Hello el Positivista!
Arsenal is kicking off 2018 with the Emirates the stage as we welcome London rivals Chelsea.
The Blues come into this match with great form and an extra day’s rest, we, of course, got winded by the Hawthorns con-job and, well, we also haven’t exactly been vintage these last few weeks.
However, I don’t think any of that matters. This is a derby and like most, if not all derbies, it should be looked at in isolation as there are more than just the 3 points at stake. There’s the matter of pride and bragging rights as both set of players usually give that bit extra of themselves. And permitted referees don’t go into the match with “a gameplan” to allow elbowing, amongst others – because apparently it add to the “theatre” – more often than not the team that wants it more get the result.
In recent history Arsenal has been that team that wanted it more. Which is why I feel we shouldn’t be filled with too much apprehension when our players walk out on the Emirates pitch tonight.
This match is the measuring stick for Arsenal as far as the PL is concerned, so there will be hopes of leaving the Emirates feeling good about ourselves on having given a good account of us and our status, by putting on a decent display and preferably get a good result as the battle for Champions League qualification intensifies.
Do that and I’m pretty confident we can kick on to enjoy a really productive 2nd half of the season.
On team news: a decision on whether Mesut Özil will make the matchday squad will only be made later today, and we’ve lost Kolašinac and Koscielny too during the battle at the ‘Thorns, so I guess our tactics will be altered to keep things more tight at the back and not play to high a line. Playing uncharactically from deep and lobbing balls over the top to try and get Chelsea on the counter.
Wouldn’t that be something having Alexis, Alexandre and either Theo or Danny chasing down long balls.
The Emirates crowd has been the backbone this season so I expect there to be a reaction from them after events these last few days to make life very uncomfortable for the match officials. It’s time for us to fight back as one. Don’t make Arsène Wenger feel that he is on his own.
Enjoy the game everyone.
@LaboGoon
Positively Arsenal 
It will be a very good test for the “inbetweeners” Labo. Another good review. Thanks
LikeLiked by 3 people
Nice one LG, we really need a result tonight so like you say we need the players, crowd and officials to be up for it COYG.
LikeLiked by 2 people
Agree, whatever anyone thinks of recent officiating, time to back the players, and especially the manager who is taking a stand and speaking out to make the PGMOL a bit more accountable, and improve on some very poor refereeing we regularly see.
More refs, better coaching, better communication, more support from the anonymous Mike Riley if some ex refs are to be believed would be a good start
LikeLiked by 2 people
we play chelsea 3 times in the next 21 days, might even be more if we draw them in the FA Cup
LikeLiked by 1 person
the Greek Harry Maguire
LikeLike
Evening Labo – on song for a busy evening. Chelsea enjoying a recent run of good results but, like us, their form has been up and down all season. Being the tactical thinker he is my guess is Conte will set up his defence and invite us to have a bash, and hope for a combination of our jitters and Hazard and Morata to serve him up the winner. My fingers are crossed he will be disappointed.
LikeLiked by 2 people
Stephy Mavididi joins Charlton until end of season
Read more at https://www.arsenal.com/news/stephy-mavididi-joins-charlton-until-end-season#p320fIx8IASlxtmK.99
LikeLike
COYG!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Not been doing my usual pre-game thinking, dreaming and psyching up today. Hoping for best as always.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Arsene Wenger: “There are two things that aren’t normal in the Premier League. They are: the schedule, and the referees”
LikeLiked by 2 people
LikeLiked by 1 person
LikeLike
if Arsenal are signing 20 year old Konstantinos Mavropanos, it would leave us with a nice group of young central defenders, with Chambers soon turning 23, Holding 22, and Bielik turning 20 tomorrow. And Mustafi still only 25, we look like we are well placed to deal with Per retiring, and with both Kos and Monreal in their early 30’s, they could still be around for a season or two yet to usher in the younger guys
LikeLiked by 1 person
Good luck to him if we do sign him, remember a time back in Portugal when the Greeks were pretty tasty defenders, let’s hope if he arrives, this youngster can carry that tradition for us.
