great post by the way
LikeLiked by 3 people
Excellent write up, A5. And I think you win the comments section today, as well. Enjoy your well earned holidays!
LikeLiked by 2 people
reports that Arsenal are set to sign Marcelo Allende the Chilean attacking midfielder who has had three trials at London Colney and played in a tournament for the youth team last summer in Soth Africa and was captain of the Chile u17’s and he turns 18 tomorrow and that means under FIFA rules he can be signed by a european club and sign a pro deal.
LikeLiked by 1 person
I wonder does the recalling of Macey from Luton Town, so he could be sub last night, – club had to get permission from BPL – suggest that Cech and Ospina are going to be out for a few weeks, surely AFC would not recall the lad just to be sub for one or two games.
LikeLike
Scouts in Attendance @scoutsattending 9h9 hours ago
#arsenal European scouts have been at club this week to discuss summer targets etc with A. Wenger, who is obviously staying then (#shock)
LikeLike
The key talking points from the presser
Here’s a summary of what Arsene had to say this morning
Coquelin set to return, but Cech and Ospina both out
Laurent Koscielny injury not as bad as first feared
Alexis ‘wants to stay’ and it’s up to the agent to find an agreement with the club
Wenger discussed Elneny and Xhaka partnership from West Ham win
He confirms announcement on a new deal will come from the club
LikeLiked by 3 people
it seems some of the loudmouths have realized with their two latest failed protest stunts, that they are very much a minority, and the reaction of the majority of fans both at the games and on line hold a different view to them, and that they are doomed to remain failures, some protests called off, some twitter accounts closed and now megaphone himself calling for “fan unity”, you really have to laugh
LikeLiked by 1 person
you know a thought occurred to me that the only thing that all these protests and stunts actually achieved was making it far more likely that Wenger signs a new deal. Think about it, both Wenger and the club would be motivated to make it clear that no amount of idiots would force decisions on either the club or our manager. Secondly a lot of fans who really did not care much either way, and some who were on the brink of wanting Wenger out, were so ashamed of the malcontents behaviour, especially going ahead with a protest on Rocky’s day, despite all the calls for it to be left alone as a mark of respect to one of our all time greats, The childish levels of the protests – the fact leyton orient fans could take the piss out of it shows the level, as did the plane and of course Wexit. all contributed to these fans getting a voice themselves, and saying enough is enough, I’m not willing to make a show of my club, I’m not willing to be part of what is clearly an ego trip for some twitter accounts, I’m not willing to be part of a money making racket for waster fans, and I’m certainly not willing to be part of hounding out our greatest manager, a man who clearly has put his heart and soul into 20 years of work for Arsenal. No, no, no, enough is enough, and the malcontents have been told so, and in some cases in no uncertain ways.
ITs apt that this has happened in the week after Rocky Rocastle’s day.
LikeLiked by 2 people
I never mind the team losing (that much) and unlike many of the fans who have enjoyed league winning success only became passionately interested in the club the season that van Persie left. But the last couple of months I’ve found difficult because of the combination of refereeing, wobism and relentless media vitriol. It all felt rather childish.
LikeLiked by 4 people
And, to carry on, the protests started to drain all the fun out of It, far more than any loss. The City point felt.like a win, the West Ham result real cause for celebration. And strangely all the more so because those points dont necessarily lead to anything. It was enough to enjoy the moment for what it was. I am thinking of a new weekly column entitled Mindfully Arsenal. As opposed to one entitled Entitled.
LikeLiked by 6 people
so glad this site is still here, its been a rough few weeks and I’ve had to switch of to most media regarding arsenal. Always come on here to read.
LikeLiked by 4 people
Don’t see how you can look at that clip and think Atkinson merely gets it wrong.
Look at his view. It seems from that angle he had to see the player made no contact with the ball and crashed into Monreal with first right then left leg.
Even if his eyes mysteriously decieved him and he imagined the player got a tiny nick on the ball, it’d still be a pen.
The poor bloke who goofed up the rules in the newcastle game gets cut and might see his career damaged; old Atkinson, who saw as clear a pen as can be and refused to give it,sails on. A fixture this weekend as always.
He took it too far. Normally they are fine with giving them when a game is dead and buried, but the habit of no or the dislike in him must be too strong and he simply refused to do it. The feedback from above and the media is, worryingly, that even that is ok.
The footage of the ref from Ghana, who got a life ban from Fifa for giving handball in the cup of nations qualifier when the ball struck a knee, is no more damning than this.
LikeLiked by 5 people
GoonerWez @BigWezza Apr 5
This is Arsenals worst run in the Premier League for 21 years and we are 5th.
Man United on a 20 game unbeaten run and are 6th 😂😂
LikeLiked by 1 person
AFC GLEN @AFC_GLEN
#TheArsenal 👌🏼 indoor pitch at Hale end named after Rocky. The future generations will learn the name David Rocastle for decades to come
LikeLiked by 2 people
Might be dumb of me this, but does anyone know if agent’s fees are included in transfer price?
Looking at the list of prem spending on agents yesterday and i think it’s under-discussed what role they must often now play in determining a player’s destination. Their motivation for transfers is clear and extreme.
Ominous to think how tempting it must be for the ones with big clients to earn themselves a massive payday (3-5 mill? More?) through looking for a transfer.
Perhaps more ominous though is how easy it is in comparison to us for Chelsea, Utd and City to bung a few extra mill in there to mr agent to sway a deal. The impact of that is rarely ever discussed but it must be massively influential.
LikeLike