Would be a classic Arsenal signing, right under the radar, maybe Sven M starting to work his magic as well, or course IF rather than when at this stage
LikeLiked by 1 person
Cech is captain tonight, no better time for him to get his 200th BPL clean sheet
LikeLiked by 1 person
what a let off, chambers makes a big error of judgement, and moratta has a free run on goal, but fluffs his one on one
LikeLike
Arsenal will never get a penalty again
LikeLiked by 1 person
alexis shot hits both posts and ends up in the arms of the keeper, who did get a hand on his shot, a fine save
LikeLiked by 1 person
on our penalty shout, AMN may have tripped himself up
LikeLike
latest angle shows moses did clip his heal,
LikeLike
keeper with a good save to keep our lacazette shot from edge of the area
LikeLike
Think you are right first time Ed, no more penalties for The Arsenal
LikeLiked by 2 people
Bellerin is annoying the fuck out of me,
LikeLike
cech saves from bakayoko
we are being opened up a bit too easy for my liking, we seem to be slower than the CFC players
LikeLike
that is the 3rd time so far Jack has been on his heels, not been sharp so far. Which could be said about a few of our guys so far
LikeLike
jack rightly booked for a late challenge, after he lets ball away form himself
LikeLike
jesus our guys are half asleep, on their heels,
LikeLike
can’t be giving cesc that sort of room
LikeLike
bellerin having a poor game
LikeLike
silly by xhaka to give away a free kick there
LikeLike
ozil shot a foot wide
LikeLike
Maybe they might be fresher after Stoke rolled over and have had more rest days perhaps, where we got in yet faced at WBA?
LikeLiked by 1 person
The problem at the back in early parts of games is I’m convined that is focus or the lack there of.
Having clear in your mind what are your plans for the first 5-15 mins
LikeLiked by 1 person
Almost forgot
Oh Jacky!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Much more of this password shit and I’m giving up
LikeLiked by 1 person
HT: Arsenal 0-0 Chelsea
a very open game, both teams with couple of good chances, both keepers have made good saves, think we should have had a penalty, not happy with some aspects of our play, too many times our players have been flat footed, bellerin been very poor for me. Ozil has done some good things, and we need to get him on the ball more, AMN having good game too
LikeLiked by 1 person
Exactly the game you’d expect – two good footballing teams – plenty of good passing, movement, a few shots, quality tackling and cover
It’s a fucking nightmare – about 50/50
I can’t stand watching this
LikeLiked by 1 person
I loved that first half, and I have to say A5 that was not what I was expecting. After that problematic WBrom game I thought we would be lucky not to get shot down, but the lads can hold their heads high.
Hope they carry on in the 2nd half, altho my concern is that the CBs are a bit ploddy and that is a problem with that fleet-footed, skilful player called Hazard.
Nerves a jangling.
COYG
LikeLiked by 1 person
In midfield the spacings are still bad
Not comunicating clearly and lack of discipline in midfield
Mesut has been ‘World Class’
Laca lively
Alexis has been probing ,looks like he is running into a bit of form
Jacky is really showing he is a high class midfielder understanding of football
Xhaka still not worked how to play in this system
LikeLiked by 1 person
I think Arsenal have created chances through good play
Chelsea chances have been down to bad defending by Arsenal
LikeLiked by 1 person
that should have been a booking for holding
LikeLike
cech with two fine saves
LikeLike
lacazette need a bit more guile there
LikeLike
holding booked
LikeLike
now that was laughable it was such a bad decision or non decision by Taylor
LikeLiked by 2 people
pgMOB “theatre” keeping the champions in this game.
It is: what it is.
LikeLike
in fact, looking at replays, jack dived, should have been carded and sent off, not what I want to see from our players
LikeLiked by 2 people
Can’t be dropping them to ten men this early in the half eds!
It’s the:
“theatre”
LikeLiked by 1 person
jack actually done a jamie vardy, he was the one making sure there was contact
LikeLike
Jack was carded not for making contact but the lateness of his lunge. Which was a correct yellow.
By that measure that was a yellow too.
LikeLiked by 1 person